Weekly Update

Sunday Service

"Nurturing Beauty through

Music and Poetry"

led by Lisa Shumway and Kala Farnham

Join Lisa and Kala as we amplify the joy and beauty that is found in poetry and music. Kala, joined by Jane Gates, will provide the music, including some original pieces. Lisa, Phyllis Barrett, Moira Nolan, Marge Fisher and Scott Shumway will introduce and read some favorite pieces of poetry. Come be inspired!

Join us online at zoom.us/j/89873989254

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

Annual Reports

The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 12. Please send your Annual Reports to Colleen in the office by Monday, May 30. Thank you!

Circle RE News

RE Calendar:

Sunday, May 22

RE and YG at UUCSW, Westboro

Circle RE 10:15 - 11:45 AM

Circle Youth Group 1 - 2:30 PM

TBD - YG trip to Boundless Adventures

5/30 (Monday) - Circle RE Table at the Northboro fair.

*Donations for the Youth Group trip to Boundless Adventures can be sent to the church by check, with "Youth Group" noted in the memo line. Thank you!*

6/18 (Saturday) - Circle RE Table at HudsonFest*

2022-2023

Pledge Campaign

We are incredibly close!

Please help the pledge committee by getting your pledge in as soon as possible. Don't forget this year's special matching feature - an anonymous donor will match any increase over last year's pledge which means your increased generosity counts for twice as much.

There are three easy ways to pledge:

Email our treasurer, Lisa Shumway, at treasurer@uucsw.org

Pledge online in Realm here: AddPledge

Mail a pledge card

Thanks so much! Let’s get there – TOGETHER!

Sincerely,

The Annual Pledge Committee

Pete Allen, Bruce Hall, David King, Rev. Laurel, Kathie Metzger, Lisa Shumway, and Juliana Spofford.

UUCSW Announcements

Book Group will meet on Friday, June 10 to discuss 'A Particular Kind of Black Man' by Tope Folarin

SMOC Food and Clothing Drives:

As you may know, our congregation has been supporting the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) shelter in Worcester with food and clothing donations for several years, and have developed a wonderful relationship with their staff and some clients there. Our donations have been very important to their survival and comfort this winter. We have made a real difference in their lives. Our friends look forward to our continued support through the warmer months, too, since their food and clothing insecurity remain the same. Please consider contributing so that we, as a congregation, can sustain our support year round. Thank you!

SMOC Food & Clothing Collections are on the following Thursdays:

May 26

June 23

July 28

Aug 25

4:30 pm

Ruggles St. Door

Racial Justice Committee

Get Out The Vote Q&A: On Sunday May 22 join us immediately after the service for a hybrid Q&A about the letter-writing campaign that the Racial Justice Committee is coordinating. Marge will be in the church and Jane will be in the Zoom room. Details about the project found here:

Click Here for More Info

Questions can be submitted in advance to RJC_GetOutTheVote@uucsw.org

Join us in supporting the mission of the Family Health Center of Worcester (FHCW) by donating infant clothing to their “Baby Store”. The patient population seen at FHCW is multiracial, multilingual and often living below poverty level. Their Baby Store offers infant clothing at no cost to parents and often inventory is low for unisex and stereotypical ‘boy’ outfits. On Sunday, June 12 th , UUCSW will be accepting donations of diapers and new infant clothing (sized up to 12 months). Summer clothing will be especially appreciated. Members of the Racial Justice Committee are coordinating; if you have questions or want to help with the planning you can reach them at rjc@uucsw.org.

A Message from

Side With Love:

Our Unitarian Universalist faith affirms that all of our bodies are sacred, and that we are each endowed with the twin gifts of agency and conscience. Each of us should have the power to decide what does and doesn’t happen to our bodies at every moment of our lives because consent and bodily autonomy are holy. And when disparities in resources or freedoms make it more difficult for certain groups of people to exercise autonomy over their own bodies, our faith compels us to take liberatory action.

As a people of faith, Unitarian Universalists have committed to working together for Reproductive Justice, following the lead of movement partners who have been in the struggle and on the frontlines for years. Here are six things you can do today to take action:

Support local organizing for abortion access and Reproductive Justice. Form a congregational team, educate yourselves, join with other progressive people of faith, follow the lead of your local Reproductive Justice organization.
Donate to your local abortion fund to ensure that everyone who needs an abortion can afford one.
Get involved with SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity, which is building a multi-racial, multi-faith movement of congregations across the country that publicly proclaim their support for reproductive dignity. It’s so new that it doesn’t have a full website, but you can sign up for future communications here.
Get involved with the work of the Liberate Abortion Coalition, and consider participating in the upcoming Abortion Crisis Caravan this June.