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Weekly Update
Friday, November 17, 2023
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Fall Worship (In Person and on Zoom!)
Sunday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m.
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This Sunday, our Fall worship series comes to a close with a service of gratitude and commitment to peace.”
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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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Pastor's Blog
Any - 11/18/2023
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This past weekend, five members of the UCW High School Youth Group and three adults traveled to the rural hills of western Connecticut to the UCC retreat center at Silver Lake. We gathered with four other church groups from around New England, including with our neighbors at United Parish Auburndale. It was a weekend focused on Sabbath, and what it means to find Sabbath rest and renewal in our times, especially in the busy and high-pressure lives of our teens.
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Around the warmth of the woodstove, under the blanket of stars, sitting on the rough outdoor pews by the waterfall, walking the labyrinth, creating art, finding our breath, singing, and making new friends, we contemplated and experienced the many ways God invites us to remember that we are human ‘BEings,’ not human ‘DOings.’ We remembered that we can not fully be who we are called to be, and do all we are called to do, without Sabbath.
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And the truth is, dear church, it was a great weekend, but also a hard one. It turns out, it is hard to slow down from the busyness, spinning, and anxiety of our days. After years of Covid, it’s also hard to do that while also interacting with and joining in trust and relationship with new groups. Yet, that is what we did, drawing nearer to God and others in the beauty of God’s creation. There were tears, but also laughter; time alone and time with new friends; play and rest. We left with questions about how to better build Sabbath practices into our lives and church gatherings.
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So, I wonder in your busy days and in this spinning world, what does Sabbath mean to you? When do you feel most connected to God? Where do you find rest and renewal in your weeks? What parts of our worship and church life together feel most like Sabbath? What’s hard about slowing down? Why might Sabbath be particularly important for us right now? As we approach the darker days and longer nights of December, and the holy waiting of Advent, I invite us all to wonder about these questions alongside our teens; that we all might newly discover the hope, peace, and joy of Sabbath rest.
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Gracious God, we turn to you in prayer, knowing that you strengthen us in every trial. Be with us, we pray, and for all those who are in need of your healing, transformational love.
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- We pray for peace all throughout the world. For the people of Israel and Palestine, the people of Ukraine, people in every part of the world whose lives are threatened by war and violence. Teach us to beat our swords into ploughshares, o God, and to sow wisdom and reap peace, justice, and joy for all people
- We pray for Jenny as she navigates new symptoms and pursues further treatment options. May she experience the healing and comfort that come through you, God, and continue to be surrounded by good care by her medical team, family, and community.
- For Tom Vawter, as he recovers from major surgery, God we pray that your Spirit would bring healing, comfort, and relief from pain. We pray for Anne and all who care for Tom in this time.
- In celebration for the life of beloved member of this congregation, Ginny Rice, who died on November 3rd at 102 in the company of her family. Grant your peace and comfort to all who mourn, and receive Ginny into the embrace of your loving arms.
- 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.
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We pray in the name of Jesus, in whose Way we walk each day. 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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Fall Clean-Up
Tomorrow, Nov. 18, from 8:30 a.m. - noon
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It’s Time for another outdoor church clean-up! If you regret missing the last one, or you just want to enjoy outdoor fellowship, please come and help.
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It won’t take too long as we did so much at the last clean-up. The weeds always win, so we need to keep on top of that! Bring your rakes, and any other items you think could be helpful.
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Thanksgiving
Community Meal
Tomorrow, Nov. 18
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There's no such thing as too many volunteers!
Come join us to provide take-home Thanksgiving meals to families in partnership with the Newton Food Pantry and the Newton Senior Center. 8:30am-1:00pm.
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We could use some people to come with their own knives to carve the turkeys!
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We will be ready to carve at 10:30.
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Christmas Poinsettias
and
Family and Friends Annual Dedications
Our Advent season preparations have begun! Our annual Hanging of the Greens service will be on Sunday, November 26, when we will decorate our Sanctuary with live plants. We are also preparing our annual Family and Friends Dedications list for inclusion in our Advent Sunday bulletins on December 10 and 17.
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There are three ways to order plants and submit our dedication requests:
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1. Use the button below to access the online order form and submit your dedication details for inclusion in our December 10 and 17 Advent bulletins.
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2. Visit our website homepage at ucw.org where you can also link to the online order form.
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3. E-mail our office manager, Aidan Cunningham at [email protected] and let him know how many plants you would l like to order.
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Each donation of $25.00 will be used to purchase an 8" Poinsettia.
