The Union Church in Waban   
Friday, April 14, 2017
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Easter "Sunrise" Service, April 16, 7:00 a.m.
This Sunday our  M inisterial In tern, Andrew Heintz, will lead an 
Easter "Sunrise" Service  at the Union Church

This Sunday - 
No Bible Discussion -- we will resume next Sunday, April 23rd. 

Choir Rehearsal at 9:00 a.m.  
EASTER Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m.
Our Hosannas have turned to Alleluias as we gather at the empty tomb and marvel at all Love has done.  Our children will be with us for the entire service and will help prepare the sanctuary and our hearts to receive the Good News of the redemptive power of love. Nursery care will be available for our youngest friends. 
Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the service.  
All children are invited to gather downstairs following this Sunday's worship service for our annual Easter Egg Hunt!   The eggs will be hidden in the two playgrounds behind the church building. Once kids are gathered, we will release the younger kids (ages toddler - 6 yrs. olds) first into one playground, and then the older kids (ages 6 and up) onto the other playground.  We ask that kids wait to begin their searching until the official start of the hunt.  
Many thanks to all who donated eggs and goodies for this fun event!  

  
 C hildren,Youth, and
Family
Ministries


WISH LIST

GO HERE

UCW Kids and Mini-Missions

Donation Boxes in the Crocker Chapel  
THANK YOU!  

Developed by the Christian Education and Teacher Teams, Mini-Missions is an initiative to involve our children in simple, tangible service projects that encourage them to see service as an integral part of their faith and lives. The kids have placed their Collection boxes, as well as wish-lists, for the three organizations - MSPCA, Newton Food Pantry and Birthday Wishes -in the Crocker Chapel and we are grateful for your donations!  The wish-lists can also be found under the Youth & Children tab of www.ucw.org or by going  HERE. With questions, and please contact Amy (amy@ucw.org). Thank you!   

Upcoming Service Event
Sat., May 6
th
Many thanks to the youth, parents and members of the Youth Ministry Team who contributed to the beautiful Communion service last Sunday!   As we look toward Holy Week and beyond, we extend a special welcome to our youth for our Maundy Thursday service, this Thursday at
6:15 p.m.  This is a beautiful and engaging time to share a meal and worship together remembering the Last Supper.  The youth are invited to help serve soup, read scripture, and/or simply experience this special service.  Please contact Amy (amy@ucw.org), if your youth is interested in attending.  

Please also SAVE THE DATE for the afternoon of Saturday, May 6 th , when the youth are invited to an afternoon at Gaining Ground Farm in Concord, MA .  All produce from this farm goes to local food pantries and meal programs, and we'll be helping them plant and harvest. Look for an Evite and more information soon.    
Featured

OUR EASTER SPECIAL COLLECTION

Food insecurity and access to good food for folks in elderly housing
and for
 Geneva - Bowden Immigrant Families.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.                                             
                                                                                       Matthew 25:35
 
Our Partner, Sister Joyce, at Project Care and Concern, can serve many people when she 
fills her donated van early Wednesday mornings with quality day-old breads and pastries 
from Whole Foods. Sometimes she can fill two shopping carts on those mornings at 
7:00 a.m.,  that she can then take to Harbor Point residence housing where seniors wait for her. 
 
Then she drives to her tiny pantry in Bowden-Geneva and stocks the shelves, where many immigrant families come to get bread and canned goods. 
 
However, the chance to have cash on hand to buy fresh fruits and fresh vegetables for the drop off with folks, who have no ability to go shopping is a rare God-send. 
 
Our Easter collection this year will support Sr. Joyce as she buys good, healthy produce for 
our neighbors.  The truth about food insecurity for elders who must also pay for their 
needed medications is often poorly understood.
 
Thank you for your generous gift this Easter to this Easter offering
in partnering for healthier lives through healthy food.
 
Celebrate The Risen Lord  

Reflections from our Assistant Music Minister, Bethany Worrell, on a poem 
the UCW choir will sing this Sunday

Dear UCW friends,
As Holy Week continues and we draw closer to celebrating Christ's resurrection, I invite you to reflect with me on the poem that the UCW Choir will be singing on Sunday to bless and uplift the congregation. I like to start reflecting by simply reading the poem once or twice and noticing what grabs my attention, spurs my imagination, or causes an emotional response. I invite you to join me.
Celebrate the Risen Lord
(Based on a versification of Psalm 150 by Charles Wesley, 1743.)
Celebrate the risen Lord, who keeps his courts below;
Celebrate this Easter morn, and all its glory show;
Celebrate his victory, celebrate his matchless power;
Praise him from whom all good proceeds,
Let earth and heaven adore!
Celebrate the eternal God with psaltery;
Celebrate with a choral sound of praise,
Praise in high praise agree.
Celebrate with brass and pipe and organ strong;
Celebrate for the victory is won!
Celebrate with the triumph now begun!
Celebrate the risen Lord, let every creature sing;
Celebrate this Easter morn, bring homage to our King.
Celebrate his victory, as in heaven on earth below;
Christ Jesus, crucified, restored,
Christ Jesus, true and living Lord.
With "Alleluia," let us sing,
With "Alleluia," praise the King!
         Celebrate!

