“Sometimes healing begins not with fixing, but with allowing.”

Sean Fargo

In the Soul Matters Small Group Discussion materials, there is an exercise that suggests taking pictures of things that are broken but beautiful.  I decided to try this as I’m recovering from shoulder surgery, feeling a bit broken myself.  

Maybe I have a little problem with getting rid of things that aren’t perfect.  Call me sentimental. But, I remember the time my son threw the baseball in the house and broke my mother’s Lladro.  I still have it, the arm tentatively glued back on.  It was a moment where my son knew that he broke something that was precious to me and there was no undoing what was done. I saw it in his eyes. I forced myself to push down my horror and explain calmly that glue would fix it, and baseballs belong outside.

The Lladro was still beautiful in my eyes.  

My mother loved Lladros;  the soft blue and cream porcelain, the delicate sculptures, serene in their beauty.  I went to Spain on my honeymoon, and bought one for her at quite a great price.  I was so thrilled to give it to her.  It was a lounging girl with a curly bob, a little hat on her head, and a blue bird in her outstretched hand. My mom did adore it.  She said it looked just like me when I was younger.  I felt like it was the perfect gift.

When my mom died, I decided that this little Lladro was coming to stay with me, and I felt connected to her whenever I looked at it.  I told my kids how special it was when they wanted to pick it up- they understood.  So you can imagine the energy in the room, when that very thing was broken.  

The group discussion activity asks, after you take photos of “broken yet beautiful” things in your life, to ask yourself some questions.

•  How these broken but beautiful things are inviting you to view your life anew.
•  How might they be wanting you to understand “brokenness” differently? Or “beauty” differently?
•  What message about beauty and pain do they want you to hear?
•  What kind of healing might they be offering you?

Yes, we can and should wonder about the brokenness and healing of the self.  How are you still beautiful despite the hardship you’ve endured?  Is there a way to see an alternate view?  Can you use something that once broke in you to help someone through a crisis with added empathy.

With the children last week, the leaders discussed how light heals when there is suffering in the dark places.  A single person can heal another by shedding their light of hope and care upon them. Their light can be as simple as a smile, or a kind comment, or time spent beside one who feels broken. This, I feel, is what we are here to do as a community of wanderers…to share the healing, view the areas that have been broken with new eyes, shedding light on the possibilities of repair.

Warmly,

Robin

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The post The Message – November 10, 2026 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

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The post Photos of the Week for November 10, 2026 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

Social Threads invites you to come create with us on Sunday November 15th from 1:30-5pm.  Bring a machine, a project, or other creative work! Hope to see you there!

The post Social Threads Quilting and Sewing Community – Sunday November 15, 1:30 – 5 pm first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

This Sunday,November 15, please help the children pack Thanksgiving Fixing bags by donating something on the need list below.  Please bring your items into the pews with you and children will collect during our Change for Change Collection time!  

Most Needed:  Stuffing,Instant Mashed Potatoes, non-perishable veggies/fruit, gravy, dessert/ bread mix, baking supplies/ vegetable oil and chopped nuts.

The post Annual Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Thanksgiving Food Drive – Sunday, November 15, During Worship at 10 AM first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

 This Sunday, November 15, please help the children pack Thanksgiving Fixing bags by donating something on the need list below.  Please bring your items into the pews with you and children will collect during our Change for Change Collection time!  

Most Needed:  Stuffing, Instant Mashed Potatoes, non-perishable veggies/fruit, gravy, dessert/ bread mix, baking supplies/ vegetable oil and chopped nuts.

The post Annual Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Thanksgiving Food Drive – Sunday, November 15, During Worship at 10 AM first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

This Sunday in Religious Exploration we will be running our annual drive and Thanksgiving “Fixing Bag” assembly for our upcoming food pantry distribution.  We serve a record amount of families all year round, but during the holidays, the need increases.

This is a one -room event for grades 1 and above.  Spirit Play will be in their classroom, but are encouraged to participate in the church collection parade during the regular “Change for Change” collection time.   Please bring some of the (non-perishable) items that you would like to see on your OWN Thanksgiving table:  potatoes, cranberry, squash, gravy, green beans, dessert bread kits.

The post Religious Exploration News for November 15, 2026 first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

The Book Group will meet next on Wednesday, November 11that 7 PM in Classroom 3.   We will discuss Jennifer Chiaverini’s “Christmas Bells.”   

Intertwines the historical story of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the Civil War with a modern narrative about a teacher facing budget cuts, exploring themes of hope, loss, and the enduring power of Christmas.

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 News for November 11, 2026 – Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

MA Rainbow Families Free Community Clothing Swap on April 18th, from 1:30-4:30 pm. Dontation Drop-Off on Friday, November 13 from 5 – 7 pm. Clothing Donations are accepted at the Swap!

The post Massachusetts Rainbow Families Community Clothing Swap – Saturday November 14, 1:30 – 4:30 pm first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.

Ever wanted to explore issues related to death and dying?  Join Rev. Aaron Payson for a new adult faith development opportunity as we explore topics related to loss, grief, life after death, practical end-of-life planning issues, and more.  Beginning on November 22 @ 7 pm (til 8:30 pm) we’ll gather ONLINE to discuss ways to address one of the givens in life, the reality of loss and death.  While the topic might sound morbid, perhaps Morrie Schwartz said it best, “In order to understand how to live you must first understand how to die.” This series will run on Sunday evenings through December 13. On December 13 we will meet at 3 pm IN-PERSON in the lounge for our final session.  

For questions or to indicate your desire to attend this series, please email Rev. Aaron Payson (minister@uucworcester.org). Rev. Aaron Payson is a UU Parish Minister and an instructor at Worcester State University where he teaches in the Sociology Department on the Sociology of Death and Dying.  In addition, Aaron has served as a hospital and hospice chaplain as well as a crisis interventionist for the past 30 years.  During his 23-year tenure in Worcester, he has worked with a host of families in the congregation and community at large to meet the challenges that are part of the death and dying process. Emily Miller Milcak, our Ministerial Intern will co-lead this course. Emily comes to UUCW with a host of teaching experience in the areas of lamentations, writing, and a host of other topics.

CLICK HERE to register and receive the online link for this program.

For more information please contact minister@uucworcester.org.

The post Adult Faith Development News – Lessons in Loss – Adult Workshop starts Sunday, November 22 online first appeared on Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.