Peter Mayer performed at UUCW over the weekend. First, left, at a concert Saturday night. Then, right, during Sunday service.
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Our choir sang Peter’s song “Peace” with him, first, top, during Saturday’s concert. The, bottom, during Sunday service.
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Choir member Cathy McDonagh wore the perfect top to sing the song “Peace.”
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Beckley Schowalter donates to Yeison’s Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box during the service on October 26, 2025. Waiting their turn behind Beckley are Shirley Traite and Kim McCoy.
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How fortunate UUCW was that Dame Prudence Margaret Leith, aka Prue Leith of the Great British Baking Show, visited during the pre-Halloween service on October 26, 2025. 😉
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uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. Susan Crossley is currently finishing the last book in the Cork O’Connor 21-book mystery series by author William Kent Krueger.Susan has enjoyed the series because “Mr. Krueger is a real storyteller. He solves mysteries while incorporating the Ojibwe Tribal beliefs and culture.”
Dawn Doud stands with Drew Wilkin at the NO KINGS rally at Institute Park on October 18, 2025. Note, also, that Dawn wore yellow; she’s seen here with her fetching yellow boa.
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A UUCW group at the rally – from left, Sheri Linn, Annie Armstrong, Ruth Silver, Vickie Cox-Lanyon, Melissa McKeon, Betsy Wood and Michele Hernandez.
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Another UUCW group at the rally. In no particular order, they are Susan Crossley, Joan McGinn, Dawn Doud (in the inflatable costume – Go Dawn!), John Odell, Brian Russo, Nelly Case, Ruth Silver, Nancy Baffa, Annie Armstrong, Wes Shepeluk, Drew Wilkin, Josh Belden, Michele Hernandez, Sheri Linn, Vickie Cox-Lanyon, Evan Wilson and Melissa McKeon.
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Nancy Baffa and her husband John Odell with their NO KINGS rally signs.
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The Choral Anthem of the October 19, 2025 service was a composition by our very own Music Director, Matthew Johnsen. It was “Open the Channels of Love.” Matt played the piano and sang; the choir also sang. Accompanying them on violin was Jagan Nath Khalsa and 10-year old Nihaal on tabla, as shown in this photo.
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Carole Howe is shown here with a bumblebee on her shoulder during a Garden-On work party on October 11, 2025. It’s fitting! Bumblebees are such good pollinators; Carole is such a good friend to pollinators!
The Rev. Beau Rivers was installed as the 33rd Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleborough, MA on October 12, 2025. Rev. Rivers was a Ministerial Intern here at UUCW from 2014-2016.
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Rachel Keyo delivered an 8th Principle Moment during the service on October 12, 2025. These moments demonstrate how structural and personal racism are embedded in our society.
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The Anti-Racism Support group met on Tuesday morning, September 30, 2025. They are, from left, Mara Pentlarge, Marilyn Martin and Carole Howe. The group meets every other week, with the intention to support each other to look at the racism within themselves.
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Kudos to Drew Wilkin for the clever way he promoted getting a ‘Come As You Are’ UU t-shirt, done during the announcement portion of the October 12, 2025 service. Drew walked to the front, took off his suit jacket, and opened up his shirt. Underneath was the UU t-shirt. Surprise!
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On October 8, 2025 Garden-On’s Leo DaSilva was delighted to welcome members of the Worcester Garden Club to tour our native gardens. WGC’s generosity has played a vital role in our native garden’s growth. Through their grants in 2023 and 2024, we’ve been able to purchase essential supplies for our nursery.
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Peg Gifford looks at the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Services’ “Empty Place at the Table” display following the service on October 12, 2025. This agency was the beneficiary of the 50/50 collection this day.
Laura Rosbach lit the chalice during the service on October 5, 2025.
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Andrea Cruz delivered the Welcome and a Committee On Right Relations Moment during the service on October 5, 2025.
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Lunch With The Minister was held for the first time this 2025-2026 church year on October 1, 2025.
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Workers from the Area Glass Company replaced seven windows in the Lounge wall on September 30, 2025.
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HVAC technicians from Control Point Mechanical started the 3-4 day process of replacing one of our three boilers on October 1, 2025.
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Leo DaSilva and his dad Jose Bezerra DaSilva cut down some shrubs to make space for the new garden beds in the Memorial Garden. THANK YOU, Leo and Jose!
Malachi raises the just-unearthed time capsule high in the air on September 28, 2025. It was filled by the Coming of Age Class in 2020 and will be reburied now that it has been dug up.
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The Choir sang “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Get Me Down,” the Choral Introit on September 28, 2025.
Susan Crossley joined the Choir for the first time that day so she could sing the verse “Ain’t Gonna Let Ableism Turn Me ‘Round” with her friend Cheryl Leshay. Both women are people who live with Multiple Sclerosis. Cheryl and Susan are second and third from the right in the front row. Ableism describes any prejudice, bias, and/or discrimination directed toward people living with disabilities.
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Religious Exploration Teacher Dedication during the service on September 28, 2025.
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Bruce Leshay cleans up after trimming the bushes in front of the Lounge windows on September 23, 2025. He was cutting out room for the folks from the Area Glass Company to replace seven windows in the Lounge wall.
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Vickie Cox-Lanyon made this great poster to explain next steps for our very large window in the Lounge. Check it out!
On Saturday, September 20th the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry celebrated its 30th anniversary. Here are the volunteers who made it happen that day!
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This is the gang that worked the night before the Food Pantry’s 30th anniversary to bag the food and produce.
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The beneficiary of September 21, 2025’s 50/50 Collection was UUCW’s Get Out The Vote Team. In the top photo, Josh Belden delivers the Welcome on behalf of GOTV. This was Josh’s first time in the pulpit, and he knocked it out of the park. In the bottom photo, Beth Posner-Waldron introduces the 50/50 Collection.
