"The members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester covenant to be a congregation of love, hope and justice inspiring people to take on the challenges of a changing world."

Welcoming Church

Mission Statement

The LGBTQI and Allies of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester strives to further the affirmation and celebration of LGBTQI individuals in all aspects of the church community. We also seek to increase the visibility of UUCW as a Welcoming Congregation within the greater community.

UUCW Covenant

In consonance with the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association, we the members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester covenant to sustain and support a courageous and caring community by:

* Bringing our best selves to form a welcoming, loving, and inclusive community of faith;

* Creating an atmosphere of celebration and worship in a safe environment;

* Providing opportunities where diverse people and points of view are respected and where open-hearted and open-minded discussion of our differences is encouraged;

* Treating each other with kindness and respect;

* Approaching conflicts with a spirit of humility and with the respectful intent for peaceful resolution;

* Engaging in and encouraging spiritual and intellectual growth across the lifespan;

* Fostering social justice and positive transformation in our community and in the world at large;

* Growing and maintaining the resources necessary to support the missions and ministries of this congregation;

* Fostering fellowship and enjoying each other and the unique gifts that each person brings to our community.

Current News at UUCW

UUCW Book Group Enters Fourth Year on September 10 - All Are Welcome!

On September 10 the UUCW Book Group begins its fourth season by meeting in the Lounge at 7pm to choose books for the next 11 months. If you like to read and talk about books, we would love to have you join us and bring your ideas for this year. Each month we alternate reading fiction and non-fiction, and the October selection will be fiction.

Our ground rules for choosing books have evolved into the following system:

Everyone may bring 2 titles, and you get roughly 2 minutes to "pitch" each to the group.
Please bring a copy of the book OR a printout (from Amazon or other) describing the length and book itself.
Books must be available in paperback.
The person pitching the book must have read it already.
We will choose our next 11 selections before adjourning at 8:30

Books read in our first 3 seasons include-

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks	Rebecca Skloot
The Madonnas of Leningrad	Debra Dean
The Unlikely Disciple	Kevin Roose
Grapes of Wrath	John Steinbeck
Good Without God	Greg Epstein
American Rust	Philipp Meyer
The Well-Dressed Ape: A Natural History of Myself	Hannah Holmes
Maisie Dobbs	Jacqueline Winspeare
Switch	Dan Heath
Their Eyes Were Watching God	Zora Neale Hurston
Mountains Beyond Mountains	Tracy Kidder
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand	Helen Simonson
The Wild Trees: a Story of Passion and Daring	Richard Preston
My Enemy's Cradle	Sara Young
Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation	Joseph J. Ellis
Sweet Tooth	Ian McEwan
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down	Anne Fadiman
Flight Behavior	Barbara Kingsolver
Bridge at Andau	James A. Michener
Stoner	John Williams
God's Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America	Hanna Rosin
The Given Day: A Novel	Dennis Lehane
Bleeder	Shelby Smoak
The Passion of Artemisia: A Novel	Susan Vreeland
Wonder (All-church Read)	R. J. Palacio
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics	Daniel James Brown
The Silver Linings Playbook	Matthew Quick
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking	Susan Cain
Gone to Soldiers	Marge Piercy
Religion for Atheists: A Non-believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion	Alain De Botton
Talk Talk	T.C. Boyle
The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home	George Howe Colt

Deb Selkow, UUCW Book Group

Lunch With The Minister - Beginning in October

We begin our monthly "Lunch with the Minister" this fall on October 1 at Noon in the Lounge. Everyone is invited to attend this informal time of refreshment and conversation. Participants bring a bag lunch and something to share (if desired). We provide the coffee and the table settings. Join us!

Rev. Aaron Payson

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Comes to UUCW!

Have you been called out? Are you interested in raising awareness about ALS? Do you want to get wet!? Then sign up to take part in the Bucket Challenge to be held this Sunday following worship on the front lawn of the church. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. We'll do the challenge at Noon this Sunday. Sign up HERE.

Rev. Aaron Payson

Look For UUCW's Ad in

Worcester Magazine's Fall City Guide!

Men's Group Meeting - September 12

The Men's Group meets monthly to share a meal and conversation.The group's members strive to build trust and close friendship with one another. Our next gathering will be in Fellowship Hall on Friday, 9/12/14 at 7 pm. All who consider themselves male are welcome.

Food will be brought from a local restaurant and all those who wish to eat can split the cost of the meal. Please bring your favorite beverage to drink with dinner. Please R.S.V.P to willliamderr@hotmail.com or call the UUCW office at 508 853 1942. Please note whether or not you want food and any dietary restrictions.

Bill Derr, UUCW Men's Group Coordinator

Lifespan Faith Development

World Religions Course Continues

Sunday, September 7, 3:30 PM Classroom 1

Wednesday, September 10, 7:00 PM Classroom 1

We continue our exploration of Judaism this month beginning with lectures by Isaiah M. Gafni, Ph.D., Professor of Jewish Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem on "Philosophers and Mystics" and "The Legal Frameworks of Judaism - Halakha". This course is open to all who are interested in the study of world religions. For more information, please contact Rev. Aaron Payson (arpayson@charter.net).

Rev. Aaron Payson

Adult Course on Human SEXuality-

Register Now!

Register Now for Adult OWL (Our Whole Lives) - A Course in Human SEXuality - Registration is open through October 6 for the Adult OWL Course slated to begin October 22. This 12 session series of workshops will explore a variety of topics from values and communication to sexual diversity and sexuality and aging. Course is $60.00 per adult (18 years or older) and $40.00 for students and seniors (65+). Space is limited so sign up now. Click HERE to register. For more information contact Aaron Payson (arpayson@charter.net) or Robin Caracciolo (robin.caracciolo@gmail.com) .

Rev. Aaron Payson

Open Space Forums

Lunch with the Minister and Afternoon Book Group - Moving Into October...

Starting October 1, we meet on the first Wednesday of the month in the lounge at 1:15 pm.

Many of us start the afternoon by having Lunch With The Minister which commences at 12:00. This scenario works well to then connect with more UUCW members.

We will be reading The Orphan Train by Kristina Baker Klein. Some month along the way, we may try to catch up our discussion of As Texas Goes by Gail Collins.

Have a great summer and see you all in the fall.

- Audrey Clary

Sunday News for September 7, 2014

Sunday Worship Schedule for

September 7, 2014

10 am Service:

6 PM Soulful Sundown Vespers Service:

Please Click Here to view the UUCW Google Calendar

Contact Information

Phone:	508-853-1942	Email:	office@uucworcester.org
		Website:	www.uucworcester.org
Emergency Phone:	800-859-6404	UUCW Facebook	UUCW Twitter