Service Listings

WEEKLY 2011 SERVICE LISTING

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September

11 – Water Communion Ingathering Service – Rev. John. As is our custom, we begin our church year by sharing water and stories from our special places of summer. This Sunday also marks the tenth anniversary of the events of 9/11/01, so our church community will also gather with a special prayer for peace, interfaith understanding, and remembrance. Make sure to bring some water to add to our common bowl.

18 – “Touchstones of Worship II” - Music and Worship Committee members, Catherine AzoraMinda, Rodney Fagan, Vicki Heidorn, Marion Lyon, and Julie Pera will, once again, present a service about how lay-led worship is created. They hope that some of you will be inspired to lead a worship service as well. There are lots of resources available!

25 – “Ministers All” – Rev. John. Some of the definitions of “minister” are,“To attend to the wants and needs of others,” “anyone authorized to carry out or assist in the spiritual functions of a church,” and “to act as a servant, attendant, or agent; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.” We are all called to be ministers to this spiritual community. Hopefully this sermon will help you determine how you are called.

October

2 – Rev. John – “All Creatures of the Earth and Sky” In the spirit of St. Francis, our UU Franciscan minister will, once again, celebrate the life of St. Francis.
Note: Rev. John will bless the animals at the Gardner Animal Shelter on October 1nd at 10am.

9 – Bill Ruggiero “How ,What and Where.” Bill’s special presentation will focus on the things we all do in life to get along. Rev. John will be assisting.

16 – Rev. John – Bring a friend Sunday - “What Is a UU?”
You are invited to bring a friend to share in our worship and fellowship. Rev. John will explain what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Friends of all ages are welcome.

23 – Sharing Poetry – Once again, you are invited to share your writing talents or favorite poems and poets during this worship service. Please speak to Marion if you want to be included. There will also be time for sharing from the congregation for those who haven't signed up before the service. We encourage you to think of poems that could be the: Opening Words, Reading, Meditation and Closing Words, as well as part of the homily.

30 - Rev. John - “All the Souls and Saints” – This is our time to gather to honor those who have died yet still continue to influence and inspire us. Those who we will always remember: Our Saints..

November

6 – Rev. John - Guest at Your Table Sunday. This Sunday we launch the annual UU, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, effort to raise funds for those in need in our world community. Rev. John will be speaking about how we can help.

13 – “Coming Together to Make a Difference” Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon. The seven UU churches in the North Central MA will gather for an inter-church worship service, potluck lunch and small group experience on the topic of how our small churches can work together to engage in meaningful social justice work in our communities. This is a great opportunity to get to know other Unitarian Universalists in North Central MA and to share our thoughts, dreams and commitments to making a difference.

Worship will be from 10-11AM with a potluck lunch and small group work to follow, ending by 1:30PM. The building is fully accessible, with on street parking. Religious education and nursery care will be provided. All are welcome to come before the service for a free (donations gratefully accepted) community Welcome Table breakfast in the social room 8:30-9:30AM.

Carpooling is encouraged.

20 – Rev. John Thanksgiving Bread Communion –You are invited to bake bread or bring bread to share in a “bread communion.” The bread may be significant from your family history or culture. Rev. John will bless the bread to be shared in community

23 - 7pm – Community Thanksgiving Service, hosted by the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. For the second year the members of the various faith communities of Greater Gardner gather together to worship. Members of our choir are invited to participate. During the service there will be an offering of non-perishables or money to be donated to the Gardner Food Pantry. There will be a time of fellowship following the service. Attending congregations are asked to bring some refreshments. Beverages will be provided by our host church.

27 – Sharing Stories of Gratitude with Pot Luck.

December

4 - Rev. John – Advent Taize Service. This service is in the tradition of the Taize monastic community. There will be readings, chanting, and moments of silence woven into this worship experience.

Note: Immediately following the service we will be “Greening” our sanctuary for the Christmas Season. All are invited to help decorate. Refreshments will be served.

January

8 – Rev. Elizabeth Strong “Happy Birthday UUA”

This service will be a continuing celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the UUA,the consolidation of Universalism and Unitarianism.

15 – Rev John Pastore - “Why Do UUs Celebrate Martin Luther King Sunday?”
The UUA continues to promote anti-racist, anti-oppression programs, yet UU congregations have very few people of color as members. And, African-American ministers are having difficulty finding congregations to call them to serve. Why do UUs celebrate MLK Sunday? Rev. John will share his answer with us. Note: This year we will not include a reading from “Letter From Birmingham City Jail.” Sue Blain will be offering the Story for All Ages.

22 – “Ethical Eating as a Spiritual Practice - Reflections from The World Peace Diet.

Nina Vecchi and Lisa Nuttal from the Wachusett Vegan Society (WVS) share insights andinspirations from "The World Peace Diet - Eating For Spiritual Health And Social Harmony"by Will Tuttle, Ph.D. This service will highlight the explicit and invisible connections betweenour culture and our food and the relation they form as a contributor for a broad range of challengesfacing humanity. Musical inspiration will include songs of peace from Gospel, American Indianand Hindu traditions. Vegan food samples will be supplied by WVS members at coffee hour and free resource materials will be available for those wishing more information on compassiontowards animals, people, the planet and plant based nutrition and health.

29 – Rev. John “Amazing Grace.” What is grace? We are told that it is all around us.

We are told that it is a manifestation of God’s love for all. We are told that grace is the stateof kindness towards someone. Grace sure seems amazing!

February

5—Celebrating Chinese New Year—Qing Fagan & Caleb Pera
It’s the year of the Dragon! Caleb will share some of what he has learned about Chinese New Year, as well as present a story for all ages that tells about a beast who is said to have inspired many of the New Year’s traditions.
Qing will talk about her experiences celebrating the holiday with family and friends.

12—Love is a Many Spendored Thing—Rev. John Pastor
As we approach Valentine’s Day, we turn to thoughts of love. In this sermon, Rev. John will speak of the many forms of love that inform and enrich our lives.

19—The Futility of Regret—Laura Reichsman
Many of us walk around each day tormented by past mistakes or wrong turns. While learning from our mistakes and moving on can be very healing, reliving those regrets can overwhelm us and keep us from
forgiving ourselves. How can we learn to have compassion for ourselves so we can truly let go?

26—It’s a Leap Year!!—Rev. John Pastor
This year is a leap year which means that we have an extra day this year (There are 366 days instead of 365.) What shall we do with our extra day? How do we make the most of the additional time we are given? Rev. John has some suggestions.

4—International Women’s Day—Catherine Azora-Minda
This celebratory service features the words, music and lives of UU women.