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Weekly Update
Friday, January 20, 2023
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Sunday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Loretta Saint-Louis
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This Sunday we welcome Rev. Dr. Loretta Saint-Louis., staff member with our partner denomination The American Baptist Churches. Your presence this Sunday and next is especially valuable as Rev. Dr. Loretta and our UCC partner (see below) get to know our church and support us in our search for a new Senior Pastor.
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Rev. Dr. Loretta Saint-Louis, an ordained American Baptist Minister (2017), is the Resource Coordinator for the Samuel Stillman Association of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, supporting churches in the Greater Boston area. She is also the Associate Pastor for Congregational Care at Union Baptist Church, a historic black church in Cambridge, MA.
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Rev. Dr. Saint-Louis was called to ministry in mid-life. Her MDiv (2013) is from Boston University School of Theology, where she specialized in practical theology, interested especially in diversity and inclusion and multiracial churches. Earlier in life, she earned a PhD in cultural anthropology at BU (1988) and worked as a clinical anthropologist in the Haitian Mental Health Clinic at Cambridge Hospital, then as director of multilingual interpreting for the Cambridge Health Alliance. Dr. Saint-Louis, whose ex-husband is Haitian, speaks Haitian Creole (now rusty) and reads French.
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Please plan to join us for a wonderful service with Rev. Dr. Loretta this Sunday, and stay following worship to meet her and continue the conversation.
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
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The bulletin is available HERE
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Guest Preacher on Sunday, January 29 at 10 00 a.m. (In-Person and Online)
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Once again we will be joined by a guest preacher. Our guest this week will be our denominational staff partner from the United Church of Christ who is also assisting the Search Committee in their discernment. Pastor Wendy will facilitate conversation after worship with our guests so we can build relationship and help our denominational staff partners learn more about the wonderful community of UCW.
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What’s Possible Potluck Dinner
Sunday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m.
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At The Home of Kevin Johnson and Linda Lynch in Waban
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- Is it possible to rebuild social skills lost in the pandemic?
- Is it possible to meet new people?
- Is it possible to come back to the fold?
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Your Stewardship Team thinks with God all things are possible- even calling all comers together for a dinner!
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It was exciting to hear people share what’s possible for our ministry at a gathering after worship on January 8. Now we would like to build on that excitement with a potluck dinner on Sunday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m. hosted at the home of Kevin Johnson and Linda Lynch. Kids from 1 – 99 are welcome! Mark it on your calendar and stay tuned for a Sign-up Genius with more details.
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Phase Forward- Keeping Watch
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Your Phase Forward Team continues to check in on Covid transmission rates and practices for our life together. Right now, we are in a high risk community, according to CDC definitions, which considers both the levels of infection in the community and the availability of the health care system to accommodate. In that setting, the CDC recommends masking, and for those at highest risk, avoiding gatherings in indoor spaces. We are monitoring this and still encourage masking in indoor spaces, and for those who are high risk to consider avoiding indoor gatherings. We will continue to offer Zoom options for worship for those who prefer this mode.
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We will continue to hold reception and other food events but again acknowledge that our church community will always support those who choose not to attend based on their own safety or comfort. As for singing, we acknowledge that masking is a best practice to care for those surrounding us and we leave that choice to individuals to make. We hope our diligence of attention is experienced with the care we intend as we balance all the dimensions of health and spiritual well-being.
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Exploring Grief and Loss
New Date! January 27 at noon
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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.
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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Next Book Group
Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. (zoom)
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The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer
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Please join us on February 28 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group meeting. Our book will be “The Flight Portfolio” by Julie Orringer.
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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Children Youth and Families
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Children and Sundays in January
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We are excited to begin this New Year together with faith and joy, and have a wonderful month planned for our kids on Sundays. We hope you and yours will join us!
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- Children's Ministry Team Breakfast
THIS SUNDAY, January 22, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in Pastor Amy's Office.
Anyone interested in supporting our ministries to children are invited this Sunday, as we look ahead through Lent and Easter, and plan our Sunday School and other offerings for Children this year.
- Special Music with Mijin!
Sunday, January 29
Our music director, Dr. Mijin Choi, will join the kids and teach them two new songs that we hope to share with the congregation in February.
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Exploring Our Faith and High Schoolers - This Sunday morning
Pastor Amy will gather with HSers this Sunday during Sunday School (10:15-11am) for breakfast, prayer, Bible study, and planning for our next service trip (CityReach in March). Swing by however you are for as long as you can!
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Youth Team Calendar and Planning Meeting
The Youth Team is busy at work on the calendar for the Youth Groups and Exploring Our Faith for January through June! We are planning opportunities for gathering, faith formation, and service, including our CityReach overnight in March, and would for you to be part of this meaningful and joyful ministry!
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- Youth Team (adults) Meeting
This Sunday, January 22 at 6:30 p.m. (Hybrid)
We'll have a planning meeting on January 22 at 6:30pm to finalize the calendar and assign adult leaders/chaperones. We hope you will come - all adults are welcome! Please let Pastor Amy ([email protected] )or Jane Purser ([email protected]) know if you can join us!
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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. Pastor Amy also serves off-site on Thursdays, and may not be immediately available on that day.
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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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