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Highrock MetroWest
Highrock MetroWest

Blog: Highrock MetroWest

The latest news from the MetroWest congregation.

 

Highrock MetroWest News

| April 25, 2024

Packing Six Spiritual Life Lessons on Our Move West by Katie Smith Milway

Thank you, High Rock MetroWest!  Mike and I were filled both with gratitude and a dose of separation grief last Sunday. You embraced us in such a fond farewell as we make our way home to the Pacific Northwest after 24 enriching years raising our family in Wellesley.

When we “tried out” Redeemer Community Church on Christmas Eve 2006, we had no idea of the journey ahead of spiritual growth and self-awareness, much of it effected through service and accountability relationships across teaching Sunday School/Confirmation, serving on Missions, Women’s Ministry, Burger Brothers, Worship Team, as an Elder (Mike) and five consecutive home groups. These spiritual life lessons will remain imprinted on my heart:

  • Join in when asked or where you feel things could improve, whether you feel qualified as an agent of change or not, and spiritual growth and joy will follow. This does not mean shutting up, but rather being part of solutions vocalized (e.g. role-modelling language that affirms men and women are equally made in God’s image, actively bridging cultural divides and more). “Join in,” 100% explains how we ended up in High Rock’s Christmas Choir this year.  But it also explains my teaching Sunday School and joining the Women’s Ministry team when asked, though inexperienced in both. I have been blessed where I’ve said yes.
  • Bring an open heart and all its hurt to church. I don’t think there is a Sunday that I haven’t arrived with pain, often from family issues or interactions, and heard God’s word in a way that triggered insight for what I could do about a given situation. As I deal with fears about sticking the landing on this move as a couple, Sunday’s hymn lyrics spoke volumes: “Waymaker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness,” and “My fear doesn’t stand a chance, when I stand in your love.”
  • Take the Enneagram Course with your spouse– and learn about your and your partner’s true self in Christ versus your false selves in ego. Enneagram training pushed us to grow in self-awareness and other awareness, which made for a great leap forward in our marriage.  So did seeking marriage counselling at critical pain points!
  • Free your spirit to puzzle through the mysteries of our faith, listening to and grappling with your inner doubts and outer critics.  My children’s questions and those of nonbelievers have pushed me to explore the breadth of God’s love and latitudes of Biblical meaning in ways that allow me to live with unknowns, explore our faith traditions (like the Celts’) and more humbly weave a cord of faith that lovingly embraces human diversity, equally made in God’s image.
  • Invite others into the blessing of this fellowship and sit down with someone you don’t know at Soul Food. Every person and family at our church of all ages are amazing in many and different ways. My greatest joy has been developing relationships that have made RCC and High Rock family and extending those relationships by inviting others. We wouldn’t be here ourselves if the DiCamillos and Jones hadn’t invited us, total strangers seated at their charity dinner table 18 years ago, to try their church.
  • Practice gratitude by noticing and thanking service in others and the gifts those close to you give. At our recent Women’s retreat on forgiveness and prayer, it struck me that the key to not only forgiving but also starting afresh is to balance our accounts of hurt with those of gratitude – be it for a person or situation.

With gratitude for this church and all of you I say au revoir – not good bye, with this blessing from Numbers: may God “bless you and keep you…may God’s face shine on you and be gracious to you; may God’s face turn toward you and give you peace.”

– Katie for the Milway clan

Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality

Continue Worship of the Risen Lord!

New Sermon Series 

We are assaulted with anxiety. Breaking news alerts, horror story headlines, political outrage, global crises- not to mention the challenges of everyday life! But do you ever feel like when you dip into your spiritual wells to deal with these difficulties, you come up short? You read the Bible, pray, go to church, give, and serve, but something seems to be missing. Your spiritual life feels too shallow to deal with the anxieties of our age. If that’s you, you’re not alone! We believe that God is inviting us to move beyond shallow spirituality to a deeper experience of emotional and spiritual health that will lead to true joy and flourishing. We would love for you to join us this spring as we go deeper together! Go here for sermon resources and a study guide. Also, consider reading, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day: A 40-Day Journey with the Daily Office.  

