Calendar
Next Issue: March 11
Deadline: 3pm March 6
Wednesday, March 5
7:00pm Communications. cl5.
7:30pm Music in Our Lives.PH.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Library.
Thursday, March 6
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:30pm Caring for Adults. CR.
7:30pm Finance Cte. cl5.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
8:00pm Knitting Circle. cl4.
Saturday, March 8
2:00pm V-Day reh. Library.
Sunday, March 9
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
1:00pm V-Day reh. PH.
2:30pm Parenting Kids. Lib.
3:30pm COA mentors. Parlor.
4:30pm COA. Parlor.
4:30pm OWL. Library.
6/7pm YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.
Monday, March 10
9:30am Jobseekers. Library.
6:30pm Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.
7:15pm Parish Board. Library.
8:00pm Meditation. cl5.
Wednesday, March 12
7:00pm Children's RE. cl5.
7:30pm SGM facilitators. Lib.
7:45pm Member Database.cl7.
Looking Ahead
March 14: Coffeehouse
Link to church calendar |
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This Sunday
Music: March 9, 2014
Prelude: Priere (Prayer)
-Joseph Jongen (1873-1953)
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
Offertory: Quid Sum Miser W.99
(What Shall I Say?)
Chuck Claus, baritone; Ken Stalberg, violin; Alfa Radford, organ
9:00 Prelude: Prelude in d minor -J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Mary Beekman, organ
11:00 Sr. Choir: Come Into This Place -Clif Hardin (contemp. UU)
11:00 Postlude: Allemanda(from Sonata #10, Op. 5)
-A. Corelli (1653-1713)
Kenneth Stalberg, violin; Alfa Radford, harpsichord
The flowers this Sunday are given by Cheryl Brown and David Fung in memory of Cheryl's sister, Sandy Barresi.
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
Welcome & Announcements:
Betsy George and Catherine Claypoole |
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. You may fill out a Caring Connection card, available in the hymnal holders and drop it in the collection basket, or contact Laurie Graham at caring@uubelmont.org or Susan at the Church, 617.484.1054 x201. |
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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 |
Science & Spirituality
Thu, Mar 20, 7:30pm, CR
Ken Bernstein & Edwin Taylor
Alice Trexler will lead a discussion on the book The Philosophical Baby by Alison Gopnik. Gopnik describes recent studies on what babies and toddlers understand and when: When they feel empathy. When they understand rules. When they understand that hitting hurts. Why they have invisible friends. And consequences of these studies for parenting. Selected reading is available at eftaylor.com/sands. |
All-Church Potluck Dinner
Saturday, March 29, 6:30-8:30pm, Parish Hall
Savor a diversity of cuisines as varied as our congregation at this church-wide event sponsored by the Fellowship Committee. All ages are welcome. Come bring your favorite dish and bottle of wine to share, plus a healthy appetite. Show off your culinary talents, or secret recipe. Enjoy an evening of fine food and conversation at this fun evening together! Sign up at coffee hour, or just show up with something delicious. Direct any questions to fellowship@uubelmont.org. |
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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
Thanks so much to all of you who are putting the MAC & CHEESE boxes in your shopping cart. Cruise by our basket downstairs and look at all the boxes. Just imagine all the kitchens where YOUR boxes will end up. Keep up the good work! |
Showing of the Film:
Five Broken Cameras
The Belmont / Watertown Chapter of Amnesty International will show the film Five Broken Cameras on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30pm at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street, Watertown. Five Broken Cameras is a deeply personal account of life and non-violent resistance in Bil'in, a West Bank village surrounded by Israeli settlements. The story tells of five cameras, each smashed, and each recording another chapter in the life of the village. After the film Jeff Klein, an activist who has traveled extensively in Palestine / Israel, will lead a discussion. Mr. Klein has spoken many times about the Israel-Palestine issue in schools, churches, community and peace organizations, mosques and has appeared on local TV and radio. He has also published articles and op-ed pieces on US policy and Middle East issues. For more information on the program call 617.926.7814 or e-mail info@amnesty365.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 Update
- Nominating Committee
- Transylvania Partner Church Education Fund
- Music That Moves Us, March 5
- Second Friday Coffeehouse, March 14
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Sunday, March 9
Purim: Oppression and Justice
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.)
Remember Daylight Savings Begins!
The festival of lots, Purim, is a celebration of overcoming oppression and injustice. As the human beings of our world struggle against--and for--these things, let us pause to remember a story of victory.
