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Weekly Update
Friday, February 17, 2023
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Sunday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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Last Sunday after Epiphany
In worship we will consider the puzzling story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. We will consider this story in light of a Haitian proverb - “if you want to see, you have to look twice.” Come and see!
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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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The Season of Lent
at
The Union Church
in Waban
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In the season of Lent, the scriptures offer us many stories of Jesus encountering people who are seeking. What unfolds is an exchange filled with questions and exploration. Our Lenten series is founded on questions. “Can these bones live?” “Who will you listen to?” “How do we begin again?” Our questions won't necessarily lead to answers, but we pray they lead to a new beginning, a restoration, a wider grace.
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Like the characters in our Lenten scriptures, we are also seeking many things: clarity, connection, wonder, justice, balance. Throughout this season, we hope you will continually ask yourself: what am I seeking? What is God seeking? We will have resources and a prayer station to help us focus together.
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Families and members of all ages are invited to create a special 'Breaking the Chains" prayer and devotional chain for their homes. Materials will be in the Crocker Chapel.
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This Lent, we invite you to stay curious, open, and nimble. We hope you will soften your assumptions and expand your perspectives. We pray that these questions will create a safe space to explore—to be drawn more deeply into the fullness of life, into the heart of God.
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Tour and Gather With Our Nicaragua Partners
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Tour the Mobile Library of San Juan del Sur in real-time while our on-the-ground partners hold the cameras!
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Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m.
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Join The Tour Live: HERE
Meeting ID: 824 3163 9105
Passcode: 260076
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Gather with the members of our church who are traveling in Nicaragua, as they share a live tour of the Mobile Library and an opportunity to connect with our partners and friends in San Juan del Sur. Come as you are for as long as you can to check in and say hi! The travelers and our Nicaraguan friends would love to see you and share this special visit.
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Upcoming Worship Services
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Ash Wednesday February 22
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To mark the season of Lent we begin a journey of seeking on Ash Wednesday. The Union Church will offer two ways to observe the day.
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Ashes to Go (in-Person)
5:00 - 6:15 p.m.
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“Ashes to Go” will be offered from between 5:00 - 6:15 p.m.
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just near the Accessible Entrance to the church.
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Reflection and Labyrinth (Hybrid*)
6:30 p.m.
At 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the Sanctuary for a reflective service including ashes.
The Labyrinth will also be set up and available for walking, either prior to the service or
remaining just after the service until 7:30 p.m.
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*Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 842 4189 4076
Passcode: 980872
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
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Sunday, February 26 at 10 00 a.m. (In-Person & Online)
The First Sunday in Lent
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On this first Sunday of Lent we will consider the creation story in Genesis. To begin our engagement with questions we find in the scripture, we will ask - “who do you listen to?” Questions are a part of our practice of faith- come let us share with God the deep questions within us.
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Sunday, March 5 at 10 00 a.m. (In-Person & Online)
The Second Sunday in Lent and Communion Sunday - Nicaragua Travelers Share
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On this second Sunday in lent we will consider the story of Moses drawing water from a stone, and we will consider where we are finding the living water that sustains and refreshes our faith in this season. The Nicaragua travelers will share some of their experiences of God's presence and renewal in their service and fellowship, and we will eat and drink together at the Communion Table.
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Following Worship, the travelers will share stories and photos during a special reception.
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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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 this Winter
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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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- Sundays, February 19th and 26th - "Nigel and the Moon" Special Series
- Sundays, March 12th and 26th - Kids Sing in Worship! Our wonderful music director, Mijin Choi will work with the kids in Sunday School on February 19, and March 5th and 19th to prepare songs to share in worship. We hope your kids will come and be part of this joyful
- Lenten Prayer Chain! We invite and encourage all families to pick up our "Breaking the Chains" Lenten devotional/activity for your homes. Count down the 40 days of Lent considering how we can break the chains that keep us from wholeness and fully experiencing God's love in our lives and world. The packets will be available in the Crocker Chapel. If you'd like us to send one to your home instead, please be in touch with Pastor Amy ([email protected]).
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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. 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:
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- Thursday, Feb 23 - 7pm - Tour and Connect with Friends & Mission in the Mobil Library of San Juan del Sur Nicaragua! All are invited to hop on to connect with our travelers and friends in Nicaragua and share a tour of the Biblioteca Mobil. Pastor Amy and Travelers will lead a special set of activities and conversation online, and we hope all will join us! See above or the ucw.org homepage for the link.
- Friday to Saturday, March 10-11 - High School Overnight! We'll share a fun overnight at the church, and are also looking into opportunities to travel to Boston to share a Shabbat service with friends and to see the Embrace sculpture on the Boston Common. We hope all HS students will join us!
- Friday, March 24th - Intergenerational Game Night run by the Youth Groups! Our youth groups will organize this fun game night for people of all ages at the church. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for pizza and some friendly games!
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End-of-Year Giving Statements for 2022
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The Union Church 2022 calendar year giving statements were recently emailed to all who have made charitable contributions to the church during 2022. Please check that you have received your copy. If you would prefer a paper copy mailed to you, or if you have a specific e-mail address that you would like to use, please be in contact with our office manager Aidan Cunningham ([email protected]). Thank you.
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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 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.
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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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