The UUCW Message
June 13, 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
Yard Sale Thanks!  YardSale
 
I just want to thank everyone who participated in the Yard Sale, mostly, the people who worked their butts off from Wednesday morning through the end of the day on Saturday.  A better team I have never seen - it was a privilege to work with each of you.  To those who brought things to sell, thank you.  And, to those of you who shopped, thank you.  It was an enormous success.

Yard sale volunteers pose for a group photo shortly before the doors opened.    

The grand total when all is said and done is $5851.48 which is huge.  It will continue to grow as we sell clothing to Savers, etc. so I predict we will easily go over the $6000 mark which is amazing.  Again, thank you to all!!!

Indefatigable Denise Darrigrand once again led the Yard Sale.  Although donations were down this year, Denise reported that the church made more money than last year.
 
SSL jepg SSL Task Force Film Night -
June 20, 7 pm, The Lounge  SSLFilm
 
Standing on the Side of Love Task Force will be showing a film, From the Ashes, on Tuesday, June 20th at 7 pm in the lounge.  This is a 48 minute film on environmental justice and it will be shown throughout the country during June, with the purpose of exciting activism for this cause.  Please mark it on your calendars.
tent-camping-view.jpg Annual Trout Brook Camping Events - August 25 - 27, 2017!  TroutBrook
 
Separate FATHER/DAUGHTER AND FATHER/SON CAMPING EVENTS are scheduled for August 25/26 (sons/boys) and August 26/27 (daughters/girls).  Activities include cooking on a campfire with games and story-telling.  The event is open to those identifying as the appropriate gender, and any young people that they know well and would like to bring.  All ages are welcome, but children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult.  The event will be held at Trout Brook Reservation in Holden.  Do not let a lack of camping experience or equipment stop you, as many involved have extra experience _and_ equipment!  The cost for the site for each night ($100 total) will be split among the participating men.  Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can properly plan:
 
For Father/Daughter camping night:  Craig Van Batenburg, 508-400-4657 or Craig@fixhybrid.com
For Father/Son camping night:  Dave Schowalter, 508-688-7008, schowalter_david@hotmail.com 
Circle Dinner Planning Pot-Luck - September 10CircleDinner

Save the Dates! Ferry Beach 2017!  FerryBeach
 
FERRY BEACH REGISTRATION ENDS SOON!! September 15-17, 2017.  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).  We join together with friends from First Unitarian Church for beach walks, volleyball, time to rest, a talent show, and even a campfire! Remember we sold-out last year so register early.  Share this with other church folks who may be interested.  All are welcome!  Please note registrations with payment are due by June 18.
 
Online registration:
 
Please CLICK HERE to download and print a paper registration (give to us at church, or scan and email back, or snail mail to address listed on form).
 
Payment options:
  1. You will get instructions for online payment if you register online.  (also here: Simple Give pay link.: http://my.simplegive.com/f/?k=FESMJKB365ZKVN18)
  2. By check, payable to UUCW, that you can deliver in person or to one of the addresses listed on the paper registration form.
As always, we are happy to answer to any questions!  Maya Desai and Sean Divoll 508-853-2422, divolls@verizon.net
 
 
Maya Desai & Sean Divolls, Ferry Beach Coordinators
Current News at UUCW
Touchstone Monthly Theme
June Theme - Prophetic Imperative
June 13 - 19TchstnQuotes

 
  
June 13: "There are prophets, there are guides, and there are argumentative people with theories, and one must be careful to discriminate between them." ~ Peter Brook
 
June 14: "The prophetic church presents a vision that compels us to act." ~ Paula Cole Jones
 
June 15: "Then he raised his voice in a prophet-like challenge that I knew would live with me forever: 'Don't ever give up in freedom what we would never give up in persecution!'" ~ Nik Ripken
 
June 16: "The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us." ~
Walter Brueggemann
 
June 17: "But why? Why do you need prophets to tell you how you ought to live? Why do you need anyone to tell you how you ought to live?" ~ Daniel Quinn
 
June 18: "Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a scepter but a hoe." ~ Bernard of Clairvaux
 
June 19: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." ~ Matthew 7:15
  
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
Graduates of the Religious Exploration program - Lexi Holt, Taeva Cohen, Annie Colby-McKeon, Ben Burns and Sam Burns are honored during the service on Sunday, June 11, 2017.  Also graduating was Kyle Zawielski.



