Weekly Update - April 2nd, 2020
Sunday Service: "The Ambiguity of Prayer"
April 5th at 10:30 am
Today we’ll ponder what it means to pray, particularly when so many of us are atheists or humanists, or have differing understandings of God. And perhaps more so, because we often want to pray in moments of deepest despair – but why and to whom are we praying?

UUCSW's Sunday Services are currently offered online using Zoom. The link will open at 10:00 am for anyone who would like to attend our pre-service "Coffee Hour." The service will begin at 10:30 am.
To join us online, click zoom.us/j/293107677
To call in, dial 301-715-8592, meeting ID 508-366-2635
Religious Education Survey
Families - We want to know what things are working and what we can do to help. Your feedback on our Religious Education During Social Distancing Survey would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Making Donations to UUCSW
While we are all in "stay at home" mode, you may be wondering what is the best way to make contributions for your pledge, Share the Plate, or the Minister's Discretionary Fund. Perhaps you signed up for some Auction items and aren't sure how to pay? You have two options:  
 
1.  Preferred Method - Pay online through Realm. Log in to your Realm account, Select "giving" from the menu on the left (PC), or bottom (smartphone) of your screen. Select "+ give" and fill in the amount, then use the pull-down menu under "fund" to select where the money should go. When you select "continue" you will be taken to a screen to enter your bank or credit card information. Note that the fee for bank transfers from your checking account is only 1% and credit cards is 3%. There is a check box to select if you would like to cover the cost of the fees. Payments are handled through Vanco, an online service that has been serving churches for many years. None of your banking information is stored by UUCSW. This method gets your funds to us directly and eliminates a piece of mail for us to handle and process.

2. Write a check, with the intended fund (pledge, auction, etc.) in the memo line and mail to UUCSW, Box 544, Westborough, MA 01581

If you have questions, email Lisa Shumway at treasurer@uucsw.org.
2020 Speakeasy Auction is Online!
Our Speakeasy Auction, originally scheduled to be held in March, is now fully online!

To view, sign up, and pay for all of the wonderful dinners and events our members have donated, please click here. Your support is vitally important and greatly appreciated. Thank you!
April 10th Book Group
The Book Group will meet on Friday, April 10th starting at 7:00 pm using Zoom. Use the link zoom.us/j/605989233 and follow the instructions.

We were not able to meet in March to discuss The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food by Dan Barber. So we are moving all the books one month forward and will discuss it in April. Please join us.
UU Advocacy Day April 14th
We will meet via Zoom so NO commuting into Boston! Rev. Susan Frederick-Grey will be the keynote speaker and awards will be given to long time activists from around the state. Then we'll focus on the UU Mass Action priorities.  Register here!
UUCSW's groups are now meeting by Zoom!
UU Knits (every Mon at 6:30 pm): zoom.us/j/588727151
Covenant Group (every other Sat at 10 am: zoom.us/j/614310384
Book Group (2nd Fri at 7 pm): zoom.us/j/605989233
Tuesday Community Hour (7 pm): zoom.us/j/345487625
Thursday Community Hour (10:30 am): zoom.us/j/102826335
April 24th Book Discussion
The title is White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. In a nutshell, DiAngelo coined the term "white fragility"; it is a reaction in which white people feel attacked or offended when the topic of racism arises. The book discusses many different aspects and manifestations of white fragility. We will hold our discussion via Zoom. Check out some reviews: newyorker.com, slate.com
Support Local Food Pantries
Food insecurity is increasing due to job losses and other effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. Consider supporting a local food bank now. Financial donations are most needed. Here are some options:
  • Westborough Food Pantry: requesting gift cards to local grocery stores sent to P.O. Box 502, Westborough, MA 01581
  • Grafton Food Bank: graftonfoodbank.org
  • Hopkinton Project Just Because: projectjustbecause.org
  • Northborough Food Pantry: nfpantry.org
  • Southborough Food Pantry: requesting donations sent to P.O. Box 281, Southborough, MA 01772
Scam Email Alert
Please be aware that some members have reporting receiving messages from false email accounts created in Rev. Laurel's name. Laurel's email is laurel.gray@uucsw.org. If you see her name associated with any other address, it is a scam, so do not respond. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common scam targeting churches. Please check the address if you ever get a request from the minister that seems odd. Thank you.
Support Beautiful Music!
Kala Farnham has created a GoFundMe campaign where you can purchase her new CD and in doing so, support her financially during this uncertain time when she is unable to play her beautiful music in public spaces. To support Kala and purchase her new CD, Your Spirit Is a Work of Art, check out her GoFundMe page. Thank you!
Click here to view this week's Social Justice Action "Green Sheet."