Calendar
Next Issue: November 25
Deadline: 3pm November 20
Wednesday, November 19
12:00pm BelAlliance Lunch. UH.
7:30pm FCBook Gr. Parlor.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Library.
7:30pm Youth Cte. CR.
Thursday, November 20
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:30pm Sci&Spirituality. CR.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
8:00pm Knitting Circle. cl4.
Friday, November 21
7:30pm Coffeehouse. PH.
Saturday, November 22
2:00pm R. Noble memorial
service. Sanctuary.
Sunday, November 23
8:15am Nova Choir. Sanct.
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
4:15pm COA. Library.
6:00pm YG Thanksgiving
dinner. PH.
Monday, November 24
6:30pm Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.
7:00pm SAC. cl5.
7:30pm Min. Programs. CR.
8:00pm Meditation. Library.
Looking Ahead
Dec 6: Hanging of the Greens
Dec 7: Holiday Fair
Link to church calendar |
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This Sunday
Music: November 23, 2014
Prelude: Ian Garvie, piano
Offertory Solo: Davron Monroe
9:00 Nova Choir:
Give Almes of thy Goods
-Christopher Tye (1505-1573)
9:00 Postlude: Mary Beekman
11:00 Sr Choir: Te Quiero
(Adoring the Country)
A. Favero (contemp)
11:00 Postlude: Ian Garvie
A flower welcome this Sunday to Charlotte Lehmann, our new Acting Director of Children's Religious Education from the Flower Committee.
Ushers:
Sarah Cliffe and Leslie Talmadge
Erin McNeil and Martin Plass
Welcome & Announcements:
Peter Guthrie and Anne Donohue
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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
This Thanksgiving season, the GROW CLINIC COMMITTEE gives thanks for our loyal Grow Clinic shoppers who fill our baskets each week. Heartfelt thanks from your Grow Clinic Committee
FOOD: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINES
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2014 Guest at Your Table Box - A User Manual
If you have room, leave a place at your table for a virtual guest. An empty chair and a place mat would be nice.
1. Put a container - a box or bowl that you made - a special plate - on the place mat or table.
2. At mealtimes, deposit coins and bills into the container to send to the UU Service Committee so that they can help people like your guest.
3. Read a story from the Stories of Hope booklet when enjoying meals together. These stories will connect you to real people who struggle daily for human rights. Sharing their hopes and dreams is a meaningful way to bring these special guests into your home.
4. After the holidays, help us by counting your cash and replacing it with a check.
5. Become a full UUSC member! Increase your gift to $40 or more.
6. Double your impact by giving $125 or more to be eligible for a match from Shelter Rock.
7. Fill in the information on the donation envelope. (Please include our congregation name.)
8. Insert your check into the UUSC donation envelope and mail it OR give securely online at www.uusc.org/givetoguest
The First Church in Belmont is the First Home of the UU Service Committee |
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UUSC (uusc.org)
Monthly Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Note (3)
The UUSC and UUA have announced a new fund-raising campaign for Ebola. Including the Philippines typhoon, our congregation has donated an impressive $18,579 to UUSC causes in 2014. Let's keep it up. To donate, type "Ebola donation" into the front page search box of UUSC.org, and click on the link in the article about the campaign. The UUSC is also joining with the UUA and other UU groups under the banner, Commit2Respond. This historic initiative for climate justice awareness and action includes three goals: grow the climate justice movement, advance rights of marginalized communities, and shift to renewable energy. Type "Commit2Respond" in the UUSC.org search box for more information. As you can see, the UUSC is involved in many urgent campaigns. Our First Church UUSC Team invites additional volunteers to join us so that we can better advance UUSC's mission in our church community. If you are interested in helping, even occasionally, contact landfried@comcast.net
(Jim). - Alice Trexler for the UUSC Team
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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
- Parish Board News
- First Church Book Group, November 19
- Second Friday Coffeehouse, November 21
- Prequel to Major Music Sunday, December 3
- Guest At Your Table
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Sunday, November 23
Thanksgiving
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.)
We give thanks this day for the bounty of undeserved gifts that we receive from life, from the earth, from friends and other loved ones. Join in celebration of all that is beautiful.
** Next Sunday, November 30 **
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
My car is in for service today, and one of the things they are doing is taking my all-weather tires off and putting on snow tires. It is perhaps a bit early for that, but not terribly.
I hate winter. That is not news to many who will be reading this column.
I don't like the cold, I don't like the stiffness in my finger joints that the cold brings, and I don't like snow (especially driving in it).
But it occurred to me today that the real issue for me is not these, but is, rather, the fact that I don't go in and have my snow tires put on.
