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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, September. 8, 2017
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This Sunday, Gathering Sunday, will be celebrated
by a special service -- A Hymn Sing.
This first Sunday of the new church year will be a special one, as we will begin it with a Hymn Sing, Communion service. Children are invited to be with us for the entirety of the service though Lisa Barry will be available in our nursery for our infants and toddlers.
Hymns and sacred songs are a way in which the faith community is united by word and music.
Although we all come from different faith traditions, we share the same stories told by these "wonderful words of life." Thank you to everyone who shared with us their favorite hymn/song. We have woven many throughout the service but if your suggestion did not find its way into Sunday's service, be assured we will be drawing on these hymns/songs through out our worship year. Also please continue to share with us your suggestions. You will see at the bottom of the announcement section of your bulletin a section where you can jot down a suggestion. Equally, we want to hear if there is something we have sung in worship that you found difficult or that you did not like.
After the service this Sunday, be sure to stop by the Youth and Families and Mission/Outreach tables to learn about plans for this fall and how you can be involved.
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THIS SUNDAY FOLLOWING WORSHIP
MISSION & CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES FAIR
With Cupcake Decorating and Games for Kids!
Today following worship, please join the Mission, and Christian Education & Formation teams downstairs to learn about opportunities and events, and share ideas for the coming year! It's also a great time to register your children and youth for the year, and connect with members of the Youth Ministry and teacher teams. We hope to see you there!
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Feasibility Study, Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
As you may remember from communications last spring, the need to replace our sanctuary roof has opened the possibility of a capital campaign to address the needs and dreams of our faith community. In order to assess the feasibility of such a campaign, we have retained the expertise of consultants who will be conducting interviews with the congregation. Please look for a letter (arriving via snail mail this week) that will provide information about the upcoming study. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to be in contact with our moderators
Karen Weisgerber and Kent Wittler or with pastor Stacy. |
Blessed are those who trust in the
Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
(Jeremiah 17: 7-8)
Friday, October 20 starting at 6:30 p.m. - Sunday, October 22,
finishing up before noon.
Where is it?
Why are we doing this?
To celebrate and nourish the rootedness that we have with each other and with our God that enables us to thrive in the midst of the challenges of our time and to also bring forth goodness into the world. It is a time to have fun. To enjoy each other and to grow.
Who is it for?
All of us! We are an inter-generational community where all are beloved and all are invited. There is a cost associated with the retreat but we do not want that to be a barrier to anyone or any family. What is most important is that you come so that we can all be together and be nourished by each other's presence. So make whatever contribution you can, whether that be less than or more than the actual cost.
How?
Or
Download and fill out the registration form HERE and forward it to Pastor Stacy.
Or
Registration is due by September 17th
.
?'s or want to help out?
If you have questions or would like to help out in the planning or leadership of the retreat, please be in touch with
Pastor Stacy
We need and welcome your ideas and help.
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Children, Youth & Families
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An Awesome Year Ahead for Kids and Youth!
Calendars and Updates Available
We are looking forward to a wonderful year with our children and youth, and are so grateful for all those who helped with ideas and planning over the summer! Families should have received a packet in the mail this week with a calendar of events, an overview and calendar for our Youth Ministry, a registration form, and an invitation and registration form for our fall retreat. Copies of all of these are also available on the church website, or downstairs at today's Mission and Children, Youth and Families Fair. With questions, or to get involved, please contact Amy at
amy@ucw.org
, or talk to one of our team members today at the fair.
Next Sunday: Blessing of the Backpacks &
Commissioning our
Exploring Our Faith group
We invite kids to bring their backpacks to worship where we will bless them, and pray for our kids and this new school year. We will also commission our 9th & 10th graders, and their mentors, as they embark on a year exploring their faith, and considering confirmation or baptism.
Next Sunday: Sunday School Gatherings for Children and Youth Begin!
Next Sunday begins our new year of Sunday School, as we grow in our relationships with God and one another, share the stories and values of our faith, and explore what it is to live out our faith in the world. We are so excited to gather with our kids again!
- REGISTRATION: Registration helps us learn about your children and youth - including any health and other information we need to be sure your child has a safe and great experience. Forms are available downstairs following worship today, as well as online and in the Crocker Chapel. Please submit your registration by Sept. 24th. Thank you!
