"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

Kid's Night Out/Parent's Night Off!

The Youth Group Presents a Special Childcare Evening as a Church fundraiser........ Just in time to take a breath for the holidays!!

Saturday , Dec 13th 5:00-9:00 pm at UUCW

Donation: $20 per child

Includes: dinner, crafts, holiday games, holiday movie.

To Secure Your Space, Please Register HERE!

Robin Caracciolo

Extra! Extra! Read All About It. Mystery Pals Sign-Ups are Starting December 7th!

What is Mystery Pals? Mystery Pals are pairs of pals made up of one young person and one adult or teen who do not know each other's identity. This is a multi-generational community-building project that has shown great success in many other UU communities,and this year, we have decided to try it. This project is closely managed by the Religious Education Committee. Pals who sign up to participate and are matched to each other by the committee.

What do Mystery Pals do? Mystery Pals communicate with each other through the exchange of notes,drawn pictures, cards, riddles, puzzles, baby pictures, hints about identity, and small trinkets. The main thing is to stay in touch and remain a mystery! All communication is managed by the RE Committee.

How do Mystery Pals keep in touch? In January and February paper bag mailboxes with your secret # will be in the Fellowship Hall. Keep your number a secret! Put notes or whatever you are giving each week in the Pal's bag. The Religious Education Committee will ensure that everyone recieves their communication weekly after the notes have been reviewed!

When do the Pals find out the identity of each other? Identities will be revealed during our Mystery Pal Reveal Party on Feb 18th directly after the service. FUN FUN FUN. It's all about the connections we make in the world!! Sign up on December 7th with Jenny Delgizzi.

Robin Caracciolo & Jenny Delgizzi

Books To Liberia

A few of us at UU have been contacted to help with a book drive. Instead of our holiday shoe-box event, we will be donating books to kids, ages 3-15, in Liberia. Because of political strife in that country beginning in 1980, schools, libraries, books and supplies were destroyed by fire. Through education, we would like to help Liberians regain their equilibrium. Math and science textbooks are greatly in need as well as encylopedias, dictionaries and reference books. Age-appropriate new and gently used books of all kinds are also welcome. Obtaining a number of one kind of book would greatly benefit kids in the classroom. Look for the power point presentation re this drive in our One-Room School House on Dec. 7. For those who do not have the time to find books, a shipping donation will be very much appreciated. Each box of books costs $15.00 dollars.

As in the past, Robin and her RE will jump in head first to help with this event.

Please place your books in the box labeled "Books for Liberia" which will be either in Robin's office or in Fellowship Hall.

Merci!

Pauline Courchesne

In Case of Inclement Weather...

In case of severe weather on Sunday morning, please remember the following:

There are 3 possible levels of closing:

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL but REGULAR WORSHIP
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL and INFORMAL WORSHIP (Minister will be on site to meet with those who attend - no music)
ALL PROGRAMS CANCELLED (including evening programs)

In the event of severe weather, the decision to cancel will be made by 7 AM and will:

be placed on the church answering machine which can be accessed by dialing (508) 853-1942 and selecting 8 from the menu
be sent out to the RE family email list
be placed on TV channel 5
be placed online at www.thebostonchannel.com.
People may sign up at http://www.wcvb.com/connect/email to have closing information (and other weather alerts) delivered to them by either email or a cell phone text message.
Office closings due to bad weather through the week will also be put on the answering machine at menu item 8. Jen will, barring internet/power outages, be able to check email and messages.

To download this policy as a PDF, please click HERE. The policy link is available in every Message in the Notes and Flyers section of the left sidebar.

Jennifer Landry, Office Administrator

Religious Education News

RE News for November 30

Dear Families,

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. May you have many moments of fun and gratitude on this special day of thanks.

Beginning on December 7th, we will begin 4 things that you and your children may want to get involved in:

Vesper Pageant Prep. We will be doing " The Little Drummer Boy" as a narrated pageant for all to be involved with. We will allow children to choose their parts and will be talking about the story and what they can do. Please let us know if you will be here for Vespers on Dec 12th 4-6pm.
Children Books to Liberia Collection- We are gathering children's story books, math and science books, encyclopedias, soft bound math and science workbooks, and school supplies to travel to some village schools in Liberia. On Dec 7th, children wll meet the woman who is organizing this project as she will be showing a power point about the children she is committed to help in this part of the world.
Sign-Ups for the Mystery Pal Event- See flyer on Dec 7th and Jenny in Fellowship Hall for this awesome opportunity for connections within our wonderful, beloved community.
The One Church -One Book- Church Read- Loree Griffin Burns has donated 10 copies of our church read book "Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World." and we will draw names weekly. Fill out a free.ticket if you are interested in winning a copy for yourself.

Sunday November 30th

This Sunday- November 30 is our Annual Giving Tree Sunday - A One Room Experience for children of all ages.

Each child will create a special advent-type calendar...called the Giving Tree.

The idea is that for every day of December, you place a sticker over the date after you have given something special to another. We will brainstorm ideas together on Sunday. What can you give? Love, a smile, a hug, your time, help, a phone call, a special note, a sticker, a hand -made gift, a gift to Toys for Tot, a children's book for the Liberia book drive, hat or mittens for our mitten tree, volunteer at a food pantry or at coffee hour, or to do a duty for the church? And maybe, after the tree is filled with stickers, there might be a special gift waiting for them in return!

