The First Church in Belmont

THE UNITARIAN  April 1, 2014

In This Issue
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce
Upcoming Events
Article Headline
Upcoming Events
Calendar 

Next Issue: April 8, 2014

Deadline: 3pm April 3

 

Wednesday, April 2 

7:00pm   Communications. cl5.

7:30pm   Women's Gr. Lib.

Thursday, April 3 

6:45pm   Nova Choir. Sanct.

7:00pm   Sr Choir. PH/Sanct. 

7:30pm   Caring for Adults. CR.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

8:00pm   Knitting Circle. cl4. 

Saturday, April 5

9:30am   Sr Choir. PH/Sanct.

7:30pm   VDay Belmont. PH.

Sunday, April 6

9:25am   Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.

4:30pm   COA. Parlor.

4:30pm   OWL. Library.

6/7pm     YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.

Monday, April 7

9:30am   Jobseekers. Library.

6:30pm   Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.

7:00pm   Caring Connection. cl5.

7:30pm   Adult Programs. CR.

7:30pm   Stewardship Cte. cl4.

7:30pm   VDay Cte. cl7.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Tuesday, April 8

7:30pm   Finance Cte. CR.

Wednesday, April 9

7:00pm   Children's RE Cte. cl5.

7:30pm   Member Database. cl7.

7:30pm   Prequel to Music

                Sunday. Parish Hall.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

 

Looking Ahead

April 11:  Coffeehouse 

 

Link to church calendar 

This Sunday 
Music: April 6, 2014 

Prelude: Farther Along

-W.B. Stevens (Early 20th c)

The First Church Linden Singers: 

Richard Curzi, John Howe, Paul Judge, Roger Read

Offertory: Brother Moses Smote the Water -Trad'l

The Linden Singers

9:00 Postlude: Mary Beekman, organ

11:00 Sr. Choir: Confutatis Maledictis (from Requiem)

(When the damned are cast away)

-Karl Jenkins (b. 1944)

Postlude: Pasticcio

-Jean Langlais (1907-1999)

Alfa Joy Radford, organ

 
The flowers this Sunday are given by Mary Harrison in celebration of the lives of her parents, Mary Alice and Ray Kreutzer.
  
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
  
Welcome & Announcements:
Betsy George and Doug Burden

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

Announcing the Fall Musical Play!

"BYE BYE BIRDIE! will be back, by popular demand!Our wondrous Junior, Chancel, and Youth Choirs will present this delightful musical, with its timeless story and many memorable songs! "Bye Bye Birdie" continues to provide wholesome and amusing entertainment for all ages ever since it opened on Broadway decades ago. Our choristers have been clamoring to do this show again, so get ready for great fun next Fall. SAVE the DATES for Performances: November 6, 7, 8, 9. And stay tuned!

Last Call to Claim the

Old Chairs

The new chairs for the Parish Hall are due to be delivered in mid-April. The church would like to donate our old, somewhat battered but still functional, folding chairs to a worthy organization that can use them. There are about 150 chairs (the church is keeping the folding chairs with padded seats) and the chairs would need to be picked up - we can't deliver them. The House Committee has talked with a few organizations and individuals, but still have some chairs unspoken for. If you, or a charity/organization you know, would like some of these chairs, please contact Penny Schafer at [email protected] or leave a message for her with Susan Street 617.484.1054 x201, so that we can coordinate the pick-up with the delivery of the new chairs.

Social Action Corner

ACTION IS OUR PRAYER

Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic! 

FOOD: ONE OF THE MOST

IMPORTANT MEDICINES

Boxes and boxes of thanks to all of you who made this year's MAC & CHEESE MADNESS such a great success. Great job, team! Thanks!!!
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.
Gardening Opportunity
Our Urban Ministry at John Eliot Square in Roxbury needs gardeners to help to maintain their raised vegetable beds. We'll be joining with Wayland UU gardeners and, from time to time, the youth, to start the season, to water and weed, and reap the harvest for the Roxbury Youth Program. Please let Nancy Davis know if you're interested. 

Jack Mendelsohn:

Celebrating a Life of Justice

Sunday, April 13, 4:00pm

The UU Urban Ministry cordially invites you to this Jack Mendelsohn Forum Special Event honoring Rev. Mendelsohn's life and social justice legacy. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz. A reception will follow.

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.

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.

