The First Church in Belmont

THE UNITARIAN  July 30, 2013

In This Issue
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce
Music Notes from Alfa Radford & Registration Online NOW for 2013-14 Youth/Children's Choirs
Exciting New Season Approaches!
Upcoming Events

 

Calendar 

Next Issue: September 3

Deadline: 9am August 27

 

Monday, August 5

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Tuesday, August 6

4:00pm   Jobseekers. Parlor.

7:30pm   Fiber Arts. cl4.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

Wednesday, August 7

7:30pm   Women's Gr. Library.

Thursday, August 8

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

Monday, August 12

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Tuesday, August 13

4:00pm   Jobseekers. Library.

7:00pm   BRC. Library.

7:30pm   Fiber Arts. cl4.

7:30pm   Women's Gr. CR.

Monday, August 19

8:00pm   Meditation. Library. 

Tuesday, August 20

4:00pm   Jobseekers. Parlor.

7:30pm   Fiber Arts. cl4.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

Wednesday, August 21

7:30pm   Women's Gr. Library.

Sunday, August 25

6:00pm   YAC. Parlor.

Monday, August 26

7:00pm   SAC. cl5.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library. 

Tuesday, August 27

4:00pm   Jobseekers. Parlor.

7:30pm   Fiber Arts. cl4.

7:30pm   Women's Gr. Library.

7:30pm   Worship Cte. CR.

Wednesday, August 28

7:30pm   FCBook Group. Lib.

Monday, September 2

Church office closed.

 

Looking Ahead

Sep 3: First fall newsetter

Sep 5: Welcome Back

           All-Church Reception

Sep 8: 9 & 11 Services resume

Sep 13-15: Sandy Island Retreat

Sep 20: Coffeehouse

 

Link to church calendar 

 
Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER  

UU College of Social Justice

Justice for Women and Marginalized Communities in India

Join the UU Holdeen India Program (UUHIP) for a two-week pilgrimage to India. This journey will take us to the western state of Gujarat, where you will witness firsthand the work of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), a UUHIP partner. At the confluence of Indian labor, cooperative, and women's movements, SEWA organizes women working in the informal sector. You will also meet with UUHIP partner Navsarjan and learn about their work organizing Dalits - once branded "untouchables" - to stand up for equal rights. Learn more and register at www.uucsj.org/india.

  

BorderLinks: Immigration Justice

Delve into important immigration issues with three new programs:

Sustainable Futures - investigate the connections between our food system and social justice 

Chiapas - learn how to stand with communities struggling for justice in one of Mexico's most impoverished states 

Seminarian Journey - explore the entwined issues of economic justice and immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border as part of your path to ordination  

Learn more and register at www.uucsj.org/borderlinks.

 

Food for Thought: An Exploration of Eating and Worker Organizing

Working with the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Chicago, a UUSC partner, you will learn about labor history, the injustices of the restaurant industry, and innovative organizing strategies. You will meet directly with workers and organizers and take part in on-the-ground action. This hands-on experience will give you the knowledge and skills you need to choose compassionate consumption and support people at the forefront of change in the food industry - and the drive to get involved when you return home. Learn more and register at www.uucsj.org/food.

 

Classifieds
 

Looking for Projects

James Hencke specializes in restructuring of commercial insurance programs to create more cost-effective and risk-efficient programs, and technical design of engineering, tech & environmental risk & insurance programs. For more info, contact James at [email protected] / 781.775.2613.

 

 

Room Available 2013-2014 academic year (Sept 2013-Jun 2014) in Watertown: Professional woman working out of home office seeks quiet, responsible graduate, medical or law student to rent an upstairs, 11x12 room with separate bathroom and shared kitchen. Great closet space, parking available in garage. On MBTA lines. Must like animals. Rent $600-800/ mo, negotiable depending upon desire to assist with yard and driveway maintenance. Rent includes utilities. If interested, contact Deb, 617.923.8135.

 

 

Adult Programs Reminder

To receive a weekly reminder of the latest Adult Programs, email Lillian Anderson at [email protected]

 

 

 

The Unitarian Newsletter 

Submission Guidelines

 

Please submit articles for the newsletter to Susan Street in the following format: 

- Times New Roman font, 10 point. 

- jpeg for photos

- pdf for attached documents 

- [email protected] for e-mails.  

- avoid phone numbers unless their owners don't mind them being published on the FCB website. 

 

 

 

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First Church Office
:: 617-484-1054
5 Things To Know
  • Welcome Back Reception, September 5
  • Ingathering Service, September 8
  • Sandy Island Weekend, September 13-15 
  • Fall Musical Production: "The Mikado" 
  • Second Friday Coffeehouse Season Tickets on Sale Now!

