News & Events
October 4, 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  
Stewardship: A Bridge to Belonging
 
"Our church on Court Hill is where we practice our beliefs and  
actions - crazy as they seem to others. It is where we take risks. It is where we can leave our comfort zones.  
It is a place to humbly try to live outside of one's self. That is why I'm here. That is why I support First Unitarian. Please join me in this important work." -- Jay Lavelle
 
At the Prudential Committee retreat in June, we came up with a set of goals for the year 2020. The first was "Create a diversity of modes of spiritual experience for members, friends, children and youth."

My own path is relatively diverse: austere New England Trinitarian Protestantism based on service, charity, and being of good will, a dash of Charismaticism, and a heaping spoonful of Tibetan Buddhism. And that is not that uncommon. I know Catholics, Jews, Buddhists of all denominations, and Sufis in my ken, all of whom find a home at First Unitarian. There are agnostics and atheists living by the light of reason. And there are some who just don't know what they are.

So how do they all fit into a church - an institution usually defined by specific beliefs and practices that everyone agrees to? How does this private, internal quest fit within a large group of people, within an institution that is 231-years old? And why is this important?

Click here to find out more...

October Concerts at the Historic Memorial Auditorum
Begins October 9  

Our Director of Music Will Sherwood is producing a series of concerts to celebrate the heritage and viability of the AUD as a concert venue.  
Our own Artists-In-Residents Seele Musicale (Alesia Tringale, soprano) and  Coriolis Wind Ensemble will be performing, 
as well as former (retired) First Baptist Director of Music William Ness.

The concerts (and historic silent film and Color Guard Veterans Flag Ceremony) are on Sunday afternoon and evening Oct 9, and Friday evening Oct 14.

Please see calendar, history, and fun facts at www.WorcAUD.com
Opportunities Fair is Coming  
Opportunity Fair First Unitarian Worcester

This is your opportunity to find out what is happening within the church and to connect with the First Unitarian community.  A wide variety of committees and groups will be hosting tables at the 2016 Opportunities Fair.  Join us on Sunday, October 9 after the service to find out where your time and talents are needed at First U.  If you lead a committee or group within the church and have not received an email about the Opportunities Fair, please contact Ken Mandile at  [email protected] .
UU Christian Revival 2016
"The Healing Spirit in a Wounded World" 
October 14-15, 2016
First Church of Chestnut Hill, Newton, MA   

The Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship is a gathering of non-creedal followers of Jesus rooted in the history and tradition of Unitarian Universalism.
 
This Fall, you are invited to strengthen your experience of Unitarian Universalism, in the spirit of Jesus, with other Unitarian Universalists, from around the country by attending this Revival gathering with us. 

This revival will include workshops, discussions, and especially worship and prayer together, along with the great fellowship people have found at Revivals past. This year's Revival will be held simultaneously in three locations around the country. The local gathering, which we will attend, will be at the First Church at Chestnut Hill, Newton, MA, October 14-15.

There are a few of us from the First Unitarian Church who will be attending and we welcome others to join us for this two day event. We will gather at the First Church of Chesnut Hill on Friday from 2pm-7pm and Saturday from 9am-4pm.

To learn more and register now, click here. You can also contact Dave Blodget at [email protected] or Jay Lavelle at jaylavelle2.com for more information on this event. We would love to have you join us.

John Henry Hammer Coffee House  
John Henry's Hammer

Concert, October 15 at 7pm
Featuring the Trio "Cold Chocolate"

JHH concerts will present a dynamic trio, Cold Chocolate,  on Saturday,  October 15. They play Americana music with roots in bluegrass and folk.  Their dash of  funk spices it up.  Doors open at 7.  Tickets $15.  Please support this jewel of a coffeehouse in your own backyard!

