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Weekly Update
Friday, January 26, 2024
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Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
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Sunday, January 28, at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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We’ll worship Sunday morning, and then gather for a lunch meeting of the congregation to discuss plans for Janet Holly’s bequest. See below for more information.
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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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The UNION CHURCH in WABAN
Special Luncheon Meeting
of the Congregation
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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This Sunday, January 28, 2024
Immediately Following Worship
The meeting will also be available on Zoom
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Pastor's Blog
Megan - 1/25/2024
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“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8:1b
This verse comes from a section of scripture in which Paul is arbitrating a discussion among the faithful in Corinth about how to interact with the culture around them. They want a clear edict from him, want him to come down on their side (one side or the other), and instead Paul offers this bit of wisdom. Being right is one thing, he seems to be saying, but being loving is another entirely.
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I think this is another piece in the puzzle of getting to the heart of things in our faith. We could make a lot of noise about scriptural interpretation, theological doctrine, denominational polity, and lots else – all important, but maybe not the heart of things.
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There are a lot of right and wrong answers, depending on whose side you ask (on one side or the other!). I learned in school about “norming norms,” or the standard by which we judge all other standards, and Paul is offering one here.
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Are we building one another up in love? This question, beloved, will help us to get to the heart of things.
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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 Jenny Weisz, and for her peaceful rest now that she has returned home to you, O God. Grant strength, comfort, and peace to her family, friends, and loved ones who are grieving.
- In gratitude for Toni Nelson’s recovery from pneumonia.
- We pray for all who grieve for Paul Wiggin, longtime UCW member, who died last week.
- For just negotiations and a fair contract for Newton’s educators, and for all of the teachers, families, and community members who are working towards the common goal of supporting students in these days and beyond.
- 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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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Join us on Monday, January 29, at 6:45 PM
in our church sanctuary
as we present the
GBIO Housing Justice Campaign platform
to Sen. Creem, Rep. Balser, Rep. Khan,
Rep. Peisch and Rep. Vitolo.
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•safe and dignified state public housing,
•more funding for affordable housing,
•access to quality housing for returning citizens,
•and a housing supply increase.
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(See below under Mission & Outreach for morel details and registration.)
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Thank you,
The Union Church in Waban GBIO Committee
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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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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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Please Register for the January 29 (6:45 p.m.) GBIO Housing Justice Campaign In-District Meeting at The Union Church!
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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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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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Carnival Kickoff Celebration
and “Carbon dieting” for Lent
Save the Date!
Tuesday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Lent is for prioritizing the spiritual and downplaying the material. This year that can mean cutting back on things we do or consume that contribute to climate change. Will you commit to driving fewer miles, keeping a lower thermostat, or (studies show best of all) eating less beef?
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Look for UCW youth signing up Lenten pledges [include their contact info??] And save the date of February 13, to celebrate a symbolic carnival (Latin for “so long to meat”) with a pledge ceremony & veggie burger cookoff.
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Have you had the opportunity to spend time at the Black Heritage Trail and the Museum of African American History?
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Black Heritage Trail®
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Take a walking tour of the largest collection of historic sites in the country relating to the life of a free African American community prior to the Civil War. Discover this important history as you stroll through the north slope of Beacon Hill. Come into the Museum, the last stop on the Trail , and discover the missing pages of America's history.
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The Black Heritage Trail® consists of 14 sites and begins at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Beacon Street. Self-guided tours can be conducted at any time, Monday through Sunday. Maps and site brochures can be obtained at the Abiel Smith School.
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Historically rich tours are led by our partners, interpretive National Park Service Rangers, Boston African American National Historic Site (BOAF). Ranger-guided tour schedules are subject to change.
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Museum of African American History
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We understand the importance of
remembering our history.
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Welcome to The Museum of African American History! We are New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving, conserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans. In Boston and Nantucket, the Museum has preserved two historic sites and two Black Heritage Trails® that tell the story of organized Black communities from the Colonial Period through the 19th century. Exhibits, programs, and education activities at the Museum showcase the powerful stories of Black families who worshipped, educated their children, debated the issues of the day, produced great art, organized politically and advanced the cause of freedom.
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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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Prayers and Thanks: CityReach tonight and tomorrow
Today, Friday 26th to Saturday, 27th
Our High School Youth head to Boston with your donations of clothing and food this evening, and will spend the night and day tomorrow learning and serving together with the unhoused community on Boston Common. We're grateful for your donations, support and prayers.
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Bake Sale and Fundraiser for Puerto Rico Mission
February 11 - Save the Date!
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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 the Church Council 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 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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