** Next Sunday, March 16 **
Multigenerational Service
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
The recent demonstrations in Ukraine, Venezuela and Thailand--along with the Arab Spring uprisings a few years ago--have me thinking about human aspirations for freedom. (I also have thought about how often the seeming achievement of freedom has devolved into betrayal and despair-but that is for another day.)
We don't all agree on just what freedom is. That is part of the debate in the State of Arizona about SB 1062, the bill that gives individuals the "right" to refuse to serve people (in this case, people who are gay) if that service would in some way infringe upon the religious beliefs of the provider.
Who's freedom counts there; who's rights? Is someone free to purchase goods and services sold to the public or is the provider of those goods or services free to refuse to sell to anyone they do not like, especially if they can claim religious reasons for doing so?
Let me be clear where I stand on that: freedom is the right of the person who wishes to purchase goods or services to walk into any store or business and do so. Discrimination based upon category (race, religion, gender, gender identity, etc.) is not acceptable. The seller of those products is selling to the public and the public includes many different people. To me this is very clear.
However...a number of pharmaceutical companies have been refusing to sell their product to prisons that intend to use that product to kill people (capital punishment). I agree with those companies because they are refusing to provide the means to do something immoral.
I believe there is a difference in these two cases. In the case of denial of services to someone who is gay, that denial is because the seller does not like the category of person; in the case of the denial by a pharmaceutical company it is because the act of killing is immoral no matter the category of the killers or of the "killees". But it is complex.
May we recognize the complexities that fill our lives. |
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
OUR MUSIC PROGRAM - LOOKING AHEAD:
JR & CHANCEL CHOIRS sing in church March 16.
Jr. Choir (K-Gr4) arrives 8:30am. Sing at 9am Multigenerational Service.
Chancel Choir (Gr5-6) arrives 8:15am. Sing at 9am Multigen'l Service.
Choristers should be sure to attend upcoming Monday night rehearsals.
Note: The Youth Choir (Gr7-up) sings on March 30 at 11:00.
SPRING MUSIC SERVICE: Palm Sunday, April 13, at 10:30am Choir, Soloists, and Orchestra.
REQUIEM by contemporary Welsh composer, Karl Jenkins, is a unique choral work to which, in addition to the traditional Latin movements of a requiem, the composer has added five Japanese 'haiku' poems with ethnic percussion and Shakuhachi (ancient Japanese bamboo flute). As I mentioned last week, we are very fortunate to have engaged Elizabeth Reian Bennett, a Grand Master of the shakuhachi to play it with us on SPRING MUSIC SUNDAY!
QUOTABLE: Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies. -Edward Bulwer Lytton, English playwright.
Joy and Blessings, Alfa |
Youth Group thanks you for your contributions to their Winter Clothing Drive. We were able to donate 6 car-loads of clothing to homeless people living in greater Boston thanks to all of your generosity!
The Youth Group learned a great deal over Presidents' Day weekend while reflecting on the topic of "Who are Our Neighbors?" Through volunteer service at local soup kitchens and food pantries, by spending the weekend together with the Arlington UU Youth Group and participating in a workshop by SubUrban Justice, the youth got to know our neighbors, learned about the needs of our own community and explored the roots of poverty and homelessness. The group heard diverse perspectives and broadened their understandings.
Thank you again for contributing to this service-learning opportunity for our youth. Warmly, Julie |
Stewardship Update: Learn - Reflect - Decide - Respond
March 2 marked the first day in the active "RESPOND" phase of this year's March Stewardship Drive, with an outpouring of support at our offertory during worship hour. If you were not able to reach your pledging decision by then, we ask that you please do so before March 16. Our annual honor roll of timely pledge respondents will be posted in church that morning, listing the names of all pledges received by the church office as of Thursday, March 13. Timely pledging is essential to support orderly budget planning, and this year's appeal focuses on the need for strong across-the-board increases to compensate for several very generous but lost leadership pledges from the passing generation. Please join with your fellow parishioners in honoring this legacy! The Stewardship Committee |
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Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee has the honor and privilege of offering slates of candidates to be presented to the congregation and voted on at the Annual Meeting, May 18, 2014 for the coming church year. Per the By-Laws, there are three slates: Parish Board including Officers and Trustees at Large; Finance Committee; and next year's Nominating Committee.
We are currently in the process of identifying prospective candidates. In order to make the process as open and inclusive as possible, we invite Members of the Congregation to recommend candidates to us. You are welcome to place your own name forward or to recommend someone you feel worthy of consideration for any of the above three committees.
Service in leadership within our Congregation is a vital part of our congregational style of church governance. There is no clerical hierarchy to impose leadership upon us, and we have the right to choose our own leadership. Each of us takes a turn at serving our fellow Members as we have the capacity to do so.
