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Weekly Update
Friday, February 20, 2025
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February 22, 10:00 a.m.
The First Sunday in Lent (In-Person and Online)
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This Sunday we begin our Lenten journey through the wilderness, exploring the tools that offer us protection along the way and continuing our travels through John’s Gospel.
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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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Living with Loss
New Supportive Group for Adults beginning at UCW this Spring
All of us live with loss in our lives in so many ways: the death of spouses, children, parents, and other loved ones; the loss of our own or loved ones’ capacity due to illness and aging; the loss of work or other roles that give us a sense of meaning and purpose; and so many more losses. If you are in a season of living with loss and would like to be in supportive spiritual community with others, please join us.
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This group will gather and discuss personal experiences of past, present, and ongoing loss. Important themes will be woven throughout sessions as we share in silence and meditation, prayer, ritual, music, art, scripture, other readings, poetry, podcasts, and more as helpful tools through which we come to understand, process, and live with our loss. This group will not be focused on fixing or solving anything, but rather with understanding loss as a companion in our lives and with being companions to one another in our journeys.
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We will begin meeting monthly in late March through June, take a break with just one Zoom meeting over the summer, and then resume in September. Meetings will last 90 minutes and will take place in person at church. We ask those who are interested to commit to the group (not necessarily every single session, but an intention to attend most months for continuity of community). If you are interested, please let us know your preference for days and times: Sundays 11:30-1pm, weekdays during the day, or weekday evenings.
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This group will be led by Pastor Megan, Brita Gill-Austern, and Molly Owen-Kiritsy; Megan and Molly will begin the group this spring, and then Brita will join Molly in leading during Pastor Megan’s parental leave this fall. If you are interested, please send Pastor Megan ([email protected]) an email to let us 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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- 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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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 7:00 p.m. at the
church. The 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!
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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Advocates for Rights and Justice
Conversations That Matter
Film Night
The Armor of Light - Viewing & Discussion
Wednesday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m.
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RSVP to Nancy Zollers HERE for dinner planning
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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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Ministry of Nicaragua Update - Feb. 2026
Building momentum and strengthening our partnerships in our ministry of Nicaragua!
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Frank and David recently returned from a visit to Nicaragua, where they spent time strengthening relationships with the church’s long-standing partners and witnessing firsthand how God’s love and light continue to be shared throughout the community.
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The Mobile Library remains vibrant and active. They continue supporting local schools with reading programs and activities as well as providing the same in the San Juan Del Sur Library along with 3D printing. The Library has added an additional service by offering technology training to students supported by the Brugger Foundation. This additional work is helping prepare young adults from very rural barrios with practical skills as they move toward university studies providing a greater chance for success.
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The church’s Brugger Foundation scholarship students and alumni continue to thrive. Many are actively engaged in their communities while pursuing education or their careers. Their stories reflect perseverance, growth, and a deep desire to serve — a powerful reminder of how investing in people allows God’s light to multiply far beyond what is first seen.
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At Alfa y Omega Church, the needs of the surrounding community are increasing, and the church’s commitment to serve remains steadfast. Leadership shared both the challenges they face and their hope to expand capacity so they can continue sharing God’s love and light with families, children, and those most in need.
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Technology training in action.
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Student dinner with current
students, alumni and
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After meeting with some of the board of directors, Frank and David toured Alfa y Omega’s expansion to provide more space for their ministry.
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Throughout the visit, Frank and David met directly with partner leaders to listen, learn, and reflect together on successes, needs, and hopes for the future. These conversations strengthened trust and helped lay important groundwork for continued collaboration. Bearing witness with the people face to face and looking into their eyes was quite moving and valuable.
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This visit affirmed that there is real momentum in Nicaragua. The partnerships are strong, the ministries are growing, and the impact is tangible. These relationships are paving the way for a future group church trip.
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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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