It was a wonderful day to give thanks to God and celebrate our giving! Thank you to everyone who joined in.

Our yearly tradition of Youth Pie Baking is back in person this year! In two hours on Saturday night, we baked 15 apple pies, wrote notes to some beloved friends in the congregation, and still had time for pizza and games. A huge thanks to these thoughtful and generous young people and to all those who pitched in to make some deliveries this year. It takes a village.

An incredible evening of singing, fellowship, roasted hot dogs and S’mores was enjoyed by all ages last Sunday, with folks hanging by the fire and playing lawn games while the sky darkened above. The hot dogs were delicious, the S’mores were plentiful, and the joy of being together was a gift to all.

Be sure to join us next month on December 12th as we add an additional fire pit (two fires to enjoy!!), more hot dogs, and more fun!

Last Sunday the sun was bright, the picking was plentiful, and the donuts were delicious as almost 30 adults and children joined us for a delightful afternoon at Carver Hill Orchard in Stow for our beloved apple picking tradition. We were so busy picking and visiting and having fun together, I only got a few pictures, but it truly was a blessed event and it felt so good to be together. Hooray for apples and friends!

WCUC’s walking prayer group has resumed its in-person meetings on Monday mornings beginning at 9:30am. Alternating weeks between the Welcome Garden and Walden Pond, this is a group of fellow travelers who come together to share life’s challenges and celebrations, enjoy the company of friends, and walk in nature to absorb the beauty of creation and listen for God’s guidance.

Quaker author and activist, Parker Palmer, writes:

“When the world’s heartbreak threatens to take me down, it helps if I can remember that this is not the only world to which I belong. Like every human being, I have “dual citizenship.”

I’m not talking about another country, or a world we create with wishful thinking. I mean the vast and very real world of nature that stretches from our bodies to all the life around us, then to the stars, and on to the immensity we call the cosmos. I mean a natural world so vast that we can never do the harm we have done on earth.

Remembering my “dual citizenship” is not an effort to evade the world of human heartbreak. By understanding that I belong to a cosmos that has seen it all, embraced it all, and folded all of it into what is, I have a better chance to “see life steadily and see it whole”.

When I can look at life that way, I’m better able to engage creatively with the here and now, neither crushed by a sense of inadequacy nor lost in fantasy.

Rooted in the serenity of that cosmic reality, return to the heartbreak of everyday life to contribute whatever you can to healing and peace.”

Scenes from our walk this week:

Newcomers are always welcome! Please email Joyce DeGreeff (joycedegreeff@gmail.com) for more information.

After being forced to cancel our Pentecost event due to predicted storms (which never materialized), Sunday Fellowship was determined to gather together on June 6th despite the record heat. Once we consulted with Minute Man Arc’s nurse, packed coolers full of cold drinks and set-up in the shade, it was party-time! Enjoy these photos of Sunday Fellowship’s first in-person gathering since March 2020.

The Youth Group ventured out last weekend to Groton for some amazing kayaking on the Nashua River. We basked in the glory of water, trees, bridges, turtles, birds, lily pads and more! We hope you enjoy these pictures and we encourage you to try out family owned and operated Nashoba Paddler’s this summer.

It may have been a bit cold but the sun was shining and the fire was roaring, and that was enough to give the Youth Group time for a little fresh air and a glimpse of spring. Lent feels especially long this year, after so many months of pandemic living. So it’s good to come together and be reminded of the gifts of nature, laughter, and friendship as we prepare for Easter – a new beginning full of hope and possibility.

The youth group took advantage of the sunshine and snow last weekend with a gathering for some outdoor fun. We enjoyed some sledding (and a few friendly snowball fights) and then warmed up by the fire with hot cocoa and s’mores. We might have to make this an annual tradition!