Lights, Hats, Mittens, Socks, and Gift Cards Envelopes

Children will also be decorating our Fellowship Hall Giving Tree with lights, hats, mittens, and gift card envelopes. Please bring hats or mittens or socks (for men, women or children)...we will donate them to our food pantry clients and a local nursing home. Also..there will be cards that everyone can take off the tree and fill with a cash gift for any family among us that expresses a need, or a grocery a gift card for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

10am- All children will begin in the sanctuary and will be dismssed to Fellowship Hall following the children's coin and food collection. If your child is in Spirit Play (Pre-K and K) they will line up at their classroom as usual and will be taking to fellowship hall by our special helpers. Please pick up your child following the service in Fellowship Hall.

Coming of Age - there will be no afternoon classes- Please come to the 10am service and help with the One Room festivities!

Youth Group- There will be no evening YG. Please come to the 10am service and help with the One Room festivities!

Robin Caracciolo,

Director of Religious Education

Lights, Hats, Mittens, Socks, and Gift Envelopes

"The Giving Tree"

Children will be decorating our Fellowship Hall Giving Tree with lights, hats, mittens, and gift envelopes. Please bring hats or mittens or socks (for men, women or children)...we will donate them to our food pantry clients and a local nursing home. Also..there will be cards that everyone can take off the tree and fill with a monetary gift for any families in our midst who have expressed a need, or a $10 grocery a gift card for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

After you take an envelope off the tree and fill it---- please place it in the gray mailbox outside of the church office. Please note on your check what the donation is for: Food Pantry or Families. All envelopes should be returned before Dec 19th. Thank YOU!

Robin Caracciolo,

Director of Religious Education

Sunday News for November 30

Sunday Worship for

November 30, 2014

Potluck Coffee Hour This Sunday, November 30

This Sunday is Coffee Hour Potluck Sunday!!

Please bring a healthy, nut free snack to share with your friends in
fellowship hall.

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!)

Thanks Everyone!

Nancy Hancock

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!

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.

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!!

Groups on deck for HosT-ing:

November 30	Potluck - Members & Friends of UUCW
December 7	SOUP Sunday
December 14	Coming of Age Class & Mentors
December 21	No Fellowship Hour after 10 am Solstice Service, Annual Vespers Tea after 4 pm Annual Christmas Vespers Service
December 28	Potluck - Members & Friends of UUCW

Nancy Hancock

Holiday News

2014 Holiday Poinsettia Project

What better way to honor a loved one and decorate our Sanctuary for the Holiday Season than purchasing a gorgeous Poinsettia !! This year we are offering 3 different colors ( red,white and pink) in two sizes Large ($20.00) / Extra-Large ($30.00). The order needs to be submitted the week of Nov. 23 so please don't wait!) Order HERE online. For more information or questions, please contact Susan Crossley scrossley930@gmail.com / 508 769-4139.

Susan Crossley

Annual Vespers Tea - December 21

Plan on enjoying the Annual Vespers Tea immediately after the beautiful Holiday Vespers Service (4 PM). We will take out our silver coffee and tea service and our china to again celebrate the holiday season the way our congregation has done it for years. Come into Fellowship Hall still singing "Silent Night" and join us in fellowship and wonderful food, drink, and conversation.

Please bring either a savory (if your last name starts with A - P) or sweet dish (Q - Z) to share. Drop it off in Fellowship Hall before the service. Write a list of the ingredients on a file card and place it with your dish to provide information for people with allergies.

We will be setting up an hour prior to the start of service. Can you come early and set up tables and/or help with plating? Are you available to help set out food after the service? Who wants to serve tea water, coffee, or festival punch? Lastly, we need all to help clean up so no one has to stay late. If you are willing to be part of any of these important groups, please CLICK HERE to sign up. Thank you for your time and consideration in helping us make this "The Best Vespers Ever!"

Rev. Aaron Payson

Holiday Shop Church Fundraiser -

December 14 & 21

Last minute shopping?

Come Visit the Holiday Shop!

Equal Exchange Fair Trade Products
UUA Bookstore Bookfair
Handmade Gift Items
Baked Goods.

All proceeds benefit UUCW.

Times: 8:30- 12:30 and also before and after Vespers on 12/21

Before Church, At Coffee Hour and After Church until 12:30 in classrooms 2 and 3!

Crafters and Bakers: Do you have items to donate?

Volunteers: Would you like to work at the Holiday Shop on the 13th or on the 21st?

Please Contact Robin.

Robin Caracciolo

Ongoing Event News

Lunch With The Minister - Wednesday, December 3 at noon!

Join us for our seasonal "Lunch with the Minister" December 3 at noon. Please bring a salad, vegetable, or dessert offering to share instead of a bag lunch. Meatballs, cold cut platter, and bread will be provided along with beverages. We especially welcome newcomers and returning friends to this festive occasion. Our informal discussion is a great way to share thoughts with Aaron and catch up with church friends.

Nancy Hancock

Readers Unite Afternoon Book Group -

December 3 at 1:15

Greetings book lovers!

In our December 3rd meeting we will be discussing State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Please let me know if you can make it.

We meet on the first Wednesday of the month in the lounge at 1:15 p.m. Many of us start the afternoon by having Lunch With The Minister which starts at 12:00 p.m. In December the luncheon will be potluck, casseroles and desserts to celebrate the season.

I'll try to send a reminder around Thanksgiving week.

- Kim Napoleone

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