Office Hours
(Sept 6, 2016 -
June 29, 2017):
Gmail Users -
Please note that if you stop receiving the Message, Nugget, and Weekend Reminder, check your Promotions tab in Gmail. Often, you will find that church emails are in there! Please click
HERE
for more information. Please share this information with your fellow congregants if they mention they aren't getting the Message!
PLEASE NOTE: Our trash and recycling is generally picked up once a month. Please be sure to break down all cardboard boxes before putting them in the recycling dumpster so it doesn't fill up too fast!
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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
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.
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 FY 2018 Budget Discussion, Round 2
- Sunday, May 28, 11:30 am - Meeting Room 1
Last Sunday we had a good discussion with many questions regarding the FY 2018 Budget. We will be having a second session this coming Sunday for anyone who missed this past Sunday's. Please join members of the Board in Meeting Room 1 after the service.
This year, the Board of Management is requesting $61,441 from investments to go towards the 2017/2018 operating budget. This compares to a pre-approved amount of $30,750 (5% of the average principal), and the $44,500 withdrawal that was approved by the congregation for 2016/2017. The primary reasons for the increased request are as follows:
- To bring staff salaries up to appropriate levels, particularly for the Director of Religious Education
- To reduce the fundraising budget to something more realistic, given this year's experience
- To hire a part time (8hr?) professional bookkeeper to manage a critical church function that has, in recent years, expanded in scope beyond that which is appropriate for a volunteer.
It is important to note that it has been a very good year for investments, and that income from investments so far this fiscal year (July 1, 2016 through April 25, 2017) have amounted to $65,353, more than is being requested.
To view the current budget proposal visit
HERE.
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Save the Date! UUCW Spring Fundraising Dinner
Saturday Evening, June 3
Join our own Robbie Johnson Erikson, graduating senior of Johnson & Wales for a fantastic Spring Dinner! An evening of fantastic food, entertainment and great company!
Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets!
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Yard Sale is Coming!
- June 10, 2017
The Yard Sale - one of our biggest fundraisers - is coming up! This year it will be held on June 10. Many hands are needed to pull this off. First, we need you to start squirreling away your goodies to be sold. As always, we just ask that things be clean and in working condition. It's a great opportunity to do some spring housecleaning. Second, I need people to help - setting up on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and then working at the sale on Saturday. If you are willing to run one of the areas please let me know soon. Thanks!
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Annual Trout Brook Camping Events - August 25 - 27, 2017!
Separate FATHER/DAUGHTER AND FATHER/SON CAMPING EVENTS are scheduled for August 25/26 (sons/boys) and August 26/27 (daughters/girls). Activities include cooking on a campfire with games and story-telling. The event is open to those identifying as the appropriate gender, and any young people that they know well and would like to bring. All ages are welcome, but children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. The event will be held at Trout Brook Reservation in Holden. Do not let a lack of camping experience or equipment stop you, as many involved have extra experience _and_ equipment! The cost for the site for each night ($100 total) will be split among the participating men. Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can properly plan:
For Father/Daughter camping night: Craig Van Batenburg,
508-400-4657 or
[email protected]
For Father/Son camping night: Dave Schowalter, 508-688-7008, [email protected]
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Save the Dates! Ferry Beach 2017!
It's time to register for Ferry Beach. September 15-17, 2017. Many of us begin the church year with a weekend of retreat, reunion, and reflection at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine (http://www.ferrybeach.org). We join together with friends from First Unitarian Church for beach walks, volleyball, time to rest, a talent show, and even a campfire! Remember we sold-out last year so register early. Share this with other church folks who may be interested. All are welcome! Please note registrations with payment are due by June 18.
Online registration:
Please CLICK HERE to download and print a paper registration (give to us at church, or scan and email back, or snail mail to address listed on form).
Payment options:
- You will get instructions for online payment if you register online. (also here: Simple Give pay link.: http://my.simplegive.com/f/?k=FESMJKB365ZKVN18)
- By check, payable to UUCW, that you can deliver in person or to one of the addresses listed on the paper registration form.
As always, we are happy to answer to any questions!
Maya Desai and Sean Divoll 508-853-2422, [email protected]
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Interfaith Hospitality Network Opportunities
Thank you to all the IHN volunteers that hosted the guests at 91 June Street last week. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy lives to spend time with the guests.
I am still collecting "gently used" shoes for IHN. Bring to church this Sunday or next.
Thank you for your support!
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Touchstone Monthly Theme
May Theme - Acceptance
May 23 - 29
May 23:
"May I befriend the unwanted parts of myself and continually learn wisdom from them." ~ Joyce Rupp
May 24:
"To go through life wanting to be someone else must be a terrible burden. It is hard enough just learning to be myself." ~ Joan Chittister
May 25:
"What is essential is invisible to the eye. It is only with the heart that one sees rightly." ~ Antoine de St Exupéry
May 26:
"If you travel far enough, one day you will recognize yourself coming down the road to meet yourself. And you will say-YES." ~ Marion Woodman
May 27:
"So long as you are still worried about what others think of you, you are owned by them. Only when you require no approval from outside yourself can you own yourself." ~ Neale Donald Walsch
May 28:
"If you are going to judge others it is wisest to do so individually not collectively and on your own direct experience of them personally. But first-and throughout-examine yourself closely. Blurred vision can often occur due to the lens, perspective, and perceptions of the viewer projected onto the object that it sees. Be wary of taking to the judge's seat. Above all, treat yourself and everyone else mindfully, compassionately with humanity." ~ Rasheed Ogunlaru
May 29:
"Solitude is essentially the discovery and acceptance of our uniqueness." ~ Lawrence Freeman
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Reminders about Fundraising!
 Amazon Smile Shopping Reminder
Just a reminder - if you shop on Amazon there is an opportunity to earn money for the church. Just go to
Amazon Smile and select the church as a place where Amazon will provide a contribution based on what you buy. We get a percentage of your total purchase. Even if you are using Amazon Prime it will still kick in but you have to go to Amazon Smile at the outset. Thanks - every little bit helps!
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Photos of the Week
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| Guest Minister, the Rev. Sarah Stewart, speaks on the topic "The Day You Were Saved" during the service on Sunday, May 21, 2017. |
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Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration and Education, teaches during the Final One Room Class on Sunday, May 21, 2017.
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Religious
Exploration
and
Education
at UUCW
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RE News for May 28, 2017
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Weekly Worship
Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 10 am
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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!
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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Date
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Group on deck for hosting
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Hospitality Team Contact
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| May 28 |
Members & Friends of UUCW |
Moira Rouse |
| June 4 |
Religious Education Committee |
Robin Mitzcavitch |
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Ongoing Meetings
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