Calendar
Next Issue: December 17
Deadline: 3pm December 12
Wednesday, December 11
7:00pm Children's RE Cte. cl5.
7:30pm Communications. CR.
7:30pm SGM facilitators. Lib.
Thursday, December 12
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:00pm Living w/Illness. Lib.
Saturday, December 14
9:00am Chancel; 10am Youth.
Sunday, December 15
8:15am Nova Choir. Sanct.
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
10:00am Holiday Fair. PH.
4:30pm COA. Parlor.
6/7pm YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.
Monday, December 16
9:30am Jobseekers. Library.
6:00pm Bellringers. Sanct.
6:30pm Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.
7:30pm Knitting Circle. cl4.
7:30pm Stewardship Cte. CR.
8:00pm Meditation. Library.
Tuesday, December 17
7:30pm Program Counc.Parlor.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
Wednesday, December 18
12:00pm Unit. Alliance. UH.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Lib.
7:30pm Youth Cte. CR.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, Dec 24:
Christmas Eve Services:
2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 11pm
Link to church calendar |
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This Sunday
Music: December 15, 2013
Prelude: "I Wonder as I Wander"
-Appalachian Carol
Alfa Radford, organ
9:00am Service:
Jr. Choir Bell Ringers:
Nowell!
Jr. Choir: Go Tell it on the Mountain -Trad'l Spiritual
Kling, Glöckchen (Ring, little bells) -Old German Carol
Nova Choir Offertory: They Sang That Night in Bethlehem
-F. Schubert
11:00am Service:
Chancel Choir: A la Nanita
-Trad'l Spanish Lullaby
Noel, Noel -Ancient French Carol
Youth Choir: Carol of the Bells
-Ukrainian
Masters in This Hall
-Trad'l French Carol
Postlude: (9:00 & 11:00)
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heav'nly Light
-J.S. Bach Alfa Radford, organ
The Christmas greens and poinsettias that decorate our Church are given by the Farnham Memorial Fund.
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
Welcome & Announcements:
Jack Weis |
Dear First Church Friends,
Since the wonderful visit from our friends from Désfalva, Sanyi Szentgyörgyi (Rev. Szentgyörgyi's son) has had two months of invasive testing for a stomach ailment. Much to everyone's relief, it is not serious; he has just developed lactose intolerance. However, it is very difficult to get dairy-free products in the area, so he was strongly advised to take lactase supplements regularly. Unfortunately, our friends can only purchase lactase in Germany and in Hungary, and the expense is prohibitive. We can help. Please bring donations of LACTAID supplements (or any equivalent brand) to the Partner Church table during the Holiday Fair (Dec 15). Buy some treats, sign a Christmas card for our friends, or record a video greeting, and drop off a package of lactase! Thank you so much for your help. -The Transylvania Partner Church Cte
P.S. We prefer donations of the actual supplements, since it will be difficult to buy a large quantity at once. However, we gratefully accept contributions. |
Picturing Our Church Community: 2014 Photo Directory Info
Life Touch Photography will take portraits for our 2014 directory during Thursday to Saturday periods of January 2, 3, 4 & 16, 17, 18 in the Church Library. This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire professional photos of either a formal or more spontaneous nature, and every person/family who attends a photo session receives a free directory and 8 x 10 portrait. So, bring your musical instruments, hobbies, or pets for unique individual or family images. Click http://www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/firstchurch1/
index.php?page=10to self-schedule
Our church directory is an essential tool for communications and community building, so we ask everyone to make a photo appointment right away. Special offers: members age 60+ receive 20% discounts; those who furnish a phone number when scheduling on the website (used for reminder calls) receive $10 off; and those who bring a food item(s) for The Grow Clinic to their session receive another $5 off their purchase. Remember that you will receive a free directory and 8 x 10 if you sit for a photo, and you will reduce our workload if you schedule now. It's so easy!
and Alice Trexler
(or later change) your portrait session. In the coming weeks, you can also schedule at the photo table during coffee hour. |
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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
Thinking about your upcoming holiday feast? How about remembering some turkey, vegetables and desserts in the form of BABY FOODS (Stages 1 & 2) for the underweight infants and toddlers at the Grow Clinic?
FOOD: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINES |
Alternative Gift Program
Give a meaningful gift for this holiday season or for other special occasions such as birthdays, graduations or housewarmings. Donate to our Alternative Gift Program, sponsored by the Social Action Committee. We have a list of organizations we support or would be glad to direct your gift to a charity of your choice. We will expedite your donation to the charity of your choice and send a beautiful card to the person you are honoring. Please contact Laurie Carter Noble, lnoble@uubelmont.org or 508.237.8132. We will also help you at the Holiday Fair, Dec 15. |
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The ComCom Corner
The First Church Communications Committee is posting each week "Did you know?" fact on how to find out more on what is going on. Look for the "ComCom Corner" article. Send any questions or ideas to Ed Yee at eyee@uubelmont.org.
