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Weekly Update
Friday, October 24, 2025
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Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
October 26 at 10:00 a.m. (In-Person and Online)
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This Sunday, we will return to the stories of our ancestors in faith with one reading from the Book of Daniel and one about John the Baptist, both considering a faithful response to corrupt authorities.
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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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Many of you have heard me quote Julian of Norwich, a mystic nun from the 14th century: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” I often repeat this phrase in a lighthearted way, but in truth, I do not mean it flippantly, and Julian of Norwich certainly did not.
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She heard these words spoken to her in a vision of Jesus while she was near death, shortly before recovering and going on to pray and write for over thirty more years.
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She had asked why God allowed humanity to cause such ill in the world, why sin existed and why people were given the freedom of will that led to such pain, and received these words as a response.
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Julian goes on to describe how she understood that God’s love and compassion, made known to us in Jesus, will ultimately reign beyond any human-made ills. Through grace, she explains, we can withstand the sorrows of the world and our lives, and be strengthened to follow in God’s way instead.
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It is not fatalism, nor empty optimism, then, but a promise of faith that I cling to, and I hope you can too. In God, through Christ, through the grace of the Spirit: all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
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of your people gathered in this community.
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- As the weather turns colder and the light fades in the evenings, 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.
- 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.
- 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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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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We have been engaged in a Vision and Strategic Planning initiative and want to invite YOU to join us and help us chart UCW's journey!
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We've talked over more than a year about the importance of taking stock of the good work we have been engaged in together and discerning our call for the future. This is not the first time such planning has happened in our congregation, and this work builds upon all that has already been discerned and gathered.
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Many of you were present for our consultant, Rev. Dr. Claire Bamberg, launching the official start of this initiative in worship and a congregational meeting. If you weren't there in person and haven't yet been able to watch the recordings, they are still available HERE .
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Our facilitators have been trained and are ready to welcome you into small-group listening sessions over the next several weeks, in which all who want to participate can make your voices heard in this process.
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Please choose three times in the coming weeks that will work for you, and rank them in order of preference (1= most desirable). We are committed to making sure you get one of the three time slots you choose. If slots all fill, we will add more until everyone who wishes to participate has done so.
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Reminders: Do not plan to be in a group with a spouse, partner, child, SO, or dear friend. Please fill this out ASAP -- sessions will begin this weekend! -- and please watch for the notice of the time you have been assigned. There are both in-person and online options. Finally, please be on time. There will be no more than five other people in your group, and it cannot start without you!
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The Visioning Team is grateful for your engagement in this process and looking forward to sharing the anonymous information collected in these sessions with the whole congregation later this fall.
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Questions? Reach out to Pastor Megan, Susan H.S., Amy M., or Alan C.
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Welcome to the new church year! Sign-ups are now open!
Almost all Sundays are currently available, you are invited to pick a date!
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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 spring.
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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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Live the Love & Justice Jesus Taught
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If you’re seeking ways to live out God’s love and justice at this moment in history, I invite you to look through the Southern New England Conference of the UCC’s new “Take Action” page on their website.
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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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