Calendar
Next Issue: January 21
Deadline: 3pm
Wednesday, January 15
12:00pm BelUnitAlliance. UH.
7:30pm LPC training. Parlor.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Lib.
7:30pm Youth Cte. CR.
Thursday, January 16
1:00pm Photo Sessions.
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:30pm Sci&Spirituality. CR.
7:30pm SGM. cl5.
Friday, January 17
1:00pm Photo Sessions.
Saturday, January 18
10:00am Photo Sessions.
Sunday, January 19
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
2:00pm Mandela&SAfrica. Lib.
3:00pm Poetry. Parlor.
4:30pm OWL. Library.
Monday, January 20
Church office closed.
9:30am Jobseekers. Library.
6:30pm Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.
7:30pm Knitting Circle. cl4.
7:30pm Stewardship Cte. CR.
7:30pm VDay SAC Cte. cl7.
8:00pm Meditation. Library.
Tuesday, January 21
7:30pm Program Counc.Parlor.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
Wednesday, January 22
6:30pm FCBook Gr. Library.
Looking Ahead
Jan 25: Piano Celebration
Benefit Concert
Link to church calendar |
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This Sunday
Music: January 19
Choral Prelude: There is a Balm in Gilead -Spiritual
arr. Wm. Dawson (20th c.)
Offertory Solo: Chuck Claus, baritone
9:00 Postlude: Mary Beekman, organ
11:00 Sr. Choir: Oh! What a Beautiful City -Spiritual
arr. Rollo Dilworth (contemp.)
11:00 Postlude: Fugue in d minor -F. Couperin (1668-1733)
Alfa Radford, organ
The flowers this Sunday are given by Patricia Garcia in celebration of her mother's birthday.
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
Welcome & Announcements:
Leslie Kolterman and Carolyn Howard |
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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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All-Church Game Night
Friday, January 31, 7-9pm
Mark your calendars because you won't want to miss the annual All-Church Game Night on Friday, January 31, 7-9pm. There will be games for all ages from board games to poker to Twister. Do you have a favorite game you'd like to play-bring it along! This will be a wonderful opportunity to kick back, relax, and have fun. Come alone or bring the whole family. Refreshments will be served. Questions, contact Deveaux Duckworth, dduckworth@uubelmont.org. |
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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
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Holiday Fair Update 
Despite the winter weather and late date, the Holiday Fair, held on December 15, 2013, was a great success. It raised a total of over $6800 for 22 organizations. Thanks to all, both vendors and shoppers, who braved the snowstorm to buy and sell holiday gifts that give twice! |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
WHY a baby food drive? 45% of new referrals to the GROW CLINIC are less than 12 months old. 33% of new referrals are between 12 and 24 months. That's WHY. Thanks for remembering BABY FOOD when you shop. |
Global Effort to Stop Violence Against Women
The First Church in Belmont Social Action Committee and the V-Day Belmont Social Action Subcommittee is joining in The Global Effort to Stop Violence against women and girls with a reading of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, And a Prayer to benefit My Life My Choice, a non-profit organization dedicated to help girls get out of prostitution (current clients, girls ages 12-18). We are seeking volunteers to read a monologue or help with the production. The reading will take place on April 5 at 7:30pm at FCB. Interested in joining us? Contact us now at socialaction@uubelmont.org. |
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Guest at Your Table Time
If you have already sent your Guest At Your Table donation into UUSC - THANK YOU! If you have not yet made a donation - PLEASE DO SO NOW! Remember that you may send a check to UUSC in the donation envelope or you may donate online at www.uusc.org. |
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 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
- 2014 Photo Directory Update
- Ushers Needed for Church Services - January thru March
- Mandela & South Africa, January 19
- Piano/Organ Celebration Benefit Concert, January 25
- Multigenerational Film & Discussion, January 26
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Sunday, January 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
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.)
The day will come when we no longer celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. by talking about how much more is left to do to achieve his dream. That will happen when his dream is fulfilled, and I look forward to the time when I can say that this has happened. But that day has not yet arrived.
** Next Sunday, January 26 **
Partner Church Sunday
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons |
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
For Christmas Genie bought me a 20 gallon aquarium.I love it.She knows that as a child I almost always had an aquarium and that in my early twenties I had about a dozen.
While I have not yet chosen a place for my fish tank to be set up, I already have dreams of the fish I will include in it.
What I love about having an aquarium is that one has a different world to be in.That is the best way I can describe it.
