The Union Church in Waban
Friday Updates, September 9, 2022
Gathering Sunday - Food and Fun
September 11th at 10.00 a.m.
(In Person & Online via Zoom)

Join with old and new friends at our Sept. 11th Gathering Sunday! We’ll kick-off the new church year, reconnect, worship, bring your gathered water to bless and have fun together. Worship will be hybrid at 10:00 a.m. followed by an All-Church Picnic at 11:15 a.m.
 
This Sunday music will be provided by the UCW Pick-up Choir. Please join us for a 9:00 a.m. rehearsal if you are interested.
 
Sunday School also resumes, see more information below.
 
Food for lunch will be available and games set up for all ages. Come for all or part of the morning. It will be good to be together!

........more service details HERE
To join Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom:  
 Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 832 2059 8969
Passcode: 458322
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656 

The bulletin is available HERE
New Website is Online
The day has finally arrived for the launch of our new website, thanks to the significant efforts of Alex Brown, Jill Coull, Annie Gatewood and Union Church staff. Please offer your gratitude to these dedicated communication partners. You can learn more about the website in this video.
Website Introduction Video
Upcoming Sundays
Sunday, September 18th (In Person and on Zoom)
Students of any age, teachers, school administrators, or professors, please join us for a blessing of the backpacks and devices on this Sunday in worship. Bring your backpack or bag, and device if you have one. Together we will journey into the new school year blessed and blessing! 
Sunday, October 2nd (In Person and on Zoom)
We will share in worship with the Boston Taiwanese Christian Church on World Communion Sunday joining with Christians around the globe to live our inclusive welcome at the table.
Church Matters
Covid Guidelines Updated- Masking Optional
Open
Our Phase Forward Team has revised our Covid guidelines for the Fall. The recommended guidelines are very much in line with protocols at Newton Public Schools.

In short, Phase Forward recommends that the decision whether or not to mask should be individualized. For those who are concerned about the risk, the option of wearing a well-fitting N95 mask does a very good job of protecting the wearer. For worship and many meetings, the remote option of Zoom will continue. Those who feel more comfortable wearing masks or remaining remote are respected in that choice.  
We are in a better place right now, both with variants that are less intrinsically severe, with greater population immunity, and with effective therapies. If any of this changes (e.g. more dangerous variants, loss of effectiveness of current therapeutics) then Phase Forward will revisit these guidelines. 
 
We do encourage those who are under the weather not to attend live in person services, but to utilize the remote option instead. It is important to state that while the church invested in upgraded filters for the sanctuary, the SARS-CoV-2 virus will still be able to spread at church, and that congregants should take that into consideration in their choices. 

Finally, anyone feeling unwell, anyone recently exposed, and anyone recovering from COVID within the last 10-14 days should refrain from singing without a mask.   

We hope these guidelines are helpful in keeping us together as a faith community and empowering individual choices to do so. 

Phase Forward is: Susan Hunt Stevens, Frank Laski, Alison McCarty, Judy Nagle, Sandy Nelson, Jenny Weisz and Pastor Wendy 
All Church Retreat
Sunday, November 12th - 13th, Edward's House, Framingham
Our Planning Team is hard at work plotting meaningful time for all ages. We will focus around the story of the disciple Peter's encounter with Jesus walking on water. Themes of trust and faith will be examined in deep and playful ways.

The retreat for all ages will be on Saturday, November 12. Youth will remain for an overnight into Sunday, November 13. We will meet at Edwards House at the UCC Conference Center in Framingham.  
We look forward to creating intergenerational meaningful space and conversation.
More details and a sign-up to follow!
Children, Youth & Families
Sunday School Resumes!
Sunday School will resume this Sunday, Sept. 11th!
I am so grateful to be your Sabbatical Pastor while Rev. Amy gets some much deserved rest and renewal. I hope to see you for Gathering Sunday this weekend at Union Church! I am excited to meet some of you for the first time, and reconnect with others. I hope you and your family can join us.

The High School and Middle School youth will gather during church with Soo and me to make treats for the Picnic and have conversation about what the youth group would like to do for the fall.

The elementary kids will be gathering during church with Amy McMahon and Olivia for games and reflection on the spiritual topic of water and peace amidst the storms of life. Childcare during worship will be available. All ages are welcome in the sanctuary.

During this Sunday’s service, we will gather our stories as people bring water to represent our summer experiences – water from sacred places, special occasions, from far and near.

Following worship we will gather outside for a time to welcome each other back to church. A light lunch, ice cream and treats will be available along with games and fun for all ages. Bring your blankets or chairs and make yourself comfortable while visiting with new and old friends.

Hope to see you Sunday at 10 a.m.!

Sabbatical Pastor, Rev. Matt Carriker (youthfamilies@ucw.org)
Preview Our Fall Calendar at the Link Below!
Please Note: Pastor Amy is on sabbatical until October 11th. We welcome our wonderful Sabbatical Pastor, Rev. Matt Carriker (youthfamilies@ucw.org) who began serving on September 1st!
Advocates for Racial Justice (ARJ)
We are invited!
Our partner in our UCW pilgrimage to Alabama will be honored in October
Celebrating Jo McCall
October 21st -23rd
Our founder, Josephine Bolling McCall, turns 80 this year and we are inviting YOU to join our weekend of events celebrating in Montgomery, Alabama. 

Buy Your Tickets HERE
 
As the child of a Jim Crow South lynching victim speaking in America today, Jo is a national treasure who dedicates her life to addressing America’s history of lynching and the racial caste system that made it possible. Our weekend of tours and events is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Jo and spend time with her and other history makers on the ground in Montgomery and Lowndes County, Alabama.

................continue reading HERE
 
Mission & Service
Newton Freedge: Continued Need!
The Union Church in Waban is a Freedge partner responsible for helping connect with local businesses, stock, and monitor this needed local resource two Saturdays a month. We are in need of volunteers in the coming weeks.

The work is easy and rewarding, with multiple slots throughout the day. Despite Newton’s image as an affluent suburb, too many of our neighbors struggle to put food on their tables. The Newton Freedge is one way we can help. A free, 24/7 outdoor refrigerator and pantry, the Freedge provides free food and personal supplies to anyone who needs them. 

To learn more, contact Vinita at vinita.leslie@gmail.com, or sign up below.
Union Church Freedge Sign-up: HERE
Sunday Sign-Ups
coffee_table.jpg
Sunday Reception Sign-Up
Every Sunday after worship we gather on the stage for a time of fellowship. This reception is hosted each Sunday by different members of the congregation. 

Reception Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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 Thank you!
Pastoral Care
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 Rev. Wendy Vander Hart for prayer or pastoral support while Pastor Amy is on sabbatical:

  • Pastor Wendy's email is seniorpastor@ucw.org and her office phone is 617-965-3893

Mondays are days off for both pastors. If you have a pastoral need, please reach out to Pastor Wendy this week.
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.