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Weekly Update
Friday, October 2, 2026
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October 4: World Communion Sunday
Service at 10:00 a.m. (In-Person & Zoom)
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Taylor Flowe: unsplash.com
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The Joy of Holy Scripture
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Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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The bulletin is available HERE
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Join us in worship this Sunday as we celebrate our First Sunday Communion service, which this month happily coincides with World Communion Sunday. The service will be led by our Bridge Pastor, Rev. Richard Chrisman, alongside our Music Director, Cynthia Sanger. We hope to see you there.
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Also at the Union Church this Sunday!
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Following Worship.
Election Threats and Voting Reforms
What to Know with One Month to Go
Election day is approaching (November 3)! Join a discussion of what’s ahead, led by Kevin Johnson, Executive Director of the non-partisan Election Reformers Network (“ERN”). Kevin is a 25-year veteran of democracy advocacy work nationally, overseas and here in Massachusetts.
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Come hear about a year of unprecedent challenges to election administration, as well as great new ideas for improving our democracy. Kevin will cover a wide range of topics at the national and state levels. He will include a discussion of Ballot Question 3 in Massachusetts, for which he is on the Yes campaign.
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Sunday Evening at 5:00 p.m.
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Intergenerational Board Game Night (...and Pizza!)
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Join us for a fun night of games from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Bring your favorite game or just come ready to play. We’ll meet in the Littlehale room and have pizza and snacks.
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All ages are welcome! This is a great chance for intergenerational connection, and a great way for families to spend time together!
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An Open Letter
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Dear Mr. Bible, I thank you for being there
In hotel bedside tables, in the prison libraries
In beautiful translations and paraphrases
and especially in our hymn lyrics.
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I thank you, because
I know you mean well.
But why do you have to sound so much like—well, the Bible?
And did you have to let publishers use such small print?
And the narrow margins leave little room for my marginalia.
I don’t understand you much of the time,
But that could be the fault of my education,
Or the church. Seems like your idea still got across
To people when no one could even read.
Like in Solentiname Nicaragua where a Catholic bishop
Listened to field workers share thoughts about the gospels.
Then again, a person can take a single verse
And beat me over the head, or a whole society,
Till everybody’s dead.
I wonder if it’s good to have a book around that stirs in the imagination fear of life by some
and in others be the cause of our emancipation
from the grip of gradgrinds and Gatsbys—
a source of joy that life and death must nestle and kiss
within the same compass of God’s creation.
Dear Mr. Bible, I suggest you print a warning in front:
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This book may be hazardous to your assumptions.
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Dear Mr. Bible, I thank you for being there
In hotel bedside tables, in the prison libraries
In beautiful translations and paraphrases
and especially in our hymn lyrics.
|
I thank you, because
I know you mean well.
But why do you have to sound so much like—well, the Bible?
And did you have to let publishers use such small print?
And the narrow margins leave little room for my marginalia.
I don’t understand you much of the time,
But that could be the fault of my education,
Or the church. Seems like your idea still got across
To people when no one could even read.
Like in Solentiname Nicaragua where a Catholic bishop
Listened to field workers share thoughts about the gospels.
Then again, a person can take a single verse
And beat me over the head, or a whole society,
Till everybody’s dead.
I wonder if it’s good to have a book around that stirs in the imagination fear of life by some
and in others be the cause of our emancipation
from the grip of gradgrinds and Gatsbys—
a source of joy that life and death must nestle and kiss
within the same compass of God’s creation.
Dear Mr. Bible, I suggest you print a warning in front:
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This book may be hazardous to your assumptions.
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Challenges Facing Newton
Town Trees in a Changing Climate
Saturday, October 24, 7:00 p.m.
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The Union Church, Newton, MA
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William Moomaw and Gil Rodgers,
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“Have you hugged your tree today?” Drs. Moomaw and Rodgers will discuss the importance of Newton’s town trees and how in the changing climate we are experiencing this will affect their sustainability and growth. The Minerva Action Group is an independent organization of individuals with interest and expertise in climate issues and particularly in trees and woodlands. It has created and conducted exercises for students, government officials, and town’s people to understand the role of trees in capturing and sequestering carbon, providing regional cooling and reducing flooding by evaporating water from their leaves. The discussion will suggest how to improve the management of town trees to track these changes and alter practices. There will time for informal discussion and light refreshments following the program
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Celebrating the Formal Signing of
Archaic Language Bill into Law by Governor Maura Healey
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On Monday, September 21, at the State House, UCW member, Brian Heffernan looked on as Gov. Maura Healey signed the Archaic Language Law, which removed terms like “mental retardation” from all laws and regulations in MA. This legislation was 15 years in the making. ( more about the law HERE).
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Brugger Foundation Update
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Another exciting highlight of the Brugger Foundation’s work, made possible in part through our support, is its educational workshops for students.
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I was fortunate to attend the first workshop of the year in San Juan del Sur. The public speaking workshop was high quality, engaging, and very well attended. Since then, the Foundation has held another workshop focused on preparing students to enter the workforce. Topics included job-search skills, mock interviews, resume writing, labor laws, and what to expect as they begin their careers.
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These workshops provide young people with practical skills and confidence that they can carry with them as they progress into the future.
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The Brugger Foundation has been a terrific partner of the Union Church for many years. We are grateful for their commitment to supporting and uplifting the young people of Nicaragua.
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Nicaragua Service Trip - This Year
Service Trip | This Year | Learn More | Adventure | Serve Others
Our service work in Nicaragua has been ongoing for more than 20 years. and along the way we have created strong and lasting friendships with students, families, communities, and our local partners.
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The trip will be suitable for all ages and skill levels, and some opportunities may also work well for university-aged students. We are working on the dates now and would love to hear from anyone who is interested in learning more.
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Contact David to learn more about joining the trip!
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Reading Scripture in Worship
Sharing Stories of Our Faith
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
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For generations the stories and wisdom of our faith were only shared orally, and reading scripture out loud is still a central part of our worship and community. Please consider sharing your voice in worship this fall.
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Coffee Host Needed
Please consider volunteering!
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Hosting a reception is a thoughtful expression of our hospitality, and it’s easier than you think! If you’re new to hosting, help is always available. Please consider volunteering for two dates this year.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
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of your people gathered in this community.
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- We give thanks for the safe arrival of Pastor Megan and Leila's twins, and we continue to hold them and their families in our prayers during this joyful time.
- For all in our UCW community who are ill, or who are caring for loved ones. For all who grieve, God, we ask for the comfort of your presence.
- We pray for peace for your people all throughout the world. Teach us to beat our swords into plowshares, O God, and to sow wisdom and reap peace, justice, and joy.
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We pray to you, grateful for your accompaniment with us in all things. Amen.
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If you have other prayers of concern or celebration you
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would like lifted up in community, please email
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Pastoral Care Connections
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to Bridge Pastor, Rev. Rick Chrisman for prayer, pastoral support or with a pastoral emergency.
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and his office phone is 617-965-3893
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Find us on Instagram and Facebook
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We have a new Social Media Director! Maya Tuozzolo has agreed to keep UCW active online. Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook and share UCW posts so we can expand our network
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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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