|
|
|
|
|
Weekly Update
Friday, November 14, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
November 16 at 10:00 a.m. (In-Person and Online)
|
|
|
|
|
This Sunday, Brita Gill-Austern will preach on the story of Mary and Martha from Luke’s Gospel and continue our theme of learning from the leaders, prophets, and apostles from the Bible and Christian History.
|
|
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
|
|
The bulletin is available HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at UCW these days! I wanted to be sure everyone is up-to-date, even on processes that are in quieter phases right now.
|
We are wrapping up the information-gathering portion of the visioning process and will move into data analysis by our consultant before beginning the process of turning all of that data from all of your thoughtful participation in sessions into a strategic plan. The Visioning Team will continue to keep everyone updated about the timeline and other ways to be involved going forward.
|
Nominating has put together a fabulous Music Director Search Team, which will begin to meet and lay out the process for a permanent hire. Meantime, Karen Harvey has been outstanding in the Bridge role and, together with myself and Katie, has exciting plans in the works for worship in Advent and Christmas.
|
Mission is prayerfully discerning possibilities for the use of Capital Campaign funds the congregation set aside for sustainable mission work with our existing partners. If you have an idea of a project you’d like to see take shape, you can get in touch with David Spertner and Frank Laski about the guidelines and to share your idea.
|
More to come! If there’s something in particular you’d like to see an update to the congregation about, let me know.
|
|
|
|
|
A Note About Pastor Megan’s Schedule
I will be away from the church for professional development from 11/14-11/20.
Worship will be in excellent hands, with Brita Gill-Austern preaching this Sunday.
Brita (who, for those who do not know, is a pastor and longtime professor of Pastoral Care in addition to being a beloved member of this congregation) will also be on call this week for urgent pastoral care needs.
She can be reached at 617-851-6871.
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 Nancy Zollers at [email protected].
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 will allow me to return to you all with full energy leading into Advent this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loving God, hear the prayers
|
of your people gathered in this community.
|
- Prayers for strength and healing for Betty O’Beirne as she navigates medical challenges, and prayers for Jay, Karen, Aden, Buz, and the rest of their family as they support her.
- As the weather turns cold 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.
|
|
If you have other prayers of concern or celebration you
|
|
would like lifted up in community, please email
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Advent Season Preparations Have Begun
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christmas Poinsettias and Annual Dedications
|
Our Advent season preparations have begun! Our annual Hanging of the Greens service will be on Sunday, November 30, when we will decorate our Sanctuary with live plants. We are also preparing our annual Family and Friends Dedications list for inclusion in our Advent Sunday bulletins on December 14 and 21.
|
|
|
Please submit by
Sunday, November 30
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Each donation of $25.00 will be used to purchase an 8" Poinsettia.
- You will have the option to take the poinsettias you have dedicated home with you after the Christmas Eve evening service.
- Payment can be made online when submitting your order or by mailing or
dropping off a check at the church office (payable to The Union Church in Waban, memo: Poinsettias).
|
|
|
Connecting as an Intergeneration Community
|
|
|
|
|
|
UCW Game Night is Back!
This Sunday, Nov. 16 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
|
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.
|
|
This is a great chance for intergenerational connection, and a great way for families to spend time together!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday, November 20 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, www.ucw.org
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek
Eliot Church of Newton
First Church in Chestnut Hill
Myrtle Baptist Church
Newton Presbyterian Church
Newton Highlands Congregational Church
|
|
Second Church in Newton
St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish
Temple Beth Avodah
Temple Shalom
The Union Church in Waban
United Parish of Auburndale
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
JAVA Gents
Friday Morning, November 21 at 7:00 a.m.
(In-Person, Littlehale Meeting Room)
|
JAVA Gents is the informal get-together of the men of the UCW congregation (and community). The group ais to provide friendly fellowship and mutual support. We will enjoy a lively discussion of timely topics as well as personal goings on in our lives.
|
|
|
|
|
Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Dan Heffernan if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Java Gents mailing list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(left to right) Adraya Martin, Iyanis Wallace & Sherly Ariasosé
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
José Ismael Núñez Rivera (center left) and Sarahí Franchesca Mendoza Altamirano (center right) with David Spertner and Amy Clark Feldman
|
|
|
|
|
|
Many many thanks to all of you who have contributed to the Jenny Fund! In celebration of Jenny’s November birthday, and your generosity, I am writing (together with daughters Dawn and Alli) to provide an update on the 2025 scholarship recipients. This report includes the name, referral organization and a personal statement written by each of the seven students selected to receive a Jenny Fund Scholarship for the current- academic year. All students have received their 2025 award, have enrolled in college, and have begun classes. Support is being provided by the Jenny Fund through the Fundacion A. Jean Brugger in Nicaragua and through 10,000 Degrees in the U.S. Both organizations generously provide academic and social support as well as supplemental funding, as needed, to ensure that the students have what they need to stay in school and succeed. Our plan is to continue to support Jenny Fund students who stay on track academically through all four years of college.
|
|
....continue reading HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mission Committee Updates
The Community Connections time in worship this month has briefly described Mission programs and invited you to join!
|
- GBIO: Attend a "house meeting" with a few folks to tell your story about the advocacy needs now for repairing what is not working for people in Massachusetts. See Frank Laski
- Family Navigation Center: Volunteer with more of the UCW partnership programs and complete required Cori forms. See Rev. Megan
- Nicaragua: You can join Games with Nica Students online which are in
English / Spanish and most probably some Spanglish . See David Spertner
- Advocates for Rights and Justice ARJ: You can join the stand out in support of people detained by ICE in Burlington detention center every Wednesday
And you can attend a Film Night to learn about White Christian Nationalism and its agenda. See Brita Gill Austern
|
- Our Thanksgiving Dinner this year is a revised outreach program based on the needs of families while SNAP, and other supports, have been cancelled and have changed some of the needs in the community. We will create grocery lists based on each family's needs and shop and deliver the needed items to them. Be on the look out soon for opportunities to volunteer.
- The Mission Committee will continue leading a food insecurity effort (two deliveries have already been made). If you want to be involved we are still collecting food items (See what's needed) at Church through Sunday Nov. 23 for the Newton Food Pantry. You can pray for the people who are being affected, you can contribute to Project Bread HERE , and/or write letters to our elected representatives.
|
Thank you for your generosity, compassion, and action.
The Mission Committee
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reading Scripture in Worship
Sharing the Stories of Our Faith
Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coffee Host Needed
Please consider volunteering!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Making Space - Stewardship Campaign
|
|
This year’s Stewardship theme is Making Space. Read the full letter from Chair Kent Wittler and the Stewardship Committee here .
|
|
Submit Your Pledge HERE - Thank You!
|
|
|
|
Pastoral Care Connections
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Senior Pastor, Rev. Megan Berkowitz for prayer or pastoral support.
|
|
and her office phone is 617-965-3893
|
|
|
Most weeks, Friday is a day of Sabbath for Pastor Megan. With a pastoral emergency, please don't hesitate to reach out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Live the Love & Justice Jesus Taught
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
