The Union Church in Waban               
Friday, February 7, 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. - Zoned Out - Who Gets to Live in Suburban Boston? (more here)
11:45 a.m. - EOY - Visit to the Islamic Center in Wayland (more here)
  5:30 p.m. - Nicaragua Traveler's Meeting 
Save the Date!
The Penalty for Success  
My Father was Lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama.
Sunday, March 8 th, at 6:00 p.m .

Po tluck with Speaker, and Author,  Josephine Bolling McCall 


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 to Pastor Stacy.                   

Adult Education, Spiritual Formation and Fellowship
February Book Group
SUNDAY,  February, 23 rd , 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. 
Our next book is " The Soul of America " by Jon Meacham.

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.  

Mission Outreach 
Thank you  common art
for sharing your artistry with us!


common art , begun in 1999, is a program of common cathedral which provides space, materials and caring support staff to support un-housed and low-income individuals as they develop their artistic abilities.  Its mission is to serve individuals within Boston's poor and homeless communities by providing resources and opportunities for creating and participating in the arts.  

In this way, commo n art   acknowledges the dignity of all human beings and honors the divine creativity within each person.  After our church service last Sunday, February 2, UCW was honored to host 17 common artists in our Fellowship Hall.  Many church members stopped by to view and purchase paintings, kni t and woolen goods,   sculptures, and jewelry.  Each artist sold at least two pieces and said they clearly felt our welcome and hospitality.  They also mentioned that the breakfast and lunch we served were delicious.  common art meets once a week, from 10 AM to 2 PM on Wednesdays, at Emmanuel Church Parish Hall, 15 Newbury Street, Boston.  Volunteers are welcome.   ( http://commoncathedral.org/common-art   ) .  

CRADLES TO CRAYONS COLLECTION 
THROUGH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16

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Please bring in new or gently-used donations for Cradles to Crayons! Donation bins are located in the chapel and will be available through Sunday, February 16.  Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school, and at play. 

 
Most Needed Items:    
  • Everyday shoes/sneakers    
  • Boys clothing  
  • Sweaters/sweatshirts
Other Accepted Items:
  • Clothing and coats (youth sizes 0-20 and adult sizes small & medium)
  • Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats within five years old
  • New and like-new toys (Gently-used toys must have all pieces. We do not accept stuffed animals, ride-on toys, or plastic play structures. No large toys please.)
  • Shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals (infant/child sizes 0-13 and adult sizes 1-10)
  • New socks and underwear
  • Pajamas (can be new or gently used)
  • Books, especially baby board books
  • Brand new arts and crafts/school supplies
  • Baby supplies and bedding (up to size twin)
  • Diapers, all sizes
  • New hygiene supplies for ages 0 to 12 
  • New batteries
Go  HERE for more.

ZonedOut
Zoned Out: Who gets to live in suburban Boston
This Sunday! February 9th at   11:30 a.m. 

Ever thought about why you live where you do? Or considered what unseen forces might have led you there? Join Kathleen Hobson, Nancy Zollers, and Frank Laski, three of our Advocates for Racial Justice, for a discussion about the origins of the Boston suburbs, the roots of our chronic housing shortage, and what it will take for us to achieve a more equitable and inclusive community. Everyone and all ages are welcome, no preparation necessary-but these three easy-to-digest pieces create a helpful frame for the conversation we envision*:
 
The Character of the Neighborhood- Rev. Howard Haywood, Newton TAB (op-ed), 1/21/15, during the Austin Street fight
 
" Special: Richard Rothstein, The Color of Law Mission YIMBY event"- Rothstein here gives a particularly clear and vivid version of the argument in his book ( The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America). You can skip to 5:10, where his lecture begins. (Infill podcast, approx. 45 min)
 
" You have a better chance of achieving 'the American dream' in Canada than in America"- Ezra Klein interviews Raj Chetty, Aug. 2019 (both in written and podcast form, vox.com )

Public Voice Speakers from City Mission
Sunday, March 1 , 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.
CYFChildren, Youth and Families
Growing in Faith and Community 
THANK YOU - NOTEBOOKS AND COMMISSIONING FOR NICARAGUA! 

We're so grateful for the good work and creativity of our kids and families preparing decorated notebooks for the children of our partner church in Nicaragua!  Pastor Amy, Nancy Zollers and Frank Laski met this week on a video-call with Pastora Cleofa of the Alpha-Omega church in San Juan del Sur, and they are excited to welcome our travelers next Sunday, Feb. 16th.  They have asked Pastor Amy to preach, and for our children and adults to help lead their Sunday School. We'll share the notebooks, crafts, songs, and food for reception. As part of Sunday School, we hope the children of Alpha-Omega may write letters back to our children too! Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we travel and build relationships in Nicaragua!    
IslamicCenter
EXPLORING OUR FAITH - Visit to the Islamic Center in Wayland
This Sunday, February 9 th 
The Islamic Center in Wayland generously opens their doors to visitors, and we will gather with them for a time of learning and worship this afternoon. Exploring our Faith students and other high-schoolers are especially encouraged to attend, and mentors are always welcome! We'll gather after UCW worship for a brief lunch (optional), and then leave UCW at 11:45 a.m. to arrive at the Islamic Center before 12:30 p.m.  We will be back at UCW by 2:30 p.m., at which time, Exploring Our Faith students will gather for an hour or so, ending before 4:00 p.m.  
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.



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.     

From the Wider Community

City Mission Pilgrimage

April 16, 2020 - April 19, 2020
National Memorial for Peace and Justice
Montgomery, Alabama
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS FEBRUARY 16, 2020:
The Pilgrimage is limited to 55 participants.
REGISTRATION FEE:
$250 per person (this is non-refundable)
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Tickets to the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice * Local tours * 2 meals


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.