The UUCW Message
April 19, 2016
In This Issue

Upcoming Events

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.

Upcoming Events at UUCW
Cosmology
Please CLICK HERE to download and print this flyer
2016 Annual UUCW Yard Sale - June 11! YardSale 

The date for this year's Yard Sale has been chosen - it will be on Saturday, June 11.  If you are interested in working either on set up or on that day, please let me know.  And, for all, please start setting aside all your goodies that you would like to give away this year - my goal is to make even more than the $7000 we pulled in last year.  More to follow...

Current News at UUCW
FY2017 Stewardship Drive ThanksStewardship

The following was shared with the congregation at Worship on Sunday, April 17 and has been adapted by Aaron. 

My name is John Odell and along with Cris Heffernan and Dave Showalter (with able assistance from Bob Whitney, Margos Stone, Denise Darrigrand and Aaron) make up this year's Pledge Committee. 
 
The Pledge drive has now ended.  The final results are:
 
# of Pledges = 121 (We were hoping for 140)
 
Pledge total = $192,025 (We set a high goal of $250,000)
 
First off THANK YOU to all who pledged.  Your generosity is what helps keep the lights on here at UUCW.
 
Second, if you have not pledged, please still feel free to do so - we will gratefully accept it.  We still have a few families to follow up with and will be making those contacts in the next few weeks.
 
Third, we did not raise as much as we had hoped, so next year's budget will be effected.  We will let folks know how much so in the coming weeks.
 
And lastly, thank you again from all who pledged.  Missing our goals hardly means failure.  The lights will stay on.  The ministries continue. I know I speak for everyone involved - we are truly grateful.  Thank you.
  
Special Thanks to Paul Marr for his creative talent and the production of the following video!!!!
 

News from the Loaves & Fishes Food PantryLFFPNews


Seven years ago the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry moved from St. John's Episcopal Church to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.  The Pantry began at St. John's serving 5 people a month over 20 years ago.  With the closing of St. John's, the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry needed to secure another location from which to serve the people in this area of Worcester.  I remember attending a meeting of those people at the Church who might be interested in the important ministry.  Today, we regularly see 60 families per month.  This ministry is a vibrant part of our Church. We not only distribute food once a month but also in an emergency.  You may not know this but we also distribute pet food so folks can help care for their beloved pets.  We recently began helping clients apply for SNAP benefits.  We are recognized as a fine Pantry and I was recently asked to speak at a meeting of the Worcester County Food Bank network meeting.  It's amazing what we do.  Thanks to all of you for your help and support.
 
Just this weekend, one of our Church teens, Miya Cohen, asked to do a special school project for our clients.  She wanted to do something on healthy eating for our clients with ingredients that they might receive here.  She baked oatmeal applesauce muffins and black bean, cheese and egg burritos for our clients.  Our clients pronounced them terrific and Miya gave out recipes to all who were interested.  Thank you, Miya, for thinking of them!  In case you don't recognize Miya, here she is with two of our clients and me!
 
Dianne, Miya, and LFFP Clients

If you are interested in seeing how you can help at the Food Pantry, email me at djmann@charter.net.  Or call at (508) 963-0183.  Who know what we can do together!
                      
Dianne Mann

A Kid Can Make a Difference!
Vernon's Birthday Party
We have a very cool member of our Religious Exploration program-  Vernon,  who  is in 2nd grade and who recently had a birthday.  He asked his friends to bring food donations for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry instead of gifts. 
 
 This past Sunday, I watched Vernon and his family haul in multiple bags of food to our collection bin.  It doesn't get any better than this!!  
 
Thanks Vernon for making a difference for folks who need food, and for helping your friends feel what it's like to do that too.  

On Thursday April 14 a small band of warriors met with Rep Kimberly Ferguson to discuss our concerns and desires to effect prison reforms so desperately needed. Along with Susan Tordella and Richard Bail from EMIT ( a UU organization to End Mass Incarceration Together) June Davenport, Judy Savage, Lynn Ritchie and Susan Crossley gathered at a coffee shop in Holden. We met for 45 minutes and discussed particular bills that if passed would raise the threshold for a felony conviction, provide alternate sentencing for primary caretakers, and place restrictions on solitary confinement. All these subjects were discussed in the End Mass Incarceration seminar presented by our Ministerial Intern- Beau Rivers. I want to personally thank Beau for opening my eyes to the systemic injustice of our " justice for all" system. Reading Michelle Alexander's book- The New Jim Crow was an eye opening and revelatory experience that has inspired me to action.         

