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News & Events (Page 11)

Black Lives Matter series continues

1. Nonviolent Witness Intervention Training ~ Saturday, February 4, 10:00 – 12:00 in the Church Dining Room ~ Led by Pat James and Karin McGowan • This workshop is for anyone who wants to activate their values when they witness harassment. Intervention isn’t a matter of courage alone. It’s a matter of planning, practice, and…

Farewell gathering for Andrea

On Jan. 1, 2017 Rev. Andrea Ayvazian retired as pastor of Haydenville Congregational Church. Many people spoke at the party after the service. The choir sang a favorite of Andrea’s. Marcia Gomes wrote a song for Andrea and Jen Matias read the following poem which she wrote for the occasion. For Andrea By Jen Matias Arms outstretched, embracing us all, You have walked with us,…

Transition Leadership Work

Dear Church Family, As the members of the Transition Leadership Team, we want to thank everyone who participated in some way last fall in planning Pastor Andrea’s Good Goodbye celebration and in the thoughtful and prayerful selection of Chris Mereschuk as our Acting Pastor. A special thanks to Trish LaFreniere for heading up the party planning. The Transition Leadership Team met with…

Andrea’s next challenge: Work for climate-change awareness, justice

Scott Merzbach From the Daily Hampshire Gazette Nov. 26, 2016 NORTHAMPTON — Plans by the Bush administration to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in spring 2001 led the Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian to Washington, D.C., where she and others were arrested after blocking the doors to the U.S. Department of Energy building. As a cofounder of Religious Witness…