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.

UPDATE: 

As the time nears for the Yard Sale I wanted to provide a few more logistics.  Drop off of items can begin starting Wednesday evening, June 3 from 5 - 8 p.m., Thursday from 9 am to 7 pm and Friday from 9 am - 3 pm. Please bring them to Fellowship Hall.  Please try to ensure that things are clean and in good shape.  Spread the word to friends and neighbors!!!

 

Congratulations to our Ginger Stefany-Jackson and her parents Sarah Stefany and Don Jackson.  Ginger was blessed by our church community on Sunday during her child dedication!  Please take time to welcome Ginger and her family!

 

Thanks so much to all who supported my Walk for the Homeless.  I raised over $800 to benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network Family Shelter and Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance.  I wanted to let you know that the families that are currently living in the shelter were walking alongside of us with their children in strollers and on foot.  Also, I saw 3 families that used to live in the shelter, who have since obtained permanent housing by being in the IHN program.  They were also walking and volunteering at the walk.  One family told me they walk because they could never repay what IHN has done for them to get them back on their feet.  It was wonderful!!

 

We walked by the beautiful shelter at 91 June Street.  The families do a wonderful job with the upkeep of this great house, which is in a great neighborhood.  Have you volunteered yet??  You should try it.  We are covering the first week of June!!  See me or Sue Neaz in Fellowship Hall!

 

IHN Shelter, 91 June Street Worcester

 

Sunday, May 24, Memorial Day

 

10 am One Room School House-  Memorial Day - Following the children's coin collection, all classes will gather in fellowship hall to talk about Memorial Day and also  how we can remember people that may not be getting enough food to eat.  We will do special work and projects together.

 

 

6 - 8:30 pm Youth Group - Memorial Day/Night Walk

Robin Caracciolo, 

Director of Religious Education 

Robin Caracciolo, 

Director of Religious Education 

Sunday May 31, 2014 will be observed as New Member Sunday.  On New Member Sunday those who have decided to become members are called forward to pledge their support for UUCW and to sign the Membership Book.  If you are interested in becoming a member, we invite you to join on May 31. 

Thoughts On Membership

We are changed by any community we choose to join. Becoming a member of UUCW is about making a commitment to support and shape this congregation; it is also about opening yourself to be shaped within the context of this community.

Why Join?

Joining the church is a formal sign of commitment to our community.  With it goes an understanding of both service and financial support, as you are able, to our community.  It means lending your energy and talents to grow our young people, care for our elders, fight for our beliefs and passions, laugh together, cry together, and mark our transitions together.   It buoys and strengthens the community-and that means each and every member-to know that we share a common bond.

Membership allows you to be a voting member on concerns vital to our church community.  At Annual Meeting members vote to approve a budget, to accept new leaders, and to change by-laws affecting our governance.  Historically our members have voted on important congregational questions such as whether to offer two services on Sundays, to install the rainbow window or to change the size of our Board of Management.

Path to Membership

While there are no formal tests to becoming a member of this church, we encourage you to follow this path. 

• Get to know us by attending worship services, fellowship events, classes and other programs.
• Participate in a Deepening Conversation with a Member Services committee member.
• Attend a New U class to meet other newcomers and learn about Unitarian Universalist history and principles, our ministry programs and the responsibilities and benefits of membership.
• Set up an appointment with the minister.
• Discuss with us the amount of financial support you expect to be able to give the church for the remainder of the current fiscal cycle.

If you are interested in becoming a member on May 31, please contact Rev. Aaron Payson arpayson@charter.net no later than Thursday, May 28.

If you are interested in joining but cannot attend on May 31 or are uncomfortable standing in front of the congregation, signing the membership book can also be done privately at any time.   Talk with Aaron or any member of the Member Services Committee to arrange this.

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)      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!

Please come join us in the Lounge on 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