To be sure, we are entering an unprecedented moment of uncertainty in our country. We are also moving toward the season of darkness as the earth turns once again toward the night. Now, more than ever, we need to listen deeply to the call to carry the torch of hope into this dark night of the soul. May our united flame burn bright.

To join online, go to zoom.us/j/89214621289

Please consider participating in a congregational food drive to benefit the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) which provides meals for homeless people in Worcester. At this time they are especially in need of: 6-8 oz juice boxes/pouches; fresh fruit especially apples, oranges/clementines, pears; 16 oz packages of bologna, thick slice pre-packaged; boxes of chewy/soft granola bars.

There will be a collection for these items on Thursday, October 29th from 4:30 to 5:45 pm at the Ruggles Street door of UUCSW. Please reach out to Pauline at psciarappa@gmail.com ahead of time if there's a better time for you. Food will be delivered to SMOC on October 30th. Hopefully we can continue to do this regularly to help SMOC provide for their homeless families. Thank you for help with this. – Your friends on the Social Action Committee

REMINDER: We are continuing this fundraiser throughout the year. For every card purchased, the church receives 5% of the face value back.

If you are interested in purchasing some cards to support the fundraiser, contact Lisa Shumway at treasurer@uucsw.org.

No matter the results of the election this year, we know we will want to gather in community. Please save the date and join the UUA, UU the Vote, Side with Love, and UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray for this event. Hosted on Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube.

To make it easier for congregants to schedule personal meetings, Rev. Laurel has set up virtual office hours scheduling through Calendly! Just click the link below to view her availability and request a meeting time. You will have the option to choose either a 30 minute or 60 minute meeting, and to talk with Rev. Laurel either by Zoom or by phone call.

(Please note that, as always, if you have a pastoral emergency and need to speak with Rev. Laurel immediately, you may reach her at any time by texting or calling her cell at 401-932-7855.)

Starting this fall, UUCSW is offering a monthly series of spiritual resource packets, developed by Soul Matters, that you are welcome to use however fills your spirit. Please click the links below to download the resource packets for the month of October.

My small act for this week is voting! My mail in ballot didn't come with a sticker, so I made my own to celebrate.

Our fifth principle - affirming the democratic process both within our congregation and our society - means that voting is part of my spiritual practice and commitment as a Unitarian Universalist.

I also made a donation to #UUtheVote to support voter engagement across the country. Over the course of the last year, UU the Vote has reached over 1.3 million people, and members of our congregation alone sent over 1,200 letters to potential voters. It's amazing what we can do when we join together!

What's your small act this week? And more specifically, what's your voting plan? - Rev. Laurel