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Weekly Update
Friday, February 28, 2025
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Last Sunday after Epiphany
March 2 at 10:00 a.m.
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We will conclude our worship series on Spiritual Resilience this Sunday, led by our Nicaragua team to learn about Going Forth, changed by our experiences and ready to make change in the world.
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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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Good News! Our Elevator is Repaired & Operating Again!
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Thank you to Tom Humphrey for his time and effort working with our elevator service contractors to resolve the problem.
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Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service - March 5 at 7:00 p.m.
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I want to thank all who have been in worship the last seven weeks for your thoughtful engagement with our worship series about The Work That Reconnects and its practices of spiritual resilience. This Sunday will be our last service in that worship series, and the Nicaragua mission trip team will lead us in worship and demonstrate the practices of Going Forth.
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Also coming up soon — next Wednesday (March 5), in fact! — is Lent. We’ll begin our Lenten observances this year with an ecumenical Ash Wednesday worship service held at Eliot Church in Newton and co-sponsored by our church, Eliot Church, United Parish of Auburndale, the Newton Presbyterian Church, Newton Highlands Congregational Church, and Second Church in Newton. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., this contemplative service will include prayer, scripture, music, and silence, as well as the imposition of ashes.
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I’m grateful we’re able to share this holy night with other church communities in Newton; it reminds us of how the practices of reflection and simplicity in Lent connect us with Christians throughout the world and throughout time. I hope that you will join us for both of these special services.
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Live the Love & Justice Jesus Taught
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If you’re seeking ways to live out God’s love and justice at this moment in history, I invite you to look through the Southern New England Conference of the UCC’s new “Take Action” page on their website.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- We pray in deep gratitude for Soo Laski’s successful transplant surgery this week, and continue to pray for Soo and Anna as they recover. God, continue to bless Soo and Anna with your powerful healing presence, through your Spirit and through the hands and hearts of all who are caring for them.
- We continue to pray for healing for Jean Wellington following recent surgery and for Betty O’Beirne as she recovers from pneumonia. God, bless Jean and Betty so that they both may heal and know your comfort and care as they do.
- We pray for our friends, partners, students, and families in Nicaragua as we share in their joys, hopes, and challenges. May God continue to bless our shared ministries with them.
- We pray for all who are sleeping rough in the face of cold and wet weather this winter. We pray for the families moving into the new FamilyAid Navigation Center in Newton. 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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Caregiver Group
This Sunday, March 2, at 11:30 a.m.
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 Mission Trip
Puerto Rico - June 21-28
Next Planning Meeting
March 15 (during Bake Sale prep.)
View Preentation HERE
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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 on March 15 (time tbd)and ask for RSVP decisions by the Bake Sale.
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Youth Mission Bake Sale
Sunday, March 16
The Youth Mission Bake Sale has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 16 with prep on the 15.
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GBIO Delegates Assembly
Monday, March 3 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Are you interested in getting more involved with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization? Join Pastor Megan at the Delegates Assembly this upcoming Monday, March 3.
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“For many of us the political moment feels overwhelming, but one thing is certain: we must commit to developing ourselves, our institutions, our relationships and our skills to build the power necessary to stand in the face of emerging issues.
To accomplish this, the Delegates Assembly will be focused on making shared commitments to attending essential training workshops over the next few months. We will also commit to expanding our relational work both within and among member institutions, which will give us the clarity required to act together.”
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Register HERE
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Accessory Dwellings: Opportunities for Homeowners and for Newton
Tuesday March 4, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
at Congregation Dorshei Tzedek.
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Join Newton For Everyone next week at “Accessory Dwellings: New Opportunities for Homeowners and for Newton,” held Tuesday March 4, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Congregation Dorshei Tzedek. For more information or to register (In-person or Zoom) click HERE.
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FamilyAid Diaper and Wipes Drive
New neighbors start to move in at FamilyAid’s Navigation Center this week!
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They have identified the need for diapers and wipes. We will be working with them to identify specific sizes, so please stay tuned, but we welcome initial donations for arriving infants.
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We will be collecting donations in the chapel at church, and sharing more as we learn more. Please contact Alison McCarty with questions.
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Coffee Hosts Needed - Please consider volunteering!
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Reception Sign-up: HERE
Thank you to Alison McCarty and the Communications Committee for hosting this Sunday’s reception.
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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 : 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 spring.
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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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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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