Rev. Sarah Stewart

A Message from your Minister
Rev. Sarah Stewart
May 23, 2015

 

Joy and woe are woven fine,

clothing for the soul divine:

under every grief and pine

runs a joy with silken twine.

 

          ~from "Auguries of Innocence" by William Blake

          (Hymn 17 in Singing the Living Tradition)

 

Joy and woe are woven fine in our life together as a church. Sometimes in the same week we will celebrate our great accomplishments and blessings together, and also mourn and comfort one another in our losses. Sometimes in the same day. Being together as a church means being there for each other in times of joy and times of sadness.

 

These past few weeks have been like that. We celebrated our new ministry together at the service to install me as the twelfth minister of the Church. It was wonderful to share our beautiful sanctuary, committed and energetic congregation, warm hospitality and amazing music with the Worcester community and other Unitarian Universalists. We heard inspiring messages from Unitarian Universalist leaders. I am grateful to everyone who helped make the installation service and reception so wonderful.

 

That was the joy. But since then, our church family has lost two beloved members. Joan Bagley, a member since 1964, died of a sudden illness on May 7. Sarah Ewing, the young adult daughter of member Brenna Ewing, died in a traffic accident on May 14. We remembered both of these women at services at First Unitarian Church. Those who loved them are grieving.

 

In these times of sorrow, the church showed its true nature just as much as during our celebration of ministry. You attended the services for Joan Bagley and Sarah Ewing; you helped bring food; you held their families in your prayers; you called and visited those who were grieving. You cared for one another. These acts of caring form the ministry of the church just as much as the worship services we offer, or the music on Sunday mornings.

 

Both the installation service and the acts of kindness, organization and caring that helped Sarah and Joan's families grieve were examples of our shared ministry. From the choir to the office staff, from the Circles to the Sisterhood, from the ushers to the parking volunteers to those who knit prayer shawls: together, in times of woe and times of joy, we create the ministry of the church.

 

In faith,

 

Rev. Sarah C. Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Unitarian Church
90 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-757-2708