Dear friends, Over the last few weeks, the news on TV has been overwhelming. Along with many of you, I have struggled to know what to do with my outrage, distress and fear at acts of hatred and terror in places that are supposed to be safe. This week the news has hit home. Two […]
Pastor
The following is an extract from Pastor Debbie's most recent annual report. Current posts by Debbie appear at the bottom of this page.
As our grace at a recent dinner with friends, each of us shared something we are grateful for and something for which we hope. “I am grateful,” I began, “that almost every day I get to do something that makes a difference. I hope that somehow all our individual efforts can come together to make a bigger difference.”
It was the first thought that came to mind. In the days that followed, I realized how much my gratitude and hope emerge from being part of Edwards Church. Through our church, I get to do things that make the world a better place—in small ways and large. Through our church, I find hope that all our individual efforts really can come together to transform and heal our world.
From the time I started as pastor here, almost 22 years ago, I have known that what we do as a church matters deeply—to the individuals who are part of the church, to the wider community, and to our world. This past year, it has felt especially true. We need Edwards Church. The city of Framingham needs Edwards Church. The world needs Edwards Church. In this troubled and divided world, Edwards Church offers sanctuary, healing and comfort, opportunities to live out our passion and compassion, and new models for being church.
There are so many reasons to be grateful and hopeful. I am grateful for the sanctuary we offer, and hopeful for the ways we will continue to widen the circle. I am grateful for all the ways we offer comfort and healing, and hopeful that God’s healing spirit works through and beyond us. I am grateful for the opportunities we have to make a difference, and hopeful that we can find new ways to work together with other communities. I am grateful for our openness to new ways, and hopeful that we can be a model to inspire others.
I am grateful for each person in our congregation: for our gifted and dedicated staff, for our officers and board and committee and team members, for people who usher and greet and welcome and bake, for people who crochet and drive and pray and sing. I am hopeful that in the coming year we will deepen our faithfulness, our caring for one another, and our compassion and passion for justice.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark
Stewardship 2018: An Oasis of Hope
Dear friends, A few weeks ago, our Stewardship Team gathered for our first meeting. Amy Hendrick, Scott Cleveland, Sandy Thompson, Joann Sewell, Nicola Seaholm and I ate gazpacho as we talked about what inspires us to give to Edwards Church. We talked about trust and transparency: we have input into how the church uses our […]
Who We Are and What We Value
Dear friends, Sunday, September 23 was a very full day! In worship, we rededicated our newly restored historic organ. Cheryl Elkins, our organist, played glorious prelude, postlude and offertory, choosing music that could not have been played on our organ a few months ago! Our young people joined us in a re-dedication litany, and the […]
Wednesday Bible Study Continuing Luke
Weds., Oct. 10 and 24, 4:30pm soup; 5:00pm study Last year, the Wednesday evening Bible Study group began an in-depth study of Luke’s gospel. We asked questions, pondered paradoxes and imagined how we would have responded if we had been there. This year, we continue our focus on Luke. Luke’s gospel brings special attention to […]
A Very Musical Fall
Dear friends, Last Tuesday, through our office window, I saw a van show up in the upper parking lot and some people going into the sanctuary carrying things. By the time I finished what I was doing and walked up the hill, it was gone. I went into the sanctuary and peeked behind the chancel […]
Gathering of Friends Brunch
Sunday, September 16 at 11:30am If you are new to Edwards Church, if you have been coming awhile and would like to get more involved, or if you are a long-time member who wants to make new friends, then this brunch is for you! We will gather after coffee hour for brunch in Susan P. Dickerman […]
Rhythm of Change
Dear friends, The life of a church community involves a balance and a rhythm of continuity and change. At any given moment, we need both. Without change, we become stagnant. Without continuity, we lose our sense of who we are. While we seek to balance familiarity and newness, we also recognize that there are times […]
Springtime Planting
Dear friends, This spring, as you come onto the Edwards Church campus, you are likely to see lots of people. You might see Neela, a botanist from Garden in the Woods, pointing out native plant species. You may run into Andrew, a permaculture gardening specialist who created our Edible Forest Garden, showing a group of […]
Words of Wisdom from “Making Space”
Dear friends, One of my favorite aspects of Lent is our tradition of offering a daily devotional, with each day’s entry prepared by a member of our congregation. Even though I see them in advance, it is still a joy each morning to open my email to see whose devotion appears. I love the diverse […]