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Weekly Update
Friday, January 24, 2025
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Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 26 at 10:00 a.m.
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We continue our worship series on Spiritual Resilience this Sunday with a reading of the Gospel story of Jesus calling the disciples to fish for people, and exploring how to see the challenges in our world from a new perspective.
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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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Given the tremendous outpouring of news this week, beginning with TikTok and the Presidential inauguration and continuing through executive orders and new wildfires, I have been feeling overwhelmed. I’m working to take it all in a little bit at a time, to stay open and stay grounded. What that means, though, is that I only heard about Episcopal Bishop Marianne Budde’s Inauguration sermon at the National Cathedral when Rabbi Claudia Kreiman of Temple Beth Zion in Brookline quoted her during an opening prayer for a GBIO event.
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If like me you haven’t listened to or read Bishop Budde’s sermon yet, I encourage you to do so. Much of it was directed towards the President specifically, but she speaks about how the fundamentals of the Christian faith call on not just leadership in this country but all of us to take on an attitude of humility and mercy.
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“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurudwaras and temples…
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Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people.”
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This is my prayer this week, as well.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- We pray for healing for Betty O’Beirne as she continues to recover from pneumonia. God, bless Betty so that she may heal and know your comfort and care as she does.
- God, we pray that the ceasefire negotiated between Israel and Hamas 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.
- We continue to pray for all those impacted by wildfires in California. 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 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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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 10,000 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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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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Caregiver Group
Sunday, Feb. 2 from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
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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 Sandra DaDalt 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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