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Weekly Update
Friday, April 24, 2026
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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This week we are continuing our Eastertide theme of “Tools for Audacious Living” with a story of Paul from Acts, the launch of our Stewardship campaign for this year, and a chance to engage in the next step of the visioning process for those who were unable to attend on 4/12.
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Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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View Insert - Church Service HERE
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Visioning Discussion
This Sunday April 26 @ 11:30 in Littlehale
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Childcare wil be Available
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We warmly invite—and strongly encourage—you to join this opportunity to reflect on the insigths from our visioning process as we begin identifying potential strategic priorities for the Union Church. (Links to the four visiong quetions can be found bekow.)
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I hope you’ve had a chance to read the results of the first phase of our vision process, which were sent out just before and after Easter. If you haven’t, please do; there are links to all four documents below. After worship this Sunday, 4/26, the Vision Team will lead a conversation about your responses to the vision process and we will begin to form a sense of our strategic priorities moving forward. If you were not able to join for the conversation on Sunday 4/12, please join us at 11:30 in Littlehale! Childcare will be available for those who need it.
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Many of you know that I was away last week in Philadelphia with my professional development cohort through the United Church of Christ’s Next Generation Leadership Initiative. This gathering, like one I attended in Chicago two years ago, was focused on congregational vitality. It was a joy to lift up the ways in which our congregation is engaged in vital (important, life-giving, Spirit-filled) ministry, and a joy to come back with new questions and ideas in this season of visioning and strategic planning.
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Most of all, it was a joy to gather with these colleagues; know that there are pastors and congregations around the country praying for us, asking many of the same questions, and seeking new ways to be the Church for the next generation. As always, I’m delighted to share about my rich time away so don’t hesitate to ask!
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Listening Together
What We Heard from You
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Responses to all four questions of the Vision process have now been shared with the congregation. Please take time to read through all four, paying particular attention to the summaries but also reading the quotations to get a sense of the breadth of experiences and opinions in the congregation. Questions or comments? Email [email protected].
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Loving God, hear the prayers
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of your people gathered in this community.
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- This Earth Day week, we pray for bold and prophetic action on global climate change.
- 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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Congregational Meeting!
Sunday, May 3, following Worship
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Lunch and Childcare will be Provided!
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Please mark your calendar for a congregational meeting immediately after worship on Sunday May 3. We will be discussing our financial picture, the visioning data and crafting priorities for next year’s budget, so your voice is needed!
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Meeting Agenda:
Opening Prayer
2025-2026 Financial
Overview 2026-2027
Budget Proposal
Visioning Priorities and Planning
Congregational Votes
- Carpet replacement
- Treasurer term
Closing Prayer
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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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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