"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

Explore Quilting With Robin!

Robin Caracciolo will offer 3 opportunities to work on quilt projects. Session fees are a church fundraiser. Please sign up if you are interested in more info.

Dates: October 4 from 9-2, November 1 from 1;30-6, March 7 from 9-2

Cost: $40 per class. Some materials supplied at additional cost

Robin Caracciolo, Director of Religious Education

All-Church Photo Is Coming!

Betty on the roof gathering the crowd!

We want you! Yes, you!

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 5th so that you can be part of our annual "All-Church" photo.

As is our custom, we will assemble on the lawn outside church immediately after service. Rain date is Sunday, October 26th.

I hope you'll consider joining us for this important photograph of our beloved community.

Betty Jenewin

Annual Holden CROP Walk

Save the Date! Save the Date! October 19, 2014

It's that time of year to walk for the hungry and support our Loaves and Fishes food pantry. The annual CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2014. To start off, a fundraiser to support this walk is taking place on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. Present the coupon below for food to Papa Gino's, 797 Main Street, Holden between 4-9 pm and Papa Gino's will donate 20% of the sales to Holden CROP Hunger Walk through Church World Service. For more information, contact sueneaz@townisp.com. Stay tuned for more Walk details!

When: Wednesday, September 24th

Time: 4pm-9pm

Where: 797 Main St. Holden, MA 01520

Phone: 508-829-5491

Who: Everyone is welcome!

If you have a CROP Hunger walk T-shirt or Hat OR Loaves & Fishes t-shirt please wear it!

Papa Gino's will donate 20% of the total pre-tax sales to Church World Service and the Holden CROP Hunger walk from all of the guests that order (dine-in, carry-out, and delivery) with this flyer.

If ordering online, please refer to the flyer in the comments section.

Sue Neaz

Religious Education News

RE Classes For Children and Youth Begin on Sunday September 21!

All children and families will gather at 10am in the sanctuary - children will be dismissed to their classrooms following the teacher dedication.

Children should be picked up at their classroom directly following the service.

If you would like to use the nursery care for children 3 and under, you can drop your child off at 9:50!

If you have not registered your child for RE classes yet, just see a member of the RE Committee - look for the people wearing rainbow lanyards! Or, talk to your child's teacher!

Our Re Theme This Year is "Strengthening the Ties that Bind"

There is a living web that runs through us

To all the universe

Linking us each with each and through all

life

On to the distant stars.

~Robert T. Weston

We will be offering the following programs this year for your children:

Nursery Care (Age 3 and under) 9:50-11:15 - Back of Fellowship Hall- Read MORE here
Spirit Play (Pre-K and K)-10:00-11:15 classroom #1 Read MORE here
World of Wonder (Grade 1)- 10:00-11:15 classroom #2 Read MORE here
Moral Tales (grade 2)- 10:00-11:15 Read classroom #3 MORE here
Toolbox of Faith (grades 3 and 4)- 10:00-11:15 RE Office- Read MORE here
Windows and Mirrors (Grade 5 and 6)-10:00-11:15 Fellowship Hall Read MORE here
Coming of Age- (Grades 7 and 8) - 11:45-1:00pm- Fellowship Hall- Read MORE here
Youth Group (Grade 9-12)-6:00pm-8:30pm- Fellowship Hall- Read MORE here
We will offer Our Whole Lives (OWL) for grades 4-6 this year beginning in the spring- Click HERE for OWL info

Robin Caracciolo,

Director of Religious Education

SPROUT Parenting Group

Please SAVE THE DATES for our SPROUT Parent discussion group. We meet on the second Sunday of the month and all are welcome- childcare is available. Please contact Bill Derr if you are interested in attending and also if you need childcare.

Oct 12- Topic: Faith

Nov 9- Gratitude

Dec 14-Hope

Jan 11- Justice

Feb 8- Love

March 8- Truth

April 12- Redemption

Robin Caracciolo, Director of Religious Education

Lifespan Faith Development

World Religions Course Continues

Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 PM Classroom 1

We conclude our exploration of Judaism this month with lectures by Isaiah M. Gafni, Ph.D., Professor of Jewish Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem on "Common Judaism or a Plurality of Judaisms" and "Judaism and Others" . 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

Joys & Sorrows

Rest in Peace - Sheila Dawkins

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Sheila Dawkins who died at home on Monday, August 25, 2014. Sheila and her family were active members of our congregation for many years. She will be remembered by many here as "the hat lady" who had an infectious laugh and an exuberant personality. For many years she took on the task of decorating the church altar for the holidays and she took a keen interest in those who expressed having personal difficulties. An avid student of religion she enjoyed conversation about philosophy, religion and mysticism, inviting all who came to visit to freely utilize her meditation room. Sheila's husband Barry, daughter Kim and grandson Adam took tremendous care of her in her final days. We extend our sympathy also to her sons Shawn and Clive and the extended Dawkins family.

Sheila donated her body to science, The family is planning a celebration of her life at a later date. Those wishing to honor Sheila are invited to make a donation to Pathways for Change, National Breast Cancer Foundation, American Heart Association or to plant a tree in honor of Sheila or another loved-one.

Sheila's obituary is slated to be published in the coming days, a copy of which will be made available through this newsletter.

