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Weekly Update
Friday, December 16, 2022
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Fourth Sunday in Advent
Special Music Sunday and Dedications
December 18 at 10:00 a.m.(in Person & Online)
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The choir, special singers and musicians will offer us the gift of music.
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As we connect through generations, this Sunday we will continue our annual tradition of including in the bulletin a dedication list of the names of those you would like to Remember, Celebrate, or Honor.
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We also share photos of your family and loved ones. You can either bring a copy of your photo(s) to worship or upload your digital photo at the links provided below.
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Christmas Offering 2022
This year, the Christmas offering will benefit our
long-standing mission partnership in Nicaragua.
You can donate to ongoing and future mission efforts for our friends and partners in the community of San Juan del Sur by using the special envelopes in the Sunday bulletin, or by making an online donation using button below.
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May God continue to bless this ministry richly!
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To join Sunday Worship on Zoom:
Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
The bulletin is available HERE
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More service details HERE
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Help Shape the Future of UCW Mission Programs!
The mission committee is convening a Mission Visioning Event targeted for late January or early February. Everyone is encouraged to come: Whether you surely lead half the mission activities, or surely don’t know what UCW means by mission in the first place, the discussion will be enriched by your involvement.
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With several mission programs having reached their end, it’s a good time for big picture thinking about the future. Here are some of the issues we’ll consider:
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- What have our most effective programs had in common and how can we build on that learning?
- How can we think about mission both from the inside – what do we have to offer – and from our neighbors/partners– what needs can we meet or partner to address?”
- How can we design a mission program for depth and focus?
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Please email Kevin at [email protected] if you want to attend, he’ll be doodling to find the best date soon. Even if you can’t attend in person there will be ample opportunity for input by other means.
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Christmas Cards to Our Partner at Partakers
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We would like to invite all members of the church to send a Christmas card/note to Peter Bin who is incarcerated at MCI Concord. Peter is working on his bachelor’s degree while incarcerated and we have been mentoring him through the Partakers program for the last year and a half. We are impressed by his positive attitude, his hunger to learn, and gentle disposition. This season can be challenging for Peter and we feel being flooded with cards would surprise him and brighten his days.
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Anya Bassett and Carol Bascom-Slack
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Note: There are restrictions on sending mail to the prison: No glitter, no inserts, no staples. It is best to send a simple card with a nice handwritten note. A handmade card or drawing would also be appropriate as long as there is no glitter or glued pieces. Simple is better! Please use the return address noted below.
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Team Peter at Union Church
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Upcoming Sundays - Advent for All Generations
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Christmas Eve
Saturday, Dec. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
We hope everyone will join us for this special service
for all ages of lessons and carols, with a candle-lit singing of
Silent Night, and interactive elements for little ones.
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Christmas Day
Sunday, Dec. 25 at 10 00 a.m. (In-Person only)
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Christmas morning worship will be held in a circle in Memorial Chapel. Led by Co-Moderator Jaap van Reijendam, the service will provide space for singing, community and reflection. This service will be in-person only. Merry Christmas!
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Exploring Grief and Loss
Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m.
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With gratitude to Tom Vawter for the suggestion, on the Longest Night, December 21, Pastor Wendy will open a discussion on grief guided by the podcast All There Is. The podcast, created by Anderson Cooper of CNN, explores grief and loss. In the episodes Cooper engages in a series of emotional and moving conversations about the people we lose, the things they leave behind, and how to live on - with loss, with laughter, and with love. In a prayerful atmosphere we will listen to the podcast together, pausing for conversation.
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You can hear a trailer about the podcast here.
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We will meet in the Meeting Room at church, across from the Church Office. Please let Pastor Wendy know if you plan to attend [email protected]
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Nicaragua Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Saturday, January 7
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All Are Invited !!!!!
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Please all join us for food, fun, stories and inspiration as we celebrate 20 + years of mission work in NIcaragua. Come to see the stories, hear from the people and just have a fun night of fellowship. Saturday night January 7th at 6PM right here at the Church. Don't miss this opportunity that could only come after 20 years !! Whether you have traveled there, supported the mission from home or just want to have a great night and be part of the fun. RSVP and for more info click here ------ Celebration Info or RSVP here
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What’s Possible? Share Your Vision
Sunday, January 8 after Worship
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Stop by after church on January 8 to share your vision of
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what’s possible in the coming years at UCW.
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We’ll talk about where we want UCW to go,
and how to get there. Bring your ideas.
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The Stewardship team will bring the snacks!
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Also, Save the Evening
Sunday, February 5
for the
“What’s possible?” Potluck Dinner
All Are Welcome!
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UCW Book Group (Zoom)
Next Meeting - January 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Diamonds and Deadlines by Betsy Prioleau
Please join us on Tuesday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group meeting. We decided not to meet in December and, instead move our January meeting earlier in the month. Our book will be “Diamonds and Deadlines: A Tale of Greed, Deceit and a Female Tycoon in the Gilded Age” by Betsy Prioleau. You will find a zoom link and sign-in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody ([email protected])
Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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Union Church Senior Pastor Listing is Live
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The Search Committee has moved into the public and confidential phase of their work. This week, the profile was listed with the national United Church of Christ website and has also been sent to the American Baptist staff. Pastoral candidates can now view the listing HERE. You may use this link to share information with interested clergy from your networks. Will you pray for the Search Committee and their partnership with God discerning a new Senior Pastor?
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Children Youth and Families
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Kids and Families in Advent!
Kids & Families
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We have an Advent season full of peace, hope, joy, and love ahead for children and families, and we hope you and yours will join us! Please see the list of Upcoming Sundays above for many intergenerational services and activities including:
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Christmas Eve – Dec. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
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We hope all families will join us for this special service for all ages of lessons and carols, with a candle-lit singing of Silent Night, and interactive elements for little ones.
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February 2023 Service Trip
February 18 - 26
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After a discussion and thoughtful discernment about politics, local needs, covid and trip safety, it was decided with joy by the Nicaragua Task Force that a Feb. 2023 service trip to Nicaragua is going to be planned. As the trip is fast approaching (Feb. 18 - 26), please let David Spertner (dspertner@gmail) if you are interested in going or want to learn more.
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Advocates For Racial Justice (ARJ)
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The Climate Impact of Your Neighborhood Mapped
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Anyone who cares about climate policy really needs to pay a lot more attention to housing. Read complete article HERE .
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Newton Freedge: Volunteers Needed
Click the signup link below for time slots available.
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Our team of volunteers helps keep Freege running one Saturday a month. Please use the the link below, or reach out to Vinita Leslie, Karen O'Beirne or Erika Pond to learn more or to join our team.
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Despite Newton’s image as an affluent suburb, too many of our neighbors struggle to put food on their tables. The Newton Freedge is one way we can help. A free, 24/7 outdoor refrigerator and pantry, the Freedge provides free food and personal supplies to anyone who needs them.
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
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Every Sunday after worship we gather on the stage for a time of fellowship. This reception is hosted each Sunday by different members of the congregation.
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Reception Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up
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If you are joining our Sunday worship, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services.
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Pastoral Care Connections
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During this time of transition, please know that your church is here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Pastors Wendy or Amy for prayer or pastoral support:
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Mondays are days off for both pastors. If you have a pastoral need, please reach out to Pastor Wendy this week.
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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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