UUCSW Weekly Update
October 24, 2019
Sunday Service:
Oops, we were wrong about God. What now?
October 27, 2019 at 10:30 am
Historically, belief in God has helped to order societies and has given great hope to individual lives. But our modern secular scientific era has begun to seriously undermine this traditional belief, and the trend lines seem to indicate that people are responding by becoming more extreme on both ends. But the fastest growing group in the U.S. are the “nones,” people who simply forego any religious identity at all. Is it still possible to find identity, community, and meaning if we’ve realized that God doesn’t exist? Led by Zach Wolfson.
This Week in Religious Education
Halloween Food Drive in Costume! Once again this October the RE youth have been a part of the food drive to benefit Westborough Food Pantry. We will still be collecting through October 27th, when we will have the kids do one last collection during service. We invite our RE youth to wear their Halloween costumes to the service and to the following RE Halloween party downstairs. Thank you! 
Calling all Teachers! We want YOU to join the Religious Education Program for the 2019-2020 program year! There is still time and availability to volunteer! Not sure what you can offer? Feel free to talk to the DRE Cassie! If you have already volunteered, please see Cassie or a member of the RE Committee to finish submitting your CORI and Code of Ethics information. Thanks!
Registration: This is a reminder to our RE families that registration has looked a little different this year. We have added a new discipline policy, a photo release form, and a snack fund donation in addition to the registration form. If you are unsure if you have submitted everything please see Cassie and she can help you get the rest! 
Join UU Knits on October 28
Do you enjoy any type of needle or yarn craft? Then bring your WIP (Work in Progress) to sit and gab with other crafters while you make some progress! We provide a zero-pressure setting, and we have a great time. We welcome all skill levels. Join us in the Parlor on October 28th at 6:30 pm.
Invitation to Attend “Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership” UUA Seminar
November 2 in Worcester from 9 am to 3 pm
(Please note: the deadline to register is TODAY!)
The UUCSW Board of Trustees is offering two seats (at no charge) to our congregation to attend this UUA (NE Region) seminar. We have two open seats to go to this event with others already signed up to continue to support a new vision for UUCSW.

From the UUA - in reference to this seminar: “Spiritual Leadership is an orientation and practice by which individuals and congregations create, sustain, and restore Beloved Community in which everyone experiences belonging, wholeness, greater equity, and an increased willingness to risk on behalf of our values. Spiritual Leadership is needed everywhere — our homes, schools, places of work, neighborhoods, communities. The call to claim Spiritual Leadership is not just for “leaders” but for everyone.
 
Please let Janet Purney-Balabanis ( janetlpb@gmail.com ) know if you would like to attend by October 24th. The first two to respond will be given the seats for the seminar. (Refreshments will be provided at the seminar. Plan to bring a brown bag lunch.)
Westborough COA presents "Aging Enjoyably in a Connected Westborough" November 3
The Westborough Council on Aging is hosting "Aging Enjoyably in a Connected Westborough" on November 3rd from 2-4 pm at Westborough High School. Hear inspiring talks, connect with local organizations and resources, discover opportunities to create social connections, and enjoy light refreshments! More information here.
Congregation B’nai Shalom hosts "The Rise of Hate in America: How did we get here? What can we do?"
Sunday, November 10, 7-9 pm
Our local synagogue is hosting a community forum on the rise of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-LGBTQ+ violence, and white supremacism in America and what we can do about it. They’re bringing together expert researchers and academics, along with representation from the Boston office of the Anti-Defamation League. Congressman Jim McGovern will also be in attendance. The event is free and open to the public. Register here: cbnaishalom.org/event/rise-of-hate
Get a head start on your holiday shopping with ShopWithScrip physical gift cards!!

When you purchase a gift card through ShopwithScrip, a percentage of the face value of the card goes to UUCSW. These small but significant rebates really add up - we are hoping to raise $1,000 through the holidays with this program.

If you’ve set up a Scrip account, you can continue to place your order online as usual. If you don’t have an account, we have created a paper order form you can use to purchase physical gift cards by check through the holiday season. Order forms are available in the Chapel or from the PDF linked in this message. Checks made out to UUCSW and your completed order form should be returned to Lisa Shumway. We will place orders weekly starting Monday November 4th, and continue through December 9th. Expect a one-week turnaround on all orders.

As you start planning for the holidays, please consider this program. We expect many of the tags on the Annual Giving Tree to be requests for gift cards. Scrip cards make great gifts for teachers, sports coaches, teens, parents, grandparents, and just about everyone else you can think of! You can also buy gift cards to shop for those gifts that require a more personal touch or for your everyday shopping and dining needs.

Contact Lisa Shumway at LSS0907@gmail.com with questions.
Social Justice Action
Each week we publish a “Green Sheet” which contains information about Social Justice happenings and opportunities at UUCSW and in the broader community. Please click below to view this week's edition.