The UUCW Message
January 12, 2016
In This Issue


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
Back By Popular Demand: 
The Cool Beans Coffee House! 
CoolBeansCoffeeHouse



Looking for a warm spot to get in from the cold?  Do you like a nice cup of java or tea while listening to a poem or a piece of music?  How about an evening with friends of the UUCW to help support the Interfaith Hospitality Network?  We have the evening for you:
 
This year's Cool Beans Coffee House will be held on Friday, Feb. 12th, from 7:00 - 9:30.
  • Calling all performers:  Dianne Mann will be serving as our "talent scout" once again.  If you need an accompanist, our Director of Music, Jerry Bellows will be glad to accompany you.  Generally we ask people to prepare a five minute spot.     If you are interested in performing, contact:  Dianne Mann at djmann@charter.net as soon as possible.  She'll be back from Florida on Jan. 17th looking to recruit acts in Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.  If you need an accompanist, let Jerry Bellows know at jerbellows@aol.com in order to arrange practice.
  • Last year's group of talented performers included poets and magicians - so - put on your "Miss Universe Talent Competition Hat" and hope Steve Harvey makes the right call!    --Dianne
  • Tickets:  You can get tickets for the low price of $7.00 each with a family max of $20.00 if you purchase prior to Feb. 10th.  Tickets at the door will be $10.00 each with a family max of $30.00.  Coffee and tea are free and the youth group baristas will have those available along with goodies for sale.
  • ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE COFFEE HOUSE GO TO BENEFIT THE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK.  This is the family shelter the Church supports both financially and, perhaps more importantly, with volunteers who help staff the shelter several weeks during the year during evening and nights.  One of our weeks is Jan. 24 - Jan. 30.  If you are interested in volunteering, contact:  Sue Neaz, at sueneaz@townisp.com . 
 
Robin, Sue and Dianne are looking forward to a great evening.  We hope you can make it.  Please contact Robin Mitzcavitz with any additional questions.

News from the UUCW Choir 
ChoirNews

Last Sunday morning, as we all stood and sang "I Know This Rose Will Open" a capella, I realized what a wonderful 'voice' this congregation has. The singing was vigorous and made a beautiful blend of sound. We were raising our voices to 'make a joyful noise' together. We were "pickin' up good vibrations' from each other. Singing together can be a powerful way to build our community.
 
Have you though about singing with the choir?  Making music with others can be an enriching experience. We are reinstituting regular Thursday night rehearsals (7:15-8:15pm) beginning this week and would love to have you come join us, lending your spirit to the task of enriching the worship services on Sunday mornings (promptly at 9:00am).  
 
By the way, I'm overjoyed to have been called to the UUCW to lead the music portion of the worship services.

Jerry Bellows , Sabbatical Music Director
Game Night is Back! 
GameNight



Friday  January 29th  6:30-8:30pm
 
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! 
  Hi everyone!   Game night and potluck is coming up very, very soon!  That was fast!  I  had such a great time at the last one ... I know this one will be equally as fun!!  Come on your own, bring a friend , bring your family, and  have a relaxed and stress-free time getting your game on!
 
This is for everyone!   A FUN , FREE  EVENING OUT!
 
                   Bring a game to share!                Bring a potluck dish!   
             Not interested in cooking?  Bring $5 each for pizza and drink.
 
So we know how many games, seats, pizzas needed...please click on the link below and fill out the google form.   This is very helpful for planning and much appreciated!
 
 
If you have any questions...contact Robin Mitzcavitch!
 
Interfaith Hospitality Network Host Week
January 24 - 30, 2016 IHNNews
 
Please support the continued good work happening at the Interfaith Hospitality Network, 91 June Street, Worcester by volunteering to host an evening or overnight slot during the week of January 24-30 and/or make a contribution towards groceries for the week - typically $300.  The schedule is posted in Fellowship Hall and details are available.   You may also email me directly to sign up.  Please see me or Robin Mitzcavitch to volunteer/make a contribution or mail your check to me directly at 6 Browning Road, Shrewsbury 01545.
 
Thank you for your continued support.
 
Hooks & Needles Group Moving to Mondays starting February 1 HooksNeedles
 
Beginning in February, this group will be meeting on alternating Mondays at noon (February 1, 15, and 29, March 14, 28, etc.)   in a classroom.  Bring your projects - knitting, crochet, cross stitch, quilting, to work on.  Or if you wish to do a prayer shawl or lap robe, we have yarn and patterns available. Want to learn a needlecraft?  We will be happy to teach you.
 
