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As we all strive to find accurate information about the situation we face as a world, country and community concerning the spread of Swine Flu, please know that the leadership of this congregation is already actively addressing the potential impact of such a situation on our faith community. More details will be forthcoming on planning efforts. In the meantime, please note the following:

1. This congregation is committed to supporting the health and well-being of all its members and friends. Please find information relevant to treating flu in your home on the Traumaministry.org and Redcross.org websites.
2. If you or someone in your household begins to experience flu like symptoms or is diagnosed with flu, please contact the church and we will work to support you and your family during this time of need.
3. If you or other members of your household are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay home from school, work and church. Let us reach out to you with meals or other pastoral needs if necessary.Talk to the members of your household about your own plans for dealing with flu should one of you become infected, or if a period of quarantine is placed on the community by the Department of Public Health. Put together a home disaster supplies kit (visit Redcross.org for information on this important resource).
4. If and when vaccination or other anti-viral medication is made available, please take the opportunity to receive proper preventative medical support.
5. If you are aware of others in our congregation who are vulnerable to flu, or who have flu-related needs, contact the .

Remember, this is a time to prepare, not panic. The leadership of this congregation will be working with local agencies to assist our members and friends in time of public emergency. We will forward information to members and friends via the newsletter, webpage, and voicemail (if and when necessary). Contact the if you have questions or concerns about these efforts.

Sincerely,


Additional information can be found in the "Flu - What You Can Do" and "Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)" documents.

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Are you in a job or career transition? Check out the Employment Transitions Group that meets on Sundays from 12:30 - 1:30. Meet with others in our church who are looking for work and dealing with all the emotions and isolation that accompany this transition.

NOTE TO THE CONGREGATION: Job leads
If you hear of job openings at your company or any other, send that information to Sue Hegedus who will pass that to the Employment Transitions group. We are also interested in jobs that may be temporary, seasonal, or part time -- particularly for the summer months -- as a job search takes time. Please send those leads to Sue as well. Send those to

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FOOD PANTRY

As we hope you know, we have assumed responsibility for the Food Pantry previously located at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The pantry will distribute food on the third Saturday of each month. (The first distribution from our church will be on April 18th) We’d love for you to get involved in this ministry.

Construction Helpers - These jobs shouldn’t take long. We need to sheetrock the ceiling in the backroom that will be used for storage, insulate the outside wall and linoleum tile the floor.

Shoppers - The Friday before food distribution occurs, several people need to go to the Worcester Food Bank to shop for enough food for 60 people. All shoppers must attend Shoppers’ Orientation at the Food Bank and be willing to stock the food at the Church.

Set-up - Set up volunteers work from 6:00 p.m. Friday night for 1 to 1 ½ hours. They will put the food out and get carts, paperwork, etc. ready for Saturday distribution.

Distribution Day - Help is needed to answer questions, give out perishable food, make guests feel comfortable while they await their turn to shop, and assist guests. The time commitment on Saturday is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Please contact or to express your interest.

The more the merrier. Please consider giving someone a helping hand.

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in case of bad weather

In case of severe weather on Sunday morning, please remember the following:

There are 3 possible levels of closing:

1. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL but REGULAR WORSHIP
2. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL and INFORMAL WORSHIP (Minister will be on site to meet with those who attend - no music)
3. ALL PROGRAMS CANCELLED (including evening programs)

In the event of severe weather, the decision to cancel will be made by 7 AM and will:

• be placed on the church answering machine which can be accessed by dialing (508) 853-1942 and selecting 8 from the menu
• be sent out to the RE family email list
• be placed on TV channel 5
• be placed online at www.thebostonchannel.com.
• People may sign up at http://www.thebostonchannel.com/
  closingssignup/index.html to have closing information delivered to them by either email or a cell phone text message.
• Office closings due to bad weather through the week will also be put on the answering machine at menu item 8. Jen will, barring internet/power outages, be able to check e-mail and messages.

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Interested in an October Weekend Mission Trip to Baltimore?- Deb Selkow debselkow@gmail.com Looking for a Team of 10 Senior High Teens and Adults - Deb Selkow and Robin Caracciolo

• Have you always wanted to go on a mission trip, to travel somewhere to do physical work that makes life better for people?
• Have you wanted to send your teen on a work journey that demands physical labor and team work and offers the possibility of personal transformation?
• As a former COA mentor or parent or a Youth group advisor, do you dream of a fall reunion in a project with the teens that you grew so close to this year?

We want to create a team of at least 10 teens and adults interested in traveling to Baltimore, MD on Columbus Day weekend, October 9-12, 2009 to provide services to a home for homeless people called Meeting Ground. Our team will join other teams of teens and adults from Worcester area congregations in this trip that will be organized by WAYS, the Mission Travel Bureau of the Worcester Area Missionary Society (WAMS).

This trip is a fantastic opportunity for our high school teens to go away and work together on a project. It is very accessible in both cost (only $375 per person) and time commitment (4 days including travel). It also offers the chance for our teens and adults to work with and to develop friendships with other Worcester area congregants.

So…are you interested or do you know an interested teen? Interested enough to attend an informational meeting to learn more? If so, please contact Robin at or this week.

We need to know if there is enough interest within this congregation to move this project forward over the summer. And you need to know whether or not to start saving for the trip. So spread the word, and be in touch immediately! See http://www.uucworcester.org/downloads/BaltimoreMissionFlyer.pdf for more information! Let’s go to Baltimore!!!!

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