Download the Worship Bulletin Here: Worship Outline 7-26-26.docx

Halfway through our week here, we have already experienced extraordinary grace, beauty, suffering, and compassion.

The reservation — The Rez — is a hard place, by design. Centuries of genocide, oppression, and deprivation have made sure it is so, and continue to this day. This is one of the poorest places in the United States, where many people live without running water, heat, electric power, or adequate — let alone healthy — food. The people here are suffering economically, physically, mentally, and spiritually. There is every form of injustice. And yet we are hearing from our Lakota relatives that there is a renaissance unfolding. People are re-learning their heritage: their language, traditions, songs and ceremonies and prayers. As we offer our labor to build and deliver beds, safety ramps, and outhouses — outhouses! — they generously reciprocate with their life stories, both trauma and hope. It feels important to contribute, as Nancy put it, concrete interventions to problems that go way beyond the concrete. And it feels equally important to gratefully embrace our Lakota relatives as beloved family, to join with them in heartfelt prayer for peace, justice, and an end to White Supremacy.

As hard as it is, The Rez is also a profoundly beautiful and sacred place, as Branda captured in her poem, and as you can see in some of the numerous photographs we have taken. In our nightly closing session, we have reflected on how each day’s experiences have kindled our spirits with gratitude and wonder. There is so much more to share with you, much of which will take us time and discernment to fully process.

Thank you for sending us here with your love and support. Please continue to pray that God will work through all of us — those of us here in Pine Ridge this week and all of you at home — to re-member creation, to heal and make whole that which humans have broken.

In love —

Julianne, on behalf of Andrew, Branda, Henry, Jodie, Maggie, Michaela, Nancy, Petra, Sonia, and Rev. Will

Badlands by Branda Wilhoite

Painted desert,

desiccated to fading,

Crumbly underfoot,

Framed by wide, blue skies.

A ribbon of green, swaying grasses

Swathed at its feet

A dry creek bed- the memory of a river-

A trickle, a shrinking puddle,

In the hot afternoon sun.

Rock spindles stand like tall sentries

Guarding “The Bowl”

Unlikely life- sage, paintbrush, and thistle,

Breathe hope into this desolate,

Beautiful place.

Re-Member

To make whole that which is broken.

The youth are hosting an Easter Bake Sale after church on Palm Sunday, March 29th, and would love your support! Plese consider donating baked goods to help make the event a success. All money from the Easter Bake Sale will help buy essential blankets and bedding that will be delivered by FCCW volunteers on the service-learning trip in June!

Jazz Celebration of the Palms

9:40 AM, Sanctuary

To mark the beginning of Holy Week, we will gather in the Sanctuary before service to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Our jazz trio — Jane Potter (keyboards), Lenny Bradford (bass), and Rick Forzese (drums) — will offer prelude jazz music beginning approximately 9:30 am. Then at 9:40 am, we will assemble to bless the palms, read the scripture, and sing together as we begin our Palm Sunday celebration. Our 10:00 am worship service will follow.

Palm Sunday Worship Service

10:00 AM, Sanctuary and Online

Sweet Bites Cozy Nights

Baker’s Needed! The youth are hosting an Easter Bake Sale after church on Palm Sunday, March 29th, and would love your support! Please consider donating baked goods to help make the event a success. All money from the Easter Bake Sale will help buy essential blankets and bedding that will be delivered by FCCW volunteers on the service-learning trip in June!

Outdoor Church Sunday March 29, 2026

We are looking for sandwich makers and a couple walkers for Outdoor Church on Sunday afternoon March 29th. We meet at Harvard Epworth Methodist Church (1555 Mass Ave) at 2pm on Sunday afternoon, deliver sandwiches to the homeless in Harvard Square and Central Square and are usually done by 5pm. Please signup here to make sandwiches or walk. It will be a meaningful way to begin Holy Week. Thank you for your generosity.

Pine Ridge Reservation Service-Learning Trip Fundraiser

March 29, 2026
11:00 AM, Chidley Hall

Join us at Palm Sunday Coffee Hour!

Learn more about Re-Member, our hosts for the trip.

We are looking for Donations for the in-person raffle/silent auction.  Ideas include gift cards from local businesses, home goods, services, vouchers for local experiences or sports events, nights at vacation houses or other creative ideas!

If you are able to offer/donate to the raffle or silent auction, please sign-up at link below.   Items can be dropped off with Petra Sansom – 191 High Street, Winchester (551-221-1876) by March 15th.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4FA4AA2CA6FB6-62054244-pine

Thank you !