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
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5 Things To Know This Week
  • Please Fill Out the New Church-Wide Survey 
  • VDay Belmont, April 5
  • Second Friday Coffeehouse, April 11 (Click here for flyer!)
  • Ushers Needed for Church Services
  • Last Chance to Claim Old Chairs
Sunday, April 6, 2014    

We Belong to Each Other

Sarah Gillespie, Sponsored Ministerial Candidate

 

9:00 & 11:00 Church Service                           

Childcare for infants and young children

 

Mother Teresa once wrote, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other." Join me in reflecting on what it means to embrace the whole human family, including those who think differently from us.

 

** Next Sunday, April 13

9:00am Multigenerational Service

10:30am Palm Sunday Spring Music Service

Karl Jenkins - "Requiem" - Choir, Soloists, Orchestra

 

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

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

In the Rig Veda there is a hymn (MANDALA X, HYMN 121) which is called "Hymn to An Unknown God". It is believed by some that the intent is to honor and worship any god or gods that have been "left out" of the official humanly envisioned pantheon.

     I have always loved the thought of that hymn, the humble recognition in it that the human mind may not encompass all that is; that we (I) may not know all things.

     Our ability to connect with other human beings would be so much better if we could all recognize that none of us has the whole truth, that no text or tradition has the truth entire.

     For me that is one of the deep strengths of the Unitarian Universalist tradition. We recognize that there is insight and value in all religions and so we do not insist that our own truth be accepted by all others. And we recognize that others have truth(s) which we can learn from.

     One of the most "accessible" means of religious truth for me (despite the fact that it is also the most "vague") is the use of brief teaching stories. Whether Zen Koans, Sufi tales, the Parables of Jesus or stories of the "Desert Fathers" (Eastern Orthodox monks),I find that the stories speak to me in ways that heavy tomes and commentaries do not.

     There is, for example, the story of the thief and the Zen monk, entitled The Moon Cannot Be Stolen:

     Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to discover there was nothing in it to steal. Ryokan returned and caught him. "You may have come a long way to visit me", he told the prowler, "and you should not return empty handed. Please take my clothes as a gift." The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away. Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow", he mused, "I wish I could give him this beautiful moon".

     These stories should not be analyzed too deeply, that destroys them. But what are the most important, the most beautiful, the most meaningful things in life? And am I more like Ryokan or more like the thief? I know which I hope I am.

Alfa Radford
Music Notes from Alfa Radford

ANNOUNCING the FALL MUSICAL!

(in case you missed our first notice)

Back by popular demand, it's "BYE BYE BIRDIE! Our fabulous Youth and Children's Choirs will present this delightful musical play, with its timeless story and many memorable songs! "Bye Bye Birdie" continues to provide wholesome and amusing entertainment for all ages ever since it opened on Broadway decades ago. Our kids have been clamoring to do this show again, so get ready for great fun next Fall. SAVE the DATES for Performances: Nov 6, 7, 8, 9. And stay tuned!

SPECIAL SPRING MUSIC SERVICE:

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

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

JENKINS CHOIR SCHEDULE:

Thur, Apr 3: 7pm Haiku #10; ALL 7:30-9:30

Sat, Apr 5: 9:30am Haiku #3 & #6; ALL 10am -noon

Thur, Apr 10: 7pm Haiku #12; ALL 7:30-9:30

Sat, Apr 12: 9:15am ALL (Reh w. Orch.)

Sun, Apr 13: 8:15am Choir Call; Service 10:30

CALENDAR ITEMS for CHOIR PARENTS:

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

Youth Choir (Gr.7-up) sings at 11am on May 11

Jr & Chancel Choirs sing on June 8

BOUQUETS to Ariane and Valentine Frank for their lovely mother and son duet on Sunday, March 30; and YET MORE BOUQUETS to our very special Youth Choir for beautiful singing that day!  Joyfully, Alfa

Youth Programs

The Youth Group voted on their Service-Learning Trip location and topic for February 2015. They decided on a program, which will allow them to learn about Navajo life and culture, work on a community-led service project, and explore the natural beauty of the area. The group will travel to Arizona and will take part in a program offered by Amizade, a global service-learning provider (amizade.org).

     One of Amizade's core values is providing community-driven service, meaning that the Navajo community defines a priority project and our group will work with them on it. Volunteers often help improve school or community facilities (construction or painting and cleaning) and help out at the local food bank. Past projects have also included helping to build a sweat lodge and putting on a 10K race. The Navajo community puts a high priority on the group learning about Navajo life and culture and sharing this knowledge at home, so that their way of life is better understood. Our group will also participate in cultural and recreational activities. These activities may include visiting an open air market, cultural museums, mesa hikes, visiting nearby national landmarks like the Grand Canyon, learning from local Navajo families about land use, jewelry and basket making and sampling traditional foods. Our group will stay in traditional Navajo residential structures, called hogans. These particular hogans have been made into bunk-houses that can accommodate up to 15 people each.

