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Weekly Update
Friday, December 1, 2023
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Block Print: Megan Berkowitz
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Advent 1 (In Person and on Zoom!)
Sunday, December 3 at 10:00 a.m.
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Advent begins this Sunday! We’ll gather around the wreath and the communion table to tell our sacred stories of the promises of life in Christ.
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
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The bulletin is available HERE
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Advent Wreath Making
This Sunday, December 3 following Worship
Following worship on Dec. 3 we will hold our annual Advent Wreath-making workshop where you can make an Advent wreath for your home as we count the weeks to Christmas. We'll provide all materials, but if you have a wire frame from years past, please bring it!
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Advent Devotionals
Now Available at Church
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This year, we are sharing an Advent devotional for people of all ages called “House of God,” by the SALT Project. You can find the devotional booklet and poster for your refrigerator at the church entrances today and all throughout Advent.
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Family and Friends Annual Dedications
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Please submit your Dedications by Sunday
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Once again this year, UCW will be providing Christmas gifts for our friends at Project Care & Concern via UCW's Mitten Tree!
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Please find a paper mitten on the in-person Christmas tree at UCW that will lead you to the virtual gift list, or you can also CLICK HERE.
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Please sign up for as many slots as you'd like and then wrap and label gifts with the recipient's name and house name.
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Gifts are due back on Sunday, Dec. 17 before noon. Thank you!
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Pastor's Blog
Megan - 11/24/2023
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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.”
John1:5
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This verse is the theme for worship and community life at UCW this Advent, with the image of the candle, so much a part of our Advent traditions, our guiding symbol. Making block prints like the one above are one of my many craft-based spiritual practices that give me space to reflect deeply on scripture and tradition. As I was printing this image, I realized that John says that the darkness doesn’t overtake the light – but neither, as it turns out, does the light overtake the darkness. It shines within it. Like in the account of creation in Genesis, light and darkness are important in their contrasts to and coexistence with one another.
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Just as the light and dark exist side by side, the promise of the coming of Jesus is about God’s goodness, about the very heart of the Divine, dwelling side by side with humanity. God’s presence among us doesn’t make us no longer human, but it does transform our experience of human existence. Life in Christ doesn’t make us immune to difficulty, but rather shows us that God understands and joins us in our pain.
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The light shines in the darkness. Thanks be to God.
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Gracious God, we turn to you in prayer, knowing that you strengthen us in every trial. Be with us, we pray, and for all those who are in need of your healing, transformational love.
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- We pray for peace all throughout the world. For the people of Israel and Palestine, the people of Ukraine, people in every part of the world whose lives are threatened by war and violence. Teach us to beat our swords into plowshares, O God, and to sow wisdom and reap peace, justice, and joy for all people.
- We pray that our beloved Jenny would experience your love and peace, God, and ask that you would help us be instruments of your peace for her. Free her from her pain and discomfort. Strengthen her, her family, her whole community, and her medical team in this next phase of her cancer journey.
- For Tom Vawter, as he recovers from major surgery, God we pray that your Spirit would bring healing, comfort, and relief from pain. We pray for Anne and all who care for Tom in this time.
- For all in our UCW community who are ill, or who are caring for loved ones. For all who grieve, God, we ask for the comfort of your presence.
- For people in our community and everywhere for whom the holidays bring pain rather than joy. May they, too, be comforted by you.
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We pray in the name of Jesus, in whose Way we walk each day. Amen.
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If you have other prayers of concern or celebration you
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would like lifted up in community, please email
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Family and Friends Annual Dedications
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It’s not too late to dedicate one of the beautiful poinsettias decorating our sanctuary. We are preparing our annual Family and Friends Dedications list for inclusion in our Advent Sunday bulletins on December 10 and 17.
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Use the button below to access the online order form and submit your dedication details.
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Each donation of $25.00 will be used to purchase an 8" Poinsettia.
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Please submit your Order by This Sunday
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Payment can be made online when submitting your order, or by mailing or dropping off a check at the church office (payable to The Union Church in Waban, memo: Poinsettias).
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You will have the option to take your poinsettias home after the Christmas Eve service.
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(You may also -mail our office manager, Aidan Cunningham at [email protected]
and let him know how many plants you would like to order.)
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Fun Learning Spanish
This Sunday, Dec. 3 from 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
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Teachers: Pastor Amy and David Spertner will be your leaders for this complementary course.
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All are welcome! For anyone who would like to learn, improve and practice Spanish, Sundays before church.
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Sponsored by the Nicaragua Team Committee
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Caregiving in the (Multi-Layered) Sandwich
Second Meeting THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 3, following Advent Wreath Making (11:45am)
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More and more members of our community find themselves caring for loved-ones across the generations -- caring for aging parents, as well as for children, adult children, grandchildren, and others. All are invited to gather for guided discussion, mutual support, and prayer once a month through the holidays and into Epiphany (in November, December, January, and February).
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Please let Pastor Amy ([email protected]) know if you are interested.
We will gather in-person in Pastor Amy's Office.
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Cookies and Christmas Caroling
Next Sunday, Dec. 10 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (gather at 11:30)
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Join an informal group to spread Christmas cheer after worship. We'll have a quick rehearsal after reception and then begin a zoom call for our distant members, followed by a drive-around to the homes of some members who could use extra cheer! All are welcome! Please reach out to Pastor Amy if you can come, or if you know of someone who would like a visit (or a zoom invitation).
