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Weekly Update
Friday, January 5, 2024
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Sunday, January 7, at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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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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Please keep an eye on your email on
Saturday night in case snow disrupts our worship plans.
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Pastor's Blog
Pastor Megan - 1/5/2024
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Leila and I scooted off to Mexico City on Christmas Day for our friends' wedding. Before the trip, I was feeling a touch grouchy: Christmas Eve worship was so beautiful and joyful, and then I was going to spend the rest of my Christmas not celebrating but sitting on planes and waiting in airports. I was feeling the holiday let-down in the middle of the holiday itself. Then, we arrived in Mexico -- and Christmas had only just begun! Christians in Mexico celebrate from Christmas Eve all the way through to Epiphany on January 6th. Everywhere we looked there were poinsettias planted right in the ground, life-sized nativity scenes, and even Santa Claus enjoying some chicharrones in the market. People were vacationing, wishing one another felices fiestas, visiting churches, and enjoying special treats.
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We may not be able to hold on to the wonder and awe of Christmas every day of the year. But the liturgical calendar invites us to keep things slow and awe-filled just a little bit longer. Like the Holy Family in those first few weeks of newborn wonder, like the shepherds hearing angels and wise ones seeing a star, we are called to recognize how our lives and our world have changed with God's love born into it anew. Even as the world moves on from Christmas, may we take a breath this weekend, and stay close to our joy and awe.
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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 Rob Purser, recovering from eye surgery, that he might be comfortable and experience complete healing.
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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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January Book Group
Tuesday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m. (On Zoom)
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Unpoverty: Rich Lessons from the Working Poor by Mark Lutz
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Please join us again on January 30 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group. Our book will be “Unpoverty: Rich Lessons from the Working Poor” by Mark Lutz.
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You will find a zoom link and sign-in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody ([email protected]).
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 86560
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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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Mission Trip Q&A and Exploring Our Faith - THIS Sunday!
This Sunday!
January 7, 5:00 - Puerto Rico Mission Trip Q&A; 5:30- 7:15 p.m. EOF
At 5pm we welcome students and their adults to come for a brief information session about our June Puerto Rico Mission Trip (see below). Pastor Amy will send a Zoom link on Sunday afternoon for any unable to join us in person.
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Following the info session, all high schoolers are invited to stay to get ready for CityReach with a special guest speaker, and to have time to reflect and consider how we would like to live into and live out our faith in this new year. Mentors invited!
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CityReach - Clothing Collection and Mission Trip
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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Bake Sale and Fundraiser for Puerto Rico Mission
February 11th - Save the Date!
We hope all will join in our upcoming fundraiser for our Puerto Rico Mission Trip (June 22-29). This fun morning will bring us together in preparation for the Superbowl, Valentines Day, and Shrove Tuesday! Please save the date and look forward to more details!
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Thank you to Karla Armenoff for providing this Sunday's reception.
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We are still looking for hosts for next Sunday, January 14, 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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