For January UUCW Evening Book Group Will Read The Lifespan of a Fact AND Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World 

I hope you will find time to read once your holiday festivities end because we have TWO books on our agenda for January.

We will discuss The Lifespan of a Fact by John D'Agata and Jim Fingal at our usual second Wednesday night meeting. This month we will meet on January 14 in the lounge at 7 pm.

In addition, we have agreed to participate in the One Church-One Book Discussion and read Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery and Temple Grandin. Please read and be ready to discuss this book following the Sunday morning service on January 18.

We always welcome new readers-our discussions are interesting and lively.  For more information, contact Deb Selkow debselkow@gmail.com

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!

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!

All our books are raffled off and sold out from the Holiday Shop!  I hope you got a copy and can begin to read this gem! 

 Loree Griffin Burns will be holding a multigenerational discussion on January 18th- in the lounge following the service.  There will be coffee, tea, juice and goodies.  Come join the discussion!  Tell us what touched you, hear what others thought and the different points of view from your community of all ages.  

~~Robin and the REC

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.

Wednesday, January 7, 7:00 PM

Sunday, January 11, 3:30 PM

Wednesday, January 14, 7:00 PM

We continue our study of Christianity this Wednesday, January 7 with lectures by Luke Timothy Johnson on "Catholic, Orthodox. and Protestant" and "Christianity and Politics".  Due to scheduling conflicts the next session of the World Religions Class has been moved up a week. The session on Jan 11 & 14 concludes the lectures on Christianity with "Christianity & Culture" and "Tensions & Possibilities." This course continues to be open to anyone interested in the study of the world religions.  For more information please contact Rev. Aaron Payson.

On Sunday the 18th of January we will be sharing our morning offering with the African Community Education Program of Worcester.  The following is taken from their mission statement. 

"The mission of the African Community Education Program (ACE) is to assist our students in realizing their educational, cultural, and social goals while guiding them in becoming competent, responsible and productive citizens in the Worcester, Massachusetts area as well as the greater society.

ACE aims to achieve this mission by providing academic and nonacademic programming during after-school and out-of-school time. Our approach is to provide comprehensive services that meet their educational and psychosocial needs while using culturally competent models and addressing common barriers to participation. Our experienced teachers and enthusiastic volunteers are dedicated to supporting our students' needs as they move towards high school graduation and post-secondary success. ACE works closely with the Worcester Public Schools to ensure that our programs complement and enhance the education our students receive in school.

Students are provided with opportunities to build strong relationships with their teachers, mentors, peers, and other members of the community. In addition to our educational programs, we offer extra-curricular activities, such as dance, sports and the arts, in order to stimulate student creativity while at the same time providing outlets for personal expression and opportunities to interact with peers in a fun, healthy, and enriching environment."

Jars of springwater are not enough anymore.

Take us down to the river.

The face of peace, the sun itself.

No more the slippery, cloudlike moon.

Give us one clear morning after another,

and the one whose work remains unfinished,

who is our work as we diminish,

idle, though occupied, empty, and open.

 - Rumi

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!