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Weekly Update
Friday, November 25, 2022
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First Sunday in Advent - The Hanging of the Greens
November 27 at 10:00 a.m. (in Person & Online)
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Join us for this joyous and interactive service for all ages! We'll gather for worship, favorite carols, and Christmas stories as we decorate the sanctuary with wreaths, poinsettias, holly, and our Christmas tree. We invite you and your family to start this Advent season with hope, peace, love, and joy!
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To join Sunday Worship on Zoom:
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
The bulletin is available HERE
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More service details HERE
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Mitten Tree Gifts for Project Care & Concern
Please return gifts by the afternoon of Dec. 11 - Thank you!
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Once again this year, UCW will be providing Christmas gifts for our friends at Project Care & Concern via UCW's Mitten Tree!
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Please sign up for as many slots as you'd like by clicking on the Sign-Up Genius link below. Please also note in our comments that we've asked for gifts to be wrapped and labeled with the recipient's name and house name.
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Gifts will need to be returned to UCW and placed under the Christmas tree by the afternoon of December 11. If you need help getting your gift(s) to church, please email me and I can arrange to pick them up.
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Thank you for joining us in joyful giving this holiday season!
Please contact Erika Pond ([email protected]) with questions or concerns.
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Upcoming Sundays - Advent for All Generations
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As part of our theme Generation to Generation – we will examine what God is calling us to pass along to new generations
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This year, our theme for Advent is "From Generation to Generation," as we share the story of Christmas through the generations and remember that God is always with us.
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Advent 2
Communion Sunday - with Wreath and Star-Making
December 4, 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
We will examine a refrain heard all throughout the Christmas story- do not be afraid- and remember it is the most common phrase in all the bible. From generation to generation, God shows up in the midst of our fear and uncertainty and confusion. From generation to generation, faithful people have said, “yes,” despite apprehension. From generation to generation, our ancestors in faith have accepted the invitation. We will share in communion as we ponder this phrase together.
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Following worship, all ages are invited to cocoa and cookies, as we make Advent wreaths and shining stick Stars to bring the light of Advent back to our homes.
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Advent 3
All-Ages Telling of the Christmas Story!
December 11, 10:00 a.m.
Our intergenerational telling of the Christmas story will help us live out our theme. We will be visited by Joseph and Mary seeking a space to of welcome. As we invite them in to bring God more fully into our human experience we will delight in the chorus of angels, maybe a little dancing and joyous spirits.
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Please email Pastor Amy ([email protected]) if you and/or your kids can be part of this wonderful service. Thank you!
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Advent 4
Your Dedications and Family Photos
Sunday, December 18, 10:00 a.m. Worship
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As we connect through generations, we invite you to dedicate this service to someone you would like to remember or honor this season. We invite you to click below to fill in the dedication form, and we will add all dedications to the bulletin and to our Advent Prayer Station. We also invite you to share photos of generations of your family and loved ones. You can either bring a copy of your photo(s) to worship, or upload photos into the Google folder linked below. Please remember to label your photo if you would like us to identify who it is.
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Christmas Eve
Saturday, Dec. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
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We hope everyone will join us for this special service for all ages of lessons and carols, with a candle-lit singing of Silent Night, and interactive elements for little ones.
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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UCW Book Group (Zoom)
Next Meeting - November 29 at 7:30 p.m.
The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McClaren
Please join us on Tuesday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group meeting. We will be reading The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McClaren. 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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Java Gents - Special Guest (Zoom)
Thursday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m.
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We’ll have a very special church member as a SPECIAL GUEST at our next meeting on December 15. He will share his experience with the war in the Ukraine by traveling there with his wife to help others.
Check your e-mail for the Zoom connection/link from Buz ([email protected]) as the date approaches.
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Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Buz Bedford ([email protected]) if any questions or to be added the Java Gents mailing list.
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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 to the men. We will enjoy a lively and supportive discussion of timely topics as well as personal goings on in our lives.
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Hope you all can attend.
Jay and Buz!
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Children Youth and Families
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Kids and Families in Advent!
Kids & Families
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We have an Advent season full of peace, hope, joy, and love ahead for children and families, and we hope you and yours will join us! Please see the list of Upcoming Sundays above for many intergenerational services and activities including:
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This Sunday - Hanging of the Greens
Kids are invited to stay in the sanctuary for the duration of worship to sing favorite carols and participate in this fun, interactive service. Our Prayground will be ready with activities and space for extra wiggles!
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Dec. 4 - Advent Wreaths and Stick Stars
We'll practice for the pageant during Sunday School at 10:00 a.m., and then come together with cookies and cocoa after worship to make stick stars and advent wreaths for your homes.
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Dec. 11 - The Christmas Story for All Ages!
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All ages are invited to help tell the Christmas Story in our pageant! There are costumes and ways to participate for everyone. If you or yours would like to help with a speaking part, or by sharing music or dance, please be in touch with Pastor Amy at [email protected].
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20th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday evening, January 7, at UCW
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Save the date for our 20th anniversary celebration of our work in Nicaragua.
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Saturday evening January 7, at the Union Church for dinner, fun, reconnecting with friends. After several years of support from home, The Union Church first traveled to Nicaragua in 2003 to serve in partnership with the local people in San Juan Del Sur. The experience was incredible and the people they met changed many lives for the better. What grew from that was more powerful connections by and between our parishioners and the locals and by and between the travelers. More than 100 people have traveled since and more than 100 people have helped from home. On Feb 18, 2023 we will be traveling on our 11th trip and we couldn’t be more thrilled than to celebrate our 20th anniversary with a party here at home on Jan 7th, so please save the date !!
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February 2023 Service Trip
February 18 - 26
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After a discussion and thoughtful discernment about politics, local needs, covid and trip safety, It was decided with joy by the Nicaragua Task Force that a Feb. 2023 service trip to Nicaragua is going to be planned. As the trip is fast approaching (Feb. 18 - 26), please let David Spertner (dspertner@gmail) if you are interested in going or want to learn more.
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Newton Freege: Union Church Serves Once a Month
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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. And our team of volunteers helps keep it running every other Saturday. Please reach out to Vinita Leslie, Karen O'Beirne or Erika Pond to learn more or to join our team. You may also find us our Facebook group - @newtonfreedge Facebook group for updates!
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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 Pastors Wendy or Amy for prayer or pastoral support:
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Mondays are days off for both pastors. If you have a pastoral need, please reach out to Pastor Wendy this week.
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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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