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Weekly Update
Friday, April 19, 2024
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This Sunday
April 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Easter IV (Hybrid)
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It’s Earth Day weekend, and so we’ll highlight our connection to creation in worship as we continue Sharing from the Heart.
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Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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The bulletin is available HERE
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This past week, I traveled to Valley Forge, PA for a 3-day conference entitled "Space for Grace: Engaging Intergenerational Faith." The conference was hosted by the same organization that is organizing our mission trip to Puerto Rico, the American Baptist Home Mission Society. ABHMS is strongly aligned with the mission and legacy of ABC pastor, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The keynote preachers and speakers brought a wide diversity of experiences and perspectives, which I look forward to sharing with all of you. We learned about what would mean to be a truly inclusive church of people with disabilities; about the role of joy and celebration in binding communities together; about what it means to create safe and resilient individuals and communities; and how trauma can show up through the generations. We thought and prayed about what it means to stand with the teachings of Jesus in a time when Christian nationalism is on the rise, and our world is seeing increasing violence and division.
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In this Eastertide, we at the Union Church in Waban are thinking about what it means to Share from the Heart. The Space for Grace conference made me think about this in new ways. So often when engaging all ages of our intergenerational church, we have rightly focused on the importance of intergenerational relationships in terms of those relationships impact us as individuals of faith. We think about what it means for elders to experience connection and joy in the presence of our children and teens. We recognize the importance of relationships with elders and adults for our teenagers as they become more resilient and form their faith in face of the challenges of life. Throughout this conference, however, speakers focused not so much on individual faith, resilience, and well-being, as on building healthy, faithful, and resilient communities in which all people can thrive. It is one thing to support the spiritual well-being of an individual who uses a wheelchair, and another to make sure all people with disabilities have full and comfortable spaces within our pews and at our pulpit. It is one thing to deepen the resilience and faith of a child, and another to make sure that the home, school, and community they live in is free from violence and full of love. Beloved, as we explore what it means to share from the heart, I look forward to sharing more of my learnings, and inviting all of us to consider even more deeply what it means for our inclusive, welcoming, intergenerational, and mission-minded church to truly be a Space for Grace for all people, and to create a world where all can thrive.
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Sharing from the Heart
2024 - 25 Pledge Drive
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Stewardship season has begun, with our annual pledge drive sharing a theme with Eastertide worship: "Sharing from the Heart." When we share from our hearts, freely, the gifts with which we have been blessed become the foundation for life-giving ministry. Pledging allows this church to boldly claim our covenant and plan for our service within this congregation and out into the world in inclusive, mission-minded, and intergenerational activities.
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We ask you to SUBMIT your PLEDGE HERE
or
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by filling out a pledge FORM This Sunday
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community,
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- This Earth Day weekend, we pray for sensible action on global climate change.
- We pray for all of our high school seniors as they begin the long season of celebration and discern what comes next for them. We pray for all of our youth and families as they balance the many aspects of school, activities, family life, and spiritual connection.
- We pray for Gerry Elion as she continues to heal from a fall and resulting hip replacement surgery. May Gerry be surrounded by your love and all of ours as she regains her strength.
- 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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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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Save The Date! May 5 at 3:00 P.M.
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The Union Church in Waban will install Pastor Megan as our settled Senior Pastor at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5. This is an opportunity for our church to host others from our partner denominations and to celebrate the covenant of ministry among the members of this congregation, Pastor Megan, and the wider Church. Since the installation service is taking place in the afternoon, we’ll have a special Pancake Breakfast Communion service in the Vestry at our usual 10:00 a.m. worship time. Stay tuned for more information!
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Committee News - Big Announcement!
A Friend is Moving to Boston
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Yarisleidy Cortez Mayorquin
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As part of sharing God’s love and light in the ministry of Nicaragua, the Union Church sponsored its first student to attend college more than a decade ago from the small fishing town on the pacific coast of Nicaragua known as San Juan Del Sur. This woman named Yarisleidy Cortez Mayorquin graduated with a business degree in 2013. As part of the sponsorship program through our local partner the Brugger Foundation, the students participate in community service and give back to local communities. Yarisleidy thrived in this environment and after graduation worked for the non-profit Communidad Connect where she worked her way up to director of community development.
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Over the past decade, Yarisleidy has continued connecting with us as a Church and built relationships with many of the youth and adults who have had the good fortune to travel to Nicaragua. She would often volunteer with us while we were in country and also help us in any way to navigate through our cross cultural service work.
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For many years, Yarisleidy had wanted to come to the United States and learn and experience our culture but she was not approved several different times over the years but now I am excited to announce with great joy that she was approved for a two year work visa and will be living in Newton.
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Yarisleidy Arrives on May 15!
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I anticipate a very warm welcome for Yarisleidy who will join us for her first Church service on Pentacost May 19. For those of you who know her personally it will be a great reunion and for those who do not yet know her, I know you will enjoy getting to know her over the next few months and years !!
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Over 2000 People Attend GBIO Housing Rally
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Capping off more than a year of action and legislative advocacy, the Greater Boston Housing Association held its final rally of the Housing Justice campaign at the State House last week. Several UCW folks were in attendance and urged legislators to prioritize safe, affordable, and dignified housing for all in the Commonwealth in this year’s budget season. Read more on our website!
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.....continue reading HERE
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Wellspring Women's Ministry
Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. (In-Person)
Wellspring will meet on Wednesday evening, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. We will meet in Littlehale meeting room. It will be a potluck so folks can sign up with our spreadsheet.
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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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JAVA Gents
Friday, April 26 at 7:00 a.m. (In-Person)
Java Gents will gather next Friday morning, April 26 at 7:00 a.m. outside the big kitchen in the vestry.
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JAVA Gents is the informal get-together of the men of the UCW congregation (and community). The group aims to provide friendly fellowship and mutual support. We will enjoy a lively discussion of timely topics as well as personal goings on in our lives.
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Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact either Jay ([email protected]), or Buz ([email protected]) if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Java Gents mailing list.
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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
Next gathering, May 5 from 11:30-12:30 p.m.
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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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Puerto Rico Mission Trip Orientation #1
Sunday, April 28
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Exploring Our Faith and Travelers
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We'll come together (stay tuned for the final times) at the home of David Spertner, and meet with the organizers of our June 22-29 service trip to Puerto Rico. Travelers are required to attend this orientation. If you are not able to come in-person, please plan to attend on Zoom. We'll share more information soon, but please save the date for this fun and exciting evening!
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Save the Dates!
Lock-in with Joint Youth Groups
Friday, May 10; 7-11 p.m. (Overnight optional)
Exploring Our Faith and High Schoolers
Save the Date for a fun evening with our friends at United Parish Auburndale! We'll have dinner, play sardines and other games around the church, have time for some art and other fun, and finish with ice cream!
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Exploring Our Faith Final Retreat, May 19
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EOF students are expected to attend this important retreat as we draw near to our final Confirmation/Baptism Sunday on June 2nd. Please save the date and stay tuned.
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NEW CALENDAR
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We have an 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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Junior Youth Group
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The Children’s Ministry Team, with the help of some older youth, lead a schedule of meaningful fun, relationship-building, Christian education, and service-learning events. The calendar is below:
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- April 28 (Sunday, 11:30-12:30 p.m.) - After Church Lunch
- May 10 (Friday, 5:30-7:00 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 Sandra DaDalt for providing the reception this Sunday.
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We still need hosts for Sunday, May 21 and more, if you are available.
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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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