The Congregational Church of Weston, UCC

130 Newton Street, Weston, MA 02493

781-899-5417 – skuhrccw@comcast.net

For Publication in Weston-Wayland Town Crier

January 5, 2012 Religion Section

MEDITATE ON SUNDAY AT THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTON, UCC!

All are invited to worship with us at the Congregational Church of Weston, UCC each Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. This Sunday, January 8, worship leadership will be shared between Pastor and Teacher Rev. Joe Mayher and Jared Hirsch, a yoga instructor affiliated with the Down Under Yoga Center in Newtonville.  The center’s website describes Mr. Hirsch’s approach this way:  “Jared’s dynamic style emphasizes the strength one can receive through conscious breathing as it relates to the physical postures. A distinction of Jared’s teaching is his ability to offer a variety of adaptations to accommodate a wide range of practitioners, enabling each individual to create a practice that is suited to his or her needs and goals.”  Worship will be held in the round, and the sermon time will feature a demonstration of yoga breathing techniques, gentle stretching, and an approach to embodied meditation.  Postures invited will be gentle, and only seated or standing.  Worshippers may choose to participate or simply observe.  The scripture lessons for the day are Genesis 2:  4b-9, which speaks of God’s breath in the process of creation, and Acts 19:  1-7, the story of Paul visiting Ephesus, where new believers had no experience of the Holy Spirit, when at Paul’s invitation, their faith opened to a new dimension. Music is under the direction of Samuel Martinborough assisted by Organist Alexander Lane.

After their special time in worship, children in grades K-8 leave for their Faith Discovery classes. A Montessori curriculum, Godly Play, is utilized for younger elementary students; Seasons of the Spirit, a lectionary based curriculum, is used for students in grades 3-5 and 6-8. This week, children in grades 3-8 will make “Stone Soup” for the church’s pastoral freezer.

Confirmation and youth group programs also meet regularly outside of the worship hour. For more details about the Faith Discovery program click on the Faith Discovery link on our website www.congwestonucc.net. Childcare for infants and preschoolers, available during worship, includes instructional stories and activities.

The church, located at 130 Newton Street, is an accessible, Open and Affirming congregation within the United Church of Christ. For further information, please visit our website at www.congwestonucc.net or call the church office at 781-899-5417. All are most welcome!