Why Church Matters
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Christianity has been used to prop up empires, justify oppression, and silence dissent. If you’re skeptical of church, you’ve got your reasons. But the heart of this thing was never power. Never control. Jesus gathered broke fishermen, tax cheats, and doubters. He fed outcasts. He healed people nobody else would touch. He stood up to the…
Rev. Tom HathawayJuly 13, 2025
Small Things
Not every act of faith is headline-worthy. Most aren’t. Most of the time, loving your neighbor looks like washing dishes without complaint, holding the door for a stranger, or sending a text to check in on someone who’s struggling. Jesus talked a lot about mustard seeds and sparrows and cups of cold water. Ordinary things. Tiny things. But in the…
Rev. Tom HathawayJuly 6, 2025
Guest Preacher Virginia Coakley
This Sunday, we are privileged to receive the preaching of Rev. Virginia Coakley. Rev. Virginia Coakley is an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). She has served parishes as Installed and Transitional Pastor in upstate New York and Cambridge MA and was a Campus Minister in Worcester, MA for 9 ½ years. Prior to ordained ministry, she joyfully…
Rev. Tom HathawayMay 15, 2025
Weather-Related Changes to This Week’s Events
Due to the winter weather, we’re making a few changes to keep everyone safe: Tonight’s group cooking for the Friday Café is cancelled. Meal organizer Dave Kroouze has kindly offered to cook from home, so no one needs to venture out on potentially icy roads. Sunday worship will be online only. Please join us on at as we gather virtually.…
Rev. Tom HathawayFebruary 13, 2025
The Lord’s Prayer Series Recap
Our recent series on the Lord's Prayer explored its timeless words with fresh eyes. More than just a prayer, it’s a framework for the kind of life Jesus wants us to live – moving us from asking to acting, from praying to participating in God's work. Each line pulls us deeper into God's heart, reminding us who God is, who…
Rev. Tom HathawayFebruary 3, 2025
About the Next Four Years
Four years ago, we watched as Donald Trump’s presidency filled the airwaves with outrage. Every day there was a new scandal, a new cruelty, a new reason to be appalled. And now, with his return to office, the cycle is beginning again. The media is already primed for it, ready to chase every outrageous remark, every insult, every moment of…
Rev. Tom HathawayJanuary 29, 2025
Merger Conversations Update
Over the past year, the leadership teams of Hillside and Sanctuary have been on an intentional journey – one focused on surfacing the values, cares, and concerns that unite us. At the heart of this process has been a commitment to listening deeply: to our histories, to one another, and to the Spirit. With the guidance of Rev. Don Remick,…
Rev. Tom HathawayJanuary 24, 2025
Halfway to Faith
God and a life of faith aren't always makes sense. Even when they don't, we can still help others and work on making ourselves better.
Rev. Tom HathawayOctober 23, 2020
Obedience to Love – Sunday Morning
Message from Rev. Tom Hathaway on March 8, 2020
Rev. Tom HathawayMarch 8, 2020
