Photos of the Week – throughout the year
- Photos of the Week for November 3, 2026
Photo #1
Connections Team members Nancy Baffa and Vickie Cox-Lanyon built this Ofrenda, a decorated altar to honor and welcome back the souls of deceased loved ones. This is for the holiday Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), traditionally celebrated on November 1 + 2. People bring photos of their loved ones to place on the Ofrenda, and/or items that were significant to their loved ones. Photo #2
Nancy Baffa building our Ofrenda. Photo #3
Kudos to Kate Bejune, who, after months of training with Frank Sweetser, ran the tech equipment solo for the first time ever during our November 1, 2026 service. In fact, UUCW herstory was made today, with our first-ever all women Tech Team (Betty Jenewin running the video camera) during a service! Photo #4
Matt Johnsen rises at the conclusion of his program on Sunday afternoon, November 1, 2026. It was a conversation between music and poetry, in celebration of the release of his CD and the presale of his book of poetry “To Make the World a Better Place, Poems of Hope and Healing.” Photo #5
At the end of Matt’s program, a chorus called “Friends of Matt” performed. Photo #6
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Angela St. Laurent, front row, middle, and fellow choir members sing the Closing hymn on November 1, 2026, “Rising Green.” - Photos of the Week – Sunday, October 25, 2026
Photo #1
During and after the service on October 25, 2026 the Rev. Aaron Payson’s 60th birthday was acknowledged. Happy Birthday, Rev. Aaron!
Photo #2
Garden-On, with a little help from their friends, finished cleaning the cardboard they’ll be putting down on the new garden beds they’re creating at the back of the church. 13-year old 8th grader Russell is a Garden-On friend. He pitched in to remove tape, staples and labels from the cardboard. Russell has been helping Garden-On since first grade, in a variety of ways. We thank you, Russell!
Photo #3
Our Garden-On Team LOVES LOVES LOVES that our Ministerial Intern, Emily Miller Mlčák, dressed as a pollinator – a butterfly – for our near-Halloween service on October 25, 2026. Emily did this to honor UUCW’s native plant gardens!
Photo #4
The children weren’t the only ones who came in costume last Sunday. Nelly Case wore her Halloween vest; Emily Stolarski wore a skeleton costume she made in college.
Photo #5
Planting began on October 15th, 2026, for the Children’s Garden behind the church. Leo DaSilva, who is designing the area, and Nancy Baffa did the work.
Photo #6
Malachi and Sam really, really helped Garden-On rescue the Food Pantry cardboard that was mistakenly put in the dumpster. Both boys took turns getting into the dumpster to retrieve it. Nikki Quidon, Kai, Ruth Silver and Jake also helped.
Continue reading → - Photos of the Week for October 13, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
Michael Milligan read his poem “Over and Over,” the Reading during the October 11, 2026 service. It’s from Michael’s book “A Failure of Flight: Atrocities, Travesties and Cold Heart Ironies.” Photo of the Week #2
Attendees at the October 7, 2026 Lunch with the Minister pose for their usual group photo. All hold their hands in a heart shape, in memory of Linda Miller who passed away on September 30th, and who was a regular attendee for years at this event. Photo of the Week #3
In the six years that our Garden-On team has been in existence, two members have been exemplary in donating their time to weed our ever-expanding native plant gardens. Three cheers for Carole Howe, left, and Jan Cutman, and much gratitude for their often unsung work. THANK YOU! Photo of the Week #4
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Bob Rentsch, YWCA Domestic Violence Representative, addressed our congregation before we took up our 50/50 collection on October 11, 2026. Half of the Offertory plate will go to the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Services. Photo of the Week #5
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Evan Wilson delivered this month’s 8th Principle Moment during the service on October 11 2026. - Photos of the Week for October 6, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
In this photo from October 20, 2024, Linda Miller, now of blessed memory, delivers the Welcome and Introduction. Photo of the Week #2
Great thanks to church member Leo DaSilva and his dad Jose Bezerra DaSilva for creating the new wooden frame for our ‘Love Is Love’ sign. Photo of the Week #3
Director of Religious Exploration Robin Mitzcavitch, the Rev. Aaron Payson and Ministerial Intern Emily Mlčák conducted the RE Teacher Dedication Ceremony during the service on October 4, 2026. Photo of the Week #4
Roberto Diaz, Executive Director of Worcester Interfaith, spoke from our pulpit on October 4, 2026 to ask people to make phone calls and knock on doors for this election. Photo of the Week #5
It was standing room only in Classroom 3 following service on October 4, 2026. Beth Posner-Waldron led a discussion on the nine referendum questions on the November 3, 2026 state election ballot. Will Goldsmith led a portion of the discussion, promoting a ‘yes’ vote on Question 3. Photo of the Week #6
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Ministerial Intern Emily Mlčák welcomed folks to join her for tea and homemade baked goods after service on October 4, 2026. - Photos of the Week for September 29, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
Our Religious Exploration program began its new year on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Here, Mason leads the children and teens under the arch and on to Fellowship Hall. Photo of the Week #2
Our Men’s Group, foreground, and our Women’s Social Circle gathered at NuKitchen on September 26, 2026. Photo of the Week #3