"Did you know?" ...how to find a committee? Go to the left-hand margin of the website and click on "Committee Alpha List." |
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Get in the Holiday Spirit!
On December 14 at 7pm at 1st Church Congregational, 11 Garden St, Cambridge, Mary Beekman leads Musica Sacra in Feliz Navidad: A Spanish Christmas featuring Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest, sung recently by the Senior Choir , and motets and carols by 16 century Spanish masters Victoria, Guerrero, Morales and Cabezon. The concert is followed by a sing-along of holiday favorites plus a free reception. Free parking is provided with ticket purchase. See www.musicasacra.org for tickets or contact Mary Beekman. |
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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
- sample@uubelmont.org 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 |
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5 Things To Know This Week
- Holiday Fair, December 15
- Holiday Gift Program Reminder
- Still Needed - Christmas Eve Ushers!
- First Church Christmas Services
- Picturing Our Church Community: 2014 Photo Directory
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Sunday, December 15
The Value of Darkness
Rev. David M. Bryce
9:00 & 11:00 Church Service
Childcare for infants and young children
(For weather-related Service and Children RE class cancellations, please check 617.484.1054 x250.)
Let us value the darkness of this season of the year. Darkness can be a time of rest and quiet. It can also be a time that holds its own activities and dreams and spiritual value. Let us celebrate it not as time that leads to new light, but as a time of its own.
** Next Sunday, December 22**
Multigenerational Christmas Services
Festival of Lights
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons |
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
I just returned from a meeting of the Belmont Clergy where, among other items, we talked about the recent Belmont Interfaith Thanksgiving service and about the Belmont Religious Council -- which cosponsors the annual Belmont Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast in January and sponsors the Thanksgiving service and Belmont Serves and a biennial youth service trip.
We are so fortunate to live in a nation and to be part of a town in which interfaith conversations and events are welcomed, encouraged, and actively pursued.
Participants in the Interfaith Thanksgiving service included people who were Congregationalist, Lutheran, Latter Day Saints, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Episcopalian and others.
We can overlook just how remarkable that breadth of cooperation is. It was not that long ago (less than four hundred years) that Puritans in Massachusetts -- our direct religious forebears -- chased out or hanged people for being Quakers.
How wonderful that such persecution is in our past. At least, state sponsored and official oppression is in our past.
If we can build upon that cooperation, this town, our nation, and our world will be a better place.
In the days and years to come, I hope that many of you will participate in Belmont Religious Council events. This interfaith work is surely part of our calling as a religious community. |
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
GORGEOUS POINSETTIAS to the choir, soloists, and orchestra for an exceptionally beautiful rendition of Vivaldi's Magnificat in g minor at the Christmas Music Service Sunday, December 8. It was, as always, a perfect way to welcome the season of love and light! And those glorious trumpet descants are still stirring my soul.
CHRISTMAS ROSES to Teresa and John Howe for hosting a delightful lunch/party.
CALENDAR NOTES for ALL CHOIRS:
Sat Dec 14: EXTRA REHEARSALS:
Chancel: (Gr.5-6) 9-10am
Youth: (Gr.7-up) 10-11am
Choir Parents, please notify me of absence from Rehs and Services.
Sun Dec 15: Jr, Chancel, Youth Choirs sing in church:
9:00 Service: Jr Choir (arr 8:30); Nova Choir (arr 8:15)
11:00 Service: Chancel & Youth Choirs (arr 10:15)
Sun Dec 22:
9:00 & 11:00 Services Solos & Instrumental Music
Monday Night Dec 23: Pageant Rehearsals: 6:30 & 7:15.
Tuesday Dec 24 at 11:00am: Alumni Choir Rehearsal
Christmas Eve:
2pm Jr Choir & Bells: Arrive 1:30
4pm Chancel Choir: Arrive 3:15
6pm Youth Choir: Arrive 5:15
11pm Alumni Choir (NOTE: Choirs arrive 45" early)
Joyful blessings, Alfa |
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Young Adult Social Action Trip (18-35 yrs)
Are you interested in participating in a Social Action Trip geared toward Young Adults in the coming year? Complete this online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BD6L9RM Possible trips include: Ethical Eating and Advocacy in Chicago, Desert Aid to Migrants on the US-Mexico Border in Arizona and Rebuilding Homes of Katrina Survivors in New Orleans. Contact Julie Ennis for additional information at jennis@uubelmont.org. |
| Looking for Christmas Eve Ushers
We need MANY volunteers to help usher at our four Christmas Eve Services on Tuesday, December 24.
* At 2pm, we need 8-10 ushers
* At 4pm, we need 8-10 ushers
* At 6pm, we need 8-10 ushers
* At 11pm, we need 4-6 ushers
Please look for the Christmas Eve Usher sign-up board at coffeehour, or contact Jim Staton at jstaton@uubelmont.org. |
Holiday Fair
The 5th annual Holiday Fair will be held this Sunday, December 15 from 10am-1:30pm in the Parish Hall. Come to the Holiday Gift Fair and buy gifts that give twice. Experience the pleasure of knowing your purchasing power is really working to help people in so many ways.