What jumps out at you? Does anything in the poetry bring up memories or ignite imagination in your spirit? Do any questions arise when you read the text? Any and all of these ideas are jumping off points for reflection. I'd like to share my initial reflection on the text with you, in hopes that it is uplifting and might continue to inspire your own creative meditation on the poem.
Celebrate the risen Lord, who keeps his courts below;
Celebrate this Easter morn, and all its glory show;
Celebrate his victory, celebrate his matchless power;
Praise him from whom all good proceeds,
Let earth and heaven adore!
In the modern world, we don't typically encounter words like "courts" that hearken back to times of palaces, kings and queens, and even court jesters! (We do, however, encounter "courts" in the justice and legal systems. But, I don't think that this is what Charles Wesley was aiming at.) Until I looked up this word, I thought it meant the physical rooms in a palace where royalty received guests and had royal balls. It can mean that, but the word also "is a term for the extended household and all those who regularly attended on the ruler or central figure." So, when the "risen Lord" "keeps his courts below," the poet may be referring to believers and worshipers of Christ. He is referring to us - that God doesn't only keep company with the angels, but he wants us in his intimate friend group!  
.........................continue reading  HERE

HOLY WEEK CONTINUES AT UCW
 

Holy Saturday Vigil, April 15, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
We begin our worship in the darkness that closed our Maundy Thursday service, but move steadily through song and prayer, communion and the reaffirmation of our baptisms into the dawning of the Good News of Easter that we know is coming! Child care will be provided.
 
Easter "Sunrise" Service, April 16, 7:00 a.m.  
Join us at the Union Church for an Easter "Sunrise" Service led by our ministerial intern Andrew Heintz.  

Easter Sunday Worship, April 16, 10:00 a.m.  
With joy and thanksgiving we celebrate the gift of Easter. Children are invited to share in worship, though we will have nursery care available.   After the service, there will be a Easter Egg hunt.  

Church Matters


Directory is ready!

Stop by the table in Crocker Chapel this Sunday 
to pick up a hard copy of the church directory.  

If you would like a PDF of the directory sent to you, please be in touch with Office Manager, Aidan Cunningham.   


  GROWING TOGETHER
  2017/2018 Stewardship Campaign
 
There may still be snow on the ground, but we've turned our clocks ahead, Red Sox Opening Day is right around the corner, and the vernal equinox is in the rear view mirror.  Spring is here!  So many great things happen in the spring, and right after flowers, birds and green grass comes....The UCW Stewardship Campaign!

During our stewardship Season we remember that Church in not so much something we partake of, but instead it is something we participate in.  The church is all of us contributing our time, talents and treasures and creating a thriving community of faith where all can grow together. 

Through out the month of April we will be hearing from different members of the church about what UCW means to them and why they give to the church. We hope you too will take a moment reflect on what the church means to you and to consider making a pledge. 

You will be receiving pledging  information in the mail in the next couple of days.  Information is also be available in the Crocker Chapel, off the sanctuary.  If you have any questions,  please do not hesitate to reach out to Grant Gund, chair of our
Stewardship Team. 

MissionMatters
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) News
Union Church folks attended the GBIO Delegate Assembly at Roxbury Presbyterian Church,
on April 4th. Our Health Care agenda and Housing agenda were reviewed and the Criminal Justice Reform agenda was discussed. In addition to the bills that we hope will shorten time in solitary confinement, repeal mandatory minimums, begin pretrial bail reform, and eliminate fees and fines, GBIO unanimously decided to support the Safe Communities Act along with dozens of other community groups and faith communities. (See Mark Smith or Kathleen Hobson)
 
City Mission Boston Celebrates 200 years
Congratulations City Mission Boston for 200 years of dedication to the needs of the most vulnerable. The Union Church in Waban celebrates with you, and appreciates our partnership with CMS and the Russell School in Dorchester.

An Evening at Haley House
THURSDAY, APRIL 27
 
Join us for "Lyricists' Lounge"! Haley House offers good food and great entertainment on Thursday evenings! We can show our support for their efforts to break the cycle of incarceration through their Transitional Employment Program, supporting people's return to their community.
Contact: Beth Sears, bsears112@yahoo.com .

