Our Church buidling is closed, however, in the past we have had these fantastic discussions!   See below to check out what we've been involved with! 

Evicted: Discussion of the Housing and  Homelessness Crisis 

Matthew Desmond’s book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City was the UCC “All Church Read” this summer. Join us to discuss Desmond’s findings from years he spent embedded in public housing in Detroit Michigan as we learn more about the local story of housing in our area. We will be joined by Susan Crossley, Director of Family Promise Metrowest and learn more about their program to prevent homelessness for families at risk of eviction. 

Environmental Action Sunday: OPT Up: Your Power, Your Choice 

Did you know that you have the right to decide where your electricity comes from? Learn everything you need to know about Natick’s aggregation option and how you can shift to 100% Green Electricity for your home for just pennies per kWh more than fossil fuel reliant alternatives. A light lunch will be served. 

Building Bridges: Portraits of Immigrants and Refugees 

Building Bridges is an exhibit of photographs and interviews with people who have come to the US as immigrants or refugees. The exhibit was created by Family Diversity Project to challenge the damaging myths and stereotypes about this often-marginalized group of people. 

Environmental Action Sunday: Composting

On average about 40% of our waste is compostable. Join Sybil Schlesinger of Natick Composts over alight lunch and discover how easy it is to sign upwith Black Earth Compost for weekly home pick-up of your compostable waste. You’ll save water downthe disposal and blue bags in the trash and turn your potato peels into soil to grow great healthy food.You’ll be surprise how much you can compost!

Family Promise Hosting Weeks

Family Promise offers hope to homeless familieswith children through safe transitional shelter,meals and supportive case management as they seek permanent housing. We open our church building for a week several times each year to provide a welcoming place for homeless families to stay. Volunteer opportunities range from set-up to shopping to hosting meals to offering activitiesfor the children and overnight stays.

We Shall Remain

There is an essential part of American History thathas been left out of the way we tell our story. Join

us for a viewing of the first episode of an American Experience series called ‘After the Mayflower’. This episode may upend our two-dimensional stereotypes of American Indians as simply ferocious warriors orpeaceable lovers of the land. It tells the story of the days following the landing of pale-skinned foreign-ers and of their relationship with the Wampanoag natives. As we approach the 400th anniversary of these events, it seems to be time to acknowledge the ugly truth of the colonization of this land.

Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath: Vigil and Forum

Each December we remember those lives lost to gun violence in our country and we call for common sense gun legislation to reduce the harm to our fam-ilies and communities. Join us on the Front Porch for a candlelight vigil to remember those lives, es- pecially those killed this year in El Paso and Daytonamong others. Following the brief outdoor vigil, we will move inside for a discussion of the impact of gun violence and to hear from Representative DavidLinsky about local gun control initiatives.

Rock the Vote! 

Politics is often taken to be a dirty word, but political processes are simply the way communities organize their common life. For people of faith, public policy is never merely politics. It is a way of living out the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. There’s only one year until our national election. Find out how you can raise your voice and get involved in our democratic process. 

Annual Community Opiate Vigil 

The prescription painkiller and heroin crisis is wreaking a devastating effect on young Natick residents and their families. During the holiday season, the Natick community will gather again to remember those we have lost and raise awareness about addiction in MetroWest. The evening will include testimony, inspirational speaking and prayer, as well as an invitation to future action. 

The Souper Bowl 2020: Penguins vs. Polar Bears 

The Polar Bears take on the Penguins in the Souper Bowl of Caring to restock the shelves of the Natick Food Pantry. Contributions of non-perishable food or cash or online donations are tallied at the end of the service on Super Bowl Sunday to see whether those living north or south of Route 135 will win the coveted Campbell-Progresso Trophy! 

MLK Community Celebration 

Gather with the wider Natick community to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and discover

how his legacy continues to shape our community and empower our young people to practice justice and com- passion for all people. The Johnson Peacemakers, guest speakers from the high school and youth winners of the MLK Essay competition will present. All are welcome to participate in a community gathering to follow where you can meet many of the great people and organizations committed to service and justice and social action who make Natick a great place to live. 

Realms of Racism Training 

Friday evening & Saturday (Dates TBD) 

In this two-day workshop we will seek to create a common language around racism, to unmask racism in our lives, and to encourage long-term engagement in racial justice ministry. We will explore the “Inclusivity Spectrum” so that we are better able to respond to the complex issue of racism that is so deeply rooted in our cultural experience that we are often unaware of the assumptions that we make. 

Environmental Action Sunday: Edible Forest Gardens and Beyond 

Join Andrew Whittaker of Green Abundance by Design for a presentation on ecological landscaping utilizing the patterns and resilient features observed in natural ecosystems. Learn about edible forest gardens, pollinator meadow gardens, rain gardens, as well as using native plants and rainwater harvesting. Discover how landscape design can work with nature in your backyard. A light lunch will be served. 

Environmental Action Sunday: Effective Climate Advocacy ~ What Does It Look Like? 

This workshop by the Mass UCC Environmental Ministries Team will address why addressing the climate crisis through public policy advocacy is an urgent issue today. It will also explore different methods of advocacy and what it takes to be effective. It will pro- vide information on current advocacy opportunities, including local, state and federal issues. A light lunch will be served. 

Environmental Action Sunday: The Green New Deal 

The Green New Deal has been touted by some and ridiculed by others. Kyle Richard of the Sunrise Movement with highlight some of the key features of the proposed Green New Deal and how the Sunrise Movement is building an army of young people to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. A light lunch will be served. 

Cabell-Lincoln County Work Camp ~ Country Roads Take Me Home! 

Every June our congregation has a long history with this mission trip to West Virginia. Youth and adults travel to the hollers of Cabell County West Virginia to work on crews from up and down the East Coast to make homes warm, safe, and dry. 

Natick is United 

Natick is United is a network of a variety of groups in Natick interested in promoting an atmosphere of welcome and inclusiveness. There are many opportunities to get involved – from flying a rainbow peace flag at your home to attending an educational event to showing up for a peace rally on the common. Keep your ear to the ground and watch for more information about what this group is planning. Visit their website at https://www.natickisunited.org.