The First Sunday of August is the sixth year of a tradition organized here at NHCC: We invite all the other UCC clergy from Newton to gather for worship (it started because we have air conditioning, and we’re friendly…) and we celebrate a guest preacher.* Last year Newton Presbyterian members joined us as well, and worship includes communion. Like July, this is at 9:30 a.m.
This year the Rev. Dr. Eric Jackson is our preacher. He is senior pastor at Eliot UCC, in Newton Corner. When he was pastor in Syracuse, New York, he invented “Jazz and Justice” worship, as well as “Messy Church.” We can ask. His divinity degree is from Drew University, and his doctorate from Hartford Seminary (where Ken received his). That said, he is a wonderful neighbor and great leader.
Then for the third year in a row we move worship to Wednesdays at dinnertime, instead of Sunday. There is no Sunday worship after August 2, until September 6. However, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. we share a light meal, a great deal of conversation, and then a time of prayer and song to cap the evening. The gathering lasts about one hour. Whenever possible we are out on the lawn, so children can run, breezes can blow, and we can celebrate creation. There is always gluten-free food, and plenty of lemonade and iced tea. And plenty of time for prayer.
* In case you wonder, Mary Luti, Nancy Taylor, June Cooper, Alex Shea Will, and Alison Berry have been our great preachers. These are wonderful gatherings, and folks from each parish join, including in a community choir.