 |
News & Events
February 16, 2016
|
|
The deadline for newsletter submissions to this enews is noon on the Monday before Tuesday publication.
|
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 Monday, February 22 . Due to the cancellation of the February 8 meeting there will be a discussion of Caesar Chavez. We'll push discussing The Death of Josseline to April 11. We'll meet one additional Monday at the end of the schedule, on June 6.
The revised schedule is:
February 22 - Movie discussion of "Caesar Chavez
March 13 - Movie screening of "12 Years a Slave"
March 14 - Movie discussion of "12 Years a Slave"
April 11 - Book discussion of "The Death of Josseline"
April 25 - Documentary Screening and Discussion of "Race: The Power of an Illusion: The Difference Between Us"
May 9 - Documentary Screening and Discussion of "Race: The Power of an Illusion: The Story We Tell"
May 23 - Documentary Screening and Discussion of "Race: The Power of an Illusion:
"The House We Live In"
June 6 - Closing Worship Service
For details about this series click here.
|
This Lenten season, join Rev. Sarah for Friday luncheons and a study of the Gospel of Mark. We'll gather from noon to 2 p.m. on Fridays from Fri. Feb. 19 through Good Friday, March 25. The gospel of Mark is the oldest of the four gospels and presents a rich picture of the life and ministry of Jesus. Our discussion will consider the context of the gospel, the stories it tells, and the spiritual meanings they convey for our lives today. Bring a brown bag lunch and join us for this series of six discussions.
Please bring a Bible with you (any translation is fine). Rev. Sarah will be using the book Conversations with Scripture: The Gospel of Mark by Marcus J. Borg to guide the discussions. You may get a copy of this book if you wish, but it's not necessary to participate in the study group.
Please sign up for one or all of these Lenten Friday Luncheons with Rev. Stewart here.
|
What does the "spirit of Jesus" mean for you...
Rev. Sarah Stewart is preaching this Sunday on Ralph Waldo Emerson and his understanding of Jesus of Nazareth in the Unitarian faith. Every Sunday here at First Unitarian Church, we say in our covenant, "...in the spirit of Jesus, we unite..." What does the "spirit of Jesus" mean for you today? Rev. Sarah welcomes your short responses at sstewart@firstunitarian.com. Responses may be used anonymously in this Sunday's sermon.
|
Lay Leadership Pastoral Care Workshop
Rev. Stewart will lead a Lay Pastoral Care Workshop on Sun. Feb. 21 after church from 12 to 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend. We'll discuss home and hospital visiting, the spiritual value of presence, and the importance of healthy boundaries. We'll have the chance to role-play caring situations. We'll reflect on the times in our own lives when we have been cared for and when we have offered a caring presence to others. There is no fee for this workshop. Please sign up for this workshop here.
|
UUA STUDY ISSUE WORKSHOP SERIES
|
Hear Julius Jones at the UUCW on February 17
As part of the UUA study series on Escalating Inequality, Julius Jones will speak at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden Street (corner of Holden St. and Shore Drive).
Though Julius Jones has recently been in Worcester news for being arrested in Kelly Square, he has been active in the community for more than a decade. He was a student at Clark University from 1998 - 2001. At Clark, he served as minority representative on the student council for 2 years and was on the staff of the student newspaper, "Wheatbread." Following that he was Farm Manager for the Regional Environmental Council's YouthGrow project and also grew the number of community gardens in the city. Currently he is a co-director of the Roots project, their Development director and Co-op Incubation Coordinator. He is a founding member of Black Lives Matter Worcester.
|
WPI Stage Band Offers Big Treat for Valentine's Service
A big thank you to Rich Falco (director) and the WPI STAGE BAND for providing great music at Sunday's service. Alesia Tringale was featured Soprano soloist for Ellington's Come Sunday. And there was dancing in the aisles!
|
The response to Rev. Sarah's request for Sunday readers this fall was overwhelming. We have readers signed up for most of the church year! However, there are still some Sundays open in May and June. On your Sunday, you'll light the chalice and can either bring words of your own to say or read words Sarah provides (your choice). Families are encouraged to light the chalice together. Sarah will send you the scripture passage to read on the Thursday of the week you sign up. Youth and adults may sign up to read. If you would like to be a Sunday reader, please sign up here.
|
Wiogora Registration Open Now!
