presbytery blessings

Friends - thanks to all who helped make our hosting of Presbytery of Boston a blessing to many! It was a joy to host and all be gathered under one roof - our varied & faithful small piece of the body. Hope to see you this sunday!

lots o' buzz around this church n' some good info

Friends! This harvest-moon September is a busy month - lots of life in and around our church these days. Don't miss our own Melissa Myers and others play at the Oasis Coffeehouse this friday at 7:30. Also, the autumn equinox is 9/22 - the same day as we are hosting Boston Presbytery! Please remember to pray for the unity and peace of our church - and to come lend a hand to ensure the evening meeting goes well. We'll be at the church from 5pm onwards... 

Larainne sent this around - a 30 second video that very much honors God's children - please check it out! And for those who missed James Carroll's editorial in the Boston Globe - I recommend it as it relates a bit to what we've been talking about at Watershed. There's a church clean-up at 9am this Saturday in preparation for Presbytery. FINALLY - hope to see you at Watershed this sunday. 

some beautiful faces of firstpres!

Next Watershed - MONDAY Sept. 1

Remember that Watershed is moved from Sunday Aug. 31 to MONDAY Sept 1 - Labor Day at 7pm. Same service, one day later so people can enjoy the long weekend and still make worship. Hope to see you then.

transition prayers

Friends - let's keep the Community Day Center in our prayers. Today was my official last day as Executive Director, as I prepare to make the transition to Assistant Chaplain at Harvard. I am so deeply grateful for all the dear friends I have met here in the basement of our church, and have been privaledged to work with such a deeply committed Board. I am so encouraged to be a part of this church that sees solidarity with the disenfranchised as a central part of the gospel. Let's pray for the search for the new director.

Picnic-it-up! and New Members!

Oh yes, the infamous church picnic is upon us!! But friends, this one is unlike others you may have attended - we're off to pastor Jean's house in Mansfield - she and John live on several acres of trees n' peace. They have a superb garden - and I imagine we'll be tasting of its "fruit" a bit! So, bring along a dish/ salad/ dessert to share - and meet at the church at NOON this Sunday, 8/17 - and we'll carpool to reduce out carbon emmissioning. Drop Rob and email if you are coming - so we know who to wait for. ALSO - this Watershed 8/17 at 7pm please come to support Carol Rowe and Larainne Wilson who will be joining our church as new members!! Come help us welcome them as part of Watershed service. Hope to see you then - and enjoy the sunshine this week.

this weekend

Friends,

Back from our wonderful Celtic Eco-Adventure Trip to Cape Breton (photo from St. Ann's Bay United Church) - this weekend lots going on: Friday Oasis Coffeehouse with Jason Harrod & Jake Armeding - NOT TO MISS. These 2 are amazing. Then Saturday morning stop by the Waltham Farmer's Market - Watershed will be there just to meet people, and our own Kim Davidson will be playing on their stage at 11am. Sunday, artists reception 2-5pm. And then Watershed at 7pm - quite possibly with Jason Harrod supplying some music, Prof. Willis Jenkins some eco-theology, and Scottish Rachel super-camp-director some news from Wilmot. See you!

independence day...

New Bedford declares Fossil Fuel Independence Day this year. What things might we each seek to become independent/ free of? Consumption, materialism, nationalism, patriotic self-righteouness, self-loathing, fear? In humility, may we become more of a country where this quote is applicable to all - "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free."

In this light - check out Becky's set of articles on the New Immigrants of southcoast of MA: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SPECIAL62

eco-labyrinths & farmer markets

The Presbyterian Conservation Corps went great! Thanks for the prayers. This photo is of some of our Eco-Stewards getting the chance to try out some new spiritual practices like walking the labyrinth in the midst of God's creation. Come this sunday to Watershed for our continuing What is Presbyterian/ What is Watershed class for 30 minutes after the service. Also, if you are around - join Rob at the Waltham Farmer's Market (moody & main) this Sat 6/21 9am-noon - we'll be giving our free Fair Trade coffee on behalf of Watershed and the church to continue our goal of reaching out to our community.

upcoming

Watershed moves along this summer - with same 7pm sunday service times. A few upcoming events: Presbyterian Conservation Corps - keep Rob in prayer as he helps lead this year's Eco-Stewards events in PA and NY June 5-11. What it means to be Presbyterian - come join us starting after Watershed June 15 for 30 minutes for some talks on what this church & watershed & membership is about - we'll continue this for 3 weeks. Waltham Farmers Market: starting Sat. June 21, we'll set up a table serving free fair trade coffee at the market this summer - 9am-2pm, to help meet our community and spread some of the good news of what is happening at 34 alder street. peace be with you all!

