News & Events
October 13, 2015
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart     
Rev. Sarah 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 25 - 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.
Wheel of Life          
Our sincere sympathy to Linda Carney and family on the death of her former husband, Roger Carney , 81, on October 8, 2015. A memorial service will be held 11:30 A.M. on Friday, October 16, at Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, 33 Schofield Ave., Dudley, MA. Calling hour will be at 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the Bartel Funeral Home. View Roger's obituary here.

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. View Michael's obituary here.
Pledge Campaign Update
So far, we have received 66% of our expected pledge units.  Our current pledge total is $184,700.  The Finance Committee will be giving a presentation soon on their cost projections for next year's programs, and the dollar goal of this pledge campaign.

Pledge online here.
Annual Mt. Wachusett Outing - This Sunday
Sunday, October 18 
Mt Wachusett 2014
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.
Fall Concert 
William Ness Concert
Featuring William Ness  
Friday, October 16, 7pm

Now retired from First Baptist Worcester, organist William Ness has prepared a delicious Italian musical treat to open our Fall concert series.  A diverse range of pipe organ pieces will be performed that celebrates
three centuries of Italian composers. Our Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ is well suited to showcase
this repertoire.
UUSisterhood Fall Frolic  
Potluck - Friday, October 16, 6-9
Let's play games, chat, eat and enjoy time together at our monthly potluck dinner this Friday, October 16th,  from 6-9 PM.  Those who wish can play games so bring a favorite and see who wants to play.  Sounds like we might also have some Bingo.

All women of the church are encouraged to attend, please bring a dish and drink to share.  

Country Blues Artists
John Henry's Hammer
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
Sounds and Fury   
Seele Musicale Chamber Ensemble Concert - October 23
Come share an exciting evening of music with 1st Unitarian's Artists-in Residence, the Seele Musicale Chamber Ensemble.
  
Enjoy the incomparable, Alesia Triangle, soprano, singing Antonio Vivaldi's "Il Furore" and Samuel Barber's "Summer of 1915".
 
Also featured is the wonderful Brandenburg 4th Concerto of J. S. Bach.
 
The musicians include: Susan Holcomb, solo violin; Jerry Bellows & Alan Karass, recorders; Jaganath Khalsa and Pegeen Eslami, violins; the Rev. Sarah Stewart, viola, Ivy Turner, cello; and Kristjon Imperio, harpsichord. 
 
Pergolesi's Trio in G will round out the program.
 
The concert will be on Friday, October 23rd, 7:00 PM. First Unitarian Church, 90 Main St. Worcester. Free to the public. A reception will follow.
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.
 
Please let us know if you are interested and/or planning to attend by e-mailing [email protected]

Wiogora!

Save the dates for Wiogora! Summer 2016 Wiogora Summer Program dates are July 25 to August 5, 2016.  Watch for information in early spring regarding registration.  
 
The next Wiogora committee meeting is Monday, October 19th at 7pm in the Morgan Room. Join us as we plan next year's Harry Potter-themed program with ideas and themes inspired by Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix. All levels of involvement are welcome.
  
Contact Alison Ronn for more information: [email protected]

 Men's Group Starting    
Would you like to join a men's group?  
We will perhaps meet monthly for a
men's group
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 [email protected].  Once we have a list of potential members, we will set up a planning meeting.

Caring Circles
Caring Community Circle
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.

Community News & Events

Environmental Film Night - Free Public Screening of "Bidder 70" with a post screening Q&A with Tim DeChristopher at Worcester State University on Monday, October 19th at 7p.m. Details here.

UUA New England Region - October 2015 newsletter here.


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.
Important First U Links -
First Unitarian Church | 508.757.2708 | 508.753.9332
[email protected]  |  www.firstunitarian.com

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