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Weekly Update
Friday, May 15, 2026
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Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
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Katie will preach and lead worship this Sunday, with a focus on the Christ Hymn from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, and our Mission team will offer a Teach-In about GBIO’s Citizens Bank campaign after worship ( details below in Mission and Outreach) .
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Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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Stewardship 2026 - Tools for Audacious Living!
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Update fromYour Stewardship Chair
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On May 10, Pledging Sunday, we concluded the 2026-2027 stewardship campaign, Tools for Audacious Living! Thank you to all who assisted with the campaign and to all who pledged. We will have the final tally of the number of pledge units and total pledge amount shortly. If you have not pledged, please do so immediately, preferably with using the link below.
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Thank you for your support.
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Dan Heffernan and the UCW Stewardship Committee
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This week, in addition to our regular prayers, we share some of the prayers offered up on our Pledge cards last Sunday! More prayers will be shared next week as well.
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Loving God, hear the prayers
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of your people gathered in this community.
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- Prayers of joy as the Strong-Dennis family prepares to celebrate Ashley’s wedding this weekend, and for the Hadley-Vawter family celebrating Devon’s wedding.
- We pray that UCW can grow in strength and in numbers, and that there might be community connection and support within the congregation. All are needed and all are valued!
- Prayers of gratitude for Soo Laski’s successful knee surgery on Thursday, and prayers for a swift and smooth recovery.
- 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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On behalf of Council and HR, I am delighted to share the news that Katie Brown-Bright, Bridge Associate for Children, Youth, and Families, will be returning to serve among us for the coming church year! Katie has enriched the faith lives of our children, families, and all of us through her leadership in worship, Sunday school, youth programs, and more. She has already begun brainstorming and planning for the fall. If you are excited about supporting children, youth, families, and intergenerational life at UCW, I hope you’ll reach out to me, to Katie, and maybe even to Nominating about ways to support, including joining the CY&F committee for the coming year.
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Ecclesiastical Council for
Former Student Minister Jade Hargrave
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UCW’s former Student Minister, Jade Hargrave, has progressed through the UCC’s ordination process to the point of an Ecclesiastical Council. At this Council, delegates will hear excerpts from Jade’s Spiritual Journey and Call and her portfolio demonstrating her pathway to ministry. Delegates can then ask questions, and will vote as to whether to approve Jade to be eligible for ordination, pending a call.
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Pastor Megan will attend the EC, to be held on June 1:00 at 6:00 p.m. at Wellesley Village Church and online. If you’d like to join, you can register through the UCC: https://sneucc-reg.brtapp.com/JadeHEC0601. One UCW member in addition to Pastor Megan can serve as a delegate, but as many can attend as would like to, and it would be wonderful to have a group attend from our church to demonstrate our support for Jade’s ministry. Contact Pastor Megan with questions.
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Connecting as Intergenerational Community
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Union Church at Waban Village Day 2026
This Sunday, May 17, from 10:00- 2:00 p.m.
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Volunteers, Helpers & Visitors Welcome!
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Join UCW at the 20th Annual Waban Village Day and Family Fun Run on Sunday, May 17. This family-friendly event will be kicked off by the Family Fun Run at 10:00 a.m. and continue through 2:00 PM in Waban Square with rides and amusements for kids of all ages, vendor tables, music, food, and ice cream.
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Union Church in Waban has signed up to attend the Waban Village Day on Sunday, May 17. The event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM. The UCW Comms Committee is helping to organize this event!
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We plan to have face painting, making bracelets , and will share information about our church community.
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- We do need additional volunteers to help with set up and clean up, as well as staffing the tables.
- We need a car/van big enough to bring over three tables from downstairs, along with a few chairs.
- It would also be wonderful to have a few more people to staff the tables and help with face painting, making bracelets, and sharing information about Union Church in Waban.
If you’d like to help with set up, or cleanup, (i.e. bringing or removing the tables and materials) or would like to help with staffing the tables, we would welcome your help!
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Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Amy
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May Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m.
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Come join us in the Littlehale Room for good food and good conversation!
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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 5/17. Thanks!
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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 at UCW
Every blood donation can help save up to three lives.
Saturday, June 6 from 9:00 - 2:00 p.m.
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Most donations take about an hour from start to finish. Book your appointment now and become part of this lifesaving mission.
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All presenting donors will receive a $15 e-gift card from the merchant of their choice, AND automatic entry for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards!
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Union Church Members attend the
Recent Stand Out at ICE in Burlington
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Photo: Alison, Phil, Frank, Kent, Nancy
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This past Wednesday, May 13, The Union Church joined other faith communities to stand in solidarity with our neighbors incarcerated by ICE. The Burlington Detention Center houses immigrants detained and kept in an office building with no beds, little food and unsanitary conditions. We stand out, pray and sing in support of our immigrant community.
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Not With Our Money
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Join the GBIO Campaign This Sunday after Church for 10 minutes to learn more !!
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As members of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), we are called to ensure that our resources—and the institutions we trust with them—reflect our values of justice and compassion for our neighbors.
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You may have seen recent national news reports on The Rachel Maddow Show or WGBH regarding Citizens Bank and its financial support of private ICE prisons.
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GBIO recently took a bold stand by withdrawing $1 million from the bank to protest its ties to CoreCivic and GEO Group—the companies behind mass detention centers.
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We invite you after Church to learn how you can help.
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When: This Sunday, May 17th
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Where: Immediately following the service/during the reception
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What: Walk through a display of posters and watch brief national news reports detailing the campaign.
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We are organizing to persuade Citizens Bank to stop using "our money" to fund the detention of our neighbors. Stop by for ten minutes
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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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