Below is information about one of the organizations which will be represented at this year's fair.
Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA) Established in 1977, Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA) is a free and voluntary membership association run by and for Boston's service workers, temporary, domestic and other low-income workers and their families. Through the self-help efforts of their members and community volunteers, ESWA has organized a year-round, 11-point Membership Benefit Program to help meet the immediate needs of their families while they organize together to fight for long-term solutions to poverty conditions caused by lack of living wages. Membership benefits include emergency food, clothing, preventive medical care and non-emergency dental care, legal advice and more. |
Holiday Gift Program Reminder...
Please remember!! Bring all holiday gifts to church this Sunday, December 15. Please don't forget because gifts delivered to church after 12:30 on Sunday may not make it to their intended destination! Tables will be set up in the lower hallway and you can leave gifts there. Please remember - do not wrap the gifts and please attach the cards you were given to the gifts so we know where they are meant to go. Thank you! |
Winter Brochure is Here!
The Adult Programs Committee knows that winter may be a time for some people to be inside more. With that in mind, we have created a variety of programs to tempt you to come to First Church or stay after church. They include programs on Racism and Prejudice, Shame and Moral Courage, Art and Creativity, Spiritual Renewal through Poetry, Music in Our Lives, Spirituality and Sexuality, and a three-part Transcendentalist Series highlighting Margaret Fuller, Bronson Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman.
We hope you'll be challenged, stimulated, provoked, enlightened or moved to want to tell us that you might have a subject you'd like to explore in the future. Or perhaps you'd like to join the committee to help create the programs. If you are interested, contact Debbie Dobbins ddobbins@uubelmont.org or Lillian Anderson landerson@uubelmont.org |
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Upcoming Events:
TUESDAY WOMEN'S GROUP - Dec 10, 7:30pm, Library
All women are welcome to attend this gathering as well as future meetings. We will discuss the holidays--the good and bad, happy and sad, what a great holiday would look like, or one you would never want to repeat. Optional cookie exchange: bring two dozen cookies and share with others who want to participate. Contact Linda Malik (lmalik@uubelmont.org) for more information. |
LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS
Thur, Dec 12, 7pm, Library - Kathy Lind
Our lives are constantly changing and facing changes that involve illness which makes us feel vulnerable. Holidays can be especially challenging. This ongoing support group provides a space and time to understand and process feelings and circumstances related to dealing with serious illness, both for caregivers and people in all stages of discovery and recovery. |
ALLIANCE LUNCH & PROGRAM AT FIRST CHURCH
Wed, December 18, 12:00 noon - All Women and Men Welcome!
Our December lunch and program at The First Church in Belmont begins at 12pm. Our program at 1pm will be piano music performed by Mike Serio playing some of his favorites by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Schumann, Debussy, Albeniz, and Granados. Please contact Susan Street at 617.484.1054 x201 and let her know that you will attend and the number of guests you will bring. Bring your own sandwich; we will provide soup, beverage, & dessert. Suggested lunch donation is $0.75 per person. |
GRANDPARENTING - NEAR AND FAR
Thursday, Dec 19, 7:30pm, Library
ML Landfried and Lillian Anderson - All grandparents are welcome to discuss Christmas' past and present. As grandparents how do our roles shift? Who sets the rules now for the holidays? Bring pictures. |
SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY - Thur, Dec 19, 7:30pm, CR Jack Dennis will lead a discussion of The Origins of Virtue by Matt Ridley. A reading is available at eftaylor.com/sands. This reading contains a website about Matt Ridley on Wikipedia. |
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First Church Christmas Services December 2013
Sunday, December 22
Multigenerational Christmas Services
Festival of Lights
9:00 & 11:00am Solos & Instrumental Music
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Rev. David Bryce, Rev. Alfa Radford
2:00pm Junior Choir; Lessons and Carols
4:00pm Chancel Choir; Lessons and Carols
6:00pm Youth Choir; Lessons and Carols
11:00pm Alumni Choir; Lessons and Carols
Please note that the doors will not open for these Services until 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 10:30. No seats are to be "saved," other than those labeled for Service readers.
Wednesday, December 25
10:30am Worship Service & Brunch
Rev. David Bryce
A NOTE ON THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS OFFERING
In the cold and darkness of this time of year, we light candles to celebrate warmth and joy. So let us light candles this Christmas and with the words of Howard Thurman bring in love and kindness as was found so long ago in that manger in Bethlehem.
Candles of joy despite all sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of graces to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all our living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
Christmas Offering - We invite you to consider two special gifts for the Christmas offering: A Christmas gift to the Charitable Projects of The First Church ("Xmas Charities") or to The First Church ("gift"). The charitable projects include the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee special crisis relief fund for the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, Grow Clinic which serves infants and toddlers diagnosed with Failure to Thrive, and TBD. Please note on the memo line of your check "Xmas Charities" or "gift."
May all the blessings of this season fill your hearts with laughter, merriment and joy. We look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve. |
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