Touchstone Monthly Theme - 
January Theme - Non-Violence
January 12 - 18 TchstnQuotes
 

Jan. 12:  "Peace is a deeper reality than violence." ~  Stanley Hauerwas
 
Jan. 13: "Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs.... There can be no peace on earth without ...inner change...." ~  Thomas Merton
 
Jan. 14: "The non-violence practiced by men like Gandhi and King may not have been ...possible in every circumstance, but the love that they preached ...must always be the North Star that guides us on our journey." ~  President Barack Obama
 
Jan. 15: "When I feel angry, I want to say something mean, or yell, or hit. But feeling like I want to is not the same as doing it. Feeling can't hurt anyone or get me into trouble, but doing can.." ~  Cornelia Spelman

Jan. 16: "A society which discards those who are weak and non-productive becomes a society without a heart, without kindness-a ...sad society ...given to competition and, finally, violence." ~  Jean Vanier

Jan. 17: "I consider non-violence to be compassion in action..... It is to act without violence, motivated by compassion, recognizing the rights of others."   ~ Dalai Lama XIV

Jan. 18: "His headstone said / FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST / But death is a slave's freedom. / We seek the freedom of free men / And the construction of a world / Where Martin Luther King could have lived and / preached non-violence" ~ Nikki Giovanni
Religious Education News
RE News For January 17, 2016
RENews 

Dear Families,
 
The Religious Education Committee are very excited about our  upcoming
All church read discussion on January 24th in the lounge following the service during coffee hour.  There will be goodies and discussion about The One and Only Ivan.  This will be facilitated by Loree Griffin Burns and is intended for all ages !
 
The Re Committee is also thrilled that we will again run the MYSTERY PAL program again!.  Start signing up for it this week in Fellowship Hall!  Who will your mystery pal be?
 
Congratulation to our Teen OWL class .  They graduated this past Sunday from their intensive program!  I would like to thank Mara Pentlarge, Louisa Kunhardt Proulx, Lydia Proulx, Paul Kelly, and Kate O'Dell for facilitating this large group.  What a gift they have given to our teens!


 
Next up for OWL-  Our children in grades 1 and 2 are eligible for OWL beginning here on February 28th.  Stay tuned for details!
 
Sunday January 17th
 
RE Classes continue
                
10am-  All children begin in the sanctuary and will be dismissed following the children's "Change for Change"  collection.
 
Youth Group-  6-8pm in Fellowship Hall.

  
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education
One Church, One Book - 
Our Annual All Church ReadOneChurchOneBook 

We hope everyone is enjoying their read of The One and Only Ivan! 
 
On Sunday, January 24th  - come join our multi-generational discussion of this book in the lounge with Loree Burns during coffee hour and a bit after!  We will have goodies in the lounge.
   

What is Mystery Pals?  Mystery Pals are pairs of pals made up of one young person and one adult or teen who do not know each other's identity. This is a multi-generational community-building project that has shown great success in many other UU communities,and this year, we have decided to run it again!  This project is closely managed by the Religious Education Committee.  Pals who sign up to participate and are matched to each other by the committee.  START SIGNING UP THIS SUNDAY- through February 13th.
 
What do Mystery Pals do?  Mystery Pals communicate with each other through the exchange of notes, drawn pictures, cards, riddles, puzzles, baby pictures, hints about identity, and small trinkets.   The main thing is to stay in touch and remain a mystery! All communication is managed by the RE Committee.
 
How do Mystery Pals keep in touch?   Beginning on  February 14th come to Fellowship Hall with your first piece of mystery pal mail and put it in the giant mailbox.  The following week, not only will you mail something again, , you will check in with the Mystery Pal Postmaster and collect the mail that your Mystery Pal has mailed to you!  The Religious Education Committee will ensure that everyone receives their communication weekly after the notes have been reviewed!
 
When do the Pals find out the identity of each other?  Identities will be revealed during our Mystery Pal Reveal Party on April 3rd directly after the service.    FUN FUN FUN.  It's all about the connections we make in the world!!  Sign up right away!  And especially before February 13th.
 
We are excited for another fun run of The Mystery Pal event!!
   
Sunday News
     

January 17 50/50 Collection - LGBT Asylum Task ForceFiftyFiftyCollection
     
The LGBT Asylum Support Task Force is a group of dedicated volunteers in Central Massachusetts who provide support those for who are seeking political asylum in the U.S. based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Since 2007, the Task Force has helped more than 100 individuals.
Asylum seekers are vulnerable and traumatized individuals who have fled to the U.S. in fear of being killed or harmed in their countries of origin due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The violence resulting from homophobia and anti-homosexuality laws in many countries in the world is rampant.

Because most asylum seekers are not permitted to work during their legal process, they do not have the means to support themselves. They often arrive in the U.S. with nothing but the clothes on their backs having used all of their resources getting here. Moreover, they remain particularly isolated because frequently they cannot turn to people from their own country in the U.S. for assistance or support as it is their fellow countrymen from whom they are fleeing.

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!   
 
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:
January 17Nursery &
Spirit Play Classes
January 24To Be Announced
January 31To Be Announced
February 7Soup Sunday &
IHN Task Force
February 14Wonderful Welcome Class

Ongoing Event News 
Evening Book Club - January 13, 7 - 9 pm, Lounge  EveBookGrp

Join us this January 13th at 7:00 in the lounge for UUCW's Evening Book Club.

