First Unitarian Ornament Available After Worship While Supplies Last
The Unitarian
October 11, 2015
Vol. 70, No 5

Join Us for Worship This Week 
    
First Unitarian Worcester (UUA) fall - garden
           

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,October 11, 2015
Sermon: "The People We Used to Be" 
Preaching: Mr. Jay Lavelle
In Slouching Towards Bethlehem  Joan Didion wrote, "I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not."  How did we become the people we are now when the people we used to be often seem mysterious or are sometimes even strangers?  How do we deal with what mattered in our past when we are now somewhere else?  How should our remembered past influence the open, transformative, giving life we seek to lead today? Mr. Jay Lavelle preaching.e precious life to learn to love each other as God loves us.

Before and After Worship 
  9:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.

11:45 p.m.
  5:00 p.m.
  6:30 p.m.
Caring Circle Leaders in Mirick Room 1.
Nursery Care in Classroom 4.
Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Sunday School after dismissal from Worship.
Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft/Dining Rooms.
Seven Hills Symphony Rehearsal in Unity Hall.
YRU2 Meeting in the Youth Lounge. 
Faith Development News
Parents of Children And Youth in our Faith Development classes and programs, please register your children. This is the link to the online registration form: https://goo.gl/wGzqNF. You can register up to three children on one form. Please complete the registration form as soon as possible so that we have the most up-to-date child and family information. Questions? [email protected] Thank you!
Annual Mt. Wachusett Outing
Mt Wachusett 2014
Sunday, October 18
On Sunday October 18 we're going to Mt Wachusett after Church.  We'll use Mountain House Trail -- an easy trail, about a mile long, on the easterly side of the mountain.  Little ones, most senior citizens, and everyone in between can do this walk, which is a gradual trail with lots of stopping places for anyone who needs to catch their breath.  It takes about 30 minutes, or a little longer if you stop frequently to admire the view on the way up.  Another option is to drive up the mountain, although parking is limited.  And there's also the chair lift ("the Sky Ride") from the ski area for a fee. Get all the details here.
SOMETHING NEW IS COMING YOUR WAY!
 
A DEPICTION OF THE CHURCH HAS BEEN CRAFTED INTO
Ornament First Unitarian Worcester UUA
A CHARMING ORNAMENT.
 
IT IS A LASER ETCHED 3" DIAMETER WOOD CIRCLE WITH AN ATTACHED RIBBON.
 
IT'S A PERFECT MEMENTO
TO HANG FROM YOUR WINDOW, CAR MIRROR,
ORNAMENT STAND OR CHRISTMAS TREE.
IT'S ALSO A LOVELY GIFT FOR ONLY $15.
 
THIS CHURCH FUNDRAISING ITEM WILL BE AVAILABLE AT
 SUNDAYS AFTER CHURCH UNTIL SUPPLIES ARE GONE.
 
Lee Reid & Sue Shaw
GALA! Save the Date!
Gala 2012 First Unitarian Worcester
Saturday, December 5, 6pm to 11pm
It's the fifth GALA!  December 5th! 6 to 11pm.  The theme: Make Music In Your Heart!   BELIEVE.   $55 per person.  Free childcare/pajama party on the lower level. The John Henry's Hammer House Band,  Cosmic Slim and his Intergalactic Plowboys, will provide music to boogie by.
 
Many decorations are already made.  Five chefs or chef teams are on board. A cookie chef has emerged for late hour munchies.
 
Contact me if you would like to donate your cooking talents and menu creations, hosting a table of 8 guests.  Another one or two chefs are welcome to join us--especially one who would cook a vegetarian meal.  If a novice to "chefdom"--the veterans will coach you.  We've got a system to our culinary madness.
 
Please consider assisting with decorating and setup on Friday,  December 4th.  The more helpers--the faster we transform the Dining Hall and Bancroft Room. My contact information is:
 
Linda Wyatt-508-798-5508 or [email protected]
Country Blues Artists
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines 
John Henry's Hammer
Saturday, October 17th - 7:00pm
Paul Rishell & Annie 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.
 

Three Great Events on One Day - Save the Date!
Sunday, November 1

WORSHIP
Will Sherwood First Unitarian Worcester
On Sunday, November 1st, All Souls' Sunday, we will be celebrating Will Sherwood's 30th anniversary as our Music Director at the First Unitarian Church!  Our morning worship service will feature Will at the organ with our Festival Choir performing selections from requiems by Mozart, Brahms, Verdi, Faure and Rutter.
And...
 
