ONCE AGAIN, THANKS!!  Our 50/50 collection for Abby's House generated $286 to help fund their many programs for homeless and battered women and their children.  During the Women's Service on March 8th, we were fortunate to be able to listen to Stephanie Page, Abby's new Executive Director, speak about their programs and their needs.  Many thanks to this church for our ongoing generosity to local organizations which help make Worcester a better place to live for all.

Following up on the excellent reception of the video "The Wilderness Journey" about the challenges associated with the black empowerment movement within the Unitarian Universalist Association, UUCW will host the three-part PBS documentary series "Race: The Power of an Illusion"** that explores where the idea of "race" comes from.  Join us in this important series of videos and discussion with members and friends of UUCW and the wider community as we strive toward a more just society

The series will air at the following times and dates:

 7:00 - 9:00 pm  April 1st  -  Episode 1: The Difference Between Us -  "examines how recent scientific discoveries have toppled the concept of biological race. The program follows a dozen diverse students who sequence and compare their own DNA. They discover, to their surprise, that their closest genetic matches are as likely to be with people from other "races" as their own. The episode helps us understand why it doesn't make scientific or genetic sense to sort people into biological races, as it dismantles our most basic myths about race, including natural superiority and inferiority."*

 7:00 - 9:00 pm  April 15th - Episode 2: The Story We Tell - "uncovers the roots of the race concept, including the 19th-century science that legitimated it and the hold it has gained over our minds. It's an eye-opening tale of how America's need to defend slavery in the face of a radical new belief in freedom and equality led to a full-blown ideology of white supremacy. Noting the experience of Cherokee Indians, the U.S. war against Mexico and annexation of the Philippines, the film shows how definitions of race excluded from humanity not only Black people, but anyone who stood in the way of American expansion. The program traces the transformation of tentative suspicions about difference into a "common-sense" wisdom that people used to explain everything from individual behavior to the fate of whole societies, an idea of race that persists to this day."*

 7:00 - 9:00 pm  April 29th - Episode 3: The House We Live In -  "focuses not on individual behaviors and attitudes, but on how our institutions shape and create race, giving different groups vastly unequal life chances. Who defines race? In the early 20th century, the courts were called upon to determine who was white, employing contradictory logic to maintain the color line. After World War II, government policies and subsidies helped create segregated suburbs where Italians, Jews and other not-quite-white European ethnics were able to reap the full advantages of whiteness. The episode reveals some of the ordinary social institutions that quietly channel wealth and opportunity, so that white people benefit from a racist system without personally being racist. It concludes by looking at why we can't just get rid of race."*

This series is open to anyone interested in exploring the issue of race and racism in a safe environment in where diverse people and points of view are respected and where open-hearted and open-minded discussion of our differences is encouraged.

Light refreshments will be provided. For more information on this program please contact Beau Rivers (brivers@uucworcester.org) or Rev. Aaron Payson (minister@uucworcester.org). 

*From the discussion guide published with the video series. 

**Produced by California Newsreel, in association with the Independent Television Service (ITVS) 2003. Major funding was provided by the Ford Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Diversity Fund. Additional funding was provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the John D. and  Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lida and Alejandro Zaffaroni, Akonadi Foundation, the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, and Nu Lambda Trust.

Please CLICK HERE to download or print a flyer for this discussion series.

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. The day of our next gathering  has been changed to 4/10/15 and 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.

One of our biggest fundraisers of the year is fast approaching!  The annual yard sale will take place on Saturday, June 6.  So, please start now looking around your place for things that can be donated.  We take virtually anything, including large furniture if you can transport it (both ways if it doesn't sell).  Clothing, household items, sports equipment, electronics, books, etc., etc., etc.  It also takes many hands to pull this event off; please let me know if you are interested.  We work all day the Thursday and Friday beforehand and then most of the day on Saturday.  I know it's a bit of time away, but if you know you're interested and want to work any of the days, please let me know.

Maundy Thursday is traditionally commemorates the Last Supper shared between Jesus and his Disciples. This Passover meal gained special meaning within the Christian tradition and was transformed from a uniquely Jewish holiday meal to a ritual remembrance of a specific teacher, healer and prophet. 

