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Weekly Update
Friday, March 22, 2024
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Palm Sunday
March 24, at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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We will share the special story of Holy Week as we prepare our hearts for the hope of Easter. We hope you and your family will join in this special service.
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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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This is the final week of our Lenten journey before Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and Holy Week begins. This Lent we have been “Dwelling in the Heart” of things with Jesus, attempting to simplify and slow down as much as we can, in order to make space for what really matters, resting in the love of God and care for one another.
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In this holiest of weeks, we invite you to dwell even more fully in the story that is at the very sacred heart of our faith. Dwell with your community of faith, your church, as we enter Jerusalem with Jesus this Sunday (Palm Sunday), and remember how Jesus overturned tables of injustice and oppression and imparted final words of teaching and healing to his followers. On Holy Thursday, join us for a Tenebrae service accompanied by beautiful Taizé music. We’ll gather around the table of Jesus as the disciples did at that final supper, to be reminded of how brokenness can be turned into blessing, and violence into a new promise of peace. May this week be a blessing for you; and may this week be a blessing for all of us together, dwelling in the heart.
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Loving God, hear the prayers of your people gathered in this community:
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- Prayers of gratitude for all of the Dwelling in the Heart gatherings that have occurred, and for all of the good food, meaningful conversation, and strengthened connections that have been shared.
- Prayers of gratitude that Soo Laski’s sister Anna was approved to be her kidney donor, and that the transplant is scheduled for next January at the earliest given that Soo remains in relatively good health.
- For all of our unhoused siblings sleeping rough in the cold and wet weather, 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 for your people all throughout the world. Teach us to beat our swords into plowshares, O God, and to sow wisdom and reap peace, justice, and joy.
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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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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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- 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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This year we continue our annual tradition of including in the Easter Sunday bulletin a dedication list of the names of loved ones we wish to remember, celebrate or honor.
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We will also be decorating our Sanctuary with live plants. If you wish to participate in our Easter celebration with the donation of an Easter Bloom, please submit your order and dedication details by This Sunday , March 24.
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Each donation of $20.00 will be used to purchase the plant of your choosing.
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You may order and submit
your dedication details HERE
Thank You!
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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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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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....... continue reading HERE
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Save the Date!
All-Church Retreat
Saturday, April 6 from 10:00-3:00 p.m.
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The Council and Nominating Committee would like to invite you and your family to join us on Saturday April 6 for an all-church, half-day retreat at the Union Church in Waban. We will gather around the theme of "Service and Leadership."
Start time is 10:00 a.m. and we will wrap up by 3:00 p.m., and of course refreshments and lunch will be provided! There will be spiritual practice, opportunities for fellowship, tools to equip you for your service in the community, and reflections and break-out groups to connect. We hope that everyone will feel inspired and reenergized by the end of the afternoon!
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March Book Group
This Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. (Zoom)
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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
GATHER THIS SUNDAY
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Next Meeting: After Worship on Sunday, March 24
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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.
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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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Children, Youth and Families
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COMING UP !
This Sunday, March 24 - 5:00-7:00 p.m.
EOF & Youth Group Palm Sunday Fun Night
Gather at the home of David Spertner for an evening of fun and connection with a purpose. Please connect with David or Pastor Amy ([email protected]) with questions or directions.
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Good Friday - Interfaith Visit
EOF & Youth Groups
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As we grapple with some of the challenging narratives of Good Friday, including those that have led to antisemitism and violence, we will gather with Jewish elders (including some holocaust survivors) at Hebrew Senior Life in Dedham for Shabbat service. Pastor Amy will share final details.
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Exploring our Faith and High School Youth - NEW CALENDAR
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The youth ministry team has been working hard to finalize our exciting final calendar for March-July. Please click below to see all that is coming up and plan to join us!
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New Junior Youth Group
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Beginning this month through Pentecost, the Children’s Ministry Team, with the help of some older youth, will lead a schedule of meaningful fun, relationship-building, Christian education, and service-learning events. The calendar is below:
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- March 29 (Good Friday) - Service Project (during day, exact time TBD)
- April 7 (Sunday, 11:30-12:30 p.m.) - After Church Lunch
- April 28 (Sunday, 11:30-12:30 p.m.) - After Church Lunch
- May 10 (Friday, 6:30-8:0 p.m.) - Dinner and Fun Night (with final prep for Pentecost)
- May 19 (Sunday -Pentecost) - 10:00 a.m. Worship, Receiving Bibles and Celebration Lunch!
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Thank you to Wellspring Women's Group for providing the reception this Sunday.
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We are still looking for hosts for Sunday, April 14 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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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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