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Weekly Update
Friday, February 14, 2025
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Bake Sale Postponed Due to Snow
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Because of the coming snowstorm, we have postponed the Youth Bake Sale until Sunday, March 16. Youth will meet on Zoom on Saturday (see below). Please contact Pastor Amy with questions.
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Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 16 at 10:00 a.m.
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We will continue our worship series on Spiritual Resilience this Sunday, beginning again by rooting ourselves in gratitude. We will also commission our Nicaragua Travelers, as they prepare to leave for their mission next week.
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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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A Note About Snow - Sunday morning may be snowy. The church will be open and worship will be held in-person and online, but please join online if you have any doubts about the safety of traveling to church.
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At present, our elevator remains out of order; if you need help getting into the church on Sunday morning or during the week, please call and let the pastors know ahead of time, or call the number on the signs on the elevator lobby door on Sunday morning. Thank you to Tom Humphrey for working with our elevator service contractor to try to resolve this issue; we will keep the community updated on progress as more news is available.
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Beloved Siblings of The Union Church,
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I've been especially grateful this week for our eight-week series on Spiritual Resiliency. Truth-be-told, I've had moments of doubting my resiliency in the face of the on-slaught of news this week, with a desire to pull the covers over my head. In important ways, I've listened to that desire. I've made sure to get sleep; go for my daily jogs; drink water; call my family; snuggle my dog. As our series tells us, I started by rooting myself in gratitude and connectedness to myself, my God, and creation - a solid foundation.
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Next, I'm planning to do what our series tells us to do. Grounded in gratitude and God (Step 1), and with teams of YOU from the church, I will turn towards, and not away from, the pain of the world (Step 2). With open hearts, we'll link arms with the most vulnerable and not turn away or be silent in the face of their joys and sorrows. We'll fly to Nicaragua to listen, serve, and bear witness. We'll help cut the ribbon and tour the new Family Aid shelter opening around the corner from the church, welcoming immigrant families. We'll reach out to and stand with our trans and LGBTQ+ siblings. We'll visit and send cards to those in our congregation and community in need of companionship and care. In doing so, we'll be changed and see with new eyes (Step 3); given new hope and direction.
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Please join us as we worship this weekend, on Zoom if it's snowy. We'll start with gratitude, and see where it takes us - where it takes you - one step at a time. We can do this together.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- Together we pray for the MacDonald family, grieving the death of Jean and Jim’s brother David this week. Comfort all who are mourning David, and receive David into your loving embrace.
- We continue to pray for healing for Betty O’Beirne as she recovers from pneumonia. God, bless Betty so that she may heal and know your comfort and care as she does.
- 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 & Mission
We have a number of updates to our
Youth Group plans!
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Bake Sale Postponed Due Pending Snowstorm
- The Sunday's Bake Sale has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 16 with prep on the 15th. Stay safe!
Jr. Youth Group - & Calling all HS Helpers!
- Tonight, Friday from 6.00-8:00 p.m.
5th graders and up (and HSers who can help hang out, mentor, and lend a hand) Come to the church for cookie and card making for Valentines; some Nicaragua gift making; pizza and Games (definitely Sardines). RSVP to Pastor Amy.
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Youth Mission Trip
Families, young adults, interested chaperones, and teens are encouraged to jump on Zoom at 5pm to hear updates about the June 21-28 Mission Trip to Puerto Rico. You won't want to miss updates about new developments and plans for June and the Spring!
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Mosaic Interfaith Bridges Program at Temple Reyim
- This Sunday, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
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As far as we know Bridges is still on! If you are part of this program, keep an eye on email. If you aren't part of this awesome interfaith art group and would like to be reach out the Pastor Amy!
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Wellspring Women's Group
Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m.
(In-Person)
The theme for our next meeting will be talking about people who have loved us dearly. If anyone would like more information about our theme please reach out to Amy McMahon.
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Wellspring is our women's ministry at UCW. We come together to support each other as we journey together in these times.
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JAVA Gents
Friday Morning, February 21 at 7:00 a.m.
(In-Person, Littlehale Meeting Room))
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JAVA Gents is the informal get-together of the men of the UCW congregation (and community). The group aims to provide friendly fellowship and mutual support. We will enjoy a lively discussion of timely topics as well as personal goings on in our lives.
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Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Dan Heffernan ([email protected]) if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Java Gents mailing list.
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Coffee Hosts Needed
for February
Please consider volunteering!
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Reception Sign-up: HERE
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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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Caregiver Group
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Meets 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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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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