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Weekly Update
Friday, December 5, 2025
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Block Print: Pastor Megan
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The Second Sunday of Advent
December 7, 10:00 a.m. (In-Person and Online)
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This Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent and a Communion Sunday, when we’ll join together around the table in memory and hope.
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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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What a joy it was to gather for the annual Hanging of the Greens service last Sunday! That’s a tradition that has been stewarded by first the Deacons and now the Worship Team over many years in this church, and it is always such a beautiful way to welcome in the Advent season.
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This week, with the amazing music that led us all through this meaningful worship still ringing in my ears, I am particularly pleased and grateful to share that Karen Harvey has graciously agreed to stay on at UCW as our Interim Music Director through the end of the church year, or until the Search Committee has a candidate ready to take on the permanent Music Director role, if that occurs before June. I hope you all continue to seek Karen out and share the appreciation I’ve heard from so many of you about her work.
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The Music Director Search is underway, with James Cooke and Diane Tillotson co-chairing a committee that also includes Liz Caronna, Glenn Cunningham, John Weisz, and myself. We have been working to put together an advertisement and job description and plan to post the role at Epiphany, once the frenzy that surrounds musicians at Christmastime calms down. We will keep the church updated as we know more!
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Thank You!
Thanks to everyone who supported not just our food drive for people, but also the call for food for pets!
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Jean MacDonald shared this picture of just some of the food she was able to donate on our behalf, caring for all God’s creatures and caring for people by taking away the worry of feeding their beloved pets.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
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of your people gathered in this community.
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- We pray for Connor Hempen-Anthony who is preparing for surgery next week, and for his family and medical team as they support him. We pray for healing, comfort, and all good care for Connor.
- Continued prayers for comfort and strength 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.
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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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Our Advent Season Preparations Have Begun
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Christmas Pageant- Participants Wanted
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The annual Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 21st, and we are looking for people of all ages to take part! No need to be a seasoned performer, there is a place for everyone in this joyful celebration. Join with the many generations of UCW as together we tell the story of Jesus' birth.
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If you are interested in participating please email Katie at [email protected]
by Friday, Dec. 12th.
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Christmas Poinsettias & Dedications
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This Sunday, December 7,
is last day to submit your
dedications details.
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Our Advent season preparations have begun! We have decorated 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.
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- 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).
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Please Donate to UCW's Mitten Tree!
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It is once again time for our annual holiday mitten tree. Please look for the mittens adorning our tree as of Sunday, Nov. 30 or use the link above to make a donation to our "virtual" online mitten tree.
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All gifts should be left under the tree at church by noon on Sunday, Dec. 14th. Please contact Erika Pond ([email protected]) if you have any questions. Thank you for giving generously this holiday season!
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Who are the recipients of our Mitten Tree gifts?
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The gifts you bring to our Mitten Tree are delivered to two separate organizations supporting our neighbors who were once homeless or at risk of being homeless. Your gift may be the only Christmas present they receive. With it you are sending love and an acknowledgement that you see them as worthy this Christmas season.
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Project Care & Concern (PCC) supports those who were once homeless and are now living in supported, congregate housing. They are elderly and/or disabled and usually without any family. The housing was created as alternatives to homeless shelters. For many, these rooms were to be a transition opportunity to achieve housing, however the critical lack of affordable housing availability has left these neighbors without opportunities to transition.
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Boston Healthcare for the Homeless (BHH) works to provide high-quality, compassionate care to Boston families experiencing housing insecurity. In addition to medical services, the team helps families navigate critical resources, including clothing, food, toiletries, housing support, and childcare. By partnering with shelters and community organizations, the Family Team ensures children and their parents receive not only healthcare, but broader, ongoing support.
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Thank you for joyfully giving in support of our neighbors in need!
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Stand Out at Burlington Ice Detention Center
Join us this coming Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Recently, Brita Gill-Austern, Alison McCarty and Nancy Zollers joined almost 500 Faith leaders and concerned citizens for a Stand Out in front of the Burlington Ice Detention Center. The purpose of the Stand Out is to support the disappeared and detained incarcerated there and to decry the ICE actions in our communities. We heard about the treatment of the immigrants inside this facility, how we can support families, and we were read the rights we are entitled to as declared in our Constitution.
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If you would like to learn more or join UCW folks at the next Stand Out on
December 10, see Brita Gill- Austern.
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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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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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