Watershed Memorial MONDAY 7pm

Friends, since a handful of you will be away on Sunday, with monday as holiday - we are simply moving Watershed to Monday May 26th, same time and place - 6:30pm for coffee and 7pm for service. As we remember this weekend, and honor, let's also remember that call to spread peace in this world.

pentecost & burma

This sunday 5/11 we celebrate Pentecost - the ending of the easter season, and the day we commemorate the early gathering of Christ follower's visitation by the Holy Spirit (acts 2:1-4) Elliott Hipp will be sharing with us, and some special music by our own Melissa Myers. We'll also be taking a special offering to support those in Myanmar. See you then.

Watershed takes ACTION to care for our Charles River Watershed - April 26th

Let's gather together and clean up our Watershed!!! This Saturday at 8:30am we're gathering at church for some coffee & snacks before we set off to pick up trash as part of the 9th Annual Charles River Day Clean Up Day - from 9-noon. Please bring some gloves if you have them, extra trash bags (although they usually provide them), and boots/ shoes you can get dirty or even wet if need be. This is a kid-friendly day, and a lot of fun. For those who have time, we could go out for a pizza together afterwards - or simply stay for part of the time if you can't stay the duration. This will be one more practical way we can put our faith and mandate this Earth Month to care for God's creation into ACTION.

HAPPY EARTH DAY today!!! Psalm 104 is a great read today and this week!

Earth Sunday - april 20th

Earth Sunday 4/20/08 - come join us for Watershed at 7pm. The national council of churches theme this year is The Poverty of Global Climate Change. Come join us to focus in on the earth and our role in faith - and also hear special guest & movie-maker Andrew Mudge sing some Mason Jennings for us. Remember too at 1:30-3:30 we'll watch the documentary Renewal - a movie about various faith group's responses to the ecological crisis. There is also an artist's reception from 4-6pm in our Oasis Gallery. Feel free to drop in anytime for some art n' goodies. A full day - please join us for some or all. And let me know if you want an organic watershed t-shirt for Charles River Day Clean up 4/26 at 8:30am. peace on EARTH.

Earth Month Begins

April is Earth Month at Watershed and First Presbyterian. Each service we'll focus on not only what it means to practise ressurrection this Easter season, but also on what it means to practise earth-care as we attempt to tred lighter on this one world we've got. Be sure to check out below for upcoming eco-events. See you sunday.

Earth hour - a Fast from Energy - this Sat. 8-9pm

Imagine how much energy can be saved if the entire world fasted from energy use for just one hour? We have the chance to do our small part this Sat. 3/29 from 8-9pm. Find some friends, light some candles, go for a night walk, or go to bed early...whatever - it will make a difference. And then join us sunday for Watershed and the first sunday of this Easter season. http://www.earthhour.org/downloads/EH_728x90.swf

alleluia!

Christ is risen indeed. Easter peace!

A word from Wendell Berry (excerpts from Wendell Berry’s Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front, 1991) :

So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Ask the questions that have no answers. Plant sequoias. Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit…
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?…
Practice resurrection.

holy week

Each day this sacred week has special significance. Let's all take an intentional moment each day this week and pause in the midst of our busy lives and simply contemplate the mystery of GRACE. And as you can, please join us for the ecumenical community services starting tonight (Maundy Thurs.) (listed below), and especially the EASTER VIGIL starting at 7pm with an Agape (love)-Seder-esque meal, and then 8pm service starting with bonfire outside. There will be an optional post-service late night vigil-to-Easter in Watershed style - please let Rob know if you are interested. Together we walk in solidarity this week with Christ and the poor, through death, and into new life, new HOPE.

eco-palm sunday

Friends- come join us sunday night at 7pm for palm sunday - "eco"-style. http://www.pcusa.org/palms/ And today (sat) is the 5th year anniversary of the war in Iraq - let us pray for peace to come just like Jesus came into Jerusalem on that donkey. Radical peace. See you sunday. (also still looking for a reader for Maundy Thurs tenebrae service, and one for Easter Vigil as well...let me know if interested).

call to peace-prayer / holy week help/ prophetic voice of Carroll

This friday 3/7 at NOON, we are joining many Christians around the country to uphold Iraq and her peace in our prayers. Take a moment in the midst of your day to pray - or come join us at the church for a short vigil together.
Also, since March is here, we are approaching what we consider Holy Week. This begins with (Eco-) Palm Sunday on 3/16, and then we are joining the wider Waltham community for a services starting with a Tenebrae service (service of the lights) on Maundey Thurs at Beth Eden Baptist (7pm), Good Friday at Immanual Methodist (7pm), and then we host an Easter Vigil Service at 8pm on 3/22. This will be proceeded by a unique AGAPE-SEDAR-ESQUE meal at 7pm. Please join us.
Also- we need a reader or two for the Tenebrae service on Maundey Thurs - any takers? please let me know.
And finally - James Carroll's Constantine's Sword was amazing - a serious must see for anyone who desires deeper peace and reconciliation in our globalized and religiously divided world. Especially powerful during this seasonal approach to Easter.
Hope to see you for Watershed this sunday 3/9 at 7pm for 5th sunday in lent and some Taize.