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Weekly Update
Friday, June 13, 2025
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First Sunday after Pentecost
June 15 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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Join us in worship this Sunday as we read the story of Saul's conversion, bless our Puerto Rico travelers, and honor and pray for the fathers in our lives – and those who stepped in if and when those fathers 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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A friend and I make rainbow stoles for all of the LGBTQ+ graduates of our seminary, and give them to the graduates at a special ceremony before commencement. At this event each of them are invited to share a few words about their experiences of welcome and affirmation.
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This year, someone told the story of how years before, she had come to Boston to visit with loved ones and wound up at a church — she didn’t remember where or when exactly — for their Pride service. During that service, she said, two of the ministers led the congregation in a litany during the Children’s Time, joyfully shouting over and over that whoever they loved, however they expressed their gender, the community would love them forever. She was so moved by this experience of affirmation in church that when it came time to choose a seminary, she felt pulled to Boston.
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The funny thing is, I know exactly where and when that service was: it was First Church Somerville, in June 2017, and the ministers she referenced were Rev. Jeff Mansfield and me. We shared the litany with our beloved church kids, wanting them to feel safe, welcomed, and loved. We didn’t know that the message would reach this visitor, who later found herself studying for ministry, and readying herself to go out into the world and teach the same message about God’s love that she’d needed to hear that Sunday morning.
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Beloved, this is how it is with God’s expansive love: when we receive it, we are moved to share it, and we never know how far that impact will go. This Pride weekend, I hope you remember how beloved YOU are, and I hope you share that love with the world.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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On Pride weekend, we pray for those who will gather to celebrate and proclaim the belovedness of all LGBTQ+ people in the parade and festival. May our joy carry us all through the struggle for justice and peace.
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This summer, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Boston Pride for the People
Tomorrow, 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, Cold Spring Park, Newton)
Wellspring is planning to have its last gathering for the year on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:00 pm. We are planning to gather at Cold Spring Park in Newton (unless it rains, in which case we will gather in Littlehale at church).
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This is a potluck, so please email Amy McMahon (myamcm58@gmail) with what you would like to bring! All are welcome!
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We will meet in the first parking lot area at the picnic tables. We are gathering at 6 PM, just to get started a little earlier.
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This will be a mostly social gathering, as it is our last one for the church year, but we will reflect a little on the theme of “Where do you find God?"
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Children and Youth Ministry
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Celebration of Graduates - POSTPONED
Sunday, June 29, 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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Commissioning of Puerto Rico Travelers
Sunday, June 15, In Worship
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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. 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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