The Union Church in Waban                
Friday, April 13, 2018
This Sunday 
 8:00 a.m.:   Practices of Prayer for All Ages  (details below)

 9:00 a.m.:    Choir Rehearsal
 
10:00 a.m.:   Sunday Worship  
11:15 a.m.:    Bell Choir Rehearsal
Featured

UCW-GBIO 
House Meetings Starting Soon 
Join the conversation!


The Union Church in Waban   is one of the 40-plus congregations of GBIO, the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. GBIO's mission is to organize people across religious, racial, ethnic, class, and neighborhood lines to achieve specific social-justice goals: criminal justice reform, for example, which the MA legislature recently approved, thanks in no small part to GBIO's activism.

The primary way GBIO identifies   which issues to tackle-the ones for which there is coalition-wide energy for action-is through periodic "listening campaigns," starting with congregation-based house meetings. These are focused small-group conversations in which 8 to 10 people share their defining stories and concerns.

Like the one-to-one "relational" meetings   we had last fall, house meetings have intrinsic value to us as a congregation, regardless of whether our particular passions translate into GBIO-level action. They are a wonderful opportunity to deepen our relationships with each other.

UCW has pledged to have   at least 5 house meetings before June 30-5 in people's homes, and perhaps another 3 on a Sunday after church-and to report back on our congregation's passions. The first one is coming up on Sat., April 21, at 6:30 p.m., at the home of Jenny and John Weisz. The other home-based meetings are on Sun., May 6; Tues., May 8; Tues.,
May 15; and Sun., June 10.

GBIO's listening campaign   will culminate in late October with a large "action" involving 3,000 people from across GBIO. Candidates for US Senator, MA Governor, and Suffolk County DA will be asked to declare where they stand on the issues identified in the campaign.

To sign up for a house meeting , go HERE .

Questions? Contact one of our house-meeting co-captains, Mark Smith (mark@dogwoodlanefarm.org ) or Jaap van Reijendam (jaapvanr@gmail.com).
Children, Youth and Families
UCW Youth Group Calendar - Exciting Spring Ahead!
We have an exciting spring ahead for our UCW Youth, including an upcoming service day at Common Cathedral in downtown Boston, outdoor gatherings, a movie night and more. For a full schedule of our youth activities, please find copies of the calendar in the Crocker Chapel off the main sanctuary, or online at www.ucw.org/youth-ministry.
Exploring Our Faith - May 6th, 12th and 20th
Next month's first-Sunday gathering will take place on Sunday, May 6th (6-8:00 p.m.), followed by a day retreat on Saturday, May 12th.   Exploring our Faith families and mentors should have received an Evite to this special retreat, which will help the students prepare for worship on May 20th Pentecost (Confirmation Sunday), and celebrate their year and spiritual journey together

Faith Formation and Fellowship
Waban Health Worship: Thursday, April 19th, 10:00 a.m.
On the third Thursday of the month UCW and the Waban Health and Rehabilitation Center (located in Waban Square behind the Waban Market) hold a shared service in the activity room at Waban Health at 10:30 a.m.  We sing, reflect on scripture, pray and partake of communion together.  This is a Spirit-filled time of loving fellowship and praise-filled worship.  Everyone is welcome.  Please see Pastor Stacy or Pastor Amy for more details .
 
Java Gents: Friday, April 20th, 7:00 a.m.
JAVA Gents is our informal monthly breakfast hour for the men of the UCW congregation (and community). The group aims to provide friendly fellowship and mutual support to the men. We meet the third Friday of each month in the church reception room at 7:00 a.m. We will have snacks, fruits, lots of hot coffee, etc. Along with good food and coffee, we share a lively and supportive discussion of timely topics as well as personal goings on in our lives.
Newcomers and non-Union Church members are always welcome!  
Practices of Prayer for All Ages over Eastertide

Why do we pray? Who are we praying to? Is anyone listening? Have you ever found yourself asking these questions? Do you still practice daily prayer? During the season of Easter, let us come together to explore any, and all, questions about prayer that weighs heavily on your heart. In our journey together as a community devoted to mindful prayer, we may each discover a daily prayer practice which may add to our spiritual wholeness. Each practice will be explained on one week; then, we will explore together how this form of prayer from various faith traditions rejuvenates the spirit, or if the practice does not help you reach God. This is a multigenerational exploration into the communal and individual prayer practices of humankind. Please join us on Sunday mornings during Eastertide on the Stage from 8-9:00 a.m. If you have any question or for more information please be in touch with Brian Donovan, Brian@ucw.org



What: We cannot live without water. Water is essential to life. In biblical times (as in many cultures around the world today), the source of water was a well and women were the ones who came to the well to draw water for their families. As such, wells were a meeting place, a place of encounter where women gathered not only to draw up the water but also to share with each other, to hear the news of their lives, to be friends in their community. We invite the women of the church to "come to the well" on May 4 - 6th.

