Unitarian Universalist Congregational

Society of Westborough

Sunday Morning at UUCSW

Service at 10:30 am


"On Strength After Suffering"

Led by Rev. Laurel Gray


“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is a common refrain in society, but is tied up with some dangerous theological ideas. Today we’ll dive into the problems with redemptive suffering theology and move to a post traumatic growth way of talking about the strength we find in ourselves after difficult experiences.


This service will be held in the sanctuary and on Zoom:

Join us online at zoom.us/j/89873989254

Join us by phone at 301-715-8592, meeting ID 89873989254


Masks encouraged in the sanctuary. 

Before Service at 9:30 am:


Choir Rehearsal

RE Classes

Principle 3:

“We believe that we should accept one another and keep on learning together.”

UUCSW Calendar & Announcements

Calendar of Upcoming Events


  • Today: Thurs, Nov 16, 4:30 pm - SMOC dropoff
  • Today: Thurs, Nov 16, 7:30 pm - Board Meeting
  • Sunday Nov 19
  • 9:30 am - RE Classes and Choir
  • 10:30 am - Sunday Service
  • 5:30 pm Youth Group
  • Weekly Update submissions due!
  • Mon, Nov 20, 6:00 pm Knitting Group
  • Tue, Nov 21, 7:00 pm Interfaith Thanksgiving
  • Sun, Nov 26
  • 9:30 am - Choir
  • 10:30 am - Sunday service
  • Please note, there will be no childcare during worship on Sunday, Nov 26

“Giving Thanks for Our Shared Humanity”


You’re invited to gather for our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 7pm on Tuesday November 21st!


Where:

New England Sikh Study Circle Gurdwara Sahib

168 Flanders Rd. Westborough


When:

6:00 pm Choir Practice & Pre-Service Tea

7:00 pm Interfaith Service

8:00 pm Dinner provided by Gurdwara Sahib


When you enter the Gurdwara, please remove your shoes and make sure your head is covered. Head coverings will be available to anyone who needs one. The service will have seating on the floor, as well as chairs, so please dress accordingly if you’re able to sit on the floor.


For many years this interfaith service was ecumenical, gathering the local Christian communities together. We have broadened our tent to have a truly interfaith service with representatives from a wide range of religious traditions. We know this way of gathering is less familiar to some who were accustomed to the previous ecumenical service, and we are thankful to have fostered relationships across the full spectrum of religious life. 


Please join in this evening of music and reflection, prayer and hospitality, as we celebrate our shared humanity. All are welcome.


Early Deadline for Weekly Update Submissions - Thanksgiving Week


Please send any submissions by Sunday evening, Nov. 19.

The Weekly Update will go out on Weds, Nov 22. Thank you!


SMOC Food and Clothing Drives - Update!


This month, SMOC Food & Clothing Collection will be happening Today: Thurs, November 16 at 4:30 pm

Ruggles St. Door


As of December, SMOC food and clothing donations may be dropped off in the box in the Sanctuary every Sunday. We will no longer be collecting monthly on Thursday afternoons. Bologna can be stored in the upstairs refrigerator in the parlor. 


Below are the upcoming Sundays before the monthly Friday delivery, so you are sure to bring in your donations by that Sunday:

Sunday December 17

Sunday January 21

Sunday February 18

Sunday March 17

Sunday April 21 

The giving tree 2023 is back! Help us provide gifts for families in need this holiday season. 


The tags will be on the Christmas tree starting Sunday, November 19.


All gifts must be wrapped and at the church in the coffee hour room by Sunday, December 10 at 10:30 AM. Thank you for your support during this holiday season!


See you all next week!

Babysitting

Great news - the Youth Group is planning another babysitting fundraiser, right in time for holiday shopping! Babysitting will be on Sat, December 9 from 4 - 7, pizza included. We hope your kids will join the fun!

Stay tuned for more info and a sign-up, coming soon.


Next Youth Group Meeting

Nov 19 at 5:30 pm.

All High School Youth are welcome to attend!


Book Group


Our next book group meeting will be on Dec 8th, 7pm at Central One Bank, 40 South Street, Westborough. The book this month is While Justice Sleeps, by Stacey Abrams. Please contact Susie Wells with any questions: [email protected]. All are welcome!

The MET needs you!


A small, easy lift is needed from our members & friends! We would love to have your smiling faces greeting at our doors on Sunday morning!


Can you arrive at 10 am and help with this important task? Meet other UUs and help a new visitor feel a little more comfortable.


Please sign up using the "Sign-Up Genius" link below for dates that work for you:


Thank you in advance for your support!

The Membership Engagement Team (MET)

Community News

Transgender Day of Remembrance Service

Sunday, November 19th, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Church of Marlborough & Hudson

80 Main Street, Hudson, MA


Join us as we honor the lives of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of violence this year with music, poetry, prayer, and a reading of the names.  

Hosted by the First Parish Church of Stow & Acton and the Unitarian Church of Marlborough & Hudson


UU Mass Action Calls for Ceasefire


We call for a ceasefire. At UU Mass Action our heartbreak continues as suffering, tragedy, and pain persists in the Middle East. Since imperialism and colonialism has been perpetuated by the West and the US, our nation has been complicit in pain throughout the Middle East. We were devastated by the violence of Oct. 7th. Our hearts and souls are heavy as the violence in Gaza and the West Bank continues and we urge and work for an end to this destruction and genocide. We work and pray for all Jewish people to feel safe globally. We work and pray for all to feel safe; Palestinians, Jews, Israelis, Arabs, Muslims, everyone.

 

We, as a Unitarian Universalist organization, believe not only in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, but in the right for all to have the ability to flourish and thrive. This right is being comprehensively denied as the Israeli government enacts a genocide of the Palestinian people. As an action network that works to end oppression, we recognize that the freedom of some is connected to the freedom of all. As we work on justice in Massachusetts we also show up for Palestinians who have been oppressed for decades and are now being killed in Gaza. We at UU Mass Action, work for peace, to organize UU’s to create a world where all people are honored and valued, where all people do not have to fear for their lives and where racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, colonialism, and imperialism no longer exist.

 

UU Mass Action joins many of our partner organizations and the UUA in calling for:

1. Ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint by all sides

2. All parties to abide by the laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions and customary international law

3. Prioritizing steps to secure the immediate release of hostages and ensure international protection for civilians

 

In faith and solidarity, 

 

UU Mass Action

Contact Susie Wells if you're interested in tickets for

Merry Movie Melodies! [email protected]

Resources

Add Pledge
Donate to UUCSW
ChUUrch Talk Podcast
Submit a Question for the Podcast
Submit an Article
Sign Up to be a Greeter!
Soul Matters Packet - Nov
Schedule a Meeting w/Rev. Laurel