The UUCW Message
October 20, 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

This past Saturday we had yet another successful distribution.  But we also asked our clients to fill out a survey about how well we're doing and other food items they would like to have available.  So, for all of you who already contribute or for others who would like to start - here is their list.  These are all things we can't get at the food bank so if you could consider contributing them it would be greatly appreciated!  Sugar, flour, gluten free items, rice, spices, cleaning supplies, juice, Spanish food, Mediterranean products.  Thank you!
 

Thank you and congratulations CROP Walk Church Peeps for your outstanding performance on Sunday walking for the hungry. I'm so proud of UUCW and the work we do for the clients of our Loaves & Fishes food pantry. Keep on walking! UUCW raised $1,822! 92 Walkers from seven congregations raised over $12,000! !    Thank to all who sponsored walkers and for the Youth Group Bake Sale and those who purchased goodies.  It's all good!  What a team!

 
Sue Neaz and the CROP Walk

Dear Friends,


 The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester is excited to announce applications for participation in our annual Craft Fair.   We have had great participation in the past and expect the same this year.  We look forward to the opportunity to work with you and hope to see you there!

This year's fair will take place on November 28 at our church at 90 Holden Street, Worcester, MA.   Prices for a table are $40 for an 8' table, $30 if you bring your own table (no larger than 8', or $30 for a 6' round table).  Please note that all items must be handcrafted. 
              
Please contact Jenny Delgizzi at gizzi71@yahoo.com  for the registration form, then return your registration form promptly to optimize your experience at the Craft Fair.  In years past all tables have been taken by mid October !  We hope that you will join us at the UUCW Craft Fair this November to help create another vibrant and successful event for all!.  See you there!!  
 
Jenny, Denise, Sharon and Kim
 
Jenny Delgizzi and the Craft Fair Team

The New Jim Crow:
Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
 by Michelle Alexander
 
Book Discussion Series
"More African Americans are under the control of the criminal justice system today - in prison or jail, on probation or parole - than were enslaved in 1850. Discrimination in housing, education, employment, and voting rights, which many Americans thought was wiped out by the civil rights laws of the 1960s, is now perfectly legal against anyone labeled a "felon." And since many more people of color than whites are made felons by the entire system of mass incarceration, racial discrimination remains as powerful as it was under slavery or under the post-slavery era of Jim Crow segregation." 
 
Alexander explains how the criminal justice system functions as a new system of racial control by targeting black men through the "War on Drugs" and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. The author argues that nothing short of a major social movement can end the new caste system. And her call is being answered through the rise of a grassroots organization called "Jobs Not Jails."
 
Join us in reading The New Jim Crow*
  • Learn how the new racial caste system developed in the United States
  • Develop strategies to expose the injustice of mass incarceration
  • Advocate for legislative reform to end racial discrimination
*SPECAL GUESTS will include social activist, Benito Vega
 
7:00 - 9:00 PM
 
SESSION I   - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13   - Read Introduction and Chapter 1
SESSION II  - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20   - Chapters 2 and 3
SESSION III - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27   - Chapters 4 and 5
SESSION IV - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3  - Chapter 6
  
Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester
90 Holden Street  Worcester, MA
508-853-1942

Please CLICK HERE to download a flyer.
 
Beau Rivers, Ministerial Intern

What can we do about racism today? It is clear to us that the struggle for racial equality and justice in our country continues. Especially if we identify as White people, we need more opportunities to understand racism and explore what steps we can take to become anti-racist allies.
 
This book and movie discussion will invite us to explore race and racism in America through novels, essays, feature films and documentaries. We will explore historical moments and our present realities. We will follow themes from work to work: What is beautiful? How are dark-skinned bodies treated in America? How can racial equality be pursued and achieved? What has changed since the Civil Rights Movement, and what work remains to be done? As people of faith, what can we do?
 
These discussions are for all members and friends of First Unitarian Church, of all racial identities. Feel free to bring your friends-no formal connection to the church is needed. They are open to adults and youth, although youth will need permission to watch R-rated movies. You can attend one or all of the discussions. Of course, the more sessions you attend, the fuller your experience will be.
 
We'll meet in the Landers Room. All discussions take place at 7 p.m. on Monday nights throughout the church year. Feature films will be screened the night before their discussion, on a Sunday night at 7 p.m. Feel free to attend the movie screening (popcorn and some themes to think about overnight will be provided) or to watch the movie on your own.
 
At the end of the year, we'll conclude with a worship service and an opportunity to think about next steps. I look forward to gathering with you for these important conversations.

