Calendar
Next Issue: February 18
Deadline: 3pm February 13
Wednesday, February 12
6:30pm Nominating Cte. CR.
7:00pm Children's RE. cl5.
7:00pm Communications. cl6.
7:30pm SGM facilitators. Lib.
Thursday, February 13
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:30pm Living w/Illness. Lib.
Friday, February 14
YG local service. Offsite.
4:00pm SGM. Library.
7:30pm Coffeehouse. PH.
Saturday, February 15
4:00pm Men's Group. Lib.
Sunday, February 16
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
1:00pm YGlocalserv overnite.
Monday, February 17
Church office closed.
9:30am Jobseekers. Library.
7:30pm Knitting Circle. cl4.
7:30pm Stewardship Cte. CR.
7:30pm V-Day Cte. cl7.
8:00pm Meditation. Library.
Tuesday, February 18
7:30pm Program Counc. Parlor.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
Wednesday, February 19
12:00pm BelUnitAlliance. UH.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Lib.
Looking Ahead
Feb 25: Transcendentalist Series
Link to church calendar |
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This Sunday
Music: February 16, 2014
Prelude: Recit. de Nazard
-L. Clerambault (1676-1749)
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
Offertory Duet: Laudamus Te (We praise thee) (from Gloria)
-A. Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Shannon Rose Garvie, soprano;
Irina Kareva, alto
9:00 Postlude: Voluntary in B flat Major -Jonathan Battishill (18c British) Mary Beekman, organ
11:00 Sr. Choir: Herzlieber Jesu
(from St. John Passion)
-J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
11:00 Postlude: Basse et Dessus de Trompette
- L. Clerambault (1676-1749)
Alfa Radford, organ
The flowers this Sunday, given by Ariane and Stefan Frank, are dedicated to Ariane's Grandfather Henry Giese, who's 111th birthday would have been this Spring. A gentle soul and lover of nature and music.
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
Welcome & Announcements:
Jack Weis and Martha Spaulding |
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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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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
Many, many thanks for the wonderful contributions to this year's Great January Jar Race. Your generosity was grand, and the Grow Clinic families are supremely grateful to you for taking part in the race. Jars and jars and jars of gratitude.....Your Grow Clinic Committee |
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Holiday Fair
If you wrote a check at the Holiday Fair for the Zienzele Foundation (woven baskets from Zimbabwe) or for the Sharing Foundation (silk goods from Cambodia), please contact Jennifer at jkdubost@yahoo.com
or 617.484.6437. The area coordinator misplaced the checks in her home and has been unable to find them post holidays. No problem on cash purchases as I wrote/rewrote a check for them. Thanks!
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The First Church in Belmont is joining ONE BILLION RISING
A group from First Church Belmont is gathering at The First Church parking lot on Feb 14 at 5:15pm to join ONE BILLION RISING. WE WILL CARPOOL TO ALEWIFE.
One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. THAT IS ONE BILLION WOMEN. In 2013, One billion women and men shook the earth through dance to end violence against women and girls. This year, on 14 February 2014 we are calling on women and men everywhere to harness their power and imagination to rise for justice. Imagine, ONE BILLION WOMEN releasing their stories, dancing and speaking out at the places where they need justice, where they need an end to violence against women and girls. Join US! RISE. RELEASE. DANCE!
When? Feb 14 at 6pm
Where? Copley square.
One Billion Rising For more information contact Jackie Neel, visit our V-day facebook page V-Day Belmont or send an email socialaction@uubelmont.org |
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Concert for the Silver Maple Forest
A Benefit to Save the Belmont Uplands on Saturday, March 1. The Silver Maple Forest and surrounding 120-acre Alewife Reservation wetlands serve as natural sponges for a region already prone to flooding, as well as providing a home to deer, coyote, fox, otter and many species of birds. Join us for a night of Great Music for a Great Cause with Jon Svetkey and Heather Quay of The Loomers and Roger Gallagher and friends of foodbaby. Tickets at Coffee Hour or www.BelmontCoalition.com. |
Wondering How You Can Help Inner City Kids Improve Their Lifestyle?
The Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry is offering all UU Congregations a GREAT opportunity to get involved in a one-on-one interaction with the students they support. Last year, a group of First Church Belmont folks took part in this educational event and came back with much positive feedback about life-changing interactions. They require volunteers this year for mock interviews to help students get prepared for job and college interviews.
When?
Tuesday, March 11
6pm 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 send a note to socialaction@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
- Stewardship Drive Update
- Winter Clothing Drive NOW through February 14
- Second Friday Coffeehouse, February 14
- Alliance Lunch & Program, February 19
- Transcendentalist Series, February 25
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Sunday, February 16
Old Stones
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.)
