The Union Church in Waban |
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Worship (In-person and Online)
Sunday, Nov 7th, 10:00 a.m.
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Pastor Wendy will preach and we will share in Communion.
For the next few Sundays we will dig into words from the letter to Romans. The apostle Paul wrote these words to a church he had not yet met, but who were facing the common circumstances of emergent and new communities gathering in the name of Jesus. Like those who heard these words long ago, we will ponder, what does it mean to "hold fast to what is good?"
For Communion, we ask those worshiping on Zoom to prepare bread/crackers/tortillas and juice/water- whatever you have on hand. We know God can work with anything we have to offer! For those in person, we ask that you be extra mindful of providing seating space between people/family groups so that we can participate as safely as possible. See you in worship in-person and online.
P.S. Remember to set your clocks back one hour!
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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To connect to Sunday Worship or to any of our online offerings,
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Meet and Greet with Pastor Wendy- still room to sign up!
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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 - 4 people to meet gathering on Zoom or in person.
The Sign-up Link can be found HERE
Setting this up as small groups dedicates time outside of the usual gathering spaces as well as foster connections between friends and members of Union Church. 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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A Celebration of Life for Priscilla Lasmarias Kelso |
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Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 6th, 2:00 p.m.
Newton Presbyterian Church,
75 Vernon St, Newton, MA.
All are invited to celebrate the life of Priscilla Kelso, beloved member of the UCW community
If you are unable to attend in person but would like to view the service online the link to the livestream of the service can be found here.
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A note to the congregation: Rev. Stacy Swain will be present and read scripture at this celebration of Priscilla's life. In this year as Pastor Stacy seeks to make space for new ministries and life to emerge at UCW, she has limited her contact with us. The decision for her to participate in this service was made in prayerful consultation with Pastors Wendy and Amy, and we encourage you to reach out to them if you have any questions or concerns. Pastor Stacy will be attending with Mark Smith (her husband) and his parents, long-time friends and colleagues of Priscilla and Bart. She won't stay for long, but it will be good to join all our hearts together in remembering our dear Priscilla, and in sharing our love with Priscilla's family, Bart and Rachel.
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Community Thanksgiving Dinner |
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Union Church in Waban
2021 Community Thanksgiving Dinner
In light of the ongoing pandemic, the Union Church in Waban will once again hand out "Thanksgiving Dinners To Go," instead of hosting an in-person event. Dinners may be picked up on Saturday, November 13th between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. at 14 Collins Road, Waban, MA 02468. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a meal, please have them contact Alicia Collins at 617.784.4825 or aliciamaureencollins@gmail.com.
We need volunteers to help package the meals between 10am and noon in the church kitchen, and then others to hand out the meals between 12:00 and 1:00pm. We may also need a couple of drivers to deliver meals. If you would like a job that you can do at home on your own, that can be arranged too! Thanks so much.
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Your Pictures and Stories Needed! |
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Church Photographer will be Available
Sundays, November 7th and 14th after Service
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As we come back together in-person and as a way to help Pastor Wendy get to know UCW, Jim MacDonald will be available on Sundays after worship on November 7 + 14 to take pictures of people. These photos will be uploaded into the church database and ultimately will become a church directory accessible through an app. For now, you can take advantage of Jim's skill or send your own pics to Aidan to upload at ucw@ucw.org
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What is Your Story; What is Your Song?
Please keep an eye out this week for an invitation to participate in this special all-church project!
This week, you will be invited 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'll share two examples in the email you'll receive shortly!
If you'd like to get a head-start, you can CLICK HERE to learn more,
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, November 8th, you can reach out to Pastor Amy, who will be available for emergencies.
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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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Pastor Wendy Preaching
Sunday, November 14th
Pastor Wendy will preach and we will continue to ponder the words found in Romans 12 in the Bible. You will hear a bit about purpose and the transition process we are engaging.
Pastor Amy Preaching - Thanksgiving Sunday
Sunday, November 21th
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 this morning.
Hanging of the Greens - First Sunday in Advent
Pastor Amy and members of UCW lead worship
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. We hope you'll join us!
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Save The Date!
Saturday, November 13th at 9:00am
All-Church Helping Hands
Clean-up & Service Day
Help with the Community Thanksgiving Dinner!
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Join in as we serve our beloved church and community together!
Bring your rakes and garden tools.
