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Weekly Update
Friday, June 6, 2025
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Pentecost Sunday and Annual Meeting (details below)
June 8 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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It’s Pentecost! We’ll celebrate the “birthday of the Church” in worship this Sunday, remembering how the Holy Spirit inspired the early Church. Note that we’ve postponed this spring’s new members joining liturgy to June 29 due to travel schedules.
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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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It’s very fitting that our Annual Meeting falls on Pentecost this year. As we remember the Holy Spirit filling the early church and moving them into meaningful action, following in the Way of Jesus, we, too, experience the movement of the Spirit in our own church community.
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As a congregational church, we put our trust into the Holy Spirit to guide us – not just individually, but as a body – in our call. That means that annual meetings, congregational meetings, committees, annual reports, budgets, etc., aren’t just the business of the church. They’re our spiritual practice, our faith lived out together. The Holy Spirit guides us so that as we listen to one another, as different opinions are shared, as we each learn and grow together, our whole community grows in faith and faithfulness.
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My prayer for our church this weekend is that we might experience the Holy Spirit, that fire in our bellies and hearts, as we listen to and learn from one another, celebrate and remember the church year that now comes to a close, and plan with thoughtfulness and care the year to come.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- As we gather for the Annual Meeting of UCW this Sunday, we pray that we each would hear your call and respond in faith, hope, justice, and care for the coming year in our community.
- As the weather turns rapidly from spring to hot summer this week, we pray for our unhoused siblings who are on the streets in the daytime or sleeping rough, exposed to the heat and sun. May all who are in need find shelter and relief.
- We pray for victims of violence and hate in our country and throughout the world. For those who are targeted for their race, religion, sexuality, gender, immigration status (true or perceived), and so much more, we pray, O God, for your healing and compassionate care. For all who grieve, God, we pray for comfort and for justice.
- 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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Annual Reports Preview
In preparation for this Sunday's meeting a preview of the Annual Reports from our Pastor's, the officers of the church, committee chairs and ministry team leaders is available HERE.
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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JAVA Gents BBQ!
Thursday Evening, June 12 at 6:00 p.m.
(At 189 Langley Street in Newton Centre)
This month, Java Gents will gather on Thursday, June 12, at 6:00 p.m, (don’t come at 7:00 a.m. Friday!), at 189 Langley Street in Newton Centre for “Buz’s BBQ and Brew Gathering of the Java Gents.” Newcomers and long timers alike are welcome!
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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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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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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 where 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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Wellspring Gathering
Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m.
(In-Person, Location TBD)
Wellspring will be gathering for its last meeting this year on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. Location TBD, as we are trying to find a nice place to meet outside, if possible.
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All are welcome! If you’re interested in attending, please email Amy McMahon to be added to our reminder list. Amy’s email is: [email protected]
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Children and Youth Ministry
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Sunday School - PENTECOST!
In Sunday School this weekend, we will celebrate the Birthday of the Church, and the Spirit of Pentecost!
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Pastor Amy will lead the kids in making pinwheels and blowing out birthday candles. We hope you can join us!
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Celebration of Graduates
Commissioning of Puerto Rico Travelers
Sunday, June 15, In Worship
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We will celebrate our amazing graduates in worship on June 15! If you or someone you love is graduating or transitioning to new things this year, please be in touch with Pastor Amy (contact below).
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Our Puerto Rico mission trip is also 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. We'll commission these travelers for their good work and service during worship on June 15th.
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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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