Summer 2013 Worship Services

The First Church in Belmont, UU 

 

All services will be held at 9:30am in the Parish Hall. Childcare will be provided.

 

Aug 4     Mindfulness over matter? What science is learning about
                mindfulness meditation.  - Jeremy Edgerton 

 

Aug 11   "The Most Pestilential Book Ever Vomited from the Jaws

                of Hell"  - Clifford Backman 

 

Aug 18    The Lens of Spirituality  - Sam James

 

Aug 25    Time  - Edwin Taylor

 

Sept 1      Faith in the Future  - John Howe 

 

** Sunday, September 8 **

9:00 & 11:00 Worship Services

Ingathering Service & Water Ceremony 

 

** Sunday, September 15 **

9:00 & 11:00 Worship Services

Rev. David M. Bryce preaching

 

Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons

Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister Rev. David Bryce 

 

Rev. Bryce was on vacation the month of July.

Alfa RadfordMusic Notes from Alfa Radford

NEWS from Alfa Radford and The Music Committee:

We are pleased to welcome Irina Kareva, as our new Sr. Choir Alto Soloist-Section Leader. She will fill the position formerly held by Susan Harris, who had to leave because of the increased demands of a new full-time job. We'll miss Susie's wonderful singing, and fine musicianship! Irina will join us on Ingathering Sunday, September 8. Learn more about her on our First Church Website, uubelmont.org. Click on Music.

 

FALL MUSICAL PRODUCTION: "THE MIKADO" by Gilbert & Sullivan will be our 34th annual show, and will be presented by the Youth, Chancel, and Junior Choirs. It's a hilarious musical, poking fun at British Court life, in the guise of Japanese costume and character.

 

Performances:  Nov 7 (5:30pm); Nov 8 & 9 (7:30pm); Nov 10 (3:00pm)

Returning, as Choreographer, is Penny Hansen; Backstage Director, Sandy Nayak; Assistant Director, Ian Garvie; Alfa Radford, Producer/Director. Assisting with musical coaching, stage directing, and much more will be Vickie Livermore, Carolyn Howard, Kate Searle, and Diane Lopez. Greg Duckworth and a team will create our stage sets; and Guy Parsons will design and dazzle us with the latest in lighting. And we'll need lots more help, too, so let us know what you would enjoy doing?

REHEARSALS will begin on Monday evening, September 9. Watch for a mailing and an Online Notice containing Registration Form, and more information.

 

REGISTRATION for YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS 2013-2014 Registration is open for the Youth & Children's Choirs, the Fall musical production "THE MIKADO." Go to the church website, www.uubelmont.org Click on News, then Music Program, and proceed from there.
NOTE: Current choristers also need to register for the Fall programs.
QUESTIONS? Call or email Alfa Radford 781.646.2123 / [email protected]
. Specific questions about Registr: Contact Wendy Conroy [email protected]
.

 

ALL CHOIR SCHEDULES:

SR. CHOIR resumes rehearsals on Sunday, Sept 8 at 9:25am. Sing 11:00 Service.

NOVA CHOIR resumes rehearsals Thursday, Sept 12, 6:45pm. Sing 9/22 at 9am. New singers welcome!

 

CHILDREN'S/YOUTH CHOIRS RESUME on Monday, Sept 9:

Junior Choir (K-Gr.4) 6:30-7:00pm

Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) 7:00-8:30pm (7:00-7:45 post production)

Youth Choir (Gr. 7-thru H.Sch) 7:00-8:30 (7:45-8:30 post production)

 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: In mid-August I'll be spending a week's vacation in the Canadian Maritimes, mostly Prince Edward Island. Having never been there, this will be an exciting exploration and I am greatly looking forward to it!

 

With a joyful song in my heart, Alfa 

Caring Connection  

The Caring Connection is a group of Church members and friends who provide support to members of our community who find themselves in some difficulty and need short-term help. Please let us know if you could use some assistance, or know of someone who would benefit from our support. Contact: Laurie Graham at [email protected] or Susan at the Church, 617.484.1054 x 201.

Among Us

Our love and sympathy to the Silvis family, George, Melanie & George III on the death of Cheryl Silvis on July 23. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to Huntington Disease Association (HDS), 6 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824.

 

Healing wishes to Rebecca Hencke who is recovering from surgery.

 
Proud grandparents Larry and Marian Melnick announce that Rebecca Melnick Guarante and Eric Guarante welcomed Elizabeth Beatrice Guarante on June 13.

