The UUCW Message
May 9, 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
blue-yoga-matts.jpg Yoga/Meditation Class with Nina Cerviatti
Starts May 8 - 6 - 7:30 PM, Fellowship Hall  NinaYoga
 
I am super excited to announce a new Yoga session and healing meditation class. Can't wait to see you and share!! Namaste.
 
It all starts here.... The enrichment of the mind, the nourishment of the body, the uplifting of the soul, a place to share, learn and grow. Creating a better world one breath at a time and one class at a time.
 
Yoga of Empowerment
This class is a flowing practice of graceful Yoga poses, creating a self- healing massage that will release stress and toxins, improve posture, increase flexibility and create more space. This class will allow a total transformation of body, mind and spirit. Bring mindfulness into your everyday life with this practice.
From 6:00 to 7:00 PM (After class, there will be a an optional healing meditation for whoever wants to stay)
$45.00 / 4 week session (Price includes both segments, sessions will repeat)
$14.00 Drop-in
To register call 508-208-4743 or email nlcfitness1@gmail.com
 
Healing Meditation
This healing meditation will help you connect with the power of creation to heal and restore, to replenish your energy, to get back to a natural state of peace, love and joy and health.
$20.00 / 4 week session
$7.00 Drop-in

Please bring water and a yoga mat.
To register call 508-208-4743 or email nlcfitness1@gmail.com
Help Needed with Jasperson Memorial Service - May 20  JespMem
 
Steve and Ann Jasperson were long time, important members of our community; they left a few years ago to move closer to their children in the Midwest.  Steve passed away some months ago and Ann has chosen to have a memorial service at our church as they were close to many here and in Worcester.  We have been asked to provide the food for the service and we could really use your help. While Parish Services will handle the bulk of the food we are still in need of contributions such as finger foods, desserts, fruit, etc.  Please CLICK HERE to let us know what you will be bringing.  The service is May 20 at 2 pm.  Food can be dropped off any time that morning (please note this is also food pantry so it might be a bit hectic).  Even if you didn't know Ann and Steve this is a wonderful and helpful way to pay tribute to one of our very special families.  Thank you!
 
Save the Date!
UUCW Spring Fundraising Dinner
Saturday Evening, June 3  SpringDinner
 
Join our own Robbie Johnson Erikson, graduating senior of Johnson & Wales  for a fantastic Spring Dinner!  An evening of fantastic food, entertainment and great company! 

WATCH YOUR EMAIL FOR A SPECIAL INVITATION THIS THURSDAY!!
Yard Sale is Coming!
- June 10, 2017  YardSale
 
The Yard Sale - one of our biggest fundraisers - is coming up!  This year it will be held on June 10.  Many hands are needed to pull this off.  First, we need you to start squirreling away your goodies to be sold.  As always, we just ask that things be clean and in working condition.  It's a great opportunity to do some spring housecleaning.  Second, I need people to help - setting up on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and then working at the sale on Saturday.  If you are willing to run one of the areas please let me know soon.  Thanks! 
Save the Dates! Ferry Beach 2017!  FerryBeach
 
Many of us begin the church year with a weekend of retreat, reunion, and reflection at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine (http://www.ferrybeach.org).  The weekend is affordable and open to everyone. We join together with friends from First Unitarian Church for beach walks, volleyball, time to rest, a talent show, and even a campfire!
 
Mark your calendars now for September 15th-17th, 2017.  Online registration will begin mid-May.  There will also be a registration forms available.  Last year we had a waiting list, so be sure to register and pay early to guarantee your spot!
 
Prices include dorm style accommodations, food and activities. Camping is also available! We hope you'll join us this year!
 
Maya Desai & Sean Divolls, Ferry Beach Coordinators
Current News at UUCW
 Sacred Crossroads Webinar - Episode 2 - Normalcy of Grief -
May 10, 12:30 - 1 pm EDT  MinBlog
 
This week on Sacred Crossroads, co-hosts Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson and Rev. Aaron Payson welcome Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Kaeton as the featured guest talking about the "Normalcy of Grief" sharing insights from her work in ministry, pastoral care, chaplaincy, reproductive advocacy and nursing.  This conversation is framed in part by this week's Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Blog post by Aaron "The Universality of Grief".  To sign up for this week's webinar, please visit http://bit.ly/SacredMay10.
EV Car Day at UUCW Was a Success!EVCarDay 

On Sunday May 7, 2017 at 10 minutes before 2pm a small Electric Car drove into our parking lot. The man driving lives in Dudley and has been driving pure electric cars for a few years. Then more and more plug-ins showed up as owners wanted to show their personal plug-in cars. People came and looked at these modern wonders that use no gas or very little. The Church received $150 from people that have never been here before. A panel of EV people were assembled and a great dialogue for over one hour was well received by over 40 people that attended throughout the day. At 5pm it was over. If you attended, thanks for taking the time. A special thanks to my wife Deb, Aaron for the opening remarks, Judy Savage, Paul Marr and Joe Ruivo. Matt Johnsen and his Ford C-Max Energi. The entire ACDC staff showed up to help as well.  The rain held off until the tents, battery packs, inverters and chargers were packed up and everyone had left.
 