LUNCH
After the worship service we will honor Will with an all-church Vegetarian Potluck Luncheon!  There are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board in the dining room where you can sign up to bring a main dish, a salad, or drinks.  We will furnish a surprise desert (that rhymes with lake)! 
 
In addition to Will's many talents as a musician, web master, graphic designer, photographer, neon light artist, and gardener, he is a spectacular vegetarian gourmet chef!  Let's dazzle him with our creativity in assembling a vegetarian feast in his honor.
 
AFTERNOON CONCERT 
At 3:00 PM Will and our Festival Choir, joined by the 25-member brass choir from WPI, will perform a public concert of requiem highlights.  Invite your friends to what promises to be a wonderful concert.  Let's fill the church to hear the music we have come to love at First U!
 
Questions, contact:  Deborah Veroneau [email protected];
Sue Stafford [email protected]; Lee Reid [email protected]

New Members Dinner   
New Members Dinner First Unitarian Worcester UUA
Twenty-five of us enjoyed an evening of good company and delicious food as we welcomed recent new members into our congregations at a lovely celebration October 2.  An autumn themed setting, amazing appetizers and sweet music provided by Alana Arpine pleased everyone. Dinner was a delicious fall feast catered by new member DJ Allen-Rice. DJ teaches culinary arts at Worcester Vocational High School and two of her students also worked the event and pleased everyone with their gracious attention to every detail.  One new member, Reverend Sarah Stewart, centered us with opening and closing prayers. Moderator Seth Popenchalk spoke about our congregation and Lay Leadership Program Committee Chair Ken Mandile announced each new member and gifted them with a book.  Finally, a tip of our hats to our Sextons Bob Shaw and Sten Gustavson who helped wrap things up just right.
 
Hospitality & Membership Committee
Lee Reid
Linda Carney
Sign Up to Be a Worship Reader     
Rev. Stewart is  inviting members and friends to sign up to read the scripture passage during the service every Sunday. That same person (with their family, if they want) could light the chalice at the beginning of the service. Sign up to be the reader on an upcoming Sunday here or at the Welcome table in the sanctuary after September's services. I hope to have you participating in the service every Sunday.
Writers Group in the Bancroft Room -  MONDAYS
Logging the Voyage - journaling through the personal essay
wire-bound-pad.jpg
What's the difference between a diary and a journal? When people read the story of your life, will they care that you bought groceries today and don't like the price of spinach? Or will they want the stories that make you who you are, powerfully told. We'll explore this idea, trying to learn a bit about powerful writing. We'll practice as we go, and (constructively) criticize and cheer each other on, using online collaboration tools, and live readings. Led by Sten Gustavson. Next session is October 19.
Race and Racism Discussion Series in the Landers Room
Rev. Sarah Stewart
Coming: "Do the Right Thing" 
Rev. Stewart's Adult Faith Development offering this year is a book and movie discussion group on race and racism. The next meeting is a movie screening in the Landers Room on Sunday, October 25 at 7 p.m. of "Do the Right Thing" (rated R). Click here for more info and the discussion schedule.
Hospitality & Membership
"Smiling is the way the soul says hello." Jarod Kintz

Smiling is the signal we are recognized.  It is also free and usually painless.
Sunday Greeters First Unitarian Worcester UUA
If you have a smile to give, sign up at the Welcome Table to be a greeter on Sunday mornings.
 
Name Tags are the finishing touch in classy attire.  If you have one, look for it on one of the name tag racks or on the Welcome Table.  If you need one, stop by after worship.
 
If you need to stretch your legs during the service, be an usher.  They get to walk around and collect the offering while smiling.  Again, the Welcome Table.
 
Do you like nibble on something delectable with your coffee after worship?  Most of us do.  Please bring refreshments to share.  It doesn't have to be fancy.
 
Finally, before and after the service, seek out someone you haven't spoken to and say hello.   It's easy.
Sermons
 from the Worship Service of September 27, 2015

"Bringing Creation Toward Perfection" by Ken Mandile
 from the Worship Service of August 23, 2015
Important First U Links -
First Unitarian Church | 508.757.2708 | 508.753.9332
[email protected]  |  www.firstunitarian.com

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