Old building blocks are sometimes used to create new buildings. Some thoughts on the old stones in our lives: physical stones, but also the figurative stones in our lives and how we reuse them.
** Next Sunday, February 23 **
Rev. Doris Hunter preaching, Ladders of Love
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
A few days ago I witnessed the graduation ceremony from the Masters in Fine Arts program of Goddard College.
In this particular ceremony each of the students was given the opportunity to address the gathered assembly. (It reminded me very much of our Youth Service when the seniors have the opportunity to speak about their time in this congregation.) There were only 17 graduates from the MFA program; had there been, say, 50, it would have been an interminable process.
I was struck by how often the graduates spoke of the support they received from their academic advisors and from their fellow students, and by how often they stated they could not have succeeded without that support.
I was reminded of a gym class in junior high school where we were running around the track, trying to set our times. Someone on the sidelines--another student who I hardly knew--began yelling, "Come on David, you can do it!". My pace picked up dramatically as those words sank into me.
We all (well, most of us) need cheerleaders: someone to root for us, to prod us, to tell us we can do it--whatever "it" is.
That is one of the reasons for community.
For some of us, it is not human cheerleading that pushes us on or pulls us further; it is a "divine voice" that we hear either from within or from without.
May we all give cheer where we can, and may we all have ears to hear the voices of those (human or divine) who have faith in us and tell us that we can do it. |
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
VALENTINE HEARTS to the Nova and Sr. Choirs for stirring anthems last Sunday, meant to bring attention to Rev. Bryce's stewardship sermon; and to Folksingers Roger Miller, Lakshmi Nayak, & Gerri Strickler for their lovely trio.
For PARENTS of CHORISTERS:
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS sing in church: March 16 Multigenerational Services:
9:00am Jr (K-Gr4) Arrive 8:30
11:00am Chancel (Gr.5-6) Arrive 8:15
REGULAR MONDAY EVENING REHEARSALS:
JR. CHOIR (K-Gr4) Mondays 6:30-7pm Sing in church Mar 16 & June 8
CHANCEL CHOIR (Gr5-6) Mons 7-7:45pm Sing in church Mar 16, May 11, June 8
YOUTH CHOIR (Gr7-High Sch) Mons 7:45-8:30 pm Sing in church Mar 30, May 11
NOTE regarding Monday Holidays henceforth:
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS: (No Childr/Youth rehearsals on 2/17, 4/21, 5/26)
QUOTABLE: (Because it amuses me so, this is a repeat!)
"For those who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs."
Joy and blessings, Alfa |
| Children's Religious Education Information
Sunday School Program Notes
During the fall and early winter we piloted three new curricula for our focus on Unitarian Universalism: A Dr. Seuss-based approach to the 7 UU Principles for grades 1 and 2, Toolbox of Faith for grades 3 and 4 which used a different tool each week to explore an aspect of UUism, and Travel in Time for grades 5 and 6 where a member of the congregation personified a famous UU of long ago who impacted the formation of our faith. A special thank you to our fall semester teaching teams who had the extra challenging task of following these lesson plans for the very first time. Hats off to you for your willingness to teach, to handle new material, and to share your time, talents and inner selves with the lucky children of FCB!
The finale for our 1st and 2nd graders was creating a poster to illustrate their individual beliefs related to each of the 7 UU Principles. The posters were presented during our last Children's Worship and will be on display in the Upper Gathering Hall.
Also on display will be the Toolbox of Faith poster which grades 3 and 4 added to each week, which shows the various tools used to illustrate the strengths and characteristics of Unitarian Universalism. The tools and attributes were: a ruler for Faith, a magnifying glass for Questioning, duct tape for Flexibility, chalk for the Democratic Process, saddlebags for Courage and Conviction, a stethoscope for Listening, a glove for Love, a flashlight for Justice, a hard hat for Resiliency, and a paintbrush for Expression.
The final exhibit from the fall term are the two tri-folds exhibiting photos of the Travel in Time visitors and the interview comments the class created for each famous visitor. Thank you to all eight of the brave actors who portrayed famous UUs from long ago: Jim Stanton as King John Sigismund, Jim Sugarman as Joseph Priestley, Carolyn Howard as Clara Barton, Sam James as John Murray, Lillian Anderson as Margaret Fuller, Downing Cless as Michael Servetus, Bev Gillette as Dorothea Dix, and Laurie Carter Noble as Olympia Brown.
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!
Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Children's Religious Education |
Stewardship Update: Learn - Reflect - Decide - Respond
Stewardship Season is underway! Please take this time to LEARN about The First Church's finances and REFLECT on David Bryce's stewardship sermon delivered on February 9. This year's case statement, brochure describing the overall framework of church finances, stewardship sermon text, and a chart of recommended pledging levels are all available online at www.uubelmont.org/stewardship. All members will be mailed a pledge card and reply envelope later in February, at which time we will hope you will be ready to make a decision regarding your level of pledge support for 2014-15. This year, we will kick off our response phase with a celebratory service on March 2 at which all parishioners are invited and encouraged to return their signed pledge cards. Thank you, as always, for your consideration and for your support of the church we all love. - The First Church Stewardship Committee |
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Among Us
Our love and sympathy to Priscilla Elliott on the death of her husband, Clark Elliott on February 1. |
| Welcome! to Jessica & Fred Hicks and David King who signed the Membership Book recently! |
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. |
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LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS
Thursday, Feb 13, 7:30pm, Library - This meeting will begin at 7:30pm and will be facilitated by Ben Bauer. Our lives are constantly changing and facing changes that involve illness makes us feel vulnerable. 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.
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SECOND FRIDAY COFFEEHOUSE - Friday, February 14
This week the 2nd Friday Coffeehouse is proud to welcome two exciting groups featuring glorious vocal harmonies: The Thompson sisters, Chris & Meredith have thrilled us many times at 2nd Friday with vocals, guitar, flute, and percussion. Neap Tide, if you are not already aware, is comprised of our own Lynn & Roger Read together with Susan & Ken Read-Brown. We are all excited to hear their new vocal arrangements and Roger's ever expanding mandolin repertoire. Brighten up your winter evening with some fine acoustic music and join us on Friday, February 14. Click here to see the flyer! |
ALLIANCE LUNCH & PROGRAM AT FIRST CHURCH
Wed, Feb 19, 12:00 noon All Men and Women Welcome! Our Wednesday, February 19 lunch and program will be at The First Church in Belmont. The Alliance lunch begins at 12:00 and the program at 1:00pm. Our planned program will be Boston by Foot/The Dark Side of Boston (such as the molasses flood, etc.). To help us prepare for the number of attendees, please call Susan Street (617.484.1054, x201) and let her know that you will attend and the number of guests you will bring. Bring your own sandwich and we will provide soup, beverage, and dessert. The suggested lunch donation is $1.00 per person to help pay for the food costs. |
SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY - Thur, Feb 20, 7:30pm, CR
Kirk Israel will lead the discussion on Stuck in the Middle with You: A Memoir of Parenting in Three Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan. When her two boys were young, Boylan came out as transgender, and as Jenny transitioned from a man, to in-between, to a woman and from a father to a mother, her family faced unique challenges and questions. In this thoughtful, tear-jerking, hilarious memoir, Jenny asks what it means to be a father, or a mother, and to what extent gender shades our experiences as parents. "It is my hope," she writes, "that having a father who became a woman in turn helped my sons become better men." Selected reading is on the website eftaylor.com/sands. |
TRANSCENDENTALIST SERIES: Bronson Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson - Tuesday, Feb 25, 7:30pm, Library
Jan Turnquist, director of Orchard House, home of the Alcotts, will discuss Bronson Alcott's remarkable friendship with Emerson and the impact it had on both their lives. Al Herter will reflect on "Waldo & Me: My 45 year friendship and reliance on "The Sage of Concord," a program which will be part of the European Unitarian Universalist retreat this spring in France. These two men helped to shape nineteenth century American culture and thought and served as an inspiration for generations to come.
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FIRST CHURCH BOOK GROUP - Wed, Feb 26, 7:30pm, Library
The book for February is House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East by Anthony Shadid. In 2006, Anthony Shadid, a Pulitzer Prize winning foreign correspondent, resolved to rebuild his ancestral home in Marjayoun, Lebanon, which had been devastated by war. In House of Stone, Shadid tells not only the story of his efforts to restore the house, but also the story of his family's history in Marjayoun and their eventual migration from Lebanon to Oklahoma in the 1920's. Published posthumously shortly after Shadid's death while on assignment in Syria in 2012, House of Stone was a finalist for the National Book Award. Hayat Weiss will be leading the discussion and sharing her personal insights as a former native of Lebanon.
The Book Group is always open to new members. There is no long-term commitment. Feel free to join us for a single evening's discussion or to become a regular participant. We ask only that you confirm your intention to attend on a particular evening by the Monday before that session. Please contact Anne Stuart at: astuart@uubelmont.org or Karl Klasson at kklasson@uubelmont.org to confirm attendance if you are interested in participating or have any questions. |
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