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- October 30, 2025
October 30, 2025
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us run the race set before us" -- Hebrews 12:1
In This Edition:
All Saints Sunday - November 2
Our annual memorial and commemoration of those who have died in the past year will take place on All Saints Sunday. If you have a loved one who has passed away in the last year and would like them named in the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving, please send their name to Pastor Shepherd.
This year, the Diaconate invites members of the church to bring a framed picture of a loved one they would like to commemorate (they do not need to have died in the last year). Pictures will be displayed at the front of the sanctuary as a visible sign of the communion of saints.
Food Pantry Needs
The Walpole Community Food Pantry is a 501c3 that operates entirely from donations and grants. In light of the current precarious state of SNAP benefits, we will collect any of the following food items this month.
Cereal
Oatmeal
Pancake mix and syrup
Jelly
Canned beans
Canned fruits
Canned soups
Granola bars
Coffee/tea
Condiments
Paper Products
The Walpole Community Food Pantry and our church have a great partnership. They use our parking lot every Wednesday from 2-3 as a pickup location.
Messy Church - November 9
Wear your grungy cleaning clothes (headwraps acceptable!) to worship and bring your enthusiasm for washing, polishing, and attacking cobwebs! Our goal is to have the sanctuary *sparkling* for Thanksgiving, Advent, the Winter Concert, and the Holiday season
Voices United Event
Music Notes
Happy Autumn to all! Our music program is in full swing. If you're passionate about choir or handbells feel free to contact Jim. You don't have to read music, but you do need to be able to count to 4. 😆
Mark your calendars now: our FIFTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT is Saturday, December 6 at 2:00pm. We'll celebrate at our own Union Congregational, and will be joined by sisters and brothers from neighboring communities. It features our choir and handbells, jazz vocalist Victoria Eggleston from NYC, 7 local professional singers, harp, trombone, cello, accordion, organ, piano, and dynamic selections from Band Together. Let's all celebrate the season together through festive music of all styles!
One housekeeping note: we'd encourage the community to refrain from talking during preludes. The prelude is an integral part of worship, is carefully selected and prepared, and helps eyes and hearts turn heavenward.
Thank you from the Music Team!
Sunday School Volunteers
Thanks to those who have already volunteered for this important ministry of our church. This year, we are using a new one-room-schoolhouse style curriculum called Whirl, which introduces kids to biblical stories and themes through videos, songs, and fun activities. Our CE Committee (Joanne Grant and Deidre Donaldson) is ready and willing to help train teachers and familiarize folks with this new curriculum. We will also be able to provide materials in advance through our new online digital subscription (hard copies can also be made available from the church office), which will make preparation even simpler.
You can see the schedule of lessons for the Fall/Winter of 2025 and sign up to be a leader or helper by clicking here.
Bible Study
Weekly Bible Study with Pastor Shepherd is off and running! Each week we meet on Zoom on Fridays from 9:30-10:30 am. This Fall, to accompany the sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit, we will be reading an accompanying text, Tending the Wild Garden, by Rev. Eugenia Gamble. If you’d like to participate and would like a copy of the book, please see Pastor Shepherd. This week, we’ll be discussing “Tending the Shoots of Joy” and “Tending the Shoots of Peace.”
Here is the Zoom Meeting link:
Holding in Prayer
This week, as a community of faith we pray:
with joy, for Silpa, as she opens her first retail location for Melt in Your Mouth Bakery at Boston Public Market
for Phyllis’s friend in Gloucester, and her son, who is recovering from a transplant
for Pam, as she mourns the death of her dog
for Anne Totten, who is recovering from a broken hip
for Sue’s brother, who is recovering from knee replacement, and for his wife as she provides care
for Sue’s niece, who is on bedrest for the last month of her pregnancy
with joy, for Mary’s mentee who is thriving at Blue Hills Community College
for Shirley’s friend Diane, who is recovering from back surgery
traveling mercies for Laurie’s dad, who came to see the Head of the Charles race last weekend
for peace in Gaza, and with joy, for the return of hostages and exchange of prisoners
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
with joy, that Margie’s sister’s eyes were used to help restore vision for two people
for Padraig, as he heals from an injured hip
for Charleen’s family, as they mourn the death of her uncle, and for her mom, recently diagnoses with Parkinson’s disease
with joy, for Lauren’s friend’s daughter Liddy having a son, Jonah, and for Jonah as he is being treated at Children’s
for Shirley’s niece Karen, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, and for all who mourn.
for Lew’s brother Richard and his wife Paula, for health.
for Barbara Carroll, for healing after a couple of falls
for Kerry’s friend Diane, who is undergoing a difficult course of treatment for cancer
for Pam’s friend Cookie, as she battles cancer
for Lew’s friend Dan, as he faces kidney disease