Susan Crossley
UUCW Solar Panels UpdateSolarPanels

Things are quietly moving forward for getting solar panels up to make electricity from the sun. An engineer from Shrewsbury has approved the plan, and says the roof of Fellowship Hall is strong enough to support the panels, without any extra reinforcement. Endless Energy has sent us a Permit To Build, and an Electrical Permit. And our project manager tells me the install date will be mid to late June. So by some time this summer we will be generating clean electricity!

Mara Pentlarge
UU Connections - Spring and Summer EditionUUConnections

It's the time of year when some families think about planning for a vacation.  Perhaps a camp for the children and some adult recreation too.
 
Question: When is a vacation more than a vacation, and a camp more than a camp?
Answer: When it's infused with UU values and UU community!
 
Did you know that Unitarian Universalists run camps for children, adults and the whole family? There are three in New England, Rowe Center in the Adirondacks, Ferry Beach in Maine, and Star Island in the Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire.  There is also Camp Unirondack in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York.
 
What makes these camps unique?  These various websites cite their mission as "providing an environment that inspires people to explore responsible roles in the  web of life through physical, mental and spiritual challenges"."Youth are honored and empowered, learning to balance individual freedom with responsibility in the community in a fun, relaxed, creative environment". "It challenges campers to examine their beliefs, to value each campers' unique contribution and provides the development of a caring and inclusive community.".                                     
 
 Summer retreats for adults offer sharing, play, healing and transformation.
 
These facilities offer an all-inclusive and rustic eating and sleeping environment within the structure of a traditional summer camp, offering
swimming, boating, arts and crafts, campfires and cookouts. Children at camp often make lifelong friendships.
 
What's not to love? There are programs for singles, couples and families. Please investigate the camping experience that best matches you and  your child's interests and needs.  Then sign up enjoy a non-traditional vacation, one that can revitalize the whole family!

Joan McGinn UUA Liaison
News from the Interfaith Hospitality NetworkIHNNews

The UUCW's next hosting week is May 29 through June 4.  Thank you for your support in the past by hosting and/or contributing to groceries.  Sign up this Sunday!  Look for the easel with the volunteer schedule in fellowship hall to sign up for a slot to be a dinner or overnight host. 

 If you've never volunteered before or are still new at it, please see me or Robin and we'll be sure a veteran volunteer joins you to show you the ropes. 
 
Also part of our commitment, is providing $300 for the week's groceries.  You may make a contribution to me or Robin in person or you may click this link  to make a contribution through Simplegive

 Other fundraising projects UUCW is involved with for IHN include:

I. Shoe Drive: 

For the past couple of years, we have been collecting used shoes during the month of May.  This year gently used, clean shoes are requested for donation.  The shoes will be used to resell in third world micro-enterprises.  IHN benefits from $25 per bag of 25 pairs of shoes.

II. Walk for Homeless- May 15th:

We're looking to form a UUWC group to walk.  Sponsor/donation packets will be available in fellowship hall after church.

III. Capital Campaign:

So far, $135,000 in pledges have been raised through congregations, foundations, and individuals.  This has allowed the pay down of the house mortgage and a refinance reducing the mortgage payment to ½ their previous payment.  Do you want to help?  Contact Sue  or Robin 
 
Rep. Jim McGovern
Thanks to Vickie Cox Lanyon, Bart and Lee Hill, Sue Neaz, Robin Mitzcavitch, Dianne Mann, Kris Billiar and kids, Hermes Baez  and son for attending the Capital Campaign Brunch.  It was great to hear from Rep. Jim McGovern on how important the IHN initiative is to him.  how he has spent two overnights at the shelter, what he has learned about families, and info that he is bringing to Washington for advocacy.

Look for more IHN news in the coming Messages.  For further information, contact  sueneaz@townisp.com or 508-769-6150.

Thank you!
Sue

Sue Neaz 
 
Visit Our New Improved Website! NewWebsite

If you haven't seen it already, please visit www.uucworcester.org to view the new and improved UUCW website.  Thanks to a host of volunteer website junkies (Rachel Peckar, Cris Heffernan, Vickie Cox Lanyon, Betty Jenewin, Anna Bediako) working with our Office Administrator, Jennifer Landry and Aaron, we have launched and continue to develop our new website as a core component in our evolving strategic communications plan.  Forthcoming upgrades will include a members-only section, interactive adult faith development opportunities, and weekly communications that are more integrated with web content.  We welcome your feedback, which can be submitted through the "contact us" link on homepage.

