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Weekly Update
Friday, April 17, 2026
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Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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This week we are continuing our Eastertide theme of “Tools for Audacious Living” with the story of Thomas’ encounter with the risen Jesus. We will explore what it means to embrace possibility and trust in God’s vision for the world even when we cannot fully see the path. Join us as we worship with song, reflection, and prayer.
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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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Note: Pastor Megan is away on Professional Development until Tuesday, April 21st. Katie Brown-Bright will lead worship this Sunday, while Emily and Nick co-lead Sunday school. If you have a pastoral emergency during this time, you can still contact Pastor Megan and she will respond and connect you with another local pastor if needed.
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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 pray that all people might be able to experience the resurrection joy that comes with new life, especially all those in places of war and violence, those in need of healing, and those who feel lonely or despairing.
- We continue to pray for healing for Brita Gill-Austern as she recovers from pneumonia, for Frank Laski, recovering from hand surgery, and for John Weisz as he heals following a car accident.
- We pray for an end to war, an end to violence, an end to the harms of Empire that we see in our scriptures and in our world.
- 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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UCW Council Thank You Message
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Your Council is deeply grateful for all the many ways that UCW volunteers sustain and enrich our community. Beginning this week, we will be offering our thanks and appreciation from time to time to those who help.
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This week the Council would like to thank:
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Jaap Van Reijendam - our Treasurer for all that he has done to manage our finances and inform the congregation of how we are doing. He has worked very hard over the past year to organize and insure the accuracy of our assets, income and spending.
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Alex Brown - who is contributing very important work on optimizing our heating system and saving energy while keeping our congregation and our tenants comfortable. His work will help us reduce costs with savings that we can devote to our other important priorities. He also has supported our Tech Team most recently with a donation of a new head set.
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Julie Hefferan- our Worship Team leader for receiving and arranging our beautiful Easter blooms. Julie devoted her time on a Saturday morning to arranging and placing these beautiful blooms to make our Easter worship service even more glorious.
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Thank you, Jaap, Alex and Julie!
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Is there someone you think deserves special recognition? If so please email one of the co-moderators (Alan Cody & Susan Gedrick) with a short description of their contributions.
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Upcoming Church Gathering
We warmly invite—and strongly encourage—you to join the upcoming gathering after worship at 11:30 a.m.
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- May 3rd, Congregational Meeting @ 11:30 in the Vestry – a broader discussion of the strategic priorities that emerge and what it would take to pursue them, including how they may shape our shared commitments and resources
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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Special Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, April 21 at 12:00 p.m.
(Offsite - see details below )
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Come and join us for a special lunch at Bart Kelso and his daughter Rachel's home in Winthrop. We'll meet at UCW at 11:45 a.m. and will plan to carpool to Winthrop. We have drivers - just come and join us!
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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 by Sunday 4/19. Thanks!
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Save-the-date!
“Petite Talent Show”
Friday, May 1st, 6:30 p.m.
(UCW, In the Vestry)
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Twin sisters Lili and Ally Lowe will give a “Petite Talent Show” including dance performances and singing, to raise donations for their invitation and opportunity to dance in Paris, France this coming July! They will be dancing in front of the Eiffel Tower with dancers from around the world and learning shared choreography.
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For this Talent Show offering, they are planning their own choreography, as well as handmade crafts for sale, and perhaps a raffle basket or two! We hope you can join us to support their passion of dance, and you are welcome to bring friends and family that may be interested! Merci beaucoup
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Mark Your Calendar!
Baby Shower for Megan and Leila!
Sunday, May 31, Reception Following Worship.
Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 31, reception following worship.If you would like to help plan the festivities or contribute to a group gift, please reach out to Alicia Collins, [email protected].
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This event is hosted by your Pastoral Relations Committee (Alicia, Kathy, Kent and Julie C.)
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Community Blood Drive
Every blood type is needed!
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To donate, you must be over 16 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., be in good health, and have not donated in last 56 days.
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Reading Scripture in Worship
Sharing the Stories of Our Faith
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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Pastoral Care Connections
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to Senior Pastor, Rev. Megan Berkowitz for prayer or pastoral support.
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and her office phone is 617-965-3893
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Most weeks, Friday is a day of Sabbath for Pastor Megan. With a pastoral emergency, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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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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