Our Universal Eucharist recognizes both the origin of this ritual meal both in Judaism and Christianity and extends remembrance to the universal sources of our sustenance, sacrifice and celebration.  This unique service provides an opportunity for us to consider human incompleteness and our humane potential and is open to anyone who wishes to enter into the spirit of this special occasion with wine (or juice) and bread, prayer and song.

For more information, please contact Aaron Payson.

The word Tenebrae comes from the Latin meaning "darkness".  This service traditionally held on Good Friday commerates the last hours of the life of Jesus.  Traditionally an opportunity to acknowledge the shadow of death and the suffering of the prophet, prophets and humankind, this is a contemplative opportunity to consider the meaning and sacrifice of so many who have given their lives so that we might survive and thrive. 

This year we are delighted to host an Ecumenical Good Friday Service here at UUCW at 7:00 PM with readings, music, meditation, and candlelight.  Join the congregations from Zion Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian, Salem Covenant and Greendale People's Church who will join us for this special event.  Refreshments to follow the service.

For more information, please contact Aaron Payson.

Join other members and friends of UUCW as we honor our Judaic heritage with our Annual Passover Seder sponsored by the Jewish families in our congregation.  Come explore the ancient tale of the Exodus, see it enacted by our children, partake of the fruits of the vine, herbs both bitter and sweet, and the delectable dishes provided by many fantastic cooks (including you)!

In order to plan appropriately, please register HERE or at the Seder Table in Fellowship Hall this week.  Cost is $5.00 a person ($15.00 family max).  Checks should be made to UUCW and marked "Seder" in the memo line.

For more information, please contact Aaron Payson.

5:30 am - Bancroft Tower, Salisbury Park, Worcester - sponsored by First Unitarian Church

7 am - Shore Park, Shore Drive, Worcester - sponsored by the Greendale-area Churches

Want to see the sunrise Easter morning?  Want to celebrate Easter with friends from First Unitarian or the Greendale-area Churches?  Then join us for either (or both) of these Annual Easter Sunrise services.

For more information, please contact Aaron Payson.

 

A big congratulations to the many teens who worked so hard to bring us a fantastic evening at the Gourmet Dinner-  Thanks to the servers and the kitchen folks!

 

 

I would also like to say congratulations to the Grade 5/6 OWL class ..They graduated last Sunday completing their 6 week OWL course!!  We are blessed to have Ana Bediako and Rachel Keyo as our loving , caring,  and hard working elementary OWL facilitators!  Thanks to all!

 

 

 

Easter Sunday, April 5 - Easter Egg Hunt!

 

All children will begin in the sanctuary and will be dismissed after the story to hunt for eggs.  Jenny needs a few helpers to hide eggs at 9:00 am  and to help with the little ones during the hunt.  Parents of our smallest children are welcome to help with the festivities of finding eggs with their child.  This will be allergen -free candy (jellybeans).

 

There will be no COA or Youth Group in the afternoon and evening.  

Robin Caracciolo, 

Director of Religious Education 

The Sprout Group will meet after church on Sunday April 12 - 11:45 am -1 pm.

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 , April 9 to williamderr@hotmail.com.    Thank You!  

Please come join us in the Lounge on April 18, May 16, and June 20 in this unique exercise program that is designed to help bring the body, mind and spirit into harmony. We will also be exploring nonverbal communication with others through movement. Please wear loose comfortable clothing.  Any questions call Joe Zawielski at 508 826 3194   

Let the children and the child in you dance and sing to the music of Chuck and Mud in Fellowship Hall on April 18th from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.  Chuck and Mud are one of Worcester's beloved folk duos. Tickets will be on sale in Fellowship Hall beginning Sunday, April 5th after the Service.  Advance tickets  $7.00 each with a family maximum of $20.00.  Tickets at the door $10.00 each with a family maximum of $30.00.

Refreshments will be available.  If anyone is available to bake contact:  Dianne Mann at djmann@charter.net

Invite your friends and their friends.  All proceeds will benefit the UUCW general funds.

UUCW is a barrier-free environment.  To request accommodations, contact:  djmann@charter.net

Click here to download this flyer!

 

Dianne Mann