The UUCW Message
October 11, 2016
In This Issue

Upcoming Events


Current News at UUCW



Office Notes and Flyers

 


Office Hours
(Sept 6, 2016 - 
June 29, 2017):
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

On Thursday, October 13,UUCW is hosting an information session for anyone interested in learning more about the Congregational Assistance Program sponsored by the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.  The meeting will be at 6 pm at UUCW .  If you are interested in this program, please CLICK HERE.  Thanks much!  Aaron Payson
 
Do you want to help those struggling with addiction? Would you like to understand more about the mental health and addiction issues that your neighbors, family and friends may be experiencing? Would you like to reach out and help others? 
 
The Congregation Assistance Program and the (CAP) would like to help you gain more knowledge and connection with your community with the issues facing our society today. CAP sessions train individuals in organizations, churches and businesses to raise awareness of the real impact of addictions, gambling and suicide prevention. Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of behavioral health issues and the local resources that are available to help. This is not a clinical training, but will train you to recognize the possible warning signs and how to help.
 
WHY CAP ?
Faith communities have the unique ability as well as the opportunity to identify and assist individuals and their families suffering from the throes of addiction and other mental health problems. Since these congregations already possess the human and spiritual resources to help, CAP simply provides the training needed to provide troubled parishioners with the tools necessary to start on the path to recovery.
 
CAP Benefits
* Empowerment 
Enables Faith-Based Ministries to be active participants in prevention and early-intervention activities for their congregations.
* Advocacy
Promotes changes in attitudes about addictions, substance abuse and other mental health issues.
* Encouragement
Provides outreach and support for families affected by addiction.
* Learning
Provides congregations with educational and addiction prevention materials.
*Helps identify other community resources that may be underutilized.
 
How CAP works
CAP trains individuals in faith-based organizations to provide support and assistance to individuals and their families struggling with addictions such as alcohol, drugs and gambling as well as other mental health issues.

CAP provides free in-depth training with prevention professionals on topics including substance abuse, problem gambling, mental health and suicide prevention. Available local treatment options, community resources, referrals and ongoing support services are discussed. The end goal is the creation of early intervention teams within a congregation that are available to provide guidance, support and hope for its parishioners in need.

Holden CROP Walk Hunger is Coming! - Sunday, October 16, 2016. CropWalk 
 
 
It's not too late to join Team UU Church of Worcester for the annual Holden CROP Walk this Sunday, October 16.  Join our church community with other Holden church communities to end hunger one step at a time.  You can still sign up to walk and also to make a donation by clicking this link to go directly to the church's CROP walk webpage:  https://www.crophungerwalk.org/holdenma/uuchurchofworcester
 
You can also participate by purchasing baked goods the youth group will be selling and/or purchasing trinkets made by women in third world countries to raise funds for the Walk.  During the time between the church service and the Walk, we will be serving pizza and holding an activity for all those that would like to participate.  We will then head over to Immanuel Lutheran Church at 12:45 for registration.  The Walk begins at 1:30.  Join us after the Walk for music and refreshments including soup and goodies.
 
Don't miss your opportunity to get to know members of the congregation.  For additional information, contact sueneaz@townisp.com or 508-769-6150 or Mimi at  marymetzgerallen@aol.com or 413-362-9494.

Sue Neaz, CROP Walk Coordinator
Come Watch With Us!
ViewParties   
 
Viewing parties in the past few weeks have brought people together at UUCW to learn more about efforts during WWII by Unitarian's to assist in smuggling people out of war zones (Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War) and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidate's Debates.
 
Join us next Wednesday @ 9 pm for the last Presidential Debate.  Bring a snack to share if you like and we'll continue our game of "Presidential Debate Bingo"! 

Presidential Debates at UUCW - 
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.
 
Debate Schedule (Read more by CLICKING HERE)
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
RE News for October 16, 2016 RENews

 
Current News at UUCW
Parish Service Team Congregational SurveyPSTSurvey
 
The Parish Service Team is seeking additional congregational resources to assist in a variety of its ongoing efforts to support members and friends of UUCW during times of personal need.  Please take a moment to fill out our short survey (CLICK HERE) and indicate those ways in which you are interested/willing to assist your friends in this congregation.

