Calendar
Next Issue: February 4
Deadline: 3pm January 30
Wednesday, January 29
7:30pm Transcendentalist
Series: Margaret Fuller.
Parish Hall.
Thursday, January 30
1:00pm Photo Sessions.
6:45pm Nova Choir. PH
7:30pm SAC Buy Back
Guns Subcte. CR.
Friday, January 31
1:00pm Photo Sessions.
6:30pm All-Church Game
Night. Parish Hall.
Saturday, February 1
10:00am Photo Sessions.
Sunday, February 2
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
3:00pm Poetry. Parlor.
4:30pm COA. Parlor.
4:30pm OWL. Library.
6/7pm YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.
Monday, February 3
9:30am Jobseekers. Library.
6:30pm Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.
7:00pm Caring Conn. cl5.
7:30pm Adult Programs. CR.
7:30pm Knitting Circle. cl4.
7:30pm SAC VDay Cte. cl7.
8:00pm Meditation. Library.
Tuesday, February 4
7:30pm Membership Cte. cl5.
7:30pm Partner Ch Cte. CR.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
Wednesday, February 5
7:00pm Communications. cl5.
7:30pm LPC training. Study.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Library.
Looking Ahead
February 14: Coffeehouse
Link to church calendar
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This Sunday
Music: February 2, 2014
Prelude: Priére a Notre Dame
-L. Böellmann (1862-1897)
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
Offertory Solo: Lord, strong and mighty, whose name is holy
-J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Shannon Rose Garvie, soprano
9:00 Postlude: Canzona
Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726)
Mary Beekman, organ
11:00 Sr. Choir: In Wisdom's Lovely Pleasant Ways
-American Shaker Song, arr. Clif Hardin (contemp. UU composer)
11:00 Postlude: Toccata in d minor BWV 538
Alfa Radford, organ
The flowers this Sunday are given by Downing Cless and Alice Trexler in dedication to all past and present staff and teachers of Children's RE.
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
Welcome & Announcements:
Jack Weis and Leslie Kolterman |
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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic! The GREAT JANUARY JAR RACE is coming to an end. Keep going. Keep loading jars and jars and packages and packages and boxes and boxes into your shopping cart. Thanks for your generosity of BABY FOOD when you shop this week. |
Save~the~Date!
Concert for the Silver Maple Forest - A Benefit to Save the Belmont Uplands on Saturday, March 1. Featuring The Loomers, an award-winning band led by First Church's Jon Svetkey, with Roger Gallagher's band foodbaby as the opening act. Great Music for a Great Cause!
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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.
"Did you know?"... There is wireless access throughout the church for your smart devices... it's password protected, members contact Ed Yee, eyee@uubelmont.org. |
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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
- Winter Clothing Drive
- Thinking About Membership?
- 2014 Directory Photo Sessions, Jan 30-Feb 1
- Transcendentalist Series: Margaret Fuller, Jan 29
- All-Church Game Night, Jan 31
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Sunday, February 2
In Defense of Anger
Allison Palm, Sponsored Ministerial Candidate
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.)
Anger is an emotion that often gets a bad rap in our society. Is there anything useful about anger? How can we use anger productively in our work for a more just and peaceful world?
** Next Sunday, February 9 **
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
On Sunday, February 2, I will be away and will not be at our Sunday service.
My daughter is receiving her Master's in Fine Arts Degree in Vermont. Genie and I are traveling up there to witness and celebrate.
This will be the third time in my nearly five years with you that I will be out of the area on a non-summer Sunday.
I will be ably replaced in the pulpit by Allison Palm, whom so many of you know.
There is something wonderful about watching people-especially our children-find their own path in life and achieve major steps along the way. It is heartwarming, inspiring and gratifying.
I confess that I too often fail to recognize the moments when someone has achieved a milestone, and too often fail to speak praise and to feel pride for others in these moments.
May I remember to seek out these moments in the lives of others, to extol their success and to celebrate with them. |
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
FIRST CHURCH CHOIRS - New Singers Welcome!
NOVA CHOIR - rehearses Thursdays 6:45-8pm (Sings in church twice a month at 9am)
SR. CHOIR - rehearses Sunday mornings 9:25-10:45 (Sings every Sun 11am Service)
JR. CHOIR (K-Gr.4) Mondays 6:30-7pm
CHANCEL CHOIR (Gr.5-6) Mondays 7-7:45pm
YOUTH CHOIR (Gr. 7-High Sch) Mondays 7:45-8:30 pm
(No Childr/Youth rehearsals on 2/17, 4/21, 5/26)
THE PIANO CELEBRATION CONCERT held last Saturday evening was a colorful and celebratory event! Eleven talented First Churchers and two guest artists performed a delightfully varied program of classical, jazz, ragtime, and brilliant ethnic music, for a very enthusiastic audience. Thus, the First Church Piano/Organ Fund is alive and well! BOUQUETS to performers, attendees, and to the many generous Patrons, Sponsors, and Friends of Music.
