The UUCW Message
May 10, 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
 PastaDinner 

Tickets available during Fellowship Hour following service on Sunday, or by CLICKING HERE.

Dinner includes a pasta buffet with at least 3 different pastas and 5 sauces (marinara; bolognese; black olive, artichoke heart and mushroom; alfredo; and gourmet asparagus, pine-nut and cream), salad, dessert (apple crisp and a surprise).  Wine will be available for a donation.
 
Interested in helping?!!  We are looking for a few more people to assist with setting up Fellowship Hall on Saturday afternoon May 14. If you are willing to help please contact Aaron (arpayson@charter.net) asap.  Thanks! 

Cosmology
Please CLICK HERE to download and print this flyer
 CircleDinner 

Please click HERE to download and print this flyer.
 IHNFamilyDay 

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...

tent-camping-view.jpg
UUCW Summer Camping Events - 
August 26/27 & 27/28 CampWeekend 
 
Separate FATHER/DAUGHTER AND FATHER/SON CAMPING EVENTS are scheduled for August 26/27 (daughters/girls) and August 27/28 (sons/boys).  Activities include cooking on a campfire with games and story-telling.  The event is open to those identifying as men, and any young people that they know well and would like to bring.  All ages are welcome, but children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult.  The event will be held at Trout Brook Reservation in Holden.  Do not let a lack of camping experience or equipment stop you, as many involved have extra experience _and_ equipment!  The cost for the site for each night ($100 total) will be split among the participating men.  Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can properly plan:
 
For Father/Daughter camping night:  Craig Van Batenburg, 508 400 4657 or Craig@fixhybrid.com
For Father/Son camping night:  Dave Schowalter, 508-688-7008, schowalter_david@hotmail.com 


Current News at UUCW
Summer Services Ministry Team FormingSummerSvc

Our series of Summer Sunday Services will begin on June 26 and run through September 4.  Services are at 10 am. This series of 11 services is typically lay-led and often followed by a roaming fellowship hour/lunch at a local restaurant.  Our Summer Services Ministry Team seeks Presenters, people to offer a Summer Service presentation on a topic of your own choosing; people to serve as Sunday Assistants who would work with the presenter of the week to set up the lounge space and to help present parts of the service as desired by the presenter, and Service Coordinators who would be responsible for opening and closing the building, taking attendance, submitting pew sheets and securing the offering for the day.  If you are interested in serving in any of these capacities, please CLICK HERE.

Rev. Aaron Payson 
 
Time to Start Planning for Ferry Beach Weekend! - September 16 - 18, 2016FerryBeach

Many of us begin the church year with a weekend of retreat and reflection at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine (http://www.ferrybeach.org).The weekend is affordable and open to everyone. We join together with friends from First Unitarian for beach walks, dancing, polar dip, jumping rope, time to rest, a talent show, and a campfire!

Mark your calendars now for September 16th - 18th, 2016.  We will be taking registrations during our coffee hour after services in May and June. Prices include dorm style accommodations, food and activities. Camping is also available! We hope you'll join us this year!

Please ask your Ferry Beach Coordinators, Maya Desai or Sean Divoll divolls@verizon.net if you have any questions.  

Maya Desai & Sean Divoll 
 
News from the Interfaith Hospitality NetworkIHNNews

The UUCW's next hosting week is May 29 through June 4 and we just about filled the slots.  Thank you!  UUCW also commits to providing $300 for the week's groceries.  We are on our way to accomplishing this goal with your help.  You may make a contribution to me or Robin in person or you may use this link  and click 'Quick Give' to make a contribution through Simplegive.  Under My Donation, be sure to select 'IHN Grocery Funds' in the dropdown menu.

Other fundraising projects UUCW is involved with for IHN include:

I. Shoe Drive: 

During the month of May, bring your gently used, clean shoes to fellowship hall and place in the designated bin.  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.

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

Thank you!

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
May Theme - Theological Reflection
May 10 - 16 TchstnQuotes
 

May 10: "May our minds be granted greater comprehension so that our hearts may be filled with deepened affection." ~ Bruce Ware
 
May 11: "The church ...is being called to... renounce its ... attachment to sexism, racism, and classism. These ...have wounded the church and ...world for far too long. Painful self-reflection, repentance, and much theological work are needed to retrieve the egalitarian ethos of the gospel." ~ Elaine Heath
 
May 12: "The ...drive for justice-making lies at the core of my theology... the belief that we-humans, not God-are responsible for making and sustaining a just world." ~ Engaging Our Theological Diversity
 
May 13: "Our theology must be demonstrated, not only by our words but, more importantly, by our actions." ~ Freeman-Smith
 
May 14: "In ...contextual theologies ...[says] Samuel Rayan "...practice and theory, action and reflection, discussion and prayer, movement and silence, social analysis and religious hermeneutics, involvement and contemplation, constitute a single process." ~ David Bosch
 
May 15: "Theological discourses function in various ways as sites of contestation and resistance, of forming new religious and personal identities, and of building solidarities." ~ Namsoon Kang
 
May 16: "The distinction between faith and theology is itself a matter for theological reflection." ~ Francis Cardinal George


Religious Education News
RE News For May 15, 2016
RENews 

Dear Families,

We continue with our Rotation Classroom this week and the theme of Connection.