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You will have the option to take the poinsettias you have dedicated home with you after the Christmas Eve evening service.
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Payment can be made online when submitting your order,
or by mailing or dropping off a check at the church office.
( payable to The Union Church in Waban, memo: Poinsettias)
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Please submit your Orders by
Wednesday, November 22
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Five Weeks of Fun and Learning Spanish
Sponsored by the Nicaragua Team Committee
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Teachers: Pastor Amy and David Spertner will be your leaders for this complementary course.
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All are welcome! For anyone who would like to learn, improve and practice Spanish, starting this Sunday, November 19 before church
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First Meeting:
This Sunday Morning, Nov. 19 from 8:45 - 9-9:45 a.m.
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November Book Group
Tuesday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. (On Zoom)
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Tom Lake by Anne Patchett
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Please join us again on November 28 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group. Our book will be "Tom Lake" by Anne Patchett.
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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]).
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 86560
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Weekly Bible Study with Pastor Megan
Final meeting Thursday, November 30 at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
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Join Pastor Megan for our final drop-in lunchtime Bible study on Zoom on November 30. 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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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 863 1718 5274
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 309 205 3325
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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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Meeting details are also posted on our website at www.ucw.org.
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Caregiving in the (Multi-Layered) Sandwich
This New Group will Gather Four Times - Nov. to Feb.
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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 once a month through the holidays and into Epiphany (in November, December, January, and February).
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Please let Pastor Amy ([email protected]) know if you are interested. This will be an in-person group, with a hybrid option if needed. Once she has a list, she will send a survey to find the best time and arrange childcare as needed.
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Nicaragua Team Committee News
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David was able to break bread and share the table with some of our sponsorship students in Nicaragua. This included two folks from the Brugger Foundation which runs the program and requires each student to complete a community service project.
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Our current student Marvin in the dark shirt to David's left will be graduating next year with a nursing degree. More updates will follow next week as David will return to the States this weekend.
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Our current student Marvin (in the dark shirt to David's left) will be graduating next year with a nursing degree. More updates will follow next week as David will return to the States this weekend.
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There is big GBIO/UCW news!
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On Monday, January 29, 2024, UCW will be hosting the In-District Meeting for our local legislators: Sen. Cynthia Creem, Rep. Kay Khan, Rep. Ruth Balser, Rep. Alice Peisch, and Rep. Tommy Vitolo.
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GBIO hosted an IDM at our church in the past and it was a very successful event. The organizers were impressed by our hospitality and warmth -- and pleased by UCW's close proximity to public transportation. Let's impress them again! Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important gathering at which invited speakers will share their lived experiences to underscore the importance of GBIO's Housing Justice Campaign's initiatives. Between our church members and the many members of other congregations who will attend the IDM, our packed sanctuary will illustrate for our legislators the strength of their constituents' belief that everyone deserves a safe and affordable home.
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Exclusionary by Design | Boston Indicators
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By Amy Dain, Dain Research
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If you would like to learn more about Advocates for Racial Justice activities at the
Union Church, please reach out to Nancy Zollers ([email protected])
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Intergenerational Community
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Children, Youth and Families
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This Sunday - Sunday School
Thanksgiving & Mitten Tree Preparations
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This Sunday, kids of all ages are invited to join Pastor Amy and our new Children's Ministry Associate, Ileana Miller, as we consider Thanksgiving and that we are grateful for. We'll also look ahead to sharing gifts with others as we prepare our "mittens" for our Mitten Tree and gift-giving for our siblings at Project Care & Concern. We hope to see you!
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TOMORROW MORNING - Saturday, Nov. 18
Special Service Opportunity for Children, Tweens and Teens
Kids of all ages are invited to the Clean-up and Thanksgiving Community Dinner preparations (see above). The Children's Ministry Team has special projects for children of all ages to help!
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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Next EOF Meeting & Service Opportunities
Sunday, Dec. 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
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Exploring Our Faith students are strongly encouraged to help serve at the upcoming Nov. 18 Clean-Up and Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
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We hope to see you there!
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EOF students are also invited to our next meeting, on Dec. 3, along with any HS juniors, seniors, or mentors that would like to come eat dinner, explore faith in our world today, and share spiritual practices.
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Please see the calendar below for our Cookie-Making Evening and other upcoming events in December and January for all Youth!
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Save the Date: CityReach Overnight Confirmed for January 26-27!
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Please Save the Date for this upcoming service overnight.
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Thank you to Sandra Nelson for hosting our reception this Sunday!
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We are still in need of volunteer to host next Sunday, 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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