The Union Church in Waban |
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Friday Updates, September 2, 2022 |
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Sunday. September 4th at 10.00 a.m.
Gathering in Memorial Chapel and on Zoom
We will continue our theme of "Calling", examining our own calls as people of faith. We are gathering upstairs in Memorial Chapel. Worship will be more informal, followed by time for fellowship. Alan Cody will take the lead in worship on this Sunday assisted by Rev. Matt Carriker. He will examine the call story of Paul in Acts 9: 1-22. Communion will be served as well.
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Zoom Visitors Please Note: As of noon on Friday the church internet was not functioning. We hope to have this resolved by Sunday but apologize if you find that our Zoom option is unavailable this week.
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To join Sunday Worship at 10:00 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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Upcoming Sundays & Summer Gatherings |
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Gathering Sunday
Sept. 11th at 10:00 a.m. (Returning to the Sanctuary)
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On September 11th at 10:00 a.m., we will gather stories of water as people bring water to represent their summer experiences – water from sacred places, special occasions, from far and near. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. Child care provided, but all ages are always welcome in the sanctuary.
Following the worship service we will share food and games on the lawn.
We hope to see you on this special Sunday!
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Sunday, September 18th (In Person and on Zoom)
Students of any age, teachers, school administrators, or professors, please join us for a blessing of the backpacks and devices on this Sunday in worship. Bring your backpack or bag, and device if you have one. Together we will journey into the new school year blessed and blessing!
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Sunday, October 2nd (In Person and on Zoom)
We will share in worship with the Boston Taiwanese Christian Church on World Communion Sunday joining with Christians around the globe to live our inclusive welcome at the table.
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Covid Guidelines Updated- Masking Optional |
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Our Phase Forward Team has revised our Covid guidelines for the Fall. The recommended guidelines are very much in line with protocols at Newton Public Schools.
In short, Phase Forward recommends that the decision whether or not to mask should be individualized. For those who are concerned about the risk, the option of wearing a well-fitting N95 mask does a very good job of protecting the wearer. For worship and many meetings, the remote option of Zoom will continue. Those who feel more comfortable wearing masks or remaining remote are respected in that choice.
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We are in a better place right now, both with variants that are less intrinsically severe, with greater population immunity, and with effective therapies. If any of this changes (e.g. more dangerous variants, loss of effectiveness of current therapeutics) then Phase Forward will revisit these guidelines.
We do encourage those who are under the weather not to attend live in person services, but to utilize the remote option instead. It is important to state that while the church invested in upgraded filters for the sanctuary, the SARS-CoV-2 virus will still be able to spread at church, and that congregants should take that into consideration in their choices.
Finally, anyone feeling unwell, anyone recently exposed, and anyone recovering from COVID within the last 10-14 days should refrain from singing without a mask.
We hope these guidelines are helpful in keeping us together as a faith community and empowering individual choices to do so.
Phase Forward is: Susan Hunt Stevens, Frank Laski, Alison McCarty, Judy Nagle, Sandy Nelson, Jenny Weisz and Pastor Wendy
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Introducing Rev. Matt Carriker - Sabbatical Pastor
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Welcome Rev. Matt Carriker! Pastor Matt will begin at UCW on September 1st to cover the sabbatical of Pastor Amy.
Pastor Matt has engaged in ministry to the younger generation throughout his ministry and brings immense gifts and experience to the role.
Pastor Matt will begin his time with us in worship leading communion this Sunday, September 4th and then working with children, youth and families each Sunday and for special events that you can find in the link above.
You can reach Pastor Matt at youthfamilies@ucw.org. We look forward to his service among us through October 10th.
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All Church Retreat
Sunday, November 12th - 13th, Edward's House, Framingham
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Our Planning Team is hard at work plotting meaningful time for all ages. We will focus around the story of the disciple Peter's encounter with Jesus walking on water. Themes of trust and faith will be examined in deep and playful ways.
The retreat for all ages will be on Saturday, November 12. Youth will remain for an overnight into Sunday, November 13. We will meet at Edwards House at the UCC Conference Center in Framingham.
