Stewardship Fair

The Stewardship Fair is coming!

October 6, 2013 in Unity Hall

following the service.

This year The Lay Leadership Council is hosting the first annual Stewardship Fair.

This is your opportunity to find out what is happening within the church this year, to connect with the community and find out how you can transform your worship into service for all by signing up to give your time, talents and treasures as we make First Unitarian Church of Worcester a welcoming place of worship.

If you wish to sign up for a table, please go online to SignUpGenius at

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090548AFA92FA46-sunday

or

 contact Laura Kirshenbaum at laurakirshenbaum@gmail.com

Please include a description of your event/program/project title.

Include the date, location, contact information, age restrictions,
and cost (if applicable).

September 2013 Worship at First Unitarian

Welcome and Welcome Back!

On August 19, our new Interim Minister, Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris, joined us.  She’s been settling in and looking forward to the first service of this new church year on September 8. Tracey’s office hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 1pm-4pm and Tuesdays from 11am – 2pm.  On Wednesdays she works at home and can be reached at 617-306-1422.  Her email address is minister@firstunitarian.com.  To learn more about Tracey, click here.

Sunday, September 8 – Begin in Gratitude 
Preaching: Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris

As we gather for the first service of the new church year, we welcome our new Interim Minister, Tracey Robinson-Harris.  She will offer reflections on gratitude as a starting place for our year together.  The service will include a “Time for All Ages” with Jessica Gray, Director of Faith Development Ministries.  We will celebrate with voices raised in song. And we will charge our Ministerial Search Committee as they continue on the path to identifying the candidate for settled ministry to serve this congregation.  

Sunday,September 15 – To Forgive, To Repair
Preaching: Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris 

This service is offered in the spirit of the High Holy Days of the Jewish tradition. Rosh Hashanah, the new year, a commemoration of Creation, begins at sunset September 4 and ends at nightfall September 6.  Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins at sunset September 13 and ends at nightfall September 14.  Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris’s sermon is entitled “To Forgive, To Repair.” 

Sunday, September 22 – All Roads Are Good 
Preaching: Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris 

Unitarian Universalism encourages us to grow our souls and enrich our personal religious journeys by drawing on many sources. Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris’s sermon explores the challenges and opportunities of being part of a community grounded in a multi-source faith.

Sunday, September 29 - There's No Place Like Home
Preaching: Jessica Gray, Director Faith Development Ministries

Summer Weekly Schedule

Church Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Fridays

Please call the church office in advance if you need access to the
building. Staff takes vacation during this time. 

Every Monday throughout the summer: 

5:30 p.m. Meditation Group will continue to meet throughout the summer in the Chapel.  

(No Monday Night Fellowship Dinner during the Summer)

On Tuesdays throughout the summer: 

5:30 p.m. Prenatal Yoga

In the Chapel.  

On Wednesdays throughout the summer: 

7:30 p.m. Tibetan Teachings 

In the Bancroft Room.

On Thursdays throughout the summer: 

6:30 p.m. Kundalini Yoga

In the Chapel.

Sundays throughout the summer:

9:00 a.m. Court Hill Singers Rehearsal

In the Bancroft Room.

10:15 a.m. Childcare

Available during worship.

10:30 a.m. Worship

 In the Bancroft Room.

 (For sermon titles click here.)

Tibetan Teachings:  Opportunities to learn Lojong in July

Please join us for a rare opportunity to learn more about Lojong, a core Tibetan Buddhist

practice also known as seven point mind training, from Geshe Dondup Tsering, a renowned teacher who has taught in monasteries in India.  The practice involves refining and purifying one's motivations and attitudes.  The fifty-nine slogans that form the root text are designed as a set of antidotes to undesired mental habits that cause suffering.

