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Weekly Update
Friday, February 6, 2025
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February 8, 10:00 a.m.
(In-Person and Online)
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
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This Sunday’s scripture, the version of the Feeding of the Multitudes from the Gospel of John, will remind us how we are more together in God than we could ever be apart.
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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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It is time to begin turning our hearts and minds to Lent — and what a year to return to the themes of repentance and repair, of wandering the wilderness, of death and new life. Our theme for worship and community life in Lent this year will be “Tools for Survival in the Wilderness,” and we’ll reflect on how the ways we learn to survive in the literal wildernesses (and I know there are some hiking, camping, backcountry skiing, and other outdoor enthusiasts in this congregation!) teach us about how to survive the metaphorical wildernesses of our time. More to come in worship, of course.
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For now, I want to invite you to join one of two small group options for the season of Lent: Tuesdays on Zoom from 12-1, or Thursday evenings in person at church from 7-8. We’ll expand on the scripture and themes from Sundays, read excerpts from books, but most of all connect with one another. You don’t need to join every meeting to be welcome, but I’d ask that you commit to coming to most meetings of a given group, as we do with Bible Study, so we can have a sense of building community and continuity.
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The Tuesday group will meet 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/24, and 3/31. The Thursday group will meet 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/19, and 3/26. (Note that each group skips a week at some point due to double-scheduling with other meetings.) Any who are interested are welcome to join, but please email me if you know you plan to attend so I can get a sense of the groups.
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Finally, mark your calendar for our second annual ecumenical Ash Wednesday service, to be held 2/18 at 7:00 p.m. at Second Church in Newton. There will be a joint choir opportunity for all who wish to sing together.
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FamilyAid Updates
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UCW Servcie Project, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026
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Thank you to everyone who took part in our all-church service project this past Sunday! We packed much-needed warm clothes and hygiene items for families entering shelter, and helped to take the burden off of FamilyAid’s fantastic and hardworking staff. We’ll welcome Larry Seamans, President and CEO of FamilyAid, for a rescheduled presentation in worship on March 15th.
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Due to the extreme cold temperatures predicted for this Sunday, the Winter Walk has also been postponed, to March 22nd. That means there is plenty of time to join the joint UCW-Riverside team and fundraiser for FamilyAid! Members of our team will walk on 3/22, but if you don’t want to miss church, you can participate asynchronously from your own neighborhood, or simply donate. Thanks to Kate Walker and Tanya Lazar for organizing our team WINTER WALK:Riverside & UCW .
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Finally, We’ve been asked to host monthly birthday parties at the Family Navigation Center in West Newton. If you’re not already on the FamilyAid volunteer list but would like to help out, let Pastor Megan know.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
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of your people gathered in this community.
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- Prayers of healing for Dan Heffernan, recovering from hip replacement surgery.
- God, we ask that you would strengthen and care for our immigrant neighbors of all legal statuses who continue to live in fear and uncertainty amidst current immigration policies. We pray for all who are standing up to injustice and witnessing to the dignity of all life in the face of violence and dehumanization.
- As the weather remains bitterly cold and the dark nights persist, we pray for all our siblings who are unhoused and sleeping rough. Protect and shelter them, O God, and may we be part of a great effort of providing shelter and safety this fall and winter.
- 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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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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Mark Your Calendars!
Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, February 17 at 12:00 p.m.
(In-Person, Littlehale Meeting Room)
Come and join us for a hot lunch and fellowship at 12 noon in the Littlehale Room.
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Lunch Bunch is focused on gathering the seniors and retirees in the congregation, though is open to all. In order to plan for food pls rsvp to Molly Owen-Kiritsy or Pastor Megan by Sunday 2/15. Thanks!
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Nicaragua Partner News
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San Juan del Sur, February 2026
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We had a wonderful reunion this week in San Juan del Sur with 10 Union Church students and alumni. David Spertner and Frank Laski also met with our partners at the Library, the Brugger Foundation, Alpha Omega Church, and others planning our next collaborative project.
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A Thank You Messsage from FamilyAid
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Here are a few highlights from a recent letter received from FamilyAid.
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"My thanks to the Union Church congregation for your generous gift
supporting FamilyAid's West Newton Family Navigation Center. Your compassion
and dedicated support will make a lasting difference in the lives of the families we
serve."
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"At a time when the demand for our work has never been greater, your
partnership allows us to deepen and expand the resources and services that we
provide. "
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"As we approach the one-year anniversary, Union Church stands as a leader in
launching the FNC."
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.... read the complete letter HERE
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Join the Next Stand Out at ICE in Burlington
Wednesday, February 11th
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Carpooling from UCW - departing at 10:45 a.m.
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Join us to pray, sing, and stand in solidarity with those detained by ICE at the Burlington Detention Center. We will be carpooling from UCW, departing at 10:45 AM on Wednesday, February 11.
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Conversations That Matter
Film Night
The Armor of Light - Viewing & Discussion
Wednesday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m.
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At the home of Nancy Zollers and Frank Laski -154 Oliver Rd. Waban
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On Wednesday, February 25th, we will host the next film night followed by a time for conversation and discernment together. Join us for dinner and discussion, watching the documentary The Armor of Light.
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Reading Scripture in Worship
Sharing the Stories of Our Faith
Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
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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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Coffee Host Needed
Please consider volunteering!
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Hosting a reception is a thoughtful expression of our hospitality, and it’s easier than you think! If you’re new to hosting, help is always available. Please consider volunteering for two dates this year.
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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
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to Senior Pastor, Rev. Megan Berkowitz for prayer or pastoral support.
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and her office phone is 617-965-3893
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Most weeks, Friday is a day of Sabbath for Pastor Megan. 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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