At microphone, from left, CC Cardoza and Molly Cardoza participate in the Ingathering Water Ceremony during the service on September 8, 2024. Their water symbolized their honeymoon in Provincetown.
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From left, Lulu, Josie and Teddie pour their water as part of the Ingathering Water Ceremony on September 8, 2024.
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As part of the service on September 8, 2024, the Rev. Aaron Payson and Director of Religious Exploration Robin Mitzcavitch, left, led the Water Ceremony.
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The theme of the service on September 8, 2024 was ‘Star Trek.’ Here, the Rev. Aaron Payson shows the insignia that he ironed onto the t-shirt he wore for the service. It is known as either the Starfleet Symbol, the Arrowhead or the Delta and signifies someone assigned to the Command division aboard ship. Being the Minister is certainly the Command division!
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Beckley Schowalter delivers an 8th Principle Moment during the service on September 8, 2024. She spoke of the new brochure that the 8th Principle Task Force has created, titled “Worcester and the Nipmuc Nation,” that will be available in the foyer of the church.Continue reading →
The “Dog Days of Summer” summer service was held at Beaver Brook Dog Park on August 11, 2024. The dogs are, from left, Mabel Bejune and Auggie Keyo.
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Some of the church painters this summer were, from left, Michelle Hernandez, Scott Davidson and Sherri Linn.
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Some more of the church painters were, from left, Claire, Frank Sweetser, Josh Belden and Kim Napoleone.
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Our Garden-On team had a native plant Garden Tour and work party as the summer service on August 25, 2024. Here, Leo DaSilva leads the tour.
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What to do while waiting for preventative maintenance to be done on your car at the Hyundai dealership? If you’re Beth Posner-Waldron you fill the time writing postcards in partnership with Reclaim Our Vote. The postcards were to Black women in Florida to encourage them to vote in November and support reproductive freedom and other issues that align with many of our UU values. Continue reading →
This photo from the church archives takes us back to October 5, 2022 when we celebrated our church matriarch’s 100th birthday during Lunch with The Minister. Honoree Birgit Patterson, now of blessed memory, is shown here receiving applause during the event. (photos by Betty Jenewin)
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Susan Crossley, standing, and Joan McGinn presented a Summer Service on June 21, 2024 on “Microaggressions.”
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The Rev. Cheryl Leshay led an outdoor Summer Service on “Independence & Interdependence” on July 7, 2024.
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The Summer service on July 14, 2024 was about “Tying it All Together” – Fiber Arts and Spirituality. A ball of red yarn was passed around twice, with all holding a part of it, to show our interconnectedness and the mutual support available because of these connections. From left, Kim McCoy, Carole Howe, Kathy Powers, Dawn Doud and Pauline Courchesne. Each took a turn speaking into the microphone about a time they felt tied up, and a time they felt they helped someone or something get untangled.Continue reading →
Our first Summer service was on “Juneteenth,” celebrating Black Poetry and Song, on June 23, 2024. Presenters were Dianne Mann, left, and Karen Stephenson. (photos by Betty Jenewin)
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KC Johnson Erikson showed his film of his dance commentary on race “The Revolution Will Not Be Danced” on June 18, 2024. KC choreographed and performed in the piece, along with a troupe of dancers.
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This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to May 15, 2016 and Interim Music Director Jerry Bellows’ final service. Bellows stepped down because Music Director Matt Johnsen was returning from a four-month sabbatical. From left, Choir members are Paul Marr, Linda Orcutt, Moira Rouse, Beth Fleming and Rebecca Ziegler.Continue reading →
Peg Gifford selects her flower during the Flower Communion portion of the service on June 16, 2024. Maria Juncos is beside her. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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The Rev. Aaron Payson reads the storybook “Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth” to, from left, Lulu, Edythe, Josie, Luke and Sam during the service on June 16, 2024. (photo by Betty Jenewin
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Corey Prachniak, his mother Deb, Rachel Keyo and Mara Pentlarge collected on an auction prize on June 16, 2024, spending time at David Miller’s woodlot in Princeton. Here, David is at left, with Rachel. (photo by Mara Pentlarge)
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This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to Flower Communion Sunday on May 8, 2016, when Alanna, left, and Skylar distributed flowers to the congregation. (photo by Betty Jenewin)Continue reading →
The Religious Exploration children do an interpretive dance to “Blue Boat Home,” the Closing Hymn on RE Sunday, June 9, 2024. (photos by Betty Jenewin)
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9-year old Theo plays “Yesterday,” the Prelude during the service on Religious Exploration Sunday, June 9, 2024.
