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THE UNITARIAN
April 5, 2015
Vol. 69, No. 34
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, 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.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
6:00 p.m. |
Adult Choir Rehearsal in the Samctuary.
BYKOTA Meeting in the Bride's Room.
New Member Meeting in the Chapel.
Nursery Care in Classroom 4.
Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Children's Chapel in the Landers Room after dismissal from worship.
Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft Room and Dining Room after worship. All are invited.
YRU2 Meeting in the Youth Lounge.
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This Sunday's Easter Egg Hunt will take place outdoors following the worship service. Please dress your children accordingly and bring a bag or basket to collect eggs. The children will hunt for a designated number of eggs-all filed with money. Instead of taking home candy, the kids combine their money and donate it to sponsor a NEADs ("needs") dog. NEADS trains service and comfort dogs for the disabled and infirmed.
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WOW! Just WOW!!!
Check it out!
The Art Auction opens this Sunday, April 5th,
in the newly renovated Chapel.
We are auctioning over 100 pieces of gorgeous art,
Many by church members and local artists.
The art will be on exhibit in the chapel starting this Sunday at 9:00 am.
Come up and take a look before the service
and register for your bidding number.
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Children & Youth Ministries Faith Development Survey
Parents are encouraged to participate in the new Children & Youth Ministries Faith Development survey sent by email earlier this week. If you did not receive an email, please use this link to participate in the survey. We are hoping for 100% participation from our families. Thanks!
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 Welcome Spring!! It's time to begin the fun process of actively beautifying our church grounds again.
This is an especially important year, with the up-coming installation celebration for Reverend Sarah Stewart on May 3. Please join the Friends of the Gardens for some fun and fellowship on the 2 Satruday mornings before the Installation, April 25th and/or May 2nd, 8 am to noon--to tidy up and beautify our gardens so we can really celebrate in style (rain or shine!!)
Then our spring Plant Exchange will be on Sunday May 10 (Mothers' Day) and Sunday May 17th this year. For those new to the church, this is a long-standing tradition--people bring potted plants (annuals, perennials, herbs, house plants) from their own garden to donate to the church on those days, and then we sell them after church at $5 per pot, as a fun exchange, AND a fund-raiser for the church and our gardens. This year we are working toward building funds for projects like an expanded shade garden in the front, and a labrynth around our Peace Pole. As the snow melts from your garden beds, please be planning for what you might divide and contribute! We have plenty of large empty plastic pots in the church garden storage shed if you need one. THANKS!!
Questions? Please contact co-chairs Kate O'Dell at odellkk@gmail.com or Mary Mcalister at maryalmc@gmail.com
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Adult Faith Development Programs - Upcoming
Sundays @ Noon Lecture Series
April 12 in the Chapel
Life in Palestine
Octavia Taylor and her husband Stephen spent the Fall 2014 semester living and volunteering in Palestine. Next Sunday, April 12th, they will report on the complexities of Israeli- Palestinian conflict and look at how daily life for Palestinians has been affected by the Israeli Occupation. Stephen taught a computer programming course at Birzeit University and Octavia worked with the Director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. The Taylors have lived five semesters in the Middle East, including a time in Syria for the 2009-10 academic year. Please join us in the Chapel to hear their perspective on the ongoing challenges in this part of the world.
April 26 in the Chapel
Restorative Justice and Curbing Youth Violence
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
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.
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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.
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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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
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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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