The First Church in Belmont

THE UNITARIAN  July 29, 2014

In This Issue
Music Notes from Alfa Radford Registration for 2014-15 Youth/Children's Choirs
Upcoming Adult Fall Programs
Upcoming Events
Calendar 

Next Issue: September 2

Deadline: 9am August 26

 

Monday, August 4

9:30am   Jobseekers. Library.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Wednesday, August 6

7:30pm   Women's Group. Lib. 

Monday, August 11

9:30am   Jobseekers. Library.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Monday, August 18

9:30am   Jobseekers. Library.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Tuesday, August 19

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

Wednesday, August 20

7:30pm   Women's Group. Lib.

Monday, August 25

9:30am   Jobseekers. Library.

7:00pm   SAC. cl5.

8:00pm   Meditation. Library.

Tuesday, August 26

7:30pm   Worship Cte. CR.

Monday, September 1

Church office closed. 

 

Looking Ahead

Sep 2: First fall newsletter

Sep 4: Welcome Back

            All-Church Reception

Sep 7: 9 & 11 Services resume

Sep 12-14: Sandy Island Retreat

Sep 19: Coffeehouse

 

Link to church calendar  

Social Action Corner

ACTION IS OUR PRAYER

Save the Dates:

Saturday, September 20, noon-5pm Roxbury Founders' Day at the First Church in Roxbury (UU Urban Ministry). Family fun, music, and food.

 

Sunday, September 28, 2-4:30pm Uniting Communities and Transforming Lives at the UU Urban Ministry. Explore the 1804 Meetinghouse, ring the Paul Revere bell in the steeple (wooden supports were repaired by David Twichell and Michael Flamang of FCB), go on a scavenger hunt, and learn about the current, future, and potential programs at the UUUM. Later, walk down the hill to tour the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, observe a prayer service, and dialogue with members of the Muslim community.

 

Looking for volunteer work next fall? Consider tutoring or childcare at the UU Urban Ministry, The First Church in Roxbury: (onsite parking)

Mondays or Wednesdays, 10am-noon. Tutor adult women in English to help them have better lives in the U.S.: help their children with homework, understand their children's lives, navigate healthcare and other agencies, get better jobs, etc. 

     Childcare provider will create, during those same hours, a nurturing, enrichment program for very young children. 

     Daily after-school tutoring for middle and high school students who are part of the Roxbury Youth Program. Mentoring, enrichment, and college prep.

     Contact Rev. Rebecca Hinds at the UUUM: [email protected] or [email protected].

 

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
  • Welcome Back Reception, September 4
  • Ingathering Service, September 7
  • Sandy Island Weekend, September 12-14
  • Fall Musical Production, "Bye Bye Birdie" 
  • Second Friday Coffeehouse Season Tickets on Sale Now!
Summer 2014 Worship Services

The First Church in Belmont, UU 

All services will be held at 9:30am in the Parish Hall. Childcare will be provided.

 

Aug 3        Generational Injustice + Act Now 

                    - Tom Neel + John Kolterman 

Aug 10      Still in Dialogue: UU and Secular Humanism - Bruce Dame

Aug 17      Building Community; Buildng Friends

                    - Laurie Carter Noble + Patricia Garcia

Aug 24      Curve Balls - Doug Burden

Aug 31      Finding the Gift When Life Falls Apart - Judy Ashway

 

** Sunday, September 7 **

9:00 & 11:00 Worship Services

Ingathering Service and Water Ceremony

 

** Sunday, September 14 **

9:00 & 11:00 Worship Services

Rev. David M. Bryce preaching

 

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

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

 

Rev. Bryce was on vacation the month of July.

Alfa RadfordMusic Notes from Alfa Radford
NOW OPEN! REGISTRATION for YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS

Welcome to all children and youth who enjoy singing!

We are now taking registrations for all the YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS for the upcoming church year, Sept 2014-June 2015; and for the Fall musical "Bye Bye Birdie." You may register ONLINE by clicking on the link at the First Church website or you may register by filling out a paper Registration Form found in various places around the church.  
NOTE: Current choristers also need to register for the Fall programs.

QUESTIONS? Call or email Alfa Radford 781.646.2123 / [email protected] 

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 Heather Quay and Jon Svetkey who signed the Membership Book June 8!

Remember to Bring Back Water

Our opening service for the fall on September 7 will be a Multigenerational Water Ingathering. We will celebrate the opening of the church year with a ceremony in which we each pour a small amount of water into a common vessel. The water we bring represents some piece of our summer that we are bringing back into the new year. Whether you go on exotic travels or stay home in your own backyard, remember to bring some water on Sunday, September 7 to represent your spiritual journeys during the summer months. (Empty film canisters are just right.)

Thirtieth Birthday for the Second Friday Coffeehouse -- Celebrating All Year!

First Church's OWN and Boston's ORIGINAL all-benefit Coffeehouse will be turning 30, and we are planning an exciting season of celebration! Join us by purchasing your Season Ticket now (still only $99 for two people for nine shows -- send your check to Susan Street) so our beneficiaries can be included in the celebration and so you won't miss any of the exciting shows. Watch this space for more exciting details in the next newsletter! And have a great rest of the summer!

