Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
May 9 2025
Dear Church,
I had a lot of interest in the prayer structure I shared during last Sunday’s worship, so I wanted to write it out for you here. If you’re feeling like you’re not sure how to pray or what to say, sometimes a little scaffolding can help get you started. Don’t think that this is the ‘right’ way to pray though — any way to pray that leads you to open your heart to God is the right way!
You — Who — Do — Through
You: Name God whom you are addressing. “Loving and living God,” “Jesus, Healer of the World,” and “Spirit of Life,” are examples of this. You can also look to scripture for inspiration, seeing how our ancestors in faith called on God.
Who: Go into a little more detail about aspects of God’s being, or previous actions that God has taken, that you want to call to mind as you pray. So, if I want to remind myself of God’s power when I feel powerless, I might pray, “all things came into being through your creativity and goodness…” It could also be something about who God has been for you in your life — “you knew me before I was even born, and you have walked alongside me through every joy and trial in my life…”
Do: What is it that you’re asking of God in this moment? What do you want God to do in your life or in the world? Or, what are you thanking God for having done already? You may have a sense of this already, or you may want to notice how you called upon God for clues of what it is that you’re needing from God in this moment.
Through: How do you understand God to be able to work in the world in the ways you’ve asked? Or, is there another aspect of God that you want to call on in this moment? How is it that you come to God in prayer? “Through your holy name,” “Through Christ,” “through the power of your ever-present Spirit,” and so on.
All of this naming and describing isn’t about what God needs from our prayer, but rather are to help us. Prayer is a practice of communication, but also one of memory: we call on God in prayer because we remember that God has been in relationship with us and with all of our ancestors in faith, and has acted in care and love for us all along.
Blessings,
Pastor Megan
Past Posts
- From Pastor Megan
Rev. Megan Berkowitz
February 13, 2025 Have you been following the Olympics? This year, a dear friend of mine is in Milan covering the Games as a journalist for the Associated Press, so I’ve been following the news and also her reports from being present there. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to go see the Olympics in person and having a close friend there is almost (almost…) as good. Learn More - From Pastor Megan: February 6, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
February 6, 2025 It is time to begin turning our hearts and minds to Lent — and what a year to return to the themes of repentance and repair, of wandering the wilderness, of death and new life. Our theme for worship and community life in Lent this year will be “Tools for Survival in the Wilderness,” and we’ll reflect on how the ways we learn to survive in the literal wildernesses (and I know there are some hiking, camping, backcountry skiing, and other outdoor enthusiasts in this congregation!) teach us about how to survive the metaphorical wildernesses of our time. More to come in worship, of course. Learn More - From Pastor Megan: January 30, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
January 30, 2025 As violence has escalated from ICE and other institutions, and as protests have intensified in response, I have heard from a number of you wondering what to do now, especially for those of us who cannot travel to where witness is most needed. I don’t have all the answers, but I have some suggestions of what you might do if you’re feeling helpless and hopeless, as so many of us are. Learn More - From Pastor Megan: January 23, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
January 23, 2025 Happy January, with over a foot of snow headed our way this weekend! Given the weather predictions, Newton Mayor Mark Laredo has asked people to refrain from driving and parking in the city on Sunday and Monday whenever possible. With the uncertainty of when the storm will begin, and predictions that when it does, it will snow as much as an inch an hour, we will move our worship service on to Zoom for the day. Learn More - From Pastor MeganRev. Megan Berkowitz
January 16, 2025 I have exciting news to share about next Sunday, 1/25, when we will welcome two special guests from FamilyAid into our worship service to share about the good work continuing at the Family Navigation Center in West Newton. Learn More - From Pastor MeganRev. Megan Berkowitz
December 24, 2025 Warmest Christmas wishes to you and all your loved ones. As we celebrate the Light of Christ coming into the world, may your life be filled with that light and all of the peace, joy, love, and hope it brings. It is no small thing to celebrate God’s presence in a world in need, or to remember God’s faithfulness in accompanying us in all things. Let us dwell in that grace and goodness together this week. Learn More - From Pastor MeganRev. 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 GreensRev. 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
