The Union Church in Waban |
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Worship (In-person and Online)
Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov 21st, 10:00 a.m.
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Pastor Amy Preaching
With Special Music from
James Cooke and Lisa Crockett
Amidst all the loss, uncertainty, and challenges we have experienced this year, we have so much for which to be grateful. Come; let us be together in a spirit of Thanksgiving. As we continue our exploration of Paul's words from the letter to Romans, we'll consider how we are called to "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep;" and how practices of humility and gratitude may guide us to greater peace.
We are also so grateful for the gift of beautiful music from James Cooke and Lisa Crockett!
Our Thanksgiving Offering will go to support the important work of the Newton Food Pantry. We hope to see you there!
To join Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. on Zoom:
Meeting ID: 832 2059 8969
Passcode: 458322
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
The bulletin is available HERE
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YOU ARE INVITED - Following Worship every Sunday!
Gather after worship on Zoom or at our outdoor reception together.
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To connect to Sunday Worship or to any of our online offerings,
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Adult Formation and Gatherings |
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UCW Book Group
Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 p.m.
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.
Please join us on Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 p.m. for our next book group meeting. This month we will be reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. You will find a zoom link and sign-in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody (almorrow@aol.com)
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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Meet and Greet with Pastor Wendy- new dates added! |
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In an effort to join this community more fully and get to know your stories, Pastor Wendy is offering times for 1 - 2 people to meet gathering on Zoom or in person.
The Sign-up Link can be found HERE
We hope these times work for you. Please email Pastor Wendy if you cannot find a time that is suitable and we'll make another plan.
Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up.
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Upcoming Sundays & Gatherings |
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10:00 a.m. Worship - Coming Up!
We hope you will join us online or in-person following Covid safety guidelines!
Come, and find reconnection, renewal, hope, and joy as we gather together
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First Sunday in Advent - Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, November 28th
Join us as we deck the halls, and enter into this season of light, hope, peace, joy and love. As we enter the Advent season, we'll ask how we and our church can be houses where the Holy will be born anew–offering respite, sustenance and care, opening the doors ever wider to those seeking shelter from the onslaught of life. A Time for All Ages will also be re-introduced into our worship practice. We hope you'll join us!
Second Sunday in Advent
Communion Sunday, December 5th
Join us this second Sunday in Advent, as we open the doors to the Holy and gather around God's table for Communion. This very special service will also include the baptism of a precious little-one in our congregation.
Third Sunday in Advent - Children and Youth-Led Service!
Sunday, December 12th
Our Christmas Pageant will look a little different this year and will include all ages in the telling of the Christmas Story! Children, youth, and the young-at-heart who would like to participate, please contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org; 617-938-8112)
Fourth Sunday in Advent - Special Music
Sunday, December 19th
The UCW Choir is busy preparing special music for the congregation on this Christmas Sunday. Please plan to join us on this day, and if you can add your voice to the choir, please contact Mijin at mijin@ucw.org.
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Sunday School this Sunday - Mitten Tree
Sunday, November 21th
This Sunday, we will consider all we have to be grateful for as we prepare for Thanksgiving, and Molly K. will lead the kids in decorating the mittens for our Mitten Tree, as we collect gifts for our friends at Norwood Health and Project Care & Concern.
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Christmas is Coming!
Mark Your Calendars for these Family Gatherings
Hanging of the Greens and Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, November 28th -10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Come during worship as we deck the halls (see above), and/or come at 11:00 a.m. as we create family Advent Wreaths together, and share time to connect with other parents and families!
All-Ages Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 12th
We'll share a relaxed, interactive, all-ages telling of the Christmas Story! We'd love to have some readers, and also kids who might share their gifts of music or dance (or any other gift they'd like to share!). Pre-recorded pieces can be played during worship if that is more comfortable. Pastor Amy will send an email to families, but please be in touch if you can participate in some way!
Youth Group Caroling and Christmas Party
Sunday, December 19th
We'll travel to the homes of members who aren't able to make it to church in person to share some Christmas cheer! We'll then gather for a fun Christmas celebration together!
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Advocates for Racial Justice |
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ARJ Planning Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 30th at 7:00 p.m. (via Zoom*)
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Have you read The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein?
