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Weekly Update
Friday, March 28, 2025
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The Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 30 at 10:00 a.m.
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Our Lenten season worship continues this Stewardship Sunday with a testimony from Jay O’Beirne about making space for generosity, and a lesson from Luke’s Gospel about generosity as well.
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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 Continues this Sunday
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Throughout Lent, 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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We’re drawing to the close of our Stewardship season for this year, and we’ll mark Stewardship Sunday in worship this week with a testimony and a focus in scripture and sermon on generosity. Stewardship season is always a call to discern what generosity looks like for each of us in this time, this place, this community; yet it’s also a time to celebrate generosity. Each one of us in the community builds our church out of our generosity, and enjoys the gifts of generosity from not just the others around us but also the many past generations whose faith, tradition, and gifts we have inherited in the church in so many ways.
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We live it out every day, in every aspect of our shared lives. The children and youth learn from Sunday school and Youth Group to be generous with their time for others who are in need, and generous in their listening to and learning from each other. Bible study shares generously of ideas and questions; Deacons help us to share generously of our care and concern for all among us who are in need (and opening ourselves to such care can be a generous act, as well!); Wellspring and Java Gents share generously in food and faith and laughter. I’m sure you can offer more examples from your experiences, as well.
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So, this Sunday in worship, we can celebrate that we’ve come this far by faith, and that in faith we can make space for ourselves and future generations to live in the gift of that generosity. As we close this season, I encourage you to read the Stewardship letter [here] from Chair Kent Wittler and the rest of the Stewardship Committee; to discern on your own or with your family how you can be generous this year; and to fill out the pledge card [here] and the gifts and talents inventory [here], if you haven’t already. Finally, I encourage you to come to church on Sunday so we can celebrate a community built on generosity, together.
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Easter Blooms & Dedications
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This year, we continue our Easter Sunday tradition by including a special dedication
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list in the bulletin to honor, celebrate, and remember loved ones. We will also be decorating our Sanctuary with live plants. If you wish to participate in our celebration, your donation of $20.00 will be used to purchase an 8” potted tulip assortment.
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Submit Your Dedications
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By Friday, April 11
Thank You!
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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 Yarisleidy, beloved member of our church family and partner in service, as she plans to depart the US much sooner than planned. We pray that she feel God's strength and courage, and know the love of this church surrounding her.
- 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.
- 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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TOMORROW, 10:00 - 2:00 PM!
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Who Am I?
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My name is Luka Smith, I’m 17 years old. I ’ve always been passionate about improving accessibility and getting hands-on with solutions. In the past, I’ve built wheelchair ramps for my school and raised awareness in my community. Now, as I near Eagle Scout, I’m applying what I’ve learned to build ADA-compliant pews for mobility device users at the church bringing inclusivity to all.
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Lenten Bible Study
This Monday, March 31, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. (In Person)
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Bible study, led by Jeannie Martin and Pastor Megan returns this Monday with the second of a three-week session during Lent. We will be 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. The first week, we’ll read chapters 1-5, though don’t worry if you don’t have time to read beforehand. Email Pastor Megan with any questions.
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Caregiver Group
Sunday, April 6, at 11:30 a.m.
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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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Sunday, April 6 @ 6:00 p.m.
Community Dinner with the
Nicaragua Mission Team
At the Union Church in Waban
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Come one, come all to this Community Mission Dinner! All are welcome to this evening of food, fellowship, stories, images, and updates from the team that went to bear witness in Nicaragua on behalf of the church. We'll also share some important updates about our Nicarguan partners in the US. Come with an appetite and your questions.
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Please RSVP HERE
Your RSVP helps us know how much food to order and how to set up the space.
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Gracias! It will be a blessing to be together and share in this mission.
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UCW Community Game Night
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Friday, April 11 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
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(Pizza Provided!)
Come relax and have fun with food and friends. Bring a favorite game if you want. All-Ages welcome!
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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 sizes 1-5 and wipes.
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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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Save the date!
Urban Gardens for Eco Justice
Local Climate Change Initiative
Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 - 1:00 p.m. (In Person)
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Carpooling from UCW at 9:15 a.m.
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On Saturday, April 26, the UCW Mission team, led by Brita Gill Austern, will participate in our local climate change initiative in partnership with the Boston Food Forest Coalition (BFFC). We will go to The Ellington Community Food Forest Garden at 103 Ellington Street in Dorchester, where we will be working on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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We will carpool from the church leaving at 9:15 a.m. All you need is a water bottle, garden gloves, appropriate dress for yard work and readiness to make new friends and help to to build a sustaining commitment to BFFC and this Dorchester community.
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Take a moment to go to Bostonfoodforest.org and learn about this amazing organization that is creatively addressing climate issues, eco justice, and fresh food to build healthy neighborhood communities . BFFC has started twelve forest gardens in Boston.
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Please confirm with Brita at 617-851 6871
if you can join us and if you want a ride or can offer one.
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Join one of GBIO’s Spring Training Sessions!
Organizing Power: Foundation for Justice is a training for leaders who want to organize their congregations, organizations, and communities to make change in a time of great uncertainty and increasing isolation. Trainers will provide a framework for power and tools to build it that leaders can use to organize institutionally, locally and beyond for this moment and for generations to come.
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If we are serious about justice, we need power. And if we want power, we need to make time to organize. There are four options for training this spring, and all who are interested should register to attend.
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Saturday, April 5, 2025 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
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Bethel AME Church, 38 Walk Hill St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
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Register HERE (Registration Deadline 3/28)
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Sunday, April 6, 2025 1:30 PM - 7:30 PM ET
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Bethel AME Church, 38 Walk Hill St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
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Register HERE (Registration Deadline 3/28)
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Saturday, April 26, 2025 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Register HERE (Registration Deadline 4/18)
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Sunday, April 27, 2025 1:30 PM - 7:30 PM ET
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Hyde Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, 6 Webster St, Hyde Park, MA 02136
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Register HERE (Registration Deadline 4 /18)
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Joining Hands and Hearts - Being Church Together
Gifts and Talents Inventory
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Each member and friend of this church makes UCW who we are. Whether you are here every week or aren't able to be in-person as often, YOU are valued and important.
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The link above leads to an inventory developed by the nominating team. Our goals are to gain a sense of:
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- Your interests, passions, and hopes as we look ahead to the new year.
- The different skills, expertise, and gifts across the wider church community that we might be able to draw on as needs or questions arise for individual members or the church.
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Please take a moment to share. We're so grateful! With questions, or to talk in person, please reach out to Pastor Megan at [email protected].
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Coffee Host Needed
Thank you to Judy MacDonald and Jean Wellington for hosting thia Sunday's reception.
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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 : 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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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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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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