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Weekly Update
Friday, March 29, 2024
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Today, Good Friday: Youth Group Interfaith Visit, Hebrew Senior Life in Dedham
At 2:00 p.m. (arriving in Dedham for a 2:30 p.m. service)
Tomorrow, Holy Saturday: Art, Eggs & Snacks, Littlehale Room at 1:00 p.m. - Thank you for donations of Easter Candy (wrapped, nut-free) for our Easter Eggs!
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6:15 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service (In Person)
The birds will preach the sermon as on that first Easter morning, and we’ll celebrate Jesus’ resurrection at the dawning of the new day. Pastor Amy and Greg Feldman will lead in joyful worship and song.
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Pastor Amy and family lead this service. We'll meet in the Wellesley Office Park, behind the building at 45 Williams Street (the sign says 45 Wellesley Office Park, click to see a map - it's on the opposite side of the Charles River from Quinobequin Rd.). After you turn onto 45 Williams Street, go under the building and look to your right - you'll see an entrance to the Charles River Reservoir. Park and walk down the path until you find Crowley's Landing. The path is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible. Please call Pastor Amy's cell (617-938-8112) if you have trouble finding us.
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10:00 a.m. Easter Service (Hybrid)
Polish off your alleluias (we put them away for Lent) and get ready to sing, dance, shout, and pray with joy and celebration this Easter morning!
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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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11:00 a.m. Reception and Easter Egg Hunt (In-Person)
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Join us for our beloved Easter Egg Hunt following worship!
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Special Easter Collection
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In this time of Easter, of Renewal, and of Celebration we are reminded of rebirth and of God's Creation as we enjoy the beauty of Spring revealed.
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Our special Easter offering will be given today in support of 350 Mass, an organization dedicated to making a transition to a just and equitable clean-energy economy. In doing so, they also work for climate justice for all and for housing density to address our current environmental crisis.
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“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night but find no rest.
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
May your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:1-5, 25-28
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We’ve been following the Gospel of Mark throughout this year, hearing the stories of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, and, this week, trials in Jerusalem. At the end of Mark’s version of the Passion narrative, at about the time you will receive this email on Good Friday, the Gospel recounts Jesus’ final words from the cross: Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
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Taken alone, these words encapsulate the desolation of Good Friday. Jesus is alone, mocked, beaten, and tortured nearly to his death. With the last of his strength, he calls out in despair.
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But these words were never meant to be heard or read alone. Jesus speaks the first part of the first verse of Psalm 22, inviting those familiar with the scriptures to fill in the rest. Psalm 22 is not a Psalm of lament alone; it ends with the triumph of God over all worldly powers, a triumph that looks like faith and fulfillment for all who are in need. Even to his death, Jesus proclaimed the power of God beyond all human striving. We are called to hold in tension this despair and hope, until the Sun rises on Easter morning.
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Loving God, hear the prayers of your people gathered in this community:
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- We pray for healing for Robert Cinnante’s grandmother Carmela following a fall. God, surround her with your healing grace, comfort, and protect her.
- We pray for peace and discernment for Peter Bin, whom members of our church accompany through the Partakers program. Reminded by the story of Jesus’ trial this week, we pray for wisdom and grace for Peter and all people involved in the many aspects of the criminal justice system.
- 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.
- 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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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Save the Date!
All-Church Retreat
Saturday, April 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 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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April Book Group
Tuesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. (Zoom)
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Please join us in April for our next book group. Our book will be "Rough Sleepers" by Tracy Kidder.
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The April 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 April 14th
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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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Today!
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. Gather at the church at 2pm to arrive at the service by 2:30pm.
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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 (10am-12noon)
- 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
We need 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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