• Wed. July 17 and 24th, 6:00-8:30pm, Introduction to Lojong in Worcester,  Linh Son Temple, 25 Ruthven Ave, Worcester, MA. Potluck beginning at 6:00pm. Teaching from 7:00 to 8:30pm.  Donations accepted. All are welcome

·        Saturday, July 27, 10am–3pm, One-Day Workshop on Lojong, Harvey Wheeler Community Center Auditorium, 1276 Main St., Concord, MA, Suggested donation: $60. Workshop is equally relevant for experienced practitioners and the newcomers to meditation and Buddhism. All are welcome regardless of ability to donate.  Sponsored by Jhamtse International, a 501c3 charitable organization.

For more info about any of these events, and events in the Concord/Acton area, please email geshedondup2013@googlegroups.com

SUMMER 2013 FIRST U GARDEN TOURS - SECOND HALF

Again this summer church members and friends have graciously agreed to welcome visitors to their gardens on Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.  Hosts need not provide anything other than interesting sight, sounds, and smells.

 Questions?  Call Kris J at 508-796-5969.  Carpooling encouraged.  Assume it's cancelled if it rains at that time.

Sun., July 14 - Dick Harris and Nancy Wilson, 26 South St., Grafton. Take Grafton St. out of Worcester past shopping plazas, Wyman Gordon complex on left to junction of 140/122: turn right. Wind around, past Stop & Shop, past 2nd lake on right into Grafton, staying straight through light uphill. Continue straight onto South St, past town common on right.  #26 is on right less than a block from common with ample parking. Bring swimsuits or just lounge by the pool.

Sun., July 21 - The Gustavsons (and neighbors?), 82 Uncatena Ave. Worc.  From church take Lincoln St. under Rt. 290 uphill and onto Burncoat  St. where it forks left.  Cross 290, pass Burncoat schools to light by convenience store: turn right. Uncatena will be a left a little way downhill and #82 is on left just after you turn.

Sun., July 28 - Boundless Way Temple/ Worc. Zen Ctr., 1030 Pleasant St., Worc. From church turn right onto Main St., through downtown to right onto Pleasant St. before City Hall.  Go up & downhill, cross Park Ave., through Newton Sq. rotary, past Flagg St. and Moreland St. on right, and Brantwood St. on left.  #1030 is opposite Esther House.

Sun., Aug. 4 - Rudy Cepko, 33 Lenox St., Worc.  Follow above directions through Newton St. rotary. Turn right onto Lenox and find #33 near end of block on left.

Sun., Aug. 11 - Margery Connelly, #30 Sherbrook Ave., Worc.  From church take Belmont St. up and down hill to just before bridge: turn right onto Lake Ave.  Take second right onto Sherbrook, cross Lake View and find #30 (4th house on right.)

Sun., Aug 18 - Kate O'Dell, 13 Montvale St., Worc. SPECIAL BREAKFAST

TIME: 8:30 to 10 am. PLEASE CALL 508-792-9661 TO RESERVE.  From church take Salisbury St. across Park Ave., turn right onto Montvale.

Sat., Aug. 24, 3 pm, Crown Hill Historic District Tour, Worcester.  Meet at the School Admin. parking lot, corner of Irving and Chatham Streets.

Sun., Aug. 25 - Liz Mullaney, (and the Blooms?), 7 Congress St., Worc.

From church turn right onto Main St. through downtown to right onto Pleasant St. before City Hall. At top of hill before gas station turn left onto Crown St. (sign missing) and then right onto Congress St.

PLEASE CARPOOL - LIMITED ON-STREET PARKING.

Sun., Sept. 1, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The Red Barn, Holden.  From church take Salisbury St. past Assumption College, JCC, etc. into Holden. At Sunnyside Motors turn right onto Main St. At junction by police Main becomes Shrewsbury St. - continue straight through light for 1/8 mile and see Red Barn farm sign on left.  Possible bonus homestead organic garden nearby too!

This Saturday at the beautiful retreat center (former Passionist monastery), Veterans Inc in Shrewsbury:

Join us on Saturday June 1 for a special day of yoga and meditation, food and friends at Veterans, Inc!

