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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First Unitarian Stewardship

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