by UPB Editor, July 11, 2025
As we enter our new fiscal year, we have been faced with the very sad reality that funds for feeding those in need have been decreased by millions of dollars. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was recently ordered to significantly reduce funding The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Massachusetts food banks alone are facing a cancellation of $3.5 million worth of anticipated food items. This translates to a potential 30% drop in free and reduced price foods from The Greater Boston Food Bank who is our primary supplier. In early March, the state also lost $12 million previously expected for the… Read More
by UPB Editor, July 08, 2025
The Chancel Choir is a capable and dynamic group of enthusiastic singers that rehearses on Thursday evenings, and leads music in worship upstairs in the sanctuary from September through June. They sing music in a variety of styles, from Baroque to gospel, and perform larger works with instrumentalists 2-3 times a year. Singers develop vocal technique and musicianship with the help of professional section leaders, expand their musical repertoire, and cultivate friendships in a warm and inviting community of singers while serving the worship needs of the church. They welcome adults and teens who can carry a tune and have some choral singing experience. (Inexperienced singers start with one on one training sessions on an as needed… Read More
by UPB Editor, July 08, 2025
It’s time for the return of a favorite United Parish tradition – Picnics/Dinners for 8! These meals are a chance for us to gather and deepen our connections to one another in small groups of around 8 people. The meals are scheduled for Friday, August 15, Saturday August 16, and Sunday August 17. If you can serve as a HOST for a Dinner for 8, please sign up HERE. Please sign up no later than July 25. If you have any questions, please contact Kate H. or send an email to gathering@upbrookline.org…. Read More
by UPB Editor, July 03, 2025
We are halfway through 2025 and going strong at Thrifty Threads! Thank you everyone for all of your hard work! We sent out 704 bags this quarter, which is equivalent to 7,392 pounds! This means that so far this year, we have re-dontated 1,249 bags. This means that we have kept 13,126.5 pounds of clothing and other goods out of the landfill, and to the roughly 18 organizations/individuals we support. This is amazing. We have used our funds to buy 36 cases of diapers, 33 packs of socks, 46 packs of underwear, 25 cases of soap, 5 cases of toothpaste,… Read More
by UPB Editor, July 03, 2025
On July 20, as part of our summer worship series, “How We Learn to be Brave,” Wendy Wayne, immigration lawyer and member of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, will talk to us about the status of immigration policy under the current administration. Wayne is a renowned immigration policy expert with extensive experience providing strategic advice to immigration and criminal justice organizations. She has guided the design and development of programs that expand access to justice and equity for historically marginalized communities. After worship, she will give a presentation about the current and future status of immigration policy, and what we… Read More
by UPB Editor, July 03, 2025
When: Monday, August 4 at 6:30-8:30pm Where: United Parish Parlor What: An evening of food, faith, and calendar-ing, as we listen for where the Holy Spirit is calling us to deepen together and plot out the year ahead to be as spirit-filled and sustainable as possible! Light dinner provided, additional snacks to share are encouraged. Who: Anyone who is interested in Adult Education or small group ministry, or teaching, facilitating, or planning. Why: Because we are committed to deepening our faith in creative, sustainable ways! How: We will look at the arc of the worship and programming year, consider the questions/themes/topics we see bubbling up… Read More
by UPB Editor, June 27, 2025
With all that is going on in the world, we want to strengthen our community spiritually. To that end, our pastors are inviting all of us to have a prayer buddy this summer. This strengthens the bonds among us, having someone you can check in with during the week, go over your concerns and joys, and offer them in prayer. We will offer you guidelines to make this fun and helpful. Click here to sign up…. Read More
by UPB Editor, June 25, 2025
Hi all! I hope you all are staying cool and getting to enjoy the summer despite all of the chaos of our current moment. GBIO’s season of power and relationship building has been continuing through June with more trainings, relational meetings, and network building. July will be a quieter month, but we are excited to be hosting a GBIO-wide potluck on July 24th at United Parish! I hope many of you will be able to join for an enjoyable evening of gathering as a wider-GBIO community and help us welcome our neighbors and partners to UP. See more details below!… Read More
by UPB Editor, June 16, 2025
This year in summer worship (June 22-August 31, 10am in Willett Hall), we will hear from one another about “how we learn to be brave,” the title of a book by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde — which we’ve been reading as a congregation this Spring. In our discussion groups we have learned, like Bishop Budde, that bravery and courage come in all sorts of ways — often starting with the challenges we have when we’re young: getting back up on the bike after a spill, learning to be calm when a bee flies into the room, standing up to… Read More
by UPB Editor, June 13, 2025
As GBIO continues our season of relationship and power building, we have a few training opportunities coming up next week. These are both great opportunities if you are interested in learning more about GBIO, our theory of change, or are looking to get connected to others working to build justice in our community. Relational Power 102: How Relational Meetings Lead to Power — hear stories from other leaders about how they used relational meetings to build power to make change within their congregation or broader community and the commonwealth, and reflect on why you want to build power, to deepen your ability… Read More
