The First Church in Belmont

THE UNITARIAN  March 25, 2014

In This Issue
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce
Music Notes from Alfa Radford
AP Spring Brochure is Here!
Upcoming Events
Calendar 

Next Issue: April 1, 2014

Deadline: 3pm March 27

 

Wednesday, March 26

7:30pm   FC Book Group. Lib.

7:45pm   Member Database. cl7.

Thursday, March 27

6:45pm   Nova Choir. Sanct.

7:00pm   V Day Committee. CR. 

7:30pm   Grandparenting. Lib.

7:30pm   SAC BuyBackCte. cl7.

Friday, March 28

Women's Retreat. Essex MA.

4:00pm   SGM. Library.

7:30pm   COA overnight.

Saturday, March 29

6:30pm  All-Church Potluck.PH.

Sunday, March 30 

9:25am   Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.

4:30pm   OWL. Library.

6/7pm     YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.

Monday, March 31

9:30am   Jobseekers. Library.

6:30pm   Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Tuesday, April 1

7:30pm   Membership Cte. cl5.

7:30pm   Partner Ch. Cte. CR.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

Wednesday, April 2

7:00pm   Communications. cl5.

7:30pm   Women's Group. Lib.

 

Looking Ahead

April 5: VDay Belmont Benefit

 

Link to church calendar 

This Sunday 
Music: March 30, 2014

Prelude: Andantino 

-A. Bruckner (1824-1896)

Alfa Joy Radford, organ

Offertory Duet: Der Herr Segne Euch (May God smile on you)

-J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Ariane Frank, alto; Valentin Frank, baritone

9:00 Nova Choir: Adoramus Te

-W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)

9:00 Postlude: O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded -J. Brahms (1833-1897) Mary Beekman, organ

11:00 Youth Choir: Harvest Due

(Our forbears planted justice) 

-Poem: Roger Cornish (contemp.)

-Music: Bruce Trinkley (contemp.)

11:00 Sr. Choir: Locus Iste

-Anton Bruckner

11:00 Postlude: Theme and Partita -G. B�hm (1661-1730)

Alfa Radford, organ

  
The flowers this Sunday are given by Jocelyn Milton in memory of her father, Donald Troxel.  
  
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
  
Welcome & Announcements:
Jeanne Widmer & Marilyn Yee

Social Action Corner

ACTION IS OUR PRAYER

Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!  

Boxes and boxes of thanks to all of you who made this year's MAC AND CHEESE MADNESS such a great success. Great job, team! Thanks!!! 
FOOD: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINES
Spring Housecleaning 

At this time of the year we have a lot of activity related to our church annual pledges (thank you!). In order to keep accurate records, we need to know exactly which pledge period your check covers. Our current church year is July 2013 - June 2014, next year's pledge year is 2014-15. Please indicate on your check whether it's for the current church year (2013-14) or prepayment for next year's pledge (2014-15). Many thanks.

Can You Spare an Hour or Two?

Volunteers are needed for the Church Office from April 25 through May 2. If you have a free morning or afternoon, please call Susan Street, 617.484.1054 x201.

Church Security & Loss Prevention

We need to be careful of our keys, wallets, purses, etc. Keep your valuables with you at all times.

Project Bread's Annual Walk for Hunger

Sunday, May 4

Rolling start on the Boston Common, 7-9am. For all details go to www.projectbread.org/walk
or call 617.723.5000.

 

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 

- [email protected] 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
5 Things To Know This Week
  • Stewardship Update
  • First Church Book Group, March 26
  • All-Church Potluck, March 29
  • V Day Belmont Benefit, April 5
  • Adult Programs Spring Brochure
Sunday, March 30         

UUSC Justice Sunday

Charity Is No Substitute for Justice Withheld 

Sushma Raman, Interim Director of Programs, Advocacy and Action for the UU Service Committee

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.)  

 

Be informed about and inspired by the UU Service Committee's human rights work at home and around the world.  

 

** Next Sunday, April 6 **

Sarah Gillespie, Sponsored Ministerial Candidate

 

Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons

Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior MinisterRev. David Bryce

There is so much going on in the world that it can be difficult to know what to focus on.

     There are civil wars, massive demonstrations in a number of nations, the Crimean crisis, a missing airplane and many more events.

     Just fifty years ago many of these things would not have been covered in our news. Our instantaneous world-wide communication network makes it possible for us to hear about and see events taking place nearly in the moments they are happening.

     We also live in a time with a continual news cycle so that reporters and news analysts feel pressured to get each tidbit of news on air in the moment it is received. This leaves no time to sort through or evaluate leads. The result is that, far too often, rumors and speculations are reported as "news". This is a disservice to everyone. Too much nonsense is absorbed as fact.

     I believe that it also feeds a tendency in the human mind to accept rumor, innuendo and whispers as "true". And so it feeds the proliferation of conspiracy theories.

     Whether we are listening to news stories or conspiracy theories or religious claims I think it is healthy to have an open but questioning mind. Let us question unsubstantiated facts and accept only those things that seem valid beyond a reasonable doubt.

Alfa Radford
Music Notes from Alfa Radford
THANKS & CONGRATULATIONS to the Junior & Chancel Choirs whose wonderful singing and playing warmed our hearts at the recent multigenerational services. And WARM THANKS to 6th Grade pianist, Mariko Findell and her mom, Vickie Livermore; for a very spirited Postlude at the later service. MORE BOUQUETS to our ever-inspirational Nova and Sr. Choirs, who regularly contribute so much beauty to the Worship Services!
  

TULIPS of APPRECIATION to Jr. Choir Assistants: Glynnis Doucette, Fiona McCubbin, Grace Lee, Kathleen Kim; and to Chancel Choir Assistant: Theresa O'Connor, for shepherding our choristers - thus helping everything run smoothly before and during the services. I can't even imagine the chaos without their invaluable assistance! 

