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Weekly Update
Friday, September 20, 2024
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Join Us Tonight! UCW Game Night - 6:30-8:30 p.m. - details below.
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This Sunday
September 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Blessing of Backpacks & First Day of Sunday School
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This Sunday, we'll continue exploring our fall theme of Connection with the story of Joseph and his family. Also, please remember to 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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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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Sunday Afternoon, Sept. 22, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Community Coping Group - Please RSVP
As we shared earlier this week, we are partnering with Riverside Community Care's Trauma Center to host Coping Groups as we continue to process and grieve the death by suicide of our beloved friend and member, Anya Bassett. One group took place on Thursday evening, and our second gathering will take place this Sunday following worship from 12:00-2:00 p.m.
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Riverside has asked attendees to RSVP as they prepare and monitor group sizes. Please RSVP to Pastors Megan or Amy if you would like to attend the Sunday session; or at any time if you are struggling with feelings of grief, or with other emotions, or questions. You are not alone.
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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. 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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Around the Table
Meals and Community
Meal Train - Sharing Meals with Jon
As we continue to pray for and support the Bassett family following Anya's death, please consider signing up for the Meal Train below. What Anya's husband, Jon, would appreciate most now is spending time with friends over a meal. So, he'd like you to bring food over and share it with him, or he is happy to come to you as well. Details are included in the sign-up link below.
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Setting the Table for One Another
Reception This Sunday and Beyond
Thank you to Tanya Lazar for hosting our reception this Sunday!
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Every Sunday after worship we gather in the stage room for a time of fellowship. This reception is hosted each Sunday by different members of the congregation. Hosting a reception is a thoughtful expression of our hospitality to each other. And it is not difficult! Help is available if you have never hosted and feel daunted by the task. Please consider volunteering for two dates throughout the year.
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If you have questions, Kathy Malone is the point of contact for 2024-25: 617-365- 4960; [email protected].
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Sharing the Stories of Our Faith
Reading Scripture in Worship
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For generations the stories and wisdom of our faith were only shared orally, and reading scripture outloud is still a central part of our worship and community. Please consider sharing your voice in worship this fall.
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
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UCW Game Night - TONIGHT!
Friday, Sept. 20th - 6:30-8:30 p.m. (In-Person)
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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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Wellspring Women's Group
Thursday, September 26 (In-Person)
The Wellspring Women's Group will meet at UCW (Littlehale) on Thursday evening.
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Wellspring is our women's ministry at UCW. We come together to support each other as we journey together in these times.
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If you are interested in learning more about Wellspring, please contact Amy McMahon at [email protected].
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JAVA Gents
Friday, September 27 at 7:00 a.m. (In-Person)
Java Gents will gather next Friday morning at Dan and Brian Heffernan’s home.
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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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Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Dan Heffernan ([email protected]) if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Java Gents mailing list.
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Youth Group Kick-Off Party
Sunday, Sept. 29 - 6-8:00 p.m.
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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!
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Other Youth Group monthly gatherings will be from 6 - 8:00 p.m. 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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Mission Alert
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Housing and Family Homeless Crisis
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Our care and concern for homeless families coming to Newton with FamilyAid housing and support takes on new emergency status. The Commonwealth has restricted shelter for families to five days, resulting in mothers and children living on the streets and in cars.
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Members from the UCW Mission Team and others from Newton houses of worship through NICHE are working to plan next steps to address this crisis along with the leadership of FamilyAid Newton.
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Nicaragua Ministry Information
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Would you like to join the Nicaragua Committee which is dedicated to having fun while sharing God’s love and light in the ministry of Nicaragua? (meetings the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Church)
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Would you like to be on our Nicaragua service trip mailing list as a possible traveler for our 2025 adventure? View one of our trip videos for inspiration: HERE
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For more information or to be added to the list, please contact David Spertner, aka Jefe, at 617-549-1200 or [email protected].
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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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