David P. Mckay

David McKay was well versed in Colonial Opera in Boston and  Early American Choral music, especially William Billings.

He was Director of Music at 1^st U from  1975-1985 and collaborated with the late Stephen Long (Trinity Lutheran) in several concerts and vinyl recordings exploring eighteenth century choral music.  Among his compositions, many published by Choristers Guild & ArtMasters, was the highly acclaimed Birds, Beaks, and Beautification which was a short children’s opera telling the story of creation where God ran out of “paint” for the birds’ wings and gave the last remaining bird a drop of gold on its tongue, yielding beautiful songs.

In addition to music history and music theory, he taught humanities courses at WPI.

Richard Jones offers this summary:

David was honored as a Lifetime Member of WorcAGO at the Festival Rededication of the Organ at Mechanics Hall thirty years ago this September. The rededication committee decided to honor three individuals (involved with the restoration) at the second of the two concerts --- Fritz Noack, William Self, and David McKay. David had been very highly regarded for his contributions to the study of early American music, particularly that of William Billings, and to a revival of interest in it. He was also well known as a composer. His settings of poems written by Holocaust victims were featured at the second concert, sung by the Salisbury Singers. (First Unitarian was much in evidence at the second concert --- Wallace Robbins was the featured speaker, Malama Robbins the featured conductor, and First Unitarian's director of music McKay was an honoree.) Just as the committee quite intentionally chose to use only Worcester musicians for the concerts, it chose to honor Worcester's own as well. Shortly after the dedication concert, Mechanics Hall commissioned an organ/orchestra concerto from McKay, and a sonata which were premiered by David Craighead. Joe Policelli, Brenda Fraser, and Ronald Stalford also performed at this concert on 16 November 1983 which featured The All Saints Choirs, the Wayland Consort, the Isaiah Thomas Jazz Chorale, and the Worcester Chorus.

His works, which I think are in the archives at the Historical Museum, are the only pieces of music ever commissioned by Mechanics Hall.

One of David’s records: http://lfs.alexanderstreet.com/liner/47e720bf1cbce1bea9086312c35776d3/FW32382.pdf

Obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/telegram/obituary.aspx?n=david-p-mckay&pid=159690401

John Henry's Hammer Fall Schedule

Rod MacDonald Opens "NEW" concert series at John Henry's Hammer

Rod MacDonald
Opening is area favorite Lydia Fortune

Saturday September 29th - 7 pm
John Henry's Hammer Coffeehouse
inside First Unitarian Church of Worcester
90 Main Street, Worcester, MA


Advance tickets $12 at Brown Paper Tickets
$15 at the door
508.753.1012

A self-proclaimed non-commercial artist, MacDonald has released 10 solo recordings in the US, 8 in Europe on the Swiss label Brambus, and 21 songs with Smithsonian Folkways (through the Fast Folk Musical Magazine).

He was reportedly the first American singer to tour the newly-liberated Czech Republic in 1991, and has made 35 tours in Europe since 1985, nearly all of them with NYC bassist Mark Dann.

Opening is area favorite Lydia Fortune. It’s hard to pin Lydia Fortune down to one musical category given her love for all types of music. From singer/songwriter to guest jazz vocalist, her calling card is an eclectic blend of jazz, blues, spirituals, country, pop and more. Her interpretive vocals reflect a unique singing style that has been honed over 40 years of performance. The music's the thing. A sense of adventure and a willingness to collaborate keeps her approach vibrant and alive.

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John Henry’s Hammer at First Unitarian Church

Saturday, Oct 20 at 7pm.  Joe Fusco and Friends. 

Advance tickets $12 at Brown Paper Tickets
$15 at the door
508.753.1012

A shared evening of spoken words and music hosted by Joe Fusco Jr. along with the Sunnyside Swing Band, Cowboy Matt Hopewell, Janice Harvey, Mac Cole,Anne Marie Lucci, Myra MacLeod and Paul Della Valle.

Sponsored in part by Goretti's Supermarket

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John Henry’s Hammer at First Unitarian Church.

Saturday, November 17^th at 7pm . Dennis Brennan Band  and Walter Crockett Opening.

Advance tickets $12 at Brown Paper Tickets
$15 at the door
508.753.1012

UUSisterhood News

From Lee Reid:

Hello UUSisterhood!