RED ROSES to Marilyn Yee for a lovely reception; to Eliza Burden, ticket-maker; Richard Curzi, flyer design; Gretchen McClain, Greg Duckworth, and Jane Minasian, publicity; and Susan Street, for the attractive printed program. Music, indeed, hath charm! -Alfa |
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Children's Religious Education Information
Sunday School Program Notes
Heartfelt thanks to all 36 fall semester teachers! Our cooperative religious education program depends on your willingness to share your time, talents and authentic selves with our children each week. This group of teachers did an outstanding job in piloting two new curricula, adapting to our new two semester schedule, using the online SignUpGenius tool to select the weeks to teach, and preparing and leading lessons filled with energy and creativity.
Special thanks also go to our Travel In Time guests, who visited the 5th and 6th graders throughout the semester in the guise of famous Unitarian Universalists who made an impact on the formation of our faith. The UUs portrayed were: John Murray (Sam James), Dorothea Dix (Bev Gillette), Michael Servetus (Downing Cless), and Olympia Brown (Laurie Carter Noble).
OWL for Grades 5 and 6
Registration is underway for the 5th and 6th grade Our Whole Lives (OWL) Lifespan Sexuality Education class this spring at 9am. OWL class for grades 5 and 6 will begin on March 2. Participation is optional; there will also be regular Sunday morning programming for those not in OWL.
Participation requires parent attendance at an orientation meeting on February 9 from 7 to 8:30pm, 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 Wish List
The Nursery dolls are showing signs of much affection. If you have any gently-loved dolls suitable for toddlers, we would happily give them a new and active home!
Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Children's Religious Education |
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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 |
Holiday Generosity
Thanks to your generosity to our holiday gifts, this year's total was $6,830. We are grateful to the entire church community who supported our Christmas charities. The amount of $5,180 was shared by the Grow Clinic, St. Bernard Project, and the UUSC-Typhoon Haiyan Relief, and $1,650 was donated to the work of our church. |
 WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE NOW through February 14
DONATION BOXES in the Lower Hall
The Youth Group will be volunteering with homeless people in the Boston area over their February vacation. Please help us with a clothing drive in advance!
USED items (for men or unisex), including:
* Winter coats
* Sweat shirts and sweat pants (especially hooded sweatshirts)
* Sweaters, Long-sleeve shirts, T-shirts
* Jeans, khakis, other casual pants and belts
* Waterproof boots, comfortable shoes and sneakers
* Hats, waterproof gloves, scarves
* All kinds of carrying cases such as backpacks, tote bags, fanny packs
and small suitcases with wheels (in good condition)
* Sleeping bags and blankets (clean & in good condition)
NEW items, including:
* New white socks
* New underwear - size L, XL, XXL
*Please NO children's clothes, dress clothes, slippers, bathrobes, pajamas or out-of-season clothing.
For questions, please contact Julie Ennis at jennis@uubelmont.org. |
Thinking About Membership?
The new year is a good time to become a member of First Church. Benefits include a voice in selecting leaders for our congregation, a subscription to UU World published quarterly by the UUA, and a demonstration of your commitment to keeping First Church as a dynamic resource for our community. Please see Jim Staton to sign the membership book. Contact him, Tom Neel, chair of the Membership Committee, or Rev. Bryce if you have questions. |
GUIDED MEDITATION - Monday, Jan 27, 8-9pm, Library Catherine Stalberg will begin the evening's session by guiding the group through a short "Soft Belly" meditation by Stephen Levine which relaxes armoring, tension, judgment and grief, allowing room for mercy and spaciousness. The customary sitting in silence will follow, and the session will end with an opportunity to experience Reconnective Healing as a group, if you wish. |
TUESDAY WOMEN'S GROUP - Tue, Jan 28, 7:30pm, Library
Linda Malik and Pegeen Wright
The topic will be friendship and all women are encouraged to attend and participate. |
TRANSCENDENTALIST SERIES: Wed, Jan 29, 7:30pm, PH
"My Search for Margaret Fuller"-- Megan Marshall, the prize-winning author of The Peabody Sisters, will speak about researching and writing her second biography of a Transcendentalist heroine. Book signing and refreshments. |
ALL-CHURCH GAME NIGHT- Friday, Jan 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. |
SHAME - Doris Hunter, with Edwin Taylor and Niti Seth
Sunday, February 9, 12:30-2:00, Library
A shameful act is one that violates cultural or social values. In traditional societies shame is often used to enforce social norms, for example limiting contact and marriage to those within the group.
Here are some questions to ponder prior to the discussion.
* Do we use guilt or shame to channel our behavior or that of our children?
* Is there a difference between guilt and shame? We seem to feel that guilt can be forgiven or atoned for. Is the same true of shame?
* Would we be better off, as individuals, as a church, or as a society, to eliminate shame? |
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