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dWinchester Unitarian Society Highlights – Thursday, February 19, 2015
Worship
Sunday, February 22, 2015
10:00 a.m. Family Worship in the Chapel
10:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
Love and Kindness
A dash of love and a smidgeon of kindness and you’ve got a potent spiritual mix to take on anything that
February (or life) can throw your way. It will be good to gather again in worship this Sunday.
Worship Leader: Rev. Tricia
Childcare available for infants and tots.
Joys, Sorrows, Transitions
If you are facing a time of joy, sorrow, or transition in your life, the Ministers are available to talk with you.
Additionally, we always have a minister on call to accompany members through crisis situations. If you are
facing a crisis and need to urgently reach a minister, call the church at 781-729-0949 and choose voice mail
(option 1 or option 2) they will always give you a cell phone number for the minister on call.
Weather Alert! If there is a major winter storm . . .
To find out if Sunday worship is cancelled, check the church’s voicemail (781-729-0949),
look for an all church email or check the church’s website (www.winchesteruu.org).
Please travel only if you can do so safely!
Access to Church on Sunday
As of today (Thursday, February 19) it is not possible to access the church from the Parkway or the
Chapel sidewalk. The snow has been cleared from the entrances to the sidewalk, but when the Parkway was
widened lots of snow was dumped into the previously cleared sidewalk. The Winchester DPW has been
contacted.
Also the Metcalf Kitchen entrance has a considerable amount of water leaking in. That door should
only be used as an emergency exit.
So on Sunday, please plan to use the Main Street or the main Metcalf entrances.
Parking on Sundays
With the snow piling up and more events seeming to be scheduled at McCall, parking at the church on Sunday
mornings and many weekday evenings has become quite challenging. It would be much appreciated if those
of you who arrive early at church and are sure footed, could park further down Main Street past McCall, down
the Parkway or closer to the downtown area. Also any one arriving at any time and who can walk a bit further
could do the same. This would allow people, who find navigating in the snow more challenging, the
opportunity to park in the church parking lot or on Main Street close to the church.
PRAYER GROUP on Tuesday, February 24 in the Chapel
Join us on Tuesday, February 24th from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. for a time of prayer and sharing. We offer
prayers for each other, our family and friends, our beloved WUS community, and the world. We pray in
silence, in spoken words, and in song. Come experience the WUS Prayer Group. No RSVP needed. Come
and be welcomed! Questions? Please contact Deb Walsh.
Meditation News
Meets almost every Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Sitting from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Walking
from 7:00 to 7:15 p.m. Discussion 7:15 to 7:30 p.m. Contact Ron Denhardt for info.
Committee Fair on Sunday, March 1 after Worship
Committee Fair Sunday 3/1 during Coffee Hour: Back by popular demand, our annual committee fair is
coming up. Find out all the different ways members of our congregation carry out the good works of our
church. It takes a village—and we can use many skills and passions. This is an opportunity for committee
members to talk with you about what they do and what they are passionate about. Please join us, and see if
one of our committees calls to you. Brought to you by the Nominating and Leadership Development
Committee. Questions? Please contact Margaret Higham.
Rescheduled "not your average rummage meeting" on Monday, March 2
Shall we try again? This is our ONLY fundraiser for 2015.
Please join us Monday nite March 2 in the Michelsen Room @ 7 p.m.
The date for the fundraiser is June 1st but we must begin to plan / we'll need lots of participation to
make this successful.
See you on March 2nd.
Betsy Bowles and Patty Cameron
WUS Chili Cook-Off - March 8th 2015 after the Service
We have ten talented chefs ready to compete. If you have not entered before, please consider
signing up. We are always looking for a new take on this classic dish. We would really like six
more contestants to round out the field. Remember March 8th is the cook-off.
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Winner in each category gets prizes.
Enter in: Traditional (meat), Chicken, Vegetarian or Vegan
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All entrants get recognition and tokens of appreciation.
New and innovative voting procedures will be introduced.
Waddayawannado? Take your pick:
If you’d like to enter, cook one gallon of chili for tasting and, if possible, four separately packaged quarts for
us to sell to the folks who want to take some home.
