Calendar
Wednesday, December 17
12:00pm BelUnitAlliance. UH.
7:30pm Women's Gr. Library.
7:30pm Youth Cte. CR.
Thursday, December 18
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:30pm Sci&Spirituality. CR.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
8:00pm Knitting Circle. cl5
Saturday, December 20
6:30pm Youth Group Game
Tournament. PH.
Sunday, December 21
8:15am Nova Choir. Sanct
9:25am Sr Choir. PH.
6/7pm YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.
Monday, December 22
6:00pm Bellringers. Sanctuary.
6:30pm Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.
7:00pm SAC. cl5.
8:00pm Meditation. Library.
Tuesday, December 23
6:30pm Pageant reh. Sanct.
7:30pm Worship Cte. CR.
Wednesday, December 24
11:00am Alumni Ch. Sanct.
4 Services: 2, 4, 6 & 11pm
Thursday, December 25
10:30am Worship & Brunch.
December 25 - January 1
Office closed.
Looking Ahead
December 28: Lay-Led Service
January 2: Coffeehouse
Link to church calendar |
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This Sunday
Music: December 21, 2014
9:00am Service:
Prelude: Vom Himmel hoch
-Valentin Schumann's Lieder (1539)
Alfa Joy Radford, organ chimes
Nova Choir Offertory:
Joy Be Yours in the Morning!
-Douglas Wagner (contemp.)
Jr. Choir:
Winter Lights -R.A. Burr
O Christmas Tree! -Trad'l German
9:00 Postlude:
French Noels -arr. F. Snow (20th c.)
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
11:00am Service:
Chancel Choir:
He Shall Feed His Flock
(from Messiah)
-G. F. Handel (1685-1759)
Solstice Celebration
-Bernadette R. Burns (contemp. UU composer)
The Coming of Peace to All
-Cuban Folktune
Youth Choir:
Riu, Riu, Chiu -16th c. Spanish Carol, arr. A. Snyder
11:00 Choral Postlude:
What Child is This
-Old English, arr. L. Scarmolin
The Christmas greens and poinsettias that decorate our Church are given by the Farnham Memorial Fund.
Ushers:
Leslie Talmadge & Betsy Klimasmith
Alice Trexler & Downing Cless
Welcome & Announcements:
Todd Schatzki & Tom Neel |
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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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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, James Hencke, Abby Jacobs, Steve Saar, Martha Spaulding, and Tom Neel |
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Thanks
...to those who helped Saturday to decorate the church. And special thanks to Eleanor and Jim Sugarman for their assistance in ordering, purchasing, decorating, and hanging the wreaths. - Carolyn Mieth |
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Sunday Flower Availability
There are still a few Sundays available for donating flowers: January 4 & 25 and March 1, 8 & 15. Please be in touch with Carolyn Mieth.
A special welcome to Frederica Frost who will be joining the Flower Committee! |
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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER
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Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
The Grow Clinic Committee wishes you Happy Holidays. We are supremely grateful for your generosity in remembering the families of the Grow Clinic at this time and throughout the church year. Thanks!!!
FOOD: ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT MEDICINES |
Holiday Collection of Winter Clothing for Immigrant Children
The Needham Area Immigration Justice Task Force is joining with the Chelsea Collaborative to support their holiday collection of winter clothing for children and youth 2 months to 21 years of age. Some of these children reside in the Boston area without their parents, or have parents facing deportation. We are reaching out to members of faith communities and interfaith groups for help. The Chelsea Collaborative's mission is to enhance the social, environmental and economic health of Chelsea and its people. Because Chelsea and Boston generally draws many new immigrant families, the Collaborative is an important component of the effort to consistently serve new families upon their arrival. If you have clothing you can give away - sweaters, pants, coats, socks, boots, winter shoes - email Bev Freeman at beverlyjfreeman@gmail.com and she will arrange for a pick up at your home. We would like to collect as much as possible by the end of December; we will gladly receive requests for pick up until January 10. We thank you so much!
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Thank You All!
The Second Friday Coffeehouse thanks all its supporters, audience members, season ticket purchasers, performers, and friends for being part of this model social action program in its 30th year. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and all the best in the coming year! And we hope to see you at the Coffeehouse throughout the rest of the season! [AND, of course, we still gratefully welcome those last few Season Ticket purchasers who have indicated their intentions to offer their support. It's not too late!] |
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UUSC (uusc.org)
Monthly Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Note (4)
Year-end is fast approaching, so take advantage of the charity tax break by (1) renewing your membership. (2) sending in your Guest at Your Table donation, or (3) becoming a new member. Send your check to UUSC in a donation envelope or donate on-line at www.uusc.org. The matching grant from Shelter Rock is now $125. If you were at $100, please consider an increase. Next, consider checking out the Diners' Guide to Restaurants and making an ethical impact when you eat out for the holidays. Find this information in the action-center of the website. Finally, if you are interested in joining the UUSC Team for First Church, you can help with our initiatives, even with limited time. Please contact Jim Landfried, jlandfried@uubelmont.org to learn more. Alice Trexler for the UUSC Team
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Wracking Your Brain for a Unique Christmas Present?
You could give that special woman in your life (it might be yourself!) a place at the First Church Women's Retreat: a gift of restoration and connection in the tranquil woods of Essex, Massachusetts, the weekend of March 13-15. We have just a few places left. For details, e-mail Lillian Anderson at landerson@uubelmont.org. |
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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 Christmas Services
- Still Looking for Ushers
- The Box Office Is Open!
- Alliance Lunch, December 17
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Sunday, December 21
Multigenerational Services
Solstice Service
Rev. David M. Bryce
Services with Children's & Youth Choirs
9:00 & 11:00 Church Service
Childcare for infants and young children
As the sun slowly fades and droops in the sky, we ask the question: Will it be reborn? Let us join together to seek and promote warmth and light.