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Wellspring Women's Ministry
Wednesday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m.(In-Person)
Wellspring will meet again on Wednesday evening December 13 at 6:30 p.m. Newcomers are welcome. If you are interested in learning more about Wellspring, please contact Amy McMahon at [email protected].
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Wellspring is our women's ministry at UCW. We come together to support each other as we journey together in these times.
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Longest Night Open House
Thursday, December 21, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
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Join in a time of contemplation, engaging all of our senses in prayer as we journey through the darkness. You can drop in, and stay as long or as little as you are moved to.
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Supporting our Partners
The ACE Center for New Americans
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New Americans Winter Party
Our church has meaningful connections to the ACE Center for New Americans. Each winter, the Center hosts a New American Christmas Celebration, providing gifts for children and families who have recently arrived in the US. This year, the party is on Saturday, December 9th, and they are grateful for help. Can you help provide a donation or a gift?
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To make a financial donation online, please click on the Donate button below
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Or go directly to the Amazon Wishlist with suggestions for winter hats, gloves, toys and household goods that help families acclimate to their new lives. Please select to send the gifts directly to the MBMM address. PLEASE make sure all gifts will arrive before DEC. 8TH. THANK YOU! With questions, please contact Pastor Amy.
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Your gift will definitely bring a smile to our New American friends, especially children. Help us extend hospitality to our New Americans to warm their hearts and lives.
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Exciting opportunity for Union Church as we host
GBIO In-District Meeting on January 29
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Mark your calendars! You will want to join neighbor Churches and Temples in our wider community as ALL of our state elected officials will join us - in the sanctuary - for the next leg of our Housing Justice Campaign.
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We are staging In-District Meetings (IDMs) with our local senators and representatives across Greater Boston, asking them directly to support our legislative and budget asks. If you have been looking for the opportunity to engage, this is your chance. These meetings will be essential in ensuring that Governor Healey's Affordable Homes Act gets enough support on Beacon Hill to pass. Every one of us has a role to play by showing up, and bringing our neighbors!
This is an opportunity to provide our extravagant Union Church welcome as we help ensure that the Legislator funds the critical housing priority needs this year.
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Plan to attend please to help us welcome the 200+ neighbors invited to Union Church on January 29!
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Good News to Celebrate Together
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One new resident sees the place she can now call home.
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Ten formerly homeless individuals have moved into their lovely new apartments at Golda Meir House nearby on Washington St!
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When housing for former Pine St Inn individuals was denied at the Newton Engine 6 property, 10 years ago, we joined with other Waban neighbors to seek a remedy for that loss.
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Now, after a HUD complaint, settled years ago, the housing opportunity has been realized.
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From the streets to a warm housing community, that provides a brand new place to call home and vibrant opportunities.
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Intergenerational Community
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Children, Youth and Families
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Advent Wreath Making
This Sunday Dec. 3
Following worship on Dec. 3 we will hold our annual Advent Wreath-making workshop where you can make an Advent wreath for your home as we count the weeks to Christmas. We'll provide all materials, but if you have a wire frame from years past, please bring it!
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Lantern-Making!
Thursday Dec. 7
From 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, families are also invited to drop into a special Lantern-Making event, where we will create lanterns to light our way through the season. All are invited and all materials provided -- bring a friend! This event is perfect for all ages!
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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EOF and HS Juniors & Seniors Youth Group - SPECIAL ADVENT GATHERING
This Sunday, Dec. 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
This Sunday, EOF and ALL HIGH-SCHOOLERS (along with mentors) are invited to a special EOF gathering. We'll share dinner and begin Advent together with a print-making workshop led by Pastor Megan. We hope everyone can come for this meaningful evening.
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Next EOF - Dec. 17!
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Cookie-Making & Fun (Lock-in Optional)
Joint Youth Group Gathering!
Next Saturday, Dec. 9, 7:00 p.m. at United Parish Auburndale
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We're having an awesome joint Youth Group pre-Christmas gathering with our friends at UPA! We'll have some dinner food, make Christmas Cookies to share with members in need of extra sweetness, and then have fun playing sardines and other games! Pick-up at 11:00 p.m., or stay for an overnight lock-in. Middle and High-Schoolers welcome!
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Please see the calendar below for our other upcoming events in December and January
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Save the Date: CityReach Overnight Confirmed for January 26-27!
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Please Save the Date for this upcoming service overnight.
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
The first ever ”Leftovers Reception” was a success! Thanks to all who participated, helping to build community and reduce food waste simultaneously!
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Thank you to Linda Lynch and Kevin Johnson for providing this week’s reception. We still need someone to contribute to December 10, 17 or 31st. Sign up here (insert link)
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(Simple guidelines listed here also.)
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up
If you are joining our Sunday worship, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services.
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Pastoral Care Connections
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to Senior Pastor, Rev. Megan Berkowitz, or Associate Pastor for Youth & Families, Rev. Amy Clark Feldman for prayer or pastoral support.
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and her phone is 617-965-3893
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Friday is a day of Sabbath for Pastor Megan; Monday is Pastor Amy's day of Sabbath. With a pastoral emergency, please don't hesitate to reach out to either pastor.
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We, the members of The Union Church in Waban, true to our founding principle of being an inclusive church, covenant together to nourish and to sustain in our common life and practice a fully welcoming and affirming church for all persons. Welcoming all persons who seek to join with us in a commitment to love God and our neighbors, affirming the inclusive love of Jesus, we are open to all, without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, nationality, ability or economic circumstance. We invite all to full participation in our worship, membership, leadership and life of this church.
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