The Union Church in Waban               
Friday, February 21, 2020 
This Sunday
          8:00 a.m. - Bible Study (Stacy's study)
  9:00 a.m. - Choir Rehearsal  
10:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship 

11:30 a.m. - Invitation to learn about the ministry at Norwood Health.
Every month a team of UCWers join with the congregation at Norwood Health for a spirited worship service of song, word and sharing.  If you'd like to learn about this ministry or perhaps share in it, please consider joining us on the stage at 11:30 a.m. 

7:00 p.m. - Book Group in Stacy's Study (details here)
Ash Wednesday Service - February 26th at 7:00 p.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 26, 7:00 P.M.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of our Lenten Journey towards Holy Week and the Glory of Easter Morning.  This contemplative service creates space for us to examine our own hearts and longings.  It invites us to name that which may be keeping us from the One who has come to show us The Way.
 
The ashes we receive are made from the palms that we waved in joyful Hosanna on Palm Sunday. These burnt ashes are mixed with oil symbolizing the nard that the woman (mark 14 3-9) used to anoint the head of Jesus days before his death. We mark ourselves with these ashes and oil as a sign of our commitment to a time of intentional reflection and preparation as we engage the transformative power of Jesus' life and resurrection.
 
Those that do not wish to receive ashes are still very much invited to attend this service. A blessing can be given instead of ashes. After the ashes/blessing are given, we will be invited to engage with our Lenten prayer station.
 
During this service in the Sanctuary, Amy will meet with children for their own service, including prayer, art, and time with the labyrinth.

Adult Education, Spiritual Formation and Fellowship
New Bible Study Group at The Union Church
Starting Thursday Morning,  March 5 th  from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Led by Jade Hardgrave

Join us on Thursday mornings starting March 5 th for six weeks of Exploring the Bible: Old Testament. This study series is intended for all who are interested in learning more about the Bible, even if your previous understanding is limited. In our time together, we will learn more about the content of the Old Testament and the context in which it was written. 

We will meet from 10:00-11:30 on March 5, 12, 26, and April 2, 9, and 16.
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BookGroup
February Book Group:  "The Soul of America" by Jon Meacham
This Sunday, Feb 23rd, from 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. 

Our February read is the Pulitzer Prize winning "The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels" by New York Times bestselling author, Jon Meacham. 

"While the American story has not always-or even often-been heroic, we have been sustained by a belief in progress even in the gloomiest of times. In this inspiring book, Meacham reassures us, "The good news is that we have come through such darkness before"-as, time and again, Lincoln's better angels have found a way to prevail."* - Amazon Review
Praise for The Soul of America
"Brilliant, fascinating, timely . . . With compelling narratives of past eras of strife and disenchantment, Meacham offers wisdom for our own time." -Walter Isaacson
"Gripping and inspiring,  The Soul of America is Jon Meacham's declaration of his faith in America." -Newsday

"Meacham gives readers a long-term perspective on American history and a reason to believe the soul of America is ultimately one of kindness and caring, not rancor and paranoia." -USA Today.  

Some Pictures from Nicaragua 2020


Save the Dates!
The Penalty for Success
My Father was Lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama
Po tluck & Conversation with Speaker & Author 
Josephine Bolling McCall
Sunday, March 8 th at 6:00 p.m.


Sponsored by the Advocates of Racial Justice, Josephine will tell the story of how her father's success as a businessman in Alabama led to his lynching and how that impacts his descendants and the community even today. She will provide updates on the Legacy Museum and the Memorial in Montgomery both of which honor her father as one of many victims. Jo will also challenge us to rethink the reality of life for Blacks and Whites in the mid-20th century rural South by considering joining a literacy campaign. Research shows that children who have learned to read by the third grade have a much better chance of completing high school. Alabama has a new law that children will be retained if they do not successfully complete the third grade. The speaker hopes her presentation will set the stage for dialogue on creative ideas for participants to help improve literacy in Lowndes County, Alabama.    

