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Weekly Update
Friday, October 25, 2024
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This Sunday
October 27 at 10:00 a.m.
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This Sunday, we’ll gather for worship, fellowship, connection, and learning together, including exploring the story from scripture of a leader asking for God’s wisdom in a time of need. We hope you’ll join in person or on Zoom.
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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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Please Note: This Sunday - Youth Group & Mission Trip Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Littlehale! (See below for details)
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Loving God, hear the prayers
of your people gathered in this community,
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- God, we pray for Phil Rounseville and his husband Brian as they both recover from COVID, and as Phil plans for a postponed cancer surgery as a result. God, may your healing grace cover both Brian and Phil at this time.
- Prayers for Polly, mother of Molly Owen-Kiritsy, who was hospitalized last week. Bless her with healing and comfort, and be with her medical care team and family as they support her.
- We pray for all people impacted by the hurricanes 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.
- 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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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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In worship this Sunday, we’ll read the story of Solomon becoming king and being asked by God what he’d like most as the new ruler. Solomon responds asking for God to make him wise. We’ll reflect on wise leadership in the community during worship. It’s timely, of course, as we each reflect on wise leadership as we prepare for next month’s election.
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I want to invite you to save the date and invite your friends and neighbors for an interfaith gathering after the election, to be held here at UCW. There are more details below; whatever the outcomes of the election, we can each commit to asking for wisdom and connecting with others in our community as we move forward as a country and a city.
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I also wanted to remind you that tomorrow, Saturday, October 26th, is the MA voter registration deadline. You can check or update your registration HERE.
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Part of asking God’s wisdom to be present in decision-makers and the halls of power is using our own discernment as engaged citizens, weighing the morals and values inspired by our faith as we make our voices and desires known to our elected leaders.
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Newton Interfaith Post-Election Gathering
Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Union Church in Waban
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Join with members of congregations throughout Newton and the wider Newton community for a time of reflection, connection, and music after the national election. This is a non-partisan event; regardless of the election outcome, we will come together for an evening of prayer and hope.
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Update on The Jenny Fund from the Weisz Family
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Beloved UCW member and leader Jenny Weisz’s wish for students in need to be supported in their dreams to pursue education and change the world is taking shape with leadership from her family and support from two organizations, 10,000 Degrees and the Brugger Foundation. The Jenny Fund will provide scholarships to over 30 students in the US and Nicaragua – please see the flyer HERE for more details about the scholarship’s purpose and priorities. If you know a student entering or already in undergraduate education whose path aligns with these priorities, please pass the Jenny Fund information along to them and encourage them to apply.
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Congregational Meeting
Save the date!
Sunday, November 10
at 11:30 a.m.
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Our next congregational meeting will be Sunday, November 10 at 11:30 a.m. after worship, with lunch provided. More details to follow closer to the date.
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Save the date!
All-Comers Dinner
Friday, November 22
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All-Comers Dinner is back this November 22nd. More details to be shared soon, but for now, mark your calendars so we can share in food, fellowship, and fun together!
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Adult Spiritual Formation Programs
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Bible Study
First Meeting, Monday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. (In Person)
Bible Study is also starting up again this Fall, led by Jeannie Martin, meeting in-person in the Littlehale room at the church on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. We’ll read the Gospel of Mark in six weeks beginning this Monday, October 28.
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Book Study
Wednesday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. (In-Person)
The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous
This fall, we’ll meet twice to discuss the book “The Amen Effect” by Rabbi Sharon Brous. Originally recommended for Book Group by Anya Bassett, this book speaks to both the season of grief in our congregation and the desires many of us share to work towards a world with more understanding, compassion, and unity in the face of divisions.
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The group will meet for the second of two meetings on Wednesday, October 30th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Littlehale room at church. The first session we discussed the introduction through Chapter 4, and the second covers Chapter 5 through the ‘Practices’ section at the end. All are welcome; bring a brown-bag dinner if you’d like! If you’d like to join but meeting in person is a barrier, contact Pastor Megan.
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Caregiver Group - First Meeting of the Fall
Sunday, November 3 at 11:30 a.m. (In-Person after worship)
All are invited to gather in Pastor Amy's office following worship on All-Saint's Sunday, as this group comes together for the first time again this year. If you have a loved one, close by or far-away; parent, spouse, adult child, or other; for whom you are caring in any capacity, this is a wonderful group for you. Bring tea or coffee from reception, and spend an hour in community, sharing joys and challenges, and holding each other in prayer. With questions, please contact Pastor Amy ([email protected]; cell: 617-938-8112)
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Further adult spiritual formation programs, including Zoom-only options, will be offered later in the fall and during the winter. As we work to build out robust programming accessible to all within our congregation, you can always contact Pastor Megan with ideas, questions, and any barriers to your participation.
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Youth Group and Mission Trip Meeting
This Sunday, Oct. 27 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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We are excited for the year ahead. Join us on October 27. We'll have food, fun, maybe some pumpkin carving, and share ideas for the year, including a possible mission trip.
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Seeking Teen Mission Leaders
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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Youth Group Monthly Schedule
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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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Mosaic Interfaith Youth Action Bridges Program
2nd Meeting - Sunday, Nov. 3, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
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Middle and High School Students
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Our church is be part of a cohort of Christian church groups, joining with Congregation Dorshei Tzedek (a Jewish congregation) and the Al Huda Society of Chelsea (a pillar of the greater Boston Muslim community) to participate in the Bridges program. We met for the first time last week, for an incredibly meaningful gathering and conversations.
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Bridges connects young people who are involved in the work of their faith communities, bringing them together to consider how their faith calls them to action in interfaith dialogue. Youth commit to participate in 3-5 events throughout the year (Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, with a celebration in May), run by Mosaic staff, developing connections and community across religious traditions. Over the course of the year, youth develop skills in interfaith literacy, communication and active listening, and interfaith dialogue. This year, students will create community art pieces together.
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If you are interested in learning more or participating, please contact Pastor Amy. All tweens and teens are welcome but need to register. Thanks!
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Setting the Table for One Another
Reception This Sunday and Beyond
Thank you to Brita Gill-Austern 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.
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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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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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Loving our Neighbors - Wider Community Events
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Annual Fundraising Gala and Silent Auction
Saturday, November 2, 6:00-9:30 p.m.
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Riverview Restaurant at the Hudson Portuguese Club
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13 Port Street, Hudson, MA 01749.
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Please reach out to Pastor Amy or Brita Gill-Austern, both of whom have been members of the Board of Directors of MBMM, with questions or if you would like to attend (we have some extra tickets!) We'd love to have you join us!
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Proceeds from the event will be used to help fund MBMM's ACE Center, a non-sectarian program that exists to assist and meet the diverse needs of numerous immigrant and ethnic communities of all faiths and traditions, with a spirit of radical hospitality. Our mission is to Advocate for immigrants and refugees as they move towards self-sufficiency; Celebrate the culture, tradition, inclusion, and achievements of immigrants; and Empower them to exist as new Americans while attaining the goals afforded to every American.
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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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