“‘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
Dear Church,
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.
Church, when the Mission team let us know that there was a need to help fill in the gaps for our hungry neighbors, you all SHOWED UP! Thank you to everyone who donated food, brought food to the Newton Food Pantry, contacted your lawmakers about SNAP benefits, and made donations to Project Bread. In just a few short weeks, this congregation made a big impact in the lives of our neighbors. Thank you!
Now, the food drive has ended, and our annual Mitten Tree begins. With so much need all around us, it is good to work to ease the burden on some of our neighbors this holiday season, and ensure that those in our community are warm and safe as well as fed.
Peace,
Megan
Past Posts
- From Pastor Megan: March 6, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
March 6, 2026 Alongside its themes of wilderness journeys, Lent is traditionally a season of repentance – of turning from harms and returning to God and to God’s call on our lives. As winter (finally, hopefully) turns into spring, so too are we given a chance for renewal, for new growth, for new life. Learn More - Living with LossNew Supportive Group for Adults beginning at UCW this Spring All of us live with loss in our lives in so many ways: the death of spouses, children, parents, and other loved ones; the loss of our own or loved ones’ capacity due to illness and aging; the loss of work or other roles that give us a sense of meaning and purpose; and so many more losses. If you are in a season of living with loss and would like to be in supportive spiritual community with others, please join us. Learn More
- From Pastor Megan: February 13, 2026Rev. 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