Thank you,

Susan Crossley and the Parish Service Team
Joys & SorrowsJoysSorrows
 
In Memorial - Steve Jasperson
 
Stephen Newell Jasperson, age 75, of Plymouth, MN, formerly of Holden, MA, passed away on October 5th surrounded by his loving family.
 
Steve was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI to Newell & Helen Jasperson and grew up on the family cranberry marsh. Growing up on the marsh cultivated a sense of curiosity and a love of freedom and exploration that continued throughout his life. He attended a two-room schoolhouse in grade school and was valedictorian of his class at Port Edwards High School. He earned his BS degree in physics from the U of Wisconsin, Madison, where he met his wife, Ann. He continued his education at Princeton University, where he earned his MS and PhD degrees in physics. He completed post-doctoral research at the U of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana before joining the physics department faculty at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA.  Read More. . .

From The Food PantryLFFP
 
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we are busy putting plans together to make it an excellent one for our clients.  Just as you are beginning to think about what you might serve, we encourage you to thinks about our folks and donate to the Pantry in order to help them have a bountiful Thanksgivings.  On Sunday Oct. 16th, and again on Sunday, Oct. 23rd, we will be distributing the recyclable grocery bags we use to help remind you to collect Thanksgiving items for the Pantry.  We hope the bags will remind you to bring in items our clients will be glad to receive.  Put in what you can;  some veggies, instant potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, a quick bread mix, dessert, etc.  The children in Religious Exploration will be collecting the bags on Sunday, Nov. 6th, and Sunday, Nov. 13th,  to sort items so that each client gets a special "Thanksgiving Bag" on the day of our big Thanksgiving Distribution.  On that day, we can expect to see almost 100 people.
 
In addition, it would be great if you would include a $10.00 gift card to either Price Rite or Price Chopper supermarket.  These are the markets our folks prefer and will enable us to continue our tradition of assisting our folks toward the purchase of a turkey.
 
Please contact Dianne Mann, at djmann@charter.net or (508) 963-0183 if you have any questions or concerns.

From Your New CollectorCollector
 
I have taken on the responsibility of being the collector for the church.  Basically what that means is that I pick up all the various monies that come into the church, categorize them, do a report so the money goes into the right accounts and then deposit the money in the bank.  It would be very helpful to me if you write a check to the church to put on the memo line exactly what the funds are for - i.e. pledge, RE, Minister's Discretionary, Food Pantry, etc.  That way I can ensure that you get credit for contributing to your intended account.  Thanks so much.

Touchstone Monthly Theme
October Theme - Emotional Intelligence
October 11 - 17 TchstnQuotes



October 11: "There is no weakness in being able to love fully. It takes courage, tenacity, and an emotional intelligence that most people are incapable of." ~ Alafia Stewart
 
October 12: "Shift your attention, and your emotion shifts. Shift your emotion, and your attention shifts." ~ Frederick Dodson
 
October 13: "Our emotional mind will harness the rational mind to its purposes, for our feelings and reactions-rationalizations-justifying them in terms of the present moment, without realizing the influence of our emotional memory." ~ Daniel Goleman
 
October 14: "We all have the same pallet of emotional paints. It is how we pigment them on the canvas of life that dictates our artistry." ~ Ged Thompson
 
October 15: "Emotions are the richest source of energy we possess." ~ Karla McLaren
 
October 16: "The essence of all spiritual life is your emotion...." ~ The Dalai Lama
 
October 17: "Emotional intelligence begins to develop in the earliest years. All the small exchanges children have with their parents, teachers, and with each other carry emotional messages." ~ Daniel Goleman

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!   
 
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!

