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Weekly Update
Friday, February 13, 2025
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February 15, 10:00 a.m.
Transfiguration Sunday (In-Person and Online)
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This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, the last in the season between Epiphany and Lent, and though John’s Gospel doesn’t include a version of the transfiguration, we’ll explore God’s light, made known to us in Jesus and transforming us all the time.
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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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This Sunday, following worship
“a time to speak, a time to listen”
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During reception time this Sunday, you are invited to join us for a GBIO listening session in the Vestry right after worship service . Take time to share your views about what matters most for the GBIO social justice action campaign in the year ahead (see Outreach section below for more GBIO information).
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Have you been following the Olympics? This year, a dear friend of mine is in Milan covering the Games as a journalist for the Associated Press, so I’ve been following the news and also her reports from being present there. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to go see the Olympics in person and having a close friend there is almost (almost…) as good.
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I find the Olympic ideal – bringing people from around the world together in peaceful community – to be extremely moving, and while we are far from knowing peace all throughout the world during these Games, and often far from living up to the Olympic ideals, there is still something so special about watching, even from afar. Watching the athletes from war-torn countries show up and advocate for their homelands; listening to US athletes using their platforms to advocate for an end to ICE cruelty; seeing the ways athletes support one another even as they are competing on the world stage.
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It is a glimpse of the world as it can be, the world on Earth as it is in Heaven, the Peaceable Realm. Only a glimpse, and far from perfect, but worth lifting up and enjoying all the same.
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FamilyAid Updates
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Resceduled Guest & Presentation, Sunday, March 15
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Our partnership with the FamilyAid West Newton Family Navigation Center continues to deepen. We’ll welcome Larry Seamans, President and CEO of FamilyAid, for a rescheduled presentation in worship on March 15th.
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Support Rescheduled Winter Walk, Sunday, March 22
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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UCW Servcie Project, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026
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Loving God, hear the prayers
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of your people gathered in this community.
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- We continue to pray for Dan Heffernan as he recovers 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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Second Annual Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service
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Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Second Church in Newton,
60 Highland Street, West Newton, MA 0246
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Save the date! Our second annual ecumenical Ash Wednesday service is 2/18 at 7:00 p.m. at Second Church in Newton. Join six ecumenical churches for an evening of prayer, music, meditation, and ashes—plus a joint choir for anyone who’d like to sing together.
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Tools for Survival in the Wilderness
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Sunday Worship
Each Sunday throughout
Lent, we'll gather around
sacred stories and traditions
to explore the tools our faith
offers us for surviving the
wildernesses of our lives
and the world around us.
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Small Groups
Meeting Tuesdays at noon on
Zoom or Thursdays at 7pm at the
church, these small groups will
give an opportunity for learning,
fellowship, and spiritual
deepening. Contact Pastor Megan
to join.
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Download our Family guide with at home activities to explore our Lent theme as a family. This guide has weekly guided conversations that are designed to help you talk as a family about injustice in the world and start to show your kids some of the tools they will need to navigate the wilderness.
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Download the Lent Guide HERE
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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Mark Your Calendars!
Lunch Bunch
This 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 please rsvp to Molly Owen-Kiritsy or Pastor Megan by Sunday 2/15. Thanks!
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Mark Your Calendars!
Intergenerational Board Game Night
Sunday, March 8 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
(In-Person, Littlehale Meeting Room)
Join us for a fun night of games! Bring your favorite game or just come ready to play. We’ll meet in the Littlehale room and have pizza and snacks.
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All ages are welcome! This is a great chance for intergenerational connection, and a great way for families to spend time together!
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UCW Joined Stand Out at ICE in Burlington
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UCW folks attending, Nancy, Jane, Lisa, Brita, Kent, Alison, plus Gary & Frank (not pictured)
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This past Wedenesday, Februaru 11, joining with many churches and synagogues, Union Church stood in solidarity again at the Burlington Detention Center praying and singing for the terrified people there incarcerated in abysmal conditions. (See WBUR story below). The stories of the people incarcerated at this facility are getting worse each week.
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In early 2026, several members of Congress were denied entry for oversight visits following reports of inhumane conditions, including detainees being held for extended periods (over 10 days) without access to showers or beds. We pray for the captured, their families and the ice agents who do this work.
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ICE holding immigrants in 'abysmal' conditions at Burlington office building, read WBUR story HERE )
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This Sunday, Feb. 15, following Worship
“a time to speak, a time to listen”
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During reception time this Sunday, you are invited to join us for a GBIO listening session in the Vestry right after worship service . Take time to share your views about what matters most for the GBIO social justice action campaign in the year ahead. . Tell us your story and lend your voice to the power of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.
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De-ICE Citizens: GBIO Teach-In and Organizing Assembly
Thursday, February 19, 2026 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
GBIO has the opportunity to combat the expanding power and cruelty of ICE and ICE detention centers. Learn more. Strategize together. Be part of the action
Hyde Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, 6 Webster St, Hyde Park, MA 02136 Thursday, February 19, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
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For more information or to car pool contact
Frank Laski, [email protected] 508-654-8567
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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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