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News & Events
January 4, 2017
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The deadline for newsletter submissions to this enews is noon on the Monday before Tuesday publication.
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The next Men's Group Meeting will be on Sunday, January 8 at 6 p.m. Ken Mandile will be talking about his travels to Vietnam earlier in the year with his wife, Diane. Ken will talk briefly about the culture, history, economy, and people of this fascinating country. There will be a short slideshow of photos, followed by a sampling of some food from Vietnam. If all goes well, we'll be making spring rolls using rice paper made from scratch! We'll need a headcount ahead of time to plan the food requirements. Please RSVP by Friday, January 6 to Ken Mandile (kmandile@swissturn.com) or to Rick Silva ( avlis@aol.com ).
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As part of the 50/50 collections sponsored by the Social Justice Committee, the Rise Above Foundation was selected by the committee to participate in the collection for January 2017. The Rise Above Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing Massachusetts children in foster care with enriching activities, opportunities and experiences. Rise Above provides opportunities for the over 10,0000 youth in Massachusetts foster care, giving them a sense of normalcy, providing comfort and building self-esteem. By funding individual wishes for requests like prom expenses, soccer registration and clarinet lessons, Rise Above provides positive experiences for children in foster care.The presentation will be made this Sunday, January 8, and the collection will occur on the following Sunday, January 15. If you would like more information about Rise Above, please look at their website: weriseabove.org.
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Final Mission and Ministry Workshop!
Next Monday, January 9 at 7pm In the Chapel and Unity Hall
Gather with other members and friends of First Unitarian Church to discuss how we can live out our values in our community. We have two goals as a church that speak to our commitment to justice and our community. We have said that we will "Build relationships with diverse mission partners in Worcester" and that we will "expand and deepen opportunities for charity, service and justice." On this day set aside by our nation to honor anti-racism and civil rights, we will come together to think about what we can do to achieve these goals. All ideas and all creativity are welcome at this brainstorming and priority-setting meeting. Led by the Rev. Sarah Stewart.
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Justice and Values Meeting
Sun., January 15 at 11:45 a.m.
In the Chapel and Unity Hall
Gather with other members and friends of First Unitarian Church to discuss how we can live out our values in our community. We have two goals as a church that speak to our commitment to justice and our community. We have said that we will "Build relationships with diverse mission partners in Worcester" and that we will "expand and deepen opportunities for charity, service and justice." On this day set aside by our nation to honor anti-racism and civil rights, we will come together to think about what we can do to achieve these goals. All ideas and all creativity are welcome at this brainstorming and priority-setting meeting. Led by the Rev. Sarah Stewart.
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Mission & Ministry is becoming
Harvest the Power
Sign up for this year-long class (meeting monthly) to focus on leadership development in the context of spiritual life. Become a stronger, more self-aware leader in our time of cultural change. This program is useful for leadership roles within the church, at work, and in the community. Led by Rev. Sarah Stewart. The first meeting will be Mon. Feb. 13 and will continue to meet one Monday evening a month. Sign up here.
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Honoring The Reverend Barbara Merritt
At the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 29th, the Congregation will be asked to vote on a motion to give special recognition to the Reverend Barbara W. Merritt. Specifically, the Prudential Committee will recommend that the newly renovated space in the Robbins Chapel be named the "Barbara W. Merritt Gallery".
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of a few of our fellow Church members, the space inside the Chapel has undergone a remarkable transformation. It is now a bright, beautiful and highly functional gallery which is used to display the paintings, wall hangings, photographs, etc. of local artists - including many of our own members. It is this gallery space which we hope to dedicate to Barbara Merritt. The Chapel's formal name (the "Wallace Robbins Chapel") will not be affected and the space will continue to be used for meetings, meditation and children's programs. Barbara Merritt is our Minister Emerita, she was our 10th Minister, serving from 1983 to 2010 and is a talented artist herself. If there are any questions about this recommendation, please contact Rick Silva , Joan Russo or Ken Mandile
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It isn't possible to individually list and thank each adult and young person who contributed to the First Night success at First Unitarian....you were so many and so hardworking and joyful. You know who you are and what a blessing you were and will be.
Let's keep that spirit going throughout the new year and remember what all our Community Voices for Peace speakers' stressed: we must keep reaching out in love to those we know and most importantly, to those we don't know. Healing will come with quieting down, listening to that still small voice within and to each other.
Your First Night co-chairs, Paul Ropp and Gini Johnson, are immensely grateful. It would not have happened without you!!.
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Brother Sun in Concert
UUCW on January 13 at 7pm
On Friday, January 13, the fantastic folk trio BROTHER SUN will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester (90 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606). Tickets are $20 ($15 Student/Senior) and may be purchased in advance here.
From their online biography, "National Touring Artists Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor, and Joe Jencks have made their mark as veteran touring singer-songwriters, but Brother Sun is no songwriter's round. The trio's harmonies, as much as their lyrics, tell what they are about: warm as a campfire, stirring as a gospel church, rousing as a call to arms. Fusing folk, Americana, blues, pop, jazz, rock, and a cappella singing, Brother Sun is an explosion of musical diversity and harmony, in the finest of male singing traditions."
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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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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
Looking Ahead - What's happening in all our organizing efforts here
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Important First U Links -
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