Will Sherwood Celebrates 25 Years at First Unitarian

Would you like to help us with plans to celebrate Will Sherwood's 25th anniversary as our Choir Director? He has been bringing us spectacular music, for a quarter of a century! Come to an organizational meeting in the Chapel, Sunday, March 7 at 11:45 a.m. And please reserve April 18th, 2010, on your calendar: that will be Will's big day.

225th Anniversary News Updates

ANNIVERSARY GIFTS
Anniversaries are often occasions for gift-giving. During the of month March, as we celebrate 225 years as a congregation, it seems fitting that we honor the event with gifts. The 225th Anniversary Committee along with the UU Sisterhood suggests that collecting items to give to Abby’s House would be a meaningful gift-giving project.

We are asking people to donate items for Abby’s House, a multi service non-profit that serves homeless and battered women and children. During the four Sundays in March, look for a large purple plastic collection bin in the Bancroft Room with an “Abby’s House” sign. On March 28 during Fellowship Hour we will package up the donations which will be delivered to Abby’s House.

Here is what is needed: new towels, new washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, small bottles of lotion, shampoo, combs, small notebooks, pens, small cosmetic bags, children’s books, facial care products, small toys, hats, gloves and mittens. Worcester bus passes, gift cards for CVS, Price Chopper, Walgreens ARE ESPECIALLY APPRECIATED. (If you give a gift card, please hand it to a UU Sister. They wear nametags with colored ribbons on them.)


CHURCH VISUAL HISTORY PANELS
On Sunday, March 7 look for the church’s famous history panels which will be set up in the dining room area. A new 13th panel has been added to bring the church history up to date. Originally constructed in 1998, the 40” by 60” panels give a unique visual history beginning in 1785, of our church, of Worcester and of some national history as well. Bill Densmore was the chief organizer of this project. Enjoy this original look at who we once were, where we come from and who we are today.

UPCOMING 225TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

March 7 The church history panels will be up for your viewing.
March 7 Abby’s House project begins.

March 14 The children will decorate the Sanctuary for our 225th Birthday.

March 21 Celebration Sunday - The worship service will dramatize our 225 years, and will be followed by a splendid Coffee Hour birthday celebration.

March 28 Bob Shaw will give an architectural tour of the church building.
March 28 Rev. Kring’s pottery on display.
March 28 Abby’s House project wind-up.

April 11 Bob Shaw gives another architectural tour of the church.

April 12 Monday Night at the Church – Ellen O’Neall Waite gives a historic performance.

April 18 Sunday School Time-Capsule.

April 25 Religion in Our Times (after worship) – Ellen O’Neall Waite gives a repeat performance.

May 1 Dance and Party for adults in Unity Hall with live music.

Newcomers Class March 7th

A Newcomers Class is meeting this Sunday for newcomers, new members and anyone interested in being a part of First Unitarian Church. The class will meet at 9 a.m., in the Mirick Classroom. Rev. Schade and Jesse Anderson will be leading the sessions. This week's topic: "Finding Your Place At First Unitarian" Baby sitting and snacks are provided.Please let us know you are planning to come by replying to this note.

Newcomers Class February 28th

A Newcomers Class is meeting this Sunday for newcomers, new members and anyone interested in being a part of First Unitarian Church. The class will meet at 9AM, in the Mirick Classroom. Rev. Schade and Jesse Anderson will be leading the sessions. This week's topic: "How Does a Church with Freedom of Belief Work?" Baby sitting and snacks are provided.Please let us know you are planning to come by replying to this note.

225th Anniversary News

CHURCH HISTORY BROCHURE

A special project connected to the Church’s 225th Anniversary is the release of an updated church history brochure. Bunny Guerrin took on the task of researching and writing the new edition. Copies will be available Sunday, February 28 at the Welcome Table after worship. We are asking a $1 donation to help defray publication costs. Enjoy!

Some highlights...
* Paul Revere cast our first church bell which was hung in 1798.
(The current bell is a recasting of earlier Revere recastings.)
* This church building was erected in 1850.
* Member Isaiah Thomas read aloud the Declaration of Independence in Worcester during the Revolutionary War.
* In 1822, a collection of Rev. Aaron Bancroft's sermons was published…”Bancroft’s clear and accessible language the various points that then defined Unitarianism.”
* Bancroft wrote a biography of George Washington.

UPCOMING 225TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

March 7 - The church history panels will be up for your viewing.
March 7 - Abby’s House project begins
March 14 - The children will give the Sanctuary a fresh look.
March 21 - Celebration Sunday - the worship service will be dramatically different.
March 21 - We will have a splendid Coffee Hour birthday celebration.
March 28 - Bob Shaw will give an architectural tour of the church building.
April 11 - Bob Shaw will give another architectural tour of the church.
April 12 - Monday Night at the Church – Ellen O’neall-Waite gives a historic performance.
April 25 - Religion in Our Times (after worship) – Ellen O’neall-Waite gives a repeat performance.
May 1 - Dance & Party for adults in Unity Hall with live music

Dollhouse Project Needs Dolls

Soon after Easter the RE program will have a twelfth scale country church to play with and to demonstrate the various activities that happen in our real life church.

Currently there is a baby under two inches long with no parents in sight but who nevertheless needs to be christened. That is a problem. Besides the minister, the Reverend Aaron B. Little (who has no robe yet) there are only a few congregants.

We are appealing to the large parish to help with this. If you have a dollhouse sized doll you'd like to have join the little church, or if you'd like to sponsor one, please see Alana Wyatt or Bunny Guerrin. All are welcome, we do not discriminate against any doll, except by scale. To join, a doll must fit in a pew. An adult doll should be 5" to 6" tall.

Coffee Hour Art Reception in the Chapel

Birds, reflections, pets and people.

Fran Morrier has enjoyed working at photography for some time and some of her results are hanging in the Chapel.

Join us for Coffee Hour and exhibit of Fran's work in the Chapel on Sunday, February 28.