The UUCW Message
May 17, 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
 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...

2016 Annual Church Picnic - June 12, 11:15 am! ChurchPicnic 

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for our ANNUAL ALL CHURCH PICNIC, Sunday, June 12 following the Sunday morning Worship Service.  Cost is $5 per adult and a dish (not dessert) to share if you can.  We will provide the entrée (burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, etc.) , lemonade, and watermelon. Please join us for this fun annual event! The picnic is on rain or shine-we'll eat in Fellowship Hall if necessary. Please be prepared to help with cleanup before you leave.
 
We need a people to help in four ways:
 
PREP TEAM: to help with set up, light food prep service-slicing tomatoes, making drinks,  We will start about 9:00 am and be finished prior to the service at 10:00 am.
GRILLING TEAM: to set grill and run entrée items to the serving table (to start about 10:30 am)
STAFFING TEAM: set out food and monitor serving line, replenish food items and clear serving area (11:00 AM)
CLEAN UP TEAM:  to clean up tables and area, store left overs, clean a few dishes, etc. (to start about 12:45).
 
If you are willing to serve on any of the teams above, please Sign Up Here or email Aaron Payson (arpayson@charter.net)

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 


Ferry Beach Registration Time! - 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!

On line registration is available by following this link: http://goo.gl/forms/u3UGIJ4Rh3.  We encourage you to register and pay online.  You may also get a registration form from us at Fellowship Hour or email us for one.

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

Maya Desai & Sean Divoll 
 
Current News at UUCW
That All May Be Welcome - Accessibility and Inclusion Ministryaimnews

The AIM (Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry) team that has recently been formed at UUCW is working on a specific task; to complete a process that will lead to UUA certification as an AIM congregation. Long before we entered the certification process we had an Accessibility Task Force that identified and completed many action items including physical changes to our building to make it more accessible. We also worked on environmental and chemical sensitivity awareness, accessible material for people with low vision, and awareness of neurological, emotional and psychological issues. Over a decade ago, we installed an FM Assistive Listening System for people who are hard of hearing.
 
One major physical change has been to cut one of the pews in the sanctuary to allow a person who uses a wheelchair to sit among the congregation. Up to that point, wheelchair users had to find a space somewhere in the back of the sanctuary. We repurposed some of the wood removed from the pew to install a railing alongside the pulpit to provide assistance up the steps to the chancel. We recently asked for feedback from one of our congregants who is currently using the space. A suggestion was to further modify the end of the pew to reduce the barrier between the wheelchair user and the person sitting beside them in the pew. We are grateful to Bart Hill for his excellent craftsmanship in making these improvements to our sanctuary.
 
Since the FM Assistive Listening System was installed about 15 years ago, we have offered only one training/demonstration on how to use the various components of the system. We, therefore, have scheduled a training/demonstration for Sunday, May 29,  immediately following the service. All are welcome to learn and experience how they might benefit from this system. We especially invite people who have been using the system to attend and provide feedback on their experiences.
 
Please also note that a Sunday service highlighting our accessibility and inclusion ministry is being planned for May 29th. We hope you will be excited to learn more about this important ministry in our church.
 
We also welcome people to join the AIM team which includes Susan Crossley, Janet Cutman, Beau Rivers, Judy Savage, Sharon Templeman and Joan Webster

Judy Savage 
 
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 
 
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 17 - 23 TchstnQuotes
 

May 17: "Theological reflection is the most important activity a person can perform." ~ Vincent Cheung
 
May 18: "Searching for meaning through theological reflection is not easy, because it does not yield the security of absolute answers."  Patricia O'Connell Killen & John de Beer
 
May 19: "Liberal theology with its riskiness, its openness, and its tentativeness is not apt to fare well in a time of political crisis." ~ Bruce Southworth
 
May 20: "Theological reflection takes place within history, but the history within which it takes place is an ongoing, open-ended process." ~ David Novak
 
May 21: "True contemplation is not a psychological trick but a theological grace. It can come to us only as a gift, and not as a result of our own clever use of spiritual techniques." ~ Thomas Merton
 
May 22: "Theological discourse can be, in and of itself, a form of identity and solidarity." ~ Namsoon Kang
 
May 23: "We ignore the question of how we talk about and manifest theology in our congregations at our peril." ~ Engaging Our Theological Diversity

Religious Education News
RE News For May 22, 2016
RENews 

Dear Families,

This Sunday is the final rotation classroom.  We have been full of activity surrounding our theme of "Connection".   Check out the fun below . 
Also!  Stay tuned to our next adventure:  Sunday May 29th-  "Bee Friendly Sunday"-  To continue our discussion on our interconnectedness; children  will learn about bees from our special visitors and we will plant "bee friendly " sunflowers to grow  here on the front lawn of the church and also to bring home!!
 
Finally-  Have you registered for RE 2016/17 yet?   Thank you for REGISTERING HERE!  

Last Sunday's Adventures!


Science: How We Connect Through Humor





The Art of Weaving


Connecting to Nature Through Letter Poems


May 22 - Here is the rotation Schedule!

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


Sunday May 22nd-  
         
10am  -  All children begin in  the sanctuary and will be  dismissed to fellowship hall for the opening chalice lighting, then to their rotation classroom  (see chart above).  
Please pick children up in room noted above.  The grades 1-5 class could be out on front lawn , so please send coats if cool.
 
All families are invited to join in and weave a piece of fabric, or ribbon or yarn into our community web after the service!   See us on the front lawn!!
 
6 - 8 pm  Youth Group 
  
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education
Sunday News
 

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 22Women's Runaway Weekend TeamRuth Silver
May 29Members & Friends of UUCWJudy Savage
June 5Hospitality TeamRuth Silver
Ongoing Meetings OngoingMtgs
Join us Wednesday, June 1 at Noon for Lunch with the Minister.  Please bring a salad to share and we will have a June Picnic this month!. We'll have a place set for you in the lounge.  Come join the conversation and camaraderie!  No reservation necessary! ...Click to read more

Please join us after Lunch With The Minister on on the first Wednesdays in 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

Covenant of UU Pagans Summer Event 
Join UU Pagans from across the country this August 26-28 in Salem, MA for the first CUUPS Convocation in a decade! Titled "Awakening Our Tribe," there will be ritual and music and special guest speakers Shirley Ranck, John Beckett, Byron Ballard, CUUPS President Amy Beltaine, and Gypsy Ravish. Organizers are working hard with local businesses to provide special deals for convocation-goers For more information and to catch the early bird special, register at http://couup.roundtablelive.org/event-285450. Please click here to download a flyer for this event.

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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

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