The Union Church in Waban
Friday, March 12, 2021
This Sunday
Online Worship
March 14th at 10:00 a.m. 
Artwork by Deb McGovern
On this fourth Sunday in Lent, Julie Heffernan will share a moment of illumination that brings hope. Pastor Stacy will be our preacher and Jim MacDonald will be our scripture reader.
To join worship on Zoom:  

Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 2059 8969
Passcode: 458322
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656 
 
Find a Copy of the Bulletin HERE 
To connect to Sunday Worship or to any of our online offerings, you may go to our website at www.ucw.org. There you will find a click through to Sunday morning worship and to other online opportunities. You may also use the link below.  
Lenten Bible Study
Sunday Mornings at 8:00 a.m. (zoom)

Please join us for a walk through the Gospel of Mark. All are welcome to explore this text with us and to encounter the Risen Christ within it. No biblical study or experience is needed. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Stacy.

Zoom Link is HERE
Meeting ID: 885 0724 0203
Passcode: 584285
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
All-Ages Community Gathering of
Hope and Healing

This Sunday: Marking One Year of Covid-19 - Lament, Hope, and Healing
We invite all children, youth, and adults to a special outdoor intergenerational service to mark the one-year anniversary of the closing of schools, and the last time we gathered in person for worship. We'll look back over the year, find peace in our present moment together, and hope for the months ahead, creating a beautiful work of hands-on community art. Please gather with us in front of the church from 4:00-5:00 p.m., and invite neighbors and friends! Please help us plan and keep track of who's coming by RSVPing below:
Easter Blooms Now Available to Order
If you wish to participate in our Easter celebration with the donation of an “Easter Bloom,” please submit your order by Wednesday, March 31st.

We will be decorating our Sanctuary with live plants, and your dedication details will included in our online Easter bulletin and service. 

Each donation of $15.00 will be used to purchase the plant of your choosing. 

You may order and submit your dedication
details at the link below.
Thank You!
Advocates for Racial Justice
ARJ Shares Some African American History
SAVE the DATE: Friday, APRIL 9th, 8:00 p.m. 
Zoned Out: Who Gets to Live in Suburbs of Boston
Union Church Advocates for Racial Justice .

Ever thought about why you live where you do? Or about the unseen forces might have led you here ?  Join our Advocates for Racial Justice, for a lively discussion about the origins of the Boston suburbs, the roots of our chronic housing shortage, and what it will take for us to achieve a more inclusive community in Newton. Not your usual Zoom meeting, we are privileged to have  Rev. Devlin Scott, Lead Pastor of NewCity Church and Co-Chair of the Newton Interfaith Clergy Association to lead and moderate our fair housing conversation . Everyone and all ages are welcome to share personal housing stories, no preparation necessary. For a teaser see this message from the late Rev. Howard Haywood, lifetime Newton resident and former Senior Pastor of Myrtle Baptist Church, The Character of the Neighborhood . For more information contact Frank Laski or Kathleen Hobson
DO YOU KNOW ........
All over the United States, there was an acute shortage of housing for returning World War II veterans. In January 1948, the City of Newton established the Veterans Housing Department to oversee the development of Oak Hill Park, made possible with help from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). In early 1949, the 412 new homes of Oak Hill Park were complete and ready for occupancy—by white Newton veterans and their young families. Black veterans could not get FHA-backed mortgages, and so were excluded.

For this and other interlocking reasons—for example, Newton’s increasingly restrictive zoning ordinance—the Black share of Newton’s population today is about the same as that of Boston's in 1940, before the second “Great Migration” of Blacks from the South to the Northeast, Midwest, and West (1940-70). 
Table: Alice Ingerson 
Children, Youth and Families 
Lenten Youth & Family Gatherings
Join Us Throughout March!

March 14th -This Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
Marking One Year of the Pandemic - Community Gathering
Families with children are especially invited to this event (see above) as we remember the closing of schools one year ago.

Also This Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the Community Gathering
Kids will prepare for leading our online Palm Sunday Service on March 28th, as we tell the story of Holy Week with story, art, and music (live or pre-recorded). On Sunday, March 14th, (following the 4:00 p.m. Community Gathering of Hope and Healing, above), Pick-up your Palms, an activity for Easter morning, costumes, and check in about how you'd like to participate. Contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org) if you can't be there on the 14th and we'll arrange to bring things to you!
Palm Sunday, Mar. 28th - 10:00 a.m. Worship
Youth-Led Service and Walk Through Holy Week.
We are excited for our kids to lead us in sharing the story of Holy Week and Easter. If you or your children or youth would like to read, share art or music, or participate in some other way, live or pre-recorded, please reach out to Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org). Families can also pick up palms, costumes, an Easter activity, and connect about how they'd like participate this Sunday, March 14th. See above.

EASTER! - April 4th
Plans are in the works for a Sunrise Service; a morning online service; and an in-person outdoor family gathering following morning worship. Stay tuned and be in touch with Pastor Amy if you'd like to help out!
Parents Group
March 25th, 8:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, following Gathering Space
Parents Group will meet on the third Thursday of the month. We'll meet following our monthly half-hour contemplative service of prayer, Gathering Space, which meets at 7:30-8:00 p.m. For the Zoom links, please contact Pastor Amy (amy@ucw.org)
Lenten Family Devotionals and Prayer Bags
The Children's Ministry Team has created Lenten prayer bags for all families through Lent that contain family devotionals, and materials to make beautiful weekly prayer squares. It's not too late to pick yours up! Pastor Amy is also happy to bring one by your home. You can reach out to her at amy@ucw.org.

