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THE UNITARIAN
March 29, 2015
Vol. 69, No. 33
Join Us For Worship This Week
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First Unitarian Church of Worcester, MA
90 Main Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01608
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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 29, 2015
Palm Sunday
"Hope Is the Thing"
Preaching: The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart
Someone said that hope is not justified by the facts; yet hope springs eternal in our hearts and in our communities. Jesus and his disciples felt hope as he brought his ministry to Jerusalem, even though he suspected his own life might soon end. Hope is the promise that our values will be carried on even after our lives have ended. The Festival Choir will sing and palms will be distributed.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Join Rev. Sarah C. Stewart in the Chapel at 7:30 p.m. for a Maundy Thursday communion service. We will have the opportunity to share our prayers with one another, reflect on the story of Jesus' last supper with his disciples, and break bread together. The elements will be grape juice and gluten-free bread. People of all ages are invited to attend.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Easter Sunrise Service
Join the Rev. Sarah C. Stewart at Bancroft Tower in Worcester at 6:00 a.m. for our traditional sunrise service of readings, reflection and music.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Easter Sunday Service
"A Glimpse and a Promise"
Preaching: The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart The Easter story gives us a glimpse of the peaceable way and a promise of what it means to live in covenant with each other and the earth. A glimpse is all we get; but a glimpse can be enough to light joy in our hearts. The children will participate in our annual Easter egg hunt.
The Festival choir will sing.
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Before and After Worship This Week
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9:00 a.m.
9:15 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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Adult Choir Rehearsal in the Samctuary.
New UU Series in the Chapel. See below.
OWL for 5/6 grades in Mirick Room 1.
Nursery Care in Classroom 4.
Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft Room and Dining Room after worship. All are invited.
Sundays@Noon Lecture Series in the Chapel. See Below.
YRU2 Meeting in the Youth Lounge.
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Easter Tulips for Sanctuary
Each year at this time, members and friends of the church are invited to contribute a pot of flowers for the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. This year we will are offering a 6" pot of tulips (5-6 bulbs per pot.) You may give a tulip in your own name, in memory of someone, or anonymously. After the service, the plant is yours to take home, or, if you wish, donated to one of our homebound members. The donation is $20 per pot. (This is a small fundraiser for the church.) Click here to order a pot of tulips.
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Sign Up to Participate in First Unitarian Church's
Traditional Easter Sunrise Service
The service will be led by Rev. Sarah Stewart at Bancroft Tower at 6 a.m. on Sun. Apr. 5. Rev. Sarah is choosing readings on the themes of Compassion and Peace and will send you one of these to share at the service. Please sign up by Tues. Mar. 31 so Rev. Sarah can be in touch with your reading. Click here to sign up or sign up in the Dining Room after church on Sunday.
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Our children will participate in an Egg hunt on Easter Sunday. Please consider participating by contributing a dozen filled eggs. Plastic eggs to be filled are available in the Bancroft room. As is our tradition, please fill the eggs with money - any amount from pennies to dollars. Our youth will hide the eggs and the children will hunt for a designated number. Instead of taking home candy, the kids will add their money together. All of the money collected will go to charity chosen by the children. This year the money will go to sponsor a NEADs ("needs") dog. NEADS trains service and comfort dogs for the disabled and infirmed.
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Please Join Us for Our 19th Annual Passover Seder
The responses are in! This year our Seder will be cooperative family style. As such it is free for adults willing to bring a requested dish. (We have a list of needed store bought items for those reluctant to cook). $10 if you just want to come and enjoy the evening.
This is a family event. All ages welcome. Children 12 and under are always free.
David Blodgett will be providing music. Come enjoy an evening of storytelling, music, food and friendship
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The Seder is a moving, participatory celebration in memory of the Hebrew people escaping from Egyptian slavery, with the rituals of the service intertwined with a wonderful meal cooked by members of the parish.
Held in the Dining Room. Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 4-6:30 PM
Reservations are required. Please sign up after church on March 22th or March 29th, or by e-mailing Abigail at ahannaford-ricardi@firstunitarian.com
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"Let's Create Day" - THIS SATURDAY
Let's gather at the church for a day of fun and creativity from 10am to 4pm, drop in or stay the day. Using the church and its neighborhood as inspiration, bring your artistic eye and talent to create something wonderful to donate for our Multimedia Art Sale. For example, the gorgeous chandelier may inspire a jewelry maker or a potter; the corbels may light a spark for carver or a pencil sketcher; the organ pipes for a collage or a fiber artist. Plus we have all the wonderful nooks and crannies, garden areas and soaring spaces for photographers, painters, printmakers, sculptures... All ages and level of talent welcome.
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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.
The four following workshops are from the dynamic curriculum put out by the UUA and contain large and small group discussions, videos and personal inventories.
