From Our Pastors: November 15, 2024

Posted onAuthorAidan Cuningham

Rev. Megan
Berkowitz

Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman

Pastor Megan
November 15 2024

Dear church,

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. Doing that workshop mattered to us deeply enough this fall to bring it to a whole congregational meeting – not just Nominating, or Mission, or other groups that may have used that model in the past – because it matters that we are all connected as deeply as possible. 

Beyond specific purposes of building power for community organizing (though that is and will continue to be important in our church’s witness for justice in the world), relationship-building through 1:1s will help us to build a deep network of trust within our congregation. As we have begun preparing for this year’s visioning process, where everyone in the community will be asked to weigh in on who we are and who God is calling us to be next, we will rely on those bonds of trust and goodwill to hold us. Together in relationship, we will engage in discernment, listening to each other with openness, curiosity, and hope.

If you were unable to attend the meeting or had to leave early, and would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Peace,
Megan

Past Posts

  • From Pastor Megan
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    December 12, 2025
    I attended the “fall” meeting of the Metropolitan Boston Association of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ (say that three times fast) on Sunday afternoon. Interestingly, the Association is engaged in a very similar kind of vision and strategic planning work as we are. Learn More
  • Hanging of the Greens
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    December 5, 2025
    What a joy it was to gather for the annual Hanging of the Greens service last Sunday! That’s a tradition that has been stewarded by first the Deacons and now the Worship Team over many years in this church, and it is always such a beautiful way to welcome in the Advent season.  Learn More
  • From Pastor Megan: Novemeber 30, 2025
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    November 30, 2025

     “‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’”

    Matthew 25

    I pray that you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and that those who are traveling return home with ease and in safety. 

    Learn More
  • From Pastor Megan
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    November 21, 2025
    In the professional development training where I spent the last week, the core curriculum for my cohort this year was about faith-based, relational community organizing for congregations. This congregation has plenty of experience with this community organizing model thanks to GBIO, Learn More
  • From Pastor Megan: November 14, 2025
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    November 14, 2025
    There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at UCW these days! I wanted to be sure everyone is up-to-date, even on processes that are in quieter phases right now.  Learn More
  • From Pastor Megan
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    October 31, 2025
    It’s All Saints Sunday this week, and we’ll be singing many favorite hymns about the saints that we usually save for this one Sunday a year. As we bless the children on their way to Sunday School, we’ll sing “When the Saints Go Marching In,” with an extra verse Karen and I came up with based on this Sunday’s scripture readings: Learn More
  • From Pastor Megan
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    October 24, 2025
    Many of you have heard me quote Julian of Norwich, a mystic nun from the 14th century: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” I often repeat this phrase in a lighthearted way, but in truth, I do not mean it flippantly, and Julian of Norwich certainly did not.  Learn More
  • From Pastor Megan
    Rev. Megan Berkowitz
    October 17, 2025
    Did you see Wednesday’s Save-the-Date for the All Comers Dinner a week from tonight? All Comers Dinner is one of my favorite UCW traditions: part party, part loaves-and-fishes dinner, all community fun. We’ll share in a potluck meal at the Lynch-Johnson home at 6:00 p.m. on Friday the 24th (thank you for hosting, once again, Linda & Kevin!) and just spend time in fellowship and social fun together. Learn More