The Unitarian
Our primary method of distribution for the Unitarian is e-mail. If you are not currently receiving the Unitarian by e-mail, please provide Susan Street ([email protected]) with your current e-mail address.  

     The newsletter is also posted each week on the First Church website at uubelmont.org. Click on the Newsletter button just under the banner at the top of the home page.

     First Class Mail - Some First Church members and friends may prefer a printed copy of the Unitarian, which we will send via first-class mail, and ask for a small donation of $20 per year to offset first-class mailing costs. The church will cover the mailing costs for those who indicate that this presents a financial burden.

     To receive the Unitarian via first-class mail, please fill out the form below and mail to The First Church in Belmont, P. O. Box 113, Belmont, MA 02478. Checks should be made out to The First Church in Belmont.
Please note that you may receive both electronic and mailed versions of the Unitarian simply by checking more than one of the boxes below.
                                     *** Clip and Mail ***

___ I would like to receive the Unitarian via first-class mail. Enclosed is my donation of $20 to cover mailing costs.

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___ I would like to receive the Unitarian via email. My email address is _____________________________ (or simply email Susan Street, [email protected]).
Upcoming Events:

8th ANNUAL WELCOME BACK ALL-CHURCH RECEPTION

Thursday, September 4, 7pm, Parish Hall

The Parish Board and the Fellowship Committee are pleased to invite all members of The First Church community to our Eighth Annual Welcome Back Fall Reception on the evening of September 4, in the Parish Hall at 7:00-8:30pm. This is the Thursday evening before our Ingathering Service. Please join us for conviviality and light refreshments. Come one, come all!

SANDY ISLAND - September 12-14 - REGISTER NOW!!
Don't miss out on this great weekend on a small island in Lake Winnipesaukee. Shared meals, kayaking, camp fire and many more activities for every age! Questions, contact Deveaux Duckworth or Ariane Frank, [email protected].

The First Church's BELMONT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ALLIANCE (BUUA) group meets on the 3rd Wednesday (Sept to May) for lunch followed by a one hour program. Please join us and look for BUUA event information in future Unitarian newsletters. Our first 2014-15 Alliance event is the following: Alliance Concord River Boat Cruise & Lunch on Wednesday, September 17.  We will meet for carpooling at 12:30pm in the First Church parking lot and drive to the South Bridge Boat House, 496 Main St (= Route #62), Concord. The cruise (with lunch) departs at 1:30pm. Please contact Susan Street (617.484.1054) to reserve your seat (total seats = 20). Final reservation deadline is September 11/Thursday. The cost is $26.00 per person. Inform Susan Street of your choice of sandwich: ham & cheese, sliced turkey, chicken salad, or tuna salad (also included is summer salad, fruit, dessert and drink). Please make your $26 check/per person payable to Belmont Unitarian Alliance and send it to: The First Church in Belmont UU, Attn: Belmont Unitarian Universalist Alliance, P. O. Box 113, Belmont, MA 02478-3032.

Upcoming Fall Programs

The Adult Programs Committee is pleased to present a preview of some of our exciting fall programs. We hope you'll want to attend all of them. Look for our fall program brochure on the website, in the weekly announcement and at coffee hour in September. Happy Summer!

EATING OUR VALUES at the COMMUNITY TABLE

Rachel Greenberger - Tuesday, Sept 30, 7:30pm, Library

Community Table is a two-year-old social innovation developed by Food Sol at Babson College (www.foodsol.org) for sparking relevant and actionable community interactions on important topics connected to food. The theme of our Community Table will be "Eating Our Values" and UU member Martha Spaulding's daughter Rachel Greenberger, Director of Food Sol, will facilitate. Limited to 25 people. To register contact [email protected].

UNIVERSALISM - THERE IS NO HELL

Doris Hunter & Edwin Taylor - Sunday, Oct 5, 12:30-2pm

We are Unitarian Universalists. Traditionally Universalists believe that everyone is saved, because God has the time, the power, and the loving spirit. So what is the moral demand placed on us when we come from a tradition that believes love is more powerful than hate? Is that why we are Unitarian Universalists?

HOW AN UNDERCOVER NARCOTICS OFFICER TURNED AGAINST THE WAR ON DRUGS
Jack Cole - Tuesday, Oct 14, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

Following an introduction by First Church member Tom Neel, retired undercover DEA agent Jack Cole will discuss the class and racial bias underlying our drug laws and how his very personal involvement in carrying out those laws led him to have a dramatically different point of view.

THE DIGNITY AND INDIGNITIES OF AGING

Jackie James with Edwin Taylor - Sunday, Oct 19, 12:30-2pm

Getting old can be a challenge. The body demands more of our time and attention than it did in earlier days, memory is slipping, and we worry about mental decline. On the other hand, research on aging suggests ways to age successfully. What can we learn that prepares us to live richly and contribute to society during old age?

35 YEARS OF BOSTON THEATRE: A THEATREGOER'S ROUNDTABLE led by Downing Cless - Tue, Oct 28, 7:30pm, Lib

Calling all theatre lovers to a forum to share foremost experiences in Boston over the last three decades. Downing will offer a few examples from his direction of environmentally and socially-themed plays with Underground Railway Theater and at Tufts University where he just retired from the Drama faculty. 

NEXT ISSUE OF UNITARIAN

Fall newsletter will be mailed September 2. Deadline:  9AM August 26.