If you are interested in sharing in this evening with Josephine,
please rsvp  HERE .
                   

 
Save The Date!
Boston City Singers
Sunday, March 15 th at 3:00 p.m.

Performing at The Union Church in Waban


Join us for a memorable concert featuring Luke and Elisabeth van Reijendam and the talented Boston City Singers' 35-voice choir in a program of music and dance from around the world, in collaboration with Naledi Masilo and Chi-Wei Lo. This will be your last chance to hear Luke sing with this choir as he will be graduating from high school this spring!
 
Your donation will support the Scholarship Fund for our upcoming Global Voices Tour to Ecuador, in the summer of 2021. Your support ensures that all chorus members, regardless of financial means, can participate. We never leave anyone behind! No tickets required. Free-will donations at the door.  More details here Thank you, Jaap van Reijendam. 

Mission Outreach 
Public Voice Speakers from City Mission
Sunday, March 1 st , following worship
  We are privileged to host two speakers from City Mission's Public Voice program on Mar.1 st  after fellowship. Public Voice provides trained storytellers/speakers whose lived experience gives insight, understanding and perspective to the issues underlying homelessness. City Mission's Public Voice Project customizes storytelling training and presentations to help participants find and share the stories which break down barriers and build understanding within oneself as well as across groups, cultures and communities.

Common Cathedral
March 8th - Common Cathedral After Worship
 Please consider sharing in worship with the outdoor church of Common Cathedral on Boston Common on Sunday afternoon.  Our children will be preparing food in Sunday School and then all ages are invited to travel down to the Common to serve lunch and share worship with our friends who are experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness.      

CYFChildren, Youth and Families
Growing in Faith and Community 
PARENTS' GROUP 
Monday, February 24 th , 7:30-9:00 p.m.
To accommodate the public school February vacation week and the Nicaragua service trip, we will meet a bit later in the month. All are invited to join us as we share the joys and challenges of parenting, and find moments of peace and support together.

TEACHER BREAKFAST 
Sunday March 1st, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
  We hope anyone who teaches in our Sunday Schools, or who is interested in our Children's Ministry will join our monthly teacher breakfast - postponed a week due to the Nicaragua trip -in Pastor Amy's office. This month we will talk about the season of Lent, intergenerational relationship-building; and the service the kids will lead on Palm Sunday.

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUPS - More Events Coming Up!    
Please save the date for upcoming Middle School and High-School get-togethers:
  • Feb. 28th, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.: Cookie Baking and Delivery - Middle and High Schoolers will have dinner together, and then bake and deliver cookies to members of our congregation who could use a little extra sweetness!
  • March 1st: High School Youth Group @ Boda Borg! - We have a reservation at Boda Borg from 2:00-4:00 p.m., and then will come back to the church for pizza and Exploring Our Faith
  • March 8th: Common Cathedral - All ages are invited to help prepare food in Sunday School, and then to serve lunch and worship with our friends experiencing homelessness on Boston Common.
  • March 27th-28th: Middle School Overnight! We'll gather for an awesome night of fun, games, food, connection and worship.
                                                
                                      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.


Performing at The Union Church
BCS

It is the hope of the Union Church to always have our sanctuary open on Sunday mornings for worship and fellowship. We also realize that conditions may be such that the safest option for staff and congregants is not to travel. We ask that all use their best judgment. As such, in inclement conditions, the church will remain open - however we cannot assure that there will be childcare, Sunday School, professional music or pulpit coverage. Every effort will be made to keep walkways and stairs clear, although this cannot be guaranteed. Congregants will find an open door, a worship service and sanctuary together with others.

In the extreme situation in which the church is unable to open, notification will be on the church website ( [email protected] ), and a message will be on the church phone  - 617-527-6221.     

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 [email protected] , by 9:00 a.m. on the previous Wednesday morning.