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Weekly Update Friday, March 24, 2023
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Sunday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
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Commitment Sunday
On this Sunday, commonly known as Stewardship Sunday, we will gather around a different way the scripture of the day asks a question we have pondering - “what’s possible?” In the story from Ezekiel, God asks the prophet surveying a valley filled with dry bones the question - “Can these bones live?” When facing the impossible, how does God accompany us and equip us for possibility?
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In worship we will also share an inspirational video about What’s Possible for our future ministry. We will bless commitments made and to be made.
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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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What’s Possible?
Stewardship Invitation
Hopefully you have received an invitation to invest in “What’s Possible?” through the ministry of Union Church in Waban. We hope you will prayerfully consider generously supporting the ministries God is making possible through us.
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View a copy of our campaign letter HERE. Our 2023-24 online pledge form is available is HERE.
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Envisioning What’s Possible!
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You can see that our major expenses are supporting what is possible in our ministries – with 74% towards pastoral, youth, music and mission. Our next major expense is investing in what is possible for our building – 26% towards the continued support of our century old building as we grow to be a gathering place for all in our community. We keep the light of hope alive and in doing so, 100% of our funding supports our efforts to being a faith home where we live into What’s Possible for our future!
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Church Matters - Room Name Survey
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Church Room Name Survey
The Communications team is working on updating signage in and around the church. We are interested in getting your input regarding possibly changing the names of a few rooms to be more recognizable and to match the way they are being used today. The survey takes less than a minute. Please share your input! We value how you feel about these changes.
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Name Change Survey HERE
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Celebrating Holy Week
The Union Church in Waban invites the community to join it in celebrating the Easter season. We will gather in-person and online.
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Palm Sunday - April 2
10:00 a.m. Service (Hybrid) A Walk Through Holy Week led intergenerationally by all-ages. We hope you and your kids will join in this special service. Please contact Pastor Amy if you can help ([email protected]). We'll begin practicing and preparing this Sunday, March 26th in Sunday School.
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Maundy Thursday - April 6
7:00 p.m. Service (Hybrid) A worship service in four movements meeting downstairs in the Vestry. Labyrinth available for walking to follow.
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Good Friday - April 7
6:30 p.m. Service (In Person) The sanctuary will be open for an hour of self-guided reflection on the stations of the cross.
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Easter Day - April 9
Easter Sunrise Service (In Person) Early risers, join us for this informal service as we watch the swans and turtles wake up and greet the Easter sunrise with songs and shouts of Alleluia! Pastor Amy and family lead this service. We'll meet in the Wellesley Office Park, behind the building at 45 Williams Street (the sign says 45 Wellesley Office Park, click to see a map - it's on the opposite side of the Charles River from Quinobequin Rd.). After you turn onto 45 Williams, go under the building and look to your right - you'll see an entrance to the Charles River Reservoir. Park and walk down the path until you find Crowley's Landing. The path is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible. Please call Pastor Amy's cell (617-938-8112) if you have trouble finding us.
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10:00 a.m. Easter Service (Hybrid) Bells, drums, a flower cross, Easter blooms, Farewell Liturgy with Pastor Wendy and an Egg Hunt to follow.
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11:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt - Can you help the Easter Bunny? Join us for our beloved Easter Egg Hunt following worship! The Easter Bunny has lots of colorful eggs, but could use some help finding some candy (individually-wrapped, no nuts), stickers, or other goodies to put in them. If you can help, please leave any donations outside Pastor Amy's office or email her ([email protected]) to arrange a pick up. Thank you!
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Easter Blooms Available for Ordering
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Please submit your “Easter Blooms” order and Dedication details by
Tuesday, March 28
We will be decorating our Sanctuary with live plants, and your dedication details will be included in our Easter bulletin.
Each donation of $15.00 will be used to purchase the plant of your choosing.
You may order and submit your dedication details HERE
Thank You!
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Tonight!
Intergenerational Game Night
Run by the Youth Groups!
Tonight, Friday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m.
In person at the Union Church
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Our youth groups have organized this fun game night for people of all ages at the church. Please plan to join us for pizza and some friendly games! Please contact pastor Amy at [email protected] to let us know if you are planning to attend so the we can plan for the right amount of PIZZA!!! It's also okay to just show up! Come as you can for as long as you can -- bring a friend and favorite game if you want. It will be great to see you.
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Next Book Group
Tuesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. (zoom)
The Grimkes by Kerri K. Greenidge
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Please join us on March 28 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group meeting. Our book will be “The Grimkes” by Kerri K. Greenidge. 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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Advocates for Racial Justice (ARJ)
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MSNBC Special on Lowndes County and the Civil Rights Movement
Broadcast this Sunday night, March 26 at 10:00 p.m.
