A Salute to 46 Years of Growth at 90 Main Street

The Green Exchange, our annual plant sale, will be open for business after church on May 23. Green Exchange refers to trading your $5 bills for our home-grown perennials freshly dug from members’ gardens. If you have a garden and some time, bring us a potted division from your favorite plant. Sale proceeds from the Green Exchange go to the church, and have bought, for instance, the black benches that welcome visitors to our courtyard.

The Memorial Garden was created in 1964 out of Heritage Funds, and designed by professional landscaper Alice Milton. Because of the prevailing red brick all around, she designed a “White Garden,” which we have mostly continued. For 46 years now, the plants have been maintained entirely by volunteers who discover that gardening makes a healthy contribution to our church. Whether you are an experienced green thumb or a novice, we invite you to join in caring for our green oasis on North Main Street, for the pleasure of our members and our neighbors.

Here is how to help: sign up to come in once during the summer to pull some weeds, water if the soil is dry, and cut off spent flowers. A sign-up sheet lets you choose a convenient time. We’ll send a reminder letter with simple instructions. Bring a friend, a partner, a child, and enjoy caring for this lovely place.

The Gardeners of the First Unitarian Church

Thank You, Choir!

Our choir has been in overdrive this year, preparing music for many extra celebration services from the 225th to Barbara’s retirement celebration this week.
CDs and DVDs will be available after church this Sunday for purchase (100% of proceeds to the church).

Please join me in expressing our appreciation for their long hours of rehearsal and excellent music-making.

-Will Sherwood, Director of Music/Organist

Music DVDs For Sale After Church

We are happy to offer a professionally recorded video DVD of the April 18th afternoon concert celebrating Will Sherwood's 25th anniversary.

If you didn't get a chance to attend, this is your chance to enjoy the great music performed by Will and our choir.

This would make a great gift for your family member or neighbors who enjoy great classical music - a nice way to show off our choir and music program to the community.

Stock up now for Christmas presents.

Paul Ropp, Chair Music Committee

Monday Night At The Church May 24th

Our May 24th program is an historic performance featuring Ellen O’Neall-Waite an amazingly talented actress, writer, vocalist and all-around entertainer. She will present a one-woman performance focused on an historic figure associated with the church. Bring the whole family and plan to be entertained and enlightened. Program starts at 7:15 p.m.

May 31st - Memorial Day program - To Be Announced

June 7 – Worcester Poetry Association (1st Monday) Lisa Fluet, Assistant Professor of English, Boston College, delivering the annual Bloomsday Lecture. Program starts at 7:15 p.m.

If you have any questions about Monday Night At the Church programs or would like to present a program, feel free to contact David Blodgett at 508-340-1041 or email office@firstunitarian.com for contact info. See you there!
Posted by Tom Schade at 12:42 PM 0 comments

Thanks Everyone for Welcoming the Little Church with the Open Door

Thanks to all of you who helped furnish it and assemble the congregation. Dolls were given by Laura Howie, Ellen O'Neal-Waite, the Cordovas, and Alan and Linda Wyatt. Linda Carney and Gini Johnson sponsored dolls, and Rosel Patton and Madeline Silva helped to dress dolls, Joanne Hart and the sixth grad made the hymnals. The brass candlesticks on the offering table were made by Ken Mandile, and Diane Mandile made the flower arrangement.

Alana Wyatt was the search committee for the minister, the Rev. Aaron B. Little, and was the recruiter for dolls. She and her mother, Linda trekked up to New Hampshire with me and helped select purchases sponsored by others. They made many contributions of dolls and other details I never would have thought of. I thank you all for your contributions!

Bunny Guerrin

Men's Retreat

You are invited to the

Annual

First Unitarian Men's Retreat

Friday, June 4, 5 p.m. - Saturday, June 5, 1 p.m.
Senexet House, Woodstock, CT

$85.00 includes dinner on Friday evening and
breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
Make checks payable to First Unitarian Church
and note "for Men's Retreat."

For information or to RSVP contact Ken Mandile

at 508-949-2469
Or office@firstunitarian.com for email contact info

Monday Night At The Church May 17 - June 7

Our May 17th program is presented by Liz Gustavson and "The Leaving Well Committee" and is an opportunity for members of the First Unitarian Church to come together to share thoughts and feelings about the upcoming retirement of our senior minister - Rev. Barbara Merritt. Please come and enjoy the fellowship. Program starts at 7:15pm.

May 24th - A historic performance featuring Ellen O’Neall-Waite an amazingly talented actress, writer, vocalist and all-around entertainer. She will present a one-woman performance focused on an historic figure associated with the church. Bring the whole family and plan to be entertained and enlightened. Program starts at 7:15pm.

May 31st - Memorial Day program - To Be Announced

June 7 – Worcester Poetry Association (1st Monday) Lisa Fluet, Assistant Professor of English, Boston College, delivering the annual Bloomsday Lecture. Program starts at 7:15pm.

If you have any questions about Monday Night At the Church programs or would like to present a program, feel free to contact David Blodgett at 508-340-1041 or email office@firstunitarian.com for contact info. See you there!