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Weekly Update
Friday, January 19, 2024
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Third Sunday After Epiphany Sunday
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Sunday, January 21, at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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Join us for worship as we continue in our theme of “Getting to the Heart” this week, discerning God’s movement in our lives.
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 86560
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The bulletin is available HERE
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Pastor's Blog
Megan - 1/19/2024
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Twice in the last week, someone has asked me about the story of my call to ministry. It has been fun to reflect on this again in this season, as we as a church are journeying to the heart of things and wondering about just how God is still speaking to us.
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I didn’t hear a call all at once, like Samuel resting in his bed. I had been on track to a career in technical writing and science journalism. And yet… Over the course of a number of years, I realized that I had been spending more and more of my time in religious community and interfaith organizing leadership; and as I spent more and more of my time, I found more and more joy, and felt myself coming alive. That was how I knew I was called to the work of ordained ministry: it was where I came alive. I sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit, my deep connection to the world and all in it, and I leaned into that presence.
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It doesn’t always have to be a voice from the heavens teaching us where to go. God leads us in many ways, down many paths, so that we all might have a hand in building the Kingdom. Where are you finding new life, a life in deep connection with all God’s people and creation? Perhaps that is the “heart of things” you are being called to.
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Loving God, hear the prayers of your people gathered in this community:
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- We pray in gratitude for the life of Paul Wiggin, longtime UCW member, who died this week, and pray for his loved ones as they grieve. May he rest peacefully in your eternal home, o God.
- We pray for strength and relief from stress for high school students entering midterms, and for college students returning to campus for the Spring semester.
- We pray for a fair contract for Newton’s teachers, and for all of the teachers, families, and community members who are working towards communication and just resolution.
- For complete healing for Toni Nelson, who is recovering from pneumonia.
- 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.
- We pray for peace all throughout the world. Teach us to beat our swords into plowshares, O God, and to sow wisdom and reap peace, justice, and joy for all people.
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We pray to you, grateful for your accompaniment with us in all things. 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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The UNION CHURCH in WABAN
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In keeping with our governance structure revamp, we will be holding congregational meetings several times a year in order to facilitate communication throughout the congregation.
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The main topic for this meeting will be around the recent bequest from Janet Holly.
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Immediately Following Worship
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The meeting will also be available over Zoom
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Music for Lenten Playlist
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One of my favorite parts of worship is actually the offertory. It is when I can close my eyes, let the music wash over me, and internalize and process the sermon and all the prayers that have been lifted up. Music is just so powerful, it can open up your heart in ways that words can not always do.
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Given that our theme for Lent will be "Dwelling in the heart", the Worship Committee would like to try a new thing and put together a Spotify playlist with music, chosen by you all, that speaks to our heart.
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If you have a piece (or two!) of music that speaks to your heart, please send the name, the composer and/or the artist to me ([email protected]). It can be a hymn or gospel, or a piece of classical music, or even pop-music! If you feel like it, also tell me why this piece speaks to you, or maybe your history with that piece. I will then put all that music together in a Spotify playlist and publish that at the beginning of Lent for all of us to listen to whenever we need to hear it.
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I look forward to our shared music experience!
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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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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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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Please Register for the January 29 (6:45 p.m.) GBIO Housing Justice Campaign In-District Meeting at The Union Church!
GBIO is thrilled that Union Church will be hosting its Housing Justice Campaign In-District Meeting. Sen. Cynthia Creem, Rep. Ruth Balser, Rep. Kay Khan and Rep. Alice Peisch will be there to hear first-hand stories about why GBIO’s housing initiatives are so important, and GBIO would love to have a full house – standing room only! – to underscore just how crucial we all feel GBIO’s housing “asks” are:
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- safe and dignified state public housing,
- more funding for affordable housing and home ownership,
- access to quality housing for returning citizens, and
- a housing supply increase.
Each of these "asks" will be illustrated by a personal story from a Massachusetts resident. Our own Frank Laski will explain State Budget Line Item 7004-0034, Housing Assistance for Re-Entry Transition, and introduce a speaker who will share his story.
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Let’s welcome Senator Creem and Representatives Balser, Khan and Peisch with a strong UCW showing. To register, go to HERE . For more information, check the GBIO IDM flyer below and on church bulletin boards or contact Julie Heffernan or Nancy Zollers.
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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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The nation honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. for his impact on civil rights. But before he became a champion of social justice and one of the most admired Americans of the 20th century, King was an ordained minister who said his first calling was his greatest commitment. By Jennifer Graham
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His sermons show the importance of God in his life and his life’s work.
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“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. ... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.”
“Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that cripple the soul, the economic conditions that stagnate the soul, and the city governments that may damn the soul is a dry, dead, do-nothing religion in need of new blood. “
“Our capacity to deal creatively with shattered dreams is ultimately determined by our faith in God.” —
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“Worship is as much a part of the human organism as the rising of the sun is to the cosmic order. “
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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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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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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 youth and any adults who would like to chaperone will 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.
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PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS
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Next Exploring Our Faith with CityReach Orientation
THIS Sunday, January 21 - 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Puerto Rico June Mission Trip - Sign Up also due
We had to postpone our last EOF meeting due to snow, and will meet instead on Jan. 21! All EOFers should join us, and anyone interested in CityReach is also invited. We'll have a special guest, and prepare food and clothing for the following weekend. If you haven't already let David Spertner, Soo Laski, or Pastor Amy know if you are able to join us for our June Mission Trip, please also be in touch this week as we purchase group airline tickets ([email protected] or [email protected]). Thanks!
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Bake Sale and Fundraiser for Puerto Rico Mission
February 11 - 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 Jandi Dennis for providing this Sunday's reception.
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We are still looking for hosts for Sunday, February 4 and the rest 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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