225th Anniversary Activities Update

CHILDREN’S BANNERS

Bright and beautiful banners made by our bright and beautiful Sunday school children will hang in the Sanctuary next Sunday. The children are celebrating the church’s anniversary through their festive and joyful gift of art. Sierra-Marie reports that they enjoyed thinking and talking about how Worcester and the church may have looked long ago. They wondered what it would have been like to be children in 1785. The children decided that having a chalice on one of the banners was very important, and that they wanted their handprints in a pattern that moves into the chalice. How amazing and inspirational!

ANNIVERSARY GIFTS

During the month March, as we celebrate 225 years as a congregation, let’s honor the event with donations of needed items for women and children at Abby’s House. Please put your donations in the big blue bin in the Bancroft Room.

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 UUSister. They wear nametags with colored ribbons on them.)

On Sunday, March 28 we will package everything and deliver it to Abby’s House.

CHURCH HISTORY PANELS

Be sure to view the church’s famous history panels which are set up in the dining room area. A new 13th panel has been added to bring the church history up to date. The 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 are, where we come from and who we are today.

CHURCH HISTORY BOOKLET

Be sure to pick up a copy of the church history booklet written by Bunny Guerrin.
Copies are available 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 on Court Hill was erected in 1828.
* Member Isaiah Thomas read aloud the Declaration of Independence in Worcester during the Revolutionary War.
* Aaron Bancroft wrote a biography of George Washington.

UPCOMING 225TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

March 14

The children will give the Sanctuary a fresh look.

March 21

Celebration Sunday - the worship service will be dramatically different followed by a splendid Coffee Hour birthday celebration.

March 28

Bob Shaw will give an architectural tour of the church building.
Rev Kring’s pottery will be on display.
Abby’s House project will conclude.

April 11

Bob Shaw will give another architectural tour of the church.

April 12

Monday Night at the Church – Ellen O’Neall-Waite will give a historic performance

April 18

Sunday School Time-Capsule.

April 25

Religion in Our Times (after worship) – Ellen O’Neall-Waite will give a repeat performance.