The UUCW Message
November 22, 2016
In This Issue
Holiday News
 


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.

Holiday News
HolidayGive
As the Holiday Season approaches, we are mindful that we have a history of offering a variety of ways to give and to gift here at UUCW. In an effort to invite participation in these efforts, without overwhelming each other, we are offering this list to you in hopes that you will participate in any of the ways that feel best to you and assist you in celebrating the holidays in ways that are most meaningful.  This list will grow over the next two weeks so watch for your favorite ways to give and gift!
 
Holiday World Craft Fair Basket Raffle Items
Interested in donating toward items for the Basket Raffle at this year's Craft Fair?  HERE is an easy way to make a donation!
 
2016 Poinsettia Project
 Want to honor someone special this Holiday Season?  Purchase a poinsettia to brighten our Sanctuary and take it home after the Vesper's Service.  Or, you are welcome to make a donation to our Flower Fund and have a special recognition placed in this year's Holiday Programs.  Click HERE to purchase a poinsettia or make a donation.

We will start taking orders at church for Poinsettias next Sunday- Nov 20th following the service. This year there will be 3 options:   1) Buy a Poinsettia to take home for $25.00 or $45.00    2) Buy a Poinsettia to donate to the church  and 3)  Make a donation of $15.00 to the Flower Fund/ Sanctuary Beautification Fund in memory or honor of someone you love. All names to be honored will be included in the Holiday Programs. 
 
To all who participate-  Thank you !!!
                      Susan Crossley and Denise Darrigrand

Holiday Shoe Boxes Project
Last year, our UU church participated in preparing holiday shoe boxes for the ACE (African Community Education) children of Worcester.  They are mostly refugee children who attend an after-school program at the old Fanning Building in order to catch up with their grade level.  Upon arrival, some had never gone to school.  Robin and her youth group will be participating, and there will possibly be other churches, through Robin's colleagues, who will join in.  I will make an announcement in church this Sunday and will have specific information for you in Fellowship Hall after the service. The deadline for handing in the filled boxes will be Dec. 11. Thank you so much for helping these kids get to know and to enjoy this holiday celebration. Pauline Courchesne


Annual UUCW Craft Fair - December 3, 9 am - 3 pm CraftFair

We are looking for people to bake cookies for the fair and to work at the outdoor wreath sale and indoor snack bar.
 
We Need Items for Craft Fair Basket Raffle!
 
Beginning this Sunday !  Please help us build up our Dec 3 Craft Fair Basket Raffle baskets by bringing in a new item that can be included in one of our baskets !!  Pet Basket, Spa Basket, Foodie Basket, and Family Fun Night Basket.  This was a fabulous fundraiser for our church last year at the fair- and we are hoping to have success with it again!  
We're almost there, but still looking to fill foodie basket, family fun Basket with goodies!! This is the last Sunday to donate - or you can arrange with Jen McCullough for pickup!  Thank you !!  
 
Please contact Robin if you can help.
 
Reminders about Fundraising! Fundraising 

Book & Clothing Donation Bins
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!

Amazon Smile Holiday Shopping Reminder
Just a reminder as you begin your holiday shopping - if you shop on Amazon there is an opportunity to earn money for the church.  Just go to Amazon Smile and select the church as a place where Amazon will provide a contribution based on what you buy.  We get a percentage of your total purchase.  Even if you are using Amazon Prime it will still kick in but you have to go to Amazon Smile at the outset.  Thanks - every little bit helps!  

Joys & Sorrows
In Memoriam - Carol Kleinschmidt JoysSorrows 

We have been saddened to learn of the death of Carol Kleinschmidt, wife of Claus Kleinschmidt.  Carol and Claus were active members of UUCW for many years before moving to Concord, MA to be closer to family.  Carol passed away on October 19 and is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery. A celebration of Carol's life will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 1 pm at the Second Congregational Church, 485 Washington Street, Winchester, MA.  Visit Carol's Obituary and Remembrance page HERE.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Working Capital for Community Needs, 517 N. Segoe Road / Suite 209, Madison, WI 53705; or United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 1775 K Street NW Suite 580, Washington, DC 20006, Or to donate by phone call toll-free 1.855.808.6427.

