Newcomers Class March 14

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: "The Long Histories of Unitarianism and Universalism." Baby sitting and snacks are provided.Please let us know you are planning to come by replying to this note.

Easter Lilies

Each year at this time, members and friends of the church are invited to contribute a lily for the altar flowers on Easter Sunday. You may give a lily in your own name, in memory of someone, or anonymously. After the service the plant is yours to take home, or, if you wish, to donate to one of our homebound members. The donation is $20. The lilies are grown locally.

To make a contribution, please return the form below or contact the church office at: (508) 757-2708 or email office@firstunitarian.com

Easter Lily Donation
(PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)

Number of Plants (circle one): 1 2 3 other __

Dedication:____________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Donated by____________________________________________
____________________________________________________

I wish to remain anonymous (circle one): yes no

Amount enclosed:($20 each)________________________

I wish to (circle one) 1) take my plant home; 2) donate it to a homebound member; 3) leave my plant at church.

Among Ourselves March 13, 2010

Jay Lavelle was elected President of the Worcester County Poetry Association at the Society’s annual meeting held at the Worcester Public Library on Sunday, February 28th.

Wheel of Life

Our deepest sympathy goes the the family of Jenny Norris who died March 2nd at the age of 93. Jenny was the grandmother of members Tim and Kim Norris.

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.

KITCHEN CLEAN-UP

In preparation for the many up-coming festive events schedule between now and June, we must clean the kitchen and restore order to the cupboards and counters. If you know you have left casserole dishes, bowls, platters or other things in the kitchen, please remove them ASAP. On Sunday, March 14th, items that are not part of the kitchen inventory will be placed on a table in the dining room. Items not claimed will be donated to charity. The refrigerator will also be cleaned. Thanks for your cooperation.