Our Women’s Social Circle gathered at NuKitchen on September 26, 2026. Photo of the Week #4
Continue reading →Our choir sang “We Choose Love” during the beginning of the service on September 27, 2026. - Photos of the Week for September 22, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
Our new Ministerial Intern, Emily Mlčák, joined the Rev. Aaron Payson in leading sections of the congregation in singing Hashiveinu, the Opening Hymn on September 20, 2026. Photo of the Week #2
Bonfire at Ferry Beach this past weekend. Photo of the Week #3
Brave and happy Polar Plungers at Ferry Beach this past weekend. Photo of the Week #4
Our Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry celebrated its 31st anniversary on September 19, 2026. Here, Director Betsy Wood speaks to the volunteers before the doors open. Photo of the Week #5
Debbie Merrill reads the Welcome at the beginning of the service on September 20, 2026. Photo of the Week #6
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The Choir sings the Introit on September 20, 2026. It was “Sing for Justice,” in honor of the International Day of Peace, which is tomorrow. The Choir is, from left, Ken Basye, Dawn Doud, Dianne Mann, Laura Rosbach, and Ministerial Intern Emily Mlčák. - Photos of the Week for September 15, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
As is tradition, during our first service of the new church year, we held our Ingathering Water Ceremony on September 13, 2026. Here, Laura Rosbach adds her water. Photo of the Week #2
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On September 13, 2026 our Garden-On Team gave away native plants during Fellowship Hour. Here, Garden-On’s Jan Cutman, left, helps Karen Stephenson select some plants. - Photos of the Week for September 8, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
Diane Fougere vacuums the church office during the Annual All-Church Clean on August 29, 2026. Photo of the Week #2
During the Summer Service on August 9, 2026 participants beat the heat by making shake ice cream. Photo of the Week #3
Brian Keyo with Auggie at the Summer Service on August 16, 2026, a dog walk on the Mass Central Rail Trail. Photo of the Week #4
From left, Susan Crossley and Lynn Gostyla at the Postcard Writing Party on August 25, 2026. The group wrote postcards to Black voters in Cobb County, Georgia, hoping to empower voters to make their voices heard for the midterm elections. Photo of the Week #5
Garden-On presented the final Summer Service of 2026, which included a brief Garden Tour. Photo of the Week #6
The Summer Service on August 30, 2026 was “Songs of Peace” with Music Director Matt Johnsen. Photo of the Week #7
This month we got 6 new windows in our Lounge! The work was done by Area Glass Company and Davidson Carpentry. Photo of the Week #8
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Long time Choir member Dianne Mann and Music Director Matt Johnsen led the August 2, 2026 Summer Service “Hymn Sing.” - Photos of the Week for July 28, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
Top photo: The Summer Service on July 5, 2026 was led by our new Ministerial Intern, Emily Miller McLak. The service was about protest songs and the theme was “And This Is Why We Sing.” Bottom photo: The Summer Service on July 12, 2026 was “A Conversation on LGBTQIA2S+” with Reina Quidon and her wife Nikki. Photo of the Week #2
The Summer Service on June 28, 2026 was Vivian Borek’s story “How French Strangers, Serendipity, and Trust Helped Me Find My Father.” At right, this is the likely home of Vivian’s father when he worked in Northern France in the 1920s. She deduced this thanks to encounters with a French restaurant owner, a municipal officer, social center director and man in the street. Photo of the Week #3
The Summer Service on July 26, 2026 was ‘Making Sandwiches for the Woo Fridges’ with Emily Konstan. A large intergenerational group made sandwiches and packed tote bags with other food items. The food was then brought to three Woo Fridges. Photo of the Week #4
14-year old Malachi was a big help to the Garden-On team today, cleaning out plastic pots G-O no longer needs. G-O will see that the pots get to Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, where they will be bailed up, shipped to East Jordan Plastics, and turned into brand new pots. Photo of the Week #5
On June 16, 2026, our Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry volunteers moved food into Fellowship Hall. At left, Paul Wood. At right, Evans Waldron, Pete Lanyon and David Fields. Photo of the Week #6
Top photo: the Men’s Group enjoyed a night out at a WooSox game on June 23, 2026. Bottom photo: The Women’s Circle met on July 11, 2026 at the home of LisaAnn DuKaten. Photo of the Week #7
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The 8th Principle Task Force Team had a table at Worcester’s Juneteenth Celebration at Institute Park on June 20, 2026. Top photo: Dave Schowalter, Emily Stolarski and Beckley Schowalter Bottom photo: Rachel Keyo and Emily Stolarski. - Photos of the Week for June 23, 2026
Photo of the Week #1
The 8th Principle Task Force Team had a table at Worcester’s Juneteenth Celebration at Institute Park on June 20, 2026. UUCW volunteers shared with the community all the great things happening at our Church!! Here, from left, Rachel Keyo and Emily Stolarski at our table. Photo of the Week #2
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Our first Summer Service of the 2026 season was held on June 21st. We joined Unitarian Universalists from across the country as we gathered for a livestream of Worship from the 2026 UUA online General Assembly. IMAGE: UUCW folks look up at the TV screen, which is above the camera.