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Many of us became Book Buddies for children in Lowndes County after hearing Josephine Bolling McCall speak at church about the tragic lynching of her father Elmore Bolling in Lowndes County, Alabama back in 1947. Several of us made the pilgrimage to Selma and Montgomery, going through Lowndes County as we re-lived the historical crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
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This Sunday night at 10:00 p.m. on MSNBC watch a special on the vital role of Lowndes County in the Civil RIghts movement to register people to vote in the early 1960's.
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Join the Advocates for Racial Justice (ARJ) in our meeting on April 11 at 7:00 pm. at the church.
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Please let Nancy Zollers or Jenny Weisz know if you are able to participate.
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Supporting UCW Congregants and Causes Involved in the Boston Marathon!
This year’s running of the Boston Marathon is coming up soon, on Monday, April 17, and is calling forth commendable effort from our community. At least two church members will be running the 26.2 miles this year -- Kyle Pond and Joanne Walker -- along with several Newton North high school students who’ve been organized by our own Amy McMahon. Pastor Amy Feldman will convene UCW youth and anyone else interested to cheer on the runners, gathering at the home of Jenny Weisz, which is close to the marathon route. Contact Amy ([email protected]) if you’re interested. Jenny promises to teach everyone how to cheer on Kenyan runners in Swahili, based on her time living in Kenya, and Kevin will do likewise for runners from Ethiopia.
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The Marathon is often a catalyst for support for charitable causes, and this year you can convey your admiration for this great effort by supporting the cause Joanne Walker is running for, The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. (The link for Joanne’s fundraising page is HERE.) If we missed anyone else who is running, and/or fundraising around the Marathon, please let us know so we can share that information next week.
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Children Youth and Families
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Children and Sundays - Spring is here!!
We hope you and your kids will join us for special Sundays coming up!
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- This Sunday, March 26 - Commitment Sunday - Kids Sing in Worship!
Our wonderful music director, Mijin Choi will lead the kids as they share a special song in worship. We hope your kids will come and be part of this joyful celebration. They will also be part of Commitment Sunday in other special ways, and continue getting ready for the Palm Sunday Walk Through Holy Week
- PALM SUNDAY, April 2 - Calling on All Kids and Youth to help lead this special service!
Much like our annual Christmas pageant, we share the special story of Holy Week (in age-appropriate ways) as we prepare our hearts for the hope of Easter. There are ways for everyone to participate, and we hope you will! Please contact Pastor Amy if you can help ([email protected])
- EASTER!! Can You Help the Easter Bunny? Egg Hunt following worship.
The Easter Bunny has lots of eggs to hide, but could use some help with candy (individually wrapped, with no nuts), stickers, or other treats to fill them with. Can you help? Please leave any donations with Pastor Amy, or contact her to pick them up. Thank you!!
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Youth Team Calendar - A Great Spring!
We have a great spring ahead for our Youth Groups and church and we hope you'll be part of it. Please find a calendar of High School, Middle School, and combo events coming up (thanks Jane and Abel for the great format!)
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View Spring Calendar HERE
- TONIGHT, Friday, March 24 - 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 join us for pizza and some friendly games!
- Next Saturday and Sunday, April 1-2 - High School Overnight!
We are re-scheduling our High School overnight to, Saturday, April 1-Sunday, April 2 (Palm Sunday). We hope all HS students will join us for a fun and meaningful night! We'll have a great time, and get ready to roll into and lead our Palm Sunday Service on Sunday morning.
- Middle School Movie and Egg Stuffing! April 7 (Good Friday) 6:00 p.m.
Middle Schoolers are invited to come for dinner and a movie, and some Easter Egg stuffing fun!
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Newton Freedge: Volunteers Needed
Click the sign-up 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
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
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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Drivers Needed
Our sister church in Jamaica Plain is reaching out for our help.
During the pandemic, FBC JP began feeding hungry families in Boston. Each week, they currently deliver fresh, healthy, homemade food and meals to more than 340 households. A corporation they had partnered with to provide drivers recently pulled out of their partnership and they are in desperate need of help delivering food. They are very grateful for any assistance you can provide. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Amy ([email protected]) for more information.
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Please email [email protected] as soon as possible with your phone and availability.
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Newton-Wide Transgender Day of Visibility
We hope you will consider joining Pastor Amy and our interfaith siblings at this meaningful event. (Details and registration below.) Pastor Amy is one of the speakers and glad to help coordinate carpooling. Please contact her for more information at [email protected].
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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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