Weekly Update - February 20, 2020
Sunday Service: "Strange Fruit"
February 23rd at 10:30 am
Time Magazine named it “Song of the Century” in 1999. The Library of Congress honored it in 2002, adding it to the National Recording Registry. The topic of Strange Fruit is still, sadly, all too relevant today. An exploration into the history and people behind one of the most powerful songs ever written. Led by Jim Kirk.
This Week in Religious Education
This Sunday, February 23rd, is a Sanctuary start for our youth followed by regular RE classes.
This spring our eighth graders in Coming of Age have been hard at work doing some deep thinking about what they believe and coalescing their thoughts into credo statements. We are getting very excited and we invite the whole congregation and all our RE family to join us on March 22nd as they read their statements to the congregation and present who they are to our community! This will be a multigenerational service and we look forward to seeing you there!
A Message from the DRE
Dear UUCSW,

I am very sorry to announce that come the end of the 2019-2020 program year, I will be stepping down from my position as the Director of Religious Education. Unfortunately, my husband and I must leave this area due to his career, but fortunately we are leaving for a grand new adventure to follow our passions for spirituality and social justice!

I want you all to know how much I have valued our time together and the ministry we have engaged in as a congregation that has allowed our youth to continue growing into the amazing young men and women they are. I will be spending the rest of my time here at UUCSW preparing everything for a new DRE and enjoying my time spent with the youth.

I take all the memories of our time together with me with gratitude and I pray for all the best for this congregation, knowing that I leave you in the caring hands of Rev. Laurel with the support of the board and the love of your congregation to surround you.

Cassie Lengel 
UUCSW DRE; 2018-2020
Blood Drive in Memory of Corinne February 29th
If you are ready, willing and able please join us at the Westborough Fire Department on Saturday, February 29th for our second blood drive with the Boston Children's Hospital Bloodmobile in memory of Corinne. We'll be there from 9 am to 4 pm and would love to see you. You can use this link to sign up online: halfpints.childrenshospital.org. Click the Donate Blood tab at the top left. In the first box enter WESTBFD. Click the WESTBFD drive link. Select appointment time. Thank you! - Pauline Sciarappa
Building on Our Foundation:
The 2020-2021 Annual Pledge Campaign for UUCSW
Get your pledge in by March 7 and be eligible for a $50 gift card!

There are many reasons for pledging this year. Of course we need your help to achieve our goals of expanding our ministry, sharing our principles, and planning for our future. We have an aggressive $120,000 target and you can always see how we are doing by looking at our thermometer mounted at the church. But now there’s extra incentive to pledge by March 7: all households that have submitted their pledge by this date will be eligible for a drawing for one of two $50 gift cards! Winners will be announced at church on March 8. Pledging is easy – online at onrealm.org, by submitting a pledge form by mail or in person, or by simply emailing treasurer Lisa Shumway at treasurer@uucsw.org.

Thank you. - The Pledge Committee
Attend UUA General Assembly this June!
UUA General Assembly is in Providence June 24-28, which is a great rejuvenating weekend and our chance to VOTE as delegates. We would like to get a "carpool” together; please see a board member ASAP if you are interested in attending. More details are on the UUA website.
Do you enjoy coffee hour? We need your help!
There are still quite a few Sundays without coffee hour hosts left in the church year. Unfortunately, no coffee hour hosts means no coffee, tea, or goodies. If you enjoy coffee hour, please help out by hosting. Here is the sign-up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084bafae2da6fc1-uucsw1. If you are new to hosting, just put a note in the comments section that you need some help and a pro will be arranged to work alongside you. Thank you!
Kala Farnham & The Lunar Strings
with Heather Pierson
Sunday, May 3rd at 6:00 pm at UUCSW
On May 3rd, Kala Farnham will once again grace the stage at UUCSW. This year, she will be accompanied by Alex Korolov and Dan Grip on strings. We are thrilled to welcome yet another talented singer-songwriter, Heather Pierson, to open the show. You do not want to miss this – get your tickets now!

Tickets are available on Sundays at UUCSW or through Eventbrite.com