Worship at First Unitarian
On Sunday childcare will be available
during worship beginning at 10:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Sunday, March 1, 2015
"No Fear in Love"
Preaching: The Rev. Leslie Jarzabski
In the words of the medieval mystic Julian of Norwich: "If there is anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown to me. But this was shown: that in falling and rising again we are always kept in that same precious love." This sermon will explore what it means to love and be loved in this beautiful, wild, dangerous world.
James Haupt, Assistant Director of Music, will perform works by Chopin, Severac, Beethoven, & Gershwin on our beautiful Steinway B piano.
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Before and After Worship
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9:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
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BYKOTA Meeting in the Bride's Room.
Nursery Care in Classroom 4.
Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Sunday School after dismissal from worship.
Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft/Dining Rooms. All are invited.
Winter Fun Afternoon at Mirick Farm. See details below.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Grades 5/6 - Mirick Room 1.
YRU2 Meeting in the Youth Lounge.
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No New Member Gathering in March
The New Member Gathering for this Sun. March 1 has been cancelled, and the next one will be held on Sunday Apr. 5 at 9 a.m. in the Chapel. Those considering membership are invited to attend a New UU class running on Sundays from Mar. 8 through Mar. 29 at 9 a.m., led by Jesse Anderson. To sign up for this class, e-mail Deborah Levering at dlevering@firstunitarian.com. See details about the New UU class below.
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Winter Fun Afternoon - This Sunday After Worship
 After Church, there will be a Winter Fun Afternoon at the Mirick Farm on the slopes of Mt Wachusett in Princeton. We'll have sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. There will be no shortage of snow this year! There will be a bonfire, and a cooking fire by the lean-to for make-your-own s'mores, and hot drinks.
Plan to leave the Church about noon. Bring a picnic lunch, which you can eat in the dining room before leaving, in your car on the way (the drive is about 25 minutes), or around the fire after you arrive.
Details here
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Are you missing a coat, jacket, hat...mittens or gloves?
Now would be a good time to go through the Lost & Found bins in the Dining Room to see if you can find them there. Items in the Lost & Found are scheduled to be donated to a collection box by the end of next week.
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Escalating Inequality Workshops
There will be an upcoming series of 5 workshops and a movie discussion about the problem of escalating inequality in this country. At General Assembly in Providence last summer, delegates to the UUA voted escalating inequality as the most pressing issue of our time.
This is a joint project between First Unitarian Church and the UU Church of Worcester. Three events will be held here and four will be held at UUCW, 90 Holden Street, Worcester 01606. We are excited about this partnership.
We will kick-off the workshop series by hosting Richard Wilkinson's short documentary "How Economic Inequality Harms Society", which talks about the ravages this recession has foisted on poor, working and middle class people. It not only shows statistical information about rising poverty and joblessness, but it puts a human face on the psychosocial effects these decisions have wrought. A facilitated discussion group follows.
And you have two chances to see it! The first will be held at First Unitarian Church on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7-8:30 pm. The second showing will be at UUCW at 4-5:30 pm on Sat. March 7th. The Wilkinson film is a must-see for those interested in social justice!
The five following workshops are from the dynamic curriculum put out by the UUA and contain large and small group discussions, videos and personal inventories.
- RACISM and CLASSISM: Sunday March 15th at UUCW from 12:30-2:30
- HOW INJUSTICE DRIVES INEQUALITY: Tuesday March 31 First U 7-9pm
- HOW DID WE GET HERE AND WHAT WE CAN DO: Tuesday April 21 at UUCW from 7-9p
- THE NEED FOR DIVERSITY IN UUism: Sunday May 3 at UUCW from 12:30-2:30
- ENGAGING SOLUTIONS FOR UUism: Sunday May 17 First U 12:30-2:30
Escalating Inequality Task Force: Joan McGinn, Chair; Paul Ropp, Randy Ingham, Mara Pentlarge, Joe Delgizzi
Joan McGinn, Chair, Escalating Inequality Task Force
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The Chapel will soon receive a minor cosmetic makeover. The walls will be patched and painted, an art hanging system will be installed, the carpet will be cleaned, and the windows will be washed. The art hanging system consists of a picture molding that will support a hook and a rod. This system will make it much easier to change the art displays and will also eliminate the need to damage the walls to keep art in place.
As part of the project, we are considering changing the color of the walls. For this part of the project, we need your help. There are sample patches of some paint choices painted onto the Chapel walls now. Please take a look and then vote for the colors that you prefer. You can vote for as many as you like, but only once per color. Voting will end on March 10.
This project is funded by the Wallace Robbins Chapel Fund. If you have any questions, please speak to Ken Mandile, Rick Silva or Madeline Silva.
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Minister's Lenten Series
Reverend Sarah Stewart
Lenten Series 2: The Departed City
March 10. Meet at the main entrance to Hope Cemetery on Webster Street at 6 p.m. We'll walk our own paths around the cemetery for half an hour (a walking guide is available for those who want one). We'll then move to a nearby restaurant for warming and small group reflection on our experiences.If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Sarah Stewart at sstewart@firstunitarian.com.