(Yup, we like to get a little fundraising in wherever we can.) Label your entry and each of your containers
with a descriptive title for your recipe, including a list of ingredients so people with allergies know what’s what,
and bring your chili to the church kitchen before service. We’ll do the rest (bringing it warm helps a lot).
If you’d rather bake, we’d love some cornbread or dessert items. You won’t get a prize, but you’ll get
our gratitude.
If you have experience monitoring voting, we could really use your help.
If you want to help in the kitchen, show up at 9:30 (love that!) or stay to clean up.
If you just want to eat, WE NEED YOU FOR SURE!!! $6 will get you a tasting spoon and four votes, so
come on down to Metcalf Hall after Sunday service!!!
Contact James Pidacks about chili, cornbread or to help out with voting or in the kitchen. Thanks.
Ordination of Janet Parsons on Sunday, March 22
In our Unitarian Universalist polity, it is the congregation that has the right to – and joy of – ordaining
an individual to ministry. Last year, you as a congregation ordained two seminarians who have served
Winchester Unitarian Society; Intern Heather Concannon and former Student Minister Catie Scudera. Both
were beautiful, special occasions.
This spring, you can look forward to ordaining one of your very own – Janet Parsons. Save the date for
Sunday March 22nd at 3 p.m.
Janet is a long-time member here at Winchester Unitarian Society, 16 years to be exact, and it would
be easier to mention the few things Janet has NOT done at WUS than to list the many roles she has had in
leadership and congregational life: RE Committee, Standing Committee, Growth and Learning Committee,
Summer Services Committee, Worship Associate, covenant groups, founding board member of Gulf Coast
Volunteers for the Long Haul, and of course her time as summer minister this past summer. Janet’s call to
ministry came to life here in our congregation and has been wonderfully affirmed among all of you.
Details about how you can help us make this day special will be forthcoming. For now, circle the date
on your calendar in red! Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m.
Janet’s Ordination Committee: Karen Erikson, Margaret Higham, Barbara Savage, and Deb Walsh
Growth and Learning News
Conversations that Matter Salons
Growth & Learning Committee sponsors an upcoming “Conversations that Matter Salon” at the Wood/
Ziegelman home, Sunday, March 1st. 3:30 p.m.
Read any good books lately? Oh that Pesky winter! As the vagaries of weather necessitate schedule
changes and time inside – please consider taking up this year’s Unitarian Universalist Associations common
read - Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square by Paul Rasor (Skinner House Books,
2013) asserts that conservative Christianity is not the only valid religious voice in our national social
policy. Rasor invites Unitarian Universalists to explore and claim our contribution, as religious liberals, to the
pressing moral and ethical debates of our contemporary world. See the Unitarian Universalist Association’s
website for a downloadable discussion guide. Question? Please contact Rebecca Kelley-Morgan.
Woburn Food Pantry
We are trying something new with our food donations to the Woburn Council of Social Concern Food Pantry.
Every one or two weeks the Pantry will notify us of specific items of which they are in most need. For the next
two weeks we will be collecting donations of peanut butter and jelly. This is a particularly difficult time for
the Pantry as donations of foodstuffs after the holidays drops off significantly but the need continues to grow.
Please place your donations of pb&j in the bins located throughout the church. Questions? Please contact
Mary Saudade.
WUSYG Snow Shoveling Fundraiser Picture
Maria Shepherd sent this picture of some of the WUSYG members from the Snow
Shoveling Fundraiser. They are raising money to fund their service trip to New
Orleans in April.
WUSYG: Winchester Unitarian Society Youth Group
WUSYG will be meeting from 4:30-6:30 PM this Sunday, the 22nd. We will be joined by Boston
Mobilization for a Workshop on Race. Youth are strongly encouraged to make it to this session as it is an
important component of our social justice studies prior to the Service Trip.
For more detailed information about all of the above, please be sure to check out the next youth
newsletter. If you are a parent or a youth involved in the program who is not currently receiving the WUSYG
email newsletter and would like to, you can sign yourself up here: http://eepurl.com/3d82j
For more information about youth programs in general, please contact the Director of Youth Ministries,
Sam Wilson: sam.wilson@winchesteruu.org
**Youth are also encouraged to "Friend" Sam on Facebook (facebook.com/dymsamwilson) and/or
follow him on Instagram (@dymsamwilson) for more details about upcoming events.