- SUNDAY VOLUNTEERS: From holding one of our infants, to helping little hands make a craft, reading a Bible story, or listening to our youth share about their weeks, there are so many ways to nurture, and share our faith and care with our children and youth. Can you volunteer a few Sundays a year with our kids? Please contact Amy at amy@ucw.org. We're grateful for your consideration!
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Welcome to our new
Ministerial Intern, &
Ass't Music Minister
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Our Ministerial Intern: Brian Donovan
Your Teaching Parish Committee is pleased to introduce you to Brian Donovan our ministerial intern for the 2017 2018 academic year. We will be commissioning Brian on Gathering Sunday, September 10 during our worship service and invite you all to extend a warm welcome as Brian begins his ministry among us.
Brian Donovan is a second-year seminarian / Masters of Divinity student and Dean's Fellow at Boston University School of Theology. He graduated from the University of Maine in Augusta in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree, focused on creative writing. During those undergraduate years, Brian had some minor publications of poetry, short stories, and a graphic memoir. All of which he continues to utilize in his ministry. Brian is currently a member of The Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor and the first seminarian from said congregation. He is also a Member in Discernment through the Midcoast Maine association of the UCC.
Brian has lived in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. However, his home is in Maine where he has family ties to both Wiscasset and Boothbay. During the summer, he resides in East Boothbay with his mother Penny Donovan and their two dogs, Rocky and Pepe. Brian has one son, Nathaniel, who lives in Michigan with his mother. Finally, Brian continues to reside and work at the former Andover Newton Theological School campus in Newton Centre during the 2017/2018 school year.
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Ass't Music Minister: Kayla Gautereaux
It is with great joy that we introduce to the congregation of Union Church our new Assistant Music Minister, Kayla Gautereaux. Our search team, comprised of Stacy Swain, Amy, Feldman, Diane Tillotson, and myself interviewed several candidates during the summer, and made our decision this past month. Kayla has not only a beautiful voice, but also has all the qualities that will enable her to minister spiritually to the congregation with her musical gifts.
We are so excited to have her join our church community, and you will be able to welcome her on September 10th at our Gathering Sunday.
Soprano, Kayla Gautereaux, is an active performer of solo recitals, opera, and oratorio. Ms. Gautereaux held the position of Assistant Music Director at St. Andrews-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Pacific Be
ach, California. Her recent operatic roles include Mother in Menotti's Amahl in the Night Visitors and Suor Genovieffa in Puccini's Suor Angelica. Ms. Gautereaux has also been fe
atured in a number of professional choral ensembles including San Diego Pro Arte Voices and Sacra/Profana, and has previously sung with the San Diego Opera Chorus. After receiving her Bachelor of Music at San Diego State University in 2014, Ms. Gautereaux co-founded Folkl
ore Guild, a new choral ensemble specializing in music from video-game and film soundtracks. Ms. Gautereaux is also a private voice teacher, and is currently earning her Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy at New England Conservatory.
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JAVA GENTS
Men's group
Java Gents will kick of the year on Friday, September 15th at 7:00 a.m. with a hot breakfast and good conversation. Jay O'Beirne and Buz Bedford have some great things cooked up
for Java Gents this year, so you won't want to miss it.
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WELLSPRING / Women's group
As summer wanes, we look to the start of a new Wellspring season. We will meet on
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20, 6:30 p.m.
Our theme will be FRIENDSHIP. What is the role of friendship in our lives? In our faith community? As we grow in our understanding of God and of ourselves, what does it mean to befriend ourselves and others? What did Christ mean when he said: "You are my friends." ?
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Living
Waters /A Time of Quiet and Prayer,
Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in
Memorial Chapel
(just off the main sanctuary)
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On Monday mornings starting on Monday, September 11th from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m, we gather in the small chapel off the sanctuary for quiet and prayer. This time is called
"Living Water" is based on the passage in John's Gospel where Jesus encounters the Samaritan women at the well (John 4:14). This is a time to drink in the stillness of the peace and presence of God so that we will be filled and will not thirst as we go into the busyness of our week. We begin with 20 minutes of centering/meditative silence. Afterwards we light candles of prayers for celebrations and/or concerns we may have. Please join us.
