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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, October 2, 2020
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Online Worship and Mission Fair - This Sunday
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Sunday, October 4th at 10:00 a.m.
This Sunday we will turn to the scripture passage of the feeding of the five thousand. This amazing story that appears in all four Gospels will be our guiding scripture for the next many weeks.
This Sunday is also a communion Sunday so please come to worship with a cup and some bread so that we can partake together and with all our siblings in Christ on this World Communion Sunday.
Virtual Mission Fair
This Sunday After Worship.
While COVID-19 may put a lot of restrictions on us, it does not diminish the need that is out there in this world. And so the Mission & Outreach committee has identified several opportunities church members can participate in, to live our "Mission-minded ways".
So please stay on Zoom after worship and we will gather in a break-room where we will present to you these activities. You will learn more about each of them and how you can sign up!
NOTE: To connect to Sunday Worship or to any of our online offering, you may go to our website at www.ucw.org. There you will find a click through to Sunday morning worship and to online gatherings. You may also use the link below.
Zoom Link is available HERE
Meeting ID: 883 5054 7481
Passcode: 795310
Or call in at: +1 646 558 8656
A link to the bulletin is available HERE.
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All Church Retreat - Save the Dates
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It's RETREAT time!
Instead of going away for the weekend, we will be taking the month of October to explore the Scripture passage of the Feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6: 1-15) and consider what we may be hungry for in this time and what we may have to share with others. Our retreats have always been a good opportunity for fellowship and connection. And of course a chance to be spiritually fed. We look forward to doing the same in this zoom format. Youth and children have always been a joy to include and are welcome. Join us as we create retreat space for our Congregation despite the limitations of gathering together in this time. Opening Plenary Session: Saturday, October 3 from 10:00-11:30 am (zoom)We kick off the month long All Church Retreat with our much beloved plenary session on Saturday morning. We will gather as an intergenerational community to sing, pray, ponder and create as we engage our theme "The feeding of the 5000".
In the packet we hope you received this week, you will find a stencil or cut out of a fish. Cut it out, make one for everyone in your family! Bring your crayons, colored pencils or markers with you on Saturday. We are going to work on a craft together as we consider: "What are we bringing with us into this time?" "What is the one small fish and two loaves of bread we may have to share." "Who in the passage do we identify with?""What have we seen in this perceived time of scarcity and limitation that if brought to Christ with humility and love could be made to serve and nourish the wider community and world?"Join Zoom Here; Meeting ID: 823 5512 7878; Passcode: 186287. Or call in at +1 646 558 8656Throughout the Month of OctoberThere will be a variety of small group offerings that will help us enter more deeply into the scripture. For a listing of the small group offerings and how to connect please go HERE and scroll down to the section entitled LISTING OF OFFERINGS. You will also find the offerings listed on the calendar on the website or go HERE for a printable calendar.
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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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| | | Click on Image to access out Directory |
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Accessing the Union Church's
Online Directory
Reminder! If you are a church member and listed in our church directory you also have access to our online version. The link below will take you to the login page and instructions for first time users .
Access Online Directory HERE
(The link is also always available on the ucw.org homepage)
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Three New Worship Opportunities Begin in October
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Family Worship Forest Church In-Person
THIS SUNDAY, 3-4pm
1st and 3rd Sundays at 3-4pm
Kids and their Grown-ups are invited to gather two afternoons a month in the greenspace in front of the church (surrounded by Collins Rd.) for a masked, distanced, in-person service. We'll wonder and wander (e.g. to the wooded path between Waban Ave.). The worship service will be less than an hour, and include time to share our Bible story for the week, encounter God in creation, pray for one another, and create something together. Unless the weather is truly dangerous, we'll follow the saying, "There's no bad weather, only the wrong clothing." We'll find Jesus as living water in the rain; and snow angels in the cold! We'll be drawing inspiration and support from the Muddy Church movement in the UK (see THIS VIDEO) . For more information please reach out to Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org).
