The Union Church in Waban                
Friday, August 31, 2018
Introducing: "From the Pews"
We want to hear from you!

Introducing a new column where we invite you to share reflections, insights, and offerings with the wider community.  

Did something you experienced this week give you new insights into the Gospel or what it is to lead a life of faith?

Did you come across a moment of beauty that you'd love to share?

Were you moved by the needs of the world?

If these or other questions stir something in you that you would like to share, please consider contributing to our new "From the Pews" column.  

Please send submissions to Pastor Stacy.   
A word from Pastor Stacy
Earlier this week, I arrived at church just as the children in the neighborhood were arriving back at school. One little girl, a kindergartener if I had to guess, caught my eye. She was decked out in this beautiful, floral dress with the most enormous pink bow perched atop her pulled back hair. In an instant, I was brought back to all of the back to school outfits that I carefully selected year after school-aged year. Getting the perfect back to school outfit was crucial. I am not sure I ever wore a floral print and a big bow, but do remember carefully orchestrating what my look would be at the start of yet another year.

The stores are full of back to school sales and advertisements beckon us to the malls, but I realize that a new back-to-school outfit it is a privilege. I realize many families this year will be struggling mightily to cover the cost of the school supply list, leaving a special outfit completely off the table. I realize that going back to school can be a time of great financial strain for the vast majority of families.
 
(Go here to continue reading)

Kids, Youth and Families - Growing in Faith and Community 
 
Watch Your Mailboxes! 
The Youth Ministry and Christian Education Teams have been busy planning exciting things for our kids, youth and families this fall!  Please keep an eye out this week for a packet with our fall calendar of events, information about our new Parents' Group, updates about Sunday School and new Children's Chapel and more!  
 
SAVE THE DATE!  Sunday, Sept. 16 
Blessing of the Backpacks; Kids and Families Fair and Cupcakes!
Please plan to join us on September 16th ready to celebrate our new year together.  We'll bless our backpacks and kids as they head back to school, and  following worship, we'll welcome families to our newly updated Littlehale room and Children's Chapel, and create a special community art project for the space.  We'll share updates and registrations for our fall offerings, and celebrate with our popular cupcake decorating too!   We look forward to seeing you there!  
 
High School Youth Headed to NYC 
On Sept 8-10 our new High School Youth Group is headed to New York City to serve with the   Rauschenbusch Metropolitan Ministries.  We'll learn about issues of homelessness and food insecurity in the city; help with an urban garden; serve Sunday lunch to around 1000 of the city's hungry; visit the 9-11 Memorial; and make sure to have some fun and eat some New York pizza along the way!  Please hold this group in your prayers as they travel and participate in this meaningful weekend.    


UCW Community News
All Church Retreat

The all church retreat gives us the opportunity to affirm the  belonging and blessedness of all of our gathered community, to deepen t he connections that create a  community of cooperation and care and helps us to remember our purpose as a faith community and as individuals. 
 
For more details and to register online go  HERE
       












T here is still time to submit your family photo and details for inclusion in our next Church Directory update
!

So snap that picture on the beach or in the mountains, in the garden or arboretum, on your bike or in your favorite rocking chair and send it to the Aidan in the church office. 

Also if your contact information has changed within the last year, please send that along as well.   

"While the directory is helpful when you need to reach someone in the church, it can also be a wonderful prayer practice.  Open the directory and then set about praying each day for each subsequent person/household.  In this way we re-member each other and stay connected even when summer vacations and travels keep us from being physically together."  -- Pastor Stacy     
Mission & Outreach

From the Nica Team:  

Suppressing an uprising, President Daniel Ortega borrows tactics from autocrats abroad.

From the Wider Community 

Benefit for Puerto Rico
Sept. 22, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m
Lasell College, Newton

A Benefit for Puerto Rico will be held at Lasell College here in Newton on Sept. 22, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. (the anniversary of Hurricane Maria). Come support our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico while learning about Electricity Aggregation, an exciting new climate solution coming to Newton soon with Newton PowerChoice. There will be music and children's activities as well. They are in need of volunteers to participate, especially with children's art activities. 

If interested in helping out, please contact 
Sarah Mausner:  [email protected] or 617-969-6378


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 should be e-mailed to the office at [email protected] , by 9:00 a.m. on the previous Wednesday morning.