• Photos of the Week for April 18, 2023

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    Certified meditation teacher, educator and author Wendy O’Leary gave a talk in Fellowship Hall on Growing Self-Compassion on April 16, 2023. It was a multi-generational event for all ages. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    Colleagues all! Members of the Worcester Garden Club, the Worcester Native Plant Initiative and Worcester State University joined with the Garden-On Team to pot plants on April 16, 2023. (photo by Paul Starvaski)

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    From left, Lynn Gostyla, Susan Crossley, Mara Pentlarge, Evan Wilson and Linda Morse attended a demonstration in Worcester City Hall on April 11, 2023. It was in support of affordable housing inclusionary zoning. (photo by Patricia Hobbs)

    Photo of the Week #4

    #uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. The Rev. Cheryl Leshay, Community Minister, reads on a Kindle. She recommends “Call for a Blanket Dance.” She says “I loved this book that was set in Oklahoma at the same time I grew up there. It was by a native author and gave me a window into the world I was kept from. My sister and I were reading it simultaneously and did not know it until we recommended it to each other!” The second book she recommends is “The Lincoln Highway;” she enjoyed it so much she could not put it down. “My go to when I’m stuck inside “resting” and need to raise my spirits is the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I enjoy the venture into familiar characters and it makes me want to visit Botswana.” (Composite photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #5

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to April 12, 2003 and the Women’s Runaway Weekend in Lee, MA. From left are Joan McGinn and Susan Crossley.

    Photo of the Week #6

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to this undated photo of Bruce Plummer, left, and John Patterson.
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  • Photos of the Week for April 11, 2023

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    Posing with the Easter Bunny on April 9, 2023 are, clockwise from upper left, Beckley Schowalter, Charlie Payson and Caroline Jaehnig, Robin Mitzcavitch, and Matt Johnsen. (photos by Maya Desai)

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    The ‘Story for All Ages’ on this April 9, 2023 Easter Sunday featured double bunnies. At left is the Rev. Aaron Payson, at right is Jenny DelGizzi. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    Guest Musician Jim Scott leads the choir in the Choral Introit “Arise, Arise” on April 9, 2023. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    Two of the approximately dozen attendees at the April 5, 2023 ‘Lunch With The Minister’ were Sue Hegedus, left, and Paul Marr. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    The Rev. Aaron Payson holds Gabriel at the Maundy Thursday service on April 6, 2023. (photo by Dianne Mann)

    Photo of the Week #6

    This undated photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to Ferry Beach and Janet and Margos Stone.

    Photo of the Week #7

    This undated photo from the UUCW archives shows us from left, Nancy Hancock, Steve Siter and Ansley Siter.
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  • Photos of the Week for April 4, 2023

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    The Rev. Aaron Payson, left, presents Dr. Anthony B. Pinn with the 2023 Wolfson Award during the service on April 2, 2023. (photos by Betty Jenewin)

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    Guest usher Bill Forbes, of the Greater Worcester Humanists, passes the plate during the service on April 2, 2023. Fun fact: Bill is a former Moderator at our church. (We currently use the term President). (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    Helen Wolfson delivers Wolfson Family Remarks during the service on April 2, 2023. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #4

    #uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. March was Women’s History Month and Joan McGinn, who coordinated the WHM events for UUCW, says “one out-of-print book that I find myself returning to is Anita Spenser’s Seasons: Ages and Stages in Women’s Development. “Spenser likens stages of emotional maturity and spiritual development to the seasons of the years, culminating in Winter, with the fruition of all your relationships and endeavors. Spencer’s notion of mature spirituality is rooted in Carol Gillian’s idea that most women invest in emotional relationships as their primary task in life. She also says that women who have taken care and nourished their close relationships throughout earlier seasons in their lives should arrive in the latest stages of Winter as fully actualized humans and fulfilled people. “My experience in this mid-Winter time of my life tells me that this is essentially true for me and most of my friends.”

    Photo of the Week #5

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to this undated photo of the Simple Living Group doing yard work. From left, they are Judy Savage, Kim McCoy, Jude Ayer, Mara Pentlarge, Kate O’Dell and Paul Kelley.

    Photo of the Week #6

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to this undated photo of the play “Charlotte’s Web.” This production was directed by Deb Bonneau, who was also accompanist. Ryan, left, played Mr. Zuckerman. The Rev. Aaron Payson played Lurvy, Mr. Zuckerman’s farm hand. Ryan was somewhat shy, so Rev. Payson was basically picking him up by his overalls, and feeding him his lines. Word has it that it was very funny. (photo by Judy Savage)
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  • Photos of the Week for March 28, 2023

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    Simon, left, and Sarah presented their Reflections on the theme “Overcoming’ during the Youth Group service on March 26, 2023. (photos by Betty Jenewin)

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    George sings and play ukulele to the Bill Withers song “Lean On Me” during the Youth Group service on March 26, 2023. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    John Odell paints in a new line on the visual symbolizing our pledge drive on March 26, 2023. John was helping his wife, Nancy Baffa, who is a member of the Stewardship Committee. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #4

    On March 21, 2023, from left, Kim McCoy, Beth Posner-Waldron, Mara Pentlarge and Carole Howe were part of an assembly that rallied outside Bank of America on West Boylston Street in Worcester then walked to Chase Bank around the corner.

