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Weekly Update
Friday, April 14, 2023
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Sunday, April 16 at 10:00 a.m. (Hybrid)
Eastertide & Blessing our Runners
In this first Sunday following Pastor Wendy's departure, we will hold her in prayer and gather in the hope and promise of Easter. Pastor Amy will preach and share the story of doubting Thomas, and we will bless our Boston Marathon runners, on this 10th Anniversary of the Marathon bombings. Please see below for how you can support our runners this year, and plan to cheer them on!
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
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The bulletin is available HERE
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UCW Pastoral Search Committee Updates
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Meet Reverend Megan Berkowitz
Announcing Candidate Weekend: April 28-30
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Happy Spring UCW Community,
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The Ministerial Search Committee is excited to invite you to meet our proposed candidate for Senior Pastor the weekend of April 28-30.
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On Friday evening, April 28, from 5:30 to 7:00pm, all are invited to the home of Alicia Collins and Tony Abbiati for an informal “meet and greet” with Rev. Megan and her spouse, Leila Quinn. Light refreshments will be served.
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On Sunday, April 30, Rev. Megan will provide the sermon and immediately following service, we hope you will stay for a congregational meeting where we will formally present Megan and discern the call. Fellowship will follow the meeting and we hope all will stay!
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Please RSVP for the Friday evening event using SignUpGenius so Alicia can plan accordingly.
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Friday, April 28:“Meet and Greet” at 128 Avalon Road, Waban 02468. Please RSVP HERE, If you have questions about the location, email Alicia [email protected]
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Saturday, April 29: Youth and Families Dinner. Families with kids of all ages are invited to dinner at 5:30pm, followed by ice cream sundaes and a meeting just with youth. Youth and families should have received an Evite. Please contact Soo Laski ([email protected]) or Pastor Amy with questions.
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Sunday, April 30: Sermon by Rev. Megan followed immediately by a congregational meeting and fellowship. Please come!!
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If you didn’t receive the letter that went out to the congregation introducing Rev. Megan Berkowitz, please click HERE.
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We are very much looking forward to a robust turnout for each event and are excited for everyone to meet Megan and Leila.
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Special Easter Collection
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Thank you for your Easter special offering
contributions to Green Newton!
You can still contribute.
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We have the opportunity with our special Easter offering to support Green Newton (website here) and the work they do to combat climate change and improve our environment. In doing so they also work for climate justice for all and work for housing density to combat our current environmental crisis. If you would like to make a contribution to Green Newton, please use the link below.
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Sunday, April 23 - Creation Care Sunday
Rev. Brita Gill-Austern preaching. Congregational Meeting following worship.
Please join us for this special Sunday as Rev. Brita Gill-Austern shares her reflections on the story of the Road to Emmaus, and the promise of Jesus' presence with us. Following worship, we will gather for an important congregational luncheon and conversation/meeting. Please mark the date and stay tuned for details.
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Sunday, April 30 - Candidate Weekend
Rev. Megan Berkowitz preaching. Congregational Meeting and Reception following worship.
Please see above for more details about this special weekend.
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Sunday, May 7 - Welcome our Bridge Pastor, Rev. Jim Leavitt
Rev. Jim Leavitt preaching.
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We are delighted to welcome Rev. Jim Leavitt as our Bridge Pastor from May to mid-August. Please join us this Sunday to welcome him and share Communion.
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Thank you so much for the lovely reception, parting gifts, awesome cake, affirming notes, a blessing song and all the ways we tried to exercise a good goodbye these past two Sundays. These past eighteen months have seen some faithful, even hard work. I trust the seeds we have planted together will bear great fruit. As I stated in the Farewell Liturgy, I will take with me all that I have learned here. More than that, you have my love, prayers and hope for sustained and brave ministry yet to come. May God indeed watch between us while we apart one from another.
Pastor Wendy
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Room Name Change Update
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The Communications Team would like to thank those who responded to our survey about changing room names. At this time, we have decided to put this project on hold. We may revisit it at a future day, but for now the rooms will remain the same. Thank you to those who participated in the survey.
