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Weekly Update
Friday, November 7, 2025
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Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
November 9 at 10:00 a.m. (In-Person and Online)
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This Sunday, Katie Brown-Bright, our Bridge Associate for Children, Youth, and Families, will be leading service while Pastor Megan is away. We will read the story of Samuel together and consider what it means to listen for God’s call in our lives.
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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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A Few Spots Left on Sunday for Visioning
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We are holding our last scheduled session at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, in person, at UCW. If you haven't participated but would like to, either in Sunday's session or in any further ones that get scheduled, please email [email protected]. Your voice and vision matter and we want to hear from you!
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( More about our Visoning process HERE.)
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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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A Note About Pastor Megan’s Schedule
I will be on vacation from 11/3-11/9, return from 11/10-11/13, and then will be away from the church for professional development from 11/14-11/20. Worship will be in excellent hands, with both Katie and Brita preaching these two Sundays.
During this time, you have several options if you are in need of care:
-Rev. Cheryl Kerr of United Parish Auburndale will be on call for urgent pastoral care needs. She can be reached at [email protected] or 617-688-8619.
-If your need is not urgent but you’d like to speak with a Deacon about a need for prayer, meals, a visit, or another care need, email Molly Owen-Kiritsy from 11/3-11/9, or Nancy Zollers from 11/14-11/20.
Please understand that I will not be answering emails/calls/texts from church while I am away, and please be patient, as it may take some time for me to respond when I return given the timing. Time away with family and with colleagues nourishes my spirit, refreshes my ministry, and allows me to return to you all with full energy leading into Advent this year.
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Connecting as an Intergeneration Community
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UCW Game Night is Back!
Sunday, Nov. 16 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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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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This is a great chance for intergenerational connection, and a great way for families to spend time together!
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
Remember, Resist, and Rise Interfaith Service
Thursday, November 20 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
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First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St, Newton
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Together, we will honor the lives of trans and gender-expansive people past and present, mourn those lost to anti-trans violence, and lift up a vision of a future grounded in justice and joy.
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Sponsored by the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton and co-sponsored by Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, Eliot Church of Newton, First Church in Chestnut Hill, Myrtle Baptist Church, Newton Highlands Congregational Church, Newton Presbyterian Church, Second Church in Newton, St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Temple Beth Avodah, Temple Shalom, The Union Church in Waban, and United Parish of Auburndale, this service is an opportunity to come together in love, resilience, and solidarity as we remember, resist, and rise.
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If interested, you can also join a pickup choir on the night of the event, with rehearsal beginning at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in singing, please let Pastor Megan know.
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Mission Committee Urgent Update
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SNAP (food assistance) benifits have been discontinued as of Nov. 1st,
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We want to alert you to a critical situation: many families in our community are facing severe food insecurity. Because SNAP (food assistance) benefits have been discontinued as of November 1st, access to sufficient, healthy food is now more difficult than ever.
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Most Needed Donated goods:
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Here are the items our local food pantry in Newton has indicated are in high demand:
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- Canned vegetables (low-sodium preferred)
- Canned fruit (in juice, not syrup)
- Canned beans (black beans, kidney beans, etc)
- Whole grain pasta & rice
- Healthy cereals or oatmeal
- Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
- Peanut butter or other nut butters
- Canned tuna or salmon
- Healthy snacks (granola bars, fruit cups)
- Diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6) and baby wipes
- Paper goods: toilet paper, tissues
- Hygiene items: soap, shampoo, toothpaste
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Please choose items that are not expired, and bring them to the church.
Together we can make a real difference.
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- Pray - Pray in you own way for a resolution
- Donate food items — We are collecting non-perishable goods now at the Church to deliver to our local food pantry in Newton.
- Monetary support — Donations will not fully cover the gap left by the SNAP cut-offs. We ask you to consider a gift to Project Bread, the Massachusetts-based hunger relief organization working to strengthen food access and advocate for policy change.
- Advocacy — Please contact your U.S. Congressman/woman and urge immediate action to reverse or mitigate the cancellation of SNAP benefits, and to protect other food assistance programs. Our neighbors cannot afford to wait.
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Thank you for your generosity, compassion, and action.
The Mission Committee
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Mission Committee Seeks Your Input & Suggestions
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The mission committee is meeting this coming Wednesday, November 12 and we are looking for ways to support and enhance our existing partnerships with the use of the capital campaign funds. We would like to decide over our next two meetings how we can put to good work these funds.
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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 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 see the Note About Pastor Megan’s Schedule in the Pastor's Blog section above detailing Pastor Megan's availability and schedule in upcoming weeks.
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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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