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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, July 24, 2020
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THE
PHASE FORWARD
TEAM
WANTS TO
HEAR
FROM
YOU
The Phase Forward team at UCW is requesting your participation in this survey as we pull together a set of recommendations for Council.
These recommendations will provide parameters for what types of activities can take place during various stages of reopening (and possibly reclosing) due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community. These guidelines will be informed first and foremost by state regulations, but also with expert guidance from epidemiologists and various church governing bodies about church-specific risks and needs.
We also want to hear from each of you about your specific needs and concerns as we develop this recommendation. Please
GO HERE
to complete a survey. Thank you in advance for your participation. It's truly helpful at this time.
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Online Worship - This Sunday
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Sunday, July 26
th
- 10:00 a.m.
Growing in Friendship
"Growing" is our theme for the month of July. Each Sunday we will be exploring a practice that if cultivated may help us to grow in our capacity to love as Christ commands.
This Sunday, Nathan Patti will be our preacher. He will be exploring what it is to grow in friendship with God and with each other as church drawing on two passages that Arlyne Grant will read from the Gospel of John (John 15: 12-17 and
Luke 5:17-26
). As is our practice in July, the congregation will be invited to listen during the scripture reading and sermon for a word that God may be placing on ours heart and to share that word in a time of reflection after the sermon.
[Jesus said]"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22: 37-39)
To join us in worship please go HERE
Meeting ID: 838 6177 5919
Passcode: 209427
Call in: +1 646 558 8656
A copy of the bulletin is available
HERE
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Tomorrow, Saturday, July 25th, from 8:30 - noon
Hello everyone!
Guess what? It's time for another outdoor church clean-up! So, if you regret missing the last one, or you just need to be together again, please come and help. It won't take too long as we did so much at the last clean-up. The weeds always win, so we need to keep on top of that! Bring your rakes, and any other items you think could be helpful.
The date is Tomorrow, from 8:30 - noon
(Rain date is Sunday, July 26, 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
Many hands make light work! Plus, it'll be good to be together.
Thanks,
Judy Nagle
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Roof Repairs Have Begun
at T
he Union Church!
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Work has begun on the roof, and even though we are not
physically there the building is nonetheless proclaiming good news
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Ways to Connect this Week
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Tea Time continues
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 pm.
We'd love to see you!
Tea time is a drop in gathering for anyone in the congregation young or old to say hello and connect with each other. Come share something you are experiencing or learning. Come hear how others in the community are doing and what is on their heart and minds. Grab a cup of tea and share in some conversation.
To join via Zoom go
HERE;
Meeting ID: 746 243 368
Password:
016341
or call +1 646 558 8656.
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Wednesday Morning Prayer
Every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.
We begin with 20 minutes of meditative silence after which we speak aloud our prayers and light candles (if we have them) to help spread the light and warm of God's presence into the lives of those for whom we pray. We close with two prayers of blessing. The prayer of St. Francis and the Serenity Prayer. Please consider joining us. If you have any questions, please reach out to
Pastor Stacy
.
Join us on Zoom
HERE
,
Meeting ID: 825 631 369;
Password: 022055.
Or call in at
+1 646 558 8656
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Advocates for Racial Justice
Union Church Conversation about Reparations for African Americans
Mark your calendars: September 10th at 7:00 pm.
The idea of reparations for African American descendants of slaves is not new, and a bill to study reparations has been introduced in Congress each year since 1989. But this year, as national attention has focused on issues of justice for African Americans following the death of George Floyd, conversations about reparations have taken on a new urgency. The Union Church Advocates for Racial Justice invites you to a conversation about reparations, led by Anya Bassett.
In preparation for our conversation, we'll be reading two articles, Ta-Nehisi Coates'
The Case for Reparations and a recent
New York Times article
about reparations passed by the city of Ashville, North Carolina. We'll talk about the idea of reparations and how it might work in practice on the national, local, and individual level.
All are welcome!
Did you know....African American women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer. African Americans are 80% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
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Do you know any small business in possible need of a microfinance loan?
1K Task Force is seeking to find a borrower for a microfinance loan of $2500 or less. We have been exploring different options among local businesses in Newton and have not yet landed on an appropriate fit. We are seeking a business of five persons or less with a mission and purpose that is congruent with the values of Union Church. We were able to help Whams Cafe at a critical point in its business to get the leg up it needed to succeed. Our interest is less than 2% and is usually paid off over a two year period.
If you have any possible matches or ideas for locating a good fit please contact Brita Gill-Austern at 617 851 6871 or
[email protected]. Our meetings are open, if you would like to see what we are up to,or join our task force please join us on Tuesday July 14th at 7:15 on zoom. Let me know and I will send you zoom info. Brita Gill-Austern
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Can You Be Part of our On-going
Common Cathedral Team?
Summer Plans to Continue this Ministry
"If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."
- Lilla Watson
We are bound in powerful ways to our beloved unhoused brothers and sisters in Boston. Our team of UCW members continues to bring sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, socks and other
needed items - like cards and notes of love and support - to
Common Cathedral's Boston Warm Day Center each week.
We very much hope to continue to walk with our friends at Boston Warm over the summer. As Pastor Amy takes some vacation in July, we're looking for extra hands to help coordinate and drive donations to Boston.
