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Weekly Update Friday, March 10, 2023
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Sunday, March 12 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
The Third Sunday in Lent
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Daylight's Savings this Weekend! Don't forget to set your clocks forward.
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Continuing our Seeking theme in this Lenten season, we meet Nicodemus. Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the veil of night to ask him big faith questions. As a leader of Jewish law, Nicodemus holds beliefs that no longer align with the kingdom of God Jesus embodies. Jesus invites him to begin again, to learn a new way of knowing and living out his faith. Through the lens of a personal testimony, Pastor Wendy will explore beginning again with Jesus.
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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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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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Upcoming Worship Services
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Sunday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m. (In-Person & Online)
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
When it comes to faith, sometimes there are bad questions—questions that are formed by assumptions, questions that lead us to judgment or isolation.
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When Jesus and the disciples encounter a blind man along the way, the disciples immediately ask, “Teacher, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2).
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They ask a bad question. Their question assumes that illness and disability are the result of sin; it assumes that the man deserved to be born blind; it assumes that physical blindness is a form of failure. In worship we will explore the questions we ask. What assumptions do we carry? What is our intent? When seeking clarity or understanding, what are better questions we can ask? Let’s consider together the power of better questions.
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What’s Possible?
Stewardship Invitation
This week in your inbox you will find 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. Watch for a video chronicling the congregation’s dreams of what is possible and an opportunity to add your hopes for our shared future. In advance, thank you for your support!
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Wellspring
Wednesday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. (In person)
In person at the Union Church
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Wellspring is our women's ministry at UCW. We come together to support each other as we journey together in these times. If you are interested in learning more about Wellspring, please contact Amy McMahon at [email protected].
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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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Save the Date!
Intergenerational Game Night
Run by the Youth Groups!
Friday, March 24 (In person)
In person at the Union Church
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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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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 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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Traveling in Faith to Nicaragua
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Led by Pastor Amy and David Spertner we traveled to Nicaragua and spread Union Church love around as vigorously as we could.
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Church service, rice and chicken for 120 children and their parents, tackling and transforming a large school without electricity, water or confidence, supporting water for a garden, and fencing it for sustainability.
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And seeing old Union Church friends and making many new ones. Prayer, meditation, optimism and your support created the outcomes we would love to share with you.
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Advocates for Racial Justice (ARJ)
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Bloody Sunday: Civil Rights Activists Brutally Attacked in Selma
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On March 7, 1965, state and local police used billy clubs, whips, and tear gas to attack hundreds of civil rights activists beginning a march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capitol in Montgomery. The activists were protesting the denial of voting rights to African Americans as well as the murder of 26-year-old activist Jimmie Lee Jackson, who had been fatally shot in the stomach by police during a peaceful protest just days before.
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The march was led by John Lewis of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Reverend Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge and found themselves facing a line of state and county officers poised to attack. When demonstrators did not promptly obey the officers' order to disband and turn back, troopers brutally attacked them on horseback, wielding weapons and chasing down fleeing men, women, and children. Dozens of civil rights activists were later hospitalized with severe injuries.
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Horrifying images of the violence were broadcast on national television, shocking many viewers and helping to rouse support for the civil rights cause. Activists organized another march two days later, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged supporters from throughout the country to come to Selma to join. Many heeded his call, and the events helped spur passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 three months later.
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YOU ARE INVITED! GBIO Housing Event Sunday, March 19, Following Worship
This is a 45 minute information session on the three GBIO Housing Justice priorities for legislative action now.
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1. Real estate Transfer tax
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2. Bond bill to radically improve public housing conditions
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3. Home ownership investments
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Stay after church to learn how our GBIO partnership is seeking justice in housing in Massachusetts
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If you would like to learn more about ARJ activities at the Union Church, please reach out to
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Children Youth and Families
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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!
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- Sunday, March 26 - Kids Sing in Worship! Our wonderful music director, Mijin Choi will work with the kids in Sunday School on March 12 and 19 to prepare songs to share in worship. We hope your kids will come and be part of this joyful celebration.
- Sunday, March 19th - Kids are invited to special Sunday when well talk about service ( including our church's work to make sure everyone has a safe, warm place to live) decorate cookies, and get ready for Palm Sunday.
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- 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!
We have a great winter and 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 Winter-Spring Calendar HERE
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- THIS SUNDAY - HS Youth Group Breakfast - All high-schoolers are invited to join Pastor Amy for breakfast during worship. We'll plan for game night, catch up, and think about what we are seeking during this season of Lent.
- March Middle School Dinner Out - Date pending MS schedules - stay tuned for more
- POSTPONED - High School Overnight! We are postponing our High School overnight from this weekend to April Saturday, April 1-Sunday, April 2nd (Palm Sunday). We hope all HS students will join us for a fun and meaningful night!
- 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 mark your calendars and plan to join us for pizza and some friendly games!
- Middle School Movie and Egg Stuffing! April 7th (Good Friday) 6pm - 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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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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