The Union Church in Waban                
Friday, May 18, 2018
This Sunday 
 8:00 a.m.:   Practices of Prayer for All Ages  (details HERE)

 9:00 a.m.:    Choir Rehearsal and Exploring Our Faith Run-Through  

10:00 a.m.:    Sunday Worship 
       Pentecost and Exploring Our Faith Sunday
This Sunday is a very exciting one for us as we celebrate Pentecost, oftenthought of as the birthday of the church, and also the faithful group of 9th and 10th graders who have been traveling, learning, praying and discerning together as part of our Exploring Our Faith year. We will be led in worship by these amazing young people, as they come before the church to share their faith, and seek Confirmation, Baptism and/or a  blessing of their journey and discernment.
We hope you and yours will join us on this special day.
11:00 a.m.:    Celebration of the Exploring Our Faith students
11:15 a.m.:     Bell Choir Rehears al
 
The Annual Meeting
Union Church in Waban
SUNDAY, June 3, at 11:30 a.m.

Please plan on attending this very important meeting of the congregation where we will be provided with an overview of highlights from this past year, visions for the year(s) to come, a progress report on the status of pledging and financials, amendments to the church bylaws and our proposed 2018/2019 budget to discuss and approve.

Mission and Outreach











Rev. Swain joined clergy of every faith last Monday at the kick-off event for
The Poor Peoples Campaign.


The Call for
 Moral Action 
continues on Monday 
May 21, 
with a rally on 
Boston Common at 2:00 p.m. 

This past week the campaign unveiled a Declaration of Fundamental Rights and Poor People's Campaign Moral Agenda* that will guide the movement through its upcoming 40 days of nonviolent direct action and beyond. The 40 days included a rally and direct action at the State House this past on
Monday, May 14th, at 2:00 p.m. 


This campaign is an invitation to us to come along side and learn from those who are suffering from poverty and the issues that perpetuate poverty by attending the rallies with a listening, "companioning" heart.
 
On every subsequent Monday for the next five weeks, there will be a rally on the Boston Common starting at 2:00 p.m. Each week will lift up one area of the moral agenda put forth by the campaign. Last Monday's rally was entitled "Somebody's hurting my people - children, women, youth and people with disabilities." Rallies will be held in 41 states across the country at 2:00 p.m. local time, creating a wave of cry and action across the nation.
 
"Fifty years after Rev. Dr. King and the 1968 Poor People's Campaign declared that silence was betrayal, we are coming together to break the silence and tell the truth about the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, the war economy and our distorted moral narrative," the Moral Agenda reads. "We declare that if silence was betrayal in 1968, revival is necessary today."
 

Learn more

GBIO Update: UCW House Meeting Campaign
 
As part of our involvement with GBIO (Greater Boston Interfaith Organization), we have embarked on a house meeting campaign to build relationships within UCW, as well as identify key issues around which we hope to build strength with other faith communities.
 
GBIO has launched a campaign to have some 600 house meetings in different congregations across greater Boston, and UCW has set a goal of five before the end of June. So far, we have had three meetings, including one with the UCW youth. The discussions have been rich and engaging; relationships formed and strengthened.   Please join us! The next meeting is set for Sunday, June 10th, at 2:00 p.m., at the home of Bertil Peterson and Roxan McKinnon, in Newton Upper Falls (go here to sign up). In addition, there will be a couple other opportunities in June to participate in a house meeting right after church (dates TBD).

Questions? Contact a UCW House Meeting co-captain: 

Children, Youth and Families
SAVE THE DATES: Sunday School, Picnic, and Youth Group Pool Party !  
  • June 3rd -- Sunday School Planting: Our seedlings are growing strong in theLittlehale Room and we will be planting them outdoors on June 3rd in Sunday School.
  • June 3rd - Youth Pool Party! In the evening, the Youth Group (middle and high schoolers) will gather at the Abbiati's for our awesome year-end Pool Party!  
  • June 10th - Church Picnic: Kids will prepare games for the picnic during Sunday School and then we'll eat and celebrate together following worship
Faith Formation and Fellowship
PandP

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

UCW Community News
Andover Newton Theological School Affiliate Seeking Accommodation
 
I am an outgoing Fellow of ANTS/Hebrew College's joint Interfaith program (two years). I have lived on the ANTS campus for four years. Sadly, ANTS is closing and residents have to move out. I am looking for long-term, shared rental space in a single-family home in the area. I would like to live in a family environment with the owner family and welcome the possibility of living with an elderly couple or female. I work full time, have a recent MA from Boston University, am mature, responsible, clean, quiet, financially stable and friendly. Please contact me if you might be interested and can meet most of my needs. I would be happy to meet to discuss further. Can provide references.
 
Needs:
Walking distance from the T (I work in downtown Boston)
Private spacious bedroom with large closet
Private updated bathroom
Kitchen and washer/dryer privileges
Parking space
Private entrance
Private small living area
Unfurnished (have my own furniture)
Some storage space in basement
 
Contact: Shehla Zakaullah ( shehlaz@bu.edu)
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. 

The Week Ahead at UCW
Sun., May 20
9:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
 
10:00 a.m.
Worship
 
11:00 a.m.
Celebration for Students
 
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
Mon., May 21
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Wed., May 23
5:00 p.m.
Congregational Conversation (-7:00 p.m.)
Thurs, May 24
6:00 p.m.
Teaching Parish Committee (TPC)
Sun., May 27
8:00 a.m.
Bible Study
 
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!