Touchstone Monthly Theme - 
 
 
April Theme - Mindfulness
April 19 - 25 TchstnQuotes
 


April 19: "Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience."   Jon Kabat-Zinn
 
April 20: "You are your reality. You are the main individual, who can raise your mindfulness beyond the natural state of being. You are the main person, who can go into yourself, to know the real 'you.' Knowing the real 'you' is the best way to live in the present moment. That is enlightenment, what we call reality."   Gladys Adevey
 
April 21: "Mindfulness is intimacy with all things."   Jeffrey A. White
 
April 22: "It starts with a single breath and the present moment, but where it takes you is into the vast radiance of your true nature, into a magical, spacious life."   Narissa Doumani
 
April 23: "The mind which is reluctant to change or alter is 'ME and I.' The mind which is ready to get empty and altered is 'BUDDHA.'"   Aditya Ajmera
 
April 24: "Meditation is to be aware of what is going on: in your body, in your feelings, in your mind, and in the world."   Thích Nhất Hạnh
 
April 25: "With 70,000 thoughts a day and 95% of our activity controlled by the subconscious mind, no wonder that it feels as though we are asleep most of the time. To awake, we need to train ...Mindfulness."   Natasa Pantovic Nuit
Religious Education News
RE News For April 24, 2016
RENews 

Dear Families,

We had a wonderful "Mindful Sunday"  with the children.  They were able to try Shintaido, QiGong, and Zentangle.  I want to thank Debra Zaweilski, Nina Cerviatti and Laura Secor for jumping in to lead this experience. 
 
 Going forward, I will be looking for others who would love to share your passions with children during our One Room events.  The next one coming up will be our "BEE Friendly Sunday" on May 29th.  I am looking for bee enthusiasts, bee keepers and gardeners to help share info and projects with the children of UUCW.  Let me know,if this interests you and we can talk about how you can assist with our vision for "Bee Friendly Sunday!"  This will "bee" held during the church service from 10:15-11:15am.
 
Next Sunday is our final regular class for the year.  Your children will wrap up in their regular classrooms.  Beginning on May 1st, we will start our wonderful rotation classroom unit on "Connections".  We will be using one theme "Connection" and allowing children to explore it through 3 different experiences.  A) Connection to others through humor.  B) Community Weaving Project   C) Connection to nature though "Letter Poems".
 
Sunday April 24
10 am   All children begin in the sanctuary and will be dismissed to class following the Change for Change collection.
5:30 pm  YG Bridging Task Force Meets
6 - 8 pm Youth Group - Clay/games

Enjoy Pictures of our Mindful Sunday!
Shintaido - "Moving Like Seaweed" with Debra Zawielski
QiGong - Movement of Energy with Nina Cerviatti
Zentangle - Mindful repetitive patterns of beauty with Laura Secor and her daughter 

  
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education
Congratulations to our OWLETS as they Graduate!
OWL 

Big thank you to Rachel Keyo and Jennifer Moore -our 1st and 2nd grade OWL facilitators, and to our wonderful class. 
 
OWL  (Our Whole Lives -Human Sexuality) is an age- appropriate  comprehensive and important curriculum that UUCW is proud to offer all ages!  Next year:  OWL will be offered for grades 4-6!!


  
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education
Sunday News
 
HosT Coffee Hour NewsHosT
     
The Hospitality Team (HosT) thanks all of the members of the congregation who have provided food, labor and cash donations that have made our coffee hours so incredible.

At coffee hour we extend the hospitality we proclaim! Many people judge a congregation by its coffee hour hospitality - especially newcomers .  Please make it a point to speak to someone you don't know!

 
 
DateGroup on deck for hostingHospitality Team Contact
April 24Stewardship CommitteeRuth Silver
May 1Religious Education CommitteeRobin Mitzcavitch
May 8Men's GroupNancy Hancock
Ongoing Meetings OngoingMtgs
Join us Wednesday, May 4 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! 

Please join us after Lunch With The Minister on on the first Wednesdays in May, June, and September. Our next book selections are: Digging to America by Anne Tyler, with discussion on May 4. Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos with discussion on June 1. The Rise of Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt, with discussion on Sept 7.

Please join the Evening Book Club on Wednesday, May 11th at 7:00 in the Lounge to discuss Malcolm Gladwel's book, David and Goliath. Details to be announced. 

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, 05/13/16 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...Click to read more

The Hooks and Needles Group meets on alternating Mondays at noon (February 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.

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.
 
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!


Community News & Classifieds CommNews


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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