UUCSW Weekly Update
September 12, 2019
Summer Freedom in the 1950's
Sunday, September 15 at 10:30 am
led by Kathie Metzger
Summers for an 8- or 9-year old girl were very different from today. There were chores and some expectations, but also the freedom to explore, get into a bit of mischief, and learn some about life and people for oneself. Kathie Metzger, now in her 70’s, has been thinking back to the summers she spent in rural New York state near the Pennsylvania border, and wants to talk about their importance to her.
Religious Education Announcements
Calling all Teachers! We want YOU to join the Religious Education Program for the 2019-2020 program year! No, you don’t have to have a child in the program, nor do you have to have any experience teaching! We work in teams of two with a prepared curriculum at your fingertips! All you need is the joy of learning, a dash of patience, and the desire to pass on Unitarian Universalism to the next generation! Not sure what you can offer? Feel free to talk to the DRE Cassie! You are welcome to shadow a class to see if it’s right for you, or to offer only part of a year. Whatever you can do would be greatly appreciated!
Join us this week for our first day of RE classes! We will begin in the Sanctuary with the congregation at 10:30 for the opening and Time for All Ages, then our youth will proceed to class with their teachers. Parents, please note that RE time does go until 11:45 when we ask you pick up your children from their classes downstairs so you can take home any artwork and speak with the DRE/teacher if needed. 
Youth Group Visioning Meeting! We invite all High School Youth out on September 22nd at 12 pm for our first meeting of the year! There will be plenty of pizza and we will be deciding on what we want to do as far as our monthly event and our service project! All are welcome, regardless of if you have participated in the past or not. Come on out!
Food Packaging Event this Sunday!
Join us for UUCSW's monthly food packaging community service opportunities! Normally these are held on the first Sunday of the month after worship, but September 15 will be the first event this church year. Then we will resume our regular schedule on October 6.
Community and Connections
The words community and connection come up quite often when congregants are asked what brings them to or keeps them at UUCSW. Are building connections and community within UUCSW important to you? If so, please consider attending a kick-off session for the membership engagement team on September 24 at 7 pm in the parlor. John Metzger and Lisa Shumway are spearheading the team this year and we are looking for your energy and ideas to support the 
critical role of this group to strengthen our UUCSW community by creating welcoming experiences on Sundays, assimilating new visitors and retaining existing members and friends and caring for those within our community. Please let us know if you are interested in attending or have any questions.  - Lisa Shumway ( LSS0907@gmail.com)
Blood Drive in Honor of Corinne Sciarappa
Make a difference by giving blood at the Congregational Church of Westboro (57 West Main Street) on Saturday, September 28 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm


On June 2nd, after her courageous, four-year battle with cancer, Corinne Sciarappa passed away with her loving family by her side. Her long fight consisted of countless trips to the Jimmy Fund Clinic, many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and nearly 200 blood and platelet transfusions. Through it all, Corinne was dedicated to making the world a better place, and she consistently placed her care and concern for others above her own. It is in this spirit that we invite you to donate blood in Corinne’s memory on Saturday, September 28th. There continues to be an urgent need for blood, and many patients depend on the kindness and generosity of donors like you. Walk ins are welcome, but scheduling an appointment is recommended.  
If Not Now, When? If Not Me, Who?
This is the second note regarding what each of us can do to address climate change. The science is clear. Climate change effects will be increasingly dangerous and far-reaching and we all need to act. Discussions and resolutions at the UU General Assembly (GA) have for decades supported focus and action on climate change. And climate change is a major focus for UU Mass Action right here in Massachusetts. Here are two ideas for action now:

Global Climate Strikes on Sept. 20 and week of climate action

Young people understand clearly that the effects of climate change will fall more heavily on them than their elders. In response, thousands of youth-led climate strikes are planned for Sept 20th in 117 countries around the world to highlight this looming crisis.

UUs know that all that exists is part of an interdependent web. What we do matters. We must show up for each other and the world now. 
 
The UUA, Side With Love, and UU Ministry for Earth have joined as partners with the Global Climate Strike on Sept. 20th and invite you to #StrikeWithUs.
 
In Boston, thousands will gather at City Hall Plaza from 10 to 3 and start a new era of societal transformation, justice, and climate action. In Worcester, student marchers will gather at City Hall at 10am. This will kick off a week of action across the country. Everyone is welcome.
 
  • RSVP at our special UU Mass Action RSVP form so that we can keep you posted on what we have planned for the strike and the week of action after! We are working with others to host a breakfast and a singing meet up beforehand and we’ll keep you posted as you figure out the details. Invite your congregation, and invite your youth!
  • RSVP to the main Youth Strike RSVP form so they can know how many people are joining!
  • There are many actions happening in Worcester this month! We hope to have UUs at each of them, and will be prioritizing the Global Strike on Sept 27. See below for more information, make sure to sign up at the UU link in the first bullet to stay posted. (Email John Metzger at jkmetzger2@gmail.com if you would like to be involved with organizing the Worcester contingent)

Transition to 100% clean, renewable energy.

Fossil fuels have been central to how economies have grown for over two centuries but their use must stop. Transitioning to clean energy from sun and wind is growing quickly. Seven states and over one hundred cities have committed to moving to 100% renewable energy, so today more than one in four people in the US live in a jurisdiction committed to renewable energy. 

The towns we live in can do this too. Westborough residents will vote in the October town meeting on a resolution to commit to consider climate change in all decisions and move toward 100% renewable electricity by 2035. There are two public meetings this Monday, Sept 16th: 12:30 pm at the Senior Center and 7 pm at the Fire Station. Come bring your questions and neighbors too!

If you don’t live in Westborough, find out if there is a group trying to do something similar. Please contact me if you have questions. We are all in this together. - John Metzger ( jkmetzger2@gmail.com)
Welcome Rev. Laurel Gray!
Several events have been planned for UUCSW members and friends to meet our new minister, Rev. Laurel Gray. We want as many of you as possible to attend these events. Please let us know if you need assistance with transportation - send an email to Elisa (our office assistant) at office@uucsw.org and she'll connect you with a driver.
Open House
Friday, September 20
6:30 to 8:00 pm
 
You're invited to join John and Kathie Metzger at an open house at their home to welcome our new minister, Rev. Laurel Gray. Drop in to meet Laurel and enjoy some wine and appetizers. RSVP below.
Ice Cream Social
Saturday, September 28
2:30 to 4:30 pm

Everyone's invited to a fun Ice Cream Social hosted by Ed and Jane Walsh at their home in Northborough. Rev. Laurel Gray will be on hand and she's hoping this event will be well attended by kids of all ages!
Social Justice Action
Click below to view this week's Social Justice Action "Green Sheet."