Stewardship Beyond Our Sanctuary Walls

We do good in this world not to get into heaven, but to bring a little of heaven down to earth.

Rev. Gary Kowalski

Interfaith Hospitality Network: providing shelter and support to homeless families with children
Center for Nonviolent Solutions: teaching our youth strategies for nonviolent resolution of conflict
Jericho Road: matching volunteer professional talent with community-based non-profit organizations

What do these three Worcester social service organizations have in common? Our vice-moderator, Seth Popinchalk, wrote movingly last week of the commitment within our community to make the world a better place. The organizations listed above are strongly supported by members of First Unitarian who exemplify that commitment, volunteering their time, talent and financial support, and in some cases taking on senior leadership roles. The motivation for these volunteer efforts was explained by Rev. Gary Kowalski in his final sermon: we Unitarian-Universalists do good in the world not to get into heaven, but to bring a little of heaven down to earth.

It is this work, the work of community service and social justice, which makes a positive difference in the lives of so many in the larger Worcester community. It is this work which affirms our First Unitarian heritage, as our founders not only promoted freedom of religious expression, but were also in the forefront of advocacy for the abolition of slavery, women's rights, labor rights and public education. And it is this work in which we covenant each Sunday morning as we unite in "the service of all."

There are many other social service organizations who depend upon the support of our members (Worcester County Food Bank, Abby's House, and the Carty Cupboard Food Pantry of our neighboring Wesley Methodist church, to name just a few). We are called by our mission to "live in right relationship." When we support our church community, we are seeding the fertile ground from which we extend our mission beyond our sanctuary walls and into the wider community.

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2017 Stewardship Interview Series

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I am always inspired and touched by the efforts to build a better world. Seth Popinchalk, Vice-Moderator Last week Scott Hayman told me about a 5K road race to benefit Abby’s house. Abby’s House is a family shelter for women and children and provides them with “a safe place to stay, regroup, and rebuild.” I am in fair shape, so when I woke up Saturday morning I laced up my shoes and drove out to West Boylston to find the starting line. I found Scott and Maddie at the registration area. I also ran into a handful of other familiar First U members wearing race bibs and supporting the event. There was no plan among members to connect with our First Unitarian community this Saturday morning, but we found each other among the crowd of about 300. I was reminded that I am surrounded by our special community. What brings us together? We are a community because we choose to be one. We find a connection with something the church offers: the Sunday services, the sermons, the holi...

First Unitarian Stewardship

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