The UUCW Message
September 15, 2015
In This Issue

Current News at UUCW 

Office Notes and Flyers



Office Hours
(Sept 1, 2015 - 
June 30, 2016):
Mon, Tues, Wed: 
9 am - 3 pm
Thursday 9 am - 2 pm
(Closed 2nd Wednesday
Oct - May)

Gmail Users - Please note that if you stop receiving the Message, Nugget, and Weekend Reminder, check your Promotions tab in Gmail. Often, you will find that church emails are in there! Please click  HERE for more information. Please share this information with your fellow congregants if they mention they aren't getting the Message!

PLEASE NOTE: Our trash and recycling is generally picked up once a month. Please be sure to break down all cardboard boxes before putting them in the recycling dumpster so it doesn't fill up too fast!

 

Congregational Mission Statement

"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

We inadvertently left out Thanks in last weeks article to Jim McGrath who was a service presenter this summer and also Paul Marr who provided invaluable technical support!
 
Joys and SorrowsJoysSorrows 

We were saddened to learn of the death of Dorothy B. Hall, mother of Kris Hall, former Moderator of our congregation, who died on September 11, 2015.  Ms. Hall's obituary can be found HERE. Our deepest condolences to the Hall family.  Additionally, we were saddened to hear of the death of the brother of Holly Tabor-Hall, wife of Kris Hall, who died in West Virginia late last week.  
 

One of the exciting parts of the new Touchstones Ministry Themes program is the launching of Touchstones Small Group Ministry Groups.  These groups will meet regularly throughout the year to discuss the monthly themes published in the Touchstones Journal.  If you are interested in being part of a Touchstones Group, and/or becoming a leader/co-leader of one of our groups, please take a moment to fill out our short survey HERE.  We'll collect responses for the next month and hope to launch these groups in October 2015.
 
Touchstone Monthly Theme - Reverence
Daily Quotes for Sept 8 -13 TchstnQuotes
Day 15: "Let's think of reverence as awe, as presence in and openness to the world. The alternative is that we stultify, we shut down. ...This is our goal ...to help others have this sense of ...wonder, of seeing things anew, things that can catch us off guard, that break in on our small, bordered worlds."  ~Anne Lamott
 
Day 16: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." ~ John Milton
 
Day 17: "Science is ...about reverence, not mastery." ~Richard Powers
 
Day 18: "While arrogant intellect seeks to control and manipulate the world, the poetic spirit bows with reverence before its mysteries." ~Daisaku Ikeda
 
Day 19: "Reverence calls us to service. When we have a mindset of reverence, it seem natural to use our life energy to preserve, honor and elevate something greater than ourselves." ~Wisdom Commons
 
Day 20: 
"Bring nothing but silence 
 Show nothing but grace 
Seek nothing but shelter 
From the great human race. 

Take nothing but pictures 
Kill nothing but time 
Leave nothing but footprints 
To show you came by." ~John Kay 
 
Day 21: "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." ~Marcel Proust 

 
Save The Date! Crop Walk 2015!CropWalk 

Save the date for this year's CROP Walk!  Sunday, October 18, 2015
 
Once again, the UUCW will be putting on our walking shoes to join other congregations in the fight against hunger in our communities and the world.  Our own Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry along with the Wachusett Food Pantry will be the benefactors of 25% of the funds raised from the Walk.  Last year, Loaves & Fishes received $1,900!  The best year yet!
 
To start off the fundraising, Papa Gino's, 797 Main St., Holden will donate 20% of the sales on September 16, 2015 from 4-9 pm when you bring in the flyer provided with this Message (click here).  Take a break from making dinner and come support the Holden CROP Hunger Walk.
 
Beginning September 13, there will be information and sign ups in fellowship hall after church.  You may also pick up a Papa Gino's flyer.
 
Introducing SimpleGive!SimpleGive 

UUCW's New Online / Digital Giving Platform
 
For those of you who do your bill paying and giving online, now you can add UUCW to your list of online donations!
 
