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Weekly Update
Friday, February 16, 2024
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The First Sunday in Lent
February 18, at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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Throughout the season of Lent, which began this week, we will gather in worship around the theme of “Dwelling in the Heart,” finding time to be in quiet stillness and centeredness with God. This Sunday, Pastor Amy will preach, sharing learnings and stories from our recent weekend with the youth and our unhoused siblings in Boston, and helping us reconsider the role of material things in our lives.
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As Lent begins, we also invite you to two prayer stations in the Crocker Chapel - one that reminds us of the images of God as potter, gently re-forming and re-shaping our hearts and lives (see Pastor Megan's blog below); and the other, inviting us to acts of simplifying and drawing nearer to God and creation. We hope you will stop by.
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Children are invited this Sunday to a special Sunday School with Pastor Megan! She will lead them in an introduction to the season of Lent, with a special activity making and shaping items from clay.
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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 - 2/16/2024
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“Yet, O Lord, you are our Creator; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8
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As we enter Lent, we are beginning to focus on spending time in the still, quiet center with God. At this week’s Ash Wednesday service, I introduced the image of the pottery wheel to understand the kind of repentance – of “turning” – that allows us to dwell in the heart.
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As with the pottery wheel, when we are centered in God, we are continually turning, coming back to that center, and twisting and trimming whatever emerges that can not remain in balance around that center. As you consider practices to take on during Lent, I invite you to consider them in light of the pottery wheel: will they help you to turn around and towards your center, and leave behind all that disrupts your balance?
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All are invited to take part in a community practice of making small clay vessels on which will rest the candles for our Tenebrae service later in Lent. There will be supplies in the Crocker Chapel each Sunday throughout the season. There are already some beautiful dishes on display!
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Loving God, hear the prayers of your people gathered in this community:
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We pray for Tom Humphrey, recovering from a stroke last week, that he may be surrounded by your Spirit of healing and care.
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For all of our unhoused siblings sleeping rough in the cold and wet weather these last few weeks, and for our migrant siblings seeking shelter and safety in our communities.
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- We ask for prayers for Maddie B, who is in need of healing after an illness, and who is missing being able to visit her church. Please pray for healing, strength, and knowledge of the love of God and this community.
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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.
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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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UCW Lenten Playlist
Dwelling in the Heart
Now Available!
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The Worship Committee is delighted to release the first ever Lenten playlist. Over the last few weeks, 16 people have shared 26 songs that resonate with them and allow them to “Dwell in the heart”. We have 1 hour and 45 minutes of music so far.
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The playlist is available on Spotify: HERE
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And also on Apple Music: HERE
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In order to listen to them, you will need an account on either of these platforms. If you don’t have either, I would recommend creating a free account on Spotify. If you encounter any issues with this, please let me know!
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If you want to know who submitted which song(s) and why, here is a document with all that information: HERE
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It is also a great source for if you just want to see what is on the list.
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Also, this list is not “done”. If the season, or just this list, makes you think of other songs you would like to share, please send them to me, and I will add them!
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Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has made a contribution to this list. I have had the privilege to listen to this music over the last few weeks as it came in. And it is truly inspiring!
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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 February
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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 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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Dwelling in the Heart of God in Creation
Share Your Lenten Commitment - To Simplify, Connect with Creation, and/or Carbon Diet
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This Sunday - Simple Reception and Sign-up
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Lent is for prioritizing and making space the spiritual and downplaying the material. This year, we are inviting the church to consider joining in the rhythms of creation, simplifying, and cutting back on things we do or consume that cause damage to ourselves and creation. Will you commit to driving fewer miles, keeping a lower thermostat, becoming more aware of your Carbon footprint, or (studies show best of all) eating less beef?
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Look for our sign- up for Lenten pledges this Sunday, February 18 at a Special After-Worship Reception.
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Wellspring Women's Ministry
Wednesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m.(In-Person)
Due to Valentine’s Day, the next well spring gathering will be on Wednesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Little Hayle.
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Wellspring will be starting up again on Wednesday evening September 27 at 6:30 p.m. It will be a potluck gathering at the Union Church, so folks can bring whatever they would like. Newcomers are welcome. If you are interested in learning more about Wellspring, please contact Amy McMahon at [email protected].
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Wellspring is our women's ministry at UCW. We come together to support each other as we journey together in these times.
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Surveying an organic and sustainable vegetable garden - a working concept to educate people growing their own food.
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Hola a todos! Frank Laski and David Spertner have returned from their trip to Nicaragua. Much work and some fun was had. They checked with many of our partners, friends and communities where we have worked. Some of the highlights are below. One thing that is quite evident, our deep commitment is still shining through. See our current and former students whom the Church has supported grow in skills, maturity, age and are continuing to support their communities and each other. Our sister Church Alpha y Omega and their amazing leader Pastora Cleofa is thrilled with the addition of another classroom as their important and ever growing work continues. With one year to go until our next big group trip it is exciting to see more possibilities. Furthering the work we have already started and nurtured and also looking at other sustainable food projects. It will be an exciting time to visit in Feb 2025. More updates to follow !
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Fun with students and
former students and their families.
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Fun finding books delivered
by the Biblioteca Movil.
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Intergenerational Community
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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Thank you! Bake Sale for Puerto Rico raised over $1000!
Thank you to everyone who donated baked goods and time, and who purchased goodies!
We're so grateful to everyone who helped make our bake sale last weekend such a success. We raised over $1000 to help support our partners in Puerto Rico, and to provide scholarships for travel for our youth. We are learning more every day about what our service in Puerto Rico will entail, and look forward to sharing more about ways the church can be involved in and learn about this new partnership! Thank you!!
Upcoming High School Youth Group (EOF) Visits:
The Islamic Center in Wayland Following Worship
Sunday, March 3
Pastor Amy will send more information soon, but please save the date and plan to attend. Teens and adults are welcome.
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Dinner Church with the Agape Spiritual Community
Sunday, April 7
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On this day we will join our friends for Dinner and worship, which will include a very special baptism.
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Thank you to the Care of Creation Team for providing the reception this Sunday.
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We are still looking for hosts for Sunday, March 3 and the rest of 2024.
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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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