Tickets available at the door or through brownpapertickets.com
Interfaith Hospitality
 
Our October week to volunteer at the Interfaith Hospitality Network is coming up, from October 16-23. I am looking for volunteers to help cover evening shifts, from 5:30-8:30, or overnight shifts, from 8:30 pm to 6:30 am (or 8:30 am on weekends). Please consider joining our group of volunteers.  See me after church or email me at [email protected].
Liz Gustavson
First Unitarian Sunday Readers Sign Up
Rev. Sarah Stewart is inviting members and friends to sign up to read the scripture passage during the service every Sunday. That same person (with their family, if they want) could light the chalice at the beginning of the service. Sign up to be the reader on an upcoming Sunday here or at the Welcome table in the sanctuary after services. (Note: You do not have to register for a SignUpGenius account to sign up to be a Sunday Reader, just skip that question in the sign-up process.)
Something New Coming Your Way
 
      Some things never change even as they change.  That's the story of church name tags! 
      Even the children will be sporting name tags soon.
      One way to deepen connections among us is by wearing our name tags.  That is part of our mission work.  What is more important or more personal than your name?
      But something new is bubbling behind the scenes.  Rev. Sarah would like to number all the tags and your Welcoming Team will help make it happen.   She is plotting something joyful round wearing them. Here's the plan:
  • Bring your name tag to the Welcome Table.  We will affix a number and you can pick it up the following week (or wait a minute).
  • If you can't find yours, stop by the Welcome Table and sign up for a new one.
  • Find a permanent spot to keep it on one of the church's name tag racks.
  • Please wear your name tag every Sunday.
  • Nonmembers also need to get a number for their name tags.
 
      HOT NEWS!  You can get rid of your pin-on name tag if you wish.  You'll find both clip-on and magnet fasteners at the Welcome Table.
PS.  Rumor has it that soon the price of coffee is wearing your name tag.
      From your Welcoming Team; Lee Reid, Sue Shaw, Linda Carney, Linda & Jim Tartaglia, Mora Mcavey, Christine Johnson

Voices Among Us
Fourth Monday of the Month
October 24 
 
"Brilliant", "Amazing", "Enriching", "Meaningful", "Thoughtful", "Informative" and "Heartfelt", these are some of the accolades that accompanied countless words of appreciation showered on the leaders of our summer worship services. Judging from the high attendance at these sometimes sweltering Sundays there is a hunger among us to hear what our fellow members have to say. Out of this yearning came the idea for a new adult program, Voices Among Us.
 
The program begins with a 6 PM potluck meal for attendees. From 7-8 PM, we will gather in the Chapel to listen and share. The facilitator will present for 20-30 minutes then the floor will be open to discussion. The presenter will speak on any topic they choose. Might be issues in the news, poetry, writings they like, their own cogitations, material they have studied, a topic they find fascinating, Bible stories, just about anything they want to share that has a spiritual component.
 
Monday, October 24, will be our next "Voices Among Us" event beginning with an attendee's potluck at 6 in the dining room and moving to the chapel for a 7-8 presentation and discussion facilitated by Gini Johnson.
 
The subject "E Pluribus Unum" Out of Many, One is America's Vision  
Statement, represented on the Great Seal of our Country and displayed on the ceiling of our capital's rotunda.  A lofty, often times seemingly unreachable vision, it is a timely topic for us to explore together.  Please join in with your voice.
Calling All Walkers and Runners   

 
Please join Team UU on October 15 for the HipHipHerRace to benefit Abby's House! Enjoy a fun fall day outside with our church community, while supporting a great cause. Since 1976, Abby's House has provided more than 11,500 homeless women and children with a safe place to stay, regroup, and rebuild.  With 78 units, Abby's House is the largest provider of affordable housing in Worcester designed to meet the needs of women and children.   
 
100% of race fees and donations go to the women and children of Abby's House.  Information about the race and registration may be found at the following link:  http://www.abbyshouse.org/hiphipherrace
When you start the registration process you will be asked if you want to join a team.  We are Team UU.  Hope you will join us!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Colleen Munson at [email protected]
Sermon Discussions
In the Chapel - noon to 1pm
Begining November 6 
Rev. Sarah Stewart
 
Join our minister, the Rev. Sarah Stewart, once a month after church for a discussion of that Sunday's sermon. Bring your coffee to the Chapel on the first Sunday of every month for a chance to engage the sermon topic with other members and friends of First Unitarian Church. This is a chance for you to share what the sermon meant for you, how you are dealing with the spiritual issues it raises for you, and to listen to your fellow First Unitarians share what is meaningful to them. Dates: Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 2, May 7, June 4.
Early Bird Coffee & Conversation
hot_aromatic_coffee.jpg
 
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 News and Events
 
UU Mass Action Newsletter - click here for October 3 Action Update.

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

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