That of course, is a metaphor; the point is that I don't have my mental self (my mind) prepared for winter. If I set my mind to it, I can enjoy winter and snow, the beauty of it, the fun of it, the adventure of it. I can enjoy the crackling of snow beneath my feet as I walk, the brisk feel of a chill breeze on my face, and the comfort of early darkness.
And the real point is that I can enjoy almost anything, even the most difficult of changes, if I set my mind to it. I can find the beauty, the fun and the adventure in all of life (well, most of life) if I simply decide to do so.
So I will put on my "snow tires" this winter and plan on enjoying what I have previously attempted to deny or reject; and I will strive to do that in all things.
And, of course, this is not just about winter. |
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
IMPORTANT CALENDAR Items for Alumni, Nova, and Youth/Children's Choirs: Youth, Chancel, and Jr. Choirs will sing in church on Sunday, Dec 21, and on Christmas Eve.
Holiday Music Rehearsals started Monday, Nov 17. New singers welcome!
JR. CHOIR (K-Gr4) reh Mon, Nov 17 6:30-7:00
CHANCEL CHOIR (Gr5-6) reh Mon, Nov 17 7:00-7:45
YOUTH CHOIR (Gr7-High Sch) reh Mon, Nov 17 7:45-8:30
ALUMNI CHOIR (former Youth Ch singers) Reh Dec 24 11:00am |
Parish Board News November 2014
Greetings!
This is the first of what will hopefully be monthly reports from the Parish Board to members of the church. We will be sending out a brief update in the Unitarian newsletter and in the Sunday order of service announcements to keep you informed about what issues are facing the parish. You are invited to find any one of us at coffee hour to inquire about these updates or anything else about which you'd like more information.
After three decades at First Church, our amazing Parish Administrator Susan Street will be retiring at the end of 2014. Members of the board are working on an interim coverage plan and on developing a job description for her successor to ensure a seamless transition.
Rev. David Bryce is planning a sabbatical for the spring of 2016. The board has appointed a committee to sort out how we will handle David's responsibilities during his absence.
The Pilgrim stained glass window is getting some much needed repairs; unfortunately, it will not be back in the sanctuary until April.
And finally, please save the date of Saturday night, February 7th for the First Church Auction! We are looking for a co-chair to work with Marion Westgate and our Auction Committee. It is a lot of fun and vital to our financial health, so let us know if you can help out. ˗ The Parish Board |
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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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Among Us
Healing wishes to Alfa Radford who is recovering from a mild fracture of the sternum. |
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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, Martha Spaulding, and Tom Neel |
Sunday Service Policy for Severe Weather (Snow) Emergencies
As winter approaches there may be foul weather around service times. If a service is to be cancelled, a message of the cancellation will be placed on the Church phone system. However, in any weather condition which concerns you or your family, it should be clear that no one should ever feel pressure to come to services if their travel conditions seem unsafe. |
Pledge Statements
Pledge statements will be mailed this week. This statement shows your 2014-15 annual pledge to the church's programs and operations, the amount you have paid-to-date, and the outstanding balance. We encourage you to pay your pledge in full prior to December 31, 2014, which may enable you, depending on your individual situation, to claim the entire amount as a tax deduction in '14. If you have any questions about the information, please contact Susan Street at 617.484.1054 x201 or sstreet@uubelmont.org. |
Thank You to All Fall Quarter Ushers
The Membership Committee wishes to thank all those terrific First Church volunteers who contributed to the smooth functioning of our Fall Quarter church services by signing up to usher. We appreciate your commitment to this important task and your service to the congregation.
9:00am Service: Scott Moorman, Joanne Adamowicz, Nicole Griffin, Evelyn Corsini, Sara Oaklander, Debora Hoffman, Leslie Wolf, Robert Donaghey, Joan Loewenberg, Allison Webster, Tess Stromberg, Betsy George, Priscilla Cobb
11:00am Service: Barbara Terry, Mary Harrison, Judy McSwain, Laurie Graham, David Fung, Lanier Smythe, Pam Andrews, John Little, Richard Waring, Kristin Phillips, Laura Gomez Ickes, Peter Ickes |
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The Paper Turkeys Are Coming! Paper Turkeys Are Coming!
