The First Church in Belmont

THE UNITARIAN  April 29, 2014

In This Issue
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce
Music Notes from Alfa Radford
Upcoming Events
Calendar 

Next Issue: May 6

Deadline: 3pm May 1

 

Wednesday, April 30

Rummage Sale setup. PH.

Thursday, May 1

Rummage Sale setup. PH.

6:45pm   Nova Choir. Sanct.

7:30pm   Caring for Adults. CR.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

8:00pm   Knitting Circle. cl4. 

Friday, May 2

Rummage Sale setup. PH.

Saturday, May 3

9:00am   Rummage Sale.

Sunday, May 4

9:25am   Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.

10:00am MayDayMultigen Tea.

4:30pm   OWL. Library.

6/7pm     YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.

Monday, May 5

9:30am   Jobseekers. Library.

6:30pm   Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.

7:00pm   Caring Conn. cl5.

7:30pm   AdultProgramCte. CR.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Tuesday, May 6 

7:30pm   Finance Cte. cl7.

7:30pm   Jewish Mus. Trad. PH.

7:30pm   Membership Cte. cl5.

7:30pm   Partner Ch Cte. CR.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

Wednesday, May 7

7:00pm   Communications. cl5.

7:30pm   Women's Gr. Lib.

 

Looking Ahead

May 9:  Coffeehouse

May 10: New UU

 

Link to church calendar 

This Sunday 
Music: May 4, 2014

Prelude: Morning Meditation 

-Richard Blake (contemp.)

Alfa Joy Radford, organ

9:00 Service:

Nova Choir: Slender Young Birch (from Songs of Nature) 

-A. Dvorak (1841-1904) 

Offertory Solo: O Had I Jubal's Lyre (from Joshua)

 -G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

Melanie Salisbury, soprano

PostludeDies sind die heiligen zehen Gebot BWV679 
-J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

 Mary Beekman, organ

11:00 Service:

Sr. Choir: Psalm 148 Creating God, Your Fingers Trace -Music: American Sacred Harmony, 1799

Offertory Duet: Quitte-nous
d�s ce soir (from Les Troyens) 

-H. Berlioz (1803-1869)

Livia Racz, soprano; Bruce Kozuma, baritone

Postlude: Finally Spring!

-L. Melnick (contemp.)

Larry Melnick, piano 

 

The flowers this Sunday are given by Alfa Radford in loving memory of her son, Christian Anderson and her husband, Harry Radford. 
  
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
  
Welcome & Announcements: Betsy George and Beth Westlund

 

 

 

 

Social Action Corner

ACTION IS OUR PRAYER

Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!  

Thanks for your contributions of vitamins to help nourish the medically fragile infants and toddlers at the Grow Clinic. Flintstone Chewables. Polysol with Iron Liquid Vitamins. What generosity of spirit and pocketbook. Thanks very, very much!

 

Knitting Circle

Thursday, May 1, 8pm, cl4

Nancy Davis & 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. Questions contact Eva.

 

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.

 

Church Security & Loss Prevention

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

 

Reminder to Church Groups & Committees

In order to get the best and efficient use of our church space, church groups should fill out an application form in the church office or email [email protected]. You are also responsible for notifying Susan Street of any changes or cancellations.

     Church groups must provide your own refreshments, set up and clean up, leaving the church as it was when you arrived. When you plan an event, make sure you have volunteers to CLEAN UP (this includes washing all tablecloths used for the event/meeting) and CLOSE UP carefully. Thank you.

1. Turn off thermostats. 

2.Turn off all inside lights.

3. Make sure ALL windows and outside doors are LOCKED & CLOSED TIGHTLY.

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

Quick Links





Social Media

Find us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

 

 

Join Our Mailing List
 
First Church Office
:: 617-484-1054
5 Things To Know This Week
  • Call to the Annual Meeting on May 18, 2014
  • All-Church Rummage Sale, May 3
  • May Day Multigenerational Tea, May 4
  • YouthBuild USA, May 8
  • Second Friday Coffeehouse, May 9
Sunday, May 4, 2014      

Ten Years of Marriage Equality

Rev. David M. Bryce

 

9:00 & 11:00 Church Service                           

Childcare for infants and young children

 

On May 17, 2004 marriage equality came to Massachusetts. Unitarian Universalists can take pride in their participation in the effort to achieve this milestone. Today we will celebrate marriage equality in our state, but also will remember how far a road we as a nation have yet to journey to reach full equality for all.

 

** Next Sunday, May 11 **

Coming of Age Ceremony

 

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

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

There is a tree on the Town Green that I can see from my office window that has a trunk with a huge circumference. I do not know how long that tree has been there (I am not a good guesser of ages, especially of tree ages), but I assume it is hundreds of years.

     It may have been there (I assume it was) on the Day that our Patriot's Day celebrates.

     It may have been there to witness Native American hunters walk by.

     It may have been there when English colonists landed in what is today Plymouth.

     Age such as that always impresses me and gives me a sense of awe.

     And yet, the age of even a several hundred year old tree is as nothing compared to the ages of other things we see every day. The sun, the moon, the stars.

     Part of me longs to live to such an age, to see what will be far into the future. Alas, that shall not be. However, when I look at the tree or look at the moon, I do feel a sense of partaking in their age, of being brought by them to times past and, therefore, to time future. I like that experience. May I always be open to it. 

Alfa Radford
Music Notes from Alfa Radford

GOLDEN FORSYTHIA to our Sr.Choir for the lovely Dvorak anthem last Sunday. And RED ROSES to Irina Kareva for her beautiful Bach aria. How fortunate we are!

ATTENTION ALL CHOIR PARENTS!