The Wiogora Council and Professor Veralyce Gibbons, Headmistress, are excited to announce that Registration is open for Wiogora's Summer program - July 25th to August 5th. Our fifth year's theme is Mystery: The Order of the Phoenix! Go to www.wiogora.org to sign up young scholars; After last year's success, we anticipate filling up quickly! Our program uses Harry Potter's story to teach the inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and use of democratic process; The goal of peace, liberty and justice for all; and Respect for the interdependent web of existence by caring for planet Earth.
|
Circle Suppers - Deadline Extended
To all of you who have enjoyed Circle Suppers in the past or may be joining us for the first time, welcome! Circle Suppers are a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and get to know those folks you never really get to talk to during Fellowship Hour. Those who sign up for these suppers commit to attending or hosting a small dinner party in one another's homes. Singles as well as couples are invited to sign up! Please note, currently these are adults only functions.
There is no requirement to have gourmet culinary skills since the main objective is to get to know each other while having a wonderful evening in a relaxed atmosphere. You may also want to consider a Circle Supper Plus + Event. More information and forms will be available at the Welcome Table.
Sign up deadline is extended to February 21, 2016.
|
UU Sisterhood Monthly Potluck
February 19 - THIS FRIDAY
This month at our UU Sisterhood Monthly Potluck gathering our own DJ Rice will be teaching us to make cream puffs and pastry cream.
She has asked that we flip flop our meeting so that we can have the dessert ready to eat after dinner.
So for this month only the program will begin at 6:30 with dinner to follow. Please gather in the dining room any time after 6:00 pm for program, dinner and fellowship.
Our gatherings are open to all women of the church. Please bring a potluck dish and a beverage to share.
|
Men's Group Dinner and Movie Night
The Men's Group February event will be Dinner and Movie Night at the College of the Holy Cross on Wednesday, February 24. We will meet in Seelos Theater at 6:30 PM for a brief tour of the theater given by Jesse Anderson. We will then go upstairs to the Kimball Hall Dining Room for Dinner ($10, all you can eat). After dinner we will return to the theater to watch the movie, "Suffragette", which starts at 8 PM. For more information about this event, or directions to the theater, contact Rick Silva at 774-262-0419 or avlis@aol.com.
|
Mark your calendar for Sunday February 28!
After Church, there will be a Winter Fun Afternoon at the Mirick Farm on the slopes of Mt Wachusett in Princeton. We're planning on sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing now that we're finally getting snow this winter. There will be a bonfire, and a cooking fire by the lean-to for make-your-own s'mores, and hot drinks.
Plan to leave the Church about noon. Bring your own picnic lunch, which you can eat in the dining room before leaving, in your car on the way (the drive is about 25 minutes), or around the fire after you arrive.
Get all the details here.
|
If you've ever gazed at a sweet and familiar face,
and forgot the name that goes with it,
you value a name tag.
Tucked in the corner on your left as you enter the Bancroft Room is our Welcome Table. It's really a beautiful old desk that some generous soul probably gave to the church years ago. It continues to provide a happy and useful purpose. Next to it gently rests Edward Everett Hale's chair. (Learn more about Edward Everett Hale here.)
If you are new or visiting, just stop by and say "hello". You'll find friendly faces and answers. You'll also find information about the church, CDs from earlier sermons, details on Sunday school, materials on Unitarian Universalism, membership information, a way to receive the church's newsletter, and the sign-up sheet to request a name tag.
Lee Reid
Sue Shaw
Linda Carney
|
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.
|
Upcoming John Henry's Hammer Concerts
Save These Dates
Open Mic Friday, February 28 at 7 pm
February 27 - Youth Talent Show Fundraiser - 7pm March 12 - "Jazzin' About Town"
featuring Jean Gough - 7pm
|
Special John Henry's Hammer
Youth Concert
February 27th - 7:00pm
Remember our First U Talent Show last Fall? Well--here's another chance to see our talented youth perform! Members of the First U Youth Group are presenting a concert at John Henry's Hammer, Saturday, February 27th. It's a fundraiser for First U youth programs.
Tickets are $5/person or $15/family. Tickets will be on sale on Sunday's following the service.
|
Jean Mancini Gough and Jazzin' About Town March 12th - 7:00pm
|
Workshop Invitation
Real. Good. Embodied. Worship For Religious Professionals, Worship Committees, Youth Worship Teams and Lay Worship Leaders More info here.
Other UUA NE Region Learning Events here
|
|
Important First U Links -
|
|
|
|
|
|
