Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
June 28, 2024
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Acts 2:4
I was away from church last Sunday for a triathlon – my first race in about 12 years – and I felt as though I’d been transported to the Kingdom of God for the morning. I had forgotten how energizing the warmth and collegiality that surrounds a race can be. If you’re an athlete, or if you’ve spectated at the Marathon, you probably know what I mean. Even while competing, people tend to be supportive of one another.
On Sunday, people continually encouraged, congratulated, and got to know one another in the short time it took to pass on the bike or run. I stopped during the swim to be sure that someone treading and coughing was safe, and then someone else paused their own race to help me get loose from the wetsuit that was stuck around my shoulders as I transitioned to the bike. All throughout, I witnessed people checking in on and helping one another. The kindness that suffused the whole day, the sense that we were all part of something together, was what made it enjoyable throughout.
In worship this Sunday, we’ll hear some of the Apostle Paul’s (many) instructions for how to be together in community. As I experienced a community that formed and then dissipated over the course of one morning, I was reminded again of Paul’s exhortation to “always seek to do good to one another.” We seek to do good for those whom we already know in our church community, of course. And, our faith teaches us, we see glimpses of the Kingdom of God all around us, in which we recognize that all of God’s people, all of creation, are part of that community we are called to love and serve. One wetsuit sleeve, one “way to go,” one kindness at a time.
Peace,
Pastor Megan
Past Posts
- From Our Pastors
Pastor Amy
January 10, 2025 Last week, nearly 40 youth came from all around Newton and Boston, almost exactly one-third from the Muslim Al-Huda Society in Chelsea; one-third from the Jewish community; and one-third from Christian churches. Learn More - From Our PastorsPastor Megan
January 3, 2025 The new year is a time when many of us choose to reflect on what is behind us and what is ahead. I have a few traditions at the new year: Learn More - From Our Pastors: December 20, 2024Pastor Megan
December 20, 2024Baking Christmas Cookies
Advent is the season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love; it is the season of anticipation and joy in the gift of Christ we already know has entered the world and is eternally present among us; it is, for many of us, a season of parties and gift-giving and whirlwind celebrations. Learn More - From Our Pastors: December 8 2024Pastor Megan
December 8, 2024
Advent is the season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love; it is the season of anticipation and joy in the gift of Christ we already know has entered the world and is eternally present among us; it is, for many of us, a season of parties and gift-giving and whirlwind celebrations. Learn More - From Our Pastors: November 29, 2024Pastor Megan
November 29, 2024
UCC Professional Development Program I returned last week from the fall gathering of NGLI, the UCC’s professional development program for young clergy. We gather each fall in Arizona for a time of creative learning, prayer, worship, music, and more. The setting, in the desert outside of Phoenix, is an intentional choice by the program organizers. Learn More - From Our Pastors: November 15, 2024Pastor Megan
November 15, 2024
Congregational Meeting Recap Thank you to everyone who joined in the Congregational Meeting last Sunday, and particular thanks to co-moderators Susan Hunt Stevens and Susan Gedrick for leading us, and to Jaap van Reijendam for ensuring those on Zoom could take part as well. The brief workshop Leila led on 1:1s, in the GBIO and community organizing model, gave us a tool for connecting with one another more deeply. Learn More - From Our Pastors: November 8, 2024Pastor Megan
November 8, 2024
Post Election Interfaith Gathering I want to share with you a small portion of how I opened our interfaith post-election gathering, as we prepare to gather in community together this Sunday for worship and the congregational meeting. Learn More - From Our Pastors: October 18, 2024Pastor Megan
Octoberr 18, 2024
Recent Celebrations Did you miss the recent celebrations at church? Here are some photos from our new sign celebration and the Blessing of the Animals! It has been a fall of connecting – with one another, the wider community, and God’s creation (including beloved pets like Barky, Felix, Jack, Rosey, and Lucy!). Learn More