 
RUSSELL SCHOOL  PARTNERSHIP  UPDATE

Russell School Partnership
Union Church provides tuition support for Russell School students to attend Camp Hale, operated by United South End Settlements. Many families are unable to fund this life-changing opportunity for their child. Union Church will send Russell students this year with needed backpacks and Have Fun At Camp cards from our Sunday School Children. 
 
LAST CALL FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT AND BOOKS FOR RUSSELL SCHOOL!!!
April 29th is the Russell School Community day, and Russell has asked us at UCW to help make the day great for the kids by contributing to a book exchange and sports equipment exchange to be held at the school. We are looking for any elementary school appropriate, not-too-used sports equipment & sportswear (cleats, sneakers, balls, gloves, bats, shin guards, etc.) and elementary school appropriate books. Please drop off in the chapel, or contact Kevin Johnson to arrange a pick up. Anyone who wants to help Nancy Zollers deliver everything to Russell School April 29th please contact Nancy. Thanks!!
 
SAVE THOSE CLEATS AND BOOKS for Russell School! 
Boxes are available in the Chapel!

MISSIONS SPRING HAPPENINGS!
 
"love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers."
                                                                                                            Romans 12:10-13
 
To quote Pastor Stacy, "Just as the bulbs planted deep in the ground begin to stir to new life as the days grow longer in the coming of spring, so too does this season encourage a kind of germination of God's spirit in us, calling us to new life and new beginnings . . ."
 
We welcome everyone at UCW to connect your hearts with one of our many offerings this spring!
 
Easter Sunday, 4/16/17
Project Care and Concern will be the recipient of the Easter collection. 
The offering will be used by Sister Joyce to purchase fresh produce for their food pantry.
 
Date TBD
Bread for the World
Once again, we will participate in the annual Offering of Letters "urging Congress to make funding decisions that put our country and the world on track to ending hunger by 2030."
Contact: Priscilla Kelso,plkelso@verizon.net or Beth Sears, bsears112@yahoo.com
 
Thursday, 4/27/17
An Evening at Haley House
Join us for "Lyricists' Lounge! Haley House offers good food and great entertainment on Thursday evenings! We can show our support for their efforts to break the cycle of incarceration through their Transitional Employment Program, supporting people's return to their community.
Contact: Beth Sears, bsears112@yahoo.com
 


Adult Education, Fellowship, and Spiritual Formation 

Our  book choice for April will be  --
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

(Pulitzer Prize, 1975)  -- an exhilarating study of faith and nature.  A theologian and writer, Dillard explores  religious themes in the cycle of the seasons. 
 
Save  APRIL  25  in your calendar 


 
"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   
TheWeekAhead
The Week Ahead
 
 
 
Sun., Apr.  16
11:30 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt
  Wed., Apr. 19
7:30 a.m.
Prayer Group
 
9:00 a.m.
Coffee w/Stacy at Starbucks
 
12:00 p.m.
Lunch Bunch
  
6:30 p.m.
Wellspring Women's Group
Sun., Apr. 23
10:00 a.m.
Worship
 
 
 
For a complete listing, and details of all upcoming events, 
please visit our website calendar HERE

FROM THE WIDER COMMUNITY
March for Science in Washington DC 
Earth Day Network

This Earth Day, April 22, Earth Day Network and the March for Science are co-organizing a rally and teach-in on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The day's program will include speeches and trainings with scientists and civic organizers, musical performances, and a march through the streets of Washington, D.C. The crowd will gather at 8:00am, and the teach-in will begin at 10:00am.
This Earth Day, join the effort to defend the vital public service role science plays in our communities and our world.

Science serves all of us. It protects our air and water, preserves our planet, saves lives with medical treatments, creates new industries, puts food on our tables, educates the next generation, and safeguards our future.
Science isn't Democratic or Republican, liberal or conservative. Indeed, threats to science are pervasive throughout governments around the world.

Using the teach-in concept deployed for the very first Earth Day in 1970, the rally and teach-in on the National Mall will focus on the need to hold our leaders - both in science and in politics - accountable to the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and integrity. The vital role science plays in our democracy must be preserved.

ABOUT EARTH DAY NETWORK:
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network works year-round with tens of thousands of partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.


ABOUT MARCH FOR SCIENCE:
The March for Science is a celebration of our passion for science and the many ways science serves our communities and our world. The March for Science is an unprecedented global gathering of scientists and science enthusiasts joining together to acknowledge the vital role science plays in our lives and the need to respect and encourage research that gives us insight into the world.

May 11, 2017