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Weekly Update
Friday, January 17, 2025
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Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 19 at 10:00 a.m.
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Join for worship this MLK Day weekend as we continue our worship series on Spiritual Resilience.
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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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Spiritual Resilience
Last Sunday was the first in an 8-week worship series on Spiritual Resilience, where we will together explore how tools from Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects and from Christian scripture and tradition can help us all to foster spiritual resilience through challenging times.
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The beginning of the spiral at the heart of this series and of the Work is “Coming from Gratitude,” and specifically gratitude that isn’t dependent on external circumstances but instead is rooted in the deep blessing of taking part in human life, as part of the whole of Creation, with the ability to make choices for ourselves and the future.
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Perhaps you already have gratitude practices of your own. If you don’t, or would like to add to them, I invite you into a practice called “open sentences.” I’ll share some of these open sentences periodically throughout the worship series, whether in service itself or here in the e-blast. Choose one or more and either spend some time journaling about them or, if you have someone at home or work who you’d like to be in conversation with, take turns responding to them in real time. If you come to realize something you’d like to share in this practice, I’d always be delighted to hear from you about it.
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- Some things I love about being alive on Earth are…
- A place that was wonderful to me as a child was…
- A person who helped me believe in myself is…
- I understood myself to be part of something larger when…
- Some things I appreciate about myself are…
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Care and Concern
As part of ensuring that the connections of care and concern include the whole community, the Deacons are looking for your help! Are you able to occasionally provide a handwritten card, a ride, a meal for someone in need, or other forms of care and concern to people within the congregation? If so, please fill out this form below so we can reach out if there is a need!
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Note, you do not have to sign up for all of the lists, nor will you be asked every time there is a need. We hope to have lists to call on so that as needs arise, those with the call/gifts/skills AND availability can step in.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- God, we pray that the ceasefire negotiated between Israel and Hamas this week holds, bringing an end to the violence and suffering of the people of Gaza, and returning hostages to their families and communities. May there be a process of healing, truth-telling, and reconciliation leading to true peace. Lend your wisdom to all those in positions of power throughout the world so that they might move towards life and peace for all whom they serve.
- God, we pray for all those impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California: those who have died or been injured and their loved ones; those who have evacuated and have lost their homes, or are uncertain about their future; those who are fighting the fires and supporting the community in response; and all of the pets, wildlife, plants, and other parts of Creation also harmed or at risk. We pray for containment of these fires, and we pray for sensible and urgent action on global climate change as disasters like this one become more and more frequent.
- We pray for all who are sleeping rough in the face of cold and wet weather this winter. Empower our political leaders and community organizations to address the needs for shelter with creativity and passion, so that all who are in need can have a safe place to rest.
- 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, especially in this tender season.
- 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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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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Youth Group
We have a great year ahead!
This MLK Monday
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Contact Pastor Amy if you are able to join the MLK event below!
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Youth Mission Bake Sale!
Sunday, February 9
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Come on Saturday, Feb. 8th to help prep, or on Sunday morning to help with the Sale! Contact Pastor Amy or David Spertner if you can help!
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Greater Boston Interfaith Organization
Listening Campaign for Newton /Brookline
Wednesday, January 22, 7:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Zion
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All are invited to the first UCW/GBIO event of the new year. Union Church in Waban will join with Brookline Churches and Temples for a GBIO Listening Session on Wednesday January 22 at Temple Beth Zion, 1566 Beacon St, Brookline. This is an early opportunity to identify local issues of concern to our GBIO communities. that will inform priorities for GBIO advocacy and action.
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Jenny Fund Update:
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Please help us identify deserving students.
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January and February are busy months on the college front, in the U.S. and in Nicaragua. In the U.S., college applications are just in, and now under review. In Nicaragua, college begins in January-February. In both countries, the Jenny Fund, created in memory of Jenny Weisz, will be supporting deserving students who might otherwise not be able to attend college.
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Jenny’s goal was to provide support to students whose access is limited by low income, housing challenges, life in the foster care system, displacement from their home country (especially Ukraine and Kenya), racial discrimination, or past incarceration. The Jenny Fund scholarships are being coordinated by 10000 Degrees in the U.S., and by the A. Jean Brugger Education Project in Nicaragua.
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Do you know someone for whom this scholarship could make a difference? If so, this is a perfect time to reach out to Nancy Zollers regarding candidates in the U.S., or to David Spertner regarding candidates in Nicaragua.
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Caregiver Group
Sunday, Feb. 2nd - 11:15am - 12:15pm
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And every Communion Sunday after Worship
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This group is a warm and welcoming space of support for anyone serving as a caregiver for a loved one (near or far). If you are caring for a parent, spouse, sibling, adult child or other loved one, please come by, or contact Pastor Amy with questions ([email protected]).
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Setting the Table for One Another
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Thank you to Tanya Lazar and Philip Rounseville for hosting today’s reception!
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Every Sunday after worship we gather in the stage room for a time of fellowship. This reception is hosted each Sunday by different members of the congregation.
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We're still looking for hosts for Sundays in February and the rest of the month. Please consider volunteering.
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Hosting a reception is a thoughtful expression of our hospitality, and it’s easier than you think! If you’re new to hosting, help is always available. Please consider volunteering for two dates this year.
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If you have questions, Kathy Malone is the point of contact for 2024-25: 617-365- 4960; [email protected].
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Sharing the Stories of Our Faith
Reading Scripture in Worship
For generations the stories and wisdom of our faith were only shared orally, and reading scripture out loud is still a central part of our worship and community. Please consider sharing your voice in worship this fall.
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
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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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