    Photo of the Week #5

    #uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. ***WHAT THE BOARD IS READING*** The book ‘Blink’, by Malcolm Gladwell, is a book Board of Management member Sue Neaz picked at a holiday book swap and decided to keep it because of the subtitle ‘The Power of Thinking Without Thinking’. “In histories Malcolm shares, he outlines a practice called ‘thin-slicing’, the gathering of just a few seconds of information from an encounter with a person or situation. This, he shows, produces enough information to make decisions as much as researching a subject or getting to know someone extensively can provide. It’s actually inspirational to me because I feel like I should accept my understanding of people or situations by knowing just a little.” (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #6

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to May of 2003 when Tom Pierce set plants into the Peace Pole garden. (photo by Judy Savage)

    Photo of the Week #7

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to May 10, 2009 and a class photo. Front row, from left, are Kristi Chadwick, Cheyanne, Alanna and Jessica. Back row, from left, are Josh, Rachel Keyo and Conrad. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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  • Photos of the Week for March 21, 2023

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    The Prelude on March 19, 2023 was a dance, led by Moira Rouse, to the song “All Will Be Well.” (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    The All Church Potluck Dinner was held on March 18, 2023. (photos by Betty Jenewin)

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    Folks who have participated in the Get Out the Vote campaign sport their new Good Trouble Congregation pins at the All Church Potluck Dinner on March 18, 2023. The pin is inset lower right. (photo by Evans Waldron)

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    On March 19, 2023 there was a Lessons of Loss field trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Green Hill Park. It was a really fabulous trip, despite the cold! There was a great talk from members of the Veteran’s Association, and the kids had some great questions. (photo by Jessie Trowbridge)

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    Joan McGinn portrayed Mother Jones during the Women’s History Month Moment in the service on March 19, 2023. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    Committee member Nancy Baffa announces that we’re about midway through the Stewardship Campaign, and gestures towards the visual on the wall inspired by the 8th principle chalice. This happened during the service on March 19, 2023; Nancy put together the visual. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #7

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to June 10, 2007 when the children and youth sang “De Colores.” It was the culmination of a 4-week Religious Education intersession on the Heifer Project. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #8

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to 2011 and the Coming of Age Ceremony when Samantha McDonald, left, and her mentee Gillian lit a candle. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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  • Photos of the Week for March 13, 2023

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    Mike Peckar speaks on behalf of his wife, Rachel, and himself about why they pledge to UUCW. This was a Stewardship Moment during the service on March 12, 2023. (photos by Betty Jenewin)

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    Sojourner Truth (aka Kim Napoleone) gives her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech in honor of Women’s History Month during the service on March 12, 2023.

    Photo of the Week #3

    #uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives.

    Music Director Matt Johnson is currently reading “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin (Penguin Press). “For many years, I have been a fan of “The Artists Way” by Julia Cameron, and have used the techniques she spells out (doing morning pages, artist dates, etc.) to assist me in my journey as an artist, writer and musician. It seems like Rubin, who is a musical producer, is similarly skilled in assisting the people he interacts with in connecting with their creative sides.”

    “The book is rich and filled with descriptions of the creative journey. As we approach Music Sunday (the last Sunday in April) the working title for the reflection comes from this book— The Creative Act: A Way of Being! We hope to inspire your own creative journeys.”

    Photo of the Week #4

    This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to Religious Education Sunday on June 8, 2008 when children and youth participated in an activity after the service.

    Photo of the Week #5

    This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to April 16, 2017 and the never-to-be-forgotten Easter service when the Rev. Aaron Payson donned a bunny suit. He is shown here talking about the origin of Easter eggs during the “Story for Children of All Ages.”
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  • Photos of the Week for March 7, 2023

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    March 5, 2023, was Stewardship Sunday. The members of our Stewardship Team put on a skit, ala Emily Litella from Saturday Night Live. From left are Dave Schowalter (Emil LaTella), Nancy Baffa and Moira Rouse. Emil thinks they are discussing “Beloved Immunity,” instead of Beloved Community. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #2

    Terese McGinn, Ph.D., helped us celebrate Women’s History Month by offering an hour-long workshop on March 5, 2023. It was entitled “Why Did She Die?: a 40 Year Feminist Retrospective on Global Reproductive Issues.” (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #3

    UUCW’s new knitting group met for the first time on March 1, 2023. From left are Kim Napoleone (scarf), Melissa McKeon (pot holder), Gail McGann (learning how to cast on) and the leader, Dianne Mann (shawl). The group meets every other Wednesday from 7 PM – 8:30 PM. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #4

