The Union Church in Waban
Friday, April 17, 2020 
This Sunday, April 19 th
Worship Continues Online
In these trying time, let us remember that the power and presence of God is even now moving in the world.

A separate eblast will be send out tomorrow, Saturday. In it you will find all the information you need to partake in worship and learning together on Sunday.
Spring:  The Season of Stewardship

With Eastertide and the arrival of Spring, we enter the traditional season of Stewardship at the Union Church. Given the guideline to 'stay home and stay well,' there is limited staff and volunteer time at the church office. As such, we are moving to an online campaign. During an otherwise dark time, there is much to celebrate about our beloved church. The church is a light to many amidst this troubling time.  Keep your eyes out for email arriving in your inboxes soon.
   
Tea Time with Stacy
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 3:00 p.m.

Grab a cup of tea and share in some conversation.
To join via Zoom go   HERE
Meeting ID: 746 243 368 
Password:  016341
or call  +1 646 558 8656. 
CYF
Children, Youth and Families 

Community Photo Album - Signs of New Life, Hope and Love
We are in the season of Easter, which continues until May 31st! After Resurrection Sunday, Jesus appeared to the disciples many times, meeting and surprising them wherever they were -- in a locked room, on a long walk. 

Where are you seeing God alive and moving in the world? Where are you seeing signs of New Life, Hope, Love and Light? Take a picture and add it to our community photo album HERE
 

Parents Group - Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm Gather to connect, laugh and share mutual support as we do the good work of parenting in these challenging times. CLICK HERE to log-in; password (if needed) is 499897

Story-time with Pastor Amy - Thursdays at 4:30 pm Pastor Amy gathers with kids and families each week to share a story and check-in. CLICK HERE and join our next story-time live (password:  069830).  You can see past story-times with Pastor Amy reading by clicking HERE .

Exploring Our Faith - Next Meeting, THIS SUNDAY April 19th 4-5:30 pm
Our Exploring Our Faith group for 9 th and 10 th graders will meet every two weeks during this time, and our next meeting will be on Sunday, April 19th.  The link and videos to watch ahead of time will be sent to students, families and mentors on email. 

Pastoral Support:
Please know that Pastor Amy is available for calls, texts or video-chats. We'll be working on other ways to get together in virtual small groups as well. Amy's email is amy@ucw.org and cell is 617-938-8112.

Advocates for Racial Justice
Health disparities we have been aware of are more glaring in this time of COVID
 
The Advocates for Racial Justice group are gathering the disturbing facts. The most vulnerable dying from the corona virus are being shown to be African Americans, then Latino's and Immigrants, not simply the old and those with pre-existing medical condition.  Please read the articles below for more on the most vulnerable during this time.

 NY Times  
Serving our Community During COVID-19 
  
Easter Special Collection
Children's Services  of Roxbury

EasterCollection
Given the challenges facing individuals and families in Boston, this year's recipient for our Easter Special Offering is  
Children's Services of Roxbury.
You can read more about Children's Services of Roxbury  here  
And watch a short video  here
MORE WAYS TO HELP! 

Boston Medical Center
and
Common Cathedral
 
In the midst of this scary and unsettling time, many of us are frustrated by our sense of helplessness in being able to help the most vulnerable in more concrete ways.   Our church is providing two ways you can make a difference by dropping off needed supplies for health care workers and food for those with food insecurity in this time.  All supplies may be dropped off at the church in the anteroom outside the elevator in the two marked boxes.   We hope you will tell others in Newton about this drop off place.  We will deliver the medical supplies to Boston Medical Center, the hospital that serves the most vulnerable and homeless in the city and sanitizer and food supplies for those made homeless to Common Cathedral.

For more detail and a list of supplies needed at the  Boston Medical Center and
Common Cathedral continue reading   HERE> 

R emote Mentoring for 
Russell School students
 
As most of you know, we have a partnership with one of the Boston Public Schools in Dorchester, the Russell school. It is a K-5 school that serves a large immigrant population, and also has a lot of homeless families.
Learn How   HERE
Donations can be made HERE  
(and specify Chromebooks BPS)
News From Nicaragua

Nicaragua Student Update
 
A letter received from our student Marvin who is sponsored by the Church and whom many of the travelers met this past February. We had the pleasure of working with him on the service project and he  is studying to become a nurse. To read Marvin's letter please go HERE.

A Word from Council

Dear Church,
 
In the midst of so much uncertainty, there are things that we can count on and things we know to be true. One is that God is and will continue to be with us. God will not leave us. God is with us in the midst of all we face. The second is that the Union Church is and will continue to be - us! We will not leave each other. We will be with each other in the midst of all we face.

That is Good News. And that Good News means that we also have some good work to do as we prepare to close out this fiscal year and plan for the next.

                                                
Our Covenant
 
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.


For a complete listing, and details of all upcoming events,  please 
visit our website, www.ucw.org 
 
Note : Material for inclusion in the Friday e-Blast newsletter should be e-mailed to the office at ucw@ucw.org , by 9:00 a.m. on the previous Wednesday morning.