Why:    This will be a time to enjoy each other's company, share our stories and grow together in love and hope -- a time to draw deeply of the nourishing waters of our faith and to be refreshed and renewed by God's word and presence.

Where: Toah Nipi, 252 Old Ashburnham Road, Rindge, NH 03461, toahnipi.office@intervarsity.org , Phone: 603-899-5464 . Toah Nipi (which means "Quiet Waters") is a lovely and rest-filled setting in the spring for walks and activities by the lake.

When: 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 4 to 11:00 a.m., Sunday, May 6.

Cost: $120 includes four meals, and two nights lodging. If the cost of the retreat is a barrier to you, please feel free to contribute whatever is within your means. Also, if you would like to make a donation to a common fund to help make it possible for others to attend, it would be very much appreciated. 


If you have questions or would like more information about the retreat please reach out to Priscilla Kelso, plkelso@verizon.net / (617) 965-5399 or Pastor Stacy at 
Stacy@ucw.org/ 
  (617) 965-3893.

UCW Community News

UCW Member Seeking Resources and Referrals  

Adam Betters Reed, member of UCW and current Newton resident is a 30-year-old on the autism spectrum with experience living on his own who is looking for both housing and for an apartment/condo mate starting approximately August 2018.   

There is no expectation of coordinating meals or social life.  Adam has a strong preference for living in Newton, MA with access to the Green Line and near stores.  He grew up in Waban and is currently living in Newton Center in a house that is closing this summer. 

Adam's interests include:  history, politics, Fan Fiction, Anime, walking, dogs/animals, food.  Adam is currently enrolled in Pathways to Employment JF&CS program, but this too will discontinue in early fall.  

His mother Bonnie is coordinating these multiple searches, and can be reached at 
617-281-4224 or  bonitabetters@gmail.com .  

Any suggestions, resources or referrals are greatly appreciated. 

Mission Outreach
Walk for Peace
 
Your generous offerings to the Easter Special Collection will support both the Mass Coalition to End Gun Violence and the Louis Brown Peace Institute.
Please follow the link below for information on the 22nd Brown Mother's Day Walk.  

Miles for Maji: 5k & Water Walk -  Next Sunday!
April, 22nd,at 8:00 a.m.


From UCW youth leader, Cate Brown:    
In the summer of 2016, a group of students traveled to Tanzania. During their time there they had to carry water to the worksite from the nearest river. This experience of carrying water impacted the students in a powerful way. One of the students was me, Cate Brown. I took this experience to heart and decided that people back home in Boston could also walk for water. We created Miles for Maji (the word for water in Swahili) with a non-profit called Save the Rain. Save the Rain is an organization that works in Tanzania to build rainwater roof contraptions to collect clean, accessible water.  
 
Last year, there were events in Boston, San Diego, and West Palm Beach. Once again, this event will happen in Boston to raise money for water systems in the village of Makiba, Tanzania. Participants are encouraged to do both the 5K run followed by the two-mile water walk, but can choose to do just one if they prefer. 
 
The run begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir on Sunday, April 22nd . More details about directions to the event and timing will be given out after registration. With registration, participants also get a free water bottle or t-shirt.
If you aren't able to run, we are also grateful for donations!

To register or donate please go to: HERE

We hope to see you all there!  Maji ni uhai - Water is Life.


The Week Ahead at UCW

Sun., April 15
8:00 a.m.

Prayer Group (Stage)
 
9:00 a.m.

Choir Rehearsal
 
10:00 a.m.

Worship
 
11:15 a.m.

Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wed., April 18
6:30 p.m.

Moderators Team
Thurs., April 19
10:00 a.m.

Waban Health Worship
Fri., April 20
7:00 a.m.

Java Gents
Sun., April 22
8:00 a.m.

Prayer Group (Stage)
 
9:00 a.m.

Choir Rehearsal
 
10:00 a.m.

Worship
 
11:15 a.m.

Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
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 or our Sunday Announcements insert should be e-mailed to the office at ucw@ucw.org , by 9:00 a.m. on the previous Wednesday morning.  Please specify whether for e-Blast, Sunday Announcements, or both. Thank you!