The UUCW Message
February 21, 2017
In This Issue





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
SSL jepg SSLTF Standing On The Side of Love Task Force - February 26, 11:45 am     
 
The SSL Task Force will meet following service on Sunday in Classroom 2.  Please join us to discuss ongoing efforts to respond to the peace and justice challenges we currently face in our community, country and world..
FForwardJoin us for a Faith Forward
"Inquirer's Series"
Jan 22 - Mar 12, 11:45 am in the Lounge
 
We are excited to offer a new series for those interested in learning more about our congregation and the Unitarian Universalist movement.  This series, produced by the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, will give participants an opportunity to explore many facets of our church and traditions with presentations by congregational leadership, staff and ministers.  Though registration isn't required, it is helpful for our planning purposes.  If you are interested in attending any of the sessions below, please CLICK HERE.  Subsequent sessions do not require previous attendance. 
 
Feb 26 - Social Action & Community Service
Mar 5   - Pastoral Care & Small Groups
Mar 12 - Membership 101 & Congregational Life

For more information please contact Denise Darrigrand or Rev. Aaron Payson.

 
Plug-in Electric Car Event - April 1, noon - 3 pm  ElecCar
Annual All-Church Photo - April 9  AllChurchPhoto
 
Our annual all-church photo will be taken on Sunday, April 9 2017, immediately after church.  We'd love it if you'd be there!

Women's Weekend is Coming!
April 28 - May 1 
WomensWeekend
 
Hello UUCW Runaway Women,
 
We've just confirmed with Inkeeper Tobey that the prices for this years Runaway Weekend at the Linden Tree Inn in Rockport are the same as last year:
 
$ 158 Quad (2nd floor, private entrance, 2 bedrooms with 2 beds each, one shared bath)
$ 174 Double
$ 204 Single
 
These rates include:  
~ Friday afternoon 4/28/2017 to Monday morning 5/1/2017
~Breakfast and Dinner on Saturday, 
~Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday,
~Breakfast on Monday .
 
Please send checks and specific information* to Ruth Silver at:
71 Angell Brook Drive
West Boylston, MA 01583 
 
*1) food allergies/preferences
*2) accommodation/roommate requests (not required)
 
This is a special annual weekend for UUCW women to pamper ourselves, enjoy each other's company, and be surrounded by natural beauty just a stone's throw from the ocean at Cape Ann.
 
Please email Claire for more information, we especially welcome first timers!

Current News at UUCW
Winter Heating Protocol  HeatArticle
 
As we move toward the coldest part of the Winter, please note that the church heating system is governed by scheduled space usage.  The church is heated in zones, which are preset each week depending on the usage schedule.  When a zone is scheduled to be unoccupied the temperature will be a maximum of 55 degrees, when heated it is set to 68 degrees.  Please make certain to submit requests for building usage at least a week in advance and check the main schedule in the front hallway near Fellowship Hall to determine which space has been scheduled.  If you have any problems with the heating system, please call 508-853-1942 x 108 immediately.
    
Touchstone Monthly Theme
February Theme - Respect
February 21 - 27TchstnQuotes


  
February 21: "Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any." ~ Mark Twain
 
February 22: "The grandiose person is never really free; first because he is excessively dependent on admiration from others, and second, because his self-respect is dependent on qualities, functions, and achievements that can suddenly fail." ~ Alice Miller
 
February 23: "We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." ~ Aldo Leopold
 
February 24: "I would rather be alone with dignity than in a relationship that requires me to sacrifice my self-respect." ~ Mandy Hale
 
February 25: "Nothing living should ever be treated with contempt. Whatever it is that lives, a ...[person], a tree, or a bird, should be touched gently, because the time is short. Civilization is another word for respect for life...." ~ Elizabeth Goudge
 
February 26: "If they respect you, respect them. If they disrespect you, still respect them. Do not allow the actions of others to decrease your good manners, because you represent yourself, not others." ~ Mohammad Zeyara
 
February 27: "Your suffering needs to be respected. Don't try to ignore the hurt, because it is real. Just let the hurt soften you instead of hardening you. Let the hurt open you instead of closing you. Let the hurt send you looking for those who will accept you instead of hiding from those who reject you." ~ Bryant McGill
            
Fundraising News
Reminders about Fundraising! Fundraising 

Amazon Smile Shopping Reminder
Just a reminder - 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!  
 
Photos of the Week WeeklyPhoto

The United Girls Choir performs "South African Medley" during the service on Sunday, February 19, 2017.

Religious Exploration and Education at UUCW
RE News for February 26, 2017 RENews 

 
Robin Mitzcavitch , Director of Religious Exploration
 
Sunday News 
Weekly Worship WeeklyWrsp
Sunday, February 26, 2017 - 10 am

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
February 26 Members & Friends of UUCW Moira Rouse 
March 5 HosT & Soup with Kristen Payson Ruth Silver 
March 12 Meditation Group  Ruth Silver  
 
 
Please note that the Fellowship Hour for February 26  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.
 
   SermonArchive
 
Ongoing Meetings Ongoing

Hooks and Needles Group - 2nd & 4th Monday, noon - 2 pm, Meeting Room 3

This group will be meeting on the second and fourth Monday of each month from noon - 2 pm in Meeting Room 3.  Bring your projects - knitting, crochet, cross stitch, quilting, to work on. Want to learn a needlecraft?  We will be happy to teach you. Next meeting on February 27. Please join us!

 

Join us Wednesday, March 1, 2017 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.  The Reader's Unite Afternoon book group meets following lunch.



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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