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Weekly Update
Friday, March 1, 2024
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The Third Sunday in Lent
March 3, at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
A Shared Service with the
Boston Taiwanese Christian Church
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We are blessed to gather with the Boston Taiwanese Christian Church for worship this Sunday at 10am, when we will gather around the communion table and raise our voices in song together.
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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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High School Youth Group (EOF) Visits
The Islamic Center in Wayland
This Sunday, March 3, gather at 12:00 p.m.
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We will gather at UCW at noon before departing. Please plan to attend, teens and adults are welcome. The formal visit will end by 2:00 p.m., allowing time to attend the 3:00 p.m. Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) Action (see below).
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As part of our practices of “Dwelling in the Heart” this Lent, every committee and team has been invited to set aside all or part of their agendas for their March meetings, and instead spend time on spiritual practices and fellowship. The list of meetings is still being added to, but for now, here is a listing of the Lenten events. If you would like more information or to add your team’s event, please email Pastor Megan ([email protected]).
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- Deacons/Worship Joint Conversation: March 5th at 6pm, Littlehale
- Council: March 7 at 6:0 p.m., Littlehale (first hour)
- HR: March 14 at 3:00 p.m., on Zoom (first portion of the meeting)
- Mission Dinner: March 20 at 6:30 p.m., offsite. Vegetarian potluck hosted by the Johnson/Lynch Family
- Nicaragua team dinner: Date and time TBD, offsite hosted by David Spertner
- Children and Families Meal: Date and time TBD
- Worship Team Music Event: April 10 at 7:00 p.m., on Zoom (yes, this is after Lent!)
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Dwelling in the Heart
UCW Lenten Playlist
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
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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Pastor's Blog
Pastor Megan - 3/1/2024
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“I pray that, according to the riches of God’s glory, God may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through the Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love”
Ephesians 3:16-17
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In the season of Lent this year, we are praying this prayer that Paul shared with those to whom he wrote in the church in Ephesus, for ourselves and for one another. We, too, are seeking to dwell in the heart with God and with Christ. This prayer beautifully illustrates one of the connections between faith and love: faith invites Jesus to dwell with us; love grounds us so that we can make that invitation, and so that we can grow from it.
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As we slow down during Lent, setting aside distractions and busyness in favor of relationship-building and clarity of purpose, we make room to focus ourselves on the entwined faith and love that are at the heart of things, both as individuals and as a whole community. I pray that you, each and every one of you, are strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit for the turning towards the center that Lent demands of us. I pray that you are rooted in love and open, in faith, to Christ’s presence with you.
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Loving God, hear the prayers of your people gathered in this community:
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- We pray for trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people in our community and throughout our country, and for all who love them, in a time of increased fear for safety in the wake of interpersonal and legislative violence. From children to elders, God, and every one of your beloveds in between, may all come to recognize your image in the faces of trans and nonbinary siblings.
- We pray for Susan Hunt Stevens, recovering from hip replacement surgery. May she be comforted and cared for well as she heals.
- We pray for Tom Humphrey in his continued recovery and healing.
- 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.
- 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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GBIO Housing Justice Rally!
Sunday, March 3 - Please Register Below
GBIO is hoping for 1,700 people to attend its Housing Justice Rally at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC). The rally’s purpose is to push GBIO’s Housing Justice Campaign across the finish line, and a huge turnout is the most effective way to show our legislators just how important housing issues are to people of all faiths across Greater Boston.
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- Improve public housing,
- Expand affordable homeownership and rentals,
- Improve housing access for Returning Citizens.
We have told GBIO that Union Church hopes to send 20 UCW members to the rally -- and we're about halfway there. Please register below and help us get all the way to 20.
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Register HERE
Please talk to Nancy Zollers or Frank Laski
if you would like to carpool to the rally.
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Thank you!
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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March Book Group
Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.
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Please join us in March for our next book group. Our book will be "The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning" by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketchum
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The March zoom link will be posted as the date approaches. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody ([email protected]).
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Caregiving in the (Multi-Layered) Sandwich
This group will resume again soon
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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 and March.
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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
SAVE THE DATE: March 20th, 6:30p.m. - Home of the Lynch-Johnsons
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Share Your Lenten Commitment - To Simplify, Connect with Creation, and/or Carbon Diet
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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 in the Crocker Chapel.
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The Creation Justice and Mission Teams also invite all to a simple vegetarian Lenten family dinner on March 20th at 6:30p.m. Please save the date and stay tuned for details.
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Intergenerational Community
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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The Islamic Center in Wayland Following Worship - YOUTH GROUP
THIS SUNDAY, March 3
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We will gather at the church at 12:00noon, and depart for the Wayland Islamic Center, arriving at 12:30pm, when we will share an orientation and afternoon prayers until 2pm. We will share a fun debrief and snacks at the home of the Purser Family. Please email ([email protected]) or text (617-938-8112) Pastor Amy to let us know if you can come and if you will need a ride.
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Upcoming High School Youth Group/EOF Gatherings:
Exploring Our Faith & Youth Group Palm Sunday Fun Night
Sunday, March 24
Pastor Amy will send more information soon, but please save the date and plan to attend. Teens and adults are welcome. This will be an evening of fun and connection with a purpose.
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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 Boston Taiwanese Christian Church for providing the reception this Sunday.
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We are still looking for hosts for Sunday, March 17 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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Pastor Amy is out-of-state this Friday and Saturday, and will only be checking email and phone sporadically. With a pastoral emergency over the next few days, please reach out to Pastor Megan.
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Most weeks, 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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