"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

Cool Beans Coffee House Benefits IHN

By all accounts it was a great night! The audience and performers had a great time! The emcees were terrific! The youth group served up great snacks, coffee and tea.

Best of all, we were able to raise just over $1,000.00 to benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network. This is the homeless shelter that our Church supports with a generous pledge each year.

We couldn't have done it without all the performers, our terrific Music Director, Matt Johnsen, and all those who helped make this a wonderful evening.

Dianne Mann

Free Shintaido Class February 21, 2 - 3 pm, Fellowship Hall

The class will take a gentle and very accessible approach to exercises designed to help bring the body, mind and spirit into harmony. Please wear loose comfortable clothing. A free will offering will be accepted to help pay for the space. Any questions please call Joe Zawielski at 508 798 8638

Joe Zawielski

Open Stitch Day - Saturday March 7, 9 am - 3 pm

Don't forget to register, the sooner the better!

REGISTER HERE!! - March 1 deadline!

OPEN STITCH DAY!

Church Fundraiser - Saturday March 7. 9-3 pm. Free Will Donation (suggested min. donation $10)

Please join in the fun, creativity, and fellowship. Learn a quilt project with Robin Caracciolo or bring your own!

This time we will work on a table runner/wall hanging. It will involve learning 3 blocks, and playing with color! Bring your machine and supplies. There will be fabric kits available for sale (approx. $25).

You can also bring your knitting/ crochet/ cross-stitch/ crewel to work on. There are sure to be folks here that can help you if you get stuck with your project.

Bring a lunch!! or...there will be soup and salad for sale ($6)!

PLEASE RSVP HERE BY March 1- especially if you would like the quilt materials list for project, or a fabric kit to purchase.

Space is limited for setting up machines...so sign up soon!!

Robin Caracciolo

Religious Education News

RE News for February 22

Dear Families,

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday! We have regular classes scheduled.

Last week I asked folks to bring frozen fruit and vegetables...and unfortunately with the snow that did not happen. Please do not bring the frozen goods in this Sunday as the Food Pantry distribution will have already happened on Saturday. As usual, you can always feel free to bring non-perishable dry goods/cans etc.

Sunday, February 22

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

11:45 am konic-1 pm COA - "Reverse Mask"

11:45-1:00 Grade 5 & 6 OWL

6:00-8:30: Youth Group - Meeting and Documentary Viewing

Robin Caracciolo,

Director of Religious Education

Grades 5/6 OWL - LAST CALL!

Class Starts Feb 22 at 11:45 am!

Facilitators Ana Bediako and Rachel Keyo will be running the 6 week session of grade 5 and 6 OWL this year. We have had a parent info session already, but if you have a child in grades 5 or 6 and are interested in info on this faith-based human sexuality class for your child, this is the final call. We offer this class every 2 years, so we do not want your child to miss out. Please contact me asap if you have missed the parent meeting, but are interested in enrolling your child.

Robin Caracciolo

Mystery Pals - March 1...it's the Reveal Party!

Due to snow and school vacation...we have bumped the party so that EVERYONE can partake in cake and activities!

Directly after the service, we will have special events set up for you with the big reveal!

Robin Caracciolo & Jenny Delgizzi

SPROUT Parent's Group - Sunday, March 8

The Sprout Group will meet after church on Sunday March 8 - 11:45-1:00.

Please join other parents or caregivers for interesting and meaningful discussions facilitated by Bill Derr. Free childcare will be provided. In order to provide childcare , we need RSVP's. Please RSVP by Thursday , March 5 to: williamderr@hotmail.com Thank You!

We need your feedback on how to make this group better accessible to all families . If you could take a minute to answer our survey, it would assist us! Please click HERE for short survey!

Bill Derr

What's Going on in the Teenage Brain?

Sunday March 8, 11:45 am - 1 pm, Lounge

Come and hear about the what the latest research has revealed about the fascinating brain development taking place during adolescence.

Learn about the incredible opportunities , and some possible challenges as youth learn how to grow into adults.

Our own Lynsey Heffernan will present information, video clips and discussion. Designed for parents, aunts, uncles, mentors, grandparents, or friends of teens!

Lynsey Heffernan is the JDAI Detention Reform Specialist for the Department of Youth Services. In this position she coordinates a state-wide reform agenda with the goal of reducing the number of children in Massachusetts in secure confinement through collaboration with juvenile justice stakeholders and through the implementation data-informed Alternatives to Detention. Immediately prior to this role, Lynsey was a public defender with the Committee for Public Counsel Services for nearly seven years in both the juvenile and adult courts

Robin Caracciolo

Adult Faith Development

World Religions Course

Wednesday, Feb 18, 7 pm

Sunday, February 22, 3:30 pm - This is the snow day makeup class from February 15.

