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The Unitarian
February 28, 2016
Vol. 70, No 23
Join Us for Worship This Week
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Worship With Us This Week
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
February 28, 2016
"Creative Failure"
Preaching: The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart
If we wanted never to fail, we would never even try. Failure feels awful, but it is part of the creative process and part of becoming successful at our endeavors. Accepting our failures and learning from them is one of our spiritual tasks in our lives, our work and our relationships. We welcome Joy of Music Program's (JOMP) Jazz Trane.
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Before and After Worship
9:15 a.m. OWL K/1 Class in Mirick Room 1.
10:15 a.m. Nursery Care in Classroom 4.
10:30 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Sunday School after dismal from worship.
11:30 p.m. Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft/Dining Rms.
Social Justice Committee Volunteer Fair.
12:00 p.m. 1st Aid & CPR Training - Landers/Mirick Rms.
6:30 p.m. YRU2 Meeting in the Youth Lounge.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORUNITIES
This Sunday, February 28
Your Volunteer Opportunities:
Your Time Commitment: A few hrs < 6 months
First Unitarian's Social Justice Committee currently needs volunteers for three special projects:
- Dinners with resisdents at the Dismas Family Farm
- Recreation Worcester's After School Program at Elm Park Community School
- Forming a "community circle" for a refugee family
Get Information and Sign up at our Volunteer Fair during Coffee Hour.
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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.
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First Aid & CPR/AED Class UPDATE
We are excited to offer First Aid/CPR training for parents, teachers, and caregivers. This free course will be on
2 Sundays, February 28 and March 13 from 12:00-2:00pm in the Mirick Room. Led bychurch member and cardiologist Cliff Browning, the sessions require pre-registration. Register here
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50/50 Collection - Safe Homes
This Sunday, February 28, 2016
Safe Homes is a program supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, and their straight allies, between the ages of 14 and 23. The group is led by youth peer leaders, professional staff, and volunteers who offer support, resources, and opportunities for socialization in a safe and nurturing environment.
Safe Homes is a program of The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, a human services agency headquartered in Worcester. Safe Homes is one of 52 programs operated by The Bridge and is the only program in the area which provides specialized services to LGBTQ youth.
Our goal in offering support to LGBTQ youth throughout Central Massachusetts is to decrease isolation and foster general health and well-being. Our mission is to provide safe and supportive services for LGBTQ youth so that they feel nurtured and validated in all aspects of their identity.
Please make your check out to First Unitarian Church and write "Safe Homes" in the memo line.
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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.
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Special John Henry's Hammer THIS SATURDAY
Youth Concert
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.
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CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF SNOW
Winter Fun Afternoon 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.
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Escalating Inequality
At the Intersections of Gender, Race and Class
With Dr. Michelle Corbin
Sunday, February 28, 7pm in the Chapel
Dr. Corbin is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and affiliate faculty and Advisory Board Member of Women's Studies at Worcester State University. Dr. Corbin earned her Ph.D. in Sociology and her Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies from the University of Maryland. Her scholarship focuses on the interconnections between spirituality, knowledge, and social justice. In her scholarship and teaching she investigates the role of knowledge and consciousness in relations of power and inequality.
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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 Friday, February 28 at 7p.m
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.
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Jean Mancini Gough and Jazzin' About Town
March 12th - 7:00pm
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Sermons
from the Worship Service of September 27, 2015
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Important First U Links -
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