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The Unitarian
February 12, 2017
Vol. 71, No 21
Join Us for Worship This Week
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Worship With Us This Sunday
Prelude at 10:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Sermon: "Building the World We Dream Of"
Preaching: The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart
Sermon Series: The Color of Our Skin
In this final sermon in her series on race and racism, the Rev. Sarah Stewart will preach on the America we dream of: a multicultural nation where people of diverse skin colors, ethnicities and cultures participate fully and equally in our country's achievements. Despite racism's legacy, there are steps we can take today to work toward that America.
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Before and After Worship
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9:00 a.m.
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Adult Choir Rehearsal in the Bancroft Room.
Caring Circles Leaders Meeting in Mirick Room 1.
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10:15 a.m.
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Prelude in the Sanctuary.
Nursery Care in Classroom 3.
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10:30 a.m.
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Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Sunday School after dismissal from worship.
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11:30 a.m.
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Art Reception in the Merritt Gallery in the Chapel and Unity Hall.
All are invited.
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12:00 p.m.
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Faith Development Visioning in the Landers Room.
Social Justice Committee Meeting in the Morgan Classroom.
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4:00 p.m.
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Wiogora Potluck in the Dining Room and Kitchen.
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3:00 p.m.
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Seele Musicale rehearsal in the Sanctuary.
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6:00 p.m.
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Seven Hills Symphony Rehearsal in Unity Hall.
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Special Offering, February 12
The Regional Environmental Council will be the recipient of our special 50-50 offering for February. The work of the REC has been visible in the Worcester community since 1971, first for their iconic Earth Day clean-ups and then through other programs, among them community gardens, farmer's markets (including the mobile market ) and work with the Worcester County Food Bank. Each summer they employ and mentor 30-40 low-income high school teens for their YouthGROW program which includes professional development and leadership training skills, along with their work maintaining 2 urban organic farms. Please give generously on Sunday.
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Art Show Reception This Sunday
On Sunday, February 12 at 11:30 a.m., a reception will be held for the artists participating in our latest exhibit in the Merritt Gallery in the Chapel and in Unity Hall.
"Open Spaces Art Show" is a collection of collages, paintings, photography, and assemblages by four different artists. Please join us for this unique exhibit.
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Sunday Meeting of the Social Justice Committee
The charge to the Social Justice Committee is to provide opportunities for all First Unitarian members and friends to become active in the "service of all" piece of our covenant. Our February meeting will be held Sunday, February 12 in the Morgan classroom (behind the stage in Unity Hall) at 11:45.
The Social Justice Committee meets monthly, typically at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. We plan to vary our meeting times on alternate months so that more of you can participate.
Currently, our volunteer activities range from short one-time commitments (Christmas gift bags for children, overnights at the IHN shelter, dinners at Dismas Family Farm) to ongoing commitments such as mentoring and befriending through Big Brothers Big Sisters or working with the Refugee Circle team.
You are needed, to share your interests in projects to consider and to let us know how we can make our meetings more accessible for your participation. Please join us for our February meeting. If you can't make the meeting on the 12th, but want to join us, contact Vivian Shortreed at vhshortreed@gmail.com
It's: Sunday, February 12
Morgan classroom @11:45
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Young People's Faith Development
A conversation about what matters
Sunday, February 12, 12-2:30pm
Parents, teachers, members of the congregation at large are invited to come together to consider the fundamental goals and highest priorities of our ministry to and with children and youth. How best do we fashion a young people's program that supports and affirms the child and the family, the teacher volunteers, that instills the values of our liberal faith, offers opportunities for peacemaking, justice, education/action, connections, and spiritual nourishment? Especially when we are all too darn busy. Come, gather together. Let's see what matters. To you. To your children.To our faith.
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John Henry's Hammer Coffee House Concert
February 11, 2017
PRESS RELEASE:
Geoff Bartley & Howie Tarnower in Concert
February 11, 2017 - 7:30-9:30pm/Doors open 7pm
First Unitarian Church, 90 Main St. Worcester, MA
Geoff Bartley and Howie Tarnower typically sing in harmony and play pre-WWII country blues and Delta blues, primitive jazz, traditional folk music, southern mountain string band music, and songs Bartley has written. Each, however, is a performing artist in their own right.
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Last Monday Steve and I, along with Dave Blodgett, Toni Ostrow and her son, provided the evening meal for the men at Dismas House in Oakham. It is actually a farm located on a lovely hillside with fields for crops and pasture for animals. A resident proudly showed us the barn with its fury and feathery inhabitants and the well-tooled woodshop. His pride in the farm and the work that he and the residents do there is inspiring.
Dismas House, a national organization, helps men reenter society after incarceration. Healing the spirit is their goal. We benefit from their efforts with the fresh vegetables and goods they provide to our regional farmers' markets. These men work hard to be self-sustaining.
You too can provide a meal. Please see Vivian Shortreed or Paul Ropp or a member of our Social Justice Committee.
Lee Reid & Steve Knox
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It Snowed!
Sunday. February 26 is now looking pretty good for a Winter Fun Afternoon at the Mirick Farm on the slopes of Mt Wachusett in Princeton, with sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing for all ages. There will be a bonfire in the meadow, and a cooking fire by the Mirick lean-to for make-your-own s'mores, and hot drinks.
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Sugested Performers for John Henry's Hammer Coffeehouse?
John Henry's Hammer Coffeehouse held right here on our premises is considered the best listening room in Central Massachusetts. Linda Wyatt and staff will soon be organizing the 2017-18 season. We usually present folk, Americana, blues, and bluegrass music. However, we are eclectic and will consider other music genres. Do you have any suggestions for performers? If so, contact Linda Wyatt, email-speechlc@yahoo.com
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UU Sisterhood - Monthly Potluck
February 17 at 6:00pm
Social Night - as announced, our February meeting activity will be to TALK. We'll have some mixers to get the conversation flowing and a chance to talk at length with someone you don't really know
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Then there'll be free time to chat at will. You know we'll be good at this!
We will start the evening with our usual potluck dinner beginning at 6:00.
All women of the church are encouraged to attend, please bring a dish and drink to share.
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Interfaith Hospitality Network News
First Unitarian will be the hosts at the Interfaith Hospitality Network from Sunday, February 19 to Sunday, February 26. We have three responsibilities: to cover an evening shift from 5:30-8:30 p.m.; to cover an overnight shift from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.; and to provide money to cover grocery expenses for the week. There are 21 people (six of them under five years old) at the shelter--you can imagine the size of the grocery bill each week! I will be selling cinnamon rolls after church for the next few Sundays and asking for donations for this.
We have a number of people in the congregations who are regular volunteers and we welcome people who may be interested. I like to partner first-volunteers with experienced ones, and I am always willing to train people who have not been there before. Please see me or contact me if you would like to help!
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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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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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Important First U Links -
Our Church Family Online Directory
Pledge online
Sermons
click on Sermons for Abigail Hannaford-Ricardi's sermon "My Eight Candles"
Stewardship News
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