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Weekly Update
Friday, December 29, 2023
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First Sunday After Christmas (Hybrid)
Sunday, December 29, at 10:00 a.m.
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Our First Sunday After Christmas worship will be held in the Memorial Chapel. We will remember the shepherds and the light that guided them on their journey, and consider our own journey towards God's light in the new 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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Pastor's Blog
Pastor Amy - 12/29/2023
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When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
The Work of Christmas, by Howard Thurman
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I had to laugh as I opened the door to my office for the first time this week after our Christmas Eve service. Our Christmas pageant whale, flowers, camel, and piles of costumes greeted me, along with paperwhite bulbs from our Longest Night service, lantern-makings from our children's community art evening, printed packets of Christmas carols, and so much more. It was a beautiful, if disheveled, reminder of so many moments of Advent joy, peace, and love. The bustle, preparations, and sparkle of the days leading us to Christmas morning can sometimes feel a bit like a whirlwind - a beautiful swirling snow globe of gatherings, tasks, care, and emotions.
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As the swirl settles, I invite you this week to take a breath, rest, and tend to your spirit. Where are you finding gratitude and peace now that Christmas day is over? Where are you still seeing God's light shining? How is the true light and gift of Christmas leading you to new life this season? As we begin to pack away Christmas decorations and gifts, let us not inadvertently pack away what's truly most important, the hope and meaning of it all: God's love in Jesus being birthed again in us and through us into our world. The work of Christmas in and through us, as Howard Thurman says, is only just beginning. May you feel Christ's love, light, hope, and peace being born and growing in you anew, as we begin the good work of this new year together.
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With Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Amy
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Gracious God, you came into the world a humble and fragile baby, and by living among us, you let us know that our every concern and our every joy, no matter how large or small, and indeed our whole lives, matter to you. Accompany us anew, and hear our prayers:
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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, as she prepares to return to you. Free her from her pain and discomfort. Strengthen her, her family, her whole community, and all of us who love her, that all may feel your presence among us in this tender 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, as we make room in our hearts and homes for him. 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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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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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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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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Intergenerational Community
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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Next Exploring Our Faith meeting - Next Sunday!
Sunday, January 7, 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
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We'll gather for the new year at the church, get ready for CityReach with a special guest speaker, learn about the Mission Trip to PR (below), and consider how we would like to live into and live out our faith in this new year. Mentors invited!
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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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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Thank you to Anya Bassett 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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Pastor Megan will be out of the country between Christmas and New Year, so please reach out to Pastor Amy via her cell phone at any time in the case of an emergency.
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Friday is a day of Sabbath for Pastor Megan; Monday is Pastor Amy's day of Sabbath.
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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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