Dear Members and Friends of Unity Church,

Though it sure seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye, we were very busy as a congregation during the month of February. Most notably we continued our discernment about our church's purpose and identity, and we began to notice a shared sense of what we feel called to do together as a congregation.

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 9, about twenty people were able to stay after worship and participate in the second of three visioning workshops. During our time together we focused on the diverse gifts we as individuals can bring to Unity Church, and we brainstormed about all of the different assets (physical, financial, and community assets) we as a congregation already possess, and which we can use in the service of whatever vision we ultimately discern this year.

While there was a wide variety of responses, participants in the workshop seemed to coalesce around gratitude for our historic church building (with no mortgage!), our beautiful church campus and grounds, the fact that we are already well-known in the community, and the sense of hunger and passion we as a faith community have for healing and inner growth. While ideas were broad and concepts still quite big, we seemed to really have identified as our preliminary vision the work of healing and caring for ourselves, deepening our congregation's work toward greater health and community building, and developing ways to extend and offer that healing to the community beyond our walls.

You all have been doing wonderful work together to discern this new sense of direction, and it is exciting! And so, I hope you will put the third and final visioning workshop on your calendars and plan to attend so that as many people can participate in dreaming big about our next chapter as a congregation. It's scheduled for Sunday, March 16 from Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Also ahead in March, we will explore the theme of "success" in worship. And anyone who would like to learn more about Unity Church and Unitarian Universalism is welcome to join us for the New to UU, New to Unity Church class on Sunday, March 30 from Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Lunch will be provided for both the final visioning workshop and the New to UU, New to Unity Church class and childcare is available upon request. Please contact me  at klgrassel@gmail.com if you will need childcare or if you have any questions.

With prayers for spring,
Rev. Kristin

     

What is a Circle Dinner?
One or more groups of ten people who want an excuse to share a potluck meal and some conversation at someone's home.

How does it work?
The Social Activities committee finds one or more people willing to host the meal. Hosts offer their homes but are not responsible for providing the meal.

The host receives the names and contact information of the people who will attend from the Social Activities committee, and then tells everyone what to bring to the potluck. Hosts usually provide beverages and/or snacks, but this is really the host's decision.

These dinners have always been a popular way for small groups of new and veteran Unity friends and members to share some low key, non-committee work, time together.

Do I have to travel from house to house?
No! Contrary to popular myth, you do NOT go from house to house. Groups of ten or fewer people go to one home and spend their entire time there :-).

For more information about Fellowship events, please contact Cheryl Brigante, at cherylbrigante at hotmail.com.

The Unity Exchange is a place where members and friends can offer gently used items to others for just a donation to the church.

For the safety of our friends and members, in case of extreme weather conditions, please call the church office (508-238-6373) after 8:00 am on the day of the Service or church event for a message about whether the Service or event has been cancelled.