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Book Group -- Multicultural Authors Series
October 31st (last Tuesday of the month), at 7:00 p.m
As we approach a new season of literary exploration, we are offering a thoughtful collection of multicultural writing by authors representing the varied voices and perspectives of people who view the American experience from the standpoint of displacement and assimilation.
The partial list includes the following: 2016 Pulitzer Prizewinner, The Sympathizer by Viet Than Nguyen (Vietnamese-American), Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (Indian-American), 2000 Pulitzer Prize winner, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Nigerian), Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat (Haitian -American), books by Amy Tan (Chinese-American), Amara Lakhous (Algerian), Katherine Boo (American), and other suggestions from the group.
Our first meeting is on October 31st (last Tuesday of the month), at 7:00 p.m. Our first book will be The Sympathizer by Viet Than Nguyen, in tandem with the PBS series on the Vietnam War. For a copy of the book, please get in touch with Stacy (stacy@ucw.org).
Some suggested questions we can ask as we read these books are: What appeals to me in these multicultural writings? With what do I disagree? How does the book relate to the current climate of divergent views on immigration and a multicultural society? By reading stories different from my own, what universal themes do I see and identify with regarding love, family, loss, spirituality, and resilience in the human journey?
Feel free to invite others to our Book Group.
Thank you, Priscilla, Stacy, and Alan.
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Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief
Please pray for continued strength and resolve for those whose lives have been impacted by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey. Please also pray for the First Responders, disaster coordinators, and many volunteers who are working tirelessly to provide relief after Harvey, now and in the days, months, and years to come.
The response and rebuilding will be long-term. Your generous contribution now makes this long-term response possible.
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International Dot Day - You are invited:
Friday, September 15
th, 10 - 12:00 p.m.
The Dot is returning to Dorchester! Please join the William E. Russell School Community for International Dot Day on Friday, September 15th, from 10 - 12:00 p.m. Peter H. Reynolds (author and illustrator of the inspirational book The Dot) and Paul Reynolds (co-author of Going Places) will be returning to the Russell to help celebrate "all that creativity inspires and invites"* within our students. You will be able to celebrate student art work, written responses, vehicle designs, computer graphics and much, much more inspired by the works of Peter and Paul Reynolds.
Peter is a NY Times best-selling author and illustrator, with works including The Dot, Ish, North Star, and more. He has also illustrated the Judy Moody and Stink series - some Russell student favorites! Peter and his brother Paul have collaborated to create the amazing book Going Places and the new series Full Steam Ahead - both promoting creativity, engineering, and thinking outside the box as part of a push towards promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) among schools and children.
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Called as Partners
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NICA Travelers Meeting, September 17, 11:30 a.m.
All travelers are invited to this informational meeting where we will share trip preparations and ways that each and every traveler can be involved. If you are unable to attend this important meeting, please be in touch with trip leader, Dave Spertner or pastor Stacy.
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We Want to Hear From You!
Please stop by our mission-outreach table after church on Sunday, Sept 10th ,
on the way to reception!
Let us know your hopes for outreach-mission opportunities this year for you or your family. We will let you know some plans in the works.
And, we would be grateful if you could leave this survey in the offering tray or at the tables downstairs. Or via email. Thanks!
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Survey
I would like to see church outreach-mission opportunities that reach out to the following, or in the following ways:
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Optional: Name________________
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Or
Or
Respond to the survey on-line: HERE
Thank you!
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Sun., Sept. 10
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11:30 a.m.
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Mission and CE Fair
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12:00 p.m.
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World Communion Sunday Mtg.
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Mon., Sept. 11
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9:00 a.m.
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Living Waters-A Time of Quiet and Prayer
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10:00 a.m.
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Coffee w/Stacy today
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5:00 p.m.
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Nica Project Team
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5:45 p.m.
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Nica Trip Planning Team
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Fri., Sept 15
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7:00 a.m.
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Java Gents
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Sun., Sept. 17
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8:00 a.m.
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Sunday Morning 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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11:30 a.m.
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Nica Travelers Meeting
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6:00 p.m.
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Youth Ministry Team Potluck & Mtg.
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