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Director of Religious Exploration Robin Mitzcavitch, left, presents Gladys Maldonado, Staff Child Care Specialist, with a gift of flowers for her service this year. This took place during the service on June 9, 2024, RE Sunday. Ana Gregory and Beckley Schowalter applaud in the background.
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From left, Shirley Traite, Mina White and Michele Hernandez stand near one of the money tables during the June 8, 2024 Yard Sale. Michele was one of the co-chairs.
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#uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. Tom Pierce has just read “At Home and At Sea: An American Navy Couple During World War II.” It was written by his friend and fellow military brat (who formerly attended UUCW with his wife Nancy), Royce Singleton, Jr. Royce’s father was a Navy officer who participated in most of the battles in the Pacific. The book consists of letters from Royce’s father to his mother, and vice versa.
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These were the men behind the stovetop/grill at the Church Picnic on June 9, 2024. Top photo – Ken Basye; bottom photo – the Rev. Aaron Payson, keeping the flame alive.
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This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to May 14, 2017 and the Coming of Age graduation. Here, Peg Stone is overcome with emotion because of her pride in her son, David, a graduate. Looking on, from left, are Lois, KC, Charlie, Josh and Bruce Leshay, David’s mentor.Continue reading →
Sunday, June 2, 2024 was Religious Exploration Rainbow Day! From left, the Rev. Cheryl Leshay and Kate Sweetser wore THEIR rainbow colors!! At right is Marilyn Martin. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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June 2, 2024 was Annual Meeting day. The new Board of Directors are, from left, Cathy McDonagh, Ana Gregory, Kim Napoleone, Michele Hernandez, Maria Juncos, Vickie Cox-Lanyon, Evan Wilson and Melissa McKeon. At pulpit is outgoing President Sherri Linn. New President is Melissa McKeon. Not present for photo was Mikalia Turner-Clarke. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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Sue Neaz, Clerk, left, helps people check in for the Annual Meeting on June 2, 2024. Sitting beside Sue is Evan Wilson. Signing in is Sean Divoll. To his right are Dianne Mann, Emily Konstan and Mike Peckar. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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Outgoing President Sherri Linn, at pulpit, leads the Annual Meeting on June 2, 2024. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to March 8, 2020 and the ordination of the Rev. Beau Rivers at the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church of Portland, ME. Rev. Rivers was a ministerial intern at UUCW from 2014-2016. She has served as part-time contract minister at All Souls Church of Braintree since August 1, 2021. Rev. Rivers will begin her first full-time ministry August 1, 2024 at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleborough, MA. When contacted recently, she said “I have such fond memories of my formation and ministry at UUCW! Please give everyone my love.”
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The lesson on May 26, 2024 in Religious Exploration class was about Memorial Day. At top, Director of Religious Exploration Robin Mitzcavitch holds a poppy as she tells the story of the flower’s association with Memorial Day. Garden-On team member Carole Howe explains to the children that a Memorial Garden will be created on UUCW grounds. (photos by Betty Jenewin)
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History was made today, May 26, 2024, at UUCW as our brand new organ was played for the first time during a service. Here, Music Director Matt Johnsen strikes the first note of the first song, “Prelude in C Major,” by J. S. Bach. Fun fact: Matt plays the organ in his stocking feet; others wear special organ shoes. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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4-year old Elijah and his grandmother Mara Pentlarge, right, participate in the May 21, 2024 Climate Justice Action behind Worcester City Hall.
