From Our Pastors: January 24 2025

Rev. Megan
Berkowitz

Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman

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.  What that means, though, is that I only heard about Episcopal Bishop Marianne Budde’s Inauguration sermon at the National Cathedral when Rabbi Claudia Kreiman of Temple Beth Zion in Brookline quoted her during an opening prayer for a GBIO event. 

If like me you haven’t listened to or read Bishop Budde’s sermon yet, I encourage you to do so. Much of it was directed towards the President specifically, but she speaks about how the fundamentals of the Christian faith call on not just leadership in this country but all of us to take on an attitude of humility and mercy.

“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurudwaras and temples… 

Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people.”

This is my prayer this week, as well.

Peace

Pastor 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