Rev. Aaron Payson

Sunday News

Sunday Worship Schedule for

September 21, 2014

HosT Coffee Hour News

The HosT coffee hour team thank all the many church teams, groups, and committees who have signed up to HosT coffee hour this year!

HosT will be running coffee hour this week! Come talk to us about the way we are using Volunteer Spot to make it easier for people in your group to select a healthy food option to bring to coffee hour, and to sign up for the simple duties that are involved in running coffee hour. We are so delighted that the work of making our fellowship time following the service more enjoyable, has been shouldered by so many different groups!

You will notice the snack-sized refreshments supplied during fellowship hour may be less in quantity, but healthier for all. We ask that all groups take a look at the suggestions on volunteer spot for ways to bring healthier coffee hour food options to our church family!

HosT (Hospitality Task Force) will provide the fair trade coffee, tea, water and juice. (HosT depends on coffee hour donations to keep supplies in stock....your donations during any coffee hour are gladly accepted!)

Would you like to be involved with the HosT Team? Let us know!!

Thanks Everyone!

Groups on deck for HosT-ing:

September 28	Board of Management
October 5	SOUP Sunday with the Choir
October 12	Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Task Force
October 19	Youth Group with Bake Sale!
October 26	Religious Education Committee

Robin Caracciolo

50/50 Collection for September 21 - Audio Journal

Audio Journal will be the recipient of our first 50/50 Collection for the 2014/2015 church year. Audio Journal is a radio, online and cable access TV service that broadcasts local programming to individuals who are blind or face any other challenge reading printed material. This service is possible through the dedication of over 170 volunteers and a small staff. The broadcasts are available 24/7 and there is no charge to the recipients. Established in 1987, it now strives to serve the nearly 5,000 visually impaired residents of Central Massachusetts, and is an affiliate of the Massachusetts Reading Network. Information is available at www.audiojournal.net.

Dianne Mann

Rally Day!! - September 21 at 11:15 am

The postcard you see here is postmarked Sept. 27, 1917. Back in that day the First Universalist Church of Worcester held an annual "Rally Day" which was described a few years earlier in The Message as ". . . when an effort is made to have every member present and when promotions take place. . . Quite a few faces of our folks have not been seen at the Sunday morning service as yet, and it is time we all realized that the vacation is over and that the regular services and work of the Church need us. Will not then all of our people rally with zest Sunday morning and take up another year's work with a spirit a which means success?"

It was a good idea then and a GREAT IDEA now! Over the years this congregation has employed a variety of measures to invite the participation of the congregation into the variety of ministries and projects that we facilitate. This year the Staff will sponsor "Rally Day" and invites all those responsible for programming, groups, events, etc., to bring sign-up sheets, posters, table displays etc., to highlight the work that is planned for this year and to encourage the broadest possible involvement by members and friends of the congregation. Please join us during coffee hour for this fun and important event!

And. . .thanks to Rachel Peckar and Chester Clarke for finding and preserving the 1917 postcard!

Rev. Aaron Payson

Open Space Forums

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

Ongoing Event News

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

Circle Dinners - Looking For A Few More People!

Our circle dinner group has shrunk in size and we are looking for 3-4 additional people to join our group. Think about joining our fun-loving group consisting of carnivores, vegetarians and a gluten-free person. We meet once a month in people's homes, restaurants, and have picnics in parks.

New people to the church are welcome too. Please email me at celts1600@aol.com, or call at 978-368-8071. Come join us!!

Joan McGinn

Hooks & Needles Group

This group will be meeting on alternating Tuesdays at noon (September 9th and 23rd, October 7th and 21st, etc.) in a classroom. Bring your projects - knitting, crochet, cross stitch, quilting, to work on. Or if you wish to do a prayer shawl or lap robe, we have yarn and patterns available. Want to learn a needlecraft? We will be happy to teach you.

Contact - The Yarn Diva (Sharon Templeman)

Sharon Templeman, Hooks & Needles Group Coordinator

Fundraising Reminder - Amazon Smile!

We are now set up to receive money back from Amazon.com every time you shop there. It is very easy to do. Instead of going to Amazon.com you type in amazonsmile.com (or smile.amazon.com - either one will work!). It will take you to the Amazon site and you just need to select UUCW as your charity. Amazon will then give us money for everything that you buy. The simple directions are below:

Directions to use Amazon Smile:

Go to www.amazonsmile.com
Log into your amazon account
Click "Supporting" near upper left corner of the page
Enter and select Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester
Shop and earn money for the congregation you love!!!!

If you can just go to amazonsmile.com every time you shop with them, we will all win! Thanks to everyone who helped to get this set up - it is greatly appreciated.

Denise Darrigrand, UUCW Fundraising Chair

Please Click Here to view the UUCW Google Calendar

Community News & Classifieds

Jericho Road Worcester - Annual Seminar

Leadership Presence - 2014 - UUCW Jericho Road Team

Wednesday, October 1, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Beechwood Hotel

363 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605

The evening will feature a professional development presentation "Building Relationships that Drive Results through Storytelling" with the dynamic speaker, Sean Kavanagh, CEO of The Ariel Group. Registration includes food, networking, and professional development to Influence, Inspire, Motivate and Teach. We will have a Raffle, A chance to win Patriots Putnam Club Tickets for some lucky sports fan, and cash bar available. Register today at www.jerichoroadworcester.eventbrite.com . Sponsorship is available.

Contact Information

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