Lenten Series 3: The City of Hope
March 24. Meet at Bancroft Tower in Salisbury Park off Massachusetts Avenue at 6 p.m. We'll share a lenten worship service focused on what we are struggling with in life, and where we find hope. We'll then move nearby (location TBA) for warming, fellowship and small group reflection. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Sarah Stewart at sstewart@firstunitarian.com.
Click here to sign up to attend one or all of the Lenten Series evenings. (Note: you do not have to create a SignUpGenius account to use this online sign up sheet. If you do not want an account fill in the information required for the sign-up, but do not check off the create account block.)
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Adult Faith Development Programs - Upcoming
Sundays @ Noon Lecture Series in the Chapel.
March 8
LGBT Asylum Task Force
The violence resulting from homophobia and anti-homosexuality laws in many countries in the world is rampant. There are laws against homosexuality in 88 countries around the world. Pastor Judith Hanlon from the LGBT Asylum Support Task Force will speak about the support provided to those who are seeking political asylum in the U.S. based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. As of October 2014, the Task Force has helped more than 80 individuals. Volunteers contribute to the financial, housing, social, and spiritual needs of asylum seekers.
Pastor Judith Hanlon is minister at the Hadwen Park Congregational Church, a United Church of Christ congregation located on Clover Street in Worcester. Speaking with Pastor Judy will be two asylum seekers who have fled their home country because of fear for their safety.
Faithful Practice: Opportunities to nurture your spirit
New UU -are you?
Led by Jesse Anderson
4 Sundays, March 8-29, 9-10am in the Chapel
Are you new to Unitarian Universalism or would you like to know more about the faith tradition? The New UU conversations are for you. All newcomers and new members are welcome. It is important to make a commitment to attend all four sessions.
- Session 1 - Your religious journey
- Session 2 - UU (and you) theologies
- Session 3 - UU history -denomination and our church
- Session 4 - Church Ownership and Governance
Please RSVP by March 1 to dlevering@firstunitarian.com
Embracing a Life of Meaning
Led by Michelle Przekop and Liz Gustavson
5 Mondays, March 30-April 27, 7-9 PM in the Chapel
Embracing a Life of Meaning with best selling author Kathleen Norris on discovering what matters. Each of the five DVD sessions begins with a 10-15 minute introduction video followed by a filmed group discussion on these topics: belief, bible, community, place and we matter. Then we will discuss these topics in a respectful, loving, and supportive environment during our group sessions.
First Friday All Ages Fun
Worcester: Fun Facts and Firsts
March 6 Pizza at 6:30pm, Trivia fun from 7-9pm
Join Worcester native and author CJ Posk for an evening of trivia fun. From Pulitzer Prize-winning poets to packaged pizza pie, dive into the amazing history of Worcester and discover something extraordinary about the unassuming city you thought you knew! All are welcome. Posk's book Worcester Stacks Up: Firsts and Fun Facts will be available for purchase.
Proceeds from the sale of the book and any freewill donations will be used to help support the Alden Family Gallery, a new section dedicated to children, at the Worcester historical Museum.
For more information on Adult Faith Development Programs and Events through May 2015 click here. |
First Unitarian Church Circle Suppers
March - May 2015
Circle Suppers are so called because they "circle around" to different member's homes. Circle Suppers give us a chance to get to know one another beyond our Fellowship Hour and beyond our Caring Circles. This is how congregation wide friendships start. We want to emphasize inclusiveness. Whether your life phase is single, married, have a significant other, all are welcome to participate. Please join us! (Please note however, currently these suppers are not designed as family events). Newcomers welcome!
The host provides the main dish. Others bring appetizers, side dishes, desserts and/or drinks. Hosts will be in touch with guests at least one week prior to the dinner to coordinate who brings what and if there are any dietary restrictions. Also directions, time and other pertinent information
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Click here for more details and to sign up. You will receive information relative to hosting, co-hosting, guests (or being a guest) and chosen dates.(Note: you do not have to create a SignUpGenius account to use this online sign up sheet. If you do not want an account fill in the information required for the sign-up, but do not check off the create account block.)
The Circle Suppers can be elegant and formal, casual, buffet style, pizza parties or cookouts! Enjoy the company and the event!
The sign-up forms will be also be available after Sunday Services in the Bancroft Room.
Deadline is March 1, 2015. If you miss the deadline, you can sign up as an alternate at any time March - May 2015.
Contact
Jean McInerney
Coordinator
jemcinerney@verizon.net
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Our Church Family Online Directory
Reminder
Don't forget to sign on to use the new online directory! Click here to sign on now or go to www.firstunitarian.com and click on "OurChurchFamily Directory" at the top of the page.
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| Contact Us
First Unitarian Church of Worcester, MA
90 Main Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01608
508-757-2708
508-753-9332 (fax)
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Preaching This Week
The Rev. Leslie Jarzabski
Rev. Leslie Jarzabski, a Texas native, is a graduate of the Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California. She is currently serving as a chaplain at the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she covers the pediatric acute care, emergency, and trauma units. In this role, she has been studying the art of journeying alongside children coping with grief and loss, puppet therapy, and the healing potential of meaningful play. She and her partner Jason make their home in the Blue Ridge mountains of central Virginia.
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