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UCW Tent at the Newton Family FunFEST on May 13
The Newton Family FunFEST on Saturday, May 13 from 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. is a celebration of art and community for all ages including live musical performances, carnival, arts & crafts workshops, a live public art event, vendor booths and more -- And UCW has a tent! We'll share photos and stories of UCW's offerings for children and youth, as well as our mission and service work. Most of all, we hope to connect with and listen to our neighbors, building relationships and learning about their needs and experiences. We'll also have face painting, crafts and activities for kids, and free baked goods!
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We need your help to make the day a success! If you can help with the preparations, providing goodies, setting up, or being a welcoming face at the tent that day, please sign up below. We also love any youth to help with face painting and the kids' activities! With questions, please contact Linda Lynch ([email protected]) or Pastor Amy ([email protected])
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What’s Possible?
Stewardship Invitation
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Hopefully you have received an invitation to invest in “What’s Possible?” through the ministry of Union Church in Waban. We hope you will prayerfully consider generously supporting the ministries God is making possible through us. View our campaign Letter HERE.
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Make a Pledge Commitment HERE.
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Supporting UCW Congregants
and their Boston Marathon Causes
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This year’s running of the Boston Marathon is coming up soon, on Monday, April 17, and is calling forth commendable effort from our community. At least two church members will be running the 26.2 miles this year -- Kyle Pond and Joanne Walker -- along with several Newton North high school students who’ve been organized by our own Amy McMahon.
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UCW friends are invited to cheer on the runners, gathering at the home of Jenny Weisz, which is close to the marathon route -- on the corner of Comm Ave and Walnut St. Contact Amy ([email protected]) if you’re interested, so we know who to expect and when. Jenny promises to teach everyone how to cheer on Kenyan runners in Swahili, based on her time living in Kenya, and Kevin will do likewise for runners from Ethiopia.
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Joanne Walker and The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
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The Marathon is often a catalyst for support for charitable causes, and this year you can convey your admiration for this great effort by supporting the cause Joanne Walker is running for, The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. (The link for Joanne’s fundraising page is HERE.) If we missed anyone else who is running, and/or fundraising around the Marathon, please let us know so we can share that information next week.
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Amy McMahon and Dreamfar High School Marathon
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Dreamfar High School Marathon is a program that helps high school students reach their full potential--physically, academically, and socially by training for and completing a marathon over the course of the school year. Each of our five participating high schools (Newton North, Newton South, Needham, Brookline and Wellesley) have teacher/counselor leaders who train with our students three days a week. (I have been a Leader for the past 10 years). On weekends, students go for their "long runs" out of the Brookline Teen Center with adults who wish to mentor these teens in their journey to complete a half or a full marathon (13.1 or 26.2 miles).
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Dreamfar is a non-profit organization that is run by a very small, part-time staff (part time program director, Level 2 running coach, development director and student intern) everyone else is a volunteer.
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If you wish to donate to our Boston Marathon Charity Bib runners who are running for Dreamfar this year go HERE. That will take you to our list of runners. Click on anyone's name to make a donation! Right now, Dominique, Ronan and Anna could all use a gift or two to make their minimum!
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Wellspring Meeting
Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m.
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In person at the Union Church.
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Wellspring is our women's ministry at UCW. We come together to support each other as we journey together in these times. If you are interested in learning more about Wellspring, please contact Amy McMahon at [email protected].
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Next Book Group
Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. (zoom)
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"Poverty, by America" by Matthew Desmond
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Please join us on March 28 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group meeting. Our book will be "Poverty, by America" by Matthew Desmond
You will find a zoom link and sign-in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody ([email protected]).
Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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Children Youth and Families
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Children, Youth and Families - Spring is here!!
Join in the Eastertide Joy!
