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Weekly Update
Friday, March 7, 2025
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The First Sunday in Lent
March 9 at 10:00 a.m.
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Our Lenten season worship begins this Sunday with the story of the Good Samaritan and an exploration of how we can make space for compassion in our own lives and hearts.
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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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Lenten Sunday School Series Begins this Sunday
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Beginning this Sunday, Pastor Amy will be leading a Lenten Sunday School Series on Making Space for God, based on the book "What God is Like" by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner. Each week we'll explore a new way to experience some aspect of God's joy, courage, serving-spirit, love, hope. We hope your kids will join us!
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It was a gift to pray with so many of you throughout the day on Ash Wednesday and at our ecumenical evening service. I appreciated how thoughtful and open everyone I spoke with was about the intentions they were setting for Lent. We prayed together that God would give us good fasts from fear, apathy, numbness, distress, overwhelm, and so much more, and to help us to experience awe, awareness, gratitude, connection, compassion and care in their wake.
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This dichotomy — giving up and making space, fasting and experiencing, cultivating and letting go — is the focus of our Lent together this year. In Worship, in Bible Study, in our small groups, in our service to others, we will make space for the gifts and pillars of our faith and release that which holds us back. I pray for blessings for each and every one of you as you set out on the journey of Lent this year.
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Congregational Meeting
Sunday, March 16, following Worship
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Please mark your calendars for our next Congregational gathering on Sunday, March 16th immediately following worship. Lunch will be served, and we'll share in a conversation about how our gifts power our community led by the Co-Moderators, Finance Team, Stewardship, and Nominating.
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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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- God, bless the UCW community in this season of Lent. May we fast from all that keeps us distant from you, and dwell in the gifts you offer for a life in your grace and mercy.
- We pray for our country and our whole world, that in every place of need and every hall of power, your wisdom would reign. Change hearts and minds, O God, so that all might see your work and heed your calls: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly; to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned. In the midst of our fears for ourselves, do not let us lose sight of those who are most vulnerable and most in need of care.
- We pray for continued, long-term healing for Soo and Anna following surgery. God, give them strength for the road ahead, and the blessing of your healing at every step.
- We offer gratitude for the healing Jean Wellington and Betty O’Beirne have both experienced, and pray for that healing to continue.
- 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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Save the Dates !
Lenten Bible Study
Mondays, March 24, 31, and April 7, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
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Bible study, led by Jeannie Martin and Pastor Megan, will be back for a three-week session during Lent studying Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.
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We’ll meet in person at the church on Monday, March 24, March 31, and April 7 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Littlehale. Look for more information soon, or email Pastor Megan to get the readings schedule!
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Youth Mission Trip
Puerto Rico - June 21-28
Next Planning Meeting
March 15 (during Bake Sale prep 3-5pm)
View Orientation Presentation 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 (Prep on 15th)
9:30 a.m. in Waban Center
11:00 a.m. at UCW Reception!
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The Youth Mission Bake Sale has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 16 with preparation on the 15th from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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We are grateful for donations of nut-free goodies to sell! St. Patrick's Day theme if you are looking for inspiration. Please include a list of ingredients with your donations.
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Caregiver Group
Sunday, April 6, 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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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
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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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