The Union Church in Waban   
Friday, February 10, 2017
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This Sunday - 
Bible Discussion at 8:00 a.m.    
Bible discussion continues this Sunday in Pastor Stacy's study.  .  All are welcome! 

Choir Rehearsal at 9:00 a.m.  
Singing the Psalms  at 9:35 a.m.   
Join us to sing Psalms together before worship on Sunday mornings. We gather at 9:35 a.m. in Memorial Chapel (the side chapel off the sanctuary),where we  sing and pray t ogether for ten minutes each week. Feel free to arrive a few minutes early for quiet centering prayer.
Learn more about this practice, and find  all of this saved on the Union Church website here . 
Worship at 10:00 a.m. 
This Sunday we will step into the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan and explore why it is that we are to "love our neighbor as ourselves."  We will also have the blessing of having four of our community partners with us and hearing  a brief word during a Mission Moment about who they are and how they are loving their neighbor.  Finally our processional hymn and our offertory anthem celebrate what it is to be a light of God's love and how we are called to "Let it Shine!"
 
Bell Choir Practice: 11:15 a.m.  

Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves: 11:30 a.m. on The Stage
Join our partners for an opportunity  to answer the questions in our heart about our  un-housed neighbors. Child care will be available. Participants include:  
  • Josephine McNeil from Citizens for Affordable Housing in Newton
    Development Organization (CAN-DO)
  • Adam Hearlson from Ecclesia Ministries
  • Lynn Weissberg from Engine 6 
  • Sister Joyce and Anne Jarvis from Project                                                                                                                                                           more details here 
Featured 
UCW Members Attend the GBIO Action Meeting
 
On Thursday, Feb. 2nd, nineteen Union Church folks joined over 900 people of faith from 44 congregations for a Greater Boston Interfaith Organization "action" at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain. Together we pledged our commitment-and secured commitments from state and local officials-to meaningful action on three critical issues: affordable, accessible health care, affordable housing, and criminal justice reform.
After prayers and a rousing call to action, we heard presentations on the different issues and moving personal stories. We heard about a family being priced out of their beloved neighborhood; a young man's life-threatening illness made manageable by the Affordable Care Act; and another man's cruel experience in solitary confinement while incarcerated. Each story was an urgent reminder of what's at stake in this uncertain and divisive political moment.
Present and accountable were Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Senators William Brownsberger and Sonia Chang-Diaz,  and Boston City Councilors Andrea Campbell, Tito Jackson, and Ayanna Pressley. Each of them expressed deep respect and gratitude for GBIO, and seemed to relish the challenges presented to them.
It feels good to make common cause with people who are different in so many ways, but whose motivation for action is the same: our sacred duty as believers to care for one another as God cares for us. 
If you want to learn more about GBIO's inspired agenda and perhaps get in on the action, speak to any of the people who attended Bethel AME on Feb. 2: Pastors Stacy and Amy, GBIO liaisons Kathleen Hobson and Mark Smith, Nancy Zollers, Frank Laski, Soo Laski, Beth Sears, Gerry Elion, Brita Gill-Austern, Wanda Getchell, Bart Kelso, Priscilla Kelso, Kevin Johnson, Nancy Laste, Anya Bassett (and her friend Frank), Jaap van Reijendam, and Sandra DaDalt. 

 Contact Kathleen Hobson ( [email protected] , 617-964-5848) if you'd like to see the handouts from the evening, which include action steps as well as information
Adult Education, Fellowship, and Spiritual Formation 
Lunch Bunch
This Wednesday, Feb. 15
th at 12:00 p.m.
Our monthly Lunch Bunch group will gather from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. for a time of conversation and fellowship in the reception room. Lunch is provided. All are welcome. If you are interested in attending please be in touch with Pastor Stacy at [email protected] or call 617-965-3893
Wellspring Women's Group
This Wednesday, Feb. 15
th at 6:30 p.m.
WELLSPRING is a gathering of women in our church family and will resume meeting on
February 15 th . For 2017, we will reflect on the topic -- Peace Like a River: Finding Balance in an Edgy World. We will be exploring spiritual practices in dealing with politics, our home lives, the workplace, etc. 
We start with a simple meal at 6:30 p.m., followed by a time of sharing and reflection.  We will be meeting on the third Wednesday of the month through June.  All women are invited.  
February Book Group
BOOK  GROUP will meet on FEB. 28 -- last Tuesday of the month, 
7 - 8:30 p.m. in the reception room.  

We will be discussing   Just Mercy:  A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson.   Suggested by Sandra Dadalt, this book will be congruent with Black History month in February.  Bryan Stevenson is the founder of Equal Justice Initiative that advocates for African American inmates who have been unjustly incarcerated and assigned to death row.  It is a moving memoir , as well as a call for reforms in the  penal system.
 
