- Union Weekly
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- January 1, 2026
January 1, 2026
"Whom does God favor? Not kings nor wise men" -- Mark Allan Powell
In This Edition:
In Christian Sympathy
With sorrow for those who mourn, but a sure and certain hope for Resurrection, we share word of the death of Christine (Chris) Donelan, a longtime resident of East Walpole and former member of our church. A visitation with the family will be held at Delaney Funeral Home on Saturday, January 3 from 3-6 pm, followed by a brief memorial service led by Pastor Shepherd at 6 pm. Please keep the Aiken, Dowd, and Grimes families in your prayers.
Epiphany Sunday - January 4
Happy New Year! Join us for worship this Sunday as we celebrate Christ, the Light of the World.
Annual Reports Due
Committee Chairs/Secretaries and officers should complete drafts of their submissions for the 2025 Annual Report no later than January 5. Drafts must be submitted to the Office Manager by the end of next week (January 9), in order to ensure timely publication of the full report.
Giphy
Church Office Closed for Holidays
The church office will be closed December 25-January 1, and will reopen on January 2. The pastor and office manager can be contacted via e-mail during the week after Christmas. Regular office hours will resume on January 6.
Bible Study “Christmas Break”
Bible Study will take a break for the Christmas season, and resume January 9.
Holding in Prayer
This week, as a community of faith we pray:
for the family, players and former players mourning the death of Coach Ken Assad, King Phillip Girl’s Hockey coach, who passed away suddenly on December 21.
With joy, for all who contributed to a beautiful worship service on Christmas Eve
for Lew, as he continues to navigate health challenges, and in celebration of a “White Christmas” in Maine with the whole Howes Family.
for Eric Hurwitz, who is recovering at home now
for Scott Kern’s Mom, and her caregivers
for Jim and Justin, as they travel out of the country
for Laurie, as she recovers from her surgery on her ear
with joy, for Ben Kerns and his girlfriend Rachel, who passed their board exams to become veterinarians!
for Naveed Anwar (Kerry’s coworker) and his family, who tragically lost his 20 year old son this past week.
with joy, for the Howes Family, as they all gather for Christmas in Maine.
for Ed Rinehart and his family, as they mourn the passing of Barbara Carroll’s best friend from college.
for the victims of the shooting at Brown University
for the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia
for Jim’s brother Mike, and all those who are in facilities for the mentally and emotionally challenged, who are isolated and alone during this season
for Mary’s friend Harry, who is in the hospital
for Shirley’s friend Carol’s 39 year old nephew, who suffered a massive stroke
with joy, for Kerry’s friend Diane, whose cancer treatments have been effective.
for Anne Totten, who recently broke her other hip, and is now hospitalized in Boston.
For an end to war in Israel and Lebanon, and for safety for Jim’s friends in Lebanon
for Pam’s daughter Lauren’s mother-in-law, who has had a recurrence of cancer
for Christ Weylman’s dad, who recently had a bad fall, and for Chris as she provides care for him
for Jack, as he faces a cancer diagnosis alongside Alzheimers, and for his son, John and his wife Tammy.
for Phyllis’s friend Paula, as she enters hospice care
for Padraig, as he heals from an injured hip
for Lew’s brother Richard and his wife Paula, for health.
for Lew’s friend Dan, as he faces kidney disease