The UUCW Nugget

January 18, 2017

Office Hours

(Sept 6, 2016 -

June 29, 2017):

Mon, Tues, Wed:

9 am - 3 pm

Thur. 9 am - 2 pm

REMINDER

The Church Office is closed from December 23 - January 1. We will reopen on January 2.

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.

Spiritual Conversation

Laura K. Secor

Hello my friends,

After many months of me sharing my thoughts about spiritual odds and ends, it's time to ask you a question - do you crave a spiritual conversation?

For you, is spirituality a solitary pursuit, or a communal one? Can it be explored by small groups?

Some spiritual seekers are solitary contemplatives. I think of someone like Thomas Merton, who was content to sit in meditation by himself, or the Buddhist practitioners who retreat to isolated caves. According to their writings, in the echoing silence they find a conversation with God.

But others of us don't find the silence to be imbued with rich meaning. It feels empty, lonely. I find myself looking for a spiritual conversation with real people.

Rainer Marie Rilke writes:

All creation holds its breath,

Listening with me,

Because, to hear you,

I keep silent.

At my senses' horizon

You appear hesitantly,

Like scattered islands.

Yet standing here, peering out,

I'm all the time seen by you.

Is the speaker addressing the silent God of his solo contemplation? Or is he speaking of, and speaking to, his spiritual traveling companions? Knowing a little of Rilke's life, I can imagine it would be either. He did live much of his life in solitude, but he was also in and out of love with a dozen women. He engaged in passionate conversation with them, and with his friends, exploring the spirituality that arises in the conjunction of two people.

Mimi Allen and I have decided to start a conversation. We met with Reverend Aaron over coffee this weekend, and he asked us to facilitate a Small Group Ministry using the Touchstone writings as a basis for discussion. We're going to have ourselves a conversation some evenings in the church lounge. We invite you to join us.

Laura

Touchstone Small Group 1st Gathering of 2017 - February 7,
7 pm in the Lounge

Interested in an opportunity for personal sharing, support, and spiritual growth? Join us for the first session of the Touchstone Small Group(s) on Tuesday, Feburary 7 @ 7 pm in the UUCW lounge. The theme for this session is "Respect". If you are interested participating in this group, even if you can't make Feb 7, please CLICK HERE. For more information, please contact Mimi Allen or Laura Secor.

Rev. Aaron Payson

Contact Information

Phone:	508-853-1942	Email:	office@uucworcester.org
Fax:	508-853-2065	Website:	www.uucworcester.org
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