Dear Families and Friends of UUCW:   

Please spread the word and pass the flyer  to your friends and families about Imagination Station:  REC's February Vacation Childcare Program.  It is so reasonably priced ($225)  for full time care, and the daily -themed programs will be value-based and super fun! If this week fills successfully, we will be prepared to also run it during April vacation week.

Please spread the word and registration link. This is a church fundraiser that could proved to be very beneficial to all parties!!

Looking for volunteers:

Let us know  if you would be interested in volunteering your time and talent to any part of this exciting church fundraiser.  We need artists, scientists, musicians, storytellers, teen helpers,teachers of movement , games facilitators and more.  Ana Bediako and Jenny DelGizzi will be Co-Directing the week.   

See our ad in Baystate Parent!

During the special holiday services Dec 21 through Dec 28, members and friends of the congregation are invited to participate in our special offering project in support of the Minister's Descritionary, Emergency Fund.  This fund serves families both within our congregation and the community at large by providing needed resources such as heating oil, gas, clothing, medicine, partial rent, school supplies, etc. for those in need.  During 2014 $1668.00 was distributed from this fund. Please consider your contribution to this important ministry.  Envelopes will be handed out with Orders of Service and extras will be available in the foyer.  Thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion.

Holiday Hours:

The REC will continue to raffle off signed copies of Temple Grandin during coffee hour each week. Get in on that if you can! And if you aren't one of the lucky winners, you can easily order the book-in hardcover or softcover-online or in brick and mortar bookstores. Consider it your holiday Must Read! 

Copies will also be available at Holiday Shop here on Dec 28 and January 4.

Last year, I stood in the pulpit and told you all one of my core beliefs: the stories our kids read, the stories we read to them, help to shape them, help make them better people. And then I encouraged you to join the REC-sponsored, intergenerational, church-wide reading of the novel Wonder. (Wasn't that a great read?) This year, the REC is sponsoring a similar event, and I'd like to invite you, once again, to read along and join the conversation. Our book is Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World, by Sy Montgomery.

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. 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.

UPDATE: The deadline for dropping off gently-used and new books for Liberia is January 11.  We are now also accepting college books, especially but not exclusively math and science books.  

Merci!

Using values, communication skills, and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages! OWL builds understanding ofhealthy relationships, affirms diversity, and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality and gender.

Classes Begins on February 4th, 2015 at UUCW.  6:30-8:30pm  each Wed night for 12 sessions.

$60 - To register for the course please contact Robin.

Cards in each mailbox,

angel, manger, star and lamb,

as the rural carrier,

driving the snowy roads,

hears from her bundles

the plaintive bleating of sheep,

the shuffle of sandals,

the clopping of camels.

At stop after stop,

she opens the little tin door

and places deep in the shadows

the shepherds and wise men,

the donkeys lank and weary,

the cow who chews and muses.

And from her Styrofoam cup,

white as a star and perched

on the dashboard, leading her

ever into the distance,

there is a hint of hazelnut,

and then a touch of myrrh.

 - Ted Kooser

Jan. 3  from 1:30 to 2:30. Please join me in this free one hour class of Shintaido. The class will take a gentle and very accessible approach to exercises designed to help bring the body, mind and spirit into harmony. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Any questions please call Joe Zawielski at 508 7988638 or ask him at church. A free will  offering will be accepted to pay the church for the space.

Please note that we have begun our Annual Flu Prevention Program at UUCW.   The current precautions include: 

1. The availability of waterless hand sanitizer at each entrance to the church and in each religious education classroom.  We ask that all those entering and exiting our facility use this resource.
2. The posting of cautions for those experiencing flu-like symptoms.  The cautions currently ask that if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms (a temperature above 99 degrees, and/or a persistent cough, headache, or intestinal discomfort) to please refrain from entering the church.

/ 508-853-1942) if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms so that we can help care for you personally.  If you are eligible for and it is recommended that you have an annual flu vaccine, we strongly encourage you to get one. Thank you for helping protect those most vulnerable among us!