- JOIN THE FOOD PREP & SUMMER COORDINATING TEAM: Most weeks, we sign up to bring 50-100 sandwiches. Can you make 25? Or perhaps you could help coordinate or drop-off donations? We're working on a Sign-up Doc to help us get organized. Please Contact Pastor Stacy ([email protected]) while Pastor Amy is away so we can add you to the list.
- DONATE GRANOLA BARS, TUBE SOCKS, UNDERWEAR OR CLEANING SUPPLIES: Contact Pastor Amy if you have items to donate, or bring them to the big green bin outside the elevator lobby at the church.
- CREATE CARDS, SIGNS : Help our friends at Boston Warm know they are not alone, and share your love and prayers with them. Cards from all-ages are so appreciated and cherished, hung on the walls of the center for all to see.
- PRAY & PRAY WITH AN ARTIST: Prayer makes a difference! The Artists in the community also left a number of works of art in our church building after this winter's Common Art Show. Rev. Mary has asked that we invite UCW members to take a piece of art home and hold the artist in prayer. Contact Amy if you can pray and host a piece of art in your home. There are still pieces that you can take home for the summer!
Thank you so much!
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Pastor Amy Away in July-
Pastor Amy will be taking some time for rest, renewal, and family in July - mostly communing with the trees in the White Mountains without reliable internet or cell service :) She'll be back for a few days in the middle of the month, and for all of August, but for any pastoral needs or other questions related to the church, please be in touch with Pastor Stacy in July. Her email is [email protected] and her cell is 617-759-9016.
Parents Group - Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm throughout the Summer!
Gather to connect, laugh and share mutual support as we do the good work of parenting in these challenging times. Annie Gatewood will lead this group while Pastor Amy is away, and will send a Zoom link to parents on our list. If you aren't on the parents list and would like to join us, please send Annie a note a
t
[email protected].
Sunday School & Youth Groups Break for July - Resources for Families
Sunday School, Story Time and our Youth Groups are taking a break for July! We'll be in touch in August with our plans for the end of the summer and fall. We hope and pray you find many moments of peace, rest and joy this month, as you stay safe and well. We also always welcome children to our 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship services (on Zoom), which will also continue throughout the summer. In addition, below are some books, videos and other resources you may wish to explore as a family during these summer days:
Family Sunday School & Bible Study
About COVID-19 and Hope
About Racial Justice and the Equal Worth and Belovedness of ALL God's Children:
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Youth Groups & Exploring Our Faith
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High School and Middle School Youth Groups
Taking a Break in July
Stay Tuned for August!
Our Youth Groups will take a break this month, but we hope our High School pal groups will continue to connect, and we look forward to seeing everyone in August! In the meantime, we encourage youth and families to attend our Sunday morning 10am services; continue discussion and learning around issues of race and racial justice; and explore the Bible Project
Church at Home (
Pastor Stacy is also available to our youth and families in July for any pastoral support they many need while Pastor Amy is away on vacation.
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2020_21 Stewardship Campaign
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Thank you to all who have returned their pledge forms for the 2020-2021 church year.
If you have not yet returned your pledge card, you can do so
here
.
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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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Overdue: Confronting Race & Racism in Newton:
A Virtual Conversation with Prof. Ibram X. Kendi
The exciting kickoff event for the
Overdue: Confronting Race & Racism in Newton
series is on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m. Join a virtual conversation with
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
followed by a discussion about race and racism in Newton. Professor Kendi is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, professor of history and international studies, and the Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research.
Dr. Brandon T. Crowley (Pastor of Myrtle Baptist Church) will moderate and thanks go to the Village Bank and the Trustees of the Newton Free Library for their support. This is the first event in a series and requires registering in advance
HERE
Closed captioning will be provided.
Overdue: Confronting Race & Racism in Newton
has been developed by a coalition of organizations (Newton Human Rights Commission, Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), Harmony Foundation, Newton Public Schools, and Newton Free Library) and individuals aiming to equip and empower our community with the understanding, knowledge and skills to actively fight racism in Newton and beyond.
The initiative will provide residents with opportunities to listen, to learn and to act in order to dismantle systemic racism within our city. This series of events will challenge us to do better and to examine the way we treat each other in order to make Newton a more welcoming place to live.
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In the aftermath of Mr. George Floyd's death at the hands of police in Minnesota, and the ensuing protest that erupted across the world in June 2020, City Mission invites you to sit in prayer for nine weeks to honor the life of Mr. Floyd and a call for God's justice.
The anguishing words spoken by Mr. Floyd are the inspiration for our Call for Prayer.
"It's my face... please I can't breathe"
"I did not do nothing serious"
"Mama, mama, mama"
"I'm through, I'm through"
"My stomach hurts, my neck hurts.... Some water or something"
"Please, please, please"
"Do not kill me"
"They gonna kill me"
"I can't breathe"
The Call for Prayer and Justice will launch on Juneteenth (June 19), also known as Freedom Day, and continue for nine weeks representing each of Mr. Floyd's last minutes of life. Each week we will post a new prayer on our website and provide a link on social media.
It is our sincere hope that you will join us and lift up these words with our strong voices so that Mr. Floyd's words will resound in our hearts and communities. We must pray without ceasing for courage, strength, and love to dismantle the malignancy of systemic racism, violence, and injustice.
To read more about the next nine weeks and the weekly prayers please
visit our website.
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