 

FUTURE DATES for CHOIR PARENTS:

Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) sings at 9am Serv. May 11

Youth Choir (Gr.7-up) sings at 11am March 30 & May 11

Jr & Chancel Choirs sing on June 8

 

PALM SUNDAY SPRING MUSIC SERVICE:

April 13, 10:30am (NOTE the time!)

Karl Jenkins- "REQUIEM" with choir, soloists, and orchestra.

 

QUOTABLE: from The Reactions of children to Classical Music:

"I know what a Sextet is, but I'd rather not say..."

"Poignant music is the music you hear before the stork comes."

          Welcome, SPRING! -Alfa

Children's Religious Education Information  

Sunday School Program Notes

As the snow melts from the playground, it is time for a few reminders. The stream and area behind the fence are off limits! This land does not belong to FCB (and it is loaded with poison ivy). Also, please keep from walking on the plantings between the gravel path behind the classroom wing and the fence because this area is runoff control to protect the stream.

     Children cannot be left unattended on the playground. Please accompany your children at all times when they are on the playground or outside the building.

     Children must stay within sight of the supervising adults - children are not allowed to go to the green on the far side of the church unless an adult goes with them.

     Reminder: Parents of children in grades 2 and younger must pick up their children. When warmer days finally are here, classes will often end up on the playground. Please check in with classroom teachers so they know you are taking custody of your child. The playground gets crowded and teachers need help making sure every child is safely accounted for at the end of the service.

 

Beltane Celebration on April 27

The 7th grade Neighboring Faiths class will be having a Beltane celebration - complete with May Pole dance - on Sunday, April 27 at 11:15am as part of their unit on Paganism. Families of 7th graders and anyone else who'd like to help celebrate are welcome to participate!

 

May Day Multigenerational Tea on May 4

The first and second graders invite you to attend a Multigenerational May Day Tea between services on Sunday, May 4. The tea will be held in classrooms 1 and 2 in the RE wing downstairs. Anyone is welcome, but especially those who haven't been down to the RE wing in a while! Come and visit and enjoy some tasty treats served by members of the class. Please RSVP to [email protected]. Let us know if you need transportation to church on the day of the tea.

 Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Children's Religious Education 

Stewardship Update
The Stewardship Committee is thrilled with the March stewardship drive response to date. We have raised over $475,000 of our $605,000 target from two thirds of the congregation. BUT there are still many families, both members and friends, who have yet to pledge their financial support for next year. Remember that we need to have pledges in hand in March, earlier than past years, so the Church Board and Staff can properly plan for next year. 
     Pledging is easier than ever. Did you know you can pledge online? Or via email or phone to Susan Street ([email protected] / 617-484-1054 x201)? Or, of course, by mail or in person. Please take care of this important obligation TODAY as the end of March is nearly upon us. 
     For complete information, visit the Stewardship page of the Church website.
     We thank you for supporting this beloved church community. 
 −The Stewardship Committee

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 [email protected] or Susan at the Church, 617.484.1054 x201.

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

Welcome! to Carol Findell who signed the Membership Book on Sunday, March 16!
Spring Brochure is Here!

The Adult Programs Committee Spring Brochure has arrived! Find out about our new programs, as well as our ongoing educational and support groups, by clicking here.

Upcoming Events:
FIRST CHURCH BOOK GROUP 
The Book Group will meet on Wed, March 26, 7:30pm in the Church Library to discuss Barbara Kingsolver's novel, Flight Behavior. Set in Barbara Kingsolver's native Appalachia, Flight Behavior tells the story of Dellarobia Turnbow intertwined with the story of climate change. A young mother in flight from her stifled life in the mountains of Tennessee, Dellarobia stumbles upon an astonishing sight, a mountainside covered in monarch butterflies. This discovery changes her life, her world outlook, and the community around her. Richard Waring and Kristin Phillips, admirers of monarch butterflies, will lead the discussion. 
      Looking Ahead: April 23, the Book Group will be discussing Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick, which is the One Book, One Belmont selection for 2014. The Belmont Library will present special events related to the book throughout April and May.

GRANDPARENTING - NEAR AND FAR

Thur, March 27, 7:30pm, Lib - Lillian Anderson and ML Landfried

This support group is for all who want to discuss how your role of grandparenting has made a difference in your life. We come together to share the joys and challenges of our changing roles with our own children as well as to compare stories of our grandchildren. This month we will look at how the roles of grandparenting have changed.

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 [email protected].

CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS

Thursday, April 3, 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 please attend when it is convenient for you.

KNITTING CIRCLE

Thursday, April 3, 8pm, Cl4 - Nancy Davis and Eva Patalas

Come join us in the fun and fellowship of knitting with a genial group. Projects could include knitting for non-profit organizations such as Caps for Kids, making small gifts for the Holiday Fair or working on personal projects. Everyone is welcome and no commitment is necessary. Contact Eva with any questions.

VDAY Belmont - Until the Violence Stops

First Church in Belmont, Social Action Subcommittee is joining in the global effort to stop violence against women and girls, with a benefit reading of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer, on Saturday April 5 at 7:30pm in the Parish Hall. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students with ID, and are available at coffee hour, online at vdaybelmont.brownpapertickets.com and at the door. Proceeds will go to My Life My Choice, a local organization that works to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of young girls. The event is recommended for ages 15 and up.

     V-day is a global activist movement to stop violence against woman and girls. Their work is grounded in 4 core beliefs. Core belief #3: Local women best know what their communities need and can become unstoppable leaders. Further information can be found at www.vday.org, Facebook.com.vday, and @vday on Twitter.