|
|
|
|
|
Weekly Update
Friday, June 20, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Sunday after Pentecost
June 22 at 10:00 a.m. (In-Person Only)
|
|
|
|
We welcome a guest preacher this Sunday, as Pastor Amy is in Puerto Rico and Pastor Megan (along with David Spertner!) is racing in a local triathlon. Please join, offering your prayers and singing, and help to make our guest feel welcome!
|
|
There will be no Zoom option this Sunday. We apologize for any inconvenience!
|
The bulletin is available HERE
|
|
Kids and Families: We'll have an informal Childcare option rather than Sunday School this week, with some easy craft activities and stories available. Our teacher, Ileana, will be present to supervise kids in Littlehale and the Prayground. Older kids are invited to remain in worship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pastor Amy shared with us yesterday that she has been called to a new, wonderful role serving as a pediatric chaplain beginning this fall, and so will be concluding her ministry here at the Union Church this summer. I trust that you all join me in the bittersweet feelings that accompany this news: sadness at saying goodbye, gratitude for all her amazing ministry in this church in the last 11 (!!) years, and joy for the ways she will change lives with this new ministry.
|
We bless Pastor Amy and all of the Puerto Rico travelers who will be away beginning tomorrow, 6/21, through next Saturday, 6/28. Pastor Amy will be back with us in worship on Sunday the 29th, our last 'regular' church year worship service, and there will be an opportunity for conversations sharing gratitude, sadness, curiosity, memories, and more after that service.
|
But that's not all! There will be a number of events this summer, celebrating Amy's ministry and giving opportunities to all who would like to say goodbye and wish her well in this new chapter. We'll announce most of those dates later, but save the date for Sunday, August 17th, which will be Pastor Amy's last worship service and last day here at UCW, with a special-request pancake breakfast as part of the day!
|
Finally, Council will be meeting to plan for the fall soon, and will provide information to the whole congregation about transition plans for the upcoming months as soon as they are available. For now, though, let's simply plan to be present together as we are able this summer, in celebration and gratitude for many years of fruitful, thoughtful, wonderful shared ministry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
|
-
|
We pray for the whole UCW community and for Pastor Amy as we look toward a season of goodbyes. Bless our time together these next few months, and bless Amy as she prepares to bring her incredible gifts for ministry to a new setting.
|
- We pray fiercely and gratefully for the Puerto Rico youth mission travelers, who leave tomorrow morning! God, bless their time together, their service, the relationships they build, and may we be blessed by all they learn and return to teach us afterwards.
- We pray for transgender youth and their loved ones throughout the country, that even as their rights and supports are under attack, they might know their deep value and belovedness in the eyes of God.
-
|
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.
|
-
|
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), political office, 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.
|
-
|
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.
|
|
|
If you have other prayers of concern or celebration you
|
|
would like lifted up in community, please email
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Children and Youth Ministry
|
|
|
Celebrating our Graduates
Sunday, June 29, In Worship
|
|
Please join us as we celebrate our graduates and on June 29th. We'll honor and bless them as they move on to new adventures! If you are or have a graduate you would like to honor, please let Pastor Amy know at [email protected]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Making Space - Stewardship Campaign
|
|
This year’s Stewardship theme is Making Space. Read the full letter from Chair Kent Wittler and the Stewardship Committee here .
|
|
Submit Your Pledge HERE - Thank You!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Live the Love & Justice Jesus Taught
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coffee Host Needed
Please consider volunteering!
Reception Sign-up: HERE
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
If you have questions, Kathy Malone is the point of contact : 617-365- 4960; [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
and her phone is 617-965-3893
|
|
|
|
|
Pastor Amy is in Puerto Rico for the upcoming week; please contact Pastor Megan with any urgent pastoral care needs. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
