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Weekly Update
Friday, April 11, 2025
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UCW Community Game Night
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Tonight! Friday, April 11 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
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(Pizza Provided!)
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Come relax and have fun with food and friends. Bring a favorite game if you want. All-Ages welcome!
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Palm Sunday - April 13
10:00 a.m. Service (Hybrid) HOSANNA!
We will share the special story of Holy Week as we prepare our hearts for the hope of Easter. We will also share a blessing and sending for member of our church family, Yarisleidy Cortez.
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We hope you and your family will join in this special service. Children and youth will help lead the service, and share a special activity.
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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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This coming Sunday begins our walk through Holy Week. The story of this week is at the very core of our faith. We'll travel with Jesus to confront the powers of this world that still cause so much suffering - injustice, hubris, abuse of power, scarcity, violence, and fear. Jesus confronts them by showing us another Way; a way of humility, courageous compassion, service, abundance, and peace.
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By the end of the week, we will remember that it was just when all hope seemed lost, buried in a dark and lifeless tomb, that God refused to let Love, light, and hope die. Love wins. This is the heart and promise of our faith. It is a truth as relevant and needed now as ever.
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Please join us on the journey. Raise your Palms this Sunday and shout Hosanna; remember the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday; and be ready for your hope to be renewed on Easter Morning. It will be good to travel with you.
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Preparing for Easter at UCW
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Easter Blooms & Dedications
We continue Our Easter Sunday tradition of including a dedication list in the bulletin to honor and remember loved ones. We'll also be decorating the Sanctuary with live plants. If you'd like to take part, a $20 donation will be used to purchase an 8” potted tulip assortment.
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Please Submit Your Dedications Today
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(Today, April 11 is the Dealine Date -Thank You!)
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The Easter Bunny Needs Your Helpp
Seeking Easter Candy and Goodies for our
Community Easter Egg Hunt!
The Easter Bunny is looking for donations of individually wrapped, non-nut (NO PEANUTS) goodies or small toys to add to the eggs for our annual Easter Egg Hunt!
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Donations can be left in or outside Pastor Amy's office.
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Holy Week
The Union Church in Waban
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Maundy Thursday - April 17
7:00 p.m. Service (Hybrid)
A beautiful and contemplative worship service in four movements.
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Easter Sunday - April 20
6:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service (In Person)
Early risers, join us for this informal service as we watch the swans and turtles wake up and greet the Easter sunrise with songs and shouts of Alleluia! Pastor Amy and family lead this service. We'll meet in the Wellesley Office Park, behind the building at 45 Williams Street (the sign says 45 Wellesley Office Park, click to see a map - it's on the opposite side of the Charles River from Quinobequin Rd.). After you turn onto 45 Williams, go under the building and look to your right - you'll see an entrance to the Charles River Reservoir. Park and walk down the path until you find Crowley's Landing. The path is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible. Please call Pastor Amy's cell (617-938-8112) if you have trouble finding us.
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10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Festive Service (Hybrid)
Welcome the joy, hope and Alleluias of Easter with this festive service with special music and messages for all ages.
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11:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt - Can you help the Easter Bunny?
Join us for our beloved Easter Egg Hunt following worship! The Easter Bunny has lots of colorful eggs, but could use some help finding some candy (individually-wrapped, no nuts), stickers, or other goodies to put in them. Please leave donations outside Pastor Amy's office. Thank you!
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CELEBRATING GENEROSITY
AN INVITATION
Sunday April 27, Coffee Hour
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As we prepare for Holy Week the committee charged with helping to implement the Janet Holly legacy is seeking your input. Janet left a remarkable and generous bequest to the Union Church and the planning committee hopes to insure that the funds are used in ways consistent with Janet’s expressed interests and that everyone has an opportunity for input.
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The Committee has identified four areas that reflect Janet’s passions during her lifetime:
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- the financial health and wise stewardship of church funds,
- maintaining and beautifying a garden at the church,
- accessibility for all, including accessible worship space, a place for coffee hour and other gatherings
- music-Janet ,a long time choir member, loved our church music
Consistent with financial stewardship, 80% of Janet’s bequest has been invested in our church’s long term endowment and our line of credit has been paid off in full! The committee (comprised of Judy Nagle, Tom Humphrey, Karen Weisgerber, Frank Laski, Alison McCarty and Diane Tillotson), is looking for your ideas and inspiration on funding Janet’s remaining three passions: the church garden, music, and an accessible sanctuary and meeting and gathering space
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So please join members of the committee at coffee hour on Sunday, April 27th to share your thoughts and visions!
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Making Space
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Annual Stewardship Campaign
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This year our Stewardship theme is Making Space, as we open our hearts and lives to greater humility, discernment and generosity - The full Stewardship letter from Chair Kent Wittler and the Stewardship Committee is availabe here .
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Our Annul Pledge Form can be found HERE - 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 last week 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 Pastor Megan and her loved ones as they tend to a family emergency. May God's presence, peace, and strength surround them in this tender week.
- We pray for Julie H. as she and her pup Sadie recover from injuries and surgeries related to their attack by a large dog last week. We pray for their continued healing of body, mind, and spirit.
- 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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Wellspring Women's Group
Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. (In-Person)
Our next Wellspring will be on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Little Hayle. Our theme will be discussing how what is old is new again.
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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. Interested people can contact Amy McMahon at [email protected] if you haven’t joined already!
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JAVA Gents
Friday Morning, April 25 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 if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Java Gents mailing list.
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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 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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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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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 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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Coffee Host Needed
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Thank you to Kathy Malone for hosting this 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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