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Weekly Update
Friday, September 18, 2026
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September 20: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Service at 10:00 a.m. (In-Person & Zoom)
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Photo: Crystal Fang; unsplash.com
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The desert is father to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
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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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We look forward to seeing you. Worship will be led by our Bridge Pastor, Rev. Richard Chrisman and our Music Director Cynthia Sanger.
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Please wear your nametag this Sunday to help our new staff get to know everyone!
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A desert fills many miles
And hills with all its grains of sand
To an ever-receding horizon,
A panorama of uncertainty.
Doubting my clasp upon life,
I husband waterskins,
Sheep, camels, wife, slaves
Till a pastured land greets
The blinkless eye of the sun
And I can bed us down.
O God, you dangle before me
Only metaphoric reassurance,
Poetic in its grandeur, predicting
My life will come to something more,
Even attain patriarchal magnificence
From progeny to equal the desert math
Of the sands below the stars above,
But not in my lifetime
Nor in my son’s or his son’s either
Nor, nor, nor ever if
I can trust reports from the future
Of this patch of pasture.
Promises, promises!
Did I do something wrong?
Maybe, but I never doubted You.
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Genesis is Us
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Sermon from the Sunday, September 13 Service
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In response to requests for last Sunday’s sermon, a copy is posted HERE.
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Hello from parental leave!
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Life is both pretty eventful and delightfully slow paced with two six-week-old newborns at home: we follow their lead and soak up lots of snuggle time in between the many bottles, diapers, swaddles, and loads of laundry (so much laundry for two tiny people!).
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After many extra doctors appointments early on thanks to my high blood pressure and all four of us getting an upper respiratory infection, everyone is now feeling well and, in Zelda and Naomi’s cases, growing like weeds. Leila went back to work part time this week so the girls and I enjoyed our first walk in the stroller you all so generously bought for us. They loved it!
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Stay tuned for a date later in the fall when we’ll plan an afternoon in the park at Waban Common so UCW folks can come and meet the babies. Meantime, know that I miss you all and am praying for you often (including in the middle of the night when we’re all awake).
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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.
- We pray for those who are unhoused, sleeping rough, working outdoors, in unsafe living or working conditions, or otherwise subject to the effects of this summer’s heat without adequate cooling. We pray for immediate relief in the form of helpers and cooling centers, and for long-term, sensible action on global climate change.
- 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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Your Council is deeply grateful for all the many ways that
UCW volunteers sustain and enrich our community.
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- Special thanks to Judy Nagle and everyone who helped with the cleanup of our grounds. As Fall approaches our church will look more beautiful thanks to your hard work.
- Thanks to Molly Owen-Kiritsy and Brita Gill-Austern for their work with the Grief and Loss group. Their care and compassion is helping members of our congregation through difficult moments in their lives.
- Our Summer services were a great success thanks to Julie Heffernan and all who helped lead them. These services help keep us connected even while enjoying time off and this year brought several new families to us for Summer Worship.”
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UCW Council Thank You Message
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Please Update Your Email Address
We want to stay in touch with you and make sure you receive all our announcements about worship and other events in our UCW Community.
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Please check your contact information in Breeze, the member directory accessible through our Member Directory website page to ensure we have your most up-to-date information - especially email addresses. If you need help doing so please email Aidan Cunningham, our Office Manager ([email protected]).
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UCW is Hiring!
Children’s Ministry Assistant
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We are currently hiring a children’s ministry assistant to help with Sunday school and other children’s ministry events. If you are interested or know anyone who would be a great fit, please reach out to Katie Brown-Bright at [email protected].
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Join the Mission Team at Union Church
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Bringing God’s love and light to our neighbors around the corner and around the world.
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Please let us know if you would like to be part of the Mission Team this year!
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We meet monthly to discuss the ministry areas we currently serve, as well as opportunities to serve our local and global community in the future.
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Bring your energy, ideas, and willingness to serve. Whether you have been involved with missions for years or are simply interested in learning more, we would love to have you join us.
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Please contact David Spertner, on behalf of the Mission Team to learn more:
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Meet Lorena
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One of the most rewarding parts of our Nicaragua ministry is getting to know the people.
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Through our partnership with the Brugger Foundation, we have the privilege of supporting young people as they pursue their education, work toward a better future and give back to their community.
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A few years ago, we met Lorena, who had a young family and was determined to continue her education. She had become a mother at a young age and had to leave high school, but she wasn't willing to give up on her dreams. She returned to school on Saturdays, earned her high school degree, and continued her education while raising her children.
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When we first learned about Lorena, her dream was to become a nurse. Her path has since changed, and today she is pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance. She is also taking additional accounting courses and continuing to build her skills.
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And she is doing exceptionally well !!
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In her most recent letter to the Union Church, Lorena shared that she had a great semester at the university and is continuing to work hard toward her degree. She also told us how much the encouragement and support from the church means to her:
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“Knowing I have your support is a great motivation to keep going.”
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That sentence really captures what our Nicaragua ministry is about.
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This is more than a scholarship. It's a relationship.
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Over several trips, we've had the opportunity to sit with Lorena, talk with her, learn about her life, and watch her continue to grow. And she has become part of our Church's family and Nicaragua story.
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Our goal is not simply to go to Nicaragua and "serve" We want to build relationships, listen, encourage, learn, and support strong local leaders as they create opportunities in their own communities.
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We are looking forward to returning this year—and hopefully seeing some old friends along the way.
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Interested in learning more about the Nicaragua Service Trip?
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More Nicaragua stories coming soon!
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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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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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This Tuesday, September 22 at 12:00 p.m.
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Come join us for good conversation and good food on Tues. Sept 22 at 12 noon in the Littlehale meeting room!
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Lunch Bunch is focused on gathering the seniors and retirees in the congregation, though is open to all. In order to plan for food please RSVP to
Molly Owen-Kiritsy or Judy Nagle by this Sunday, Sept. 20. Look forward to gathering again!
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There Will Be Bacon - Java Gents is Back!
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Friday, September 25 at 7:00 a.m.
(At Dan and Brian Heffernan’s home.)
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Java Gents will kick off the new season with a gathering at Dan and Brian Heffernan’s home on Friday, September 25 at 7AM. E-mail Dan for the further details.
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JAVA Gents is the informal get-together of the men of the UCW congregation (and community). The group aims to provide friendly fellowship and mutual support. We will enjoy a lively discussion of timely topics as well as personal goings on in our lives.
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Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Dan Heffernan if you have any questions or would like to be added to the Java Gents mailing list.
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Intergenerational Board Game Night
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Sunday, October 4 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
(In-Person, Littlehale Meeting Room)
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Join us for a fun night of games! 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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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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Reading Scripture in Worship
Sharing the 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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Evangelical Christianity,
American Democracy, and the
Threat of White Christian Nationalism – Fall 2026
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Evangelical Christianity, American Democracy, and the Threat of White Christian Nationalism
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This timely and eye-opening four-session online course will critically examine the intersection of Evangelicals and politics and what it all means for the future of religious freedom, non-believers, and Jewish Americans in our democracy. Led by a dissenting evangelical theologian and former longtime Washington, DC advocate for the religious right who witnessed firsthand the troubling sacralization of extreme partisanship, this class offers a rare insider’s perspective on what led up to the present informal and formal federal policies and practices that lean towards a government-favored sectarian religion. Designed for adults seeking to understand these complex political and religious dynamics, participants will gain the knowledge and tools needed to inform their communities and take meaningful action to preserve religious liberty for all Americans. This isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s an exploration of what every citizen can do to ensure our constitutional freedoms are safeguarded for ourselves and future generations.
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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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