When church starts up again in September, please keep your eyes and hearts open for new women.   Prowl the pews before service and introduce yourself.   Work the crowd during coffee hour.   Many new people will be looking for connection, community and a friendly greeting.   Reach out and introduce yourself and introduce them to others.  If you don’t know someone (maybe they have even been attending for years) put yourself out there to make a connection.  It feels so good to be on the receiving end of a warm greeting.

The Opportunity Fair is set for Sunday, September 23^rd after service in Unity Hall.  The UUSisterhood needs to be an important part of it.  We will have a table set among many others, so we need to stand out and be visible.   How should we do that?

• Wear nametags
• Make a poster or find the one hidden in a closet in the dining room
• Provide treats like cookies and kisses
• Have a number of us working the crowd and wo/manning the table
• Have a sign-up sheet for names & email addresses
• Be visible Be friendly

We need one of us to coordinate the Opportunity Fair.  That means greeting people, signing them up and eating treats.  Please give it some thought and come up with your own ideas on how to make us visible.  It’s so easy.

The first gathering of the UUSisterhood is Friday, September 21.  Let’s talk more about it then.  

Questions and answers…please contact Diane Mandile at dmmandile@swissturn.com or Mary Fransden at mkfransden@ charter.net or Lee Reid at reidknox@aol.com (Diane and Lee will both be away on September 23)

From Mary Fransden:

Please join the UUSisterhood!  We are a group of women who just like to get together.  Most of us are members or attendees of First Unitarian and we welcome women from outside the church as well.  Mark your calendars for our monthly potlucks when we share food, conversation and participate in an activity or event together.  Our first potluck will be held on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 6 p.m. in the dining and Bancroft rooms and the activity is to plan for the rest of the year.  Come with your ideas and choose a month when you are able to lead and organize.  We have held literary nights, game nights, fashion shows, financial planning talks, show and tell, dancing events, pie baking and others.

Here is the schedule for the 2012-2013 church year:

Friday, September 21, 2012    6 p.m. Planning Night                        Leader:  Mary Frandsen

Friday, October 19, 2012        6 p.m.             

Friday, November 16, 2012    6 p.m.

*Sunday, December 16, 2012    2 p.m. Caroling to the Elderly and Shut-Ins
                                               6 p.m.  Annual Yankee Swap

Friday, January 18, 2013        6 p.m.

Friday, February 15, 2013      6 p.m.

Friday, March 15, 2013          6 p.m.

Friday, April 19, 2013            6 p.m.

Friday, May 17, 2013             6 p.m.

Friday, June 21, 2013             6 p.m.

*Updated September 10, 2012

Also, we need Sisters to represent us at the Sunday September 23^rd Opportunity Fair in Unity Hall.  Diane Mandile emailed to us an announcement regarding this event.   Please contact me if you are able to help or if you have any questions about the UUSisterhood.  I’m looking forward to a fantastic year!

Mary Frandsen

mkfrandsen@charter.net

508-852-8122

Other UUSisterhood contacts include Diane Mandile at dmmandile@swissturn.com and Lee Reid at reidknox@aol.com. 

Garden Tours - July 29 thru August 26

Here is the second half of our Garden Tours schedule. Please join us for news and views of lovely gardens in good company every Sunday this summer from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Hosts provide drinking water and a bathroom, but  perfectly groomed grounds are NOT required.  Contact Kris for more info at 508-754-5497 but NOT VIA EMAIL. We've been having a wonderful time and would love to see you there. CARPOOLS ENCOURAGED!

Sun., July 29, Bonnie Prescott, 34 Twinbrooke Dr., Holden. From church take Salisbury St. toward Holden, past Salisbury Green on right, 2 miles more to left onto Twinbrooke Dr. and straight ahead to #34.

Sun. Aug. 5, the Keatings, 983 Pleasant St., Worcester.  From church take Highland St. to Newton Sq., entering at 6 on the "clock face" and exiting at 12 onto Pleasant St.  Watch for #983 on right before Tatnuck Sq.

Sun. Aug. 12, THIS TOUR IS CANCELLED - PLEASE CALL KRIS (508-754-5497) FOR A POSSIBLE ALTERNATE LOCATION Will Sherwood, 171 Rowley Hill Rd., Sterling will not be available for a garden tour on August 12th.

