The UUCW Nugget

March 22, 2017

Office Hours

(Sept 6, 2016 -

June 29, 2017):

Mon, Tues, Wed:

9 am - 3 pm

Thur. 9 am - 2 pm

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 of Right Relations

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.

Annual Goals

Bill Derr, President, Board of Management

We have made gains as a result of the UUCW policy governance system experiment. The previous two nugget articles discussed some benefits of annual Board retreats and a smaller UUCW Board of Management. This article will review the benefits of setting annual goals. More information will be released by the board later this year to explain the results of this experiment, now in its third year.

Setting annual goals has been helpful in the work of both the CEO/Minister and the Board. These goals are specific ways the church leaders can try to improve the church. The Board and the CEO try to make sure the goals they set can be realistically accomplished in one year. If church leaders try to accomplish too much at once, little actually gets accomplished. However, they can successfully reach their goals and be ready to take on new tasks the next year if they focus on a smaller number of issues.

Sanctuary and UUCW

Joan McGinn & Mara Pentlarge, Co-Chairs,
Standing on the Side of Love Task Force

The dictionary defines sanctuary as a place of refuge, a safe haven. It has been a legal concept in English law since AD 600, but its roots go back to early Jewish and Christian traditions.The recent push by the Federal Administration to deport undocumented people leaves many residents of Central Massachusetts in a precarious position.These unprecedented times call for conscientious responses and many Faith-based Organizations in Worcester have stepped up to create a network to offer support for those in our community who may face deportation, including the possibility of providing Sanctuary.

Two congregations with space to house individuals or families have volunteered to be the primary sites if a decision were made that Sanctuary would be the appropriate response. Other support efforts related to the treatment of undocumented people will also be necessary. Our Minister, the Board and the members of the Standing on the Side of Love Task Force have been in formal discussion about ways in which our congregation could participate in this local effort, and have attendedtrainings to learn more about these efforts. We believe that our UUCW is best situated to provide support to those congregations that may provide Sanctuary space, as well as encouraging and supporting individuals in our congregation who may decide to participate in other ways.

The Board has agreed to have this issue presented to the congregation, in order to assess support for this ongoing effort, at a meeting on Sunday April 9th right after the all-church photo.

This effort would require a substantial commitment from those in our congregation who wish to participate in this program and may expose the Church to other consequences (ie. media attention, liability, etc.). Before the April 9th meeting, The SSL Taskforce will continue to discuss this matter and provide information to those in the congregation who have an interest in this program as well as responding to any concerns that may surface. Meetings of the SSL Taskforce will be on Sundays, March 26th and April 2nd at 11:45 am in the Sanctuary. Please join us!

Contact Information

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