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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, March 16, 2018
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8:00 a.m.:
Bible Study in Stacy's study. All are welcome.
9:00 a.m.:
Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m.:
Special
W
orship Service.
11:15 a.m.:
Bell Choir
6:00 p.m.: Youth Ministry Team Meeting
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Living the Resurrection through our Easter Offering
One way we might think about Easter and the resurrection is that God refuses to let violence have the last word. In the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was to be arrested and the disciple's saw what was coming they asked, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:47-52)
In the gospels Jesus gives us a path to end violence, shows us how important it is to heal the impact of violence and teaches us ways that make for peace and help overcome enmity. Luke tell us that when Jesus came near to Jerusalem he wept over it saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace."
To follow Jesus is to know and live for the things that make for peace and to stop violence wherever we can. This is a moment in our country when we are seeing clearly how infested with violence our society is. An increasing recognition that even our schools are no longer safe places for children is mobilizing our children to march for their lives.
The Mission Committee has designated that the Easter offering go to two different organizations, The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Boston and the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence both seeking to end violence and create ways for peace, though through different means.
The Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
is an umbrella coalition of organizations and institutions across Massachusetts committed to ending the gun violence epidemic that plagues our country. This organization works for legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, supports the implementation of the 2014 gun law passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and advocates for a budget that supports gun violence research and prevention. Hard statistics show that in every state where more restrictive guns laws have been passed the deaths by suicide and murder have decreased significantly.
The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Boston
is a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. We know that one of the causes of violence comes from the recycling of trauma and violence that is not healed. The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute works with the victims of murder and violence to heal the wounds through an array of programs and outreach. Through its Pathways to Peace Program and curriculum in many schools of Boston it works to prevent violence by teaching principles of non-violence and guiding youth in ways to deal with conflict non-violently.
We hope you will feel inspired this Easter to live as a resurrection people committed to living a life congruent with the things that make for peace and to say to violence, "No more of this!"
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Wham's Cafe and
The Union Church in the News.
Click on Image to view TV story
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Children, Youth and Families
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Youth Ministry Team Meeting - This Sunday, March 18
th
The Youth Ministry Team will gather on the evening of March 18th from 6-8:00 p.m. in the home of Erika and Kyle Pond. If you would like to join us as we look over the fall, and ahead to the spring and coming year, please connect with Kyle Pond or Susan Hunt-Stevens, or Pastor Amy (
amy@ucw.org
).
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Youth Ministry Events Coming up: Youth Overnight!
This Weekend: Friday, March 16
th- Saturday, March 17
th:
Lenten Sleepover at the Church
The Youth Group is excited for our wonderful Lenten Overnight, when the kids are invited to spend the night in the church, eating, playing games, working on art installations for youth-led service on March 25th, and maybe getting a bit of sleep! The kids love this time to be together and explore the church, and we hope you and/or your youth will be part of it! For a complete listing of Youth Ministry events, please see the calendar on the Youth and Children's table in the Crocker Chapel, or contact Amy (
amy@ucw.org
).
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PALM SUNDAY
Kids and Youth lead us in Worship and a Walk Through Holy Week!
March 24
th: Pizza and Prep from 4-7:00 p.m.
(come for all or part)
March 25th: Kids lead Morning Worship
This year, mirroring our telling of the Christmas story in Advent, our children and youth will lead the congregation in remembering the story of Palm Sunday and the week leading up to Easter - of how Jesus gathered with his friends at the last supper, and how God works in ways beyond our imagining in the darkest of places. It is a story of courage and doubt; forgiveness and hope; evil and the deep Love that overcomes it, and we hope you and your children and youth will be a part of our sharing of it this year. We will continue preparations this Sunday, March 18th in Sunday School, and then gather on Saturday, March 24th for a fun time of pizza, prep and rehearsal! If your child or youth would like to participate, please contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org).
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Calling for Easter Egg Candy!
Easter is almost here, which means our beloved Easter Egg Hunt! We have many plastic eggs, but are grateful for nut-free candy or other goodies to put in them. Donation may be left outside Amy's office. Thank you!
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Faith Formation and Education
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Women's Retreat: May 4th - 6th.