SimpleGive is an online giving platform that gives donors a variety of options to financially support the church.  Give one time or schedule giving throughout the year.  Become a registered user or give a quick donation without registering.
 
Now you can give right from your smartphone (iPhone click HERE, Android click HERE) or computer.
 
To reach the UUCW SimpleGive page click HERE.
 
Religious Education News
RE News For Early September 2015RENews 

Dear Families

It was great to see you on Sunday and look forward to our Rally Sunday gathering a week from this Sunday- August 27th.  On Rally Sunday, classes begin for all children and all of our teachers are dedicated .  This Sunday, September 20th we will be offering nursery care only during the service.  The service is multigenerational.
 
HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS


Many from our  High School Youth Group met for an informal fun gathering at Lazer Zone this past week.  It was an excellent evening and we are extremely excited to launch our new Youth Group year!  Our first official meeting is on September 27 -  6-8pm!           
 
 
Our TEEN OWL Class for grades 8 and 9 begins on September 27 from 3-6pm.  Your teen must pre-register for this class.  We are really thrilled to be gathering with two area Unitarian Universalist churches (First Unitarian- Main St Worcester and UU Church of Brookfield) to make this fantastic OWL experience even more dynamic.

Who , What, Where for  Children's RE Classes:  Starting September 27, 2015

Grade/AgeName of ClassLocation/Time
Age 0 - 3NurseryBack of Fellowship Hall
9:45 - 11:15 am
Pre-K, KSpirit PlayClassroom 1 (Closest to Sanctuary, 10:15 - 11:15 am
Grade 1 and 2Wonderful WelcomeClassroom 2 (middle classroom- enter through classroom 3)  10:15-11:15 am
Grades 3,4,5ConnectionsClassroom 3-( room closest to fellowship hall) 10:15-11:15 am
Grades 6 and 7Popcorn TheologyFellowship Hall 10:15-11:15 am
Grades 8 and 9In Service*, and OWLService 10 am, OWL in Fellowship Hall 3-6 pm through Jan 31st**
Grades 9-12In Service* and Youth GroupService 10 am, Youth Group in Fellowship Hall 6-8 pm

* If there is interest, we may have a "Breakfast Club" gathering during service for grades 8 and up** You must pre-register to participate in OWL.  Please contact Robin if you want more information.

If you have any questions regarding the program, would like info sent to you or a new family that you are referring to the church...please let Robin know.
 
Robin can be reached at Robinmitz2015@gmail.com,   church : 508-853-1942  cell: 508-868-7088.
 
Robin is usually at church all day/evening Sundays, on Mondays all day, and Tuesday-Friday from 3-6pm.  Evening appointments available upon request.

 See you soon!
  
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education
Sunday News
   

Sign Up To Be Part of a Sunday Morning Worship TeamSMWT
     
Worship at UUCW is the product of many voices, hands and hearts.  Each Sunday we look forward to hearing from each other about the important happenings in our lives and the world, and our worship experience is made rich and meaningful because of the variety of voices included in it.
 
We are looking for people to become part of one of our Sunday Morning Worship Teams as a Worship Associate (WA), Worship Reader (WR) or Chalice Lighter (CL) .  WAs work with the Worship Leader to help setting up the sanctuary prior to the service. WR work with the worship leader to  read the welcome, presenting the opening words, and sometimes introduce the offertory or assist with a ritual.  CL's work with the worship leader to provide the chalice lighting for the service. You do not have to have any previous training, we'll work with anyone willing to lend their presence to this program.
 
Congregation Leaders!  Do you have a special church program, project or group that you are promoting?  Becoming part of a Worship Team on the Sunday(s) before your activity gives you a moment to introduce the congregation to your activity.  
 
New to the congregation?  This is a wonderful way to become known and to have an opportunity to introduce yourself.
 
Willing to give it a try?!  Then please visit HERE to sign up on any upcoming Sunday morning.
 