When watching fish swim in a tank, I am absorbed into their world and so my life changes.
I have always been a dreamer and a muser.Whether watching fish in a tank, or ants in an "ant farm," or birds at a feeder-or playing with a model railroad, or reading novels or science fiction-I find that I enter into a world different from ours and feel a sense of escape.
Now some would ask why anyone would wish to "escape" from this world, it is so full of wonder and fascination. And it is. But I also think that sometimes it is the dreamers and the escapists, those who refuse to see only the world as it is, who envision the world that could be, who ultimately lead us to change what needs changing.
As we approach Martin Luther King Day, may we all dream of a world of justice and hope that encompasses everyone. |
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
Youth/Children's Choir Rehearsals resume Mon, Jan 20. Jr. 6:30; Chancel 7:00; Youth 7:45
Sr. Choir News:A warm welcome to Anne Adams, new singer in our Soprano Section.
About this coming Sunday, Jan 19: Much of our music is in honor of, and in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, who dreamed of a time when our world would be free of racial inequity and strife; when "justice will roll down like water!" Dr. King dreamed of a world in which everyone could live a dignified and peaceful life. His famous dream speech is still an inspiration to us all.
19th ANNUAL PIANO CELEBRATION SATURDAY NIGHT, January 25! Be sure to save the date for an evening of delightful music - from classical to jazz, amazing ethnic music, rags, and swing, and much more -- performed by an array of talented First Church parishioners and friends.
Tickets, $10, will be available after church this Sunday, at the Church Office, as well as at the door on performance night.
Come! Let music warm your hearts on a cold winter's night.
Hoping to see you there! -Alfa |
| Children's Religious Education Information
Spring term teacher orientation will be held on Sunday, January 26 from 7 to 8:30pm in the Library. All teachers for the spring term should attend, even experienced teachers, as we will be covering both practical information and classroom management techniques. Teaching teams will also have a chance to meet to discuss their specific curricula and schedules.
Our 5th and 6th graders spent two Sundays creating crafts to sell during the Holiday Fair. All proceeds went to their chosen charity, The Grow Clinic. Thank you to all the class crafters, and their crafty moms who helped plan, create and fund the crafts. Despite the wintry conditions on the day of the fair, their craft sales came to $262!
Registration is soon to begin for the 5th and 6th grade Our Whole Lives (OWL) Lifespan Sexuality Education class this spring at 9 am. OWL class for grades 5 and 6 will begin on March 2. Participation is optional, this class is offered in addition to regular Sunday morning programming. Participation requires parent attendance at an orientation meeting in February (exact date TBD), a permission form signed by all custodial parents, and the payment of a $25 fee for course materials and the companion book, It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris. Further details will be sent to all registered 5th and 6th grade families.
Substitute Teachers Needed
Every week we are in need of substitute teachers in various classrooms. Specific information about upcoming substitute opportunities is posted on the bulletin board downstairs in the RE hallway. Please consider helping out, even if you only have one week available it will be much appreciated!
Children's RE "Wing Ding" on January 26 at 12:30pm
Calling all families for a new event, the CRE Wing Ding. We need to refurbish and restock the RE wing classrooms. Bulletin board displays and curriculum supplies need to be updated for the spring focus on Bible stories, stationery supplies need to be restocked and the classrooms generally need tidying. With many young and older hands pitching in, we should be able to accomplish great things in an hour! Light snacks and beverages will be provided for busy workers.
Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Children's Religious Education |
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Among Us
Our love and sympathy to Diane Barnes on the death of her father Bob Lindblad, Sr. on January 10.
