Category Archives: Holiday Events

Dec. 4- Walk of Lights and Groton Tree Lighting

Christmas, Holiday Events, Past Events

Date: Saturday December 4th, 2021

Time: 4:15 pm

Location: Prescott Community Center, 145 Main Street, Groton MA

The ‘Walk of Lights’ and ‘Groton Community Tree Lighting’ celebrate the beauty of light in our diverse faith traditions.  On Saturday, December 4th,  the celebration began on the sidewalk in front of Prescott Community Center. 

Volunteers offered battery-operated candles for the ‘Walk of Lights’ down Main Street to the Groton Tree (near Filho’s Cucina).  Celebrants brought lamps or luminaries from their own faith traditions and spontaneous carols were heard among the cheerful banter as the assembly made their way through the village center.

The lighting of our Groton tree has both religious and non-religious significance, as the tree is a symbol with many meanings in a variety of cultures.   Each year, the Groton Interfaith Council honors a citizen or group of citizens by asking them to be the honorary tree lighters, an honor bestowed because they have made significant contributions to the town.  This year we honored Bob and Sue Lotz by asking them to light the tree.

Susan & Bob were chosen as honorees for their work to further community building. Their recent creation of the Social Justice Trust Fund through the Groton Commissioners of Trust Funds (working with Karen Tuomi) expands their commitment to support an inclusive community with equal opportunities and privileges for all residents of Groton. Bob once stated regarding his work to found (along with Claire Macy) the Groton Neighbors organization, “…to create a village – a non-profit, membership organization to help seniors stay in their homes and stay engaged with the community as they grow older.” They both support social justice and a strong helpful community.

Thank you, Susan and Bob for your many contributions to the ‘village’ of Groton.

Groton Community Tree Lighting 2019

Christmas, Holiday Events

GROTON COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 AT 4:00 PM 

The Groton Interfaith Council will again host the annual Groton Community Tree Lighting ceremony across the street from the Community Tree at Union Congregational Church, Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm. The tree lighting ceremony will feature music provided by members of the Groton Brass Ensemble and the Nashoba Valley Concert Band, readings, blessings and prayers by members of the Groton Interfaith Council, and the singing of Carols. Each year, the Groton Interfaith Council honors a citizen or group of citizens by asking them to be the honorary tree lighters, an honor bestowed because they have made significant contributions to the town. This year we will be honoring representatives of the Groton Center, who have just cut the ribbon for a brand new beautiful facility opened earlier this month and built on the site of the former Groton Senior Center. We will also be honoring the folks who were instrumental in bringing this beautiful new community resource to fruition. 

Immediately following the tree lighting, Union Congregation Church will host a reception inside the church with warm drinks and goodies. 

The event is free and open to the public. 

For more information contact Nadia Madden, 781-640-4814, Judy Nauman, 978-808-4881, or Marie Melican, 978-448-8224.

The Groton Interfaith Council was established in 2009. Any worship community, faith tradition or individual in the Groton area interested in furthering the group’s mission may apply for membership. The Groton Interfaith Council’s mission is to foster understanding, respect, justice and peace among people of a variety of religious and faith traditions through worship, fellowship, education and service.

Groton Community Tree Lighting

Christmas, Holiday Events

GROTON COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2017 AT 4:00 PM
The Groton Interfaith Council will again host the annual Groton Community Tree Lighting ceremony on the front lawn of Union Congregational Church, Sunday, December 3 at 4:00 pm. The tree lighting ceremony will feature the singing of Christmas Carols, prayers and readings by Groton clergy, and music provided by members of the Groton Brass Ensemble and the Nashoba Valley Concert Band. Each year the Groton Interfaith Council honors a citizen or group of citizens by asking them to be the honorary tree lighters, an honor bestowed because they have made significant contributions to the town. This year we will be honoring Groton’s First Responders. Representatives of the Groton Police Department and the Groton Fire Department will light the tree.

Immediately following the tree lighting, Union Congregation Church will host a reception inside the church with warm drinks and homemade cookies.

The event is free and open to the public.

Join GIC on MLK Day

Holiday Events, MLK Day

REPRESENTATIVE OF FUTURE GROTON HINDU TEMPLE TALKS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AT ANNUAL GROTON INTERFAITH COUNCIL POTLUCK BREAKFAST

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Groton Interfaith Council is once again hosting the Annual Community Pot-luck Breakfast. This year will feature an enlightening presentation by Neelkanth Mishra of the New England Shirdi Sai Parviaar Temple and its approach to social justice and community service. There will be ample time for discussion following his presentation.

