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Weekly Update
Friday, May 11, 2025
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The Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 11 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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We’ll read another story of the early Church and honor and pray for our mothers – and those who cared for us if and when our mothers could not.
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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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Livestream Note: We apologize for the lack of a Zoom livestream over the last few weeks! Zoom worship should be back as usual this Sunday, with huge thanks to the UCW Tech Team (and an invitation to join if you’d like to help out! No major tech knowledge required).
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I had a lot of interest in the prayer structure I shared during last Sunday’s worship, so I wanted to write it out for you here. If you’re feeling like you’re not sure how to pray or what to say, sometimes a little scaffolding can help get you started. Don’t think that this is the ‘right’ way to pray though — any way to pray that leads you to open your heart to God is the right way!
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You: Name God whom you are addressing. “Loving and living God,” “Jesus, Healer of the World,” and “Spirit of Life,” are examples of this. You can also look to scripture for inspiration, seeing how our ancestors in faith called onGod.
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Who: Go into a little more detail about aspects of God's being, or previous actions that God has taken, that you want to call to mind as you pray. So, if I want to remind myself of God's power when I feel powerless, I might pray, "all things came into being through your creativity and goodness..." It could also be something about who God has been for you in your life -- "you knew me before I was even born, and you have walked alongside me through every joy and trial in my life..."
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Do: What is it that you’re asking of God in this moment? What do you want God to do in your life or in the world? Or, what are you thanking God for having done already? You may have a sense of this already, or you may want to notice how you called upon God for clues of what it is that you’re needing from God in this moment.
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Through: How do you understand God to be able to work in the world in the ways you’ve asked? Or, is there another aspect of God that you want to call on in this moment? How is it that you come to God in prayer? “Through your holy name,” “Through Christ,” “through the power of your ever-present Spirit,” and so on.
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All of this naming and describing isn’t about what God needs from our prayer, but rather are to help us. Prayer is a practice of communication, but also one of memory: we call on God in prayer because we remember that God has been in relationship with us and with all of our ancestors in faith, and has acted in care and love for us all along.
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Call for Annual Reports
Annual Meeting is coming up soon!
Mark your calendars for the meeting, Sunday, June 8 after worship.
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If you are an officer of the church, a committee chair, or a ministry team lead, your Annual Report is due on Tuesday, May 26th.
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Keep an eye on your email for examples from last year and further information.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- We continue to pray for healing for Amy McMahon and Alan Cody, who are each recovering from surgery.
- 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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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 Date!
Boston Pride for the People
Saturday, June 14
UCW is gearing up to march in this year’s Pride for the People Parade on June 14! We're joining fellow Open and Affirming (aka, LGBTQ+ welcoming) UCC-affiliated congregations across Greater Boston to celebrate love, inclusion, and the vibrant spirit of Pride!
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Our group is ready to make a joyful noise and spread God’s love for all. If you’re ready to stand up, show your colors, and be part of this celebration, we’d love to have you join us! Phil Rounseville will be coordinating our UCW delegation so find him in worship to get more information and sign up.
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JAVA Gents
Friday Morning, May 16 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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UCW New Members Group
Sunday, May 25 after church (location TBD—lunch included!)
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We will welcome new members into our congregation with joy on Sunday, June 8 in worship (just in time for Annual Meeting)! If you're interested in joining with a small group of people learning about life in the UCW community and discerning formal membership -- whether you're new to the community or not-so-new but looking to go deeper -- you're welcome at our next New Members Group gatherings. Our second meeting will be after church on May 25, location TBD and lunch provided. Join us!
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Upcoming Concert at
The Union Church In Waban
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Next Saturday! May 17th | 7:00 PM
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(More about Boston City Singers HERE)
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Children and Youth Ministry
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Sunday School and
Dear Mama God
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In Sunday School this weekend, we'll check on the seeds we've been growing, and maybe plant a few - amazing what God can do! We'll also read the book Dear Mama God, and think of the many things for which we might want to say Thank you! We hope you'll join us during worship.
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Puerto Rico Trip Meeting
Thurs, May 15, 7:00 p.m. (on Zoom)
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Our Puerto Rico mission trip is fast approaching. Travelers and those who have expressed possible interest will receive a form and zoom link with details about this meeting, but please save the date, and [email protected]e in touch with Pastor Amy ([email protected]) to learn more!
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Making Space - Stewardship Campaign
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This year’s Stewardship theme is Making Space, Read the full letter from Chair Kent Wittler and the Stewardship Committee here .
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Submit Your Pledge HERE - Thank You!
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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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Coffee Host Needed
Thank you to our UCW Choirs for hosting this Sunday's reception this Mother’s Day morning.
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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
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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