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Ushers Needed for Church Services 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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TUESDAY WOMEN'S GROUP
Tuesday, Jan 14, 7:30pm, Library
Linda Malik and Pegeen Wright
Join in fun and fellowship with women of First Church, who come together on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Share the warmth, compassion, laughter, understanding that occurs when women support each other. |
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. |
Thursday, Jan 16, 7:30pm, Conference Room
Ken Bernstein and Edwin Taylor
Recently posted twitter: "If you can only be good at one thing, be good at lying.....Because if you're good at lying, you're good at everything." Edwin Taylor will lead us in a discussion of Lying by Sam Harris. "Most forms of pri vate vice and public evil are kindled and sustained by lies....In Lying, ......Sam Harris argues that we can radically simplify our lives and improve society by merely telling the truth in situations where others often lie. He focuses on 'white lies'... because these are the lies that most often tempt us. And they tend to be the only lies that good people tell while imagining that they are being good in the process." The reading is posted at eftaylor.com/sands |
MANDELA AND SOUTH AFRICA
Sunday, Jan 19, 2:00pm, Library
Rev. Victor Carpenter
Rev. Carpenter arrived in South Africa in 1962, the year of Nelson Mandela's transfer from prison in Pretoria to Robbin Island. He served as the minister of the Free Protestant (Unitarian) Church in Cape Town for five years before returning to the United States. He returned to South Africa several times during the 1980's and came to know Winnie Mandela. We are eager to hear how these experiences shaped his life and work. "South Africa continues to be a major interest in my life. There is no question as to the effect it had and continues to have upon my thinking and development." |
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL THROUGH POETRY
Sundays, Jan 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 3-4pm, Parlor
Peter Guthrie
Good poems can help us see ourselves and our lives more clearly, trigger moments of epiphany, and cut through the confusion of life to what truly matters. How can we lead a meaningful life? How can we connect on a deeper level with ourselves and others? We will read and discuss poems that deal with spiritual issues in the broadest sense of the term. |
FIRST CHURCH BOOK GROUP
Wednesday, Jan 22, Library
On Wednesday, January 22, the Book Group will discuss The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Following our tradition of watching a movie each January, we will meet at 6:30 to watch one of the film versions of this American classic.
The Book Group is always open to new members and does not require a long-term commitment. Please contact Karl Klasson at kklasson@uubelmont.org to confirm attendance if you are interested. |
 PIANO/ORGAN BENEFIT CONCERT - A GALA EVENT
The Winter Piano/Organ Celebration is coming soon! You won't want to miss this spectacular event on Saturday, January 25 at 8pm in the church Sanctuary. The exciting program will include a potpourri of music, performed by an impressive array of talented people-mostly First Churchers! All proceeds will be used to maintain our Steinway grand pianos, and the magnificent Casavant pipe organ.
Tickets ($10) will be available after church services on Sunday, and at the office on weekdays, as well as at the door. For more information, contact Minister of Music, Alfa Joy Radford, 781.646.2123 or Music Committee Chair, Eliza Burden.
This would be an ideal occasion for a 'date night' with your special someone. Do join us for a gala evening! -- The First Church Music Committee |
 TRASHED - No Place for Waste: Multi-generational film and discussion
Sunday, January 26, 12:30pm, Parish Hall
Together with the Social Action Committee and Adult Programs, the Youth Group invites you to a screening of TRASHED. We hope you'll join us to watch the film and then participate in multi-generational listening circles afterward, where we'll reflect on the film and our church-wide theme of connecting neighbors.
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SPECIAL MEDITATION GROUP
Monday, January 27, 8-9 p.m., Library
This week Catherine Stalberg will begin the session by guiding the group through a short "Soft Belly" meditation by Stephen Levine which relaxes armoring, tension, judgment and grief, allowing room for spaciousness and mindfulness. The customary sitting in silence will follow, and the evening will end with an opportunity to experience Reconnective Healing as a group, if you wish. (For information on the latter, visit
thereconnection.com FAQ's.) Everyone is welcome, from those new to meditation to long-term practitioners. |
DEAR FRIENDS of the UU Urban Ministry's Roxbury Youth Programs,
Throughout this school year, the high school students in the UU Urban Ministry's after-school program have participated in the Beyond High School Career and College Access Program. An important component of this program is a series of practice interviews to help students develop their skills and confidence.
We are hoping that you might be able to help us conduct these practice interviews at one or more of the following four events. Very little prep time is needed and dinner is provided. We will provide dozens of questions from which you can choose.
Tuesday, January 14
6:00pm Light Dinner & Orientation for Volunteers
6:30-7:30pm Interview Students (three 10 minute interviews)
Tuesday, January 28
6:30-7:30pm Phone Interviews - No need to come in! We will send instructions to you beforehand.
We would need a phone number to which 2-3 students would call you to have a ten minute interview.
Tuesday, March 11
6:00pm Light Dinner & Orientation for Volunteers
6:30-7:30pm Interview Students (two 15-20 minute interviews)
Tuesday, March 25
6-7:30pm "Café Putnam" Dinner & Dessert Interviews
We will transform Putnam Hall into a restaurant for the students to have an opportunity to participate in a dinner interview and a dessert interview.
If you are available to participate in any or all of these events, please let someone from First Church Social Action Committee know, or send an email to: Socialaction@uubelmont.org
Thanks, Patricia Garcia |
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