     The Youth Group will engage in several learning opportunities prior to our trip. If you have any ideas or resources to share that will help our group begin to understand more about the Navajo Nation, please be in touch ([email protected]). Families of youth in grades 10-12 should watch their inboxes in June. I'll send additional information out about this service-learning trip then and we'll have a meeting in the fall to discuss the details. Looking forward, Julie Ennis

Among Us
Our love and sympathy to Curtis Davidson, Kate Searle and Marcus on the death of Curtis' father, Robert Davidson III on March 27.

Church-Wide Survey

We hope that you will fill out our new church-wide survey. The purpose of this brief survey prepared by the Committee on Ministry is to obtain congregational feedback on some aspects of the life of this church. The Committee on Ministry was established by the Parish Board in 2009 to support and assess the health of the ministries of The First Church. Your feedback will assist the Parish Board in setting priorities for upcoming years. The survey is anonymous and we urge you to answer only those questions of relevance to you. A summary of the results will be shared with the congregation at its Annual Meeting, Sunday, May 18.

Ushers Needed for Church Services from April thru June

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. Team spring term dates are:

     Team 1A   9:00 service on April 6, May 4, May 25

     Team 1B   9:00 service on April 20, May 11, June 1

     Team 1C   9:00 service on April 27, May 18, June 8

Team 2A   11:00 service on April 6, May 4, May 25

Team 2B   11:00 service on April 20, May 11, June 1

Team 2C   11:00 service on April 27, May 18, June 8

     Team 3    10:30 service on April 13 (Special Music)

To volunteer, see the Sign-Up board at community hour or contact David Warner [email protected]

Upcoming Events:

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.

VDAY Belmont - Until the Violence Stops - This Saturday

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. 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 #4: One must look at the intersection of race, class, and gender to understand violence against women. Further info at www.vday.org.

PREQUEL TO MUSIC SUNDAY

Wed, April 9, 7:30pm, PH - Ian & Shannon Rose Garvie

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. Ian and Shannon Rose will help us to fully appreciate this special piece of music.

LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS - Thur, April 10, 7pm, Library

Nanny Almquist & Kathy Lind  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. 

PARENTING KIDS WITH CHALLENGES

Sunday, April 10, 2:30-4pm, Library - Andrea Prestwich

Does your child have special challenges? Has he/she been diagnosed with Aspergers, ADHD, or sensory problems? We will offer support and share experience in a non-judgmental space. Childcare upon request. Snacks.

FIRST CHURCH SEDER, Wednesday, April 16

Please join us in a simplified Haggadah (readings and blessings) and meal in celebration of Passover. A Passover Seder is a retelling and celebration of the story of Exodus and reminds us all of ongoing global struggles for freedom.

     We are hosting a potluck Seder on Wednesday, April 16 at 5:30pm in the Parish Hall. This is a very kid-friendly (and delicious) event. We ask $3 child, $5 adult, $12 family donation, and we are looking for help with set up and clean up.
     We have recipes for traditional dishes. Please RSVP to Jackie Neel [email protected], Eleanor Sugarman [email protected], Betsy Broadman [email protected] or look for one of us at coffee hour. 

ALL-CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE

Saturday, May 3 - Save the Date

Set up is only 4 Sundays from now! The Sale will follow the same pattern as last year. As you do your spring cleaning and decluttering, please consider donating your useful items to the Sale.

     The Rummage Sale brings people, programs, events, and items to First Church that our budget can't cover. Proceeds are divided three ways to: the Social Action Committee, the Stained-Glass Window Fund, and the Partner Church Committee.

     Social Action Committee: The Sale has recently helped to sponsor: renovation of the computer lab at the UU Urban Ministry, an anti-bullying program by The Alphabet Rockers at the Mason School in Roxbury, V-Day performance as well as the world film premiere of Those Who Dared at FCB, public transportation support for political asylum-seekers, and the Belmont gun buyback program, among others. What a difference these efforts and events make to our greater community, to Belmont, and to our church! We're certainly keeping up our reputation as "the action congregation."

     So please check your availability, and sign up for an activity you will enjoy. Look for the sign-up boards after services. Online signups coming soon. For newer church members, the Sale is a great way to meet people, but for everyone it's a chance to catch up with friends, do good things, and have fun, all at the same time! We especially need volunteers for set up Sunday, April 27 and for Saturday, May 3 during and after the Sale.