Have you watched Segregated by Design?
Would you like to learn about old how zoning laws have created segregation and economic inequity?
The Union Church in Waban is inquiring this of you, and other neighborhood churches.
Would you like to be in conversation with other churches about this?
You are invited to join us at Advocates for Racial Justice, Tuesday Nov. 30th at 7:00 p.m. to determine next steps.
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*If you are interested in attending this meeting please reach out to Nancy Zollers (dr.nancy.zollers@gmail.com) to be added to the meeting participant contact list.
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Fort Deposit Elementary School in Lowndes County, Alabama |
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Book Buddies
New Book Buddies, matched at the beginning of the month to 15 third graders at Fort Deposit Elementary School in Lowndes County, Alabama, are sending new books to their Book Buddies. Some of our Book Buddies have received a picture by email of the child opening the package with the new book. The principal of the school delivers the books as they arrive and reports how excited the children are to receive their own new book. Thanks to all of you who are participating in this meaningful way of enriching the lives of children in one of the poorest counties in the nation.
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The Book Buddy program was created after Josephine Bolling McCall made a powerful presentation at Union Church about her father, Elmore Bolling, who was lynched in Alabama for being a successful businessman and philanthropist in Lowndes County. The county has never had a wastewater system with mostly Black families living in rural areas, 27 % in poverty. Earlier this month the Justice Department announced it will conduct an environmental justice investigation into the wastewater disposal program and infectious diseases and outbreaks program in a manner that discriminates against Black residents of Lowndes County.
If you would like to join in this effort of Union Church to continue the philanthropic efforts of Elmore Bolling by being a Book Buddy, please contact me at jenweisz@icloud.com. We will need 30 more Book Buddies for the other two elementary schools in Lowndes County who have children in the third grade needing a Book Buddy. If you, your friends or family members would like to be a Book Buddy, please let me know! Jenny Weisz
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Newton Freedge: Volunteers Needed!
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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. We are in need of more volunteers to help on Saturdays.
Union Church Freedge Sign-up: HERE
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Common Cathedral Sandwich-Makers! |
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Common Cathedral
Looking for a Driver for this coming Monday, November 22nd.
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Sandwich-Making for BostonWarm!
We continue to make sandwiches for our friends at Boston Warm every week. This month, we will bring sandwiches to the center on Monday mornings. If you have a bit of extra time and can drive sandwiches into Boston between 8-9:30 a.m. this Sunday, please contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org).
If you can help make 25 sandwiches, donate granola bars,
or drive in on Mondays, please sign up HERE.
With questions, please contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org).
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Your Pictures and Stories Needed! |
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What is Your Story; What is Your Song?
Please be part of this all-church initiative!
Last week, you should have received an invitation to contribute a paragraph about yourself (individual or family) along with a photograph, and your favorite hymn, to be compiled into a new church booklet or directory. We hope that these brief biographies will help us to get to know each other better and to connect more deeply during this time of transition, and we also hope that they will help Pastor Wendy and our future Senior Pastor to get to know us. We look forward to hearing your story! We'd love to receive all submissions by Dec. 3rd, and will reach out to folks
and share your story and song. Thank you for participating!
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Pastoral Care Connections
During this time of transition, please know that your church is here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Revs. Wendy Vander Hart or Amy Clark Feldman for prayer or pastoral support:
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Pastor Wendy's email is seniorpastor@ucw.org and her office phone is 617-965-3893
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Pastor Amy's email is amy@ucw.org, and her cell phone for calls or texts is 617-938-8112.
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Please note: Both of our pastors take Mondays off as a day of rest and Sabbath. If you are in need of urgent pastoral support on this coming Monday,, you can reach out to Pastor Wendy, who will be available for emergencies.
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up
If you are joining our Sunday worship in person, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services
Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
Note: Previously we had hoped to include scripture readers who could join us from their home via zoom but unfortunately this is currently not possible.
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Host Reception - Sign-Up
Hosting Reception after Worship is so meaningful. This year guidelines are a little different e.g. individually wrapped snacks keep it simple and in lieu of coffee, lemonade or something that can be served easily is preferred. Please follow the link below to sign up or for more information.
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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.
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