Welcome to Union Evangelical Church’s website. I’m Sarah Hubbell, the pastor of Union Church but I am only one of many ministers here. We are a church that is dedicated to forming Christian faith and to living that faith in community through vital and engaging worship, learning about our faith through an active Christian education, confirmation, and adult education program then freeing that faith for service in Christ’s name in Hopedale and beyond the walls of the church building and town boundaries.
We are people who are on a faith journey. We don’t have all the answers but we are willing to engage the questions. Our worship tends to be traditional in form but open to new experiences of God’s still speaking Spirit moving in worship and in our lives. As part of the United Church of Christ, we are connected to the largest Protestant denomination in Massachusetts. Our participation in the wider church enables us to learn and do things together that would be beyond the reach of any one church.
Like many people on a faith journey, my own personal story involves many twists and turns. I grew up in Missouri and was raised in the Presbyterian tradition. After straying from church and God during college years, I found myself connecting with God in a new way through nature and my work as a National Park Ranger in Utah and Colorado and working in various parks throughout New England. Following the birth of two children, my husband’s work took us to The Hague, The Netherlands for four years. Through my participation in an English-language Protestant church with people from 25 denominations and 40 nationalities, I really experienced the joy that comes with being connected to the wide world of Christian faith and belief.
As a person of what seemed to be perpetual part-time, I attended and graduated from Andover Newton Theological School in 2004 while working some nights and weekends in the children’s department of a local library. I worked as associate pastor at Franklin Federated Church from 2005-2008, did Hurricane Katrina relief and other special projects through First Church in Marlborough, and have served as a hospice chaplain.
I love working with stories of all types, from the stories of faith to the stories of people and how they live their faith and lives. In preaching, I strive to connect the stories of our faith with our lives today. While I usually preach from the three year cycle of Bible readings known as the lectionary, I also do topical sermon series and have led worship services that focus on learning by doing through music and activity.
The best way to get to know us is to do what you are doing—check us out on our website and then come and see in person. Our worship services begin at 10:00 am on Sundays with special services at other times throughout the year.
Come and see!