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Weekly Update
Friday, October 4, 2024
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This Sunday
October 6 at 10:00 a.m.
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This Sunday, we'll continue exploring our fall theme of Connection as we celebrate our connection to the Church throughout the world this World Communion Sunday. Plus, we'll celebrate our new UCW sign and bless our beloved animals after the service!"
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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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Communications and Building & Grounds worked hard to create and install the new sign. After church we’ll shower champagne on the sign and pray it shines a bright light on our church and welcomes visitors.
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BLESSING OF ANIMALS
This Sunday, at 12:00 noon
Outside On The Common
(Weather Permitting)
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Bring your furry, fluffy, feathery, scaley friends (or a photo of them) as we give thanks for and bless the animals and other critters in our families, and pray for all God's creatures
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• Snacks for pets and their people
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• Donations welcome for Hurricane Relief Animal Rescue
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As I’m sure many of you have been, I have been devastated to see the pictures and reports coming out of communities in the Southeast that have been affected by Hurricane Helene, and wanting to find ways to help. One of the blessings of being affiliated with our two denominational partners is that our impact to help when disasters like this occur can be magnified by the existing systems of support that the denominations have in place. As such, I wanted to share with you the UCC and ABC’s recommendations for where to send aid for victims of Hurricane Helene at this time:
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In addition, Pastor Amy and I have decided to change our Blessing of the Animals collection to go towards pet shelters in the affected areas, as rehoming animals is one of the many challenges communities face in recovery and cleanup processes.
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Finally, we can continue to pray for all who have been affected by the storm – those who lost their lives, their loved ones, their homes, communities, and senses of safety – and vulnerable people throughout the world who are affected by natural disasters and our changing climate.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community,
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- God, we pray for all people impacted by last weekend’s Hurricane Helene across the Southeast US. For those who lost their lives, their loved ones, their homes, their sense of safety. For all who must rebuild, individuals and communities, that they may be strengthened by you and supported by people near and far.
- As we approach the anniversary of the beginning of the war between Hamas and Israel, we pray for all people who have been impacted by this conflict: all who have been killed, who have lost loved ones, who have had their homes and communities destroyed, who are held captive or awaiting news of loved ones who have been, and the echoing impacts all throughout the world. God, we are overwhelmed by the pain, destruction, and loss of life. We pray for peace throughout the region, throughout the world: a peace that surpasses human understanding; a peace that protects all life within your creation.
- We pray for the Heffernan family as they support Julie’s mother as she enters hospice care. Ease all suffering with your comfort and peace, O God.
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.
- Prayers for Phil Rounseville as he continues his cancer treatments and prepares for another surgery. God, may your healing grace cover Phil in this time.
- 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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Youth Group Kick-Off and Mission
Sunday, Oct. 27 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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We had to postpone our Sept kick-off, but are still excited for the year ahead. Join us at the end of October. We'll have food, fun, maybe some pumpkin carving, and share ideas for the year, including a possible mission trip.
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CAN YOU BE A YOUTH LEADER THIS YEAR? We are looking for teen co-leaders of our youth group and mission trip. Let Pastor Amy or David know if you are interested.
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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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Glass Jar Collection
for Thanksgiving Dinner
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As part of the Community Thanksgiving dinner, we hand out vases of flowers along with the meals, so that folks have a colorful centerpiece for their tables. Instead of buying new mason jars this year, we'd love to take your old pasta, pickle, olive, etc. jars off of your hands.
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There will be a collection box in the side chapel, and Alicia Collins is even willing to clean them for you.
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Thank you!
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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 the Union Church 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
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 fall.
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
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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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