This is open to the general public especially the local yoga and meditation community.

  Families Welcome!

59 South St, Shrewsbury, MA  

Saturday June 1, 2013

9am to 3 pm

Registration starts at 9 am

Live Music and Juice Program starts at 9:20

Formal Program begins at 10 am

Why Yoga Works & Veteran's Testimonial

Yoga & meditation class 11-12:30 before lunch @ 12:30

Small group classes and Healing Arts after lunch 1:30-3 pm

Kundalini Yoga      How to Meditate         Mindfulness

Yoga for Trust and Courage    Massage   Acupuncture     Reiki  

 Art & Yoga     Door Prizes Raffle     Delicious Vegetarian Lunch       Family Yoga @ 1:30   Yogi Chai Tea    Networking Table 

Audience: All welcome including veterans, active military, first responders, military families, nonmilitary, yoga teachers and practitioners, all ages, all levels. No prior yoga experience needed. All classes may be adapted to sitting in a chair.

Suggested donation: $25 to Veterans Inc and to cover lunch

Any amount accepted, no one turned away

Multiple Yoga Teachers will participate, including

Fred Bernard     yogatuesdays.com, Vietnam Veteran and Yoga Teacher

Guru Jiwan Singh     yogatatheashram.com

Hari Kirin Kaur Khalsa, MD, Christine Croteau kundaliniyogaforall.com

More than 50 years of combined teaching experience

Join us for this fantastic event bringing yoga community and our beloved veterans together!

Questions contact Hari Kirin 774-287-2233 dmpinge@gmail.com          

"To be calm is the highest achievement of the self" ----Yogi Bhajan

SUMMER 2013 FIRST U. GARDEN TOURS SCHEDULE - FIRST HALF

Again this summer church members and friends have graciously agreed to welcome visitors to

their gardens on Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Hosts need not provide anything other than interesting sights, sounds, and smells, so feel free to bring a folding chair and water bottle if so inclined (certainly not required.) Questions? Call Kris J. at 508-796-5969 (new #). Assume it's cancelled if it's raining at that time.

Sun., June 2, 1:30-3:30 - Ken Lundquist, 5 Congress St. and the Blooms, 2 Congress St., Worcester. From church turn right uphill on State St., another right to lights and left onto Highland St. Left at next light onto Harvard/Lynden, up and downhill through several lights, and turn right at lights by All Saints Church onto Pleasant St. Left onto Crown St. at hilltop and immediate right onto Congress St. LIMITED ON-STREET PARKING - CARPOOLS ENCOURAGED.

Sun., June 9, 1:30-3:30 - Peter Haroutian, 676 Pleasant St. and the Silvas, 106 Coolidge St., Worcester. Follow above directions onto Pleasant St., crossing Park Ave., to tennis courts and house with enormous tree opposite last court. Park in large driveway and enter back yard. The Silvas' is a short walk away.

Sun., June 16, 1:30 - 3:30 (Fathers' Day) - The Miricks, 160 Mirick Rd., Princeton. From church get to Lincoln Square and take Rt. 290 East briefly to Rt. 190 North. Take exit 5 and turn left onto Rt. 140. Follow winding country road to blinking light and turn left onto Rt. 62 and later right onto Rt. 31 (before Princeton Ctr.). Go past Merriam Rd. to 2nd left onto Mirick. Go approx. 1.5 miles, past Beaman Rd. and uphill to house on right with big red barn on left. Park by barn.

Sun., June 23, 1:30 - 3:30 - The Riggs, 337 Salisbury St., Holden. From church take Salisbury St.. towards Holden, past Salisbury Green on right. Approx. 2 miles later see #337 on left.
Sun., June 30 - Rev. Gary Kowalski's farewell picnic at Gene and Gini Johnson's, 9 Wiltshire Dr., Worcester. Directions available at church that day.

Sun. July 7 - 4th of July weekend, no tour

Stay tuned for info pending on tours for the rest of the summer!