A church is made of more than a minister and a congregation. Every week we depend on members of the parish to get involved in making the worship service special. This participation makes an audience a congregation, and a congregation a community. This participation is a great way for you to become a part of this community.

Flowers  Each week, a member of the congregation provides flowers for the Sunday Service. The arrangement need not be formal - in fact, it need not always be flowers - we have had some beautiful arrangements of autumn leaves as well as other kinds of dried arrangements. To sign up or speak to the coordinator, please call Trish Mallard at 799-4894. If you have signed up to provide flowers, please make sure that they get to the church by 9:45 a.m. on Sunday. If you choose to order from Bloomers Florist in Worcester, they will be delivered.

After the service, you may take the flowers home. Alternatively, you may brighten the day of one of our members or friends in need by having your flowers distributed by the Parish Services Committee. To do this, you may just leave the flowers and the Committee will retrieve and distribute them. If you wish to donate flowers in memory of a relative or friend, or in celebration of an event, please note this with Trish when you sign up.

Ushers  Every Sunday, four ushers are needed to help people feel more comfortable in church. Their duties are to greet and distribute the order of service to people upon their arrival, offer any assistance in finding a pew, provide hearing devices to those that require them, guide people to other parts of the church (e.g. children to the Sunday School), and collect the offering. The full range of usher duties is posted at the front of the church.

To become an usher for one Sunday or several Sundays, you may simply sign up or speak with Harold Stevenson or Susan Kaneb, our Head Ushers. The sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the Bancroft room. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to serve as an usher now and then. Those who have served as ushers claim that it is an excellent way to meet people and serve our church.

Fellowship Hour Hosting  After the service, everyone gathers for refreshments and conversation. Each Sunday, our group of friends offer to host: pouring coffee and providing a light snack, such as cookies, coffee cake, or fruit for the adult's and children's tables. The host or hostess for each Sunday brings in a simple centerpiece for the adult's table, pours coffee, and brings something special to eat. Cookies are always available, if preferred, and are located in the kitchen cabinet. The sign up sheet is called Hospitality and is located on the Bulletin Board.

Candle Lighting  The service begins with a very brief statement by a lay person lighting our chalice candle in honor of people, events, or occasions. The candle lighter offers a simple sentence or two from the pulpit at the start of the church service and lights an alter candles. The sign up sheet for this is also located in the Bancroft Room on the Bulletin Board.

Sunday School  Our Sunday School is staffed by volunteer adults from the congregation. The parents of every child registered are asked to take part in the activities each year. Roles range from being part of a teaching team to chaperoning field trips and decorating bulletin boards.

Sing in the Choir  Our festival choir consists of volunteers and section leaders/soloists from a wide range of musical backgrounds who come together to provide choral music for worship and meditation. Rehearsals are most Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 and all are welcome without audition. The choir performs about three Sundays per month and has many special "Music Sunday" concerts throughout the year.

Courtyard Garden  Our historic white garden greets our members and guests. It is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers headed by Nancy Wilson. Volunteer help is always welcomed to help maintain this wonderful heritage (contact Nancy Wilson).  Images and details.

Elm Park Neighborhood School  The Elm Park Community School is public elementary school under considerable stress, in the neighborhood of our church. A group of volunteers coordinated by our church, helps in many ways with the school's program, helping in classrooms or with individual children's reading practice. The congregation has also given a clothes dryer to school,
Christmas toys,and the mittens from the mitten tree. It's fun and gratifying work.... join up!    Bunny Guerrin is the coordinator.

Interfaith Hospitality Network   Homeless children and their families are our guests for a few weeks each year. We need hosts and food preparation assistance for this outreach effort. Liz Gustavson is the coordinator.

First Unitarian Church
90 Main Street
Worcester, Massachusetts USA
508.757.2708

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