Calendar
Next Issue: January 14
Deadline: 3pm January 9
Wednesday, January 8
7:00pm Children's RE. cl5.
7:30pm SGM facilitators. Lib.
Thursday, January 9
6:30pm Nominating Cte. CR.
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:00pm Living w/Illness. Lib.
7:30pm BuyBackGunSubcte.CR
Friday, January 10
4:00pm SGM. Library.
COA City School Overnight.
Sunday, January 12
8:15am Nova Choir. Sanct.
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
12:30pm RaceBias&Prejudice.
Library.
2:00pm Creativity. Parlor.
2:30pm Parenting Kids
w/Challenges. Lib.
4:30pm OWL. Library.
6/7pm YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.
Monday, January 13
9:30am Jobseekers. Library.
7:15pm Parish Board. Library.
8:00pm Meditation. cl5.
Tuesday, January 14
7:30pm Women's Gr. Lib.
Wednesday, January 15
12:00pm BelUnitAlliance. UH.
7:30pm LPC training. Parlor.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Lib.
7:30pm Youth Cte. CR.
Looking Ahead
January 16, 17, 18:
Photo Directory Sessions
Link to church calendar
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This Sunday
Music: January 12, 2014
Prelude: Aria da Chiesa
-Anonymous
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
Offertory Solo:
Davron Monroe, tenor
9:00 Nova Choir Anthem
9:00 Postlude: Mary Beekman, organ
11:00 Sr. Choir: Absalom, fili mi (Absalom, my son) -Josquin des Prés (c. 1445-1521)
11:00 Postlude: Agincourt Hymn
-John Dunstable (c. 1370-1453)
Alfa Radford, organ
The flowers this Sunday are given by Laura and Roger Miller to honor the memory of John Preston Miller, loving husband and father, and Kirk Bruce Miller, beloved son and brother.
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
Welcome & Announcements:
Catherine Claypoole and Beth Westlund |
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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
Help us start off the New Year with the 7th Annual GREAT JANUARY JAR RACE. How many jars of BABY FOOD can First Church collect by the end of the month? A small jar can make a big difference. Remember the GREAT JANUARY JAR RACE when you shop. |
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Belmont's 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast
Attendees are asked to RSVP through the link below, or through the link on the Town's homepage in News and Notices. While advance registration is requested, it is not required.
Register Now! Click here Monday, January 20
Belmont High School Cafeteria
Registration 8:30am, breakfast 8:45am, program 9-11am.
Admission: $5 per person, $10 per family payable at the door
Guest speaker: The Honorable Sonia Chang-Diaz, State Senator, Boston
Questions: Call the Belmont Human Rights Commission at 617.993.2795. |
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The ComCom Corner
The First Church Communications Committee is posting a short list each week 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, eyee@uubelmont.org.
"Did you know?" ...how to find a group to join? Call the church to receive a copy of the Weekly Adult Program Bulletin, or find it on the website front page "What's New."
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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
- 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
- Ushers Needed for Church Services, January thru March
- Race in the Eye of the Beholder, January 12
- Paint the Change You Want to See, January 12
- Alliance Lunch & Program, January 15
- Save the Date! Mandela & South Africa, January 19
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Sunday, January 12
Loving the Hell Out of the World
Rev. Catherine Senghas, Senior Minister and Executive Director
UU Urban Ministry
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.)
We know deep in our bones the healing power of love, whether at the personal, local, national or global level. Our Unitarian Universalist religious connection supports us on our search to live into this power. Come learn about the ways UUs from many congregations in eastern Massachusetts continue to explore this growing edge, as we engage in both long-standing and new programs at the UU Urban Ministry, headquartered in Roxbury. This ministry-at-large in Boston dates back more than 180 years and is comprised of roughly 50 UU congregations, including The First Church in Belmont.
** Next Sunday, January 19 **
Rev. David M. Bryce preaching
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
In the waning days of each year I like to review all that has happened, the losses and gains, my personal and professional achievements and setbacks, what goals I may have for myself and also I like to talk with Genie about what goals she and I have for the coming year. I also remind myself of the many blessings that I have.
This kind of self-assessment is not limited to the New Year, of course. It can and does happen throughout the year. But somehow the end of one year and the beginning of another feels like a good time to purposefully engage in the process.
Whether done in a formal way or done as things arise, this self-assessment and discernment helps me both to improve myself and to set plans for the future in an intentional way.
Whether you engage in this kind of activity or not, I hope the coming year is full of wonder and joy, filled with happy times and just the right amount of challenge to keep life interesting and exciting.
