{This Moment} Last Sunday After Church

{This Moment} A weekend ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link to you moment in the comments section for all to find and see. Wishing you a lovely first weekend of Autumn! xo

Happy Pride!

We weren't able to make it to Boston for the Pride Parade today but that won't stop us from celebrating! 

Happy Pride, friends! xo

At The Boston Women's March For America

Oh friends, the Boston Women's March was the best thing that ever could have happened yesterday! After weeks of tears and heartbreak, sadness and confusion, gathering on Boston Common with roughly 200,000 other people was just what my heart and soul needed. It was the first time since election night that I'd felt hopeful. It was the first time since election night that I felt like I could breathe again.

As soon as we arrived at the Common you could just feel the positive energy all around! Boston was full of love and kindness that day (and a whole lot of pink pussyhats)! After a few quick pictures we made our way onto the Common. The sea of people stretchered for as far as the eye could see. People were all around, some were even perched in the trees, others on some nearby bleachers. Last we knew 90,000 had registered to go, yet this felt like far more than 90,000!

The speeches began, the cheering began and the sky began to clear. It had been a somewhat overcast day when we arrived (though not nearly as cold and gloomy grey as the day before) and yet as Mayor Walsh introduced Elizabeth Warren I couldn't help but notice how the sky brightened to a lovely shade of blue, and how the white puffy clouds moved in to replace the grey ones. It's as if Mother Nature was right there with us making her feelings known, too!


Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General, summed the day and the crowd up best, "this is what love trumping hate looks like!" she proclaimed. The crowd went wild! 


After the People's Oath we began to move off the Common and on to the street to begin the March. Everyone was so kind and considerate of each other. In a group that size you expect to be pushed and shoved, and yet none of that occurred. People were so polite and caring and mindful. It was absolutely incredible!

We didn't march the entire route, but we did walk a good portion of it, before cutting through the Public Garden to make our way back to the bus. We had decided to leave a little on the early side so that we could be ahead of the crowds who would be trying to get out of the city after this amazing day. We had made it in to Boston in record time, and were hoping the trip back to Framingham would be just as quick and easy (it was).

As we all boarded the bus you could feel how everyone's spirits had been lifted. This march was indeed good for the soul! We returned to Plymouth Church refreshed,  rejuvenated and ready to take whatever next steps need to be taken to keep the momentum going! It was an incredible day. It was a historic day. And I am so very glad not only to have been a part of it but also to have shared it with such an amazing group of women from our incredible faith community (and our wonderful senior pastor, Greg, too). It was an experience I will carry with me always. xo

{This Moment} Mandala Painting

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link to your moment in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a lovely weekend and a blessed and happy Thanksgiving to our American friends next week! xo 

{This Moment} In Which Emma Serves Communion

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link to your moment for all to find and see. Wishing you a lovely weekend! xo

9:45am

Sunday Smiles: In The Prayground

The girls in the prayground at church.

 This was the first week that the prayground was set up, and the kids seemed to have a great time in it during worship! Just another way we are engaging in extravagant welcome and living more fully into the UCC moto of "all are welcome here!" To read more about the prayground that inspired our church's prayground click here. xo

For Such A Time As This

"But when the hateful rhetoric in our country is getting louder and louder, and more people are dying or being abused because of their color, religion, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity/gender expression, then we as a people of faith need to stop sitting in our cozy corners and get ourselves out into the world.

For such a time as this, we are called to listen to stories without judgement.

For such a time as this, we are called to open our mouths and speak out every single time we hear hate.

For such a time as this, we are called to be the voice of love in our world. "

-Rev. Michelle L. Torigian

Pastor, Saint Paul United Church of Christ

To read the rest of  Rev. Torigian's post click here.

Pride

We spent the better part of Saturday in Boston at the Pride parade. It was glorious to be able to join with others from our beloved faith community (both Plymouth Church and other member churches within the MA UCC) as well as countless other groups in support of the LGBTQ community. Our day started with worship at Old South Church where Senator Elizabeth Warren and Pastor Judy Hanlon were honored and gave wonderful speeches. Afterward, we made our way to the MA UCC section and waited for the parade to begin. Once the parade began we were treated to Boston in all her rainbow glory and easily the best crowd of parade goers I've ever seen. Everyone was so happy and supportive and encouraging that it made the long walk in the (gentle) rain all the easier! The girls had a fabulous time handing out candy as they walked along. By the time we reached the end we were all happily tired and ready to head home.

Sadly, for all the joy and happiness that Saturday brought with it, it was shattered by the news out of Orlando on Sunday about the horrific events at Pulse nightclub in the early morning hours. Our hearts are broken but our spirit is not. We will continue to stand up and support our friends, family members and the entire LGBTQ community in the wake of this senseless tragedy. Friends, I know I've said it a thousand times on Facebook and Instagram and I will say it (at least) a thousand more: We in the UCC truly mean it when we say "all are welcome here." If you need a safe place to go or someone to listen, please know that if you find your closest UCC church (especially one who is listed as Open And Affirming) you will be safe and welcome there. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who are affected by this tragedy. xo