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News & Events
October 6, 2015
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The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart
Sarah is typically in the office on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 4:30pm; Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm. To schedule an appointment please call the church at 508-757-2708, ext. 107. She can also be reached at
My Adult Faith Development offering this year is a book and movie discussion group on race and racism. The next meeting is Sunday, October 15 - a movie screening of "Do the Right Thing" (rated R) in the Landers Room at 7 p.m. Click here for details about the Race and Racism Discussion group.
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Our sincere sympathy to Vivian Shortreed and family on the death of her son, Michael R. Shortreed. Michael died Wednesday, September 30 at the age of 52. A memorial service will be held at First Unitarian Church on Friday, October 30 at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Sarah Stewart is officiating.
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Pledge Campaign Update
Thank you to all 121 church members and friends who participated in Pledge Day. And thanks also to all who ran the various activities throughout the day, especially the youth who managed the Talent Show. The day was truly a wonderful multi-generational event. The winner of the raffle for the iPad Mini was Fran Nase. Congratulations, Fran!
So far, we have raised a total of $174,940 from 125 pledges. Last year we raised $275,000 from about 200 pledges, and this year we want to implement several new initiatives that Rev. Stewart has talked about over the last several weeks. So we still have a ways to go!
We will be sending out a letter to all who have not yet pledged, and then we will begin phone calls, so please, if you have not pledged, send your pledge in soon. Help us make this a successful pledge campaign.
More Pledge Day photos here
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First U's Chili Cook-Off
First U's Chili Cook-Off was a red hot success. We had a wonderful variety of entries, including white, vegetarian, Cincinnati-style, Southwestern, bean, and authentic Texas chilies. The dinner was sponsored by the LLPC as part of the Stewardship Committee's Pledge Day on Saturday. More than 80 people sampled from 11 choices of chili. Thank you to the many people who helped organize, set-up, and clean-up. Special thanks to our chefs!
See who the chefs are and get the 1st Place recipe here
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The Generosity Path by Mark Ewert
Book Discussion Group in the Landers Room
As UUs, we gather together for many different reasons, such as community, spiritual growth, and working together to make the world a better place. Each of those intentions requires us to give of ourselves in some way - and it can be a struggle to balance those investments of our time, money, and energy against all the other demands in our lives. That struggle is often one of the most prominent ones in UU congregations.
To help navigate those competing demands, the ministers of the First Unitarian Church of Worcester and the UU Society Of Grafton And Upton are collaborating to hold a weekly discussion group on Mark Ewert's wonderful book The Generosity Path (published by Skinner House Books).
Starting October 27, we will meet every Tuesday evening from 7:30 to 8:30pm at the First Unitarian Church of Worcester (at 90 Main St.) to discuss a section of the book and to explore together how we give and receive and, moreover, build connections with others. The conversations will be facilitated by the Rev. Sarah Stewart and the Rev. Tom Bozeman.
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Would you like to join a men's group?
We will perhaps meet monthly for a
range of activities decided upon by the group. Some of the ideas that have been suggested so far: Listen to a TED Talk and follow up with a discussion, go for a hike, do a service project together (Earth Day Cleanup, for example). If you are interested, please come by our table at the Opportunity Fair on Sunday, October 4. You can also contact Rick Silva at 774-262-0419 or avlis@aol.com. Once we have a list of potential members, we will set up a planning meeting.
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Caring Circle Leaders are planning to add colored dots to everyone's name tags to help in identifying which Caring Circle each member is in. Stop by the Welcome Table after worship services to get your dot.
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Worcester Interfaith presents "The Beggar's Bowl," the 10th annual fundraiser and arts event, on Tuesday, October 13, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 111 Park Ave., Worcester. Enjoy artisan bread and a bowl of homemade soup made by Jesse and Sue Anderson, served in a hand-thrown stoneware bowl which you get to take home. Donation is $50. Join members of the First U community who will be attending. We'll save a place at the table! For more information, call Worcester Interfaith at 508-754-5001.
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Country Blues Artists
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines
Saturday, October 17th - 7:00pm
Raines are returning to the John Henry's Hammer Coffeehouse at the First Unitarian Church or Worcester on Saturday, October 17th. Doors open at 7:00 and show starts at 7:30. Their last show at the JHH coffeehouse was wicked good! Don't miss this award winning, country blues guitar and harmonica duo who have been at it since 1992, racking up hundreds and thousands of miles on the road in the U.S. and Europe, as well as a string of award winning and nominated albums for acoustic blues.
TICKETS ARE $15.00 IN ADVANCE AND $20.00 AT THE DOOR.
VISIT PAUL AND ANNIE'S WEBSITE
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Community News & Events
UUA New England Region: Strengthening Justice Ministries - A Workshop for Social Action/Justice Committee Members and other Congregational Leaders. Offered in two locations and online. More info here.
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Important First U Links -
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