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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, September 11, 2020
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Today We Remember
A prayer and meditation on the Anniversary of September 11, 2001
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Holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer
Source of all Goodness
On this day we remember the pain and loss of that day when towers and planes fell from the sky. We remember the shock. We remember just where we were when we heard the news. We remember how time stood still.
Today, we remember and as we do we ask your blessing be upon all who are trembling in the wake of such remembering. Bless all who grieve and give strength to all who struggle. As the waters pour into the pools that mark what had been, may the tears that need to fall today do so. May your tender presence hold all who weep.
As we remember, we ask your wisdom be upon us all. Guide us so that we may find the paths that lead to justice and the healing of the pain and loss all around us in these times we are in. Strength us and give us courage we pray. Amen
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Go here to take a meditative walk around the reflection pools
at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City
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Online Worship - This Sunday
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"Let there be"
Sunday, September 13 - 10:00 a.m.
For the next three Sundays we will be reflecting on the 23rd Psalm. This Sunday, Pastor Stacy will explore what it is dwell fully in what is while also joining with God in calling forth what can be.
We will have the delight of commissioning our new ministerial intern Eden Johnson and our Time of Offering will feature the artistry of Mario Purser.
Zoom Link is available HERE
Meeting ID: 869 1350 4305
Passcode: 204487
Or call in at: +1 646 558 8656
A link to the bulletin is available HERE
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Tea Time continues
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 pm.
We'd love to see you!
Tea time is a drop in gathering for anyone in the congregation young or old to say hello and connect with each other. Come share something you are experiencing or learning. Come hear how others in the community are doing and what is on their heart and minds. Grab a cup of tea and share in some conversation.
To join via Zoom go HERE;
Meeting ID: 746 243 368
Password: 016341
or call +1 646 558 8656.
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Wednesday Morning Prayer
Every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.
We begin with 20 minutes of meditative silence after which we speak aloud our prayers and light candles (if we have them) to help spread the light and warm of God's presence into the lives of those for whom we pray. We close with two prayers of blessing. The prayer of St. Francis and the Serenity Prayer.
Meeting ID: 825 631 369;
Password: 022055.
Or call in at +1 646 558 8656
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Book Group
September 29, 7:00-8:00 pm
For the month of September we will be reading "The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead.
"Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, the #1 New York Times bestseller from Colson Whitehead, a magnificent tour de force chronicling a young slave's adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South." Amazon.com
All are welcome!
Meeting ID: 893 1096 1073;
Passcode: 179509
or call in at: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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Wellspring
September 30, 6:30-8:00 pm
Wellspring is our women's ministry at UCW. We come together in a prayerful space to support each other as we journey together in these times. Our time begins with a check in and candle lighting as we honor the divine spark with in each of us and often concludes with conversation around a particular question or theme. This month we will consider the question "What was in your toolkit this pandemic summer?" If you are interested in learning more about Wellspring, please be in touch with Priscilla Kelso or Pastor Stacy.
Meeting ID: 845 3935 8319
Passcode: 964074
Or call in at: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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Hello everyone,
Please look at the Sign Up Genius HERE, and sign up to read Scripture. Youth are greatly encouraged to sign up, too!
Thanks,
UCW Deacons
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|  | Can you name these kiddos? This photo was taken in 2014
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Children, Youth and Families This Fall at UCW
We miss seeing you all, and are holding all of our children, youth and families in prayer this week as many return to school!
Send us your Back-To-School Photos!
There's a lot that's different about the start of this school year, but we're still excited to mark and celebrate new beginnings! Send us your back-to-school photos and we'll share them in our worship service on Sunday, Sept 20th! Send to Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org) or text (617) 938-8112.
Coming Soon
Our Youth and Children's Ministry Teams have been meeting, praying, and working this month, getting closer to a plan that includes both in-person and online ways of connecting kids and families, and helping us all to find sacred space, grounding, and joy we need in this time! Stay Tuned this Week for:
Sacred Moments at Home Boxes - Coming to your Home!
