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Weekly Update
Friday, October 6, 2023
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Sunday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m.
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Fall Worship (In Person and on Zoom!)
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This weekend, while our country acknowledges Indigenous People’s Day, we’ll look at texts from the Hebrew Bible as models for right relationship between ourselves, our neighbors, and the Holy One.
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
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The bulletin is available HERE
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“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.”
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When Leila and I first decided to adopt a rabbit, my first-ever pet, I had visions of what it would be like. Most rabbits don’t like to be handled, but Rosey was only 5 weeks old when we met. Surely he’d warm up to it! Plus, he’s a Flemish Giant, a breed known for their low-key, friendly temperaments.
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Ha. Rosey has been FEISTY from the day we brought him home. He let us weigh him in a mixing bowl on the kitchen scale exactly once (1lb 4oz) before deciding that he preferred to be on the ground, thanks, and communicating that preference with his claws. He runs when he sees us coming with the carrier, the brush, the vacuum, and even the lint-roller.
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But…if we sit on the floor near him, he comes up to us immediately. He headbutts us, demanding attention, and lays fully stretched out so we can pet his head, back, belly, tail, and ears. He jumps for joy when we get up in the mornings, and he runs to greet me when I get home. He and I share an apple, banana, or some blueberries most mornings. When we learned to put away some of our expectations in favor of the needs he was communicating, all three of us got along better.
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The scripture for Bible study and worship this week has to do with right relationship: honoring the needs of ourselves, of our neighbors, and of God at the core of building connections. The scriptures are full of such lessons. Sometimes, though, we just need to learn a different way, and more-than-human creatures can teach us.
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Bible Study with Pastor Megan
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
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Join Pastor Megan for a weekly, drop-in lunchtime Bible study on Zoom throughout October and November (except 10/19 and 11/23) ! We will discuss the history and context for the given passage each given week, and think together about how this sacred scripture speaks into our own lives and this historical moment.
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We’ll be studying the coming Sunday’s scripture for worship, which means there is no supplemental reading and no issues with missing a week and returning. Whatever your comfort and familiarity with the Bible, you are welcome! All have wisdom to share, and all have new things to learn.
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 863 1718 5274
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 309 205 3325
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Meeting details are also posted on our website at www.ucw.org.
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Blessing of the Animals
Sunday Afternoon, October 22, 1:00 p.m.
Bring your furry, scaly, feathery friends to this special outdoor service, as we bless the animals that live with us, and offer prayers for all creation. If your animal friend is more comfortable at home, bring a photo!
Rain date, Sunday, Oct. 29.
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Community Game Night (All-Ages!)
Saturday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m.
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Be sure to join our awesome game night for dinner, fun, and a little friendly competition! Bring a friend and favorite game to share. We'll gather at the church from 5:30- 8:30 p.m.
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October Book Group
Tuesday, October 31 at 7:30p.m. (On Zoom)
Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury
by Drew Gilpin Faust
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Please join us again on October 31 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group. Our book will be "Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury" by Drew Gilpin Faust.
You will find a zoom link and sign-in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody ([email protected]).
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 86560
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"Quieres aprender español?"
Do you want to learn Spanish?
The Nicaragua committee is going to arrange weekly Spanish lessons.
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Everyone and anyone is invited. We are in the process of determining the times.
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Please let David Spertner ([email protected]) know if you are interested in this opportunity or if you want to learn more about the ministry of
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Nicaragua at the Union Church and what we will be up to this year!
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Centre Street Food Pantry
Partnering with our colleagues at Eliot Church UCC
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We can join with the social Justice and mission work of Eliot Church in Newton. They have a new drive to support the Centre Street Food Pantry and we can join the collection!
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It is starting this week and will run through October 15
We checked with the Pantry to be sure that items we collect are still needed - and they are! So our drive will focus on the following:
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- Diapers - They continue to be especially in need of diapers sizes 4,5, and 6. The Pantry spends over $25,000 each year on diapers, wipes and adult incontinence products.
- Tuna - Chunk or white in water.
- Mac 'n cheese - boxes or microwavable. The tuna and mac 'n cheese items go into Kids Bags. The Pantry distributes over 500 of these bags each month.
- Paper grocery bags with handles - The Pantry uses hundreds of these bags each week so if you have some at home they would also be most welcome.
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Place your items in the Crocker chapel this Sunday or next.
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Thank you very much in advance.
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Update : Week of 10/1
Your GBIO remains active in housing justice.
GBIO's Housing Justice Campaign has moved into its next stage: forming In-district Meetings (IDMs) in which GBIO representatives from 60+ member churches will meet with local politicians to inform them about the housing justice work GBIO is doing and to explain the nature and necessity of the housing asks that GBIO has put before the MA Legislature. It is GBIO’s hope that personal stories and examples will convince our local politicians to support GBIO’s initiatives.
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Our neighboring GBIO members have formed a Newton/Brookline IDM. The members are currently gathering stories to illustrate myriad housing challenges, reaching out to the press, and generating interest among their respective congregations for the upcoming Newton/Brookline IDM, to which Sen. Cynthia Creem, Rep. Alice Peisch (Wellesley), Rep. Kay Khan (Newton), Rep. Ruth Balser (Newton, part of Brookline), and Rep. Tommy Vitolo (Brookline) will be invited. The date of the Newton/Brookline IDM has not been set, but please reach out to Julie Heffernan or Nancy Zollers if you would like to be part of the Newton/Brookline In-District Meeting in any way. Your presence alone would speak volumes.
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To get you excited to dive into GBIO's important work, a link to a six-minute recap video from GBIO's inspiring June 26 Housing Justice Campaign Rally can be found: HERE . Also, a link to the wonderful 13-minute piece Greater Boston on PBS did this week on the MA housing crisis and GBIO's work can be found: HERE .
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How lucky are we to be part of this great work?
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Intergenerational Community
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UCW IS HIRING!
Seeking a Sunday Children's Ministry Associate
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We are seeking a new Children's Ministry Associate/Teacher for our Sunday mornings. This is a fantastic opportunity for an adult who loves sharing God's love with children. If you know of someone who is grounded in Christian faith, inclusive of all, and has experience teaching/leading children, please share this opportunity and/or let Pastor Amy know.
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Children, Youth and Families
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Sunday School and Children's Ministry
Registration!!
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We are very excited for a new year with our Children's Ministry and Sunday School! We'll be sharing new Bible stories, age-appropriate spiritual practices, and service opportunities with our kids of all ages this year, and hope you and yours will be part of it! Please fill out a registration form below for your children/youth so we can make this year a great experience for them.
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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Next EOF Meeting
Oct. 15<sup>th</sup> from , 6:00 -8:00 p.m.
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Our High School Exploring Our Faith group had a great first meeting and now is in full swing! All EOF students are invited to our next meeting, along with any HS juniors, seniors, or mentors that would like to come hang out. Please note that this meeting is from 6:00 -8:00 p.m., and hour later than last meeting.
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November Overnight Retreat Registration
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All High Schoolers are also invited to the Youth Retreat: Sabbath in a Modern Age at Silver Lake in CT on Nov. 10-12. Our registration is due this week, so please let Pastor Amy know if you can come if you haven't already. You can find out more about the retreat HERE, and see the full Youth Group calendar below.
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Thank you to Judy MacDonald and Jean Wellington for hosting our reception this Sunday!
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The next Sunday that we need a volunteer for is November 26. Please consider signing up if available.
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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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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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