The UUCW Message
September 13, 2016
In This Issue

Upcoming Events


Current News at UUCW


Office Notes and Flyers

 


Office Hours
(Sept 6, 2016 - 
June 29, 2016):
Mon, Tues, Wed: 
9 am - 3 pm
Thursday 9 am - 2 pm
 
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
FallBBQ 
 
 
Looking for a great meal and some fun?  Join us for a finger-licking good, fundraising dinner.  We'll be cookin' up some genuine Southern style ribs, barbeque chicken, veggie burgers, German coleslaw, beans, cornbread and watermelon at this fundraising feast.  There will be tea and lemonade.  BYOB if you want.  Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 per child with a family max of $50.00.  Ticket sales on Sunday,  Sept. 11th and 18th in Fellowship Hall after services or by emailing the Church office to reserve a spot at office@uucworcester.org or by CLICKING HERE.
 
Not only will there be great food, but there will be great entertainment.  The Hip Swayers will be playing from 6:00 - 7:00.
 
We look forward to a great time.  Invite your friends and neighbors.  Just make sure you let us know in advance if you will be here.  We need to order the right amount of food. 
 
If you can help set-up, serve or clean up, contact:  Dianne Mann at djmann@charter.net.
 
Any questions contact:  Aaron Payson at arpayson@charter.net or Dianne Mann at djmann@charter.net.

 
 
Come watch the Presidential Debates at UUCW.  We'll gather in the lounge to view the debates and share in refreshments and conversation. Let's demonstrate our covenant and values by creating a safe space for people to gather across the political spectrum to share the experience of the debates.  Bring a snack to share and we'll gather!  For more information contact office@uucworcester.org.
 
 
Monday, September 26, 2016
First presidential debate
Moderator: Lester Holt, Anchor, NBC Nightly News
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

The first debate will be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on major topics to be selected by the moderator and announced at least one week before the debate. The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. Candidates will then have an opportunity to respond to each other. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.

*Wright State University in Ohio has withdrawn from holding the First Presidential debate due to budget issues. Hofstra University will step in to host the first Clinton/Trump debate.Tuesday, 
 
October 4, 2016
Vice presidential debate
Moderator: Elaine Quijano, Anchor, CBSN and Correspondent, CBS News
Location: Longwood University, Farmville, VA

The Vice Presidential debate will be divided into nine time segments of approximately 10 minutes each. The moderator will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.
 
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Second presidential debate
Moderator: Martha Raddatz, Chief Global Affairs Correspondent and Co-Anchor of "This Week," ABC 
Moderator: Anderson Cooper, Anchor, CNN
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which half of the questions will be posed directly by citizen participants and the other half will be posed by the moderator based on topics of broad public interest as reflected in social media and other sources. The candidates will have two minutes to respond and there will be an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate further discussion. The town meeting participants will be uncommitted voters selected by the Gallup Organization.
 
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Third presidential debate
Moderator: Chris Wallace, Anchor, Fox News Sunday
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

Religious Exploration and Education at UUCW
 
Current News at UUCW
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
September Theme - Worth and Dignity
September 13 - 19 TchstnQuotes
 
  

September 13: "There can be no reproach to pain unless we assume human dignity, there is no reason for restraints on pleasure unless we assume human worth, there is no legitimacy to monotony unless we assume a greater purpose to life..." ~ Ravi Zacharias
 
September 14: "I believe in human dignity as the source of national purpose, human liberty as the source of national action, the human heart as the source of national compassion, and in the human mind as the source of our invention and our ideas." ~ J.F. Kennedy
 
September 15: "Your dignity can be mocked, abused, compromised, toyed with, lowered and even badmouthed, but it can never be taken from you." ~ Shannon L. Alder
 
September 16: "Without dignity, identity is erased." ~ Laura Hillenbrand
 
September 17: "If you are trying to transform a brutalized society into one where people can live in dignity and hope, you begin with the empowering of the most powerless. You build from the ground up." ~ Adrienne Rich
 
September 18: "Have you ever tried to get to your feet with a sprained dignity?" ~ Madeleine L'Engle
 
September 19: "No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem." ~ Booker T. Washington

Sunday News
Weekly Worship WeeklyWrsp
 
 
HosT Coffee Hour News HosT
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!!



Please note that the Fellowship Hours for September 18 will be potluck. Please bring in prepared fruit or vegetables or a savory or sweet item (no nuts, please) to share. The Hospitality Team will provide the Fair Trade coffee, tea, water, juice and dairy. It would be appreciated if you could also assist with set-up or clean-up.  A member of the Hospitality Team is always present to answer questions or to help in any way.

Ongoing Meetings Ongoing
Join us Wednesday, September 14 at Noon for Lunch with the Minister.  Please bring a salad to share and we will have a September Picnic this month! We'll have a place set for you in the lounge.  Come join the conversation and camaraderie!  No reservation necessary! Drinks and Dessert will be provided! After this first Lunch, all other in the 2016-2017 church year will fall on the first Wednesday of the ...click to continue

 

Readers Unite Afternoon Book Club - September Selection We will meet at for a book discussion on Wednesday, September 14th at 1:15 p.m. following the Luncheon with the Minister. Our September book is The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan.

Join the evening book group on September 14th at 7:00 in the Lounge to discuss Philip Hallie's non-fiction book, Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed: The Story of the Village of Le Chambron and How Goodness Happened There (described below). During the most terrible years of World War II, when inhumanity and political insanity held most of the world in their grip and the Nazi domination of Europe seemed irrevocable and ...click to continue



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 

Greater Worcester Humanists First Meeting of New Season - Sept 13, 7 pm, Fellowship Hall - Linda Miller, Co-Chair, Greater Worcester Humanists Steering Committee
PATHS to HUMANISM
 
Join Greater Worcester Humanists for our annual "Paths to Humanism" meeting where we will feature four speakers from our community:  Lillian Corti, John Meyer, Judy Savage, and Tim Spindler.  They will be sharing their individual experiences coming to humanism.  Everyone's journey is different and views differ on what it means to be a humanist.  We will encourage attendees to ask questions of the speakers about their experiences.  As always, there will be a lively discussion.
 
At 6:30 dessert and coffee will be provided as a "Welcome Back" to GWH followed by our biennial election of members to the GWH Steering Committee.

Abby's House - the best kept secret in Worcester! - Denise Darrigrand
For the past year and some, I have had the pleasure of volunteering at Abby's House, along with other members of our congregation.  I work in the thrift store which has a lot of clothing along with household goods and a limited amount of men's and children's clothing.  We only sell clothing that is gently used and of very good quality.  The best part is that all of the proceeds go to benefit the women who live in the house as well as 5 other shelters.  We have great stuff - from high end brands (Chico's, Ann Taylor, Talbot's) to the more day to day such as Land's End.  And the prices are incredible - $3.50 for tops, $4.50 for sweaters, $5,00 for coats and jeans, $4,00 for shoes, etc.  The thrift store is located at 52 High Street and is open Monday through Saturday.  I encourage you to come by and check out what the store has to offer - it is for a very good cause!!!  
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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