 

To submit your own virtual candle, contact Jim Staton at [email protected] or call him at 617.484.1054 x207. Guidelines for these submissions are available on the Church website at uubelmont.org/caring-connection.
Lay Pastoral Care Team 

As members of the lay pastoral care team we are called to be present with you, members and friends, when you wish a compassionate listening ear during times of transition and stress whatever form it might take. We support those who are adjusting to change, loss, illness or death. We share in moments of celebration and happiness. We reach out to those who are unable to get out and who would like a visit. We share in situations that require a special touch of human kindness and an open ear. Please contact us if we might be of help or comfort. We count on the congregation to keep us in touch with pastoral needs of our community.   - Nancy Davis, Parrish Dobson, Martha Moore, and Martha Spaulding

Remember to Bring Back Water

Our opening service for the fall on September 8 will be a Multigenerational Water Ingathering. We will celebrate the opening of the church year with a ceremony in which we each pour a small amount of water into a common vessel. The water we bring represents some piece of our summer that we are bringing back into the new year. Whether you go on exotic travels or stay home in your own backyard, remember to bring some water on Sunday, September 8 to represent your spiritual journeys during the summer months. (Empty film canisters are just right.)  

The Unitarian

Our primary method of distribution for the Unitarian is e-mail. If you are not currently receiving the Unitarian by e-mail, please provide Susan Street ([email protected]) with your current e-mail address. 

 

The newsletter is also posted each week on the First Church website at uubelmont.org. Click on the Newsletter button just under the banner at the top of the home page.

 

First Class Mail - Some First Church members and friends may prefer a printed copy of the Unitarian, which we will send via first-class mail, and ask for a small donation of $20 per year to offset first-class mailing costs. The church will cover the mailing costs for those who indicate that this presents a financial burden.

 

To receive the Unitarian via first-class mail, please fill out the form below and mail to The First Church in Belmont, P. O. Box 113, Belmont, MA 02478. Checks should be made out to The First Church in Belmont. Please note that you may receive both electronic and mailed versions of the Unitarian simply by checking more than one of the boxes below.

 

***Clip and Mail***

___ I would like to receive the Unitarian via email. My email address is _____________________________ (or simply email Susan Street, [email protected]).

___ I would like to receive the Unitarian via first-class mail. Enclosed is my donation of $20 to cover mailing costs.

___ I would like to receive the Unitarian via first-class mail. This presents a financial burden, so please cover the costs from church operating funds.

Exciting New Season Approaches! Get Your Tickets Now!

Your Second Friday Coffeehouse Committee is busily preparing the 2013-2014 schedule. Season Tickets go on sale NOW!

 

The Dates: September 20, October 18, and November 15 (all three actually third Fridays); January 3 (actually a first Friday); and February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, and June 13 (actually all second Fridays!). 

 

The Performers: Beloved popular favorites will return and we'll see some exciting new surprises! Final details are being settled as we speak, and we can't wait to roll out the complete season for you SOON! It's always such a great show! 

 

The Beneficiaries: Our Transylvania Partner Church in D�sfalva, the Belmont Food Collaborative, Renewal House, the El Salvador Sister City Project, YouthBuild, the Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center, Bristol Lodge, the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, and two final choices that are in the pipeline. It's a social action roster for which we are proud to ask your support!

 

Season Tickets: Last year this wonderful church family bought a record 53 Second Friday Coffeehouse Season Tickets! Whooeee! Your generosity provided a solid base of critical support for all ten beneficiaries. The short version: admission to nine shows for two people at about half price, STILL all for a tax-deductible $99! You can't beat that! AND you guarantee your support to all ten beneficiaries, even if you miss a show or two. Send your check for $99, memo line marked Coffeehouse, to The First Church in Belmont, P. O. Box 113, Belmont, MA 02478. Let's aim for 55 tickets this year! Our beneficiaries and their clients thank you from the bottoms of their hearts! 

Upcoming Events: 

 

JOBSEEKERS GROUP will meet this summer in the Parlor on Tuesdays from 4-5:30pm. Check with the office for any cancellations. 

7th ANNUAL WELCOME BACK ALL-CHURCH RECEPTION

Thursday, September 5, 7pm, Parish Hall

The Parish Board and the Fellowship Committee are pleased to invite all members of The First Church community to our Seventh Annual Welcome Back Fall Reception on the evening of September 5, in the Parish Hall at 7:00-8:30 pm. This is the Thursday evening before our Ingathering Service. Please join us for conviviality and light refreshments. Come one, come all! 

SANDY ISLAND - September 13-15 - REGISTER NOW!!
Don't miss out on this great weekend on a small island in Lake Winnipesaukee. Shared meals, kayaking, camp fire and many more activities for every age! Questions, contact Deveaux Duckworth, [email protected].

THE ALLIANCE CONCORD RIVER BOAT CRUISE & LUNCH

will be Wed, September 18 (full information in the next Unitarian newsletter).

NEXT ISSUE OF UNITARIAN

Fall newsletter will be mailed September 3. Deadline: August 27.