The UUCW Nugget

April 5, 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.

Should UUCW Become a
Level 2 Sanctuary Congregation?

Rev. Aaron Payson &
Joan McGinn, Standing on the Side of Love Task Force

This Sunday, April 9th, our church community will gather in congregational meeting following the All Church Photo in order to give the Board of Management a sense of the congregation's desire to support efforts here to continue involvement in the local Sanctuary movement as a Level 2 Sanctuary congregation.

During a series of meetings sponsored by the Standing on the Side of Love Task Force over the past month, participants discussed the various ways that local faith-based communities are engaging the Sanctuary movement locally. There we discussed the difference between being a Level I and Level II support congregation. Level I involves housing an immigrant individual or family who faces deportation perhaps for an extended period of time. The SSL Taskforce has noted that our church has neither the space necessary (such space would need to be designated for sole use at the time) nor appropriate facilities (e.g. showers) to offer this ongoing living situation to affected people. Two other churches in Worcester have stepped up to offer Level 1 Sanctuary.

Level 2 Sanctuary, the kind of support that is being recommended for UUCW, is the provision of services these individuals would need both short and long term support. These might include, bringing or cooking meals, teaching English as a Second Language, translator service, transport to medical and other appointments, homework help for children, game nights, and financial support, etc. It also might include the availability of legal assistance, budget management, involvement with social service agencies and other assistance for those affected.

Becoming a community involved in Sanctuary is not without its risks, however. While there has been a tradition faith-based communities as "protected" from government intrusion (i.e. raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement), there is no law prohibiting it. Likewise, individuals involved can be caught up in the legal processes attached to such activity, though this is rare.

We hope that we get a large turn-out this Sunday. The church photo will be taken, and the meeting to discuss UUCW's role in this Sanctuary movement will happen immediately after the photo. Please plan to attend.

The immigrant population of Worcester need help and support. Let's determine if we are ready and able to give it.

Contact Information

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