News & Events
May 17, 2016
The deadline for newsletter submissions to this enews is noon on the Monday before Tuesday publication.
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart     
Rev. Sarah 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, May 23  - see details below.

The schedule is:
May 23 - Documentary Screening and Discussion of "Race: The Power of an Illusion: "The House We Live In"
June 6 - Book Discussion: "Waking Up White" by Debby Irving

Green Exchange Update
Plant Sale 2011
Extended One Week
 
The Green Exchange Plant Sale is extended through May 22. This popular fund raiser is a wonderful way to share the wealth of your garden. There is a large supply of garden pots near the back of the garden, help yourself and fill them with divisions of your garden plants which we will sell for $5 each.

Walk for Homeless First Unitarian Worcester UUA
 
Thanks to all who donated to the 31st Annual Walk for Homeless this past Sunday!  TEAM "First Unitarian Church" raised over $6500 (with a possibility of that number doubling with a corporate match), thanks to many generous donations from this church, friends, co-workers, and colleagues who supported our walkers!!!  We had a team of 20+ walkers completing the 5K walk at Elm Park, including our youth, parents, church members and friends of the church.  What a blessed day! 
- submitted by Lesa McWalters, Youth Ministries Coordinator 

Faith in Action - Sunday, March 22 at noon
Presentation by Social Workers from the
Department of  Children and Families
family
 
Two social workers from the Department of Children and Families, Eulalia Leandres, MSW, Foster Care Reviewer, and Lashanda Stone, MA, Volunteer Coordinator, both of whom have worked many years in the specific area of permanent planning will talk about how the church community can assist the department with the needs of these children that cannot always be met by the Department due to the limitation of resources.  
 
Please attend this informative presentation in the Chapel from 12:00 to l:00 PM on Sunday, May 22nd.

Sunday Garden Tours Begin May 22
 
Sunday tours of church members' and friends' gardens are back! This year the Garden Tours begin on May 22. The tours will be 4 to 6 pm, when gardens aren't quite too wilted, should be really lovely and a nice chance for community. They'll occur any week it isn't storming. Questions? Email Mary McAlister at [email protected]
 
Sunday, May 22 - Peter Haroutian, 676 Pleasant St., Worcester. From church turn right uphill on State St., another right to lights and left onto Highland St. Left at next light onto Harvard/Lynden, up and downhill through several lights, and turn right at lights by All Saints Church onto Pleasant St. Cross Park Ave., to tennis courts and house with enormous tree opposite last court. Park in large driveway and enter back yard.
 
Click here for the May through June Garden Tours
Spring Goal Planning Session
Sunday, June 5th at Noon 
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The Spring Goal Planning Session will take place after church on Sunday, June 5th at Noon.  All are invited, especially those who are in leadership positions.
Lunch will be provided.  Please come and share in the process of planning for your church's future.
 
If you have questions or want to talk about the process, please call Wendy Innis, Moderator, at 508-341-4187,
Church Yard Sale - Saturday, September 10
 
When you are spring cleaning, save your gently-used stuff for the Church yard sale which will be the first weekend after Labor Day.
 
Toys, sports equipment, dishes, pots and pans, lamps, mirrors vases, tools, easily-moved furniture such as chairs, bureaus, occasional tables, lawn furniture are all welcome, as well as books and clean clothing, particularly children's clothing.  No mattresses or upholstered furniture.  No TVs or computers.
 
We'll also need volunteers to sort and price the donations, and to staff the sale in shifts.  Look for our sign-up table during coffee hour.
 
John Mirick
Michelle Przekop
Refugee Circle Update
 
We are looking for individuals with proficiency in American Sign Language who would be interested in tutoring Vanessa.  She is just learning sign language, but is an eager learner and extremely bright.  The tutor would work with her while the rest of her family is in English classes at the African Community Education (ACE) Family Partnership program on Saturday mornings.  There also might be an opportunity for the tutors to work with her some afternoons and evenings in her home.  ACE does not currently have any ASL teaching materials, so the volunteer would have to take some initiative to seek out materials to use.  If you are interested, please contact the Refugee Circle team through Lynn Simmons ([email protected]).
John Henry's Hammer Coffeehouse
Concert on Saturday, May 21st at 6:30pm 

BBQ, music, and dancing!  That's what we'll have at John Henry's Hammer Coffeehouse at First Unitarian Church this Saturday night, May 21st.  We're going to open the doors at 6:30 p.m. in case patrons can't wait to eat later (pulled pork/chicken with slaw and more delectables).  So come and feel like you're in Texas or thereabouts.  

Featuring Cosmic Slim and His Intergalactic Plowboys, with special guests Arny Spielberg and Melody Sizer.  Kick back and kick up your heels! Concert tickets-$15.  Food for a nominal fee. Advance tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2542935.
Please support a fabulous venue right here at First U!  
Dancing with the Peacemakers
dance
 
Have you always wanted to try ballroom dancing?   Now is your opportunity!  The Center for Nonviolent Solutions is sponsoring a ballroom dancing class with Norm Thibeault, the owner and manager of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Worcester.  Have fun and raise money for CNVS programs that are building a culture of peace in Worcester!
  
Wednesday, May 25, 2016,  6:00 Reception,  
6:30 to 7:30 Dance Class
First Unitarian Church, Unity Hall.
Cost:    Individual - $30,  Couple - $50,  Family - $75,  High School/College student - $10,  Children 10 and under - free.  Reservations at:  http://www.nonviolentsolutions.org/

Wiogora Registration Open Now!
Wiogora First Unitarian Church Worcester UUA
 
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. 
Early Bird Coffee & Conversation
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Before worship on Sunday morning some friendly folks can be found enjoying coffee and conversation in the dining room.  They gather around 9:30 a.m. or a wee bit later.  That's when the coffee is ready.  So, show up, pull up a chair, join some talkers and help warm the place with enjoyable chatter on range of subjects. In the joyful rush for coffee and treats after worship, the busy atmosphere can inhibit opportunities to get to know others more deeply.  Early bird coffee is one way to engage with friendly people.  Church school teachers, those on church committees or in leadership roles are encouraged to show up periodically and converse with those  gathered.   
Community Events
 
Eyewitness Gaza: Keeping Hope Alive
Dr. Nancy Murray, co-founder of The Gaza Mental Health Foundation, and for 25 years Director of Education at the Massachusetts ACLU will give her perspective on the situation in Gaza Strip. In her talk she will describe the conditions she encountered in Gaza this past April and how people under siege are seeking to rebuild their lives in a place the UN has said will be "unlivable" within four years. Friday, May 20, Harvard Unitarian Church Fellowship Building. Doors open at 7:00pm, talk starts at 7:30pm.

Open Door Award
Put it on your calendars!  June 11th during the Pride Morning Worship at Old South Church in Boston, the prestigious "Open Door Award" will be presented to Senator Elizabeth Warren and Pastor Judy Hanlon, Hadwen Park Congregational Church. Get the details here.

Important First U Links -
First Unitarian Church | 508.757.2708 | 508.753.9332
[email protected]  |  www.firstunitarian.com

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