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Weekly Update
Friday, August 1, 2025
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Annual All-Newton UCC Summer Service!
This Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
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Newton Highlands Congregational Church,
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54 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands.
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Don't miss this Sunday's annual All-Newton UCC summer service! Guest preacher Rabbi Allison Berry will share a word from her tradition, a joint choir featuring some of our UCW choir members will sing for us, and pastors from throughout the city will lead us in worship. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our neighbors and praise God together (in air conditioning!). The service will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Newton Highlands Congregational Church.
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There will be no Sunday worship here in our building at UCW this week!
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community.
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- Prayers for all in our community who are traveling throughout the summer. May your living Spirit connect us while we are apart.
- We pray for the most vulnerable among us, those who are elderly, disabled, or living in poverty, whose health and wellbeing are at risk as politicians place profits for the most wealthy above meeting the basic needs of vulnerable people. Give strength, wisdom, and courage to those in power and to all of us.
- We pray for the whole UCW community and for Pastor Amy as we enter 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.
- 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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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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I have missed you all while I have been away at the UCC General Synod and visiting with my family! The Synod was itself like a huge family reunion: mostly filled with the joy of seeing loved ones after a long time apart, with its fair share of disagreements over differences, but all grounded in deep love and care. I will have more to share later about my experience there.
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We are continuing to prepare to say goodbye to Pastor Amy, and I hope you all have marked your calendars for the Puerto Rico travelers’ snacks and sharing event on August 6th at 6:30, as well as for our farewell service and breakfast on August 17th. See Friday's e-blast for more details.
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Pastor Amy returns from vacation next week. I am moving at the start of next week so I will also be on "vacation" (a busy vacation!) for the next few days as we pack and move. If something urgent comes up, of course, you can still get in touch with me.
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I wanted to share with you all, also, that I will be away from the church for a brief medical leave beginning August 6th. I will be having a routine, planned surgery and expect to be out for about a week and a half, returning by the 17th for Pastor Amy's service. Since Leila and I are moving and thus not able to prep meals in advance, we would welcome support in the form of meals while I am recovering. I also ask for your prayers for a successful move, a smooth surgery, and easy recovery! Pastor Amy will be the pastor on call from 8/6-8/17, so please contact her in case of any urgent pastoral care needs.
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If you would like to provide a freezer-friendly meal, you can label it “Pastor Megan” and drop it off in the large fridge downstairs at the church. You can get in to the church between 9:00 a.m. and noon on August 6th when Aidan is in the office, between 6:30 and 9:00 p.m. during the Puerto Rico event, and during the Sunday morning service on August 10th. Please let Deacon Molly Owen-Kiritsy know if you plan to drop off a meal ([email protected] or text 781-300-1135). We’re omnivores but Leila is allergic to gluten and dairy. Whether through prayers or meals, we are so grateful for your support. I look forward to seeing you all when I return on the 17th!
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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Puerto Rico Stories & Photos
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Wed., August 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
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Join Puerto Rico Passionaries (travelers) as they share stories and photos from our transformative trip to Puerto Rico! We'll have Puerto Rico-inspired snacks and dessert.
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Breakfast Church & Farewell to Pastor
Sunday, August 17th
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We'll share a final worship service with Pastor Amy, and celebrate our shared ministry with her on this Sunday morning. Per her request, we'll have Breakfast Church, so bring your appetites!
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Left to right: Emily, Jenny, Sam, Sahari, Lorena, Jose, David
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Hola from Nicaragua,
Updates from David Spertner
July 25, 2025
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Some of our congregation members set out in July for a three week summer immersion, volunteering, learning and fun adventure in Nicaragua. They are working every morning at the bilingual day school Escuela Adelante and then attending Spanish school every afternoon. They are also making time to connect with the UCW scholarship students, The Mobil Library and our sister Church Alfa y Omega ! Oh, and having quite a bit of fun too !!
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Coincidentally, the summer worship theme for UCW is “I by my works will show you my faith.” With that being said, David Spertner will be lay leading the August 10 worship service with the help of Sam Feldman and talk about time spent in Nicaragua and the impact of faith.
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Below and HERE are a few photos to give you some flavor of how their trip is unfolding.
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Sam Feldman – street futbol
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Jenny Spertner – at recess
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Summer for Kids!
Worship for All Ages
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Our relaxed summer services are welcoming of all ages, and we will have special crafts and materials available for kids in the Prayground next to the worship area. We hope to see you there!
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Note: There will be no worship at UCW this week - see "This Sunday" section above for details of the Annual All-Newton UCC Summer Service!
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Angel in Me, Community Baby Shower
A Delicious Way to Support
Myrtle Baptist Church Fundraiser for Moms
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From our neighbors at Myrtle Baptist: "Angel in Me is a community baby shower dedicated to uplifting and supporting single mothers in need. Through donations and community support, we're providing essential baby items, postpartum care, and a space for moms to feel seen, loved, and celebrated. We are providing support for 20 single mothers who are expecting or have had a baby within the last year."
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Angel in Me Soul Food Plate Pre-Order HERE
Preorders for the Soulfood Dinner will close on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
After that, meals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you place a preorder, you won’t need to pay until the day of the event.
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More Information About this Event HERE
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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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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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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. Please NOTE: Pastor Amy will be away from July 19-Aug.2 .
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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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