Our Wellspring Women's Group that meets monthly on the third Wednesday invites all the women of the church to come away! It has been many years since the church has had a women's retreat, but the time has come! All women, of all ages and all stages of life are invited to this time away to rest, reflect, share and be strengthened by a time together in the beauty of the New Hampshire woods. The retreat will begin on Friday evening May 4th and conclude with worship on Sunday morning May 6th. We will be gathering at Toah Nipi ("Quiet Waters" ) which is only a little over an hour away in Rindge, New Hampshire (car-pooling will be available). The cost for two nights lodging and 5 meals (Friday night, three meals Saturday and Sunday breakfast) is $116. If you are interested in sharing in this time or have any questions, please speak with Priscilla Kelso or Pastor Stacy.
Practices of Prayer for All Ages over Eastertide
Why do we pray? Who are we praying too? Is anyone listening? Have you ever found yourself asking these questions? Do you still practice daily prayer? During the season of Easter, let us come together to explore any, and all, questions about prayer that weighs heavily on your heart. In our journey together as a community devoted to mindful prayer, we may each discover a daily prayer practice which may add to our spiritual wholeness. Each practice will be explained on one week; then, we will explore together how this form of prayer from various faith traditions rejuvenates the spirit, or if the practice does not help you reach God. This is a multigenerational exploration into the communal and individual prayer practices of humankind. Please join us Sundays for Eastertide in the Memorial Chapel from 8-9:00 a.m., starting on April 8th.
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HOLY WEEK OFFERINGS at UCW
Palm Sunday, March 25th.
P
alm Sunday marks the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, with waving palms and shouts of Hosanna. This year the children and youth will lead us in worship and walk us through the story of Holy Week. As they do, we are invited to consider our own walk of faith, and how we too may experience God's love in the death-dealing places of our day.
Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Service, March 29, 6:15 p.m
.
Our worship begins with a light meal as we join with Jesus' Last Supper. As the light fades, we move into our Tenebrae portion of the service where we move through scripture and song with Jesus and the disciples as the events of Holy Week unfold. "Tenebrae" is the Latin word for "darkness" and it is therefore during this time that we contemplate our own brokenness and weakness in the light of God's powerful message of redemptive love. Child care will be available. Suggested donation of $5/individual or $20 cap for families.
Good Friday, March 30.
The sanctuary will be open from 4-7:00 p.m. giving us space in this Holy Week to light candles of prayer or sit in silence as perhaps we feel called to contemplate, not only all that Jesus endured on that first Good Friday so long ago, but the crucifying powers of our day as well. This time of quiet will include a contemplative prayer gathering from 6-6:30 p.m.
Easter Sunrise Service, April 1, 6:15 a.m.
,
outside Wilson Chapel at Andover Newton Theological School, 210 Herrick Rd, Newton Center.
As we gather at the dawning of the day, we will give God praise for the Risen Son, Christ our Lord.
Easter Sunday Worship, April 1, 10:00 a.m.
With joy and thanksgiving we will celebrate the enduring power of Love and the affirmation that there is nothing that can separate us from the Love of God. Children are invited to stay in the sanctuary for the entirety of our Easter worship, though we will have nursery care available. Immediately after worship, the children will have their much beloved Easter Egg Hunt.
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Sun., March. 18
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8:00 a.m.
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Bible Study
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9:00 a.m.
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Choir Rehearsal
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10:00 a.m.
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Worship
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11:15 a.m.
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Bell Choir Rehearsal
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6:00 p.m.
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Youth Ministry Team Meeting
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Mon., March 19
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7:00 p.m.
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Choir Rehearsal
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Wed., March 21
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6:30 p.m.
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Wellspring
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Sat., March 24
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10:00 a.m.
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Prayer and Music Gathering Before
March for Our Lives
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4:00 p.m.
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Pizza and Prep for Palm Sunday
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Sun., March. 25
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8:00 a.m.
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Bible Study
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9:00 a.m.
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Choir Rehearsal
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10:00 a.m.
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Worship (Palm Sunday)
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11:15 a.m.
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Bell Choir Rehearsal
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5:00 p.m.
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Capital Campaign Reception
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6:30 p.m.
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GBIO Core Team Mtg.
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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 or our Sunday Announcements insert should be e-mailed to the office at
ucw@ucw.org
, by 9:00 a.m. on the previous Wednesday morning. Please specify whether for e-Blast, Sunday Announcements, or both. Thank you!
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Posted on March 13, 2018 by Green Newton
On
Monday, March 26 from 12-2 p.m. at the
Massachusetts State House, faith leaders will gather with supporters to bear witness to climate injustice in our state and speak truth to Governor Baker. They will demand that the Governor stop cooperating with fossil fuel interests and stop the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in Massachusetts. After an interfaith ceremony, participants will march to the Back Bay where a new pipeline project is underway. For more, see the
Facebook event and
RSVP here.
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