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News & Events
October 21, 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 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.
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Our sincere sympathy to Maureen Seith on the death of her sister.
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Pledge Campaign Update
So far, we have received 142 pledges. Our current pledge total is $212,650. 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.
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50/50 Collection Recipient - This Sunday, October 25
The Regional Environmental Council
The Regional Environmental Council (REC) of Central Massachusetts is a grassroots environmental justice organization located in Worcester. Founded in 1971, REC has been dedicated to building healthy, sustainable and just communities in Worcester and beyond for more than 40 years. Click here for more information about REC.
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BYKOTA flies its mascot at the top of Mt. Wachusett
Sunday, October 18th, the Bykota youth hiked to the top of Mt. Wachusett on a cold, autumn day - and even saw a few snowflakes along the way! At the top of the mountain, we were welcomed by John and Diane Mirick, with cookies and apple cider! What a great tradition, and we thank them for their hospitality.
Our mascot, a kite named Ollie the Purple Octopus, joined us in our journey, and was happy to fly in the wild wind at the top of the mountain! It was a great day for everyone.
Bykota is a youth group for youth in grades 6-8. We would love another adult (male) volunteer to be an advisor for these great kids. Contact Lesa McWalters at lesamcwalters@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining the team or want more information.
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Sounds and Fury - This Friday
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.
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A big "Thank You" to all who participated in our Pledge Day service project making Hygiene Kits! Whether you helped sew, provided supplies or filled bags, your help contributed to 55 finished hygiene kits! (Not bad for one day's sewing!!) The kits were packed up and shipped to the Mennonite Central Committee, a non-profit agency providing relief, service, and peace services to people facing disaster or crisis. Last year MCC distributed 45,167 hygiene kits to people in Jordan, Syria, Honduras, Lebanon, Haiti, Ukraine, Iraq, the U.S and other countries. See http://mcc.org/get-involved/serve/volunteer/mcc-east-coast-material-resources-center for more information. Thank you for being involved in helping those who need it most!
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New members enjoyed a lovely evening of conversation and delicious food at a recent dinner to welcome them into the congregation.
One new member, Rev Sarah Stewart, was warmly welcomed as well.
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Bingo and poker were part of gaming night fun at the October 16 UUSisterhood gathering. Good food and a good time was had by all as they spent their button money to stake their bets.
A special thanks to Madeline Silva for the Las Vegas set-up and outfits.
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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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Men's Group First Meeting
We are off and running!
So far, eighteen men have expressed interest in starting a men's group. Our first meeting will be Sunday, November 8, at Noon, in the Chapel. We will discuss what activities we want to do, and how often we want to meet. Please join us! If you are interested in joining, but cannot make the first meeting, please email your ideas about activities to Rick Silva at avlis@aol.com, or Ken Mandile at kmandile@swissturn.com.
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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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Community News & Events
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.
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Important First U Links -
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