Snow, snow and more snow. I hope you skiers are happy! It looks like we have more snow arriving over the weekend, so a quick review of weather practices.
Please remember rule number one: When deciding whether or not to come to church, make the best, safest decision for yourself, depending on your own circumstances and comfort level. If you're a greeter, Fellowship host, etc., just let me know if you won't be making it, so I don't worry (cindyworthingtonberry@gmail.com).
By 6 am Sunday morning, we'll put any changes or cancellations on outgoing voicemail. I rarely cancel worship, unless a "state of emergency" has been declared. But often we might cancel Spiritual Nurture, choir, Fellowship, etc.
There are lots of ways to worship, you don't have to trek to 723 Massachusetts Ave to do so. Spend a few minutes meditating, listening to music, going for a walk in the snow. Make a gratitude list, listen to a sermon podcast, write a card to someone who could use cheering up. Might be the best "sermon" you've experienced in years.
Stay safe and warm! Spring is just 38 days away!
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
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Worship
Sunday, February 12, 9:30 am
What Would Jesus Do? Marches around the world. Executive orders created around the clock. Rogue Twitter feeds. Pleas for patience. Cries for resistance. In the midst of all this, what is the role of the church - in general, and UCCB in particular? Let's wrestle with the questions, realizing we probably won't get to clear answers. Rev. Cindy will start in worship, then we'll continue the conversation in a discussion after worship. This service brought to you by Nancy Stillman, who "won" it at the Merrie Christmas Fair Silent Auction.
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
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Spiritual Nurture
Nursery care is available in the Vestry every week, for the entire service.
This Sunday, elementary age youth begin in worship until the second hymn, when they gather in the Pipe Room (off the Gathering Room). Middle and high school youth will stay in worship.
Feb. 19 and 26 will be intergenerational worship, with nursery care still available.
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Deacon's Fund Collection Sunday
At UCCB, we reach out to help the community in a number of ways: sharing space with local groups, donating food to the food pantry, contributing dollars to local nonprofits. As pastor, Rev. Cindy is a resource to local folks in crisis: she provide referrals, a listening ear, the sense that someone cares. On behalf of the church, she also has the ability to give financial help through the Deacons' Fund. Too often, official programs have been exhausted or do not apply. In these cases, we are able to make small gifts that make a huge difference: gas to get to work, money toward rent, food at the end of the month. This Sunday we will take a special collection for the Deacon's Fund. Envelopes are in the bulletin for you to contribute if you desire; as always, this special collection is completely optional. Please write "Deacon's Fund" on the memo line of a check, and you don't need to seal the envelope. Many thanks for your support of this aspect of our ministry.
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Donations For Worship in Action
Sunday, February 19
Feb. 19 we will collect items for Dismas House, a comprehensive resource program for former prisoners in greater Worcester. Come meet participants and hear about this transformative program. You're invited to help stock the Dismas House kitchen with these ingredients:
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BBQ Sauce
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Canned Tuna
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Ground Coffee
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Jam/Jelly
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Peanut Butter
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Maple Syrup
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Oatmeal
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Marinara Sauce
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Pasta
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Rice
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UCCB Women's Retreat 2017
Prayers from the HeART
March 17 - 19
Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center
North Andover, MA
Made in the image of our Creator, we are continually creating throughout our lives. We create with our hearts and with our hands, our bodies, minds and spirits every single day. Being creative is how we problem solve, navigate, respond to and enjoy God's world. The perfectly lovely setting for our retreat at Rolling Ridge will certainly stimulate our creativity through the beauty of its surroundings. Our retreat leader will be Rev. Catherine Michael!
Registration is now Open. Registration forms are also available in the Gathering Room
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Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Sunday, March 5, 3:00 pm
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden is pleased to host a Sunday afternoon concert series featuring beautiful, live music from a variety of talented musicians. On Sunday, March 5 at 3 pm the UCCB's own, The Saturdays, will be featured at a benefit concert to support this wonderful organization. The Healing Garden has provided many forms of integrative cancer care for members and families of our community that have been burdened with all forms of cancer. ($10 members/$15 nonmembers; The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road, Harvard, MA 01451; Phone: 978-456-3532 for details)
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Food Allergies at UCCB
The church Library/Church office is now a food free room due to UCCB staff food allergies. As a reminder please continue to keep all Fellowship food in the Gathering Room. There are several children in the Boxborough Children's Center with peanut allergies, and we want to make sure we keep them safe and healthy.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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"Mental Health Stability in College"
Panel Presentation, February 13
According to a 2012 survey done by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 73% of college students reported having a mental health crisis while in college. Many colleges are not prepared to help effectively but some institutions are addressing this need with care and innovation. What are some mental health- friendly signs to look for in a college?
On Monday February 13, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, at Bedford High School, NAMI Central Middlesex will offer a panel presentation entitled "Mental Health Stability in College". Panelists will be a former student sharing her personal college story and administrators from three area colleges- Boston University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Middlesex Community College. These professionals will address such topics as what some colleges are doing to intervene and support students who have mental health difficulties and what happens if a student has to withdraw for a period of time. There will be a question & answer session following the presentations. The event is free and open to high school and college age families in Middlesex County and surrounding areas. It is co-sponsored by Bedford High School. No registration required. Call Jennie at 978-692-2908 with questions or inquiries about potential cancellation due to weather.
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Want to learn more... click the links below!
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