Stevenson, born to poverty in Delaware, is a graduate of a Christian University and of Columbia, Oxford, and Harvard Law.  He has been featured in Ted Talks  (www.ted.com)  


 
"Coming to our Senses"        
 A dult, Small Group Retreat
 
 Toah Nipi  Retreat Center                          Rindge NH

     April 28
th - 30th



Spring is the season when our natural world begins to wake up from its winter sleep and make ready for a new season and summer. It is when the frozen earth thaws; bears and their cousins emerge; tree sap flows. It is when many of our birds return home from their far away travels; and when our lakes and streams rebound with oodles of life. With all this stirring - "mixing memory with desire", the woods and fields become filled and pungent with ancient and new smells and sights and sounds and sensations that trigger and feed our own world and imagination.  Let us take up spring's invitation and "Come to our Senses". 
                                                                                                                         continue reading   
Help lay the table during fellowship hour
One of the many ministries of UCW is hosting a fellowship hour after worship on Sunday morning.  This table, laid with love and a simple spread is (as Adam Hearlson said in his mission moment a few weeks ago) very much a communion table.  It not only nourishes our bodies, but it also nourishes the relationships that make us one Body, one with each other and with God. If you would like to share in this ministry and host this time of communion, please go here.
  
 C hildren,Youth, and
Family
Ministries
UCW Kids and Mini-Missions
  
UCW's Christian Education and teacher teams are excited to share that beginning last week through the spring, our Rainbow (k-3rd graders) and Stars (4th and 5th graders) classrooms will be coming together for a new initiative to engage our young ones in simple, tangible service projects in the community.  The children will be leading these "Mini-Mission" projects from start to finish, with the goals of integrating service more fully into the lives of our children, and helping them realize they can make a difference.  Today in their Sunday School classes, the kids will be learning more about the areas on which Mini-Missions will focus (e.g. animal welfare; hunger prevention; or helping kids experiencing homelessness to have happy birthdays) and deciding what organizations they would like to support.  Information and a calendar about Mini-Missions is being sent to families, and will be available in the Crocker Chapel.  If you would like to learn more, or volunteer to help, please contact Amy at [email protected].  Thank you!

Youth Winter/Spring Calendar
 
Our Youth Ministry Team has an exciting rest of the winter and spring planned for our UCW youth.  An updated calendar-of-events is being sent to all youth families, and is available in the Crocker Chapel.  It will also be available online beginning next week.      

Worship
Congregational Conversation Exploring Worship
February 26th, at 11:30 a.m.  (Last of Three)
Our next and last conversation will take place on February 26th.  Through facilitated congregational conversations we hope: to hear how the congregation is currently experiencing worship; to identify any changes that might be appropriate or desired with respect to the various components of our worship service (music, children's time, prayer, sermon, communion and how it is celebrated); and to learn of any experiences in worship people may be looking for that we are not currently providing. 
 
We also hope that these conversations may help our congregation think more broadly about worship as an experience we share.  Worship is best experienced not as a performance by a few, but for the participation of all who are gathered.  While some may have specific roles to play, worship is something experiential that we share.  Please plan on attending at least one of these conversations.  If you are not able to attend, please be in touch with Alan Cody, Diane Tillotson or Pastor Stacy.  We want to be sure we have an opportunity to hear from everyone.  

Mission
Mission Matters   "Let us love not in word or deed, but in truth and action" (1 John 3:18)
Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves
  
THIS SUNDAY! 
Feb 12
th, after church, on the stage

This Valentine's Day we remember it is God's Love 
for us that allows us to love others.
  • Who are the men and women named on
    our     Mitten Tree?
  • Is there an opportunity to truly support our neighbors who are homeless or at risk?
  • Why doesn't Newton have affordable housing?
  • Why does the Engine 6 advocacy group work towards a more diverse housing stock in Newton?
Join our partners in an opportunity   to answer the questions in our heart about our un-housed neighbors.  Joining us for this event are:
  • Josephine McNeil from Citizens for Affordable Housing in Newton Development Organization (CAN-DO)
  • Adam Healson from Ecclesia Ministries
  • Lynn Weissberg from Engine 6 
  • Sister Joyce and Anne Jarvis from Project Care and Concern
In addition to this teach-in that provides a chance to learn, we have asked our partners for information on how we can support their work, a love-in.
 
Child care will be available. If you have any questions contact Nancy Zollers ( [email protected] ) or Beth Sears ([email protected])   
TheWeekAhead
The Week Ahead
 
 
 
Sun., Feb. 12
9:35 a.m.
Singing the Psalms (details above)
 
10:00 a.m.
Worship
 
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
11:30 a.m.
Housing and Homeless Forum
Mon., Feb. 13
7:00 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Tue., Feb. 14
6:00 p.m.
Teaching Parish Committee
   Wed., Feb. 15
7:30 a.m.
Prayer Group
 
9:00 a.m.
Coffee w/Stacy at Starbucks
 
12:00 p.m.
Lunch Bunch
 
6:30 p.m.
Wellspring Women's Group
Thur., Feb. 16
10:30 a.m.
Waban Health Worship
Sun., Feb. 19
8:00 a.m.
Bible Study
 
9:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
 
9:35 a.m.
Singing the Psalms  (details above)
 
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 calendar HERE

Union Church in Waban 
Inclement  Weather Advisory

It is the hope of the Union Church to always have our sanctuary open on Sunday mornings for worship and fellowship.  We also realize that conditions may be such that the safest option for staff and congregants is not to travel.  We ask that all use their best judgment.  As such, in inclement conditions, the church will remain open - however we cannot assure that there will be childcare, Sunday School, professional music or pulpit coverage.  

Every effort will be made to keep walkways and stairs clear, although this cannot be guaranteed.  Congregants will find an open door, a worship service and sanctuary together with others.  

I n the extreme situation in which the church is unable to open, notification will be on the church website ([email protected]), a message will be on the church phone, and media announcements can be found on WBZ-TV.