The event will begin with breakfast at 10:00 AM at the First Parish Church (UU) in Groton on Monday, January 19, and the speaker will follow.

The event is free. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.

This annual breakfast is one of many community events sponsored during the year by the Groton Interfaith Council. The Council was begun in Groton in 2009 with the mission of fostering understanding, respect, justice and peace among people of differing religious and faith traditions through education, fellowship, service and worship.

Christmas Tree Lighting 2014

Christmas, Holiday Events

Groton Community Christmas Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 p.m.

The Groton Interfaith Council will host the annual Groton Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the front lawn of Union Congregational Church this coming Sunday, Dec. 7 at 4:00 pm. The service will feature the singing of Christmas Carols, prayers and readings from representatives of Groton clergy. The honorary tree lighter this year will be Betsy Sawyer, the Groton Middle School teacher who has been the leader and inspiration for hundreds of Groton students who have created the Big Book–Pages for Peace. Joining Betsy in the lighting of the tree will be a number of her students.

Immediately following the ceremony Union Congregational Church will be hosting a gathering inside the church for some warm drinks and goodies.

MLK Breakfast

Holiday Events, MLK Day

Each year, Groton Interfaith Council hosts an annual potluck breakfast in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Traditionally, this event is held in close proximity to the civil rights leader’s birthday, and the theme of the breakfast focuses on community service as a way to honor Dr. King’s legacy of service.

This annual breakfast is one of many community events sponsored during the year by the Groton Interfaith Council. The Council was begun in Groton in 2009 with the mission of fostering understanding, respect, justice and peace among people of differing religious and faith traditions through education, fellowship, service and worship.

This year’s breakfast will take place on Monday, January 20, 2014. The Potluck Breakfast will begin at 9:00 am and will be held at First Parish Church of Groton. Bring your favorite breakfast treat and join the discussion. This event is free and open to the public.

This year’s speaker will be Maggie Monroe­-Cassel, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable quality housing through construction, rehabilitation and preserving of homes and communities. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built, renovated and repaired more than 600,000 decent, affordable homes sheltering more than 3 million people world­wide.

Originally from New York State, Maggie Monroe­-Cassel is an ordained American Baptist clergywoman. While serving churches in New York for 25 years, Maggie founded a Habitat affiliate and a local credit union, to pursue her belief in economic justice. Maggie will speak about the work of Habitat for Humanity locally but also about the roots of this organization which sprang up from amidst the American Civil Rights Movement.

For additional information contact Steve Boczenowski, President, Groton Interfaith Council (978-­448-­5013 or boczeno@gmail.com); or Judy Nauman, Secretary, Groton Interfaith Council (978-­808-­4881 or judy.g.nauman@gmail.com).

Christmas Tree Lighting 2013

Christmas, Holiday Events

On Sunday, December 8th, at 4PM, the Groton Interfaith Council hosted the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Town Common.Prayers, seasonal readings, and carols were accompanied by local musicians.

This year, the honorary tree lighters were Edie and Bert Tompkins, longtime Groton residents and enthusiastic supporters of the performing arts for children and adults.

Following the ceremony, Union Congregational Church hosted a reception in its Fellowship Hall featuring warm beverages and assorted goodies.

CHRISTMASTREE from The Groton Line on Vimeo.

Gospel Concert 2013

Holiday Events, MLK Day

On Saturday, January 12, at 4:00 PM, the Groton Interfaith Council will sponsor a gospel concert featuring the Boston Community Choir in the sanctuary of the First Parish Church.  The Boston Community Choir has become well-known throughout the Boston area for its inspired and uplifting performances.  In its special way, this choir is adding to the very rich and exciting history of gospel music.  This event is free and open to the public.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Groton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.  This program is also supported in part by the Groton Trust Funds.

Christmas Tree Lighting 2012

Christmas, Holiday Events

On Sunday, December 2nd, the Groton Interfaith Council held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  There were prayers, led by Groton’s clergy, and music, accompanied by the Groton Wind Ensemble.  And, of course, we lit the Christmas Tree – recently retired Town Moderator, Bob Gosselin, did us the honor of flipping the switch.

Christmas Tree Lighting 2011

Christmas, Holiday Events

On Sunday, December 4th at 4:00, the Groton Interfaith Council hosted the annual Groton Christmas Tree Lighting service on the Town Common (across from Filhos).

This year, the honorary tree lighter was Marion Stoddart. The service also featured the singing of our favorite Christmas Carols, prayers and readings from four Groton clergy members, and the Groton Interfaith Brass.

Following the service, the Union Congregational Church hosted a reception with warm beverages and goodies.