User:Loismd/Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester

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The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester is a Unitarian Universalist congregation located in Worcester, Massachusetts. It currently serves 171 members. It is located at 90 Holden Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01606. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester was officially named as such in 1968, after being referred to as the First Unitarian Church of Worcester. It hosts many programs, such as weekly Sunday services online and in person, programming for children and young adults, and community outreach.

History
In the 1950s, a lot on Holden Street was bought in order to house the congregation in a a new property that required less repairs then the previous one. The church was dedicated on November 11, 1955. In 1960, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America merged. This created Unitarian Universalism. Minister Fred B. Hall with his wife were some of the representatives in Worcester. Different committees were created in order to address the five main functions of the merger: nomination procedures, mode of organization, fundraising, regional organization, and ministry. The church has been led by 15 ministers, the most recent of which is Aaron Payson.

Programs
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester has many programs, one of which being named Religious Exploration, which provides programming for youth. The range of youth served is infants to participants in grade 12. All lessons taught in youth programs relate to Unitarian Universalism as a faith overall.

It also provides the Our Whole Lives program, a comprehensive sexual education program with different curriculums for different age groups.

The church rents out the building for meetings, parties and weddings.

Community Outreach
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester works with many community organizations, including the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance and In the Hour of Need family shelter. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester participates in the Crop Walk in Holden, Massachusetts each year. The church was considered the first organization in the local area to be deemed as welcoming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex identifying people. The church also partners with programs such as Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Worcester County Food Bank, and African Community Education.