Gathering Space
2nd and 4th Thursdays - Starting Thursday, October 8th
We welcome you to "The Gathering Space," a quiet and contemplative space for our spiritual selves. The 30-minute Zoom gathering offers a brief but precious opportunity to pause and be comforted through music, meditation, candle lighting, poetry, readings from various faith traditions, and a time for lifting up prayers. The Gathering Space will be available on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 7:30 p.m., starting on October 8th.
Dinner Church
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm - Next Gathering Oct 15th
All-ages are invited to gather together (on Zoom) for dinner and worship! We'll begin as a large group and then break into smaller groups for deeper conversation and prayer. Come as you are, and if you've already eaten dinner, join us with your dessert! Zoom links are below. We'll generally follow the Weekly Scripture and Discussion Questions in the Children and Youth Ministries packet, so you can follow along at home, even if you aren't able to join us! To access that packet and the weekly pages CLICK HERE. On October 1st, we'll begin by looking together at Psalm 23 (Oct. 1st, 15th; Nov. 5th, 19th; Dec. 3rd, 17th)
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Children 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!
- An Overview of our Children, Youth and Families Ministries for Fall 2020
- The Fall Calendar
- Weekly Pages with Bible stories, questions to ponder, activities and prayers
Overview:
This Sunday for 10am Worship, Prayground with Pastor Amy will focus on the Feeding of 5000 and World Communion Sunday, and some of the activities and questions we are invited to share in our Weekly Pages. This week, consider holding the world (in your Prayground Box) in your hands and praying. Color and fill in your "I Pray Today" sheet and hang it somewhere in your home.
Sacred Spaces at Home, Prayground Boxes & Weekly Resources
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. We have delivered most of the boxes and hope to connect with any families that don't have one this weekend. If you don't have a box and would like one, please be in touch with Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org)
FAMILY WORSHIP - FOREST CHURCH! Wondering and Wandering Together - Beginning this Sunday
See more details in the calendar and plan to join us in October, for these outdoor, intergenerational, in-person gatherings on Sunday afternoons throughout the fall.
Registration:
We are asking all families to register children and youth this year, to make sure we have updated contact and health information, and also to share and ask for your adherence to the Phase Forward guidelines adopted to keep us safe in the time of Covid.
or visit the website to find both the packet and form HERE.
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
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YOUTH MINISTRY
Middle and EOF Groups Gather this Weekend
Parent Break-out Groups Gather while Youth Meet
Saturday, Oct.3rd - 4-5pm -Middle School Youth Group with Parent Break-out . We'll gather in person in front of the church. The Middle Schoolers will gather with Pastor Amy. MS Parents are invited to bring a folding chair and gather, distanced, in a separate area to connect and reflect.
Sunday October 4th - 4:10pm-5:30pm - Exploring Our Faith (10th & 11th graders) with Parent Break-out - We'll gather on the greenspace after Forest Church to reconnect and look ahead to the year! EOF Parents are invited to bring folding chairs and gather separately to connect and reflect. The calendar says 4pm, but we'll likely start closer to 4:10pm as Forest Church ends. I'll also send another email to EOF students, parents and mentors with some additional thoughts and plans for EOF, and share more on Sunday.
NOTE to 9th Graders! We're scheduled to meet on Sunday, Oct. 18th, but that seems too far away! Pastor Amy will send out a doodle to parents to see if we might be able to gather a little sooner too.
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Spiritual Formation and Fellowship
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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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Spiritual Practice of Lament
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Norwood Health Penpals
Provide connection through cards and letters!
As you may know, mission's focus for the fall is social, emotional, mental wellness. For most, if not all of us, the pandemic has limited our social interactions. For some, particularly the elderly or those more vulnerable to the virus, this has led to unprecedented social isolation. This is true for our friends at Norwood Health, as well as many in our own congregation. Mission is facilitating a pen pal program to restore personal connections.
If you would appreciate the joy of receiving a note in the mail or
if you would like to bring that joy to someone who is feeling isolated,
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Advocates for Racial Justice
Did you know... On this date in 1939, Sampson County, North Carolina Sheriff C.C. Tart arrested a young Black woman for helping Andrew Troublefield, a 21-year-old Black man, avoid being lynched. Black people were often prosecuted or even lynched for complaining about white mob violence or assisting other Black people in avoiding lynch mobs.
