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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, September. 22, 2017
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Register Online for our ALL CHURCH RETREAT
(Registration are now due!
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8:00 a.m. Bible Discussion in Stacy's Study.
We will begin the year with reading the Gospel of John. Come every Sunday or once and a while. No biblical expertise or experience is needed. Just bring your questions and curiosity.
9:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal
Singing together forms friendships, it united the divided. Singing brings love, the greatest of good things, contriving harmony like some bond of union and uniting the people in the symphony of a single choir."(adapted from writings of St. Basil). We started out the new church year last Sunday as one single choir in our Hymn Sing service. You are invited to help keep the spirit of that unity going by being a part of the choir. Come try it out!
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:15 a.m. Bell Choir rehearsal
11:30 a.m. Nica Project Team (meeting room)
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Feasibility Study, Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
As you may remember from communications last spring, the need to replace our sanctuary roof has opened the possibility of a capital campaign to address the needs and dreams of our faith community. In order to assess the feasibility of such a campaign, we have retained the expertise of consultants who will be conducting interviews with the congregation during the weekend of Sept 29th - Oct 1st. You should have received a letter via snail mail in the past week with information about the upcoming study. If you have any questions, or have not received the letter, do not hesitate to be in contact with our moderators Karen Weisgerber and Kent Wittler or with
Pastor Stacy
.
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Seekers Group is starting up October 2
Do you have questions? Are there things that you have been taught or heard about the Christian faith that don't make a lot of sense to you or that you may be struggling with? Would you like to try on practices that could help open you to an experience of the Holy in the midst of your life? Beginning October 2, this seekers group will meet every other Monday morning until November 27th, walking together as we learn, re-relearn and practice together in a judgment free zone of love, acceptance, support and challenge. If you are interested or would like to learn more, please speak with Pastor Stacy (
Stacy@ucw.org
)
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Registrations are due Now!!!
Blessed are those who trust in the
Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
(Jeremiah 17: 7-8)
Friday, October 20 starting at 6:30 p.m. - Sunday, October 22,
finishing up before noon.
Where is it?
Why are we doing this?
To celebrate and nourish the rootedness that we have with each other and with our God that enables us to thrive in the midst of the challenges of our time and to also bring forth goodness into the world. It is a time to have fun. To enjoy each other and to grow.
Who is it for?
All of us! We are an inter-generational community where all are beloved and all are invited. There is a cost associated with the retreat but we do not want that to be a barrier to anyone or any family. What is most important is that you come so that we can all be together and be nourished by each other's presence. So make whatever contribution you can, whether that be less than or more than the actual cost.
How?
Or
Download and fill out the registration form HERE and forward it to Pastor Stacy.
Or
Registration is due Now!!
?'s or want to help out?
If you have questions or would like to help out in the planning or leadership of the retreat, please be in touch with
Pastor Stacy
We need and welcome your ideas and help.
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Children, Youth & Families
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An Awesome Year Ahead for Kids and Youth!
Calendars and Updates Available
We are looking forward to a wonderful year with our children and youth, and are so grateful for all those have helped with ideas and planning! Families should have received a packet in the mail with a calendar of events, an overview and calendar for our Youth Ministry, a registration form, and an invitation for our fall retreat. Copies of all of these are also available on the church website and in the Crocker Chapel. To find our more, please contact Amy at
amy@ucw.org
.
Registration
Registration helps us learn about your children and youth - including any health and other information we need to be sure your child or youth has a safe and great experience. If possible, please submit your registration by the first week of October. Thank you!
This Sunday: Sunday School Gatherings for Children and Youth Begin!
This Sunday we are excited to gather again with our children and youth for Sunday School, as we grow in our relationships with God and one another, share the stories and values of our faith, and explore what it is to live out our faith in the world! If you need help finding your children following the service, please don't hesitate to ask one of our deacons or other parents. We're very glad to help! Rooms are:
- Sprouts (infant to pre-K): the nursery across from the Reception Room downstairs
- Rainbows (K-3rd grade): Littlehale Room near the church offices
- Stars (4th and 5th grade): Choir Room upstairs
- Youth (Middle Schoolers): On the Stage downstairs
Sunday Volunteers:
From holding one of our infants, to helping little hands make a craft, reading a Bible story, or listening to our youth share about their weeks, there are so many ways to nurture, and share our faith and care with our children and youth. Can you volunteer a few Sundays a year with our kids? Please contact Amy at amy@ucw.org. Thank you!
