Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
November 29 2024
Sunrise from the summit of Piestawa Peak: Pastor Megan
Dear Church,
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. The desert has a long history of spiritual richness in the Christian tradition, beginning with the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the early Church. Sparse and challenging outer conditions led to rich inner lives of prayer and learning, and to communities passing wisdom along and helping one another to survive.
It was an ideal setting, too, for our study retreat before Advent began. In the Advent season of waiting and anticipation, as (in the Northern hemisphere) the light continues to fade day after day and darkness grows, all that is extraneous, unnecessary, burdensome is stripped away, and we are left ready and waiting for Christ to enter the world and bring fullness and joy to our lives. It’s the opposite of what happens in the world all around us as Christmas approaches, rushing to add more, do more, get more, be more. The desert was grounding for my spiritual practice and preparation for Advent.
In Sayings of the Desert Fathers, we read: “Somebody asked Anthony, ‘What shall I do in order to please God?’ He replied, ‘Do what I tell you, which is this: wherever you go, keep God in mind; whatever you do, follow the example of Holy Scripture; wherever you are, stay there and do not move away in a hurry.” Though you probably won’t jet off to the desert in the next four weeks, I pray that this wisdom and practices of simplicity in prayer and worship might accompany you all throughout Advent, and that you might feel rest and renewal awaiting the birth of the Christ Child.
Peace,
Pastor Megan
Past Posts
- 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 MeganRev. 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 MeganRev. 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 - From Pastor MeganRev. Megan Berkowitz
October 3, 2025 What a joy it has been to be the bearer of good news where our staff is concerned these last few weeks! And what a joy it is to welcome Katie Brown-Bright, our new Bridge Associate for Children, Youth, and Families on to the staff this week, in particular. Whether you are a parent of a child or youth in the church’s program or not, Katie wants to meet you, so greet her in worship or arrange some time with her for a walk or coffee in the coming weeks. Learn More - From Our Pastors: September 12, 2025Rev. Megan Berkowitz
September 12, 2025 Friends and Members alike (really!): we want to hear your thoughts, visions, concerns, and aspirations for UCW. We do not know what the future holds, of course, but we know Who holds the future, and we trust that future is bright with promise. But how do we find our part? Learn More - From Our Pastors: September 12, 2025Rev. Megan Berkowitz
September 5, 2025 Fall worship begins this Sunday, and we re-gather officially the following one! Much has changed since our last Sanctuary worship service in the summer, and is still changing, as we search for a Bridge Associate for Children, Youth, and Families and a Bridge Music Director. Things in the world around us are ever more tumultuous anduncertain, as well. Learn More - From Our Pastors: August 29, 2025Rev. Megan Berkowitz
August 29, 2025 I want to direct your attention to the Prayers for Liberty announcement, posted in on the Upcoming Events section above. Many of you heard me speak about the earlier version of this march, when I joined with other clergy from across Massachusetts to raise our voices regarding upholding the constitution and the rule of law in our country, and our moral imperative to love our neighbors. Learn More - From Our PastorsRev. Amy Clark Feldman
July 4, 2025 What an amazing mission trip we had to Puerto Rico! God’s light shone so brightly in and through our teens, college kids, and adult chaperones on the trip; and we made many new friends and connections on the island. We can’t wait to share more with you about it. Learn More