Following his blockbuster biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson's New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed The Innovators is a "riveting, propulsive, and at times deeply moving" (The Atlantic) story of the people who created the computer and the Internet.

What were the talents that allowed certain inventors and entrepreneurs to turn their visionary ideas into disruptive realities? What led to their creative leaps? Why did some succeed and others fail?

The Innovators is a masterly saga of collaborative genius destined to be the standard history of the digital revolution-and an indispensable guide to how innovation really happens. Isaacson begins the adventure with Ada Lovelace, Lord Byron's daughter, who pioneered computer programming in the 1840s. He explores the fascinating personalities that created our current digital revolution, such as Vannevar Bush, Alan Turing, John von Neumann, J.C.R. Licklider, Doug Engelbart, Robert Noyce, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, Tim Berners-Lee, and Larry Page.

This is the story of how their minds worked and what made them so inventive. It's also a narrative of how their ability to collaborate and master the art of teamwork made them even more creative. For an era that seeks to foster innovation, creativity, and teamwork, The Innovators is "a sweeping and surprisingly tenderhearted history of the digital age" (The New York Times).

Evening Book Club Reading List:
January: The Innovators, by Walter Isaacson (Cristina Heffernan)
February: Girl in Transition, by Jean Kwok (Nancy Hancock)
March: Trapped Under the Sea, by Neil Swidey (Dianne Mann)
April: In the Heart of the Canyon, by Elisabeth Hyde (Nancy Hancock)
May: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Building Giants, by Malcolm Gladwell
          (Judith Lazar)



Lunch With the Minister - 
Wednesday, February 3 at Noon!LunchwMinister

Join us Wednesday, February 3 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 - February 3!  AftBookClub

Our next book is Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Mongomery. We will discuss the book on Feb 3rd at 1:15pm.

Next month: Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand with discussion on March 2.



Men's Group Meeting,
February 12, 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, 02/12/16 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.


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?
 
Please CLICK HERE to view and download more information about this workshop series, including a schedule.

Rev. Sarah C. Stewart, Minister, First Unitarian

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.
 


Greater Worcester Humanists - Linda Miller, Co-Chair of GWH Steering Committeee
"Secularism 2016" will be the topic of the next meeting of Greater Worcester Humanists on Tuesday, January 12 at seven P.M. in Fellowship Hall at the church.  Social hour at 6:30.

American Humanist Association legal director of the Appignani Humanist Legal Center David Niose will discuss the state of secularism in America today. He'll discuss recent developments in church-state separation law, including major precedents from the Supreme Court and various lawsuit in which the AHA is currently involved. He'll also discuss the American secular movement, the emergence of the atheist-humanist demographic, and its impact on politics and society. Niose has served as president of both the AHA and the Secular Coalition for America, and is author of two books about secularism and politics.  

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Justice & Compassion Book Discussion Group @ Marlborough & Hudson UU Church
The Justice & Compassion Book Discussion Group at the Unitarian Church of Marlborough & Hudson invites all to join us in reading our January book, Sustainable Happiness: Live Simply, Live Well, Make a Difference, edited by Sarah Van Gelder and the staff of YES! Magazine. Sustainable Happiness shares the best of 18 years of YES! Magazine articles on happiness, offering "fascinating research, in depth essays, and compelling personal stories ... showing us that real well-being is found in supportive relationships and thriving communities, opportunities to make a contribution, and the renewal we receive from a thriving natural world. In the pages of this book, you'll find creative and practical ways to cultivate a happiness that is nurturing, enduring, and life affirming."

We will meet to discuss the book at the church (80 Main St. in Hudson) on Tuesday,  Jan. 19, from 7:00-9:00 pm . Copies of the book are available at the Hudson Public Library on their Book Club bookshelf or for sale at amazon.com. For more information, please visit ucmh.org or call 978-562-9180.
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Upcoming Nat Needle Music - Nat Needle nat@natneedle.com
Wed., Jan. 20, 6:30-8pm: Take Down The Wall Café; Nat emcees this monthly 3rd Wed. Open Mic inclusive of performers and audience with and without disabilities. 454 Grove St., Worcester, in the rear of the Starbucks parking lot (former Boston Billiards building, now Worcester HQ for Alternatives, our sponsor). Admission and refreshments free (donation welcome).  
 
Fri. Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, 5:30-7:30pm: Thank Friday It's Dr. Nat; Nat plays piano and sings vintage jazz tunes. No cover. Nick's, 124 Millbury St., Worcester.

 



Contact Information

Phone:

508-853-1942

Email:

office@uucworcester.org

Fax:

508-853-2065 

Website:

www.uucworcester.org

 

Emergency Phone:

508-853-1942 

ext. 108

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