Youth Ministry: Thank you and Looking Ahead!
Many thanks to our amazing youth and Youth Ministry Team who made our Kick-Off Party on Friday such a great start to the year! Our next Youth Ministry event will be our Hike and Fall Fun Day on Saturday, October 14
th
.
We hope to see you there!
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Fellowship and Faith Formation
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Living Waters
A Time of Quiet and Prayer:
Mondays at 7:30 a.m. in
Memorial Chapel
Living Waters -A Time of Quiet and Prayer: Mondays at 7:30 a.m. in Memorial Chapel
On Monday mornings, from 7:30 - 8:15 a.m., we gather in the small chapel off the sanctuary for quiet and prayer. This time is called "Living Water" and is based on the passage in John's Gospel where Jesus encounters the Samaritan women at the well (John 4:14). This is a time to drink in the stillness of the peace and presence of God so that we will be filled and will not thirst as we go into the busyness of our week. We begin with 20 minutes of centering/meditative silence. Afterwards we light candles of prayers for celebrations and/or concerns we may have. Please join us.
NOTE: We are also exploring the possibility of a mid-week, noontime - Time of Quiet and Prayer. If that is something that you think would be a blessing to you, please be in touch with
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Book Group -- Multicultural Authors Series
October 31st (last Tuesday of the month), at 7:00 p.m
As we approach a new season of literary exploration, we are offering a thoughtful collection of multicultural writing by authors representing the varied voices and perspectives of people who view the American experience from the standpoint of displacement and assimilation.
The partial list includes the following: 2016 Pulitzer Prizewinner, The Sympathizer by Viet Than Nguyen (Vietnamese-American), Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (Indian-American), 2000 Pulitzer Prize winner, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Nigerian), Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat (Haitian -American), books by Amy Tan (Chinese-American), Amara Lakhous (Algerian), Katherine Boo (American), and other suggestions from the group.
Our first meeting is on October 31st (last Tuesday of the month), at 7:00 p.m. Our first book will be The Sympathizer by Viet Than Nguyen, in tandem with the PBS series on the Vietnam War. For a copy of the book, please get in touch with Stacy (stacy@ucw.org).
Some suggested questions we can ask as we read these books are: What appeals to me in these multicultural writings? With what do I disagree? How does the book relate to the current climate of divergent views on immigration and a multicultural society? By reading stories different from my own, what universal themes do I see and identify with regarding love, family, loss, spirituality, and resilience in the human journey?
Feel free to invite others to our Book Group.
Thank you, Priscilla, Stacy, and Alan.
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Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief
Please pray for continued strength and resolve for those whose lives have been impacted by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey. Please also pray for the First Responders, disaster coordinators, and many volunteers who are working tirelessly to provide relief after Harvey, now and in the days, months, and years to come.
The response and rebuilding will be long-term. Your generous contribution now makes this long-term response possible.
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We Want to Hear From You!
Please stop by our mission-outreach table after church on Sunday, Sept 10th ,
on the way to reception!
Let us know your hopes for outreach-mission opportunities this year for you or your family. We will let you know some plans in the works.
And, we would be grateful if you could leave this survey in the offering tray or at the tables downstairs. Or via email. Thanks!
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Survey
I would like to see church outreach-mission opportunities that reach out to the following, or in the following ways:
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Optional: Name________________
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Or
Or
Respond to the survey on-line: HERE
Thank you!
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Saturday, October 7
th
, 7:00 p.m (See Flyer below in Wider Community events)
Eliot Church 474 Centre St. Newton
The Eliot Church of Newton has sponsored an annual Newton CROP Walk through Church World Service for many years. This year 25% will be divided among: The Newton Sanctuary and Solidarity Collaborative (7 1/2%); the Brighton Alston Food
Pantry (7 1/2%); and CAN-DO (10%) Will you join us in this much needed effort? Or, to lead the Union Church effort contact Mission Committee.
CROP Hunger Walks form the foundation of CWS's work and afford them the flexibility to respond as needed when disasters strike - whether in the near term or for future rebuilding.
They have already shipped 450 blankets, 1,272 emergency clean up kits, 57,346 hygiene kits to Houston and an additional 30,000 hygiene kits to Florida. They assure us they will remain in storm- impacted areas helping those most vulnerable for years to come.
The Newton CROP Walk will provide Newton residents an opportunity to make a community-wide statement to our neighbors in the south who have been impacted by Harvey, Irma and other storms that we care for and love them. We encourage churches, synagogues and agencies to form teams of walkers and / or make donations to walkers.
