When Karen Nell asked for volunteers to lead the June Seeds of Grace worship, something nudged me to accept the challenge. I did not know at the time that it was to be a Juneteenth recognition service. Once I found that out, I was so happy I volunteered. You see, over the last few years […]
The Edwards Church Board of Wider Mission
The Justice and Love in Action Team focuses on social justice issues, in hopes of expanding circles of healing and justice to neighbors near and far. In recent years, we have provided numerous opportunities to respond in love to the crises of changing climate and increased public hatred. Our committee worked to provide the Edwards community concrete ways to engage in acts of compassion and social change on our campus, in the broader local community, and globally.
Preparing ourselves to care for our wider community
In order to positively impact our community, Justice and Love in Action offers educational opportunities to help us learn about issues of justice and the environment. We aim to learn more about systems of oppression in hopes of creating change, and to discover and implement ways of being more environmentally sustainable.
Supporting and promoting justice in our local community
Justice and Love in Action helps our congregation positively impact the lives of people in our local community. We support local folks who are homeless and/or in need of day to day necessities, recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers, and we also look for opportunities to help make our nearby towns more welcoming and just for everyone. These include a Martin Luther King Conference in Framingham; Framingham Comes Together; Palm Sunday Parade with our campus' partnering worship committees; and contributions to A Place to Turn, One Less Gift, and Worcester Fellowship, among many others.
Supporting and promoting justice in the wider world
We also seek to extend care to people nationally and internationally, both in moments of crisis and for building ongoing, sustainable support.
Our 2023 annual report is available, and you will find our latest activities below.
Summer Special Offerings
SPECIAL OFFERING FOR JULY Sister Song and Planned Parenthood This month’s special offering focuses on reproductive rights. Our faith affirms the sacredness of the human body, God’s desire for the flourishing of all humanity, and that God grants all humans moral agency over their own bodies. We are called to remove barriers to this self-agency, […]
Gifts That Give
This year, we can’t gather in Edwards Hall to enjoy good treats and company while we do our holiday shopping. But we can still purchase and give gifts with a conscience and have fun doing so. The Board of Wider Mission has three ways you can give gifts that give this season. Online Auction: December […]
Statement from the Council
On September 15, 2020, the Edwards Church Council voted unanimously to endorse the following statement of conviction. It was written by members of the Board of Wider Mission and was originally published as a letter to the editor in the Metrowest Daily News on June 28. The deaths of David McAtee, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, […]
Easing Hunger; Offering Hope
Supporting the Wider Community in a Hard Time Every year, Edwards Church contributes 16% of our congregational giving to support Wider Missions–supporting wider church and community efforts to create a more just and loving world. Typically, the Board of Wider Missions usually does most of our giving in November-December, as we consider major gifts to […]
Socks for Epiphany
The Magi journeyed, or so we imagine, through foreign lands, deserts, forests, and over mountains. We picture them on camels, but surely some of the time they walked. Surely they needed clean socks! Remembering our friends today who may journey from place to place without a home to return to, we will receive a special […]
Celebrating MLK
Especially after this year’s hateful actions targeting African Americans, we are eager to support our neighbors in celebrating MLK’s birthday. Wider Mission is purchasing tickets for the annual MLK breakfast on Monday, January 20 at the Verve Hotel in Natick. If you would like to attend, please contact Heather Gonzalez at heatherbgonzo@gmail.com by January 1. […]
A Win-Win Shopping Expedition–with Santa on a Fire Truck
“Food, fun, gifts for family and friends,” Rev. Dr. Fran Bogle begins. “That’s why I love the Gifts that Give Holiday Fair.” Bogle has been part of the fair for the last six years, hosting a table to raise money for the Just Peace Players, a peace and justice drama group. She’s also been an […]
September Mission Projects
Framingham Police Sponsor Gun Buy-Back Saturday, September 14, 2019, 9:00am-4:00pm The Framingham Police Department, along with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department, will be holding their third Gun Buy Back event this month. They are looking for volunteers to greet people and hand out gift cards. If you would like to volunteer, see the link in our […]
Summer Mission Projects
Looking for a way to make a difference? Have a little extra time this summer? Want to spend time with people of all ages? Then join us for two mission opportunities offered this summer: Daniel’s Table Service Day Friday, July 12 from 1:00-4:00pm In mid-July we will gather a group of youth and adults to […]