May 15May 22
Science of Humor
Fellowship Hall		Grades 1 - 5Grades 6 & 7Ana
Art of Weaving
Rooms 2 & 3 and front lawn		Spirit Play Age
elements/weaving		Grades 1 - 5
elements/weaving		Nora and Jane
Poetry and Nature
Room 1 (Spirit Play Classroom)
Grades 6 & 7Spirit Play ageRobin/Laura

Thanks to all who participated this past Sunday for our Mother's Day service and Flower Communion.  We had a lovely "Tying Meditation" - writing mothers' and caregivers' names on strips of fabric, and tying them onto our "warp" of the emerging community weave web.  

Community Weaving Project: Forever Forming The Great Web


Week 2 Progress!

Sunday May 15th-  
         
10am  -  All children begin in  the sanctuary and will be  dismissed to fellowship hall - for our opening chalice lighting, then to their rotation classroom  (see chart above).  Children can be picked up in the classroom assigned following the service.  
 
Youth Group 6-8pm  Hosting the  Shrewsbury Muslim Student Association for pizza and conversation 

  
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education
Sunday News
 

New Member Sunday Scheduled
Sunday, May 15, during WorshipNewMemberSunday

A New Member Ceremony has been scheduled for Sunday May 15 during the morning worship service.  If you have been thinking about joining our community we invite you to consider it at this time. 

On Membership
The New Member Ceremony is an opportunity to participate in a ritual of introduction, covenanting with the congregation and signing the Membership Book.  Joining the church is a formal way of showing your support for the principles of Unitarian Universalism and our community.  Signing of the book can also be done privately at any time.   Talk with the minister or Denise Darrigrand to arrange this.

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 also allows you to be a voting member on concerns vital to our church community.  This includes approval of how we spend our money, leadership in this community, and a vote on questions such as moving to two Sunday services.

Path to Membership
While there are no formal tests to becoming a member of this church, there are a few steps you might consider. 
  • Get to know us by attending worship services, fellowship events, classes and other programs.
  • Attend a NewU Program or other event for newcomers to meet other members and friends of the congregation 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.
  • Sign the Membership Book.
  • 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 joining, CLICK HERE.
 
Thank you!


Aaron's 25th Ordination Anniversary - Sunday, June 5, 2016AaronOrdin

It has been 25 years since Aaron was ordained as a minister and plans are underway to celebrate the occasion!

It will take place during church on Sunday, June 5th (Annual Meeting is June 5th also, so there are two important events that Sunday.) We'd like you to participate!

If you want to help with the party planning process, or have ideas about it, please let Mara know.

If you were here 17 years ago when Aaron came to UUCW we'd love for you to share your memories with Mara.

And finally, you can congratulate Aaron on this. He knows about the plans!
Thanks - Mara Pentlarge 508 963-8683
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
May 15Parish Service CommitteeJudy Savage
May 22Women's Runaway Weekend TeamRuth Silver
May 29Members & Friends of UUCWJudy Savage
Ongoing Meetings OngoingMtgs
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

Join us Wednesday, June 1 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: Sing Them Homeby Stephanie Kallos with discussion on June 1. The Rise of Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt, with discussion on Sept 7.

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

SARAH HAIDER TO SPEAK AT GREATER WORCESTER HUMANISTS - Tuesday, May 10, 7 pm
Linda Miller, Co-Chair, Greater Worcester Humanists Steering Committee
 
Sarah Haider, Director of Development for Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA), will address Greater Worcester Humanists at the monthly meeting, May 10, at 7:00 P.M. in Fellowship Hall at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden Street.
 
Ex Muslims of North America advocates for acceptance of religious dissent, promotes secular values, and aims to reduce discrimination faced by those who leave Islam.  Sarah is concerned to find a middle way between anti Muslim bigotry on the one hand and granting Islamic religious ideology and social attitudes a complete exemption from criticism on the other hand.
 
About her talk, "Intellectual Honesty, Dissent, and the Challenge of Islam," Sarah says:
 
"In an increasingly heated political climate, the conversation around Islam often obscures rather than clarifies.  The hostility against Muslims is ignored by right-wing sources and used as a cudgel to shut-down all criticisms of the faith by others."
 
"Similarly, the issues within Islam, the scripture itself and Muslim religiosity and social attitudes, are emphasized or ignored depending upon on one's politics rather than a quest for honesty. The challenge that Islam poses is much broader than national security - but one which concerns the lives of a billion and a half individuals who reside under theocratic regimes harkening to the Middle Ages.  How can we revitalize this conversation?"
 
Sarah is an American writer, speaker, and activist. Born in Pakistan and raised in Texas, Sarah spent her early youth as a practicing Muslim. In her late-teens, she began to read the Quran critically and left religion soon after.
In 2013, she co-founded Ex-Muslims of North America, where she advocates for the acceptance of religious dissent and works to create local support communities for those who have left Islam.
 
In addition to atheism, Sarah is particularly passionate about civil liberties and women's rights. You can reach Sarah at sarah@exmna.org, @SarahTheHaider and read more about EXMNA at www.exmna.org.

**************************************

Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Summer Conference, August 12-14 in Amherst, MA - Nicole Belanger, Communications Dir., NOFA?Mass nicole@nofamass.org
Cultivating the grassroots organic movement with three days of organic immersion, with 200 workshops to empower, educate, build skills and confidence. Immerse yourself with like-minded practitioners and curious learners eager to share their inspiration and ideas for organic food, farming, health, activism, and beyond. Young people can build their organic vision for the future at the children and teens conferences. Keynote speakers are Leah Penniman, food justice activist and farmer at Soul Fire Farm, and André Leu, international organic agronomist and President of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements. Scholarships, work exchange and group discounts are available. www.nofasummerconference.org.



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

UUCW Facebook

UUCW Twitter