This Sunday, April 28, Letting Go of Power and Control. Phil 4:4-7, 11b-13. Lele Hsu.

Please note that worship will be held at MetroWest only at 8:45 am on Sunday, June 9, due to the start of the Jog for Joy 5K at 10 am.

Summer Blast 2024! July 8 - 12

Summer Blast is a ramped-up summer week of fun and faith for elementary kids (think new and revised Vacation Bible School). Registrations start May 1!

Start the Party! Summer Blast is a week-long adventure where children (entering Kindergarten through entering 6th grade) embark on a journey of faith-filled fun, fostering lifelong memories and spiritual growth. Each day children will hear engaging Bible stories and participate in worship, games, small group time,  and crafts in ways that excite wonder and discovery of the good news of Jesus. Friday night’s program (dinner included)  is a special family-focused grand finale where children and parents participate together to celebrate the week.

  • Dates/Times: 
    • Monday July 8 – Thursday 11, 6:00-8:15pm
    • Friday July 12, 5:30-7:30: Family Dinner & Programing for participants & their families
  • Location: Highrock Arlington, 14 Mill St. Arlington
  • Questions: Summer Blast Team, kids@highrock.org
  • Registration Links: Campers  &  Volunteers

Go here for more information.

Highrock Members Meeting June 2, 7:30 pm.

Highrock Members, please join us for our Annual Meeting! We will review the past season of ministry, look ahead to how God is leading our church, and vote on our Annual Budget and nominees for the Board of Councilors. Non-members are welcome to attend, but are not able to vote.

You must register to attend! Go here to register. 

Jog for Joy, Sunday, June 9, 10 am.

Highrock MetroWest’s annual Jog for Joy 5K race will be held on Sunday, June 9, at 10 am.

Worship will be only at 8:45 am on June 9.

The Jog for Joy benefits youth mental health agencies in our area. More to come — please save the date!

Opportunities for Mission: Boston Trinity Academy

Highrock MetroWest members are involved in the community in so many wonderful ways! We’ve created this section to inform others of opportunities to be involved in outreach efforts, community redevelopment opportunities, ministry to the downtrodden, Christian schools and academies, and other ways our members are impacting our communities for good. Here is a submission from Rob and Gina Bradley:

The Bradleys invite you to a reception to learn about Boston Trinity Academy.  BTA  is a Christian, coed, college preparatory middle and high school that provides an exceptional academic experience; one that inspires each student to excel in a Christ-centered community where they are known and loved. Our graduates demonstrate the intellect, leadership, and moral character they learn here as they succeed at top colleges and universities and beyond.

At the reception, you will have the opportunity to hear from current students, parents (Rob and Gina Bradley), and Admissions Director Bisi Oloko. They will share their experiences of the school and the benefits it offers.

Details:

When: Tuesday, May 14 @ 6:30PM
Where: The Bradleys.1177 Central Ave, Needham, MA 02492
What else: Come to learn about the school and meet some students!
Questions/RSVP: email Rob @ rhbradley@gmail.com

More Ways to Go Deeper!

MetroWest Prays on Monday evenings by ZOOM. Prayer Requests can be sent to the prayer team via this form or contact Foluke Ajayi.

Highrock MetroWest Thursday Men’s Group: Click here for more info. 

For Moms! The MetroWest chapter of Momsrock meets most Friday mornings at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall.

Daily (M -Th) Devotional Group for Anyone with Pastor Ryan Marshall – Click for more info.

New Groups! We have newly formed Highrock MetroWest small groups. Contact Pastor George for more information.

Find Daily Devos, Highrock sermons, Highrock Online, and more on your favorite platform! Search for “Highrock Church.” Examples: Spotify, YouTube.

HRMW Feedback Form

Let your church know how to improve worship and ministry to draw people into a deeper life with Jesus.