    #uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. ***WHAT THE BOARD IS READING*** Board of Management member Melissa McKeon says “I was meant to read this book. Two people who know me very well suggested I would like it, and they were right! As someone about 1/3 Irish, I know a great deal about the famine years and the 1916 uprising and Irish literature, but the Ireland of my lifetime and how it became the Ireland of today was a blank page until I started reading this.” (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #5

    This undated photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to Ferry Beach and Kathleen Paracer, left, and Janet Stone. (photo by Judy Savage)

    Photo of the Week #6

    This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to May of 2007 and the “My Big Fat Wedding” all-church event, when Sharon and Peter Salmela danced. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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  • Photos of the Week for February 28, 2023

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    Board President Sheri Linn, left, and Clerk Kate Bejune get the Special Congregational Meeting started after the service on February 26, 2023. The vote, which passed, was on a new outdoor sign for the church. (photos by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #2

    The Rev. David Miller, Minister Emeritus, conducted the service on February 26, 2023. He is shown here giving his Reflection, “When Abraham Went Out from Ur: Seeking the Promise in the Unknown.”

    Photo of the Week #3

    Beth Posner-Waldron holds up a sign as she speaks about the party on February 28, 2023 for the church’s Good Trouble Congregation Celebration. This was the Welcome part of the service on February 26, 2023.

    Photo of the Week #4

    Won’t you come to the All-Church Potluck Dinner on March 18th at 5:30? Vickie Cox-Lanyon, one of the organizers, and Sean Reynolds, who will be attending, wish you would too!

    Photo of the Week #5

    #uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. ***WHAT THE BOARD IS READING*** Board of Management member Brian Keyo is reading ”Going After Cacciato” for his book club. The other book Brian is reading, “Two Kings,” was written by his good friend, Rich Lowe, after he put him in touch with George “King” Edwards in 2017. Says Brian, “With his younger brother Vin, George owned a sound system in Jamaica during the 1950s and 60s. The brothers collected and played American Rhythm & Blues records, at 78 rpm’s, by artists like Louis Jordan, Wynonie Harris and Rosco Gordon through large speakers for dances open to the public. “They made many trips to the United States to find records. They also produced music by Jamaican singers and musicians to play on their ‘King Edwards The Giant’ sound system. George and Vin are 94 and 90 respectively, and worked diligently with the author to tell fascinating tales of their lives in music and Vin’s work in horse racing and politics as a member of Parliament.”

    Photo of the Week #6

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to May 15, 2016 when the choir sang early in the service. This service was the final one for Interim Music Director Jerry Bellows.

    Photo of the Week #7

    This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to June 10, 2007 when Cristina Heffernan, left, and Barbara Cohen spoke during Religious Education Sunday.
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  • Photos of the Week for February 21, 2023

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    Anne Armstrong introduces the Offertory during the service on Feb. 19, 2023. (photos by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #2

    #uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. Author Debbie Merrill, Ph.D., is shown with the five books she has written. They are intended for both academia and the general public. Debbie is a Professor of Sociology at Clark University.

    Photo of the Week #3

    #uucwreads ***WHAT THE BOARD IS READING*** Board of Management Clerk Kate Bejune is reading the book “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle. Kate says “Quotes from spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle kept finding their way to me through podcast episodes and other books. When I initially picked up “A New Earth,” I found it difficult to grasp, but then I found a 2019 podcast series where Oprah discusses a chapter a week with the author and it helped me to hear the central messages of shedding the ego and being in awareness of the present moment.” Find it at your library: https://worldcat.org/en/title/61362692 Fun Fact: Kate holds a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University!

    Photo of the Week #4

    This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to March 25, 2018 when Sheri Linn, second from left, led an impromptu lesson on how to fold palms into crosses. Sitting in the pew, from left, are Kristen Payson, Melissa McKeon and Laura Lenahan.

    Photo of the Week #5

    This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to October 29, 2006 when Catherine Roberts and Jacob showed their Halloween crafts.
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  • Photos of the Week for February 14, 2023

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    Choir member Shirley Traite sings “We Walk in Love,” the Choral Introit on February 12, 2023. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    Evan Wilson presents an 8th Principle Moment during the service on February 12, 2023. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

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    From left, Maya Desai, Naziah and Linda Morse pose behind the scenes with some toys from the lounge play area proudly affixed to their foreheads on February 12, 2023. Maya and Linda were ushering that day, albeit without toys stuck to their foreheads.

    Photo of the Week #4

    Sarah, right, “communicates” with Natalia “using mental telepathy” while playing the game “Blank Slate” during Family Game Night on February 10, 2023. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #5

    The Worcester Native Plant Initiative hosted a Winter Sowing Workshop at UUCW on February 11, 2023. Here, Beth Fleming, left, works with Leo DaSilva to drill drainage holes in a container. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #6

    This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to May 15, 2009 and the Coming Of Age overnight retreat. Linda Holbrook, left, wins her battle with the Cling Wrap while Nancy Baffa looks on. (photo by Betty Jenewin)

    Photo of the Week #7

    This undated photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to Deb Bonneau teaching a Religious Education class, something she did quite often back in the day. (photo by Tom Pierce)
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