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#uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. Author Loree Griffin Burns paid a visit to TidePool Bookshop in Worcester on May 19, 2024, for an author talk and book signing for her latest book, “One Long Line – Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them.” Here, Loree talks about pine processionary caterpillars, the subject of her book. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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Did you know that we have Lady’s Slippers starting to grow in our UUCW gardens? The backstory is cool. Last year Leo DaSilva planted 15 bare roots that we purchased from a nursery. To give the roots the correct growing environment (mycorrhiza), with permission from the property owner he brought in some forest soil and set it in the bed. Two are now blooming ❤️ and others will bloom in the future. ❤️❤️❤️ (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to May 27, 2021 when the Women’s Social Circle attended a wine tasting at Higgins Armory. Clockwise, from lower left, are Maya Desai, Dianne Mann, Michele Hernandez, Rachel Keyo, Linda Rich, Claire Breyton, Sherri Linn, Vickie Cox-Lanyon, Debbie Merrill, Peg Daly, Susan Crossley, Cristina Heffernan, Moira Rouse and Alison Lanyon. (photo by the Sommelier)Continue reading →
The Rev. Cheryl Leshay, UUCW Affiliated Community Minister, delivers the Reflection “Where Do We Fit?” during the service on May 19, 2024. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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Karen Stephenson talks about an 8th Principle Moment during the service on May 19, 2024. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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UUCW has a brand new organ! Here, Music Director Matt Johnsen, right, shows it to some members of the choir before service on May 19, 2024. From left are Mark Schlesinger, Joe Ruivo, Fran Schlesinger, Cathy McDonagh and Kim McCoy. The instrument is a Hammond CS-285, a 3 manual church organ. It will be played for the first time during service next Sunday, May 26th. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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Neither snow, nor sleet, nor hail, nor rain……..
Many of our Food Pantry volunteers worked in the drenching rain on the morning of May 18, 2024, serving over 65 clients! At left, Pete Lanyon, soaked to the bone, holds up one of the (thankfully) laminated car numbers. (photo by Vickie Cox-Lanyon, who also got drenched 😉) At right, Melissa McKeon, draped in a rain poncho, holds up the saturated preference forms at the end of the morning. It was nearly impossible to keep these forms dry today! (photo by Marilyn Martin)
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#uucwreads highlights the ways that books are part of our members’ and staff’s lives. Author Loree Griffin Burns paid a visit to TidePool Bookshop in Worcester on May 19, 2024, for an author talk and book signing for her latest book, “One Long Line – Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them.” In the photo at left, Loree talks about pine processionary caterpillars, the subject of her book. Her talk was educational and entertaining. In the photo at right, TidePool co-owner Jo Truesdell stands with Loree. Fun UU fact: Jo and her husband/TidePool co-owner Huck are members of First Unitarian. 😁 (photos by Betty Jenewin)
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Ever wonder what the view from the pulpit is? This photo from the UUCW archives takes us back to April 15, 2018 and a “minister’s eye” view of the service. Here, the Rev. Aaron Payson leads the congregation in singing the Closing Hymn, “Daoona Nayeesh.” (photo by Betty Jenewin)Continue reading →
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration, speaks during the beginning of the Candle Lighting Ceremony during the Coming Of Age service on May 12, 2024. The COA grads, are, from left, Naziah, Reid, Haley, Neway, Marina, Evelyn, Ginger and AJ. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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From left, Neway gets a hug from his mentor, Sean Divoll during the Candle Lighting Ceremony portion of the COA service on May 12, 2024. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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At left, Robin Mitzcavitch hangs a UU chalice around the neck of AJ during the Candle Lighting Ceremony portion of the COA service on May 12, 2024. AJ’s mentor, Maya Desai, stands in the background. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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The Rev. Aaron Payson sings “For Good,” a solo, during the service on May 12, 2024. (photo by Betty Jenewin)
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These are the wonderful women who participated in the Women’s Runaway Weekend in North Adams from May 3-5, 2024. (photos by Kim Pierce Napoleone)
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Did you know that we have carnivorous plants in our UUCW gardens? Did you know we have a bog on our property ? Both true! In our very own homemade little 2′ x 3′ bog garden (in front of the classrooms) there are purple pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea). (photos by Betty Jenewin)
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This photo from our UUCW archives takes us back to November 13, 2005 and the 50th anniversary celebration of our church at (then) 90 Holden Street in Worcester. From left are Susan Crossley, Ilana Bartok (Leshay), Andrea Cruz, Maia Selkow, the Rev. Cheryl Leshay. They are re-enacting a skit initially written by Virginia Rassmusen and edited/redone by Linda Holbrook. The name of the skit was “We Have Met The Enemy And She Is Us.” (photo by Judy Savage)Continue reading →