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The children were sent off to their first Religious Exploration classes of the 2025-26 church year by going under a congregational Sending Arch. This was during the service on September 21, 2025.
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Young and not-so-young alike took the traditional Polar Bear dip into the ocean during the Ferry Beach weekend on September 13, 2025.
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On Star Date 9.20.25 the UUCW Men’s Group held a Star Trek Night. Lifeforms that attended viewed the 1994 movie ‘Star Trek: Generations.’Continue reading →
Dianne Mann, Soprano, soloed the song “When I Lift My Voice,” the Introit on September 14, 2025. At rear, from left, are choir members Cheryl Leshay, Dave Schowalter and Cathy McDonagh.
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The choir members backing soloist Dianne Mann spontaneously put their arms around each other and swayed during the song. From left, they are John Brooks, Angela St. Laurent, Cheryl Leshay and Dave Schowalter.
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Evan Wilson passes one of the Offertory plates on September 14, 2025.
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From left, Vickie Cox-Lanyon, Ruth Silver, Jodi Rymer and Leo DaSilva work on a front plot at the church on September 14, 2025.
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Five members of the UUCW Men’s Group attended the September 3, 2025 Worcester Red Sox game at Polar Park. They are, from left, Andrew Wilkin, Josh Belden, Trevor Maloof, Ken Basye and Brian Russo. FUN FACT: Andrew got hit by a foul ball in the 5th inning. Josh retrieved it from under the seats. They were on screen! The announcers were surprised about how sedate they were!Continue reading →
The Rev. Aaron Payson led the opening service of the 2025-26 church year, despite having had hip replacement surgery on August 21, 2025. In the photo at left, he opened the service by asking the congregation “So how was YOUR summer?” The question drew laughs, as all knew that he was referencing the two successful surgeries (hip and abdominal) he’d undergone during that period. At right, Rev. Payson displayed his pain-free mobility by walking around during the service.
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The 2025-26 church year opened on September 7, 2025 with our Ingathering/Water Ceremony service. Clockwise, from upper left, Eve Stutsman-Hubbell and 5-year old Desi, Claire Breyton, Andrea Cruz and Nancy Hancock.
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Deborah-Ruth Mockrin delivers the Welcome during the service on September 7, 2025. Deborah-Ruth introduced the launch of the “UUCW Love in Action Announcements List,” an email vehicle for disseminating information about anything in the Worcester area that is a form of love in action. This includes local vigils, demonstrations, City Council meetings, School Committee meetings, petitions, legislative bills and such.To join, send an email to stating that you’d like to be added and briefly describe how you are connected to UUCW (i.e. member or friend).
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Rachel and Brian Keyo presented the Summer Service “A Doggie Playdate” on August 17, 2025 at Beaver Brook Dog Park. Dogs, from left, Booker Cox-Lanyon, Wella Russo, teeny tiny Lego dog Scooter Linn-Belden, Millie Hernandez and Auggie Keyo. Humans, from left, Vickie Cox-Lanyon, Ann Russo, Brian Russo, Mara Pentlarge, Sheri Linn, Josh Belden, Michele Hernandez, Rachel Keyo, Brian Keyo.
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From left, Vickie Cox-Lanyon, Moira Rouse and 13-year old Eisley were part of a crew that moved a pew from the back of the Sanctuary to the choir loft during the All-Church Clean on August 23, 2025.
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Those gathered sing “Let There Be Peace On Earth” during the September 3, 2025 Peace Vigil. From left, they are Susan Crossley, Mimi Allen, Gabrielle Navarro, Mara Pentlarge and Beth Posner-Waldron. The weekly vigil now takes place at the Peace Pole.Continue reading →
The final 2025 Summer Service was held on August 31st, titled “How Does Justice Sing” led by Music Director Matt Johnsen and Christon Carney.
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These two men are the co-founders and co-directors of the Worcester Peace Choir. At top is Christon Carney; at bottom is Matt Johnsen. They led today’s service.
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Sandy Kiefer played the cello for the service. Sandy is Music Director Matt Johnsen’s sister-in-law.
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Moira Rouse sang the solo part on “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.” Behind her is cellist Sandy Kiefer.
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Long time beloved church members, now relocated, Mary and Bruce Plummer came into town for the service. They are joining in the singing of “Sleep My Child.”Continue reading →
Long time church member June Davenport and her family joined the Wednesday Peace Vigil on July 16, 2025 at church. Clockwise from upper left, June’s grandson Kai, her son-in-law Kevin, Mara Pentlarge, June’s daughter Tina Payne, Susan Crossley and June.
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Like father, like son……. Brian Keyo, right, and his son Justin bring food into Fellowship Hall for the Food Pantry on July 18, 2025.
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UUCW’s retired Community Minister, the Rev. Cheryl Leshay, was recognized for her service during the Service of the Living Tradition at General Assembly on June 19, 2025. From left, the Rev. Erica Richmond and the Rev. Cheryl Leshay. Rev. Richmond received Final Fellowship at this GA. She was Student Leader of the Clark University UUs when Rev. Leshay helped them start the UU Campus Ministry. Both women marched in the Service of the Living Tradition.
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Mara Pentlarge led the Summer Service on July 13, 2025 on “Cogitating Climate Change”. She is shown here playing her flute in the foyer as people enter the church.
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Clockwise from lower left, Cristina Heffernan, Michele Hernandez and Cathy McDonagh take part in the church’s Paint-A-Thon on June 27, 2025.
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Garden-On weeded on June 22, 2025. Coming by to join them were 2-year old Gabrielle, Andrea Cruz, and 4-year old Victor. Both boys tried their hands at weeding!Continue reading →
