Looking for a warm spot to get in from the cold?  How about a place to share a cup of java or tea with your Church friends and enjoy the talent of our fellow members and friends?  You are cordially invited to attend this year's "Cool Beans Coffee House" on Friday, February 13th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Tickets are $7.00 each and we are sure you will enjoy it!  We will start to sell tickets in Fellowship Hall in a few weeks.

What would a Coffee House be without great talent?  We have a powerhouse of talented people here in our midst.  If you, a friend, a group of friends, an orchestra, a group of yodelers, or you can sing while standing on your head while balancing plates and glasses filled with water, etc. are willing to perform please contact me as soon as possible - that's Dianne Mann at djmann@charter.net.  I'll need to know the name of the piece you'll be performing and any audio/technical requirements.  That way I can put together a smashing show for all of you.  (Please keep all acts under 5 minutes.)

Proceeds from the Coffee House benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network.  This is the homeless shelter with which our Church is affiliated.  Each year we pledge an amount to the Shelter and this year we have pledged $1,000.00.  Help us reach that goal!  IHN is a family shelter located on June St. in Worcester.  Our Church is sponsoring a week at the shelter the end of January.  During this week, we ask members of the Congregation to help in the evening at the Shelter by sharing a meal, helping with homework for children, being a presence at the Shelter and a friendly face for those staying there.  We are also looking for people willing to cover night shifts.  People who volunteer for the night shift sleep at the Shelter and assist clients with any needs.  Many Church members have taken a turn volunteering at the Shelter and continue to do so.  Contact Sue Neaz, at sueneaz@townisp.com for more information concerning assisting at the Shelter.

Our Youth Group will serve as our baristas for the evening and our talented emcees! We are so pleased that they are willing to host this event again!

And, our Director of Religious Education, Robin Caracciolo, is so proud of our efforts to support the homeless families of Worcester.  Let her know if you have any questions or are willing to help with the IHN program in any way - or the Coffee House in particular.  She is looking for folks to donate cookies and other snacks for their snack bar.  Contact Robin  at robin.caracciolo@gmail.com.  

 

We had a fun RE week last Sunday .  I'd like to thank all of our amazing teachers for taking the time to bring in excellent materials to engage and for giving each child the space and support to allow conversations to bubble up and ideas to be explored!!!  Classes continue this Sunday..hope to see you all there!

 

I would also like to report that our first Coming of Age group Spiritual Practices "Lock-In" was a success last Friday night.  The group set up the food pantry for distribution ( volunteering is a spiritual practice!), and then spent the rest of the evening exploring other spiritual practices like  zentangle meditaion, chi-gong (thank you Nina Cerviatti), worship styles, and sharing meals and discussions.  I would love to thank our fabulous chaperones: Nina Cerviatti, Lee Hill, Bart Hill, Bruce Leshay.  Thanks to Beau Rivers for joining us for the overnight experience and for Rev Aaron for coming in very early to cook a scrumptious breakfast.  To make these experiences work, we are always in need of open-hearted and patient adults to be a safe presence among the teens.  Thank you to those who can help- you are so very appreciated.  And Yes...if you are interested in ever being one of those adults who work with this age group and older...come talk to me!

 

 

 

Also!  Mystery Pals is going strong please help Jenny by bringing in your letters weekly so everyone gets mail!!

 

 

 

Sunday, January 25

Week 2 of Mystery Pal! Come in and bring your letters and pick up your mail!

 

10 am- All children begin in the sanctuary and will be dismissed to their classroom following the children's coin and food collection.

 

11:45 am- 12:45 pm - Grade 5/6  OWL Parent Meeting in classroom 2- children will be in Fellowship Hall with games.

 

11:45 am - 1 pm Lounge - COA - Outreach and Social Action. Special Guest.

 

noon-IHN INFO  Lounge - please stop in the info session for IHN (interfaith Hospitality Network Family Shelter) .  The Director of the program, Joanne Alley,  will be with us discussing the house and the families and answering questions as we embark on our hosting week at 91 June Street.  Please note: I,  (Robin) will be at the shelter on Sunday ,Wed  and Thursday evening 5;30-8:30 pm for those who would like to work with me to experience volunteering with these amazing families. This is a family friendly opportunity for outreach.

 

Please contact me asap if you are interested  We are also in need of $150 to buy food for the week for the shelter, any size donation can help...please see Sue Neaz in fellowship hall or me.

 

 

Youth Group- 6 - 8:30 pm - Hot topic/Debate.  Final sign-up for YG Service, and Story Selection. Still looking for 2 volunteers for IHN Sunday pm with Robin.

 

 

Robin Caracciolo, 

Director of Religious Education 

Please join Ana Bediako and Rachel Keyo for more info on our upcoming OWL class for grades 5 and 6.   

This class will begin on Sunday  February 22 and will continue weekly until Sunday  March 29th.  Please come to find out more info.  There will be a supervised place for your children to hang out and play board games during the meeting.

THANK You Loree for facilitating and participants who showed up for the lively discussion this past Sunday .  It was great to have you gathered and to hear your voices!

Stay tuned for our February 2nd 10am multigeneration service based on the many themes we uncovered in Sy Montgomery's book.  Would you like to be involved with readings or commentaries during the service?  Please contact Robin.

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!

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.

On Sunday February 8th we will share our morning offering as part of the 50/50 Offering program of our church with Safe Homes of Worcester.

Safe Homes is dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who need a safe and welcoming place.  They are Safe Homes, a program supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, and their straight allies, between the ages of 14 and 23. The group is led by youth peer leaders, professional staff, and volunteers who offer support, resources, and opportunities for socialization in a safe and nurturing environment.  In 2014 they served 456 youth. 

The Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports that LGBT youth are 4 times as likely to have attempted suicide, and 4 times likely to have skipped school because of feeling unsafe and are nearly 3 times to have been threatened or injured by a weapon at school. 

Young people come to Safe Homes from Worcester and surrounding towns. Some are in high school or college, and some have jobs or attend work-training programs. Though they all come from different experiences and backgrounds, they are united in our support of one another. Safe Homes is the only program in the area which provides specialized services to LGBTQ youth.

Laura Farnsworth, Safe Homes Director will join us for our service and will be available to discuss her program during our coffee hour!

 Please visit the Safe Homes website at http://www.safehomesma.org/ for more information. 

Following coffee hour, Janet Stone and Michele Milliard are hosting a Sunday Social featuring deluxe winter salads. This Sunday Social offers a chance to enjoy good company and partake of special winter salads packed with vitamins to help you stay healthy during the cold days. On the menu are:

• mixed greens with beets, goat cheese, and pecans
• roasted carrots with quinoa and lemon
• brussel sprouts with bacon and dried cranberries
• roasted squash, kale, and wheatberries salad with pomegranate

During the meal, Susan Gale, a former member of our church, will give tarot card readings or spiritual consultations.

Cost is just $10 for salads. Readings cost $10 for 10 minutes.

Please email Janet Stone at mstone12242@charter.net to help us determine how much salad to prepare. 

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!