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Pilgrim Group - New offering starting in October
In addition to educational and advocacy opportunities, the advocates for racial justice will be offering an opportunity for a small group of individuals to gather together monthly as we reckon with racial injustice personally and spiritually.
This will not be a drop in group. Instead, we ask that those who are interested in journeying together make the commitment to attend all six of the monthly gatherings.
If you are interested in participating, please be go here to sign up. We are hoping to keep this group to no more than 15 individuals. If there are more than 15 who may be interested, we will explore offering the group again. Once we have the pilgrim cohort we will send out a doodle poll to find the best day/time to meet - perhaps the third Tuesday of the month at 5:15 via zoom. If you would like more information, please be in touch with Pastor Stacy. |
Fall Call to 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!
How you can help:
- JOIN THE FOOD PREP & 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? Sign up through the link below or contact Pastor Amy at amy@ucw.org
- DONATE GRANOLA BARS, TUBE SOCKS, COFFEE, BANANAS, UNDERWEAR OR CLEANING SUPPLIES: Add your name to the sign-up sheet if you have items to donate, or bring them to the big green bin outside the elevator lobby at the church.
As the days get colder, they are especially in need of large cans of ground coffee and creamer.
- 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.
To join this good work, contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org) or
CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR SIGN-UP SHEET
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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What Kind Of Communities Do We Want To Live In?:
Examining Housing Policies Through a Lens of Equity
"At My Neighbor's Table Series"
Sunday, October 18, 2020. 5:00 - 6:30 PM
This event is Free but limited (Please sign on by 4:45)
Kindly register by Wednesday, Oct 13th. Event Zoom link will be sent to registrants when sign up period ends at 12pm on October 18th.
We will explore and discuss the drivers of structural inequality that have led to high levels of racial, ethnic, and economic segregation in our communities and what we can do about it.
The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2019: Massachusetts, like many places..., has a long history of overt segregation in housing policies (such as redlining), Housing policies like exclusionary zoning, discriminatory mortgage lending and other practices in use as recently as the early 2000s...disadvantaged Black and Latino communities. While...illegal today, they firmly established segregated...communities based on class and color throughout Greater Boston.
Jennifer Raitt has served for local, regional, state and national housing, community development, and planning organizations and recently became a Climate Reality Leader with the Climate Reality Project.
- Director of Planning and Community Development, Arlington, MA.
- Town of Brookline Housing Advisory Board
- Metropolitan Area Planning Council Executive Committee.
Prep Work (Quick Videos):
Additional Material for Further Reading:
Sponsors: Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries, Baha'i Community in Needham, Carter Memorial UMC, Christ Episcopal Church, Congregational Church of Needham UUC, First Baptist Church in Needham, Equal Justice Needham, First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Needham, Grace Lutheran Church, League of Women Voters of Needham, League of Women Voters of Westwood/Walpole/Dedham, Needham Diversity Initiative, Needham Human Rights Committee, Progressive Needham, Temple Beth Shalom, Wellesley Friends Meeting. These groups have come together to support this event.
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This event will be a wonderful opportunity as as follow up to The Union Church's October book group selection, which is also the "Color of Law"!
Virtual: Richard Rothstein, The Color of Law
Event date: Tuesday, November 17, 6:30
Event location: Webinar via Newton Free Library
In, The Color of Law, A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, author Richard Rothstein argues with exacting precision and fascinating insight how segregation in America is the byproduct of explicit government policies at the local, state and federal levels. Join us for a virtual session with Mr. Rothstein. The talk will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by FORJ, the program cosponsor. Attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to housing inequities, particularly as Newton engages in a comprehensive review of its zoning codes.
Registration is required. Please register here.
In preparation for this event, attendees are encouraged to watch the the 17 minute video, Segregated by Design, which was written and narrated by Richard Rothstein and directed by Mark Lopez.
Check out this guide for more anti-racism resources.
Questions about virtual programming or Library To-Go! appointments?
Please call the main library number at (617) 796-1360.
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