If you want to know more and attended let me know and we can chat more. If you did not attend and want to know, let me know and we will do it again.

As Rev. Payson said at the event "This Church has a membership that cares about climate change and this event put that into action".


Interfaith Hospitality Network Opportunities  IHN
 
We have a few openings to host guests at IHN during the week of May 14 - 20, 2017.  Please contact me with any questions or to sign up or look for the sign up chart in Fellowship Hall.  You may also make a grocery contribution with cash, check or click HERE for a Simplegive contribution.
 
From now through May, we will be collecting shoes for funds2.org.  Funds2.org recycles & sells gently used shoes and proceeds will benefit IHN.   Look for the gray bin in fellowship hall to place your shoes.
 
On Sunday, May 21, the Central Mass Housing Alliance is sponsoring the 32nd Walk for the Homeless.  Information can be found in fellowship hall.  Please join UUCW and other folks raise funds and awareness for homelessness and join us after the Walk for a cookout and music by the popular Chuck and Mud band.

Thank you for your support!
Touchstone Monthly Theme
May Theme - Acceptance
May 9 - 15TchstnQuotes


  
May 9: "A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away." ~ George Eliot
 
May 10: "People have a habit of inventing fictions they will believe wholeheartedly in order to ignore the truth they cannot accept." ~ Libba Bray
 
May 11: "I learned that accepting others and accepting myself are two sides of the same coin; you can't love and accept yourself without doing the same for others." ~ Steve Pavlina
 
May 12: "Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world." ~ bell hooks
 
May 13: "You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful." ~ Amy Bloom
 
May 14: "The trance of unworthiness keeps the sweetness of belonging out of reach. The path to 'the sweetness of belonging,' is acceptance-acceptance of ourselves and acceptance of others without judgment." ~ Tara Brach
 
May 15: "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." ~ Carl Rogers  
        
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
Steve Ober, top, shares personal reflections before reading an excerpt from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and Tom Pierce reads an excerpt from Jodi Picoult's book "small great things" during the service on Sunday, May 7, 2017.  The theme of the service was white supremacy and privilege.


Kim McCoy, center, sings Eleanor Daley's "The Size of Your Heart" during the service on Sunday, May 7, 2017.  He is flanked by Christopher Panaia, left, and Joe Ruivo.
The Rev. Aaron Payson reads Peggy McIntosh's "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" as part of his reflection during the service on Sunday, May 7, 2017.  The theme of the service was white supremacy and privilege.

Religious Exploration and Education at UUCW
RE News for May 14, 2017 RENews  



  
Robin Mitzcavitch , Director of Religious Exploration
 
Sunday News 
Weekly Worship WeeklyWrsp
Sunday, May 14, 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
May 14 Youth Group Robin Mitzcavitch 
May 21 UUCW Men's Group Nancy Hancock 
May 28 Members & Friends of UUCW Moira Rouse 

   SermonArchive
 
Ongoing Meetings Ongoing

Standing On The Side of Love Task Force - Every Sunday, 11:45 am

The SSL Task Force will meet following service on Sunday in the Sanctuary.  Please join us to discuss ongoing efforts to respond to the peace and justice challenges we currently face in our community, country and world.

 

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 May 23. Please join us!

 

The Evening Book Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 pm, in the Lounge. The Evening Book Group meets next on May 10th at 7 p.m.  Books are chosen by the group and vary monthly between fiction and non-fiction. This month's book is The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohleben.

 

The UUCW Men's Group meets on the fourth Friday of the month in Classroom 1 (Across from Aaron's Office) from  7pm to 9pm. All who consider themselves male are welcome. The Men's Group is a community of men that help and support each other. The meetings are confidential and are an opportunity for men to share their thoughts and opinions in a respectful conversation. continue reading..


Join us Wednesday, June 14, 2017 (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE) at Noon for our Annual Lunch with the Minister Picnic! All are welcome.  Please bring a salad to share.  Dessert and beverage will be provided. The Reader's Unite Afternoon book group will meet following the Picnic. 

 

Community News
 
Greater Worcester Humanists - Linda Miller, Co-Chair, GWH Steering Committee
The next meeting of Greater Worcester Humanists will be Tuesday, May 9th, at 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall of the church.  Social time 6:30 - speaker at 7:00.  All are welcome.

 "Hitchhiker'­s Guide to the Secular Galaxy,"­ Maria Greene
 
What are all these secular groups and what are the differences between them? Where does Greater Worcester Humanists fit in?

The influence of secularism is growing radically in our society and the number of organizations (and their publications) is growing as well. Find out how they fit on the spectrum of rationalistic vs. holistic, anti-religious vs. "accommodationist", individualist vs. community-focused and so on.
Join us for a lighthearted look at the varieties of non-religious experience. Maria Greene will explain the who, what, when, where and how of many of the most important Humanist, atheist and other secular organizations that make up the alphabet soup of our movement, both local and national/international.

Maria is on the Concord Area Humanist (CAH) steering committee and the outreach subcommittee. Recently, Maria also became the Executive Director of the UU Humanist Association (formerly HUUmanists).  Maria is a web developer and lives in Massachusetts with her husband, their three busy kids and assorted pets.

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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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