The UUCW Nugget
June 22, 2016
 
Office Hours
(Sept 1, 2015 - 
June 30, 2016):
Mon, Tues, Wed: 
9 am - 3 pm
Thur. 9 am - 2 pm

2016 Summer hours (July 1 - Sept 5 - Closed August 2 & August 15): 
Tuesday, 9 am - 1 pm 



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.
 
Summer 2016 Worship Schedule
Sunday, June 26 - Sunday September 4


 
Summer Services at UUCW are a unique opportunity to worship and share in an informal environment.  Beginning on June 26 through September 4, folks will gather at 10:00 am (10:30 am on June 26) in our air conditioned lounge for a service conducted by a member or friend of the congregation. While there is no child care or Religious Exploration Program for children during the summer, these services are family friendly and people of all ages are welcome.  Please see below for a list of services this summer.
 
June 26 - (10:30 AM) - Worship from UUA General Assembly, Columbus, Ohio
We'll gather in the lounge and partake of the worship experience with thousands of other UU's at General Assembly this week in Columbus, Ohio.
 
 
July 3 - What's on Your Mind? with Joan Webster
On this holiday weekend, we'll gather for a conversation potpourri.  
 
 
 
 

July 10 - The Evolution of the Big Bang into Us with Mike Mallary.
I will discuss how a huge number of aspects of physical law had to be as they are for anything like us to have evolved out of the raw energy of the Big Bang anywhere in this huge universe. So, either a creator had to get it just right with a lot of effort in order to get a universe with spontaneous creativity.  Or we have the one universe in a zillion that happens to be just right to produce the incredible creativity that we see around us. Either way, we have won the Jack Pot called Existence. We have a deep obligation be part of this ongoing creative process. We should go with its creative flow and not go around stomping on the flowers.
 
July 17 - Songs of Hope and Courage (with thanks to Russ Kay for the idea) with Joan McGinn
There are times in all our lives when we look to both friends and music to get us through hard times.  In this summer service, we will join friends to look at some of these songs that carry us through the proverbial dark night of the soul. We will explore multiple musical genres - folk, hymns, rock and reggae, and we'll celebrate everyday heroes, including ourselves.  Joan will share some of her favorite songs with lyrics, and invites participants to bring their own song and lyrics to share (15 copies for distribution). Come join us for a service that will have us dancing in the aisles and setting our souls to rest with these redemptive songs.
 
 
July 24 Sharing the Burdens of War with Mary Monica Miner
My reflection compares the way the burdens of WWII were shared by the whole populace and what has happened since with the Vietnam War and now Iraq and Afghanistan.  We would examine what ways might be taken to expand the burdens to the greater society and what our Principles might suggest in how to look at this question.
 
July 31 - The Music in My Life with Chuck Innis 
I have played around with the guitar and autoharp since I was a teen and gotten much personal pleasure from them, with a fair amount of spirituality.  My sons had a friend record me professionally several years ago.  I have also been playing at open mike nights and at jams at our library with favorable feedback. I would also encourage those who have had similar experience to come with their instruments - we can play together or take turns.
 
August 7 - Being the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are with Debbie Merrill
What are your goals to be a better you?  How do you reach those goals when life gets busy or when your old self goes on autopilot?  Please join us for a discussion on how we can get beyond our comfort zones and be our best selves.
 
August 14 - Jane Hirshfield and the Tao Te Ching with Laura Secor
Jane Hirshfield is the author of six books of poetry, most recently After (HarperCollins, 2006), which was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize, and Given Sugar, Given Salt (2001), a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and winner of the Bay Area Book Reviewers Award among many other honors.  We'll explore her poetry in light of the eastern traditions that are illumined by her work.
 
August 21- Lessons from the Road: Travel and Spirituality with Matthew Johnsen
Having returned from a sabbatical that took him to 20 countries this winter/spring, Matt will explore this experience with us and the lessons and insight he gained along the way.
 
 
August 28 - Grace with Jim McGrath
What is Grace?  Is it a state of being, an act of kindness or forgiving?  Is it just a religious phenomenon? Let's talk about it.
 
 
 
 
September 4 - What's on Your Mind? With Joan Webster
On this holiday weekend, we'll gather for a conversation potpourri.

Summer Office Information
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A few housekeeping notes before summer:
 
Summer office hours, starting July 5, will generally be on Tuesday from 9 am - 1 pm. I will not be here, however, on August 2 & August  16, as I will be doing a bit of traveling this summer (and therefore working from the road), so I suggest calling 508-853-1942 before you come if you will need something from the office, or even scheduling an appointment by email or phone. Phone messages will be checked daily, email more frequently. Regular office hours will resume on September 6.
 
Message News: There will be one more Message, next week (June 28) - If you have any summer announcements you want to get out there, please get them to me by Monday at 9 am!  The mid-Summer Message will go out (if we have anything to share) on July 26. The deadline for articles for it is 9 am that morning! 
 
Have a safe and happy summer everyone!
Jennifer Landry, Office Administrator 
Contact Information

Phone:

508-853-1942

Email:

office@uucworcester.org

Fax:

508-853-2065

Website:

www.uucworcester.org

 

 

 

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