These boxes will have materials to help you and your family find moments of peace and connection throughout the week, and will also have weekly Bible Stories, lessons and activities that will connect to Sunday morning worship. Members of the Children's Ministry team will be in touch to deliver them.
FOREST CHURCH! Wondering and Wandering Together - Beginning in October
We'll provide a schedule and details in your boxes (above), but will plan to begin these outdoor, intergenerational, in-person gatherings on Sunday afternoons throughout the fall.
Youth Groups and Exploring Our Faith
Our Middle School and High School Youth Ministries will also start up at the end of September and early October with some in-person (masked, physically distanced) gatherings. We'll send a full calendar of events and service projects planned for the fall along with the boxes (above).
If you have thoughts or ideas of things that would help your family, or if you would like to be involved in helping to plan or gather with our kids, we'd love to talk! Please reach out to Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org).
Parents Group - Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm: Continue to gather to connect, laugh and share mutual support as we do the good work of parenting in these challenging times. If you aren't on the parents list and would like to join us, please send Annie or Pastor Amy a note at agatewood@gmail.com, or amy@ucw.org
Back-to-School Prayers and Blessings for Families: This month, Pastor Amy attended a gatherings with one of her favorite writers about faith and families, Rev. Traci Smith. Her book Faithful Families is a wonderful resource for simple practices and prayers for our home. During our gathering, she shared the following set of brief prayers for this back-to-school year. We'll use some of these prayers in Sunday worship, and in our gatherings this fall, but thought it might be helpful to you to have, as well, as we enter fall. May they be a blessings...
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Advocates for Racial Justice - Planning for the New Year
Meeting on Tuesday, September 15th at 4:30 p.m.
The Advocates for Racial Justice will be meeting on Tuesday September 15th at 4:30 to plan for the new year. We will be discussing ongoing study group to be led by Pastor Stacy starting in October, monthly book discussion group, film discussion group, educational activities for year and a possible focus on Reparations. Our task force is open to any interested member of the congregation.
Hope to see you!
Brita Gill-Austern,
Chair of ARJ.
Did you know...In 1955 two white men abducted and brutalized a 12 year old, Emmett Till, because he "acted familiar" with a white storekeeper. His mother held an open casket funeral for thousands to observe Emmett's mutilated body saying, "the whole nation has to bear witness to this."
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Can You Be Part of our On-going
Common Cathedral Team?
Plans to Continue this Ministry
"If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."
- Lilla Watson
We are bound in powerful ways to our beloved unhoused brothers and sisters in Boston. Our team of UCW members continues to bring sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, socks and other needed items - like cards and notes of love and support - to Common Cathedral's Boston Warm Day Center each week.
We very much hope to continue to walk with our friends at Boston Warm into the fall, for as long as they need us. Come be part of this awesome team!
- JOIN THE FOOD PREP & SUMMER COORDINATING TEAM: Most weeks, we sign up to bring 50-100 sandwiches. Can you make 25? Or perhaps you could help coordinate or drop-off donations? We're working on a Sign-up Doc to help us get organized. Please Contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org).
- DONATE GRANOLA BARS, TUBE SOCKS, UNDERWEAR OR CLEANING SUPPLIES: Contact Pastor Amy if you have items to donate, or bring them to the big green bin outside the elevator lobby at the church.
- CREATE CARDS, SIGNS : Help our friends at Boston Warm know they are not alone, and share your love and prayers with them. Cards from all-ages are so appreciated and cherished, hung on the walls of the center for all to see.
Thank you so much!
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We, the members of The Union Church in Waban, true to our founding principle of being an inclusive church, covenant together to nourish and to sustain in our common life and practice a fully welcoming and affirming church for all persons. Welcoming all persons who seek to join with us in a commitment to love God and our neighbors, affirming the inclusive love of Jesus, we are open to all, without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, nationality, ability or economic circumstance. We invite all to full participation in our worship, membership, leadership and life of this church.
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