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Weekly Update
Friday, December 15, 2023
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Block Prints: Exploring Darkness and Light, UCW Youth Group
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Advent 3 (In Person and on Zoom!)
Intergenerational Worship - The Christmas Story!
Sunday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m.
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This Sunday our beloved annual ALL-AGES telling of the Christmas Story worship and pageant will take place during our service. Everyone of all ages is invited to participate! Please come at 9:30 a.m. if you would like to pick out a costume, or help with some of our puppets or storytelling this year.
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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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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 This Sunday, Dec. 17 before noon. Thank you!
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Longest Night Open House
Next 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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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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Pastor's Blog
Megan - 12/15/2023
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“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.”
Isaiah 61:1-2
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Last Sunday, I mentioned that Advent isn’t just a season of celebration but also one of prophetic longing: a vision of how the world might be, looking at things through God’s eyes, while still looking clearly at the world as it is. This text from Isaiah is one of many examples of readings that we share during Advent that express this prophetic longing. Mary’s Magnificat, which Amy preached about a few weeks ago, is another one.
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Prophetic longing understands both the needs in the world which caused God to come to dwell among us, and the transformational hope we come to know in Christ. That longing isn’t confined to the people in the Bible or to Biblical times. This Advent, what is the prophetic longing on your heart? How can you proclaim it?
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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. We pray in particular for Karen Weisgerber, Jandi Dennis, and David Spertner, and their families, as they grieve recent losses of loved ones.
- 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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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Fun Learning Spanish
This Sunday, Dec. 17 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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JAVA Gents
Friday, December 22 at 7:00 a.m. (In Person)
Java Gents will gather next Friday morning, December 22 at 7:00 a.m. outside the big kitchen in the vestry.
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JAVA Gents is the informal get-together of the men of the UCW congregation (and community). The group aims to provide friendly fellowship and mutual support to the men. We will enjoy a lively and supportive discussion of timely topics as well as personal goings on in our lives.
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Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact either Jay ([email protected]), or Buz ([email protected]) if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Java Gents mailing list.
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Caregiving in the (Multi-Layered) Sandwich
This group will resume again in January
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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.
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We met twice in December, and will poll interested members to find dates for 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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SAVE THE DATE !
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Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Meets at The Union Church on Jan. 29, 2024.
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For more information about the meeting contact:
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For mor information about the GBIO Housing Justice Campaign go HERE
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A Century After 19 Were Executed, Army Overturns Racially Biased Convictions of 110 Black Soldiers
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Visit the publisher Equal Justice Initiative's website HERE to view the full story.
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If you would like to learn more about Advocates for Racial Justice activities at The
Union Church, please reach out to Nancy Zollers ([email protected])
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Intergenerational Community
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Christmas Story - All-Ages Worship & Pageant
This Sunday, Dec. 17, and TOMORROW (Saturday) for Preparation
Can you help?
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Our beloved annual ALL-AGES telling of the Christmas Story worship and pageant is coming THIS SUNDAY! We are looking for additional helpers to serve as narrators, help with parts of worship, and join in the fun. If you or your kids can be part of this special morning, please let Pastor Amy know ([email protected]).
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We'll also be making puppets, sets, other art, and getting ready on Saturday afternoon. If you can come, please let Amy know, or swing by - We'll be there from around 12:30pm until we're done.
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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Youth Mission Opportunities
January 26-27 - CityReach
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With Coat and Clothing Collection
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Our participation in the CityReach Overnight is confirmed! We'll join our siblings on Boston Common who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Over the next month please check your closets for warm and sturdy clothing to donate, and let Pastor Amy know if you can participate.
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June 22-29 - Mission trip to Puerto Rico
We are in the process of planning our summer mission trip to Puerto Rico and would love to have you join us! We'll be purchasing plane tickets in early January, so please let us know if you can come! Speak to Pastor Amy or David Spertner to learn more or confirm your participation.
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Next Exploring Our Faith meeting will be in the New Year!
Sunday, January 7, 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Thank you to Susan Hunt Stevens for providing this week’s reception.
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We are still looking for hosts for January 14, 28 and most of 2024. Sign up below today to support one of the most impactful ways we build connections and community with each other after worship.
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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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