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The UUCW Message
October 6, 2020
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Please click HERE to scroll to our Faith in Action News - Get Out The Vote!
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On September 29, 2020, Kim McCoy looks at our 7-year old sloped roof, admiring that it is in perfect condition. Kim also looked at our flat roofs of similar age and saw that they are doing well. For 18 years Kim has helped with maintenance and has done occasional contract review and oversight from 2009-2012. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
Please click the Photo to see more Photos of the Week (4 this week!) on our website! |
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Health & Safety News from UUCW
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Good people. As we continue our fall programming, I want to take a moment to update you on conversations about our ongoing pandemic response. The Health & Safety Team met last week to discuss our ongoing plans.
Given the current state of COVID-19 spread in our region the team feels it necessary to continue remote operation for Sunday Morning Worship through the remainder of the calendar year. We know that this decision is disappointing for many, especially as we look toward beloved holiday services and rituals. That said, our Worship and Technology Teams are hard at work to bring you inspiring experiences which we hope you will avail yourself for in the coming months.
Small groups continue to be permitted to use the facility while adhering to the pandemic protocol for the size and safety of such gatherings. Please contact the office ([email protected]) to schedule use. The only restriction is over the next 4 weeks because of construction in our parking lot the building will be relatively inaccessible during the day and we are uncertain when it will be accessible in the evening. Stay tuned for upcoming communication regarding the progress on our property updates.
In addition to the guidelines that have already been established the H&S Team is reviewing short interview and wavier forms to be used by those facilitating groups in the building in order to assist in contact tracing should that become necessary.
Because of the work being done on the parking lot, and in the absence of guidelines from the City to date regarding Halloween activities, the H&S Team is recommending to the Board and congregation not sponsor Halloween activities on the property. However work is underway to provide an opportunity to celebrate Halloween at a distance. More info will be published about this in the coming weeks.
Finally, the H&S Team plans to meet at least monthly throughout this year and will update the Board and congregation with recommendations for winter following its November meeting.
If you have any questions about any of the information above, please feel free to reach out to Rev. Aaron Payson ([email protected]) or Board President John O'Dell ([email protected]).
Blessings,
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Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 8:30 PM via ZOOM
Another important way that we can draw closer to each other is increase opportunities to "see" each other even if it is over video, and to have a chance to share how we are and any needs that present themselves, as well as have good conversation and fun.
Join Rev. Aaron Payson online every Tuesday and Thursday @ 8:30 pm! TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHATS REMOTELY go to https://zoom.us/j/94275074784. Meeting ID: 942 7507 4784. To join by phone dial+1 646 876 9923 and follow the instructions.
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As the church adapts to the challenges of maintaining social distancing during this time of pandemic, many of the opportunities to meet via video conference are being planned using the church's ZOOM accounts. For those who have had difficulty using the ZOOM software, our own Vickie Cox-Lanyon has put together a wonderful short guide to using ZOOM. To view and download the guide, CLICK HERE! ZOOM Update: Zoom released a required update recently to both mobile and desktop platforms so if you are having trouble connecting to Zoom meetings, you need to update your software. Please CLICK HERE for instructions on how to do that.
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Office Hours and COVID Policy:
Office hours are Mon-Wed, 9 am - 3 pm, Thur 9 am - 2 pm, but are subject to change without notice based on COVID response and construction needs. If you come to the office, please observe the new sign on the door to determine if the office is occupied, and follow the instructions on the sign, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A KEY. Please use office space only as absolutely necessary. Jen is happy to print any emailed documents for you , or give any other office help remotely to limit the number of people using the office equipment at this time.
Gmail Users - Please note that if you stop receiving the Message, Nugget, and Weekend Reminder, check your Promotions tab in Gmail. Often, you will find that church emails (and other emails from Constant Contact) are in there! Please click
HERE for information on how to get the church emails to stay in your inbox. Please share this information with your fellow congregants if they mention they aren't getting the Message!
Please click the article title for more Office News!
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UUCW has a new Facebook Group "Daily Moments" which was inspired by Rev. Aaron Payson's daily posting of reflections, meditations and prayers this spring. This group will continue to host daily inspiration and invites all those interested to join the group and share their own inspiration. To join the group CLICK HERE. For more information please contact [email protected]
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Aaron has been posting a daily Moment of Meditation to the church's social media and his own networks. We have collected these on the church website, please click the article title to go see the September Moments!
September Moments of Meditation are available HERE. August Moments of Meditation are available HERE. June Moments of Meditation are available HERE. May Moments of Meditation are available HERE. April Moments of Meditation are available HERE. March Moments of Meditation are available HERE.
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Join Us For "Touchstones"
UUCW has a new Facebook Group "Touchstones" which features daily inspiration exploring the monthly and annual Touchstones Ministry theme. For 2020-2021 our Touchstones Theme is "Deepening Connections". To join the group and begin sharing CLICK HERE.
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Upcoming Events at UUCW
(Click the titles or images for more information)
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Please remember to think of Andrea and William as they care for their newborn son - Victor who is in the NIC unit at Memorial Hosp ( born 8 wks early). They would greatly appreciate help with meals as two harried parents always rushing to the hospital to see their son.
You can give a gift card to a local restaurant and have the food delivered! Congratulations: Andrea & William Cruz and Lynn Gostyla & David Williams!!!
Eve Stutsman and Susan Crossley, Parish Services
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| | The annual CROP walk raises funds for the food pantry - this year it's a virtual walk! |
Attention all UU Worcester Members!
Get your sneakers on for this year's Virtual Crop Hunger Walk -Sunday, October 18th, 2020.