Religious Education News
Religious Education Morning: Sunday, February 22th
10:00 a.m. Family Worship in the Chapel
Religious Education Morning: Children start in the Sanctuary and after the Time for all Ages head off to
age grouped religious education programs. Childcare available for babies and toddlers.
Preschool-kindergarten: Chalice Children: Main level
First and Second Grades: Love Surrounds Us: Upstairs Classroom
Third and Fourth Grades: Bibleodeon: Upstairs classroom
Fifth and Sixth Grades: Neighboring Faiths: Upstairs classroom
Sunday morning child care (six month to three year olds) is available in the playroom with Juanita Simms,
Isabelle Costa and Eleanor Sharon.
Our Whole Lives returns on February 22nd. We return to OWL at the usual time 4:30-6:30 when we
return from winter break.
Occupy Winchester News
- Save the Dates - 2/23 and 3/26
On Monday, February 23 please join us for A Free Film Screening "THE WISDOM TO SURVIVE",
Conversation and Light Refreshments from7:30-9 p.m. in the Michelsen Room.
This film accepts the consensus of scientists that climate change has already arrived, and asks what is keeping
us from action? In discussions with thought leaders and activists, we explore how unlimited growth and greed
are destroying the life support system of the planet, the social fabric of the society, and the lives of billions of
people." For more information about the movie
On Thursday, March 26 please join us for a Free Presentation and Q and A with Jack Cole,
Co-founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
"DISCUSSION OF DRUG WAR EXIT STRATEGIES" from 7-8 p.m. in the Symmes Room.
Jack Cole knows about the "war on drugs" from several perspectives. He retired as a Detective Lieutenant
after a 26-year career with the New Jersey State Police - fourteen in narcotics, mostly as an undercover
officer. His investigations spanned cases from street drug users to international "billion-dollar" drug trafficking
organizations. "This is Not a War on Drugs - it's a War on People." Jack Cole
For more information about our presenter
Notes from the office
-Administrative Assistant
Sue Panacopoulos, who worked in the office as the part time administrative assistant since May 2014, resigned earlier this month. She
works for another company that offered her more hours – an opportunity she couldn’t refuse. She will be missed and we wish her the
best. The process has started to look for a new assistant for the office. Stay tuned!
-Check it out!
Here it the link for the video that Don Daniel made for the Ministerial Search:
http://tinyurl.com/WUSVideo
-Heating Season
The heat is on in the building! But it is difficult to regulate the heat in all the rooms and spaces. Please consider dressing in layers –
sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. Please contact Mary Ann (781-729-0949 / office@winchesteruu.org with questions or concerns.
-Standing Committee Approved Minutes
Approved Standing Committee minutes are posted on the Standing Committee section of the member pages on the church website.
(www.winchesteruu.org)
-Church Directory Available as a PDF File for Members and Friends of the Society
If you would like a copy of the current church directory please email Mary Ann and she will email you the PDF.
-Electronic Payment Options
Visit the church website: http://winchesteruu.org/donatenowelectronicgiving79.html and click the “donate” button. If you have
questions about church financial matters, contact Mary Ann in the church office (781-729-0949 / office@winchesteruu.org).
-Sunday Worship Service CDs and Hardcopies of the Sermons
Every Sunday the worship service is recorded. If you would like to borrow a copy or if you would like to have a copy made, please let
Mary Ann know (781-729-0949 / office@winchesteruu.org). Also hardcopies are available for most sermons usually a week or two after
the sermon was delivered. They are on the table in the foyer outside the sanctuary.
Community News
Black History Month Event 2015
Sunday, March 8th, 2015, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (rescheduled from 2/8/2015)
St. Mary's Church Hall, 155 Washington St., Winchester (The Hall is on the hill opposite the church.)
Please join us as we share an afternoon with Dr. Peniel Joseph, who will deliver a talk titled 'From Selma to Ferguson:
Reimagining the Civil Rights Movement in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter.’
This program is brought to you by St. Mary's Church Peace and Justice Committee and the Winchester Multicultural Network.
This program is free of charge and all are welcome. Any questions please contact office@wmcn.org or call 781-729-7100.
Worship Services every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Highlights, our weekly email update about church related events,
is usually sent out each week mid morning on Thursdays. Deadline 9 am.
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