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Weekly Update
Friday, September 6, 2024
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Welcome Sunday
September 8 at 10:00 a.m.
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It’s Welcome Sunday this week! We’ll regather for worship, communion, a Flat Jesus get-together (see below) and a special reception picnic following worship. We are looking forward to gathering as a community at the start of a new church year – be sure to be there!
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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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One of the centerpieces of our worship service will be a communion table festooned with Flat Jesuses and photos of his many summer activities. Bring your household’s Flat Jesus back to worship on the 8th (don’t worry, you can take him back home again afterwards), and between now and then, send Pastor Megan any photos you’ve taken that haven’t yet been sent in. If you haven’t taken any photos with Flat Jesus yet, this holiday weekend is the perfect time to do so.
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We have a mix of emotions as a community as worship begins again for a new church year this week: the joy and pleasure of re-gathering after a summer apart, alongside continued grief over the loss of beloved member Anya Bassett this August. If you are feeling slow to the excitement that usually accompanies the fall and new church year, you are not alone. If you are feeling grateful to be coming back together, you are not alone.
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In fact, the theme of fall worship this year is “Connection” – remembering, in so many ways that our faith teaches and reminds us, that we are not alone. Through worship, game nights, book and Bible study, choir, service in the community, gathering in groups like Wellspring and Java gents, and so much more, we will connect with one another and with God. Keep an eye on the e-blast as the calendar for Fall begins to fill, not with ways to keep busy but with ways to be filled, fed, and connected.
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So please, come as you are, but come into community to connect, together. We’ll bless one another as we do, and be blessed ourselves as well.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community,
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- God, we lift to you the deep grief felt throughout our community following the sudden loss of beloved member Anya Bassett. May your peace which surpasses all understanding be made known to all who loved Anya.
- We pray for students of all ages beginning a new school year, and for parents, educators, support staff, and administrators who are supporting them as they learn and grow.
- We pray for healing for David Malone following eye surgery this week. May he be comfortable as he recovers, and may he and the whole Malone-van Reijendam family be strengthened as they support one another.
- 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.
- 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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Coming Up - Save the Dates!
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Mission, Youth & Families Fair
Sunday, Sept. 15th - After Worship
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Following worship, leaders of our Mission Teams will set up tables with updates and opportunities to engage in service and justice work this year. The Children and Youth Ministry teams will also share updates registrations, calendars, and more.
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UCW Game Night!
Friday, Sept. 20th - 6:30-8:30pm
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Bring a favorite game, or just come ready to play and have fun! We'll meet in the Littlehale Room and have pizza and snacks.
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Blessing of Backpacks & First Day of Sunday School
Sunday, Sept. 22nd
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Bring your backpack, briefcase, laptop, walking shoes - whatever will be helping to carry you and your good learning and work through this new academic year. We'll share a blessing and special gift in worship, and then kids of all ages will kick-off a new year of Sunday School with Pastor Amy and Children's Ministry Associate Ileana.
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Youth Group Kick-Off Party
Sunday, Sept. 29th - 6-8:00 PM
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We'll have food, fun, Puerto Rico-themed treats, and share ideas for the year, including a possible mission trip More details and directions to follow (this month we'll be at David's home), but save the date! Other Youth Group monthly gatherings will be from 6-8pm on: Oct. 27th; Nov. 24th; Dec. 15th - Christmas Party; Jan. 26th; Feb. TBD; Mar. 2nd; Apr. 6th; May. 4th - May the Fourth Be With You; and Jun. 8th .
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Flat Jesus Summer 2024!
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Flat Jesus had a fantastic fiesta of a summer with the Nagle family – so much fun he lost his maracas along the way! Don’t forget to send your photos to Pastor Megan and bring your Flat Jesus to worship Sunday!
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Pastoral Care Connections
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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 to either pastor.
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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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