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Weekly Update
Friday, February 14, 2025
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Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 16 at 10:00 a.m.
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We continue our worship series on Spiritual Resilience this Sunday, engaging in practices of compassion and honoring our own pain for the world, as we continue to read the stories of Jesus’ ministry from the Gospel of Luke.
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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 - This Sunday will be another snowy, wintery morning. 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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Along with Pastor Amy and several members of the congregation, I had the great privilege of visiting the new FamilyAid Family Navigation Center on Washington Street for the first time this week. Speeches were made, a ribbon was cut with many giant scissors, and people from throughout the Commonwealth who care about supporting homeless families gathered to celebrate and network together. The most inspiring part of the day for me, though, was the tour.
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The new Family Navigation Center is called that because while it will shelter homeless families, it is more than just a shelter. There is open, bright play space for children, a kitchen where each family will have their own locking pantry and refrigerator, common spaces including classrooms for programming, rooms each with their own bathrooms, and a beautiful outdoor playground. There are murals on almost every wall and windows everywhere you look. In short, the building is designed to honor and uplift the dignity of every single adult and child who will call it home on their way to safe, stable, permanent housing. I was moved to see it, moved at how much FamilyAid is working to not just provide shelter but also to help people navigate through and out of homelessness.
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Keep an eye out for more announcements soon about how our church is discerning how we can support the families who will be housed at the new FNC. In a time when vulnerable people all around us are at risk, and many of us feel helpless to intervene, it will be a blessing to us to be able to connect and offer a warm welcome into the Newton community.
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P.S. They asked us not to take photos during the tour, but I took just this one of the wall of supporters -- YOU are represented there, thanks to the gift our church made from last year's Christmas collection.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- We pray for the members of our congregation commissioned to bear witness in Nicaragua this week. May they travel safely, and find joy and meaningful connection with our friends and partners.
- 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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Jenny Fund News Spreads to Lowndes County, Alabama
As this article [view HERE] illustrates, our friends in The Elmore Bolling Initiative in Lowndes County, Alabama, are busy spreading the word about the Jenny Fund. We are hoping the fund will make college a reality for deserving students they identify…and also for deserving students identified through our church.
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If you know of individuals who would like to go to college but who face challenges such as low income, food or housing insecurity, a foster care background, racial discrimination, refugee status, or who are trying to build a life after incarcertion, please share this flyer [view HERE] with them. And please note: the priority deadine is March 2.
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m.
(In-Person)
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Lunch Bunch is gathering this week for a shared meal and lots of joyful conversation sharing about our lives! If you want to know more, email Judy Nagle ([email protected]) or Molly Owen-Kiritsy ([email protected]).
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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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Caregiver Group - Sunday, March 2nd
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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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Youth Group & Mission
We have a number of updates to our
Youth Group plans!
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Youth Mission Trip - Puerto Rico - Week of June 21-28
Youth, rising 9th graders and older, including college students, are strongly encouraged to join us on this meaningful trip! We'll be partnered with a local church in the mountains, helping to run a week-long program for local children, and helping to provide much-needed repairs and companionship to elders. We also need two more adult chaperones! We will meet again in March once Pastor Amy and David are back, and ask for RSVP decisions by the Bake Sale!
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Bake Sale Postponed Due to Last Week's Snowstorm
- The Sunday's Bake Sale has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 16 with prep on the 15th. Please Save the Date!
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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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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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NOTE: Pastor Amy will be out of the country from February 14 - 25. Please reach out to Pastor Megan while she is away. Most weeks, 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.
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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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