The Union Church in Waban   
Friday, January 27, 2017
Visit Our Website
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.
 
Bell Choir Practice 11:15 a.m.  
Congregational Conversations  Regarding Worship  at 11:30 a.m.
(TODAY  & 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.

Even if  you are not able to attend any of these discussions, we still want to hear from you! Please take a look at the q uestions we are using to guide our conversations and email Alan, Diane or Stacy with your ideas and feedback.  We are grateful.  

If you have any questions please see facilitators Alan Cody and/or Diane Tillotson 
or Pastor Stacy
Featured 

  "Happy New Year"
  
From Our Partner Church
  
in Nicaragua

 
The children of our partner church in Nicaragua - Alpha and Omega church - have sent us New Year greetings! These lovely cards and letters were sent to our children in response to the Christmas greetings sent from the Union Church children. Please take a look at all the love being sent our way from San Juan del Sur.  The cards are on display by the mission boards located in Crocker chapel. 

  
  
 C hildren,Youth, and
Family
Ministries
UCW Kids and Mini-Missions
  
UCW's Christian Education and teacher teams are excited to share that beginning in February 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.  We will be sharing more about this during a Mission Moment today during worship, and in a mailing to parents that will be sent next week.  If you would like to learn more, or volunteer to help, please contact Amy at [email protected]

Youth Fancy Dinner on the Town - Feb. 10
th

Right before Valentines' Day, youth are invited to wear their best and go out for dinner at a nice restaurant.  Cost: $20.  Youth families: keep your eye out for an Evite to this fun evening, or contact Amy to RSVP at [email protected].   

Adult Education, Fellowship, and Spiritual Formation 
January Book Group
This Tuesday, January 31
The January book selection is  Hillbilly Elegy  by  J.D. Vance.  We look forward to our discussion of this timely book  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

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!)

Wednesday Morning  Bible Study
Our next Wednesday morning Bible study will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 8th , 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]).  


 
"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.
Mission
Mission Matters   "Let us love not in word or deed, but in truth and action" (1 John 3:18)


Save the Date! 

Sunday Feb. 12, 11:30 a.m.
This Valentine's Day we remember it is God's Love for us

that allows us to love others. On Feb. 12th, we can learn, pray and take steps to love our neighbors who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness.

 

Our partners from Citizens for Affordable Housing in Newton Development Organization (CAN-DO), Ecclesia Ministries, Engine 6, and Project Care and Concern, know "where is the love" and will join us after churchon Sunday, February 12th on the stage.

 

 

Child care will be available. If you have any questions contact Nancy Zollers ( [email protected] ) or Beth Sears ([email protected]

 

   


  
 DETAILS
  HERE
 
TheWeekAhead
The Week Ahead
 
 
 
Sun.,  Jan. 29
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
11:30 a.m.
Congregational Conversation
Mon.,  Jan.30
7:00 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal

      7:00 p.m.
Moderator's team mtg.
Tue.,  Jan.31
7:00 p.m.
Book Group
   Wed.,   Feb. 1
7:30 a.m.
Prayer Group
 
9:00 a.m.
Coffee w/Stacy at Starbucks
 
10:30 a.m.
Bible Study Class
 
6:00 p.m.
Council
Thurs.,  Feb .2
6:30 p.m.
GBIO Public Action
Sun.,    Feb. 5
8:00 a.m.
Bible Study
 
9:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
 
9:30 a.m.
Singing the Psalms
 
10:00 a.m.
Worship
 
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
11:30 a.m.
NICA meeting
 
 
 

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.    
 
From the Wider Community 
GBIO
Benefit Concerts for Communities Without Borders
featuring


BUY TICKETS HERE



GBIO