We continue our study of Islam with lectures, "Muhammad-Prophet and Statesman" and "God's Word-the Quranic Worldview", by John L. Esposito, Ph.D. Professor, Religion and International Affairs, Islamic Studies, Georgetown University. This course continues to be open to anyone interested in the study of World Religions. Please contact Aaron Payson (arpayson@charter.net) for more information.

Rev. Aaron Payson

Sunday News

Honoring Black History Month

Documentary Showing -

Wilderness Journey

Sunday, February 22, 7 PM, Lounge

Come watch "Wilderness Journey" a documentary on the UU Black Empowerment struggle that challenged our movement in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Bring a refreshment to share if you like. Decaf coffee and tea provided! Video run-time 1:15. Discussion to follow.

Rev. Aaron Payson

International Women's Day - March 8 Worship Service & 50/50 Collection

Once again, we will honor women at our March 8th International Women's Day celebration. This year we will focus on Abby's House, the largest and most comprehensive agency for homeless and battered women and their children in central Massachusetts. This is the 39th year of Abby's House services, and recently they have hired a new executive director, Stephanie Page, who will speak to us about her vision for Abby's in the future. Her topic is "Passing the Torch: New Leadership at Abby's House". The founding mothers and guardians, Annette Rafferty, Tess Sneesby and Elaine Lamereaux are excited about this new direction for
Abby's and may join Stephanie and us at our March 8th service.

In addition, our 50/50 collection that day will go to the vital and ongoing work of Abby's House as it continues its almost 4 decades of work on behalf of their guests. They offer emergency services for battered and homeless women, short term and longer term housing and a day program. Their model is one of empowerment for women to build their lives stronger than before, and they have many successful graduates of the program. However, lack of affordable housing, diminished availability of good-paying jobs and wage discrimination against women persists, and complicates women's journey to get back on their feet again. I know that this congregation will be as generous as ever towards Abby's House as we take our 50/50 collection on March 8th.

Joan McGinn

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:

February 22	Buildings & Grounds and Tech Committees
March 1	SOUP Sunday
March 8	Futures Team
March 15	Coming of Age Class
March 22	Women's Sunday

Nancy Hancock

Ongoing Event News

Men's Group Meeting - Friday, February 20

The Men's Group meets monthly to share a meal and conversation. The group's members strive to build trust and close friendship with one another. We will meet in Fellowship Hall at 7 pm. All who consider themselves male are welcome.

Food will be brought from a local restaurant and all those who wish to eat can split the cost of the meal. Please bring your favorite beverage to drink with dinner. Please R.S.V.P to willliamderr@hotmail.com or call the UUCW office at 508 853 1942. Please note whether or not you want food and any dietary restrictions.

Bill Derr

Lunch With The Minister - Wednesday, March 4 at noon!

We continue our monthly "Lunch with the Minister" on March 4 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

Readers Unite Afternoon Book Group -

March 4 at 1:15 pm

Greetings book lovers!

On February 4 we had Our Readers Unite (UUCW Afternoon) Book Group with 12 people attending! We had read Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. A rousing discussion followed.

Our next meeting is March 4th at 1 pm:
Where'd you go, Bernadette? A Novel by Maria Semple
Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle--and people in general--has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic. To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence--creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

For our April 1st meeting:
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
The government has just declared a State of Emergency, in whose upheavals four strangers--a spirited widow, a young student uprooted from his idyllic hill station, and two tailors who have fled the caste violence of their native village--will be thrust together, forced to share one cramped apartment and an uncertain future.

Kim Napoleone

Women's Runaway Weekend -

April 24 - 26

**UUCW Women**

Save the Date!

Annual Runaway Weekend

in Rockport, MA

April 24-26, 2015

Every year a group of 25-30 UUCW women take the whole Linden Tree Inn in Rockport from Friday afternoon to Monday morning for a weekend of very fun female fellowship!

The Inn is in downtown Rockport, located a stone's throw from the beach as well as shopping area. Single and double rooms are available. Prices will be posted in the Message soon. Once prices are posted, spaces can be reserved by emailing Ruth Silver for payment details. For more information about the weekend feel free to email Claire Breyton at cbreyton@gmail.com.

Claire Breyton

Flu Season Is Upon Us

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

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.
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.

Please notify the church office (office@uucworcester.org

/ 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!

Rev. Aaron Payson

Please Click Here to view the UUCW Google Calendar

Community News & Classifieds

Assabet Valley Mastersingers Present "Annelies" - Dianne Mann

Presented by the Assabet Valley Mastersingers on Sunday, March 8, at 3:45 p.m. at St. Mark's School 35 Marlboro Rd., Southboro, MA. Pre-concert lecture at 3:00 p.m.

"Annelies" is a choral dramatic work based on Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. This will be accompanied by full orchestra with a soprano soloist. Tickets $25.00 General Admission, $20.00 Senior Citizens and Students, $3.00 discount for advanced purchase. For more information visit: www.AVMsingers.org or call (978)562-9838

Contact Information

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