The Union Church in Waban |
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Friday Updates, January 21 2022 |
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Online Worship - Third Sunday after the Epiphany
January 23rd,10:00 a.m.
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Our series on "Vision" continues through the lens of an encounter between Peter and a man unable to walk who was made to beg at the Temple gate. What role does healing play in a forward-looking vision? Pastor Amy will preach on this day.
We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!
To join Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom:
Meeting ID: 832 2059 8969
Passcode: 458322
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
The bulletin is available HERE
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Let's Visit Together- Breakout Rooms after Worship
While we cannot enjoy each other's company in a typical reception, think about refreshing your morning drink and stay for some informal conversation in Zoom breakout rooms. We will randomly set-up groups of 3-5 people for casual conversation and checking in with each other. See you in worship and after!
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To connect to Sunday Worship or to any of our online offerings,
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A Shabbat of Partnership & Community |
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As a way to come together in a challenging time post hostage-taking at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Texas, Temple Shalom in Newton has invited interfaith leaders to share practices and messages of love and welcome guests at Shabbat service today, Friday, January. 21, at 6:30 p.m. You are invited to join Pastor Wendy in practicing and sharing the love of God in community. Please hold our Jewish siblings in prayer and click below for more information. |
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Today, Jan. 21st, 6:30 - via zoom
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Special Congregational Meeting (via Zoom)
Sunday, January 30th, following online service
The purpose of the meeting will be to elect the Transition Team and Search Committee for our new Senior Pastor.
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The agenda for this congregational meeting will include:
- Presentation of Transition and Search Committee nominees.
- Vote on the Transition Team and Search Committee.
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This meeting will take place via Zoom. We will ask that all members "sign-in" in the chat room. Voting will take place by polling this roster of members.
If you have any questions please contact Frank Laski, Jenny Weisz as Co-Moderators, at nominating@ucw.org.
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Phase Forward Team Recommends Virtual Gatherings for January
With Covid cases on the rise, and dear members of our congregation testing positive, our Phase Forward team has agreed to pause in-person gatherings for a good bit of January. Worship, gatherings and meetings will be held virtually through the month. Our hope is that we will contribute to breaking the chain of transmission of the virus. Stay tuned for updates on resumption of in-person gatherings.
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Adult Formation and Gatherings |
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UCW Book Group
Tuesday, January 25th at 7:30 p.m.
(Please note the new, later start time.)
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The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song
by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Please join us on Tuesday, January 25th at 7:30 p.m. for our next book group meeting. This month we will be reading The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. You will find a zoom link and sign-in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody (almorrow@aol.com)
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
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Lunch Bunch
Wednesday, January 26th, from Noon-1:00 p.m.
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Bring your soup and sandwich and join Pastor Wendy and the group for a time of conversation and connection! Whether you've never come to Lunch Bunch before or are a regular, we'd love to see you! All are welcome!
If you are interested in joining us please RSVP to Molly Owen-Kiritsy (mollymok4@gmail.com) to be added to our invitation list. As the date approaches we will send you an e-mail with the Zoom meeting connection details.
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Greater Boston Interfaith Organization |
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Celebrating and Furthering the Work of GBIO
Thursday, Jan. 27, at 7:00 p.m. on zoom
Wow , so many good things are happening in GBIO! Join us for a Celebration of Accomplishments and Updates on Present Priorities at the upcoming assembly and feel energized and inspired. You will be so proud to know what GBIO is up to. Please email Kathy Malone (J2Kathleen@gmail.com ) or Brita Gill-Austern ( bgillaustern@gmail.com ) to register and receive the Zoom link.
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GBIO 2021 Listening Campaign prioritized four problem areas that were ratified by the Delegates’ Assembly on August 12th:
- Affordable Housing, including Homeownership, Rental, and targeted action around Homelessness
- Public Housing Deferred Maintenance at Mildred C Hailey Apts (Local Action)
- Reentry Services for Returning Citizens coming home from incarceration
- Mental Health / Substance Use Disorder Services
These teams need people to do research and plan actions to move these priorities forward. If you have any interest or expertise in one of these areas you would be willing to share, please contact Brita or Kathy.
All who would like to work more closely as a part of the Union Church Core Team for GBIO please put February 17th on your calendar for a training from 7 to 9 on Zoom. Please contact Brita or Kathy if you are interested so we can talk with you and sign you up. This is incredibly rewarding and fun work.