All Gatherings begin at 7 PM in the Landers Room:

September 28     Book Discussion     The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

October 25          Movie Screening     Do the Right Thing (rated R) 
October 26          Movie Discussion   Do the Right Thing 

November 9        Book Discussion      Between the World and Me 
                                                                                 by Ta-Nehisi Coates 

December 6         Movie Screening     Slumdog Millionaire (rated R) 
 December 7         Movie Discussion    Slumdog Millionaire 

 December 14        Book Discussion     Faces in the Bottom of the Well 
                                                                                by Derek Bell 

 January 10            Movie Screening     West Side Story (Unrated) 
 January 11             Movie Discussion   West Side Story 

 January 25            Book Discussion     The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan 

 February 7           Movie Screening     Caesar Chavez (rated PG-13) 
 February 8           Movie Discussion    Caesar Chavez 

 February 22          Book Discussion          TBA 

 March 13              Movie Screening           TBA 
 March 14              Movie Discussion          TBA 

 April 11                 Documentary Screening and Discussion   TBA 
 April 25                Documentary Screening and Discussion   TBA 
 May 9                   Documentary Screening and Discussion   TBA 

 May 23                 Closing Worship Service


Rev. Sarah C. Stewart, Minister, First Unitarian
Touchstone Monthly Theme - 
Reason
October 20 - 26 TchstnQuotes

Oct 20: "Man stands face to face with the irrational. He feels within him his longing for happiness and for reason. The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world." ~  Albert Camus

Oct 21: "Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it." ~ Ayn Rand

Oct 22: "All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason." ~  Immanuel Kant 

Oct 23: "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into." ~  Jonathan Swift 

Oct 24: "The human brain is a complex organ with the wonderful power of enabling man to find reasons for continuing to believe whatever it is that he wants to believe." ~  Voltaire

Oct 25: "Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason."  ~ Andrew Solomon 

Oct 26: "I mean, you could claim that anything's real if the only basis for believing in it is that nobody's proved it doesn't exist!" ~  J.K. Rowling

Religious Education News
RE News For October 25, 2015RENews 

Dear Families

     Thank you to all the families who participated in any way to make our CROP Walk last weekend a huge success!  It takes a strong team to do what we do...and we sure had one!



This coming Sunday , October 25 th is our Annual Trick or Treat for UNICEF and Penny Carnival.
 
How it works: 
  • Kids dress up in appropriate, non-scary costumes and bring a small bag of pennies with them.
  • As they enter the sanctuary, they should grab a UNICEF Trick or Treat box.
  • When announced , children will "Trick or Treat" up and down the  aisles and pews to collect money for UNICEF.
  • Children are then dismissed to the "Penny Carnival " that will be run in Fellowship Hall.  They will use the pennies they brought from home to play fun carnival games, and crafts and win small prizes.
  • We will talk about where all the pennies and money collected in their boxes will go and what good things it will do for children just like them, but who live in difficult circumstances around the world.
  • Please pick your child up from fellowship hall directly after the service.
  • Children in Spirit Play ( pre-k and k) will meet at the Spirit Play class as usual upon dismissal and be brought to the carnival and watched over by special helpers.
 
 
Sunday October 25
  • 10am-  All families begin in the sanctuary and children will be dismissed to the "Penny Carnival" following the "Trick or Treat for UNICEF".                
  • **Please note, there will be a remembrance service in the sanctuary for adults after the children are dismissed.  If your child chooses to stay in the sanctuary, please note the subject matter:  "We honor the wisdom and insight of our ancestors. All are invited to bring a photo or memento of a loved one who has passed to set on the altar during the service."
  • 3-6pm Teen OWL
  • 6-8pm Youth Group-Cooking for Liberty/  silly games

  
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education
Sunday News
 
Join us for this special service as we honor our ancestors.
All are invited to place a photo or memento on our altar of love and memories in the front of the sanctuary 
If you do not bring a photo or memento, you may choose to write their name on the special paper provided.
 

Presented by Greater Worcester 
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. 

Ongoing Event News 
Lunch With The Minister - 
Wednesday, November 4 at noon!  LunchwMinister

Join us Wednesday, November 4 at Noon for Lunch with the Minister.  Bring a bag lunch and something to share if you desire.
OR. . .Nancy Hancock will provide roast turkey breast and pumpkin pie for $3.00 a person.  Please RSVP Nancy (win@wshancock.com) if you want turkey and pie!

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 - November 4!  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.
 
Update: We are swapping our November & December reads to give everyone a better chance to read each book. New schedule:
Nov 4: First Impressions by Charlie Lovett  (Nancy) 
Dec 2: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Audrey)
Jan 6: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (Kim)
 
Read a book and join our discussion group!


Evening Book Club - November 11, 7 - 9 pm, Lounge  EveBookGrp

Join us on November 11th at 7 pm in the Lounge for UUCW's Evening Book Club. November's selection is The Lady in Gold, by Anne Marie O'Connor. Please click the link for information on this book.

Evening Book Club Reading List:
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)


Men's Group Meeting,
November 13, 7 - 9 pm, in the Lounge MensGroup 

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. Our next gathering will be in Fellowship Hall on Friday, 11/13/15 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.

All-Church Photo - April 10, 2016 ChurchPhoto 

The photo representing the 2015-16 church community is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, 2016, immediately after service.   This is the photo that we've often taken in the fall; this church year we will be taking it in the spring.  We invite everyone to be present for this important photo.


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.
 
Reminder about Fundraising! Fundraising 

Please keep in mind that one of our fundraising programs is the two bins across the street in our parking lot for books and clothing.  We actually make very good money from this endeavor!  So, as you're doing your fall cleaning or whatever, please take a minute to fill the bins as well as you can!

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.
 

Contact Information

Phone:

508-853-1942

Email:

office@uucworcester.org

 

 

Website:

www.uucworcester.org

 

Emergency Phone:

800-859-6404

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