“We gather at the edge of something new. Summer’s looseness gives way to rhythm, and rhythm calls us home. Whatever weariness, wonder, or waiting you carry through these doors, you are welcome here. You are seen here. You are needed here. Let us breathe together and open our hearts to all that is waiting. Come, let us begin [again] . . .together.” 
– Rev. Michelle Collins

Welcome home again! As we arrive on the cusp of autumn and return to the start of a new program year, we pause to give thanks for a summer of rest and rejuvenation, or perhaps a time of challenge and change. While we sojourned or stayed home, let us be glad for the work that continued through many hands and hearts here at UUCW. We are especially grateful to those who facilitated a full schedule of Summer Sunday Worship services: Vivian Borek, Emily Miller Mlcak, Reina & Nikki Quidon, Mara Pentlarge, Emily Konstan, Dianne Mann & Matthew Johnsen, Jessoe Trowbridge, Rachel & Brian Keyo, the Greendale Ecumenical Group, and our own UUCW Garden-On Team. We are equally grateful for our Garden Team’s steadfast stewardship of the property. Dee Hudson, our Sexton, caring for and tending the property and building. Moira Rouse and our Facilities Team’s work on our physical plant, especially sprucing up the lounge with new windows and paint. Cris Heffernan and Cathy McDonagh are continuing to construct a history wall still in the hallway. Vickie Cox-Lanyon and the Facilities Team ably led another grand All-Church Cleaning project, with help from many members and friends. Our Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Team continues to serve those in need in our neighborhood; Betty Jenewin diligently documented it all with beautiful photos. Frank Sweetser and our Tech Team continue to rewire the building for steadier internet access and service. And our staff is still hard at work planning for this return to activities and worship.

Also, this fall, we are excited to welcome our new Ministerial Intern, Emily Miller Mlčák, who will be with us for the next two years as she completes her studies at Meadville Lombard Theological School and prepares to meet the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee.

There is much to be thankful for here this Summer, and much more to look forward to this fall! Please join us for our Ingathering Service and Water Ceremony this Sunday. Let the excitement begin again!

Blessings,
Aaron

The post Beginnings first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

The post The Message – September 8, 2026 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

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The post Photos of the Week for September 8, 2026 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

The UUCW Women’s Social Circle meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. We meet from 9 to 10:30 but you do not have to join for the full time. Pop in, say hi join us for lively free flowing conversation. Email womenssocialcircle@uucworcester.org if you have questions.

The post Women’s Social Circle – Zoom & In Person Meetings September 2026 Through June 2027 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

On Sunday, September 13, 2026, members and friends are invited to gather in person and online for our Annual Fall Sunday Morning Worship of Return following our summer ventures. This service will include a Water Ceremony, a tradition we have observed for many years. This is a reminder that, as you make your summer sojourns, please collect water from your special places and bring a small amount with you for the water ceremony. We’ll then gather for our ceremony outside (weather permitting) and water our gardens as we welcome each other back from summer. If you have any questions about this ceremony or service, please do not hesitate to contact our minister, Rev. Aaron Payson (minister@uucworcester.org).

The post Ingathering Service and Water Ceremony – September 13, 2026 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

Weeders Unite!

Every Tuesday from 2 PM – 4 PM, Garden-On will host a weeding session in our Native Plant gardens.  Please join us, for whatever time you can spare.  We’ll have extra weeding tools if you need them.  Rain cancels; we’ll post cancellations on our Social Media pages.  Garden On! Weed on!

The post Garden-On Team News – Tuesday Weeding Sessions, 2 – 4 PM first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

Please RSVP at bit.ly/pizzaUUCW or scan QR code.  We can’t wait to see you all in September!  Bring  friends who may be interested in Religious Exploration info for our 2026/27 year…… and pizza!

Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration

The post Religious Exploration Program News – Welcome Back Family Evening – Friday September 11, 6 – 7:30 pm at UUCW first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

Religious Exploration OPENING DAY is on Sunday September 27th  10-11:15am.  We are all part of an interconnected web: you and me and animals that we don’t normally get to interact with.  Back by popular demand: Animal Adventures- An education Experience!  You are welcome to bring friends.  Please note: parents are welcome to be with their younger children.

Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration

The post Religious Exploration Program News – Opening Day is September 27, 2026 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

Help is needed to empower voters to make their voices heard for the Midterm elections!  Every day we are bombarded with news of what is happening to threaten democracy.  Each one of us can make a difference by helping to fight voter suppression with a variety of communication tools. Contribute financially with donations to the 50/50 offering to help fund postage stamps for postcards and letters.

Write letters to voters with Vote Forward

Join the Get Out the Vote Team for some Good Trouble during coffee hour on September 13th and 27th.  We’ll have supplies and suggestions for writing a personal note why you believe voting matters.  Vote Forward has a new campaign to write to voters in NC.  These letters stress the importance of voting for “down ballot candidates” who can have an impact on people’s daily lives.  Voters are referred to Ballotpedia, a non-partisan resource.   The template leaves room to write a statement of why voting matters to you and then needs to be put in an envelope with the address of the voter.  You can also send Election Planners to Michigan that don’t require envelopes.  

Want to work on them at home?  Go to https://votefwd.org/get-involved to print out your templates or order kits to be sent to you. For help, contact Ann Hollander or Beth via gotv@uucworcester.org.  All mailings are due to go out in early October. 

Make phone calls with the Center for Common Ground

The Center for Common Ground is communicating voting information to Black voters in VA, GA, and soon-TX, three states that have strong local and national impacts.  National guided phonebanks are held on zoom Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 PM ET using the auto-dialer Impactive.  Go to https://www.centerforcommonground.org/phonebanks for more information and to sign up for a phonebank meeting.  If you want to make calls on your own, simple instructions are provided and you can make calls between 9 AM and 8 PM for the time zone you’re calling.

Postcards with Reclaim Our Vote (ROV)—Thank you to all who stepped up to write postcards!

If you have some that you’re working on at home, please complete them and have them ready to be mailed between October 5th-13th.  Please email vcoxlanyon@gmail.com when they go in the mail.   For more information and instructions, go to their website:  https://CenterforCommonGround.org/postcards

Stay tuned:  Reach out to Worcester voters with the non-partisan activists at Worcester Interfaith.  Phonebanks are now being held on Wednesday evenings.  Canvassing door-to-door is also needing volunteers.  Help meet their goal of 5,000 contacts with Worcester voters.

Be prepared for voting:   Info sessions for the referendum questions on our November ballot.will be held during coffee hour at the end of October.

Join our monthly planning meeting.  The 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30 by zoom.  Our next meeting is 9/10/26.  Contact Beth Posner-Waldron directly or at gotv@uucworcester.org for the zoom link.  If you aren’t able to join us, you can be added to our email distribution list to keep up to date 

Two great resources for preparing to vote are

• the state’s election website, sec.state.ma.us\elections
• Activote, available at myactivote.org with information on the candidates and referendum questions on your ballot.

Put your faith into action and join in the fight against voter suppression.  Each call, postcard and letter can make a difference!  Keep track of your activities (# of calls, postcards and/or letters) and report them to Beth for meeting our Good Trouble Congregation goals.  Any questions, contact Beth directly or via gotv@uucworcester.org.

Beth Posner-Waldron, UUCW Get Out the Vote Team Coordinator

The post Faith In Action – Get Out The Vote News – Help Empower Voters! first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

The Book Group will take June, July and August off, meeting next on Wednesday, September 9th at 7 PM in Classroom 3.
 We will discuss Jodi Picoult’s’  “By Any Other Name.”  

Two women living centuries apart fight to be heard.

You’re welcome if you haven’t finished the book, and even if you’ve not read it but want to listen in on the discussion.

Our books include fiction and non-fiction and are chosen by our members. Contact the Book Club at bookgroup@uucworcester.org if you’re interested in joining us and to get a copy of the current reading list. All readers are welcome.

The post UUCW Book Group – Summer & Fall Information – “By Any Other Name” – Next Meeting is September 9, 2026, 7 – 8:30 PM first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.