You can also download a copy of our Lenten Family Devotional created by the Salt Project by CLICKING HERE.
Youth Groups
High School Youth Group

This Sunday, March 14th at 5:30-6:30pm
We hope the high schoolers will attend the Covid Anniversary Community event (above) and then gather as a smaller group for a time of reflection, connection, fun, and prayer. We'll gather after the service at 5:30-6:30pm, masked and distanced, in the sanctuary.

Seeking Illumination, Sharing Stories - Interviews with our Elders. Throughout Lent, teams of our high schoolers will gather with our elders to hear their stories of illumination. If you would like to participate as a high-schooler or elder, please reach out to Pastor Amy.

Weds., March 31st- Preparing Sandwiches for BostonWarm for Maundy Thursday
High Schoolers are invited to join Pastor Amy to make sandwiches to deliver to our unhoused siblings at Common Cathedral. We'll meet (location TBD based on weather) at 7-8pm.

Middle School Youth Group

Middle School Youth Group
This Sunday and Palm Sunday!
We hope all Middle Schoolers and their families will attend the Covid-Anniversary Community Event (above) at 4:00 p.m., and would also love for our middle schoolers to help lead our Palm Sunday service with their awesome reading, art, and musical abilities. Please let Pastor Amy know if you can help!

Middle School Youth Group
March 28th
Middle Schoolers will gather at 4:00 p.m. on Palm Sunday for fun and a special start to this Holy Week. We may even stuff some Easter Eggs :) Location TBD based on weather.

Adult Education and Formation
NEW OFFERING - "Listen In"
"Listen in" is a new offering that we are so happy to extend to you. We love poetry. We love the way it speaks to our hearts and opens new vistas of illumination and meaning. We love to talk about poetry and would love for you to join with us. "Listen in" is a new adventure that we hope will be a blessing to you. We invite you not just to listen in to the conversation the two of us are having, but also to listen in to your own heart and what these poems may be saying to you. So join us?

Here is our first offering. A conversation about the poem "Book of Genesis" by Kei Miller. Click on the image of the rock to listen in. Or go HERE.

Let us know what you think?

With joy and peace -- Tom and Stacy
Yoga Nidra
This Monday, March 15th, from 7:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Sleep is key to our physical and mental health. This year has caused many people to struggle with getting their recommended hours of sleep. Many people have also been reporting an increase in nightmares during this time. To help combat this, we will be hosting bi-weekly Yoga Nidra (aka Sleep Yoga). Yoga Nidra- known as yogic sleep—is a meditation and conscious relaxation practice that is intended to induce total physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. It is said that 30 minutes of this practice can equal up to three hours of sleep. Anyone can participate, all that is needed is a comfy spot to lay back and relax and access to Zoom. If you are interested in joining in on a class please reach out to llobdell@gmail.com.  

Zoom Link is HERE
Meeting ID: 856 2501 0621
Passcode: 145706
tea-cup-breakfast.jpg
Tea Time Bible Study
Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m.

Please join us for a walk through the Book of Acts with Rev. Arlyne Grant and other friends. No biblical study or experience is needed. This will be a fun filled time of conversation and learning.

Zoom Link is HERE
Meeting ID: 847 2838 1864
Passcode: 837512
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656

Book Group
Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:00 p.m. (zoom)
Please join us for our next book group on March 30th at 7:00 p.m. We will be reading "Sycamore Row" by John Grisham. You will find a zoom link and sign in information below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alan Cody.

Please mark your calendar with our upcoming selections and dates:

-April 27th "A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope,
Justice and Freedom" by Brittany K. Barnett; and
-May 25th "Americanah" by Chimananda Ngozi Adichie.

Zoom Link is HERE
Meeting ID: 832 4667 4155
Passcode: 431699
Dial in: 1 646 558 8656
Mission Matters
Newton “Freedge” Volunteer Opportunity 

Starting on March 23rd, Newton will have a new, free, supplemental food program that is available at all times and in all weather for anyone! The Newton “freedge” is an outdoor refrigerator and pantry and will be located in Nonantum, in parking lot space generously donated by Central Drapery and Dry Cleaning. Based on the operating principle of “take what you need, leave what you can”, our Church will be in charge of monitoring the fridge every other Saturday. This will include cleaning, picking up food from local businesses, and stocking the fridge. 

If you would like to get more information on the role of volunteers, please follow these links; Roles and Responsibilities, Freedge Monitor Checklist Form, and the Team Schedule, or reach out to chanellobdell@gmail.com.  
Book Buddy Program
Last March Josephine Bolling McCall visited our church and told us about the book she had written about her father who was lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama because he had become such a prosperous businessman.

Our church responded to her visit by 32 members volunteering to participate in a Book Buddy program that would pair volunteers with children in the Lowndes County elementary schools to encourage them to read.

To learn more or sign up to help with this ministry, please go HERE.

Thanks to all our Union volunteers who are already providing such a wonderful resource to the kids of Lowndes County, and to those who are patiently waiting to start mailing books to their yet to be assigned Book Buddy. Please let me know if you are a Book Buddy and have not heard whether your Book Buddy is receiving their books. My new email address is: jenweisz@icloud.com.
Common Cathedral
Weekly Sandwich deliveries to BostonWarm Continue
We continue to deliver sandwiches, soft fruit, granola bars and more to our unhoused siblings in downtown Boston every Thursday. To learn more or sign up to help with this ministry, please CLICK HERE. Thank you!
Church Matters
End of Year e-mail Statements Recently Sent Out
 
Year-end giving statements have been recently e-mailed to all those who have a valid e-mail address in our Breeze church database.  Please check that you have received your copy. If you would prefer a paper copy mailed to you, or if you have a specific e-mail address that you would like us to use please be in contact with our office manager Aidan Cunningham (ucw@ucw.org). 
Thank You
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.