Our church is taking action this year to help families living with hunger. We're asking everyone who can to help our UU Church of Worcester reach these two goals: 1) more meals for the growing number of people who need them in our community, and
2) more food security around the world. 12.5% of the total funds raised goes directly to our food pantry!
Create your own team and raise funds or donate directly to today to make these goals a reality!
Here is the CWS website which has important info about how the money that we've raised in the past is used.
Here is the Facebook link to our Annual UU Crop Walk
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The UUCW Website Team is thrilled to roll out our new website. It was developed using a new WordPress theme built by the UUA's Outreach Group. The new look, along with enhanced mobile support, were key features we were seeking. We would love to hear your feedback, both positive and/or critical. Please contact us at [email protected]. The Website Team is seeking new members. There are many different roles available - from monitoring the site for broken links and needed updates, to making edits in WordPress, to managing the backend, technical side of the site. You don't need to be a tech whiz, just someone who is willing to learn. We are also seeking members for our new Social Media Team, a group that will oversee the church's presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, working closely with other teams involved in marketing, membership, and outreach efforts.
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Faith In Action
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People of color living in some of the battleground states are having their vote suppressed because of systemic racism. Here's what it looks like: Voter Suppression. Because this population tends to vote progressive, their vote is being suppressed even more. Here are 2 ways to provide voting information and encouragement to this population.
1. "I began texting voters with When We All Vote, because I believe all Americans deserve a voice in our government. Unfortunately, many of our citizens of color, young, and poor voters have been disenfranchised. Texting is a way for me to reach out to voters and to encourage them as well as provide information on how and where to vote. Texting is simple and can be done from my phone, and I can reach many voters who feel more comfortable with this mode of communication. Texting is my way of inviting and encouraging those disenfranchised voters to lend their voice to our democracy." ~ Erin Derr 2. "one ringy dingy...two ringy dingy" "Don't wake up on Election Day wishing you had done more. Right now is our chance to change our nation's course. But it's going to take each and every one of us. There's little time left. Then our opportunity will be gone." Robert Reich Don't let this opportunity pass you by-there's too much at stake.
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Side With Love: Anti-Racism Community Conversation
SAVE THE DATE for a special Anti-Racism Community Conversation focused on voter suppression within black communities. We'll watch the documentary "Suppressed: The Fight to Vote" on Tuesday, 10/13 and have a discussion following the 37 minute film. click here for zoom link
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The City of Worcester is coordinating a Healthy Voting Campaign for the presidential election this year. We are in need of volunteers to support our efforts. Volunteers will promote social distancing, proper mask wearing, and share information about the seasonal flu vaccine during early voting (10/17-10/30) and on election day (11/3). If you're interested please email Kelsey Hopkins at [email protected] to share your interest in participating as an MRC volunteer and receive more information. Thank you!
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Sunday News - Worship Services and Religious Education for
October 11, 2020
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Jiddu Krishnamurti notes, "The end is the beginning of all things, suppressed and hidden, awaiting to be released through the rhythm of pain and pleasure." As we enter another fall season and harvest, we turn to the Jewish celebration of Simchat Torah and honor too Indigenous People's Day, asking how the lesson of the seasonal cycle of beginnings and endings informs us about the challenges facing indigenous people in our country and across the globe? How do we end the cycles of domination, occupation and subjugation that permeate our history in order to birth a new way of being as a nation? There are lessons in the intersection of the holidays we honor at this moment in our calendar. Join us for the exploration!
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Click the image to Sponsor a Teen!
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Touchstones For September 29 - October 5
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2019-2020 Touchstone Ministry Theme
"Building Beloved Community"
October Theme - Emotional Intelligence
October 6: "Life is a juggling act with your own emotions. The trick is to always keep something in your hand and something in the air." ~ Chloe Thurlow
October 7: "Socrates's injunction 'Know thyself' speaks to the keystone of emotional intelligence: awareness of one's own feelings as they occur." ~ Daniel Goleman
October 8: "Emotional health is more important than a fit body. Unknowingly, most of us focus on the latter hence the lack of inner-happiness, peace, love, and fulfillment." ~ Maddy Malhotra
October 9: "I feel therefore I am." ~ Amit Abraham
October 10: "Emotional versatility is the art of making peace with the entire emotional spectrum by honing your capacity to channel various feelings along creative and constructive lines. It is not about controlling or condemning your feelings." ~ T.K. Coleman
October 11: "There is no weakness in being able to love fully. It takes courage, tenacity, and an emotional intelligence that most people are incapable of." ~ Alafia Stewart
October 12: "Shift your attention, and your emotion shifts. Shift your emotion, and your attention shifts." ~ Frederick Dodson
Rev. Aaron Payson
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Ongoing Meetings
Monday Meditation is now meeting via ZOOM!
This is a drop in group and open to all with an emphasis on utilizing mindfulness meditation to enhance our connection to ourselves and others. We practice for 30 minutes and discuss the practice and often read and discuss a book related to mindfulness and meditation. We support each other in utilizing the practice in our daily lives to enhance our happiness and well being. During this time of COVID-19, we will be meeting via Zoom.
For the Zoom link, more information or if you have questions please email Wendy O'Leary at woleary25 at gmail dot com.
Lunch with the Minister will be suspended until further notice. Read the Message for future dates when our lunches will resume. Take care during these trying times. I'm available by phone anytime for conversation (774-239-3729). - Nancy Hancock
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"Believing in a community that unites all people"
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester
90 Holden Street, Worcester MA 01606
Phone: 508-853-1942 | Fax: 508-853-2065 | Emergencies: 508-853-1942 ext. 6
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