Adults who have volunteered for the Religious Exploration program this year are acknowledged during the service on Sunday, June 11, 2017.  Behind them, children hold up hearts they have made to express their gratitude.

Former Director of Religious Exploration Deb Selkow participated in the service on Sunday, June 11, 2017.  

Director of Religious Exploration Robin Mitzcavitch hugs graduate Annie Colby-McKeon during the service on Sunday, June 11, 2017.  The service was the annual Religious Exploration service, honoring graduates and recognizing Mitzcavitch and all the program volunteers.

Sunday News 
Weekly Worship WeeklyWrsp
Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 10 am

 
2017 Summer Services Ministry Team Forming SummerWorship
 
Our series of 2017 Summer Sunday Services will begin on June 25 and run through September 3.  Services are at 10 am. This series of 11 services is typically lay-led and often followed by a roaming fellowship hour/lunch at a local restaurant.  Our Summer Services Ministry Team seeks Sunday Presenters, people to offer a Summer Service presentation on a topic of your own choosing; people to serve as Sunday Assistants who would work with the presenter of the week to set up the lounge space and to help present parts of the service as desired by the presenter, and Service Coordinators who would be responsible for opening and closing the building, taking attendance, submitting pew sheets and securing the offering for the day.  If you are interested in serving in any of these capacities, please CLICK HERE. 
 
Thank you,

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
June 18  Members & Friends of UUCW  Nancy Hancock 

This Sunday is Coffee Hour Potluck Sunday!!
Please bring a healthy, nut free snack to share with your friends in Fellowship Hall.

HosT (Hospitality Task Force) will provide the fair trade coffee, tea, water and juice. (HosT depends on coffee hour donations to keep supplies in stock....your donations during any coffee hour are gladly accepted!)
Thanks Everyone! 

   SermonArchive
 
Ongoing Meetings Ongoing

Annual Lunch With The Minister Picnic - Wednesday, June 14 at Noon - Lounge

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 Events & News CommNews

Greater Worcester Humanists Summer Movies - Tuesday, July 11 & August 8, 7 PM - UUCW Lounge
- Linda Miller, Co-Chair, GWH Steering Committee
On Tuesday evening, July 11th and Tuesday evening, August 8th, Greater Worcester Humanists will be showing two movies in the church lounge at 7 pm.  See description below.  All are welcome.
 
July 11, 2017 - An Honest Liar (2014), 93 minutes
An Honest Liar tells the story of magician James "The Amazing" Randi. Even though he started as a stage magician and escape artist, Randi achieved even greater fame in his later career as a debunker of phony psychics. Randi appeared several times on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, performing magic and demonstrating how conjurers can duplicate any of the tricks of so-called psychics. This film covers his career as a professional debunker, including his confrontation with infamous spoon-bender Uri Geller and his exposure of faith healer Peter Popoff, among others. James Randi has had a long career promoting science and reason by testing psychic claims and demonstrating how psychic claims can be easily duplicated by a professional magician. In 1996, he started the James Randi Educational Foundation, which offers $1,000,000 to anyone who can demonstrate psychic powers in a controlled experiment - $1,000,000 that has yet to be claimed.
 
August 8, 2017 - The Poisoner's Handbook (2014), 114 minutes
In the early 20th century, chemicals were becoming more common in American households. From rat poison to health tonics, cleaning supplies to beauty cream. Whether accidental or deliberate, by the 1920s poisoning became one of the leading causes of death in New York City. This started to change by the work of Dr. Charles Norris and toxicologist Alexander Gettler. Together, they started the office of the Medical Examiner of New York and brought forensic science to police work.
 
The Poisoner's Handbook is a 2014 episode of the award-winning PBS series The American Experience. It describes the efforts of Norris and Gettler in exposing the dangers of radium, cyanide, carbon monoxide, and leaded gasoline, among others. Their efforts introduced science into police work and the courtroom and helped shape the American consciousness to accept science and reason.
 
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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