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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, November 30, 2018
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8:00 - Prayer Group:
Practices of Prayer
Practices of prayer will continue this Sunday..
Practices of prayer is an exploration of prayers from many faith traditions. So, if you are interested in a certain type of prayer please bring your inquiries, and let us understand the practice together. This Christian / Interfaith formation will be from 8-9 am on the stage in
lieu of the Sunday Bible study. We will continue through the end of the calendar year.
The hope is that in our journey together as a community devoted to mindful prayer, we may each discover a daily prayer practice, adding to our spiritual wholeness.
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10:00 - Worship: Hanging of the Greens
Advent begins this Sunday and as is our tradition at the Union Church in Waban, we begin Advent with our beloved Hanging of the Greens worship service. As we sing and pray, hear scripture and share in reflections, we make ready our sanctuary with wreathes, poinsettias, and the lighting of the tree. Children are invited to remain in the sanctuary for the duration of this engaging service though infant and toddler care will be available in our nursery. We will also have a quiet "prayer ground" in the side chapel for children who may need a little more room and activity.
11:15 - Advent Wreathe making for all ages on the Stage
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Following our Hanging of the Greens service today, all are invited to create a beautiful Advent wreath for your home. These wreaths are a meaningful way for your family to mark the weeks of Advent together, and to remember and connect with the season's Hope, Love, Peace and Joy in the midst of otherwise busy days. We'll provide the materials, you provide the creativity and love. Donations appreciated.
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11:30 - Teaching Parish Committee
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ANNOUNCING!
Open Sanctuary Throughout Advent
The season of Advent is to be a gift to us. It is to be a season apart, a spacious time when we can take some time away from the consuming busyness of our days to consider what it means to have God with us.
What happens, however, is that Advent tends to be one of the most hectic times of the year. We can find ourselves scrambling to get the presents bought and wrapped, the cards sent out, and the parties planned. Instead of feeling filled up with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, we can get to the end of Advent feeling more depleted than ever.
So this year, to help us partake of the gift of the season, we are going to be opening the church during week and invite you to stop by. Come sit in the quiet of our Sanctuary. Soak in the beauty and peace of the place. We hope it a home for you not just on Sunday morning but whenever it is you can stop by throughout the month.
The sanctuary will be open Monday - Friday, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m., and from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One of our pastors will be present at these times as well if you would like someone to pray or sit with you.
Longest Night Service,
December 21, 7:00 p.m.
Advent can also be a difficult time for many of us. Perhaps we are feeling overwhelmed by the rush and consumerism of the season. Perhaps we are hungering for some quiet and contemplation. Perhaps we are feeling out of sync with the festivities; feeling more sadness, loss and fear than joyful celebration.
This year, on December 21st, we will gather in Memorial Chapel for a beautiful contemplative service of candle lighting, song and prayer. We will open space for all that we may be feeling and will pray that our time together will be of comfort and perhaps even one of healing.
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Getting to Know You - Union Church informational gathering:
Sunday, December 9th at 11:30
a.m.
Are you interested in learning about the Union Church in Waban?
Are you curious about our history, how we came to be and what we are up to now?
Are you wondering how you could deepen your involvement in the church?
Perhaps you are considering membership?
If so, please join us after church on Sunday, December 9th at 11:30 a.m. in the meeting room (across from the church office). If you are not able to join us on the 9th but are interested in this conversation, please be in touch with Pastor Stacy (stacy@ucw.org).
Receiving New Members:
Sunday, December 23
rd
during worship
Also, we will be receiving new members on December 23rd during worship. If you are interested in joining the church please be in touch with Pastor Stacy.
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Pop up Moderator Meeting
Have a question about something in our life together? Wondering about something in our organizational, financial or community life? Our moderators (Kent Wittler and Diane Tillotson) are here for you. Draw up a chair along side them during reception. They will be happy to talk with you about whatever is on your mind.
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Education, Spiritual Formation and Fellowship
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ADVENT REFLECTION BOOKLET
Is ready!
