The Union Church in Waban   
Friday, January 20, 2017
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This Sunday - 
Bible Discussion at 8:00 a.m.    
Bible discussion will resume this Sunday in Pastor Stacy's study.  We will be reading the Letter of James from the New Testament.  All are welcome! 

Choir Rehearsal at 9:00 a.m.  
Worship at 10:00 a.m.
This Sunday we encounter Jesus on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and hear the remarkable invitation to the disciples -- to leave their nets and follow Jesus.   

Bell Choir Practice 11:15 a.m.  
Congregational Conversations  Regarding Worship  at 11:30 a.m.
(and, January 29 & Feb. 26, after church on the Stage)
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..  

If you have any questions please see facilitators Alan Cody and/or Diane Tillotson 
or Pastor Stacy
Adult Education, Fellowship, and Spiritual Formation 

    You are invited!             
Lunch Bunch
  Wednesday, January 25th
  12:30 - 2:00 

    (Please note we will start at 12:30, 
   not noon as we have in the past)                  

A delicious warm meal will be provided so no need to bring anything but yourself!  The theme for our gathering is:

"Resolutions"  -- "Have you made them?  Have you kept them?"

Please RSVP to Pastor Stacy at 617-965-3893 if you are able to join us.  
We are happy to pick you up and to bring you home again.  
Please let Pastor Stacy know if you'd like a ride.
Hope you are able to come!  


Wednesday Morning  Bible Study
January 25th
Our next Wednesday morning Bible study will take place a week from Wednesday on Jan. 25 th , at 10:30 a.m. We will be following the second course in the three part "Exploring the Bible" series developed by the Massachusetts Bible Society. If you are interested in joining this lively time of learning and fun, please be in touch with  Pastor Stacy ([email protected]).  

Singing the Psalms :  
Sunday mornings, beginning in February  in  Memorial Chapel  at 9:30 a.m.
 
Come begin your Sundays with prayers and songs from the Psalms, the collection that has been the primary songbook of the church throughout its history. We receive the Psalms from the Hebrew scriptures, and we feast on their rich imagery. The people who wrote these texts experienced love, fear, joy, anger, peace, and the whole range of human emotions. We join them and all the saints who have sung these songs throughout the ages. We will pray with our bodies and our souls, opening ourselves to receive all the grace God is offering us each day.

(P.S. Watch for a series of reflections in the bulletin where you can do your own Psalm reading and singing at home!)



 
"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   
January Book Group
Book group will not be meeting in December, but all are invited to 
begin reading our January selection which is  Hillbilly Elegy  by 
J.D. Vance.  We look forward to our discussion of this timely book 
on Tuesday, January 31st which will be led by Anya Bassett.  
All are welcome.  We meet in the reception room at the church.     
To read a review of Hillbilly Elegy go HERE
 
Mission
Mission Matters
"Let us love not in word or deed, but in truth and action" (1 John 3:18)
UCW Mission is Ready for the New Year!

2017 will bring  promise to many!
 
NuDay Syria is a  local effort in New England that "advocates for girls and women who now find themselves with no male breadwinners."
 
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) will ask for our support concerning 2017 Massachusetts  legislation regarding criminal justice changes.
 
Bread for the World will need UCW to participate in the Spring letter writing campaign.
 
Stop by the Mission board in the Crocker Chapel to simply see or learn about some of the opportunities at Union Church!
 

As Pastor Stacy always reminds us, church can always be simply a place where the spirit washes over you, and where you and your family have the option of participating in any mission offering provided here. 
   


  
 DETAILS
  HERE
 
TheWeekAhead
The Week Ahead
 
 
 
Sun.,  Jan. 22
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
11:30 a.m.
Congregational Conversation (details above)
Mon.,  Jan.23
7:00 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
   Wed.,   Jan. 25
7:30 a.m.
Prayer Group
 
9:00 a.m.
Coffee w/Stacy at Starbucks
 
10:30 a.m.
Bible Study Class
 
12:30 p.m.
Lunch Bunch
Thurs., Jan.26
6:30 p.m.
Worship Team Meeting
Sun.,  Jan. 29
8:00 a.m.
Bible Study
 
9:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
 
10:00 a.m.
Worship
 
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
11:30 a.m.
Congregational Conversation (details above)
 
 
 

For a complete listing, and details of all upcoming events, 
please visit our website calendar HERE

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.
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.    
 
From the Wider Community 
GBIO 

GBIO
Benefit Concerts for Communities Without Borders
featuring


BUY TICKETS HERE