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Weekly Update
Friday, September 1, 2023
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PLEASE NOTE: There will be no worship service at UCW
this Sunday, September 3rd.
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Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then God said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
Exodus 3:1-5
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A reminder that we will not gather for worship this Sunday. If you’d like to attend a service, our siblings at FBC Newton and United Parish of Auburndale will each gather at 10am. Of course, many of you are traveling, spending time with family, or otherwise busy during this last long weekend of summertime. That’s why this is a great opportunity to practice worshiping in place. After all, God’s presence is always with us, and when we recognize it, we know that wherever we are we are standing on holy ground.
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Worshiping in place might look like watching a favorite worship service on our website, sitting on the porch listening to hymns, or reading a Psalm as the sun rises (or sets). It might mean opening up a conversation with a friend about how your faith has been grounding you or how you hope to grow your faith. Maybe you want to observe the birds, trees, and other more-than-human beings as they worship in their own ways. Wherever you are, I hope you’ll pause for a moment to praise God, to thank God, to ask God for the needs that are on your heart – to worship and know that you are on holy ground.
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And then, I hope you’ll plan to spend the whole morning in worship and celebration together in our community the following Sunday, September 10th! Our Welcome Sunday festivities will include worship, sunday school, lunch, games, and maybe a few surprises. I look forward to seeing you then!
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Welcome Sunday
September 10 at 10:00 a.m. (In Person and on Zoom!)
Meet Rev. Megan for worship, communion & Sunday school
Followed by a Special Picnic Reception, Games, and Celebration
12:30 p.m. Exploring Our Faith Information Session
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We are excited to kick-off this new season in the life of our church and hope you and your family will join us for this special Sunday!
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Welcome our new Senior Pastor, Rev. Megan Berkowitz, as she leads us in worship for the first time; connect with friends and community; and enter this new year with hope, faith, and joy.
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Our Sunday School for children and youth will also begin on this day; and we'll have a special picnic with lawn games, a photo booth, and more following worship! Our parent orientation for the Exploring Our Faith will begin following the picnic (see below for details).
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Save the Date!
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Bible Study Information Session
Tuesday, September 12
at 6:30 p.m. (zoom)
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More details, including Zoom link to follow.
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September Book Group
Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. (zoom)
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Please join us again on September 26 at 7:30 p.m. for our first meeting of the new church year. Our book will be "Traffic" by Ben Smith
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You will find a zoom link and sign-in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody ([email protected]).
Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 86560
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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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Intergenerational Community
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Children, Youth and Families
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Sunday School Kick-Off and All-Church Picnic!
SAVE THE DATE for our Kick-Off Sunday on September 10th. Come meet Pastor Megan, and start the new school year with friends and faith!
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Come at 10:00 a.m. for worship and Sunday School; and stay at 11 :00 a.m. for an All-Church Picnic with outdoor games (weather permitting). Kids will help us set up games during Sunday School before returning for Communion.
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Blessing of the Backpacks - All Ages
Be sure to bring your backpacks, laptops, briefcases, lunch boxes, walking shoes - whatever needs blessing as we begin this new year! - to worship on Sept. 17th. We'll bless these items we carry, along with those who carry them, during worship.
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Exploring Our Faith - High Schoolers this Fall
PARENT INFO SESSION AND ORIENTATION ON SEPT. 10TH at 12:30pm
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We're excited to start up our Exploring Our Faith (confirmation/baptism) series for high-school freshmen and sophomores (and any others who want to join!) this year. We'll have fun, serve others, ask important questions, build meaningful relationships, and explore the role of faith in our lives. Families with 9th and 10th graders should have received an email this week with more information. With questions, or to learn more, contact Pastor Amy ([email protected]).
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PARENTS: Parents are also encouraged to attend our orientation on Sept. 10th at 12:30pm in Littlehale. We'll gather following the All-Church Picnic and celebration to connect and review the goals, schedules, and expectations for the year together. Attending this session in-person is preferred, but I will also send a zoom link for those who are out of town.
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Children, Youth, Families and Mission Fair
Sunday, Sept. 17, following Worship
Following worship and the Blessing of the Backpacks, our special Children, Youth and Families Fair returns! We'll share Sunday School and Youth Group Registrations, Calendars, Sign-ups, and more. We'll also have a CORI background check station for all teachers, mentors, and others working with our kids this year. We hope you'll join us!
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Summer Service Opportunities
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Newton Freedge - Feeding our Neighbors
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Our team of volunteers helps keep Freedge running one Saturday a month. Please use the the link below, or reach out to Vinita Leslie, Karen O'Beirne or Erika Pond to learn more or to join our team.
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Despite Newton’s image as an affluent suburb, too many of our neighbors struggle to put food on their tables. The Newton Freedge is one way we can help. A free, 24/7 outdoor refrigerator and pantry, the Freedge provides free food and personal supplies to anyone who needs them.
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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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