Wheel of Life January 9, 2010

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Ken Waugh who died December 25, 2009. A memorial service will be held at First Unitarian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2010. In Ken's spirit, the reception afterwards will be a giant potluck. Rev. Schade and Rev. Merritt will officiate.

To view Ken Waugh's obituary go to http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/telegram/obituary.aspx?n=kenneth-m-waugh&pid=137962016

Note of Appreciation

We appreciate our "remarkably unflappable" Christmas Eve Ushers. Thanks goes to Jim Campbell, Randy Ingham, Felix Martinez, Audrey Martinez, Jeff Bailly, Ken Carlson, Susan Anderson, Connie Madiera, Joan Russo, Noel Choquette, the LaPrade brothers, Jay Lavelle, Harold Stevens, Ken Carlson and Susan Peckitt.

And our thanks also goes out to the church youth who helped out, especially during the candlelighting.

Winter Romance Concert at First U on January 16th

WORCESTER
CHAMBER
MUSIC
SOCIETY
PRESENTS

WINTER

ROMANCE

Saturday,

January 16,

7:30 PM

First Unitarian Church
90 Main Street, Worcester

Pre-concert talk 1/2 hour before the concert

The first concert of the new year features soprano Maria Ferrante singing two Mozart Arias. Composer-in-residence, Mark Berger gives the Worcester premier of his latest quartet for flute and strings “Spell”. Ian Watson is featured in the Brahms Piano Quintet and Mahler’s Piano Quartet in A minor.

Program:
Mahler; Piano Quartet in A minor
Berger; Spell for flute and string trio
Mozart; “L’Amero” from Il re pastore and “Come scoglio” from Cosi fan tutti
Brahms; Piano Quintet in F minor

Tickets: Adults $25, Seniors $20, Students $10
$2.00 discount with a WOO card

For tickets and info visit www.worcesterchambermusic.org or phone 978-456-2730.

Handicapped accessible

Happy New Year & Happy 225th Year!

In 1785 the first Unitarian Church in America was gathered…in Worcester MA! Imagine, 225 years as a congregation…a continually changing group of faithful people gathered in the love of truth and in the spirit of Jesus…and attesting to the inherent worth and dignity of every person and seeking justice, equity and compassion in human relations. This is worthy of our appreciation and good cause to celebrate.

For a little perspective, in 1785 Louis XVI was King of France and Benjamin Franklin announced his invention of bifocals. It was a turbulent time in our country as people sought to control their destiny in matters political and religious. When you sit in your pew and catch the morning sky through lovely windows, think back to early church members in wigs, waist coats and buckle shoes; and women in modest bonnets with their dresses dusting the floor. We have much to thank them for; and we have much work yet to do.

How are we going to celebrate this auspicious anniversary? Many events are planned and the highlight will be the worship service and coffee hour on Celebration Sunday, March 21. You will see an anniversary banner hung in front of the church. Members have worked hard to update the church history brochure and church history panels. The Sunday school will create cheerful banners and make a time capsule. There will be building tours and dramatic presentations. A party with a popular band is set for May 1. BYKOTA is planning a surprise too.

We are aware of some of the changes and challenges we will face as a congregation this year and in the years ahead. As we proceed, let us take the some time to reflect on our heritage, appreciate who we are as a church today, and consider our hopes and plans for the future.

225th Planning Committee

Al Southwick, Honorary Chair

Lee Reid, Committee Chair
Rev. Merritt
Diane Mirick
Jim Dolan
Liz Gustavson
Ellen O’Neall-Waite

Piano Recital January 12th

A piano recital will be held at First Unitarian on Tuesday, January 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the Bancroft Room. Babette Hierholzer and Jurgen Appell will play four-hand piano music by W. A. Mozart, F. Schubert, R. Schumann, L. Moreau Gottschalk, S. Rachmaninov, and D. Shostakovich. The recital is free and open to the public.