THE UNION CHURCH IN WABAN

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Our Philosophy

Outreach at The Union Church in Waban builds on the interdenominational spirit of our congregation, and embraces a rich tradition of inclusiveness, connection across the generations, and education and assistance for the advancement of oppressed and disadvantaged people. We welcome innovation in outreach, and maintain the celebration of Christian holidays as a time to dedicate our contributions to a worthy cause.

Our Membership

The Outreach Committee coordinates with the governance and the educational, musical and spiritual direction of the church. It is often difficult to bring outreach into the reality of our daily overloaded and fragmented lives. To make outreach doable, fun, and fulfilling, we usually focus on short term project-based outreach that makes a difference. We are fluid and flexible and welcome your help on a short-term basis or longer.

Our Strategy

We focus. We are a church of limited means, so we recognize the value of giving more to fewer causes. We also know that church-wide involvement provides for much greater depth of understanding and commitment to a particular mission outreach effort. So we try to make the most of each project that we do. We also endorse established community service projects and outreach in which our church members already participate or want to bring to us, e.g. Boston Walk for Hunger.

Our Message

We work to connect people and resources locally, nationally and internationally. Deliberate small steps toward increased Christian humanity will yield tremendously for our communities, here and abroad. We can and do make a difference.

Works in Progress    Local - National - International

Heifer Project - This organization operates worldwide to provide appropriate farm animals to families desperately in need of food as well as opportunities for income. The children of the congregation are very active in collecting money throughout the Lent season.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - School supplies and clothing are collected for the children of Newton's Sister City several times during the year. An outreach trip is being planned for Spring 2003.

Thanksgiving Collection - Newton Community Service Center

Mitten Tree - The Union Church in Waban has a long-standing tradition of providing gifts to individuals through Project Care & Concern. These are folks in transitional housing who have experienced periods of homelessness; many are seniors. Often, they are without family or a network of friends. Each year, PC&C's Sister Joyce McMullen mails her "wish list" to Union Church because she knows she can count on us. As Sister Joyce explains, "Many churches prefer to give only to children at Christmas; they don't want to provide gifts for adults." The 50 gifts asked for are practical items - sweaters, gloves, soaps and shampoos. Usually they're the only gifts these folks receive all year. Their thank you notes and the stories from Sister Joyce about how the gifts were received are very moving. So please, take a mitten - or two! - from our tree. Be a Santa. Your generosity will be much appreciated.

Outreach at The Union Church in Waban Includes Everyone

The good works in which our membership engages build our own church community: not only do we contribute to our neighbors here and afar, we also enhance our own spiritual development. We bring outreach into the worship service through the Children's Time, through the pulpit, through music and through community action.

In addition, our church generously houses a day care center, community organizations like the Scouts and The Union Taiwan Presbyterian Church. In turn, our talented Music Director and choir provide a Christmas Concert and sing-along for the Newton community, our Sunday School teachers actively initiate and participate in outreach activities, and the Women's Organization raises consciousness about volunteer opportunities in the greater Boston community, and raises money for worthy causes.

Individual church members also give of themselves in many ways: beautifying our building and environment, maintaining our historical and vital presence in Waban Square, and helping keep our unique interdenominational place of worship alive. Our internal mission, therefore, is to help all of us to establish a lifelong commitment to community service.