May 11: Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) sings at 9am. Arrive 8:15

May 11: Youth Choir (Gr.7-up) sings at 11am. Arrive 10:15

June 8: Multigenerational Services:

9am Jr Choir (K-Gr.4) Arrive 8:30

11am Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) Arrive 10:15

 

IMPORTANT DATES for FUTURE PLANNING:

November 6, 7, 8, 9 are the dates for the Youth/Children's Choirs Fall Musical! It's BYE BYE BIRDIE, the ever-popular Broadway show.

Coming Soon! CHAMBER MUSIC BENEFIT CONCERT: Sunday, June 1, at 8pm Save the date! On the program will be a wonderful array of music for harpsichord, flutes, voice, and bassoon. Proceeds will support the very important work of SPARK (Supporting Parents and Resilient Kids-formerly Pediatric AIDS Program) at Boston Medical Ctr.

QUOTABLES: from "21st Century Tempo Markings and Other Musical Atrocities"

Adagio formaggio: To play in a slow and cheesy manner.

Al dente con tableau: In opera, chew the scenery.

Gaily giggling, Alfa

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.

Among Us
Healing wishes to Dick Noble.
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

A Call to the Annual Meeting

at The First Church in Belmont

Sunday, May 18, 2014, 5:00pm

Pursuant to a call by Jeanne Widmer, President of the Parish Board, you are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of The First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 5:00 PM in the Parish Hall for the election of officers, status of next year's budget, committee highlights, and the transaction of such other businesses as may lawfully come before the meeting.

 

Hereof, fail not, and make due attendance at said meeting and time. Anne Donohue, Clerk

Only active adult members, who have had standing as such for not less than seven days prior to the meeting, may vote. No proxies will be accepted: you must attend the meeting in order to vote.

 

Nominations for Parish Board for the 2014-15 Church Year

Officers to be elected: 

President: Carolyn Howard

Vice President: Todd Schatzki

Treasurer: Penny Schafer

Clerk: Anne Donohue

 

At-Large Trustees to be elected

Tom Neel (2014-2017)

Peter Guthrie (2014-2017)

Sara Oaklander (2014-2017)

 

Continuing At-Large Trustees to be elected

Doug Burden (2012-2015)

Catherine Claypoole (2013-2016)

Betsy George (2013-2016)

Jack Weis (2013-2016)

 

Immediate Past President:

Jeanne Widmer (2014-2015)

 

Nominations for the Finance Committee for 2014/2015 Church Year

Scott Johnson, Chair

Bob McGaw (2012-2015)

Martha Gallagher (2012-2015)

Charles Hamann (2013-2016)

Jonathan Wolf (2014-2017)

 

Ex-Officio Members of the Finance Committee

Carolyn Howard, nominee for Parish Board President

Penny Schafer, nominee for Parish Board Treasurer

 

Nominations for Nominating & Recruitment Committee for 2014-15

Connie DiCocco, Chair (2012-2015)

Bev Gillette (2013-2016)

Sam James (2013-2016)

Carey Thomson (2013-2016)

Kate Searle (2014-2017)

Eva Patalas (2014-2017)

 

Respectfully submitted by the Nominating Committee,

James Hencke, Chair, Connie DiCocco; Susan Johnson, Carey Thomson, Sam James, Bev Gillette

Upcoming Events: 
IT'S RUMMAGE WEEK! SALE IS SATURDAY, MAY 3 

Volunteer anytime during the hours of 10am-9pm Mon.-Thur.

Deliver your donations by Wednesday, April 30. 

Help is still needed on Saturday, during and after the Sale.*
 

*Even after the Sale is over, it's still doing good things! Our remainders help to supply the clients of other non-profits and to fund their organizations. They love to get our stuff, but the transfer only happens when volunteers shop for them, box the goods, and take these to the organization or to your home for pickup. Please sign up for Adopt-a-Charity on the boards in the Upper Gathering Hall or online at http://vols.pt/yG1e22. Drivers of large vans or pickups are needed. Also hangers, boxes, and paper can all be recycled if there are enough volunteers. Come Saturday anytime between 2 and 5, and help others and speed the clean-up process.

     Thanks in advance and see you at the Sale!

CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS

Thursday, May 1, 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. 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.

JEWISH MUSICAL TRADITIONS with Chuck Claus
Tuesday, May 6, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

Many of us have been moved by Chuck Claus' singing from the Jewish liturgy. Chuck will share his thoughts on, and present examples from, the Jewish musical tradition.

YOUTHBUILD  USA
Thursday, May 8, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

Join long-time First Church member, Dorothy Stoneman, founder of the organization in 1978, and several graduates of the program, as they share their insights into what has made YouthBuild so successful. They will offer personal insight into their experiences how anyone can help further its mission to unleash the positive energy of young people around the world. You will be inspired by this wonderful example of the good works that have been created and supported by our congregation. Co-sponsored by Social Action Committee

LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS
Thursday, May 8, 7pm, Lib

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. 

NEW UU CLASS led by Jim Staton and David Bryce

Saturday, May 10, 9:30-12pm, cl5 

This class will provide answers to the questions you have about Unitarian Universalism (the history and current programs); also the history and current activities of First Church. Discuss the meaning of membership at First Church and have a tour of the building. Childcare provided on request. Sign-up in coffee hour or contact Jim at [email protected].
PARENTING KIDS WITH CHALLENGES

Sunday, May 11, 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.

WOMEN'S SPRING POTLUCK SUPPER

Friday, May 16, 7pm, Upper Hall

Share good food, laughter and a chance to get together with the women of First Church. Bring a main dish, appetizer, salad, or dessert AND a beverage of your choice. RSVP to Lillian Anderson at [email protected] so we know you'll be joining us.