Want more information or have questions? Please do not hesitate to contact our Minister. 

HosT Coffee Hour NewsHOST
     
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:

September 20Hospitality Team
September 27Board of Management
October 4SOUP Sunday with
Kristen Payson
October 11Loaves & Fishes
Food Pantry
October 18Youth Group including
 Youth Group Bake Sale


Ongoing Event News 
Lunch With The Minister - 
Wednesday, October 7 at noon!  LunchwMinister

Join us Wednesday, October 7 at Noon for Lunch with the Minister.  Bring a bag lunch and something to share if you desire. We'll have coffee and a place set for you in the lounge.  Come join the conversation and camaraderie!  No reservation necessary.


Readers Unite Afternoon Book Club - October 7!  AftBookClub

Our selections and meeting dates for the Readers Unite Book Group
on the first Wednesday of the month at 1pm, following Lunch with the Minister.
 
Oct 7: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Aaron)
Nov 4: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Audrey)
Dec 2: First Impressions by Charlie Lovett  (Nancy)
Jan 6: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (Kim)
 
Read a book and join our discussion group!


UUCW Evening Book Club Meets September 9 at 7 pm EveBookGrp
 
Join us this September 9th at 7:00 in the Lounge for UUCW's Evening Book Club.

Praise for Abraham Verghese's My Own Country: A Doctor's Story:
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee, the town of Johnson City had always seemed exempt from the anxieties of modern American life. But when the local hospital treated its first AIDS patient, a crisis that had once seemed an "urban problem" had arrived in the town to stay.
   
Working in Johnson City was Abraham Verghese, a young Indian doctor specializing in infectious diseases. Dr. Verghese became by necessity the local AIDS expert, soon besieged by a shocking number of male and female patients whose stories came to occupy his mind, and even take over his life. Verghese brought a singular perspective to Johnson City: as a doctor unique in his abilities; as an outsider who could talk to people suspicious of local practitioners; above all, as a writer of grace and compassion who saw that what was happening in this conservative community was both a medical and a spiritual emergency.
   
Out of his experience comes a startling but ultimately uplifting portrait of the American heartland as it confronts-and surmounts-its deepest prejudices and fears.

Evening Book Club Reading List:
My Own Country, by Abraham Verghese (Sue Crossley)
Gardenias, by Faith Sullivan (Nancy Hancock)
The Lady in Gold, by Anne Marie O'Connor (Judith)
Broken For You, by Stephanie Kallos (Cristina Heffernan)
The Innovators, by Walter Isaacson (Cristina Heffernan)
Girl in Transition, by Jean Kwok (Nancy Hancock)
Trapped Under the Sea, by Neil Swidey (Dianne Mann)
In the Heart of the Canyon, by Elisabeth Hyde (Nancy Hancock)
The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Gowda (Nancy Hancock)

Community News and Classifieds CommNews

Fall For Freedom Charity Golf Tournament - Denise Darrigrand
LGBT Asylum Task Force presents 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Click Here for Flyer, or contact Denise Darrigrand for more info.
Saturday September 26, 2015
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club
284 East Temple St., Boylston, MA


Apartment For Rent - Rachel Keyo
A two bedroom unit, with 1 bathroom on the 2nd floor of a well maintained 1914 Colonial Revival triple decker. The unit comes with a refrigerator, five burner stove/oven, washer and dryer hookup, an eat-in-kitchen, a butler's pantry, a parlor and living room, separated by french doors. There is yellow birch hardwood floors throughout the unit, with matchboard panelling and walnut woodwork. This unit also comes with a lockable storage room on the same floor. The dramatic hillside location provides excellent city views. Easy access to 290, 146 and MA-90. On the WRTA bus route, close to Central Hub and Union Station. Please see HERE for apartment listing.
Contact Information

Phone:

508-853-1942

Email:

office@uucworcester.org

 

 

Website:

www.uucworcester.org

 

Emergency Phone:

800-859-6404

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