On Sunday, November 23, we will have an opportunity to support the Belmont Food Pantry in its upcoming holiday meal effort. Each year, First Church joins with other Belmont congregations to provide funding to the Food Pantry for the purchase of Star Market gift cards for families and individuals who might otherwise go without. Your donations will go directly to the Belmont Food Pantry to cover the cost of providing those holiday gift cards. And if we collect enough, the Food Pantry can make use of the funds to better meet the ongoing needs of those they serve - during the holidays and beyond. Look for the paper Thanksgiving turkeys scattered about the pews on Sunday and tuck your special donation into one of those turkeys. The turkeys will then be collected in the offering plates along with your regular weekly contribution to the work of the church. Checks made payable to The First Church in Belmont are welcome - please write "Belmont Food Pantry" on your check. If you cannot be in church on Sunday, please feel free to send in or drop off a Food Pantry contribution to the church office and we will make sure the Food Pantry gets it. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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FIRST CHURCH BOOK GROUP
In November, the First Church Book Group will celebrate another night of poetry when we will share, ponder, savor, and discuss the poetry of Elizabeth Bishop. We will meet a week early on Wednesday, November 19, at 7:30pm in the PARLOR (not the Library). Bishop, during much of her lifetime, was not well known but she is now regarded as one of the most significant American poets of the 20th century. We invite you to delve into her work and come prepared to read one of her poems that speaks to you, or to just come and listen. You can find her work in libraries and on the web. One place to start is the Poetry Foundation at: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/elizabeth-bishop#about.
The Book Group is always open to new members and does not require a continuing commitment. Please contact Anne Stuart at astuart@uubelmont.org with questions and to confirm attendance. The Book Group will not be meeting in December. |
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SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY
Thursday, Nov 20, 7:30pm, CR - Ken Bernstein and Edwin Taylor
Rino DiBartolo will lead a discussion on C. P. Snow's Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. "Oh, those are mathematicians! We never talk to them" a Cambridge University don reassured a visitor who could not get a response from men on either side of him at High Table. At MIT the tables can be reversed; humanities professors may feel the need to justify their presence on the faculty of this engineering school. C. P. Snow writes beautifully: Why not read the entire short 54-page book posted at
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KNITTING CIRCLE
Thursday, Nov 20, 8-9:30pm, Classroom 4 - Eva Patalas
Come join us in the fun and fellowship of knitting with a genial group on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. 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. |
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SECOND FRIDAY COFFEEHOUSE
This Friday, November 21, Bridget Curzi and Jim Hall will perform. Bridget is no stranger to the First Church stage. She began in the Youth Choir and church musicals, and she has performed with her father Richard Curzi many times. Last year she made her FCB solo debut, and this year she's returning as the feature act - we are delighted to have her. Jim, a member of First Church and Coffeehouse founder, performs annually at our Coffeehouse. He'll be joined by Roger Miller for a portion of his set. The beneficiary is Renewal House. Tickets are available at the door: $10 and $5 for students and seniors. We begin at 7:30pm; please join us. http://uubelmont.org/2014/10/bridget_curzi/
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PREQUEL TO MAJOR MUSIC SUNDAY
Wed, Dec 3, 7:30pm, Parish Hall - Ian Garvie
Ian will help us to understand the intricacies of what we know and love about G. F. Handel's Messiah Part I. The music includes exuberant choruses, poignant solos and mystical recitatives which tell the Nativity story. |
HOLIDAY FAIR
Mark Your Calendar! The 6th annual Holiday Fair will be held on Sunday, December 7 from 10am-1:30pm in the Parish Hall. Come to the Holiday Gift Fair and buy gifts that give twice. Experience the pleasure of knowing your purchasing power is really working to help people in so many ways.
Would you like to be a vendor? Do you have an organization that is near and dear to your heart and you'd like to do everything you can to support them? You can become a vendor at the fair and sell items as gifts with the money going back to your organization. If you are interested, please contact Evelyn Corsini at corsinievelyn@gmail.com.
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FABULOUS! NEARLY THERE!
This generous, music-loving, social action-oriented, and very special church family had purchased 50 Second Friday Coffeehouse Season Tickets as of November 13 -- getting very close to our 30th season goal of 60! BRAVISSIMI! Thank you, First Church! And our ten highly worthy beneficiaries and their deserving clients thank you from the bottoms of their hearts, as do your First Church colleagues on the Coffeehouse Committee!
Please join in the final push and purchase of one of the last ten tickets we need to sell. We really do try hard to complete our major sales drive in the fall season. We know there are still a number of former and new friends who plan to get a ticket. So here is your reminder: NOW is the time to get on board! Send your $99 check made out to First Church in Belmont, memo line marked Coffeehouse, to First Church in Belmont, P. O. Box 113, Belmont 02478. Or hand your check or cash to Jim Staton, Lauraine Dalton, Anne Selman, or Susan Street. Your becoming part of this exciting and deeply important social action commitment guarantees that the clients of all the causes we support will get the full benefit of your help, making it a real time for Thanksgiving! And again ... MANY, MANY THANKS! You are the greatest! |
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