Minister's Lenten Series

Reverend Sarah Stewart

 

Lenten Series 3: The City of Hope

March 24. Meet at Bancroft Tower in Salisbury Park off Massachusetts Avenue at 6 p.m. We'll share a lenten worship service focused on what we are struggling with in life, and where we find hope. We'll then move nearby (location TBA) for warming, fellowship and small group reflection. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Sarah Stewart at sstewart@firstunitarian.com.

Click here  to sign up to attend one or all of the Lenten Series evenings. (Note: you do not have to create a SignUpGenius account to use this online sign up sheet. If you do not want an account fill in the information required for the sign-up, but do not check off the create account block.)

 

The Escalating Inequality Sessions are a series of 5 workshops and a movie discussion about the problem of escalating inequality in this country. At General Assembly in Providence last summer, delegates to the UUA voted escalating inequality as the most pressing issue of our time.

 

This is a joint project between First Unitarian Church and the UU Church of Worcester. Three events will be held here and four will be held at UUCW, 90 Holden Street, Worcester 01606. We are excited about this partnership.

  

The four remaining workshops are from the dynamic curriculum put out by the UUA and contain large and small group discussions, videos and personal inventories.

2. HOW INJUSTICE DRIVES INEQUALITY: Tuesday March 31 First U 7-9pm

3. HOW DID WE GET HERE AND WHAT WE CAN DO: Tuesday April 21 at UUCW from 7-9pm
4. THE NEED FOR DIVERSITY IN UUism: Sunday May 3 at UUCW from 12:30-2:30pm
5. ENGAGING SOLUTIONS FOR UUism: Sunday May 17 First U 12:30-2:30

 

Escalating Inequality Task Force: Joan McGinn, Chair; Paul Ropp, Randy Ingham, Mara Pentlarge, Joe Delgizzi

 

Joan McGinn, Chair, Escalating Inequality Task Force

 

The donations are coming in for our Silent Auction (April 12-19) and Multimedia Art Sale in the Chapel (April 5-19)! Just two weeks left to add your contribution.

Here are some examples of our great items:

 

Miss White and her chicken friends from the Mirick's are donating their farm fresh eggs. Deputy Chief Matt Ronn will take you inside the workings of his firehouse. For a unique party, kids can use the cool machines at SwissTurn, Ken Mandile's high tech manufacturing business. We have 2 romantic evenings of jazz guitar, cooking lessons and consulting from great chefs, handknits for people - head to toes, and some great surprises from our community's attics; not to mention some wonderful professional services for body, mind and computer.

 

Oh, and the Art Sale. We've begun collecting promises for a wonderful eclectic selection of works in many styles, subjects and media. Calling all Artists and Artisans, you know you want to be part of this amazing sale in our newly renovated Chapel Artspace! Please send us your donation form.

 

For more information, please call Madeline Silva at 774-262-0418 , or Mary McAlister at 508-752-1255. Or you can email Madeline at avlis@aol.com

 

New UU - are you?

Led by Jesse Anderson

4 Sundays, March 8-29, 9-10am in the Morgan Classroon

Are you new to Unitarian Universalism or would you like to know more about the faith tradition? The New UU conversations are for you. All newcomers and new members are welcome. It is important to make a commitment to attend all four sessions.

• Session 3 - UU history -denomination and our church
• Session 4 - Church Ownership and Governance

Please RSVP  to dlevering@firstunitarian.com

 

Each year at this time, members and friends of the church are invited to contribute a pot of flowers for the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. This year we will are offering a 6" pot of tulips (5-6 bulbs per pot.) You may give a tulip in your own name, in memory of someone, or anonymously. After the service, the plant is yours to take home, or, if you wish, donated to one of our homebound members. The donation is $20 per pot. (This is a small fundraiser for the church.) Click here to order a pot of tulips. 

About 200 GLBT, friends, and families gathered for a very successful community spaghetti supper last Saturday night.

 

We want to thank all those from the Pride Committee and 1st U members for making this event possible and providing great food and a time for a gathering of all ages.

 

 

After the holidays, many food pantries are depleted of many essential items; today's challenging economy has caused an increase in the number of people needing food stability. Your help is needed NOW!

 

We will begin collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries and household items from now - April 12th

 

Please bring in your donations each Sunday, and leave them at the donation location in the dining hall.  Items needed are:

 

Canned meat, soups, pasta, cereal, feminine products, baby food, rice, peanut butter, diapers, canned vegetables, canned fruit, spaghetti sauce

 

Thank you for your support!

BYKOTA

 

UU Sisterhood Potluck in the Bancroft/Dining Rooms. Join the women of the UU Sisterhood at our next meeting on Friday, March 20th for an evening of food, wine, conversation and laughter. We gather at 6:00 in the Dining Room with a potluck dinner starting shortly thereafter. All women of the church are welcome. Please bring a dish and a beverage to share. After dinner and cleanup please plan to stay for the program.

 

Our sister Nancy Riggs will present our program. We know her as friendly, gracious, bright and cheerful. But a talent of hers we will now enjoy is Nancy the storyteller. She will be in character as she provides a glimpse into the lives of two women whose actions influenced history. Nancy writes, "About 15 years ago, I began portraying Elizabeth Blackwell, first female physician, as part of the Women's History Day Celebration at the school where I teach ninth grade English. This eventually led to the creation of "Cameos in Time, Bright and Shining Moments in the Lives of Remarkable Women". For our gathering, she will present two of her favorite women from history: Nellie Bly, first female investigative reporter, and Hut the Pilot (Nancy's cousin) who was a WASP in WW. 

 

The responses are in! This year our Seder will be cooperative family style. As such it is free for adults willing to bring a requested dish. (We have a list of needed store bought items for those reluctant to cook). $10 if you just want to come and enjoy the evening.
 

This is a family event. All ages welcome. Children 12 and under are always free.

David Blodgett will be providing music. Come enjoy an evening of storytelling, music, food and friendship
.

The Seder is a moving, participatory celebration in memory of the Hebrew people escaping from Egyptian slavery, with the rituals of the service intertwined with a wonderful meal cooked by members of the parish.
 

Held in the Dining Room. Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 4-6:30 PM

 

Reservations are required. Please sign up after church on March 22th or March 29th, or by e-mailing Abigail at ahannaford-ricardi@firstunitarian.com