From Our Pastors: November 8, 2024

Rev. Megan
Berkowitz

Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman

Pastor Megan
November 8 2024


Post Election Interfaith Gathering at UCW

Dear church,

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.

“I do not know what every one of you is feeling; what I am certain of is that each one of us is feeling something different right now, has reacted differently this week based on each of our beliefs and faith, based on our fears and anxieties, based on our identities and priorities, based on our past experiences and hopes for the future. And yet, every single one of us has made the choice to be here tonight. To be in community, across those and many other differences. Made a choice to resist isolation and instead to strengthen ourselves, together. And I believe, informed by my faith, that this choice matters. That each time we reach out to one another, open ourselves up and listen deeply, it matters. 

This election has made clearer than ever the deep division and isolation in our country and our society. There are ‘sides,’ and people on all sides feel themselves threatened by the future others dream of. Tonight, we hope to build a little sanctuary of space and time in which we can dream of a future where there are no sides, where all people can thrive, where, in the words of the prophet Amos, justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

It matters, too, that we will be in community together on Sunday. As members of the Body of Christ, we are stronger, more grounded in our faith, more filled with compassion and hope, when we connect with and support one another. Let us join together in a space and time of sanctuary on Sunday morning.

Peace,
Megan

Past Posts


  • From Our Pastors
    Megan Berkowitz
    February 14, 2025
    I had the great privilege of visiting the new FamilyAid Family Navigation Center on Washington Street for the first time this week. Speeches were made, a ribbon was cut with many giant scissors, and people from throughout the Commonwealth who care about supporting homeless families gathered to celebrate and network together. The most inspiring part of the day for me, though, was the tour. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: February 7, 2025
    Amy Clark Feldman
    February 7, 2025
    I’ve been especially grateful this week for our eight-week series on Spiritual Resiliency.  Truth-be-told, I’ve had moments of doubting my resiliency in the face of the on-slaught of news this week, with a desire to pull the covers over my head.  Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: January 31, 2025
    Pastor Megan
    January 31, 2025
    We’ll read in this Sunday’s scripture passage about conflicts between Jesus and other Jewish religious leaders at the time over the observance of Sabbath restrictions. This, and other similar passages, have given rise to generations of interpretation that sets Jesus against religious authority, against Judaism, and against the Law. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: January 24 2025
    Pastor Megan
    January 24, 2025

    Staying Grounded

    Given the tremendous outpouring of news this week, beginning with TikTok and the Presidential inauguration and continuing through executive orders and new wildfires, I have been feeling overwhelmed. I’m working to take it all in a little bit at a time, to stay open and stay grounded.   Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: January 17, 2025
    Pastor Megan
    January 17, 2025

    Spiritual Resilience

    Last Sunday was the first in an 8-week worship series on Spiritual Resilience, where we will together explore how tools from Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects and from Christian scripture and tradition can help us all to foster spiritual resilience through challenging times.

    Learn More
  • MOSAIC
    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 Pastors
    Pastor 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, 2024
    Pastor Megan
    December 20, 2024

    Baking 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