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We look forward to creating intergenerational meaningful space and conversation. |
More details and a sign-up to follow! |
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Transition Team Work Complete! |
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The Transition Team met last night and finalized its portions of the Local Church Profile. This Team has worked diligently and met its timeline goal. Please offer them your thanks when you see a Team member.
The next step in the process is for the Search Committee to add its input to the Local Church profile and undertake the confidential candidate engagement phase. They will meet on September 15th and be blessed in worship for their journey. Stay tuned for more updates!
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Transition Team Members (left to right) Jaap van Reijendam, Jane Purser, Anya Bassett, Cindy Spertner, Pastor Wendy (missing Alan Cody)
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Advocates for Racial Justice (ARJ) |
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We are invited!
Our partner in our UCW pilgrimage to Alabama will be honored in October
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Celebrating Jo McCall
October 21st -23rd
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Our founder, Josephine Bolling McCall, turns 80 this year and we are inviting YOU to join our weekend of events celebrating in Montgomery, Alabama.
As the child of a Jim Crow South lynching victim speaking in America today, Jo is a national treasure who dedicates her life to addressing America’s history of lynching and the racial caste system that made it possible. Our weekend of tours and events is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Jo and spend time with her and other history makers on the ground in Montgomery and Lowndes County, Alabama.
The weekend begins on Friday, October 21 with an opportunity to tour historic sites in Montgomery, including the EJI Memorial and Museum, the Mothers of Gynecology Memorial, during the day and a Gala celebration in the evening featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and MSNBC correspondent, Trymaine Lee, who wrote the chapter about the Bolling Family in The 1619 Project. Saturday and Sunday will include a special event honoring the Women of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee or SNCC, who played a central role in expanding the Civil Rights movement throughout the South in the 1960s, and a tour of Lowndes County, offered exclusively by The Elmore Bolling Initiative, to make a pilgrimage to the county where Elmore and Bertha Mae Bolling raised their family and built a network of farming and transport businesses that lifted up Black people with jobs and services, and where Ku Klux Klan members lynched Elmore in 1947. We will also visit important sites in the fight for voting rights in ‘Bloody Lowndes.” Elmore Bolling’s daughter and Lowndes County native, Jo McCall will lead along with renowned local tour leader, Michelle Browder, one of USA Today’s Women of the Year.
We are celebrating Jo for her dedication to truth-telling in the place where her father, Elmore Bolling, was lynched in 1947, and also for being a community leader (like her father) who empowers citizens in Lowndes County. Reserve your place at the gala and our other special events here.
Whether you will be attending our celebration or not, please support The Elmore Bolling Initiative with a donation or sponsorship.
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Children, Youth & Families |
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Sunday School - Last Summer Sunday
Sunday School will resume on Sept. 11th!
This Sunday is the last of our summer break, but kids are always invited in worship, and our Prayground remains up and ready for kiddos!
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Preview Our Fall Calendar at the Link Below! |
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Please Note: Pastor Amy is on sabbatical until October 11th. We welcome our wonderful Sabbatical Pastor, Rev. Matt Carriker who began serving on September 1st!
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Newton Freedge: Continued Need!
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The Union Church in Waban is a Freedge partner responsible for helping connect with local businesses, stock, and monitor this needed local resource two Saturdays a month. We are in need of volunteers in the coming weeks.
The work is easy and rewarding, with multiple slots throughout the day. 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.
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Union Church Freedge Sign-up: HERE
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Every Sunday after worship we gather on the stage for a time of fellowship. This reception is hosted each Sunday by different members of the congregation.
Reception Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up
If you are joining our Sunday worship, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services.
Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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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 Rev. Wendy Vander Hart for prayer or pastoral support while Pastor Amy is on sabbatical:
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Pastor Wendy's email is seniorpastor@ucw.org and her office phone is 617-965-3893
Mondays are days off for both pastors. If you have a pastoral need, please reach out to Pastor Wendy this week.
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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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