From Our Pastors

Rev. Megan
Berkowitz

Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman

Pastor Megan
January 5, 2023


Leila and I scooted off to Mexico City on Christmas Day for our friends’ wedding. Before the trip, I was feeling a touch grouchy: Christmas Eve worship was so beautiful and joyful, and then I was going to spend the rest of my Christmas not celebrating but sitting on planes and waiting in airports. I was feeling the holiday let-down in the middle of the holiday itself. Then, we arrived in Mexico — and Christmas had only just begun! Christians in Mexico celebrate from Christmas Eve all the way through to Epiphany on January 6th. Everywhere we looked there were poinsettias planted right in the ground, life-sized nativity scenes, and even Santa Claus enjoying some chicharrones in the market. People were vacationing, wishing one another felices fiestas, visiting churches, and enjoying special treats.

We may not be able to hold on to the wonder and awe of Christmas every day of the year. But the liturgical calendar invites us to keep things slow and awe-filled just a little bit longer. Like the Holy Family in those first few weeks of newborn wonder, like the shepherds hearing angels and wise ones seeing a star, we are called to recognize how our lives and our world have changed with God’s love born into it anew. Even as the world moves on from Christmas, may we take a breath this weekend, and stay close to our joy and awe.

Peace,
Megan

Past Posts


  • From Our Pastors
    Pastor Megan
    January 17, 2025

    Spiritual Resilience

    Last Sunday was the first in an 8-week worship series on Spiritual Resilience, where we will together explore how tools from Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects and from Christian scripture and tradition can help us all to foster spiritual resilience through challenging times.

    Learn More
  • MOSAIC
    Pastor Amy
    January 10, 2025
    Last week, nearly 40 youth came from all around Newton and Boston, almost exactly one-third from the Muslim Al-Huda Society in Chelsea; one-third from the Jewish community; and one-third from Christian churches.  Learn More
  • From Our Pastors
    Pastor Megan
    January 3, 2025
    The new year is a time when many of us choose to reflect on what is behind us and what is ahead. I have a few traditions at the new year: Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: December 20, 2024
    Pastor Megan
    December 20, 2024

    Baking Christmas Cookies

    Advent is the season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love; it is the season of anticipation and joy in the gift of Christ we already know has entered the world and is eternally present among us; it is, for many of us, a season of parties and gift-giving and whirlwind celebrations. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: December 8 2024
    Pastor Megan
    December 8, 2024
    Advent is the season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love; it is the season of anticipation and joy in the gift of Christ we already know has entered the world and is eternally present among us; it is, for many of us, a season of parties and gift-giving and whirlwind celebrations. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: November 29, 2024
    Pastor Megan
    November 29, 2024
    UCC Professional Development Program
    I returned last week from the fall gathering of NGLI, the UCC’s professional development program for young clergy. We gather each fall in Arizona for a time of creative learning, prayer, worship, music, and more. The setting, in the desert outside of Phoenix, is an intentional choice by the program organizers. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: November 15, 2024
    Pastor Megan
    November 15, 2024
    Congregational Meeting Recap
    Thank you to everyone who joined in the Congregational Meeting last Sunday, and particular thanks to co-moderators Susan Hunt Stevens and Susan Gedrick for leading us, and to Jaap van Reijendam for ensuring those on Zoom could take part as well. The brief workshop Leila led on 1:1s, in the GBIO and community organizing model, gave us a tool for connecting with one another more deeply. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: November 8, 2024
    Pastor Megan
    November 8, 2024
    Post Election Interfaith Gathering
    I want to share with you a small portion of how I opened our interfaith post-election gathering, as we prepare to gather in community together this Sunday for worship and the congregational meeting. Learn More