Sun., Aug. 19, the Mandiles, #779 School St., Webster.  From church take 290 West onto 395 to exit 1.  Go through light at exit and 1 mile to left onto School St. by stop sign.  #779 is just after nursing home on left with parking along driveway just before #779, a pink colonial with a red barn.

Sun., Aug. 26, the Kirschenbaums, 20 Indian Hill Rd., Worcester. From church take 290E to 190N and then exit 2-Ararat St.  Make a giant U-turn by going left onto Ararat, over bridge and immediate left onto frontage road and bear right at fork following signs for Norton/Shore Dr. (but don't go as as far as Shore Dr.) Stay briefly in middle or right lane and take slight right onto New Bond St. which becomes Hockanum Way.  Turn right onto Indian Hill and find #20 close by.

Annual First U Kayak Picnic - July 29

Mark your calendar.  The eighth annual First Unitarian kayak picnic will be held Sunday afternoon, July 29, on Lake Quinsigamond at the home of Peter Gray and Diane Pingeton-340 S. Quinsigamond Ave., Shrewsbury. We will gather beginning at about 12:30 p.m. (anytime after church) and continue through the afternoon. It is potluck, so bring some food to share. If you have an easily portable kayak or canoe that you would like to bring, please do. If you have a life jacket, bring it.  Extra kayaks and life jackets are provided, courtesy of Ken and Betty Strom. We also have a canoe and a rowboat for use. Dress appropriately for the water. Come whether or not you plan to go out in a boat. If you have never tried kayaking, this is a good opportunity to try it. Address any questions to Peter Gray: grayp@bc.edu, or 508 753-1797. 

Summer Weekly Schedule

Church Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 2 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.  

6:30 p.m. Fellowship Supper

A lighter fare. The last Monday of the month is a potluck supper.

7:30 p.m. First Monday Poetry Series on the first Monday each month

Please note: Monday Night At The Church Fellowship Supper Takes a break! 

The August 27th potluck will be the last community dinner until September 24th (also a potluck.) After the September 24th dinner, we will discus how to do a Monday Night At The Church meal for the future. 

On Tuesdays throughout the summer: 

7:30 p.m. Kundalini Yoga

In the Chapel.  

On Wednesdays throughout the summer: 

7:30 p.m. Tibetan Teachings 

In the Bancroft Room.

On Thursdays throughout the summer: 

7:00 p.m. Court Hill Singers Rehearsal

In the Bancroft Room.

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. 

Garden Tours

Please join us for delightful garden views and news summer Sundays, 2:30-3:30pm at the homes of various members. And consider hosting if you have a garden to show off - perfection NOT required. Hosts, please make a bathroom available, and consider in advance if there are any "extra" plants you'd be willing to share. Visitors, please supply your own labor and equipment.  Call Kris Johnson at 508-754-5497 for further details. Here's the schedule so far - 2nd half of summer schedule pending! CARPOOLS ENCOURAGED!

Click here to sign up to host a garden tour.

Sunday, June 24: Nancy Riggs, 337 Salisbury St., Holden. From church take Salisbury St. towards Holden, past Salisbury Green on right. Approx. 2 miles later watch for #337. Nancy will not be there but says come anyway.

Sunday, July 1: Peter Haroutian, 676 Pleasant St., Worc.  From church take Highland St. across Park Ave. to Newton Square rotary, entering at 6 on a clock face and exiting at 9 onto Pleasant St., past tennis courts to house with enormous tree opposite last court.

Sunday, July 8: Kate O'Dell, 13 Montvale St., Worcester.  From church take Salisbury Street across Park Ave. Montvale will be on the right. Take Montvale to the red house at the end of the block.

Sunday, July 15: Bunny Guerrin and Shirley Paquin, 17 Yorktown Terrace, Holden. From church take Grove St. towards Holden, staying straight on 122A north after passing Indian Lake. Go several miles, passing St. Peter/Marian schools and entering Holden. Watch for newly constructed large homes on hill to right and then for Yorktown Terrace, a brick condo complex on right beside 122A sign.

Sunday, July 22: Sten and Liz Gustavson and Burncoat neighbors, 82 Uncatena Ave., Worcester.  From Church take Lincoln St. and onto Burncoat where it forks to left. Cross 290, pass Burncoat schools to light by convenience store: turn right. Uncatena will be a left a little way downhill, #82 is on left just after you turn. Directions to other neighbors from there.

CALL KRIS AT 598-754-5497 for more info. Internet is NOT a good way to reach her.