2. HOW INJUSTICE DRIVES INEQUALITY: Tuesday March 31 First U 7-9pm
3. HOW DID WE GET HERE AND WHAT WE CAN DO: Tuesday April 21 at UUCW from 7-9pm
4. THE NEED FOR DIVERSITY IN UUism: Sunday May 3 at UUCW from 12:30-2:30
5. 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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Annual Food Drive to support Carty Cupboard
at Wesley United Methodist Church
Bring your donations to church now through April 12th
After the holidays, many food pantries are depleted of many essential items; today's challenging economy has caused an increase in the number of people needing food stability. Your help is needed NOW!
We will begin collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries and household items from March 8th - April 12th
Please bring in your donations each Sunday, and leave them at the donation location in the dining hall. Items needed are:
Canned meat, soups, pasta, cereal, feminine products, baby food, rice, peanut butter, diapers, canned vegetables, canned fruit, spaghetti sauce
Thank you for your support!
BYKOTA
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Adult Faith Development Programs - Upcoming
Sundays @ Noon Lecture Series
March 29 - THIS SUNDAY in the Chapel.
Restorative Justice and Curbing Youth Violence
Restorative justice is an innovative approach to law enforcement that changes the model of crime and punishment and instead brings victims and perpetrators together to explore ways to make restitution and repair broken relationships. Restorative justice also has the potential to improve school disciplinary procedures, to reduce suspension rates and to reduce delinquency. Restorative justice can divert young people away from the traditional juvenile justice system, thereby reducing the harm and trauma associated with arrest and detention. The city of Worcester is considering models of Restorative Justice as part of its Youth Violence Prevention plan. Our congregation will have the opportunity to learn more about Restorative Justice and Peace Education more generally through two Sunday talks.
On March 29th, Christa Drew, the executive director for the Center for Nonviolent Solutions will share the principles of Restorative Justice/Practices and Laurie Ross, associate professor at Clark University and First U. member, will discuss how the application of these principles can help to reduce youth violence in Worcester.
On April 26th, Claire Shaeffer-Duffy, the Chair of the Center for Nonviolent Solutions Board of Directors, will talk about the Center's work in the Worcester Public Schools with a focus on Sullivan Middle School. Her talk will highlight the importance of grounding conflict resolution in a larger context of Peace Education.
There will be time for questions and discussion at both sessions. Our hope is that these conversations can lead to ideas for how First Unitarian Church of Worcester could be involved to support a broader adoption of Restorative Justice and Peace Education for youth throughout Worcester.
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 4 - Church Ownership and Governance
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. Click here to sign up for Embracing
a Life of Meaning.
First Fridays
Evening for Families: Dessert & Coffee with Sarah and Deb
Friday, April 3, 7:00-8:30pm Bancroft Room
Families are warmly invited to a sweet evening of conversation with Reverend Sarah Stewart and Acting Director of Faith Development. Deborah Levering. Both are eager to know parents and families better and hear about your joys and challenges in raising children of faith. All ages welcome. Childcare is not available for this gathering. Please RSVP by March 31st to dlevering@firstunitarian.com
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David Stewart Composition to be Premiered Tuesday
"Fantasy" for viola solo by David Nisbet Stewart will be premiered by Peter Sulski at Holy Cross.
Additional pieces in the free concert will be Robert Schumann's Märchenbilder (Fairy-Tale Pictures), Op. 113; Brahms' Intermezzo, A Major, Op. 118; Rebecca Clarke's Sonata for Viola and Piano; Gordon Jacob's Air and Dance.
Location: Brooks Concert Hall (Fenwick Hall)
Time: 7:30 PM Tuesday March 31, 2015
N.B. David Stewart is Rev. Sarah Stewart's father.
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Worcester Threshold Singers
A small group of dedicated threshold singers has continued singing and learning, under Nan Gibbon's faithful leadership, through the fierce winter. Of course, a couple of Tuesdays were missed due to severe weather and inability to travel but behind the scenes work continued.
Now, spring is springing - yes it is - in spite of lingering blasts of winter. We need folks to join the group who want to sing and prepare to serve Worcester's aging population who are struggling to live and die with dignity. A great voice is not required! A great heart is!!
Please come and sing with us in the Bancroft Room the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and learn more about this mission and what it could mean in your life
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Whoever welcomes you welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
-teachings of Jesus
Sunday Greeters
Being on the receiving end of a warm smile and a "good to see you" or a "good morning" is to be offered a welcoming gift. It is a gift that you can give on a Sunday morning. Reaching out in greeting affirms the one entering and the one greeting.
If you would like to be a Sunday morning greeter, please stop by the Welcome Table or speak to one of us. We will sign you up for a date and give you the information you will need.
Coffee Hour
Refreshment after worship is a gift of service to the church. The food you bring need not be elaborate. If you would like to provide this hospitality, please stop by the Welcome Table after worship and sign up for a date. Invite a friend to join you in this offering.
Name Tags & Newsletter
If you need a name tag or would like to receive the church newsletter, please stop by the Welcome Table.
Lee Reid
Sue Shaw
Linda Carney
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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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Important First U Links
Join a blog...catch up on First U news... |
| 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
It's not to late
to order tulips
Sign Up for
the Passover Seder
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