Date
Group on deck for hosting
Hospitality Team Contact
October 16Youth GroupRobin Mitzcavitch
October 23Afternoon Book Group/
Hooks & Needles		Nancy Hancock
October 30Religious Education CommitteeRobin Mitzcavitch


Looking For Help Greeting NewcomersGreetNew
 
As you know, we sit at a table in the lobby and greet newcomers each Sunday.  The process is basically that - you welcome them, ask them to fill out a nametag if they would like, and ask them to sign the clipboard when it comes around.  If they have children with them, there are RE materials for you to give them.  As I can't promise to be at church every Sunday I'm looking for a few people to staff the table on Sunday mornings.  If you are interested please let me know and I will get back to you with more specifics.  We are looking to grow our membership this year and a warm greeting for first timers goes a long way.  Thank you!

Ongoing Meetings Ongoing
Join the Wednesday Night Book Club on October 12th at 7:00 in the Lounge to discuss Alice Hoffman's book, The Marriage of Opposites. What could be more enjoyable than sitting with a group of your friends discussing a book that you have all read? The WNBC meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 in the lounge to share ideas about the reading and to enjoy a dash...continue reading

Join us Wednesday, November 9 (PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE!) 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. All are welcome to enjoy conversation with Aaron and friends.  We often bring up a topic of interest and this month will surely be discussing the election results.  The day book ...continue reading



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 - Linda Miller, Co-Chair, GWH Steering Committee
The next meeting of Greater Worcester Humanists will be on Tuesday evening, October 11th,  in Fellowship Hall of the church. Author Katherine Stewart will be our speaker. See the following description for details.  Social Time at 6:30 and speaker at 7:00. 
 
The Battle for the Bay State: The Religious Right Takes Aim at Massachusetts
 
According to the Pew Research Center, Massachusetts is one of the least devout states in the nation, but evangelicals have long dreamed of capturing the birthplace of the American Revolution, and lately they have stepped up their game. Hoping to save our state, and all of New England, from its freethinking ways, activists on the Christian Right have opened new fronts in the "culture wars." They have planted hundreds of evangelical churches inside our public schools, brought fights against state bills promoting LGBT equality and the equality of religious minority groups, and initiated legal battles over the public funding of houses of worship, including a fight in Acton, Massachusetts that could have far-reaching consequences. What are the features of the Religious Right's new strategy targeting Massachusetts, and how can we take action to defeat it?
 
Katherine Stewart is the author of The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children (PublicAffairs). Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Nation, The Advocate, the New York Times, and the Atlantic among others. 


Abby's House HipHopHer Race - October 15, 8 am  -  Maya Desai
Calling all Runners and Walkers:
If you are looking for a warm up for the Crop Walk on the 16th, please consider joining me friends from First U in doing the HipHipHerRace to benefit Abby's House on October 15.  Enjoy a fun fall day outside with our faith community, while supporting a great cause. Since 1976, Abby's House has provided more than 11,500 homeless women and children with a safe place to stay, regroup, and rebuild.  With 78 units, Abby's House is the largest provider of affordable housing in Worcester designed to meet the needs of women and children.   100% of race fees and donations go to the women and children of Abby's House.  Information about the race and registration may be found at the following link:  http://www.abbyshouse.org/hiphipherrace
When you start the registration process you will be asked if you want to join a team.  We are Team UU.  Hope you will join us!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Maya Desai at divolls@verizon.net.

Worcester Interfaith's 11th Annual Beggar's Bowl

Come enjoy a variety of tasty autumnal soups served in hand-thrown, stoneware bowls with delicious artisan bread at the 11th Annual Beggar's Bowl, a fund-raiser for Worcester Interfaith. This year's "bowl" will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at First Baptist Church, 111 Park Ave. Worcester.  Doors open at 5:30 to select your hand-thrown bowl -- which is yours to keep - mingle and enjoy hors d'oeuvres. Dinner starts promptly at 6:00pm and ends by 7:30pm. Tickets cost $50 each and are tax deductible. For tickets or more information, call Frank Kartheiser, Lead Organizer, Worcester Interfaith, at (508) 754-5001.




 

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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