We'll have fun and re-connect while we:
- Clean-up and work on projects inside and outside our church building
- Lend a Helping Hand to members of our church community who could use help with fall clean-up or other projects
- Prepare and Pack Meals and gifts to share for our Community Thanksgiving Dinner!
For more information, please contact:
Thank you for being part of this meaningful and important day!
All ages (including kids and youth) are welcome and needed!
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Unity Farm Visit
UCW Middle School Youth Group and Families having fun at Unity Farm Sanctuary last Sunday!
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Click on the image to see a photo album of some of our great intergenerational events this fall.
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Pastor Amy leads Sunday School this Sunday!
Sunday, November 7th (and 14th)
This Sunday, Pastor Amy will resume leading the kids and youth during worship with a special all-ages Sunday School before returning to share Communion. We'll have a special time for reconnection, fun, and joy in being together. She'll lead Sunday School on the 14th, as well. On the 21st, Thanksgiving Sunday, the kids will be invited to make Mittens for our Mitten Tree!
Exploring Our Faith:
Next meeting, This Sunday Nov. 7th
Gather from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Youth Room!
We'll meet at our regular monthly time on the first Sunday in November (7th) from 6:30-8:30p.m. Jay O'Beirne, Rev. Wendy Vander Hart, and Anya Bassett will join us, and we will talk about where God is when bad things happen. We'll also take time to find joy in gratitude. It will be great to see you then!
All (Youth, Kids & Families) Hands On Deck!
Saturday, Nov. 13th
We Need You and Yours for the Helping Hands and Thanksgiving Dinner Day (See above)
Come when you can, for as long as you can, but please plan to come! There will be all sorts of jobs for all ages, talents, and abilities. Pastor Amy will send a sign-up out to the youth groups and families soon, so please keep an eye out! It's going to be an awesome day!
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Fall Youth & Families Calendar Now Available! |
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Adult Formation and Gatherings |
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Wellspring (In-person)
Wednesday, November 10th at 6:30 p.m.
All are welcome to come and share their joys and prayer concerns in this small gathering of women. Please wear a mask and plan to eat dinner beforehand. We will meet at church in the coffee hour area.
Anyone who would like to share a suggestion for scripture or poetry please email Amy McMann at amymcm@rcn.com
Thank you so much!
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Lunch Bunch Returns- Virtually!
Wednesday Nov 17th at 12:00 p.m.
Please come and join us for a time of sharing on Wednesday Nov 17th at noon! Our special guest will be our new Interim Senior Pastor Wendy Vander Hart. Come and reconnect with old friends while getting to know Wendy and hearing her thoughts and plans for UCW. Enjoy your soup and sandwich while chatting over zoom. Everyone is welcome! (Zoom connection details will be circulated as date approaches.)
Questions? Contact Judy Nagle (judy.nagle@rcn.com), Anne Hadley (annehadley@comcast.net) or Molly Owen Kiritsy (mollymok4@gmail.com).
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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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Tea Time
Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m.
This Tuesday, we'll take a break from Bible Study, but gather for conversation and prayer, and a look at the weeks ahead. We hope you'll join us!
Meeting ID: 847 2838 1864
Passcode: 837512
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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Fort Deposit Elementary School in Lowndes County, Alabama |
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Book Buddies
New Book Buddies were matched this week to 15 third graders at Fort Deposit Elementary School in Lowndes County, Alabama. Each Book Buddy is sending a new book to a third grader every month this school year. Many of our Book Buddies have a Book Buddy for the first time. Some have continued with the same Book Buddy at Fort Deposit Elementary or at another school in Lowndes County. A few already had a Book Buddy and volunteered to have another one! 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. If you would like to join in this effort 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
Sandwich-Making for November!
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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 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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Advocates for Racial Justice- Did You Know... |
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Better Housing
Improves Health Outcomes
Better housing is known to improve a variety of health outcomes.
Neighborhood characteristics also have a major impact on health-related determinants, such as the availability of healthy food and exposures to environmental toxins, gun violence, and other morbidity and mortality risks.
The Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing demonstration reported positive health outcomes, such as reductions in the prevalence of diabetes and improved mental health indicators, among people given a chance to move from a high-poverty to a low-poverty neighborhood. Studies also suggest that the creation of affordable housing in low-poverty communities could lead not just to improved overall living conditions for disadvantaged families but also to better educational and professional opportunities.
...................continue reading HERE
Join us at ARJ as we explore the impacts of zoning,
and all the ways we can support paths to more housing justice.
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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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