Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
January 31 2025
Sabbath
“The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath
We’ll read in this Sunday’s scripture passage about conflicts between Jesus and other Jewish religious leaders at the time over the observance of Sabbath restrictions. This, and other similar passages, have given rise to generations of interpretation that sets Jesus against religious authority, against Judaism, and against the Law. Jesus, however, doesn’t overturn the laws of the Sabbath, but rather interprets them and claims authority over their observance.
Taking a closer look at this text invites us to find the gifts awaiting us in Sabbath time. Rabbi Abraham Joshue Heschel’s book The Sabbath emphasizes the element of time over space and things in Sabbath observance; turning from that which anchors us to the physical, to space, to things, allows us to experience depths of time more fully and, in doing so, for our spirits to be joined with the Spirit of God.
In anxious times, we need Sabbath more than ever. Practices of turning off technology; of resting for the sake of rest, not for the sake of renewal for work; of simplifying our lives; of setting aside time to be present to ourselves, our loved ones and to God: these practices of Sabbath are life-giving to our spirits if we are overwhelmed with the pace and demands of life, and in need of a renewed relationship with our spirits, our time, and our prayer.
Even if just for a few hours a week, are there ways you can invite Sabbath practices into your life, to enjoy the Sabbath that Jesus tells us was made for the sake of humankind?
Peace,
Megan
“What is the Sabbath? Spirit in the form of time. With our bodies we belong to space; our spirit, our souls, soar to eternity, aspire to the holy. The Sabbath is an ascent to the summit.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath
Past Posts
- From Me to You
Rev. Rich Chrisman
September 11, 2026
The genesis of us all.Oh Lord, you made such a good start
Learn More
having deemed Creation very good
But discovered soon
It wasn’t perfect
Not the human part anyway.
We went from a kiss to murder, - From Me to YouRev. Rich Chrisman
September 4, 2026
Hi UCW friends and members, my name is Rick Chrisman, and I am an old friend of yours, once upon a time a member, way back before Covid, when Stacy was still minister here. Way past retirement age, I’m just a preacher who has to have a congregation, so thanks for inviting me to fulfil my vocation with you, even if just for a few months. Learn More - From Pastor MeganRev. Megan Berkowitz
July 24, 2026Big news from our partners at GBIO! The “Not with our money, Citizens!” Campaign has succeeded, and Citizens Bank has committed to severing ties with the private prison companies building and operating ICE detention facilities. Read more about it on the GBIO website: HERE
Learn More - From Pastor Megan: July 17, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
July 10, 2026
Introducing our Bridge Pastor I am delighted to share that Rev. Rick Chrisman will be joining UCW as the parental leave Bridge Pastor this fall, from September 1st until my planned return at the start of Advent. Rev. Rick’s bio is below, though some of you may know him from a period some years ago when he was a member of UCW while serving as an interim pastor elsewhere. Closest to home for UCW, Rev. Rick has twice served as interim at the Eliot Church in Newton. Learn More - From Pastor Megan: July 3, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
July 3, 2026 We had a lovely first summer service this past Sunday! Though we won’t meet this upcoming Sunday, 7/5, summer services resume the following week, 7/12 at 10:00 a.m. Worship Committee Chair Julie Heffernan will lead us in worship that morning. And though Katie Brown-Bright is off from her role as Bridge Associate for Children, Youth, and Families for the summer and there’s no Sunday school, she did put together an amazing activity cart for kids to participate in worship (crafts, streamers for some liturgical dancing, and more!). Learn More - From Pastor Megan: June 19, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
June 19, 2026I want to thank everyone who presented, contributed to, engaged in, and attended last Sunday’s Annual Meeting. You took seriously the invitation to let the Holy Spirit speak through you to others, and to you through others, and our church is better for it. For those who were not present, you can still engage with the Annual Meeting via the Annual Report, which we sent in this email last week, and by looking over the presentation from the Vision Team that was offered during the meeting: view HERE or click on image below.
Learn More - From Pastor Megan: June 12, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
June 12, 2026 My goodness, it has been a busy year at UCW! I hope you take some time to sit with and read the annual report for 2025-2026. Come to the Annual Meeting ready to discuss the budget and nominating slate, yes, but also to thank our committee chairs and members, to connect with someone over something you didn’t even know had happened at church this year, or to learn more about how you can get involved in different projects and programs. Learn More - From Pastor Megan: June 5, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
June 5, 2026 Though it turned out to be quite a hot night, it was a joy to join with Katie, members of the congregation, and our siblings from other affirming faith communities in Newton at the annual Newton Pride flag raising celebration and resource fair this past week. In a season in our country when the rights of LGBTQ+ people are under attack and public support for our rights is waning rather than increasing for the first time in decades, we gathered to remind ourselves and the world that LGBTQ+ people are deeply and beautifully woven into the fabric of our community. Learn More
