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News & Events
December 14, 2016
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The deadline for newsletter submissions to this enews is noon on the Monday before Tuesday publication.
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Advent Series
Thomas Merton: Welcoming Hope, Humility and Joy into Advent and Christmas
Led by The Rev. Barbara Merritt and
The Rev. Sarah Stewart.
A Brown Bag lunch Advent Series on Fridays, from noon to 1:30pm in the Dining Room, Dec 16 and 23. Please bring your lunch, and attend any or all of our meetings.
Advent literally means that something important is arriving, coming into our lives. It is the root of the word "adventure." While a Trappist, Catholic monk may seem like an unusual spiritual guide for free-thinking Unitarian Universalists, we will be discussing some of his writings which address all seekers after truth. We hope you will join us.
The Readings are available here.
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Annual Hanukkah Party! All Are Welcome
Please join us Sunday, December 18, immediately after the service in Unity Hall for our annual Hanukkah Party. Our BYKOTA youth group is ready to lead our younger children in games and crafts. Our Klezmer musicians are ready to entertain us.
Come hear the music, make a menorah, dance the hora, and enjoy latkes, bagels, jelly doughnuts, and more!
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Christmas Day Pancake Breakfast
Join your friends at First Unitarian Church on Christmas Day for pancakes and a worship service! We will host a pancake breakfast at 9:30, before an open, family-friendly, and welcoming communion service at 10:30. Help us make sure we make the right number of pancakes by signing up here. Celebrate the season with fellowship and flapjacks on Sunday December 25. A freewill donation will be accepted for breakfast.
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Why Do We Give to the UUA
If we meet our pledge goal this year of $310,000 (and we are getting
close), the Prudential Committee has set as one of the four goals for next year to move closer to paying our full 'fair-share' dues to the UUA. Many members of our congregation ask why should we do that, wondering what we get in return? We feel a great answer to that question can be found here.
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The time has come for me to take down my art in the Chapel and I would like to express my appreciation and thanks for all the the support you have given me and the opportunity for sharing my art with you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Gene Johnson
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The Christmas Eve Collection:
Practice generosity and serving justice
Each year First Unitarian donates the generous contributions made during the offering at the Christmas Eve service (the largest plate collection of the year). This year, the collection will go to three important causes:
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN): The IHN partners with the religious
community to serve and nurture families who are homeless in the greater Worcester area. First Unitarian church has been an active participant in the program for over 15 years. Our Christmas Eve donation is a significant help in supporting the program goals, which includes providing the guests with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain their families in their new homes. Our own Liz Gustavson has been the volunteer coordinator for over 10 years. She thanks the Prudential Committee and the generosity of church members and friends who help to support IHN in caring for families who are homeless.
Student scholarship at Jhamtse Gatsal, Tibet: For over ten years the
Christmas Eve collection has provided a year's support for a student at this residential school in the remote Himalayans. The school was founded by Lobsang Phuntsok, a Tibetan monk who gave weekly teachings in the Bancroft Room for several years. Beyond education, the school provides nutritional, emotional, and ethical support to produce compassionate, well-rounded individuals who are a positive force in the world.
Refugee Circle Fund: This year our church has been supporting Olive, a
single-mother from the Central African Republic, and her three children Vanessa (8), Jordy (5), and Angela (2). The family arrived in Worcester a year ago and has benefited from our assistance with transportation, interacting with government and city agencies, obtaining medical care, and securing an appropriate school placement for Vanessa who is deaf. Olive is now working and learning English. Resettled refugees are required to reimburse the cost of their plane tickets to the United States, and we have been collecting funds to help Olive pay her $4000 airfare debt, which is now down to $2500. Donations on Christmas Eve will help finish paying this debt. If you will not be attending the Christmas Eve service this year, you may mail a check to the church office or put a check in the collection plate with "Christmas Eve collection" written on the memo line of your check.
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If you are considering becoming a member of First Unitarian Church, here is the process. According to our bylaws: you need to meet with the minister, complete a pledge card, sign the membership book, and have your membership affirmed by the Prudential Committee.
A good way to begin is to stop by the Welcome Table in the Bancroft Room after worship. There you will find information on the church and on our denomination. You can sign up to receive our e-newsletter, get a name tag, and let us know if you are interested in membership. We will then let Rev. Stewart (sstewart@firstunitarian.com) know of your interest and then you will be invited to attend a New Member Meeting usually scheduled for the first Sunday of the month. Or, you can speak with or send an email to the minister indicating your intention.
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UU Sisterhood Gathering & Solstice Celebration
Friday, December 16 from 6-9pm
Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again! Come and be a part of our joyful holiday Solstice celebration. We will bid adieu to the end of this year and welcome the returning light. We will touch ancient themes and reach out in hope.
- A favorite holiday ornament which will be added with others to make an altar of our good memories. Remember to take it home with you.
- A hope for the New Year. You will be asked to write it on a piece of paper during our solstice ceremony to be combined with the others.
- A dish and a beverage to share.
All women of the church are encouraged to attend our gatherings.
Questions, contact
Lee Bona Leebona@verizon.net
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HELP: Handmade Sundays
On December 18th, children PreK-8th grade meet for a special
gift/ornament making time. We would love to have any of the following donated items.
Small glass jars (with or without lids); Washi or other decorative tape; candy canes; strawberries; vanilla frosting; battery-operated tea lights; magazines; newspaper; peppermint hard candies; white or blue card stock. Thank you!
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First Night Volunteers
Thanks to those of you who have volunteered to help make First Night a
success! If you haven't yet signed up in the Dining Room, please do it today - we need many more helping hands.
Your efforts for just two hours (or more if you're able) will bring joy to you and your community and help to prepare for a positive 2017! Questions? Please talk to Paul Ropp or Gini Johnson.
Night Committee.
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It was a dark and stormy night...
and then what happens?
I was running late one morning...
My grandfather was...
Nothing is ever lost...
We all have stories. Pick your brain and jot down some thoughts. Let them sit for a while and then work them a bit more. Your story might be enlightening or entertaining to others.
We are a creative congregation and we have much to share. One way we can do this is by putting together a booklet. Content will be poems, short stories, reflections, meditations, humorous and learning experiences, prayers, and artwork. Original submissions from all ages are welcome.
For guidelines and other information click here.
Lee Reid, Deborah Levering, Madeline & Rick Silva, Abigail Hannaford-Ricardi & Sten Gustavson
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"Good Morning, Nice To See You"
These six words have the power to change the day. Put them together
with a smile and people feel welcome. The Welcoming Team is recruiting people and families to greet those coming through our church doors on Sunday mornings. The joyful job includes handing out Orders of Service and helping new people. New families can be directed to the Sunday school area to meet with family greeters. New people can be directed to the Welcome Table for more information. Please signup here.
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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 Bancroft Room 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.)
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Early Bird Coffee & Conversation
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.
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Community News and Events
UU Mass Action Newsletter December 12 Update here
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Important First U Links -
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