For the coming year, we will be filling four Trustee at Large positions on the Parish Board. We are seeking applicants for position of Parish Board Trustee at Large.
With special gratitude to Jeanne Widmer for her service as President this year, Carolyn Howard will advance next year to President, leaving a vacancy in the Vice Presidency. The Vice President works in close coordination with the President, and as well, serves as Chair of the Program Council, a key position guiding the overall program coordination of the church. We are seeking applicants for the position of Vice President.
With special gratitude to Marilyn Yee for her fine years of service as our church Treasurer, as Marilyn is rotating off at the end of this church year, we will also fill a vacancy in the Treasurer's position. Working both on the Parish Board and in coordination with the Finance Committee, this individual is instrumental in informing those ongoing conversations which assure the financial stability of our church. We are seeking applicants for the position of Treasurer.
We expect to have one or two vacancies on the Finance and Nominating Committees. We are seeking applicants to fill these vacancies as well.
All positions mentioned do require the individual to be a Member in good standing of The First Church in Belmont. If you are a Friend, and are interested in service in one of these capacities, please see Jim Staton to formalize your membership before making application. Parish Board At Large Trustees serve 3-Year Terms. Position Description HERE.
To make nominations or for more information, you may contact any member of the Nominating Committee shown below or the Church office, or by email to NOM@UUBelmont.org. All submissions for consideration by the Nominating Committee are due by Monday, March 10, 2014.
2013-14 Nominating Committee: James Hencke, Chair; Committee Members: Connie DiCocco, Bev Gillette, Sam James, Kate Searle, Carey Thomson |
The Transylvania Partner Church Education Fund
The response from First Church donors to The Transylvania Partner Church Education Fund has been heartwarming. This kind of outpouring is one example of the UU Partner Church Program at its best--North American churches making a difference in the lives of their partner church congregations world-wide. In FCB's case, the gifts received in the past month after our January Sunday service will help support all the Désfalva students who qualify to further their schooling outside the village during 2014. Your gifts of any size are always welcome--please make checks payable to The First Church in Belmont and note "Transylvania Education Fund" on the memo line. On behalf of the young men and women in Désfalva, Ezer köszönet! [literally, a thousand thanks] -Partner Church Cte |
Save the Date - Saturday, May 31
Allison Palm's Ordination
3:30PM - 6:00PM
at
The First Church in Belmont
Teaser Question: Who was the last minister ordained here at FCB? Hint - It was almost 10 years ago. Answer - in NEXT WEEK'S Unitarian |
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MUSIC THAT MOVES US
Roger H. Brown, Alfa Joy Radford, Ken Stalberg
Wednesday, March 5, 7:30pm, Parish Hall
We will explore the various ways music has supported, consoled, uplifted and deepened the moments of our lives. Please bring your favorite piece of music to share and help us to understand what it has meant in your life. Our panel will guide us on a journey to a deeper understanding of why music is elemental to life. Refreshments. |
CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS
Thursday, March 6, 7:30pm, Conference Room
Deborah Blumberg and Miriam Baker
Many people are juggling jobs, families and their parents' or other family members' increasing medical needs, frequent emergencies and ongoing need for care. How do we cope with the needs of our loved ones and find some balance in our own lives? What do we need to learn as we take on this task? How do we find information and community? If you find yourself in this position, you are welcome at this group for discussion and support. This is a drop-in group so attend when it is convenient for you. |
LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS
Thursday, March 13, 7:00pm, Library
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. |
WATCH THIS SPACE!
Berklee Night at the Coffeehouse is coming March 14! Tali Rubinstein and Gilad Barakan present captivating and lively original Israeli jazz and Israeli song interpretations, with vocals, recorder, and guitar, and Jenna Moynihan and Mairi Chaimbeul share haunting and enchanting original and traditional fiddle and harp material rooted in Scottish and Appalachian traditions. Many thanks to Roger Brown for facilitating the booking of these two exciting young world music duos! More details next week! |
TRANSCENDENTALIST SERIES
The Radical Vision of Walt Whitman: Talk and discussion with Laurie Carter Noble
Sunday, March 16, 12:30-2pm, Library
The poems Whitman wrote are transcendent in their beauty, compassion and humanity. They are a glorious reflection of a visionary poet and an extraordinary human being. We will look at several poems especially those that show how radical and revolutionary his vision was. A man so convinced of his mission that he wrote, under various pseudonyms, laudatory reviews of his poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, and had these reviews published in newspapers all over the country, Whitman continues to delight, amaze, confound and inspire us. |
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