Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
April 12 2024
“And they came, everyone whose heart was stirred and everyone whose spirit was willing, and brought the Lord’s offering to be used for the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the sacred vestments. So they came, both men and women; all who were of a willing heart.” (Exodus 35:21-22a)
Exodus tells us that when it came time to build the Tent of Meeting according to the instructions Moses received at Sinai, God didn’t demand a tribute from the people. The Tent of Meeting and the Tabernacle inside of it were constructed of gifts from people with willing hearts and spirits. Their hearts were stirred by the practice of building, together, a place to encounter God in the world. Whether what they had was as precious as gold or as common as goat hair, whether they had extraordinary skills that set them apart or lent their strength to something many did together, it was all necessary to create the place for God to rest among them.
This Stewardship season, we too are building up our community where so many of us encounter God. In this season, we ask you to make a pledge for how you can contribute, and on Sunday, we’ll ask you to share a prayer or hope for the coming year. Whatever it is that you share, may your heart be willing and your spirit stirred as you offer it, trusting that when our willing hearts come together, we make a way for all who desire to encounter God.
Peace,
Megan
Past Posts
- From Our PastorsPastor Megan
April 26, 2024 This week, I am on a professional development trip to Chicago, studying congregation vitality and spending time with other pastors from throughout the country. We are learning from non-traditional church settings, but the lessons these settings teach are ones that all communities can benefit from: how vital congregations remain focused on their “why,” rooted deeply in their shared faith. Learn More - From Our Pastors – April 19, 2024Pastor Amy
April 19, 2024 This past week, I traveled to Valley Forge, PA for a 3-day conference entitled “Space for Grace: Engaging Intergenerational Faith.” The conference was hosted by the same organization that is organizing our mission trip to Puerto Rico, the American Baptist Home Mission Society. ABHMS is strongly aligned with the mission and legacy of ABC pastor, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The keynote preachers and speakers brought a wide diversity of experiences and perspectives, which I look forward to sharing with all of you. Learn More - From Our Pastors – April 12Pastor Megan
April 12, 2024 Exodus tells us that when it came time to build the Tent of Meeting according to the instructions Moses received at Sinai, God didn’t demand a tribute from the people. The Tent of Meeting and the Tabernacle inside of it were constructed of gifts from people with willing hearts and spirits. Learn More - From Our Pastors – April 7Pastor Megan
April 7, 2024 Christ is risen indeed! At Union Church, we welcomed resurrection day with great joy: from sunrise worship to the last egg of the egg hunt (re-hidden by some of the Junior Youth Group members who gave up their own goodies to help a very young latecomer still have an exciting Easter), it was a day of great celebration. Learn More - From Our PastorsPastor Megan
March 29, 2024 We’ve been following the Gospel of Mark throughout this year, hearing the stories of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, and, this week, trials in Jerusalem. At the end of Mark’s version of the Passion narrative, at about the time you will receive this email on Good Friday, the Gospel recounts Jesus’ final words from the cross: Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Learn More - From Our PastorsPastor Amy
March 22, 2024 In this holiest of weeks, we invite you to dwell even more fully in the story that is at the very sacred heart of our faith. Dwell with your community of faith, your church, as we enter Jerusalem with Jesus this Sunday (Palm Sunday), and remember how Jesus overturned tables of injustice and oppression and imparted final words of teaching and healing to his followers. Learn More - From Our Pastors – March 15 2024Pastor Megan
March 15, 2024 This Saturday evening (March 16), I am delighted to join with faith communities across Newton for this year’s Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) Interfaith Service, to be held at St. Ignatius in Chestnut Hill at 6:00 p.m. Learn More - From Our Pastors – March 8Pastor Megan
March 8, 2024 It was indeed good and pleasant to dwell together in unity with our siblings from the Boston Taiwanese Christian Church this past Sunday! We feasted together around the table twice – once during communion, and again during the reception they very lovingly prepared for us all to share. Learn More