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News & Events
January 05, 2016
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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 held in the Landers Room at 7pm.. The next meeting is Sunday, January 10 - a movie screening of "West Side Story" (unrated.)
Click here for details about the Race and Racism Discussion group.
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Nominating Committee News
It is the time of year to choose leaders for positions in the church. The nominating committee, (Scott Hayman, Carrie West, Jen Reidy, and Liz Gustavson and one person to be named) have been meeting to discern candidates. In addition to our consideration of people we know, we are open to ideas and suggestions from everyone in the congregation. If you--or your friend--who are members of the church would like to be considered for a position, we would love to hear from you! Email Liz at gustavsonliz@hotmail.com or put a name into the green-covered box labeled Nominating Suggestions in the dining room.
Click here for details about the positions that need to be filled during a vote at our Annual Meeting, the last Sunday in January.
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Prudential Committee Votes to Hang Banners
On December 21, 2015 the Prudential Committee continued discussion on the topic of hanging banners in response to anti-Muslim statements in the media. We discussed feedback from the December 13 listening session, the strong support from the Social Justice Committee, and personal conversations with our community. Following the discussion we voted unanimously hang banners on the front of the church that will say:
- Religious freedom for all.
- We stand with our Muslim neighbors.
In addition to hanging the banners, we have taken additional precautions against risk of vandalism to our building and contacted the Worcester police department to notify them of our plan.
This will be another public statement about peace, justice, and equality we have made publicly from the steps of our church in recent months. (Attached photos: Jim Scott singing at Community Voices for Peace on new years eve. Welcome banner from Pride march in September.)
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Meet a Muslim Day
Sat., Jan. 9, 1-4 p.m.
The Worcester Islamic Center (our co-sponsor from the New Years eve Community Voices for Peace event) is hosting the Meet a Muslim Day this Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 1 to 4 PM. Join us in learning about Islam and building our strong Worcester community. Read more about this event in a Boston Globe article here.
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Annual Meeting
Committee Reports Requested!
First Unitarian will hold the annual meeting of the congregation following the service on January 31, 2016. The Prudential Committee and Lay Leadership Program Council request committee chairs submit reports no later than January 11 by emailing to office@firstunitarian.com.
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Final Pledge Campaign Update
Our pledge campaign has ended. We raised $257,000 in pledges. Adding expected late pledges, and our estimate of pledges from new members in 2016, the total budgeted pledge amount for 2016 is $276,000.
Thanks to all for your generosity!
Stewardship Committee:
Rick Silva, Chair
Lee Bona
Diane Mandile
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Mission Statement Presentation
Thursday, Jan. 8 in the Bancroft Room at 7pm
The Prudential Committee and Rev. Sarah Stewart began a process last year to renew the mission of our church. In 2015, the Values and Mission team held eight sessions and heard from about 150 members and friends of First Unitarian Church. They are pleased to present a draft Mission Statement for First Unitarian Church:
In loving fellowship we strive to
- Honor the Sacred
- Connect with each other
- Serve justice
The draft Mission statement goes on to say, with words taken from our current Mission statement:
- We worship together in the sacred space of our sanctuary through the spoken word and music. We are committed to nurturing the spiritual lives of our children.
- We choose to live in community. We are called to be present to one another in suffering, to risk being uncomfortable, and to celebrate the holy in each other and in the world around us.
- We are committed to standing on the side of love and justice for our fellow human beings. We are committed to caring for the global environment on which the bodily and spiritual nurturance of our children and future generations depends.
This is your opportunity to discuss this statement and give feedback before a vote to adopt it at Annual Meeting on Sunday January 31.
The Values and Mission team is composed of Carol Gregory, Laura Kirshenbaum, Steve Knox, Joan Russo, and the Rev. Sarah Stewart.
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Everyone heads to the dining room after worship happily looking to see what edibles might be on the table. One person said..."it's either feast or famine" about what we may find. Sometimes we enjoy a bounteous spread and other times a few bits and pieces. Always we appreciate that others have thought of us and brought delicious edibles. Providing refreshments for your church friends is a lovely and much appreciated service. Why don't you ask others to share a date to help provide food with you? It doesn't have to be fancy. The Caring Circles have already signed up for dates. Please use this online sign-up calendar so that others will know available dates to bring goodies. We all enjoy something to eat after worship and we can all contribute to the offering at some time.
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Upcoming John Henry's Hammer Concerts
Save These Dates
Open Mic resumes this Friday, January 8 at 7pm.
January 16 - Claudia Schmidt - 7pm (see below) February 27 - Youth Talent Show Fundraiser - 7pm March 13 - Jean Gough and her band - 7pm April 16 - Cold Chocolate - 7pm
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John Henry's Hammer Concert - First Unitarian Church Featuring Claudia Schmidt
January 16 - Doors Open at 7 p.m.
Claudia Schmidt performs at John Henry's Hammer Coffee House. DOORSOPEN at 7:00 p.m.. CONCERT BEGINS @ 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Folk and jazz music. CLAUDIA is a dynamite performer coming to us from the Midwest. Lucky Worcester is one of her tour sites. Becky and David Spanagel were mesmerized by her performance in the past. More info about Claudia here.
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Come Discover Yourself Anew
Your Personal Gifts Inventory
This Personal Gifts Inventory is a tool for helping you discover your unique strengths, passion, and power. Where is your energy strong? What do you enjoy or feel good about? What new and challenging opportunities open up for you when you affirm and share your personal gifts? You may be surprised. In this 1½ -hour session we will complete the survey and reflect on our new or re-newed understanding of our personal gifts and the ways we might use them in the world.
Join Ken Mandile and Deborah Levering at 12 noon on Sunday, Jan. 10 in the Mirick room.
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UU Sisterhood Monthly Potluck
January 15 - Gather at 6pm
Let's start off the New Year with light hearts and laughter at our first 2016 gathering.
Let's play games! Everyone seemed to enjoy Pictionary when we played it once, should we do it again? If there is game you'd rather play, bring it and we'll choose. Or you can sit and philosophize with your friends.
Friday, January 15
Gather at 6 pm - lights out at 9 pm
Bring a favorite dish to add to our potluck and a beverage to share
Questions: contact Lee Reid reidknox@aol.com
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Helping With Sunday Worship
Since church started up last fall, people in the congregation have been helping with Sunday worship. It's a nice part of the service to see someone rise from the pews head to the altar and light the chalice. Sometimes they say a few words, sometimes they light it in silence. This action offers us another connection to the service. Along with chalice lighting is helping Reverend Stewart with her order of worship by reading scripture. She provides the copy to be read. Every Sunday has had someone participating. Now it is time to start signing up to help this winter and spring. If you are interested in this service, please go to the link below and pick a date. You can share this work with your family, a friend or anyone else.
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Community News & Events
Join the new Goodreads book club for UUs!
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Important First U Links -
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