by Rev. Aaron Payson This month’s Soul Matters Theme is Joy.  Consider the following story for all ages. The Story the Phoenix ToldWritten by April Rosario, inspired by the story of the Phoenix in Greek mythology Once upon a time, long long ago, it a far away land, there lived a magnificent Phoenix. Her feathers … Continue reading Joy, Fire and Resilience

by Laura K. Secor I have a Catholic friend.  Not a former Catholic – Worcester is full of former Catholics, recovering Catholics, people who flinch at the sight of a nun.  But recently I met a person who still attends mass, who still goes to confession, who has Faith with a capital “F”.  He loves … Continue reading Do The Catholics Know Something We Don’t?

by Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration But how can I really know if I’m just spinning my wheels? Or not. Why is it so hard to keep going without seeing the tangibles lining up? Get ready, because this article is loaded with questions, just like me. I guess it’s all about trust. In my … Continue reading Trust In Your Effort

by Rev, Aaron Payson This month’s Soul Matter’s Theme is Trust.  In honor of this and given the current climate in which we live, the following story seems most apropos.  Wisdom Story: The Story of the Broken Pot(Authored by Soul Matters Director of RE Resources, April Rosario. Inspired by the tradition of Kintsugi and “golden … Continue reading On Trust

by Moira Rouse & David Schowalter, the Stewardship Team Next Sunday, March 2 is the formal kickoff of the 2025 pledge season.  This is when we, as members and active participants in UUCW make a promise for how much we will pay to financially support the operations of UUCW in the next church year (July, … Continue reading Pledge Drive 2025: Defying Gravity – We Need to Take Flight!

by Laura K. Secor Hello my friends, Last month I gave you an outline of the Bodhisattva vow.  I touched on the classic version, where the devout practitioner dedicates his life to the betterment of others.  This in itself, the embodiment of compassion, is somewhat unbalanced to my Western mind.  It ties us into the … Continue reading The Bodhisattva Vow in Shantideva’s Teachings: A Path of Compassion and Wisdom, Part 2

by Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration   Let’s be the welcome  we crave—open hearts, arms outstretched.Let’s embody radical welcome, unquestioning love.  Let’s be the welcome we crave,deeply hearing voices and hearts. Let’s be the welcome we crave—Enriching, understanding.Let us embody the community we crave. Together. ~   Rev. Dr. David Breeden One day, Fox invites Stork, … Continue reading To Be the Welcome

by Rev, Aaron Payson The situation facing trans and gender non-conforming people in the United States right now is really bleak. And I really want to have an earnest plea that people stop framing this as a minority issue and reframe this as a universal attack on self-determination. Every one of us should be able … Continue reading Include & Resist

by David Schowalter and the Stewardship Committee It’s nearly that time again!  This year’s upcoming UUCW pledge drive, themed “Defying Gravity,” invites members to soar together in generosity and love. Drawing inspiration from Wicked, the recent musical movie that celebrates breaking boundaries and embracing bold visions, the campaign seeks to galvanize the congregation to secure … Continue reading The Upcoming 2025 Pledge Drive: “Defying Gravity”

by Laura K. Secor The Bodhisattva Vow in Shantideva’s Teachings: A Path of Compassion and Wisdom The Bodhisattva vow, central to Mahayana Buddhism, is a commitment to attain enlightenment not just for oneself, but for the sake of all beings. Shantideva, a revered Buddhist teacher, offers a unique and transformative understanding of this vow in … Continue reading The Bodhisattva Vow in Shantideva’s Teachings: A Path of Compassion and Wisdom