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Weekly Update
Friday, May 30, 2025
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The Seventh Sunday of Easter
June 1 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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Join us for a special worship service this Sunday as we celebrate the baptism of Maggie Bluestein, remembering the life-giving waters of our faith and sharing in Communion.
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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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The music insert is available HERE
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The Psalmist wrote so many centuries ago (or maybe just yesterday), "As the deer pants for water, so my soul pants for you, O God." It's such a vivid image - this poor deer panting in thirst and exhaustion. How far has it run over dry and scorched land? What a relief to dip its head towards a cool stream; its thirst quenched.
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So many of us are thirsty in this season - thirsty for justice, fairness, peace, stability, compassion... the list goes on. We too are dried up, panting.
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This Sunday we remember in the most vivid and joyful of ways the streams of thirst-quenching water that flow through the church. We celebrate a baptism, inviting a new member to dive into the great pool of our life-giving faith and community. Come. Dip your toes, or dive right in. Drink from the cup. Find refreshment and strength for your journey. And if you can, come Friday (tonight) to the All-Comers dinner. The pool is open there too! Refreshment for body and spirit. Bring your bathing suit.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- We pray for all those within our community who are celebrating graduations: high school and college seniors, graduate students, and their teachers, families, and loved ones. In this season of transitions, God, we ask that you would bless and strengthen them for all that is to come, and give them hearts full of joy and celebration at what has already been.
- 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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Call for Annual Reports
If you are an officer of the church,
a committee chair, or a ministry team lead,
your Annual Report are now.
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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All-Comers Dinner is Back!
Today! Friday, May 30, 6:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m.
At The Home of
Alicia Collins & Tony Abbiati
128 Avalon Road,
Waban, MA 02468
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All are welcome to this night of food, fellowship, and fun. Bring a friend if you'd like! And bring a bathing suit! The pool is open so weather permitting we’ll have some swimming fun. We'll be enjoying a potluck meal during the evening, so, if possible, please sign up with something you can bring to share (enough for 3-4 people).
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Please RSVP HERE
Your RSVP helps us prepare and know who will attend. If you aren't able to bring something to share, please don't worry - your presence is plenty!
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Please RSVP as individuals or families; if you're signing up your family, make a note of who or how many will come in the comment section.
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What a blessing it will be to gather!
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Mapping Your Spiritual Journey
Tomorrow, Sat., May 31 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (In Person)
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Ever wanted to write about your spiritual journey? Or perhaps create a map of your own story?
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Join us Saturday morning May 31 for a simple and fun way to do this. We will use a combination of easy drawing exercises and short paragraphs to convey our spiritual development over time, and end with some writing and a timeline for you to take home.
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All adults in the community are invited to this time together. Coffee and muffins will be provided.
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Facilitator: Jeannie Martin
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Urban Gardens for Eco Justice
Local Climate Change Initiative
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 31, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (In Person)
Carpooling from UCW at 9:45 a.m.
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Please note the time change: OPEN HOUSE FROM, 10-2. FOOD, FRIENDSHIP GATHERING AND WORK WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PEOPLE CAN BE THERE. COME FOR AS SHORT OR AS LONG AS YOU WANT ACCORDING TO WEATHER.
We will still meet at 9:45 at the church for those who want to drive together. We will agree when on car drive back before we leave.
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On Saturday, May 31 we will go to The Ellington Community Food Forest Garden at 103 Ellington Street in Dorchester, where we will be volunteering with the women of the Ellington Garden for a workday from 10:00-2:00 p.m.
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We will carpool from the church leaving at 9.45 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
or by email at [email protected]
if you can join us and if you want a ride or can offer one.
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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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We will depart from the UCW at 9:00 a.m. to gather at the Old South Church in Boston before 9:45 am. The larger group will then head to the parade point at 10:00.
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Sign up HERE to let us know are coming and were to meet you!
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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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Children and Youth Ministry
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Sunday School
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In Sunday School this weekend, the children will participate in the Baptism and Communion in special ways. They'll also help get ready for the Annual Picnic during Sunday School!
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Puerto Rico Trip Meeting & Orientation
This Sunday, June 1, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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Our Puerto Rico mission trip is fast approaching (June 21-28). Our plane tickets have been purchased, and we are preparing for our week of service. We'll be running a summer camp for the children of our partner church, and assisting elders in the congregation.
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- 4 to 6pm: UCW Dinner, Getting to Know Each Other; Planning (in-person)
- 6-7pm: ZOOM with Our Partners in PR!
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To learn more, please be in touch with Pastor Amy ([email protected]), or check out our presentation below:
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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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Help and Summer Housing Needed for BU Seminary Students
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A group supporting international students at the BU School of Theology has reached out asking if UCW is able to provide any support in the form of temporary summer housing. Many of these students are unable to go home for the summer due to uncertainty about international student visas, but are equally unable to afford the high cost of living in Greater Boston, particularly in the summer when scholarship support is not available.
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If you have a spare room you are willing to offer, are in need of house- (and pet-) sitting in exchange for a stable place to stay for the summer, or might be able to connect students with someone who does, please contact Pastor Megan at [email protected].
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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
Please consider volunteering!
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
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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