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News & Events
November 1, 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 Monday, November 9 - book discussion of "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Click here for details about the Race and Racism Discussion group.
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Pledge Campaign Update
On Sunday, the Finance Committee presented the working draft 2016 budget which they have just completed. It includes several new funding goals: a staff cost of living increase; salary adjustments, to be more in line with UUA recommendations; an increase in the amount given to the UUA, to come closer to our Fair Share; and an increase in the portion of Sunday collections given to selected social action programs. In order to fund these goals, we need to raise a total of $290,000 in pledges, about a $26,000 which is $26,000 more that we budgeted last year, or $15,000 more than we actually received in pledges.
So far we have received 144 pledges, for a total of $214.050, which is 73% of the budget goal. We expect to receive about 205 pledges, so we have received 70% of our pledges. Looking back over our weekly pledge results since the campaign started, the percent of pledges received has always approximately equaled the percent of the 2016 budget goal received; so if this pattern continues (we hope it does!) we are on track to meet our budget goal.
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The Generosity Path by Mark Ewert
Book Discussion Group in the Landers Room - TONIGHT
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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A Rabbi, a Priest and a Minister Walk Into a Bar
An Interfaith Discussion for Young Adults
It's not a joke but will sure be lots of fun! Be prepared to ask anything you've always wanted to know... but were afraid to ask. Sun. Nov. 1 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Citizen Wine Bar at 120 Commercial St. in Worcester. All young adults of any faith or none, ages 21-45, are welcome to attend.
Join us for some appetizers and a lively and discussion at Citizen's Wine Bar with clergy of 3 different faiths from our community. Co-sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel, Rabbi Aviva Fellman will facilitate our discussion. Rev. Sarah Stewart (Unitarian Universalist) and Fr. Dave Woessner (Episcopal) will participate as well. Come ready with any questions you have for the clergy to answer and be prepared to hear a few jokes from the perspective of their faith tradition. RSVP's appreciated so we have enough seats.
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Final Fall Fanfare Concert - November 1 at 3pm
Celebrating Will Sherwood's 30 Years as Director of Music at First Unitarian
The program will begin with Strauss' famous "Thus Spake Zarathustra" with organ, brass, and percussion, and highlights the best of Requiem excerpts throughout the ages by Mozart, Verdi, Berlioz, Rutter, Brahms, Faure, and Lauridsen.
Full orchestra, the WPI Brass Ensemble (directed by Dr. Douglas Weeks), organ, choir, and soloists will join forces to present this thrilling and varied concert that includes other works by Rimsky-Korsakov, and Gabrielli. John Hanulik will be the featured oboe soloist with orchestra for Vivaldi's Concerto in d minor. The WPI Brass Ensemble will present the Worcester Premier of Herbet Haufrecht's stirring "Dona Nobis Pacem."
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Men's Group First Meeting
Sunday, November 8
The newly formed Men's Group will have its first meeting on Sunday,
November 8, at Noon in the Chapel. At this meeting we will decide what activities we want to do, and how often we want to meet. If you have ideas but cannot attend the meeting, please send an email Rick Silva at avlis@aol.com or to Ken Mandile at kmandile@swissturn.com
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We are very pleased to announce that for our November 20th potluck, Bonnie Prescott has arranged for a wonderful speaker: Marilyn Polito, a docent from Preservation Worcester. Marilyn will speak to us about The Corsets Industry in Worcester. This is a great topic, rich with our history and worldwide fame. We're sure you will love this!
We will start the evening with our usual potluck dinner starting at 6:00 p.m.
All women of the church are encouraged to attend, please bring a dish and drink to share.
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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
Community Conversations:
Combating the Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness
Sunday, November 15, 1-4pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester
90 Holden Street, Worcester, MA
Click here for more information.
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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