Disaster Relief: Wider Mission Special Offering for September On top of the distress COVID-19 is causing, people all over our nation have experienced the danger and disruption of weather-related disasters: a derecho in Central Iowa, terrible fires in California, and Hurricane Laura in Texas and Louisiana. In all those places, the United Church of Christ is […]
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.
Caring for our Neighbors and Our World
MISSION PROJECT UPDATE: A Cup of Cold Water What is “A Cup of Cold Water”?: “A Cup of Cold Water” is an all-church mission project to serve Boston’s homeless during the hot summer months in the midst of the pandemic. We are filling reusable water bottles with important safety items. We will give the filled […]
Framingham Community Farm
Dear Friends, I just returned from our third weekly drop off at A Place To Turn—what a joyful way to start the week. Early crops of lettuce, kale, radishes, chard and peas are ready now. They help fill the gap while we wait for summer to really take hold in the garden. All beds are […]
Caring for our Neighbors and Our World
All-Church Mission Project: “A Cup of Cold Water” “…whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” ~ Matthew 10.42 This summer you’re invited to join in a congregation-wide, intergenerational service project. We’ll be […]
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. […]
Gifts That Give Holiday Fair
Saturday, December 7, 1:00-4:00pm in Edwards Hall Wondering what to get for your Aunt Flora who has everything? Tired of buying gifts that don’t seem to mean anything? Want to make a positive difference in the world? Want to give gifts that bring joy? Hoping to avoid long lines for Santa at the mall? Then […]
Christmas Fund
On December 22 we will be taking up a special collection—The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund. This fund—ongoing for 110 years—is one of four Special Mission Offerings received annually in the UCC. Your generous gifts enable the Pension Board’s Ministerial Assistance program to provide help to individuals and […]
Presents for Pathways
The Wider Mission gift drive for residents of Pathways Family Shelter is underway. This year, we will be providing a pair of slippers and sneakers for each child, as well as a set of dishes (basic service for four) for each of the fourteen families to have when they move to more permanent housing. Walmart […]