If you have further questions, please call Pastor Susan at the Eliot Church
at 617-244-3639.
Also - Join Us for a Festive Informational Kick-Off Saturday, October 7th, 7:00 p.m.
Eliot Church 474 Centre St. Newton. Entertainment - Way Back Home, a five member Blue Grass Band, Refreshments,
Speakers
from CWS and our three local recipients
Learn how to signup: form a team, and donate
We will have flyers, posters, maps of route, and envelopes for walkers
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Sun., Sept. 24
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10:00 a.m.
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Worship
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11:15 a.m.
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Bell Choir Rehearsal
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11:30 a.m.
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Nica Project Team (meeting room)
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Mon., Sept. 25
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7:30 a.m.
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Living Waters-A Time of Quiet and Prayer
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6:00 p.m.
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Retreat Planning Meeting
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Tue., Sept. 26
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7:00 p.m.
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Mission Outreach Gathering
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Wed., Sept. 27
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9:00 a.m.
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Coffee with Stacy (Starbucks)
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Fri., Sept. 29
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5:00 p.m.
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Feasibility Study Interviews Begin
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Sun., Oct. 1
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8:00 a.m.
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Sunday Morning Bible Study
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9:00 a.m.
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Choir Rehearsal
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10:00 a.m.
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Worship
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11:15 a.m.
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Bell Choir Rehearsal
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4:00 p.m.
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Feasibility Study Interviews Conclude
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6:00 p.m.
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Exploring Our Faith/Confirmation
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For a complete listing, and details of all upcoming events,
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Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP
)
The Newton Senior Center is offering in partnership for with the Greater Boston Food Bank a supplemental food program for income eligible residents* 60+ years. CSFP is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in partnerships with communities. CSFP works to improve the health of low income senior residents by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods.
Participants will receive two prepacked full bags of groceries including a variety of foods, such as nonfat dry milk, juice, farina, oats, ready to eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry, or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. On occasion fresh produce will be distributed as well. Participants can receive CSFP support in combination with other food programs.
Food pick-up will be at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street on the 3
rd
Friday of the month. Food distribution will start Friday, October 20
th
from 1 - 2:00 p.m. If an individual cannot pick up their own groceries, participants can assign a person as a proxy to pick-up up groceries for them.
We ask you help in spreading the word to potential participants. For your convenience attached is a flyer for you to post and an overview sheet for you to use as a reference.
To participate, eligible residents must register.
A flier is available here.
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Rev. Traci Blackmon, October 28th, United Church in Walpole
Join The Rev.
Traci Blackmon
, Executive Minister of Justice & Witness Ministries of The United Church of Christ for an evening of inspiration and deep learning surrounding social justice issues in our nation.
(Purchase Tickets Here)
Rev. Blackmon is a featured voice with many regional, national, and international media outlets and a frequent contributor to print publications, Rev. Blackmon's communal leadership and work in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown, Jr., in Ferguson, MO, has gained her both national and international recognition and audiences from the White House to the Carter Center to the Vatican. She was appointed to the Ferguson Commission by Governor Jay Nixon and to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships for the White House by President Barack H. Obama.
Rev. Blackmon toured the nation with Rev. Dr. William Barber of Moral Mondays and Repairer of the Breech, Rev. Dr. James Forbes of The Drum Major Institute and Pastor Emeritus of The Riverside Church in New York, and Sister Simone Campbell of Nuns on the Bus, proclaiming the need for a Moral Revival in this nation.
Rev. Blackmon is a graduate of Leadership St. Louis and currently serves on the boards of The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Chicago Theological Seminary, and WomanPreach!
This year, Rev. Blackmon co-authored the newly released White Privilege curriculum through the United Church of Christ and has received several awards and recognitions, inclusive of:
- The White House President's Volunteer Service Award
- The St. Louis American Stellar Award
- 2015 Ebony Magazine Power 100
- Deluxe Magazine Power 100
- St. Louis University - Community Leader of the Year
- 100 Black Men of St. Louis Community Leader of the Year
- The Coalition of Black Trade Unionist - Drum Major Award
- NAACP - Rosa Parks Award
- Rosa Parks Award - United Trade Unionist
- The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Woman in Leadership Award
- National Planned Parenthood Faith Leader Award
- The United Church of Christ - Antoinette Brown Leadership Award
- Honorary Doctorate, Eden Theological Seminary
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