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_________________ Congregational Mission Statement "The members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester covenant to be a congregation of love, hope and justice inspiring people to take on the challenges of a changing world."
Welcoming Church Mission Statement
The LGBTQI and Allies of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester strives to further the affirmation and celebration of LGBTQI individuals in all aspects of the church community. We also seek to increase the visibility of UUCW as a Welcoming Congregation within the greater community.
UUCW Covenant of Right Relations
In consonance with the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association, we the members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester covenant to sustain and support a courageous and caring community by:
* Bringing our best selves to form a welcoming, loving, and inclusive community of faith;
* Creating an atmosphere of celebration and worship in a safe environment;
* Providing opportunities where diverse people and points of view are respected and where open-hearted and open-minded discussion of our differences is encouraged;
* Treating each other with kindness and respect;
* Approaching conflicts with a spirit of humility and with the respectful intent for peaceful resolution;
* Engaging in and encouraging spiritual and intellectual growth across the lifespan;
* Fostering social justice and positive transformation in our community and in the world at large;
* Growing and maintaining the resources necessary to support the missions and ministries of this congregation;
* Fostering fellowship and enjoying each other and the unique gifts that each person brings to our community.
_______________ Donations Gratefully Accepted! 
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 Sunday Morning Worship
Click
HERE for a larger version of this image
Click
HERE for a copy of this week's Order of Service
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New Member Sunday
Sunday, November 19th, will be our next New Member Ceremony. During the morning worship service those who would like to become members of the congregation are invited to participate in a ceremony that includes an opportunity for participants to sign the membership book and be welcomed formally into the congregation. Participation in this ceremony is not a requirement for membership. Anyone who wishes to become a member may do so by inquiring with the Minister or Denise Darrigrand, Membership Chair, and may sign the membership book in private.
If you'd like to join the church as a member on Nov. 19,
CLICK HERE to sign up.
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Religious Exploration
Sunday November 19
UUCW Vespers Holiday Choir with Deb Bonneau!!
Grades 2-7 (grade 1 if able to read) are invited to be a part of a children's choir piece that will be sung during our Holidays Vespers Service and Pageant on Sunday Dec 17
th at 4pm. It will happen at the beginning of the service, so children will be able to still participate in the pageant!
Rehearsals are from 9:30-10am on the following 5 dates and you should be able to attend them all: Sun Nov 12, Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10, Dec 17th in the morning.
Please let Robin know ASAP if you are interested! Choir practice begins soon and we hope to have enough of your voices to make it happen. Working with Deb will be a gift to your children, she is amazing!
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HosT Coffee Hour News
The HosT Coffee Hour team thank all the many church teams, groups, and committees who have signed up to HosT Coffee Hour this year! If you would like to sign up to help host a Coffee Hour this year, please click HERE.
At coffee hour we extend the hospitality we proclaim! Many people judge a congregation by its coffee hour hospitality - especially newcomers . Please make it a point to speak to someone you don't know!
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Rally Sunday! - Sunday November 19 during Fellowship Hour
Calling all coordinators, team leaders, event planners, group gatherer's and anyone else who would like to solicit volunteers or group members for church activities! Rally Sunday is an old tradition at UUCW dating back to the early 1900's when members & friends gathered with sign up sheets to introduce others to the various opportunities for fellowship, service, and spiritual growth in the congregation. Those wishing to participate in Rally Sunday should come to church with a sign up sheet, and any other information to advertise their activity. We'll set up in Fellowship Hall following service and spend time welcoming everyone to our special projects & programs! For more information, contact Aaron.
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As the Holiday Season approaches, we are mindful that we have a history of offering a variety of ways to give and to gift here at UUCW. In an effort to invite participation in these efforts, without overwhelming each other, we are offering this list to you in hopes that you will participate in any of the ways that feel best to you and assist you in celebrating the holidays in ways that are most meaningful. This list will grow over the next few weeks so watch for your favorite ways to give and gift!
Holiday Poinsettia Project
Once again this year, the Sanctuary Aesthetics Team is sponsoring the Annual Holiday Poinsettia Project to decorate our Sanctuary in December. Members & Friends of the congregation are invited to order poinsettias or contribute to the flower fund to help provide flowers throughout the church year. Contributions provide an opportunity to also honor or memorialize loved ones in the Holiday Orders of Service. This year, Bloomer's Florist here in Worcester will be providing our holiday flowers. Cost is $25.00 for a regular sized pot, or $35.00 for a large size. Flowers come in Red, White or Pink. To order poinsettias,
CLICK HERE
. Deadline for orders is Nov. 26.
Holiday Shoe Boxes
 It's holiday shoe-box time. Each year around the holidays, UUCW participates in gift giving to the ACE (African Community Education) children of Worcester. ACE assists these refugee and immigrant children of poor circumstances through academic support, one of many outreach programs available to them. If you'd like to participate, come to the ACE table in Fellowship Hall after the service on Nov 19 and 26. From my list choose a boy or girl to buy age-appropriate gifts for; the ages range from 10 to 21. I will immediately give you a card of info on the child of your choice;you then sign your name next to your choice. I will also give you a sheet of suggestions for what to buy. Fill your shoe box (I have about 4 to give out). Wrap the box in holiday paper and write the name and gender of the child on the box. This is important because if you just write this on a taped piece of paper, it could fall off. Please no candy or "violent" toys. Drop off is in Fellowship Hall after the Sunday services of Dec 3, 10 and 17 (for a short while). Thank you for your good will. Pauline Courchesne, [email protected]; 508 756-1899
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Please Save Your Coupons!!
 Do you get coupon inserts in the mail? Do you often throw them away? Don't! Bring them to church and put in the bin in Fellowship Hall. Our own Anne Harris will use them to purchase items for the Food Pantry. Bring your weekly coupons from the mail or the Sunday newspaper and let's all help the Food Pantry provide items for those in need in our community!
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 Help Needed! Sunday Morning Worship Team Sign-up!
We need your help. Not a long-term commitment, just a Sunday along the way this year. This is a congregation that relishes the many voices and passions of its people. We are looking for people to participate on Sunday morning's by signing up to:
- Light the Chalice - Provide your own words or words can be provided
- Read the Welcome - script available
- Read Opening Words - Provide your own words or words can be provided
- Introduce the Offering - Provide your own words or words can be provided
- Help set up the Sanctuary prior to Service - Orientation and training provided.
This is not a lengthy commitment. If each active member and friend of the congregation signed up for just 2 spots a year, we'd have the entire calendar covered!
LEADERS! Have a special event or effort that you want to highlight, this is a perfect opportunity to be heard. While providing any of the services above (sans Sanctuary set up) you can plug your special project.
ALSO, Aaron is looking for a handful of folks who would be interested and willing to be a Worship Leader on Sundays when we have a Guest Speaker. You will receive a full script of the WA parts of the service ahead of time and will be connected personally with the Guest Speaker to work out any other details. Training is also provided as desired. Contact Aaron ([email protected]) directly if you are willing to be a Worship Leader.
HERE is the link to sign up to be part of a Sunday morning Worship Team this year. Scroll to the desired date, and sign up on the element you'd like to do. You will receive a confirmation email and a reminder email prior to your scheduled day(s).
Thanks you for all you do!!
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