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 continue at the following times and dates:

 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.

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

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   

Click  HERE to download and print a Workshop Flyer!

The film and first two sessions of the ESCALATING INEQUALITY workshop series have taken place with a small but loyal and enthusiastic following.  The last session on March 31st focused on "HOW INEQUALITY DRIVES INJUSTICE", and we had a good discussion of the many factors adversely affecting the poor, working and middle classes.  It was nice to see that there were many people from the downtown church who participated in this combined effort of both UU churches in Worcester.

Our next workshop, "HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO PROMOTE EQUALITY" will take place on Tuesday, April 21st at our church in the lounge. We will hear on video from experts and activists about how to remain sane and engaged for the long haul in the fight for equality of income, access and opportunity in this country.

If you're often wondered what you can do to change this country's course and direction, this workshop is for you!!  We will share resources and discuss strategies for change which help alter the balance of power between everyday people and some big corporations which treat their workers shabbily and pay sub-par wages.

So, come and be part of the solution!  Hope to see you on Tuesday, April 21st in the lounge at our church!

ACTION ITEM:  UUMass Action will be part of a larger day of advocacy on behalf of immigrants, incarcerated people, and in service of promoting more equal access to the fruits of this bountiful country on April 14th at the State House in Boston.  There is a free bus going from Worcester.  Please contact Joan McGinn at celts1600@gmail.com if you are interested in going.  THANKS!!!

Joan McGinn, chair, Escalating Inequality Task Force; Mara Pentlarge  Joe DelGizzi, Paul Ropp   Randy Ingham

A memorial service for Ida Mary Stone, mother of Margos Stone, will be held at the UUCW on Friday, April 24, at 11:00 a.m. All are invited to attend. Further information about Ida Stone can be found at www.ricefuneralhome.com.

One of the things I love about this church is our ability to support and nurture the greater local community.  For example, our congregation does an awesome job providing IHN with the support they need to help those that need it most.  In the coming weeks, we will have the opportunity to provide them with this support.   Here are three opportunities coming up you may be interested in participating in:

1)       IHN Flash Shoe Drive:  The May IHN Shoe Drive is happening again this year!  Bring your gently used footwear such as shoes, sneakers, boots, skates, sandals, etc.  Pairs need to be tied or banded.  Collection will start Sunday, May 3 and go through Sunday, May 31.  Drop them off before church in fellowship hall.  The less-used shoes will be passed on to those in need.  The more-used shoes will be recycled.

2)      The Central Mass Housing Alliance Walk/Run for the Homeless:  Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Elm Park. 5K Runner registration begins at 12:00, Walker registration begins at 1:00, Walk/Run begins at 2:00 pm.  Join us after the Walk/Run for food and live music provided by the Chuck & Mud Band!   Join the UUCW team and/or make a donation:  Click HERE.

3)      We will again be hosting the IHN starting Sunday, May 31 through Saturday, June 6.  Email me or stop by Fellowship Hall beginning May 3 to sign up to be a dinner or overnight host and/or to help pay for groceries for the week.

Thank you in advance for being there for the IHN!

 

I am still smiling about our beautiful weekend.  I had the additional pleasure of bringing a group of Coming of Age teens and their mentors into Boston on Sunday to take the UU History Tour!

 

 

 

This Sunday we will have a Spring Fling One Room School House!  We will be focusing on nourishment.  We will be baking for coffee hour, making bird feeders,, and ask you all to bring in a food item for a child or family that may be struggling to keep themselves nourished this spring.  We would love canned fruits, soups, veggies, peanut butter and jelly, fruit juices, and pasta sauce.

 

 

Sunday, April 19 - One Room School House - Spring Fling! Food Drive!

 

10am  Children will be dismissed to fellowship hall following the children's coin and food collection.  All children will attend a One Room School House  (possibly going outdoors, weather permitting).  Spirit Play children will report to their classroom first and will be brought into fellowship hall by their special helpers.

 

Please have sunscreen and coats on your back at dismissal.  Thank you!!

 

There will be no COA this Sunday.

 

Youth Group-  5 - 7:30 pm Meet at Nu Cafe for Get Real Teen Council - Sexual Health Trivia Night.  Bring $ for food / smoothie.   This will be in place of YG.  

Robin Caracciolo, 

Director of Religious Education 

Sunday April 19 at 3:30 pm

We gather this week for the next two lectures on Islam "Islam in the West" and "The Future of Islam" by John L. Esposito, Ph.D., Professor, Religion and International Affairs, Islamic Studies, Georgetown University.  This course continues to be open to all interested in the study of world religions.  

For more information, please contact Aaron Payson.

The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is one of the our hallmark social justice programs at UUCW.  Our Pantry served an average of 60 people per month last year.  Over one-half of our clients are on fixed incomes (either social security retirement income or disability).  These are the people who are making those difficult decisions between food or heat, food or rent,food or prescription drugs, etc.  Over the five years the Pantry has been in existence here we have come to know the stories of our regular clients.  They can be heart-breaking.  Our Pantry also serves anyone who calls in to the Church on an emergency basis.  These cases can be even more difficult.

Once a year the 50/50 offering is designated for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Financially we exist as a separate entity from the Church and are charged to be self-supporting.  We are hoping that you will be able to support the Pantry financially during the Service on Sunday, April 19th.  Thank you for all your donations:  your food, your time and your money.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns at (508) 963-0183 or djmann@charter.net

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.