Photo of the Week WeeklyPhoto


Teacher Beckley Schowalter helps George, left and Vernon, members of the 'Connections' class, trace their hand during Religious Exploration Class on Sunday, November 20, 2016.  The class was discussing the connections and ways that we are bound together through love and caring and the ways we give ourselves to others. (Photo by Betty Jenewin)

Upcoming Events at UUCW
Compulsive Gambling and Addiction Training - November 30 & December 14, 6:30 - 8:30 pm CAPProgram


 
Parent's Night Out - December 10, 5 - 9 pm ParentsNightOut

 
Religious Exploration and Education at UUCW
RE News for November 27, 2016 RENews

 
One Church, One Book All Church Read 2016/2017OneBook

This year the REC and I are excited to announce that our One Church- One Book , all church read will be the graphic novel "El Deafo" by Cece Bell. 
 
Graphic novel , you say??  Why yes, graphic novel!  Reading a graphic novel is an exciting way for folks of all ages to experience a story.  Please don't dismiss this as too juvenile for you, because we think you will really enjoy the ageless concepts in this beautiful story.
 
The themes in this book speak to children and adults alike .  Experience  Cece's life : a young girl who loses her hearing and grapples with experiences that we have all felt or may feel at one point or another during our own lifetime.  This is an honest book, with straight and informative talk about accessibility issues, friendship, acceptance , advocating for yourself , and how being authentic and practicing humor  can help with all of these life experiences.
 
For the next five weeks , we will free raffle a copy of 'El Deafo" during coffee hour.  On January  29th we will hold a multigenerational discussion with Betty Jenewin during a special "One Church -One Book" Coffee Hour in the lounge.  Our popular  multigenerational service will be held on Feb 5th- highlighting thoughts and readings and themes from this lovely book.  I hope you all reserve your copy at the library and/or try to win a copy  at the church up until Dec 18th.
 
Here's to happy reading  and realizing your own SUPERPOWERS!

Robin Mitzcavitch, Betty Jenewin and the REC
 
Current News at UUCW
Touchstone Monthly Theme
November Theme - Care of the Soul
November 22 - 28TchstnQuotes



November 22: "...to the soul, the most minute details and the most ordinary activities, carried out with mindfulness and art, have an effect far beyond their apparent insignificance." ~ Thomas Moore
 
November 23: "Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul." ~ Douglas MacArthur
 
November 24: "The wilderness is healing, a therapy for the soul." ~ Nicholas Kristof
 
November 25: "The soul is stronger than its surroundings." ~ William James
 
November 26: "I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope, For hope would be hope for the wrong thing." ~ T. S. Eliot
 
November 27: "For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?" ~ Jesus
 
November 28: "...you cannot have an impactful life with an impoverished soul." ~ John Ortberg

Sunday News
Weekly Worship WeeklyWrsp
 
 
This Sunday we are delighted to welcome Guest Minister, Rev. Thomas Schade to our sanctuary.  The Rev. Tom Schade retired in 2012 after serving for thirteen years as minister of First Unitarian Church of Worcester, Massachusetts. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and writes The Lively Tradition; follow him on Twitter at @tominma.  His sermon on Sunday, The Elephant in the Room, will explore the role of this tale as foundational story for UU's of the mid-century and that really the blindness is irrelevant to the story. It's about partial and incomplete knowledge arising from our finiteness.  
 
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
November 27Members & Friends of UUCWMoira Rouse
December 4
HosT and
Soup with Kristen Payson
Nancy Hancock
December 11COARobin Mitzcavitch


Please note that the Fellowship Hour for November 27  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 for our seasonal "Lunch with the Minister" December 7 at noon.  Please bring a salad, vegetable, or dessert offering to share instead of a bag lunch.  Meatballs, cold cut platter, and bread will be provided along with beverages.  We especially welcome newcomers and returning friends to this festive occasion.  Our informal discussion is a great way to share thoughts with Aaron and catch up with church friends.

The UU daytime book group is called Reader's Unite! Our December 7th selection is: My Name Is Lucy Barton: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout Discussion Dec 7th at 1:15pm. Strout tells the story of a thirtysomething wife and mother who is in the hospital for longer than she expected, recovering from an operation. She's not dying, but her situation is serious enough that her mother- whom she has not seen in many... continue reading

 

The Evening Book Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, in the Lounge. Join the evening book group on December 14th at 7:00 in the Lounge. The next book is Snow In August by Pete Hamill.  Set in a working class Brooklyn neighborhood in 1947 this poignant tale revolves around two of the most endearing characters in recent fiction:  an eleven year old Irish Catholic ...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.
 

Community News & Classifieds CommNews 
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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