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Weekly Update
Friday, January 27. 2023
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This Sunday

Sunday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)

Guest Preacher: Rev. Alex Shea Will, Area Conference Minister, UCC

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Your presence this Sunday is especially valuable as Rev. Alex Shea Will, Area Conference Minister UCC (see below) gets to know our church and support us in our search for a new Senior Pastor.

Rev. Alex Shea Will is the Area Conference Minister, for the Northeast Region, of the Southern New England Conference, UCC. In this role he advises and supports the congregations, pastors, and associations of the region as they discover how God is calling them to be the Church in a new era. Alex is a native of the Boston, Massachusetts area. He received a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Catawba College, a UCC affiliated school. In his free time you'll likely find him enjoying rugby, basketball, or soccer.
Please plan to join us for a wonderful service with Rev. Alex Shea Will this Sunday, and stay following worship to meet him and continue the conversation.

Dr. Mijin Choi, our music director, will also be joining the kids for part of Sunday School as we prepare to share the gift of music in worship in March. We hope children and youth will join us!
Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
The bulletin is available HERE

Upcoming Sundays

February 5 at 10 00 a.m. (In-Person and Online)

We will continue to joyfully engage with our stewardship theme of "What's Possible" in this special Communion Sunday. Pastor Wendy will preach as we remember how Jesus calls us to both be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world.

February 12 at 10 00 a.m. (In-Person & Online)

This is a full morning for our church and we hope you will join us for all or part! We'll join in worship together as we remember how God works to grow the seeds we plant and water.

During worship, our Youth Group will lead a bake-sale for our Nicaragua ministries, and younger children will have their own special gathering during worship, preparing for Lent and Valentines Day, and having fun connecting.


....and following worship on the twelfth!

Council All-Church Luncheon with Special Offerings for Kids and Youth

We hope everyone will also plan to join us downstairs following worship for a special all-church luncheon to hear updates about the life of our church, and share in discussion about future plans. Childcare and special activities for kids will be available during this time for those who would like.

SAVE THE DATE!!!

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What’s Possible Potluck Dinner

Sunday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m.

At The Home of Kevin Johnson and Linda Lynch in Waban
What’s possible?
  • 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?
Your Stewardship Team thinks with God all things are possible- even calling all comers together for a dinner!
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!

Sign up HERE

Mission Matters

Help Plan the Future for Mission Programs at UCW!

WHEN? Wednesday, February 8 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

WHERE? At The Home of Kevin Johnson and Linda Lynch

131 Windsor Road in Waban


At a time of transition, the future of Mission Programming at UCW is ours to shape.
Come one, come all to share your thoughts (over a dinner)!!
  • What do we want Mission to do and to be?
  • How can we design mission activities so they work for more of us and help more people?
  • What do we prioritize? What are our strengths that we draw on to have impact?
  • How much is too much, too little, & just the right amount to take on?

Whether you’ve run many mission programs or

are not sure what it really means,

we want to hear from you!

Housing Mission Accomplished At Last

After a long legal process the Engine 6 supporters prevail.
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Ten years ago, when we heard plans to house formerly homeless persons at the Engine 6 fire house down on Beacon Street, members of the Union Church offered their support and assistance to welcome the new neighbors. When the Mayor blocked the Engine 6 project reacting to loud NIMBY protests, twenty-three residents including UCW members filed a discrimination complaint with the federal government (HUD) demanding that the city be required to build the units planned for the Engine 6 development.

After a long legal process the Engine 6 supporters prevailed and this Spring the required number of permanent supported housing units for formerly homeless persons will be completed and occupied as part of the new affordable housing complex at Golda Meir House on Stanton Road. Again, UCW is prepared to welcome our new neighbors.

Nicaragua News

Marvin Scholarship

Scholarship Student Marvin Collado
Enters Final Year of Nursing School

The beginning of January marks the beginning of the school year in Nicaragua. As you may know, we have been sponsoring college students as well as engaging with them since 2008. Over the last four years we have sponsored Marvin Collado who is a nursing student. Marvin works alongside us when we are in country and very much appreciates our Church wide support.

As he begins his fifth and final year we wish him all the best of luck and look forward to graduation day in December. A fantastic milestone !

All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation

February Book Group

Next Book Group


Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. (zoom)

The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer
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

Children Youth and Families

Mini Mission hands

Children and Sundays this Winter


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!

  • Sunday, January 29 - Music-Making!
    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 March. It's going to be a great Sunday and we hope you will join us!
  • Sunday, February 12 - Lenten Art and Valentine's Day This is going to be a special Sunday in the life of our church -- If you can only make it one Sunday in February, we hope this will be the weekend! Kids will gather a special breakfast - come in PJ's if you want! - along with art projects for Valentine's Day, and Lent.
  • After Worship on February 12 - All-Church Council Lunch and Kids' ActivitiesAt 11am, everyone is invited to gather downstairs in the church for a special lunch and gathering (done in time for the Super Bowl!). Please come, even if you can't make it to worship. Childcare and special activities for the kids will continue!

Youth Team Calendar - A Great Winter and Spring Coming Up!

The Youth Team is busy at work on the calendar for the Youth Groups and Exploring Our Faith for January through June, and we hope to send it to families by early next week. We are planning opportunities for gathering, faith formation, and service, and would for you to be part of this meaningful and joyful ministry! A few highlights include:

  • Feb 11-12 - Nicaragua Bake Sale: We'll gather to prepare on Saturday at 1pm, and then set up the Bake Sale during worship on Sunday, Feb 12th. We hope all Middle and High School Youth (and anyone else who likes baking!) will participate. All money gathered will go directly to purchase food and supplies for the children of Nicaragua during our visit over February break.
  • March 10-11 - CityReach: We are hoping high school youth will be able to participate in CityReach with our unhoused siblings on Boston Common in March. Please start looking through your closets for any Spring clothing and toiletries you may want to donate!

Advocates for Racial Justice (ARJ)

Housing is Everything

Housing is Everything
The Union Church, joined with other Newton Houses of Worship as the Newton Interfaith Coalition for Housing Equity, and prepared testimony for City Council consideration in zoning reform for more abundant and affordable housing.
As Newton’s Clergy, faith leaders and representatives of NICHE, the Newton Interfaith Coalition for Housing Equity, we have kept informed and participated in the zoning and planning work this year. We contributed, as well, to the Community Engagement process. And today, our faith leads us to speak about a Newton that is inclusive, welcoming and just.
Housing is everything. So, we offer this new prayer: Yes In God's Back Yard (YIGBY)

We say Yes to Village Center rezoning that allows multi-family housing by right.
We say Yes to Newton thriving with more families and more young people.
We say Yes to a welcome to all who want to live here.
We say Yes to small homes, affordable apartments and support to people on the margins.
We say Yes to finally addressing our wrongdoing of redlining and doing what is just.
..........continue reading
Scales of Justice Clear
If you would like to learn more about ARJ activities at the
Union Church, please reach out to Nancy Zollers ([email protected] ) or Kathleen Hobson (
[email protected]).

Newton Freedge

Newton Freedge: Volunteers Needed

Click the signup link below for time slots available.

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Our team of volunteers helps keep Freedge 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.

You may also find us our Facebook group - @newtonfreedge Facebook group for updates!

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.

Sunday Sign-Up

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Sunday Reception Sign-Up

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.

Reception Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up

If you are joining our Sunday worship, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services.

Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE Thank you!

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Connections

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:
Mondays are days off for both pastors. Pastor Amy also serves off-site on Thursdays, and may not be immediately available on that day.

Our Covenent

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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