Please be sure to pick up a copy of our Advent Reflection Booklet
this Sunday. Copies will be available in Crocker Chapel.
or
Click
HERE or on the image below to view an online copy.
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T
he beloved Mitten Tree is in full swing!
We invite you to share the spirit of giving by providing a gift to those who are less fortunate. We have two groups of recipients-Waban Health (
RED mittens
) and Project Care and Concern (
Green mittens)
. Both organizations provide housing for those in need. Many of the recipients will not receive any other gifts this year and your kindness is appreciated.
Be sure that someone records your name with the
mitten you've chosen.
RED mittens are for the residents of Waban Health. We are creating gift baskets for this group this year. Take
an empty gift basket and a cellophane bag. Suggested contents for the gift baskets are outlined on the back of the mittens. Please be sure to have your cellophane-wrapped gift basket with mitten attached back to the church by Sunday Dec 16.
Green mittens are for the residents of Project Care and Concern. We will use our traditional system with this group-the requested gift item is indicated on the back of the mitten. Please return the wrapped gift, with mitten affixed by
Sunday, Dec. 16
.
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Christmas Special Offering
The mission leadership team is soliciting suggestions for this year's special collections Christmas offering. Please speak to Jaap van Reijendam or Carol Bascom-Slack during fellowship or send the name of the organization, a brief description of its work and what it means to you to
mission@ucw.org by Sunday, Dec. 9.
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Christmas Greens
The greens sale is an annual fundraiser that supports our mission and outreach work in the church. If you ordered greens for your home from our annual greens sale, pickup times are as follows:
Friday, Dec. 7th
from 5-7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8th
from 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9th
after services
Note:
Extra trees are still available for purchase.
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Kids, Youth and Families
Growing in Faith and Community
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Community Advent Wreath-Making
This Sunday! December 2nd ,After Worship,
Following our Hanging of the Greens service today, all are invited to create a beautiful Advent wreath for your home. These wreaths are a meaningful way for your family to mark the weeks of Advent together, and to remember and connect with the season's Hope, Love, Peace and Joy in the midst of otherwise busy days. We'll provide the materials, you provide the creativity and love. Donations appreciated.
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Christmas Pageant:
Dec. 16
th (Rehearsals on Dec. 9
th and 15
th)
Mark your calendars for our annual Christmas Pageant, as our children and youth lead us in worship and the telling of the Christmas story. If your child or youth would like to participate, please plan to come to Sunday School next week (Dec. 9th), contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org), or see the Sign-up Genius sent to families this week.
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Newton Early Release Day Family Fun: Holiday Crafts and Games
Wednesday, Dec. 5th, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Looking for a warm, fun place to go on the December Newton public school early release day? Swing by the Littlehale room for winter crafts and games, and a light lunch! We'll have a great time together and share Christmas cheer in this first week of December. Kids should be accompanied by an adult, and all are welcome! Bring a friend or two!
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Parents' Group -
Tuesday, Dec. 11
th, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Reception Room
Gather with fellow parents as we support and learn from each other, and share the joys and challenges of parenting. This group gathers every 2
nd Tuesday of the month.
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Middle School Youth Group Christmas Party
Friday, Dec. 14th
We hope all middle-schoolers will plan to join us for our awesome annual Christmas Party and White Elephant gift exchange at the home of Susan Hunt Stevens! Middle school families should receive an Evite. Please contact Pastor Amy (
amy@ucw.org) with questions.
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For a complete listing, and details of all upcoming events,
please
Note
: Material for inclusion in the Friday e-Blast newsletter should be e-mailed to the office at
ucw@ucw.org
, by 9:00 a.m. on the previous Wednesday morning.
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Give the gift of
Wham's Cafe
with a special eGift Card!
Go
HERE to send
a digital gift card in any amount you choose
Wham's Cafe
:
737 Lakeview Ave, Cafe, Lowell, MA, 01850
_______________________________________________
To Learn more about the
Union Church and Wham's Cafe partnership go
here
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