The Union Church in Waban   
Friday, August 11, 2017
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Please note staff vacations: 
Office manager, Aidan Cunningham is currently on vacation and will be returning on Tuesday, August 22nd. Pastor Stacy leaves for vacation on August 12 and returns on the 27th.  If you need assistance during these times, please be in touch with Pastor Amy at Amy@ucw.org, or at 617-938-8112.
W ORSHIP

GATHERING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 10:00 AM --
HYMN SING!

This first Sunday of the new church year will be a special one, as we will begin it with a hymn sing service.  We heard from those of you who experienced the previous hymn sing on Memorial Day weekend that it was a profoundly moving service.  Hymns and sacred songs are a way in  which the faith community is united by word and music.   Although we all come from different faith traditions, we share the same stories told by these "wonderful words of life."

We are compiling a list of favorite hymns that you have sent to us.  We currently have over forty hymns but we want to keep adding to it.  So please send us a list of the hymns/songs you love to sing.  We will include as many as possible on Gathering Sunday.  We will also be drawing on this list of hymns throughout the year as we craft worship and plan for upcoming additional hymn sings.  

Also at our hymn sing last May, three of you also shared reflections on your favorite hymn, which we then proceeded to sing.  This was such a meaningful part of the service that we would love to do it again.  So if you have a favorite hymn and would like to share with the congregation on Gathering Sunday what meaning it has for you please reach out to me and Pastor Stacy. 

We look forward to receiving your hymn suggestions and also please let us know if you would like to share a brief reflection about your favorite hymn.  We look forward to hearing from you. ( whmerrill@comcast.net and s tacy@ucw.org).

Many thanks and I look forward to our shared songs of wonder, love and praise!
With gratitude,
William Merrill, Music Director



FALL WORSHIP THEME -- "Growing Together for Good"

Our theme for Sunday worship this fall, (including our All Church Retreat - Oct 20-22) is "Growing Together for Good." Each Sunday we will take up a value of our faith, learn of its roots in Scripture and Tradition and explore what it is to practice these values and to live them out in the world.

            Sept. 10:  Gathering Sunday/Hymn Sing - Growing Together
            Sept. 17:  Growing in Repentance and Forgiveness
            Sept. 24:  Growing in Generosity
            Oct. 1:     World Communion Sunday
            Oct. 8:     Growing in Service
            Oct. 15:   Growing in Faith/Trust
            Oct. 22:   All Church Retreat
            Oct. 29:   Growing for Good
            Nov. 5:    Growing in Humility
            Nov. 12:  Growing in Wisdom
            Nov. 19:  Growing in Gratitude/Thanksgiving Sunday 


Summer Musings
by Pastor Stacy 
The local playground near the pool where I swim was recently redone. It was long overdue.  The previous structures were already old when I first visited the grounds as a mom with two small kids.  My children are now grown and flown.  So it was long past time for that old playground to get some new life.    
One morning last week, my friend and I ducked into the playground to check it out.  There were nifty new, age appropriate climbing structures. There was an in the ground merry-go-round that could accommodate wheel chairs and there was a rock abacus-looking thing that I really did not understand at all. There were benches strategically placed under overhanging trees and there was this strange configuration of a rock lined channel, metal sheets that dropped in across the channel at various points and a large hand pump.   It took us a minute to figure out what it was supposed to be but then it hit us.  A river!  The hand pump draws the water and it splashed down into the channel.  The little metal sheets can be lowered and taken up to block and then release the water.    
 

ALL CHURCH RETREAT -- G
ROWING TOGETHER FOR GOOD 
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)

When is the retreat?    
Friday, October 20 starting at 6:30 p.m. - Sunday, October 22, 
finishing up before noon.

Where is it? 
Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, 660 Great Pond Rd,
North Andover, MA 01845 , http://www.rollingridge.org/

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?   
Fill out the registration form attached here and forward it to Pastor Stacy by September 17th.   Or simply email Pastor Stacy to tell her you are coming.  

?'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. 

From the Wider Community 
It's Summer Cookout Time Again!
One final Cookout scheduled for Families Living in Transitional Housing
Sunday: August 27th
noon to 3:00 p.m.
Eliot Church 474 Center Street, Newton

We Need Volunteers!
This is our third year to invite families at the motels to join us for a delicious barbecue and fun games on the lawn. We need volunteers to:
Set Up (at 11:30)
Cook (barbecue or kitchen prep) (starting at 11:30)
Servers
Lead games and crafts for the children
Table Hosts
Clean Up
Please contact Pastor Susan if you are willing to volunteer. Include name and contact info, and if you have a preference of activity. sincerelysusan@sbcglobal.net 617-244-3639. We look forward to seeing you for a fun and rewarding event!