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Calling for Teachers and Helpers for our Sunday School and Children's Faith Formation Ministries in April
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We are looking for some extra teachers and helpers with our Sunday School classes in April (and beyond) as Pastor Amy helps lead worship before our bridge pastor begins in May. If you can lend a hand with our kiddos, and be a co-teacher with our staff-member Olivia, please let Pastor Amy know ([email protected]). Older teens and college kids are very welcome! No Sunday School teaching experience is required; just a heart for children (and a background check and agreement to follow our child-safety policies). Thank you!!
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Meet & Greet with Candidate, Rev Megan!
Saturday, April 29, 5:30-7 p.m.
Families with kids of all ages are invited to come have pizza dinner with Pastor Megan. After supper, we'll have ice cream sundaes and invite the youth for a special time with Pastor Megan too! All families should have received an Evite with details and RSVP. Please contact Soo Laski or Pastor Amy ([email protected]) with questions.
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Youth Team Calendar - A Great Spring!
We have a great spring ahead for our Youth Groups and church and we hope you'll be part of it. Please find a calendar of High School, Middle School, and combo events coming up (thanks Jane and Abel for the great format!)
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View Spring Calendar HERE
- Boston Marathon - UCW Meet-up!
Monday, April 17.
All ages are invited to gather on the corner of Comm. Ave and Walnut St. (near Jenny Weisz's home) to cheer on our runners! Please let Pastor Amy know if you are planning to attend so we know to meet you!
- Newton Fair
Saturday, May 13.
Please save the date and help out at the UCW tent at the Newton Fair! We're looking for teens to help with face painting and temporary tattoos! Please SIGN UP HERE or let Pastor Amy know you can help!
- Common Cathedral
Sunday, May 21.
We will gather in the morning to prepare sandwiches and lunches for our unhoused siblings, and then travel to Boston Common to serve lunch and worship with the Common Cathedral community.
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Advocates for Racial Justice (ARJ)
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Expulsion of Two Black Representatives from the Tennessee Legislature
What can people of faith say or do?
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The UCW Advocates for Racial Justice team met to reflect on the tragic mass shootings in Nashville Tennessee culminating in the expulsion of two black state representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson by the Tennessee Legislature. The unprecedented action was taken in reaction to and in retaliation for the demonstrations at the State House supported by Rep. Jones, Rep. Pearson, who along with Rep. Gloria Johnson were urging the Legislature and the Governor to act to stop the gun violence.
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We are discerning a response that will offer support to the representatives who were standing up for their constituents and all of us who are calling for action to address gun violence.
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We hope you will join us in this work to respond to the Tennessee Three as well as to their call for more peace and fewer guns.
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If you would like to learn more about ARJ activities at the
Union Church, please reach out to Nancy Zollers ([email protected] )
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Newton Freedge: Volunteers Needed
Click the sign-up link below for time slots available.
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Our team of volunteers helps keep Freedge running one Saturday a month. Please use the the link below, or reach out to Vinita Leslie, Karen O'Beirne or Erika Pond to learn more or to join our team.
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Despite Newton’s image as an affluent suburb, too many of our neighbors struggle to put food on their tables. The Newton Freedge is one way we can help. A free, 24/7 outdoor refrigerator and pantry, the Freedge provides free food and personal supplies to anyone who needs them.
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
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Every Sunday after worship we gather on the stage for a time of fellowship. This reception is hosted each Sunday by different members of the congregation.
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Reception Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up
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If you are joining our Sunday worship, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services.
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Pastoral Care Connections
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During this time of transition, please know that your church is here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Pastor Amy for prayer or pastoral support:
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Mondays are days off for both pastors. Pastor Amy also serves off-site on Thursdays, and may not be immediately available on that day.
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Drivers Needed
Our sister church in Jamaica Plain is reaching out for our help.
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During the pandemic, FBC JP began feeding hungry families in Boston. Each week, they currently deliver fresh, healthy, homemade food and meals to more than 340 households. A corporation they had partnered with to provide drivers recently pulled out of their partnership and they are in desperate need of help delivering food. They are very grateful for any assistance you can provide. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Amy ([email protected]) for more information.
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Please email [email protected] as soon as possible with your phone and availability.
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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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