 |
The Unitarian
October 18, 2015
Vol. 70, No 6
Join Us for Worship This Week
|
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 18, 2015
Sermon: "What Unites Us"
Preaching: The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart
When we think people are different from us, it can be easy to be afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. That fear can keep us from getting involved, even in such good works as our ministry with the homeless through the Interfaith Hospitality Network. But the spiritual practice of empathy helps us connect to our neighbors, even our homeless neighbors whose struggles may be very different from our own.
|
|
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30 p.m.
12:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
|
Nursery Care in Classroom 4.
Children's Chapel in Unity Hall. See below.
Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft/Dining Rooms.
Mission & Values Session in the Chapel.
Annual Mt. Wachusett Climb. See below.
Seven Hills Symphony Rehearsal in Unity Hall.
YRU2 Meeting in the Youth Lounge.
|
|
Faith Development News - Children's Chapel This Sunday
Children's Chapel, our monthly age-appropriate, child-specific worship service will take place this Sunday, October 18 in Unity Hall. Children will not start in the sanctuary, but will gather in Unity Hall for their own special worship service. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to Unity Hall before going to the sanctuary. Please plan to come back to Unity Hall to meet your youngsters following the adult service. Childcare for threes and under is available in the Nursery off the Landers room.
|
This Sunday
Annual Mt. Wachusett Outing
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.
|
Fall Concert Series - TONIGHT featuring William Ness, organist
celebrating three centuries of Italian organ bravura
Saturday, October 16th - 7:00pm
Now retired from First Baptist Worcester (now interim in Hartford), organist William Ness has prepared a delicious Italian musical treat to open our Fall concert series.
A diverse range of rare repertoire will be performed that celebrates three centuries of Italian composers.
In an effort to increase attendance and offer "an evening out," Viva Bene restaurant (~3 blocks from the church) is offering a 15% discount for your meal that evening (before OR after). Park at the church and stroll down for dinner (Italian, seafood, vegetarian, salads, drinks).
Works include: Vivaldi, Martini, Frescobaldi,
Manari, Bossi, Germani.
"Italy was far ahead of its neighbors
in expressing the beauty of tone"
|
Country Blues Artists - This Saturday Paul Rishell & Annie Raines
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.
|
Race and Racism Discussion Series in the Landers Room
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.
|
Three Great Events on One Day - Save the Date!
Sunday, November 1
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!
|
Series Begins Sunday November 8
Are you new to Unitarian Universalism or would you like to know more about the faith tradition? The New UU conversations are for you. All newcomers and new members are welcome. It is important to make a commitment to attend all four sessions. Led by Jesse Anderson on 4 Sundays, November 8-29, 9-10am in the Chapel. Please RSVP by November 1 to dlevering@firstunitarian.com
November 8 - Your Religious Past
November 15 - UU and Your Theologies
November 22 - The history of UU and First U
November 29 - How First U Works
|
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:
|
|
SOMETHING NEW IS COMING YOUR WAY!
A DEPICTION OF THE CHURCH HAS BEEN CRAFTED INTO
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
|
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
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.
|
"Smiling is the way the soul says hello." Jarod Kintz
Smiling is the signal we are recognized. It is also free and usually painless.
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
|
|
Important First U Links -
|
|
|
|
|
|