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NICA - The Ministry of Nicaragua
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NICA - January Update
February Trip - We have been traveling to Nicaragua since 2003 for service work but given the challenges of traveling we have made the decision to postpone the trip this year and will revisit the idea when safe travel allows. We will be working on how to best help our friends and partners over the next couple of months.
Nicaragua Service - We will honor and support our friends and community partners by having a Nicaragua themed service on March 13th which will include some of our friends in Nicaragua via Zoom.
Alpha y Omega Church - Our sister Church in Nicaragua is so inspiring! In addition to their regular ministries, they have started a new feeding ministry where they welcome between 60-120 children daily into the church to receive, as our friend Ruth says, "food for the body and the spirit".
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Spanish Language Lessons - Our friend and local Nicaraguan translator,
Baby on the way: Our friend and community leader helper Jordin Marin's wife Candy is pregnant and due in the Spring. We send prayers for the whole family.
Marvin - Our Church sponsors the college education of Marvin Ernesto Collado Vargas who is studying nursing. Marvin is very grateful for the support of our Church and says he is working very hard at school
To learn more about some of our other community partners,
please visit their website by clicking on their name below:
Brugger Foundation - Funding college scholarships for students. Currently we are supporting Marvin and some congregants support other students.
Comunidad Connect - A health and community focused partner which is now led by a former Union Church scholarship student Yarisleidy Cortez who is Director of Community Development.
Mobil Library - Bringing books to kids in rural areas via books in a box by the mobil library and also serving kids at their library in San Juan Del Sur. Many Church travelers had the amazing opportunity to travel with the mobil library while in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua Memory from 2010
Check out this 2010 video to see some of our work or to reminisce.
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Coat and Clothing Collection
for Common Cathedral
January 16th-February 17th
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As the cold weather continues, our partners at Common Cathedral are collecting warm coats, and durable clothing, boots, shoes, belts, bags, blankets and other items for their community members who live outdoors. New socks and men's underwear are also always in need!
For a full list of needed items please CLICK HERE.
In these weeks when we are gathering remotely, please contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org) to arrange a drop-off or pick-up of clothing. We will also have bins available outside the church elevator lobby on Sunday, January 23rd, and Pastor Amy will be at the church following worship that morning to collect items. Thank you!
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Upcoming Sundays & Gatherings |
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10:00 a.m. Worship - Coming Up!
We hope you will join worship online for the month of January (maybe part of February too- stay tuned. Come find reconnection, renewal, hope, and joy as we gather together on Zoom.
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Worship on January 30th
The series on "Vision" continues as we ask a big question about the church being bold and brave in its mission and purpose. The prayer of the disciples to speak with boldness will shape our understanding and give us a peek into the history of Union Church.
Worship on February 6th
A new series mirroring questions that will shape the Senior Pastor search process begins this Sunday focusing on "Who Are We now?" We will hear the strange and troubling story of Ananias and Sapphira from the 5th chapter of Acts and wonder about generosity as a mark of who we are now.
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Children, Youth & Families |
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Children and Sunday School
On Hold but Stay Tuned
As we return to online worship in order to stay safe in this recent Covid surge, we will take a break from in-person Sunday School until further notice. Worship does include an All Ages Moment and would be a good time to tune in. Plans are in the works for a few outdoor (and maybe online) gatherings in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned!
Parents' Group
Gathering to Breathe and Connect
Online -Thursday, January 27th, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Gather as we begin this New Year to take a breath and connect with others doing the good and hard work of parenting. We'll still our minds, share a moment of prayer and reflection, and catch up with and support one another. Pastor Amy will send a Zoom link to families, but please reach out to her at amy@ucw.org if you would like to join and don't receive the link.
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Pastoral Care Connections
During this time of transition, please know that your church is here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Revs. Wendy Vander Hart or Amy Clark Feldman for prayer or pastoral support:
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Pastor Wendy's email is seniorpastor@ucw.org and her office phone is 617-965-3893
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Pastor Amy's email is amy@ucw.org, and her cell phone for calls or texts is 617-938-8112.
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Note: Both of our pastors take Mondays off as a day of rest and Sabbath. If you are in need of urgent pastoral support on this coming Monday,, you can reach out to Pastor Wendy, who will be available for emergencies.
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up
If you are joining our Sunday worship, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services.
Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE
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Our Covenant
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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