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
It's been a whirlwind Christmastide! I loved every minute of it, and am very grateful to everyone who helped make it a joyous, memorable time in our church.
BOUQUETS of APPRECIATION to Choir Assistants: Cliff Backman, Glynnis Doucette, Fiona McCubbin, Kelly Gallagher, Kathleen Kim, Theresa O'Connor, Kate Searle, Carolyn Howard, Diane Lopez; to our wonderful Assistant Music Director and pianist, Ian Garvie; and to so many other elves who saw various needs, and quickly filled them. The spirit of Christmas surely was among us!
BRIGHT POINSETTIAS to Sandy Nayak and Leslie Wolf for wonderful Pageants at 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00; to Lakshmi Nayak for her lovely descant on Silent Night, during the candle lighting ceremony; and to the Jr, Chancel, Youth, and Alumni Choirs; to the Readers and Pageant Characters who made the traditional Nativity story come to life once again in our church sanctuary on Christmas Eve. And it was so thrilling when the entire Congregation sang those beautiful carols. As always, I was moved to tears by our young choirs' singing of "Stille Nacht" with their sweet faces illuminated only by candlelight. Oh yes, the sheer joy and magic of it all...
YOUTH, CHANCEL, & JR CHOIRS resume rehearsals on Monday, January 20 (MLK day).
PIANO CELEBRATION COMING SOON!Sat, Jan 25. Save the date!
Warm wishes to everyone for a healthy, happy 2014. -Alfa |
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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 caring@uubelmont.org or Susan at the Church, 617.484.1054 x 201.
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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. - Janet Amphlett, Devon Beckett, Nancy Davis, Steve Saar, and Martha Spaulding |
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Ushers Needed for Church Services
from January thru March
Please consider volunteering for one of our teams for this period. Team members commit to ushering about once a month at one service. Ushering offers a wonderful opportunity to interact with members and visitors and to provide a valuable (yet time-limited) service to our community. If you would like to usher occasionally but feel uneasy about signing up for specific dates, you may indicate that preference and we will contact you as needs arise to see you if you are available. Here are the dates for each team for the fall term:
Team 1A 9:00 service on Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9
Team 1B 9:00 service on Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 16
Team 1C 9:00 service on Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 23
Team 1D 9:00 service on Feb 2, Mar 2, Mar 30
Team 2A 11:00 service on Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9
Team 2B 11:00 service on Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 16
Team 2C 11:00 service on Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 23
Team 2D 11:00 service on Feb 2, Mar 2, Mar 30
To volunteer, see the Sign-Up board at community hour or contact David Warner, 617.484.2002 or dwarner@uubelmont.org.
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| LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS
Thursday, Jan 9, 7pm, Library, Kathy Lind, facilitator
This ongoing support group provides a space and time to understand and process feelings and circumstances relation to dealing with serious illness, both for caregivers and people in all stages of discovery and recovery.
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RACE IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Sunday, Jan 12, 12:30pm, Library
Jeff Spellman with Edwin Taylor
Members of First Church will discuss their experiences of being the target of racial bias and prejudice which will be followed by a general discussion about race, racism and what to do about it. Refreshments provided.
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PARENTING KIDS WITH CHALLENGES
Sunday, Jan 12, 2:30pm, Library, Andrea Prestwich, facilitator
Does your child have special challenges? Has he/she been diagnosed with Aspergers, ADHD, or sensory problems? We will offer support and share experience in a non-judgmental space. Childcare upon request. Snacks provided.
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PAINT THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE:
Tapping your Creativity to Ease Transitions
Sunday, Jan 12, 2:00pm, Parlor, Sheri Kennedy
In this workshop, a brief history and discussion of creativity will lead to experiential activities designed to make creative expression fun and practical for solving a tough challenge or easing a difficult transition.
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ALLIANCE LUNCH & PROGRAM AT FIRST CHURCH
Wed, Jan 15, 12:00 Noon - All Women and Men Welcome!
Our Wednesday, January 15 lunch and program will be at The First Church in Belmont. The Alliance lunch begins at 12:00 and the program at 1:00pm.The program will be a presentation about organizing our homes by Carol Ehlich, a professional organizer.
To help us prepare for the number of attendees, please call Susan Street (tel 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, and dessert. The suggested lunch donation is $0.75 per person.
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SAVE THE DATE! MANDELA AND SOUTH AFRICA
Sunday, Jan 19, 2-3:30pm, Library
Rev. Victor Carpenter will talk about his experiences in South Africa during apartheid and Mandela's lasting legacy.
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