** Wednesday, December 24 **
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 11pm
** Thursday, December 25 **
10:30am Worship Service & Brunch
Rev. David M. Bryce
** Sunday, December 28 **
10:30am Lay-Led Service, Library
Edwin Taylor, The Second Coming
No childcare or Sunday School classes
** Sunday, January 4 **
9:00 & 11:00am Worship Services
Rev. David M. Bryce
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons
(For weather-related Service and Children RE class cancellations, please check 617.484.1054 x250.)
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
Torture
We have known that the United States violated its own founding values (its bedrock belief in human rights) and shamed itself by using torture against prisoners. Some prefer the politically correct term "enhanced interrogation techniques", but evil by any other name is still evil.
Yesterday (December 9, 2014) the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released a report detailing many of those tortures.
The Senate report gives us nothing new; but it does show just how foul and depraved our actions became. They are "our" actions because it is our government, we are a democracy, the actions were done in our name, we knew about them and we allowed them to continue. As much as it is true that the people who ordered or engaged in the torture are mostly to blame, we who allowed it must share that blame.
Fear causes people to do terrible things, and we succumbed to our lowest fears at the very moment when we should have risen to our highest ideals.
Some will claim that the torture "worked"; but even had that been true, it is irrelevant. The proper first question about any action is not, "Does it work?", but, "Is it right?"
Robbing banks "works", conning people out of their hard earned life savings "works", breaking the leg of a sports competitor "works"; but none of these are moral, just or right. (And none of them rises to the level of evil that torture does.)
Some will say that releasing this report will cause trouble for our nation and is the actual bad act. But that is incorrect.
First, it is not the person or entity that reports a crime, but the person or entity who commits the crime that has done wrong and is to blame for the trouble that ensues. To blame the reporter rather than the actor is to fall into a criminal mentality.
Second, a mature nation, like a mature person recognizes when it has done wrong; admits it's wrongdoing; repents; where possible makes restitution; where possible seeks forgiveness; and then promises itself and others to change its behavior in the future.
As we find ourselves in the season of peace, hope and love may these qualities enter into the heart of each person, the heart of every nation, the heart of all of humanity. May these qualities override our fears and keep us all from acts of evil in the future. |
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
RESOUNDING HALLELUJAHS to the choir, soloists, and orchestra for a very special "MESSIAH" at the Christmas Music Service on Sunday, December 14. It was such a wonderful way to welcome the holiday season of love and light! My spirit is still floating above the real world J
ROSES to Jackie and Sam James for hosting a convivial lunch/party.
'TIS A WONDERFUL SEASON OF THE YEAR - FULL OF MUSIC AND OTHER DELIGHTS! Although it is a whirlwind of rehearsals and events, I love every minute of it...
Here are some dates for your groaning Calendars:
CALENDAR ITEMS for ALL CHOIRS:
Mon, Dec 15: All regular Choir Rehearsals!
Sun, Dec 21: 9:00am Junior and Nova Choirs (Arrive EARLY!)
11:00am Chancel and Youth Choirs (Arrive 10:15am)
Tuesday Night Dec 23:Pageant Rehearsals: 6:30 & 7:15
Tuesday, Dec 24 at 11am: Alumni Choir Rehearsal
Christmas Eve:
11:00am Alumni Choir Rehearsal
2:00pm Jr Choir & Bells Arrive 1:30
4:00pm Chancel Choir Arrive 3:15
6:00pm Youth Choir Arrive 5:15
11:00pm Alumni Choir Arrive 10:15 for Warmups
LOOKING AHEAD:
Sr. Choir resumes Sunday, January 4
Nova Choir resumes Thur, January 8
Youth/Children's Choirs resume Monday, Jan 19 (MLK)
Wishing everyone a joyful, blessed Christmas! -Alfa |
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Among Us
Healing wishes to Daniel Ellard who is recovering from surgery. |
Parish Board News - December 2014
Greetings! This is the monthly report from the Parish Board to members of the church. We are 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. − The Parish Board
Church Administrator Susan Street has kindly decided to postpone her retirement until the end of February, giving us more time to find and train her successor. Susan will be on vacation from December 22 until January 8, so if you need assistance, there will be instruction on Susan's voice mail directing you who to call for help. The Parish Board is hoping to have a job description for the Church Administrator position ready for posting in January. In February, there will be a celebration of Susan's many years of service to First Church.
Congratulations to Sarah Gillespie who was a Student Minister at First Church two years ago. In early December Sarah appeared before the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the UUA and was approved for Preliminary Fellowship, which means she may now be ordained and enter into search as a UU Minister.
If you are making a Christmas Offering this year there are three, (well really four) great organizations who will be the beneficiaries:
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The Grow Clinic, which helps failure-to-thrive infants -
The UU Urban Ministry -
CARE -
And of course, First Church.
You can make your check out to First Church, and write on the memo line whether you want it to go to the Christmas Charities or Gift to First Church. If you mark it Christmas Charities, it will be evenly divided among the three organizations. Or you can write two checks = one for charities and one for the church. Whatever you choose, it will be put to good use! |
The Box Office Is Now Open...
Tickets go on sale December 14 for First Church's glamorous "An Evening at the Oscars," Saturday, February 7. Be sure to reserve your place for this gala, star-spangled fundraising event-it's guaranteed to sell out. Tickets are $50 apiece, which buys you admission to the cocktail reception (cash bar) and Silent Auction display, an elegant dinner with wine, the Live Auction, and musical entertainment. Visit the Auction Box Office at coffee hour or go to www.biddingforgood.com/uubelmont to buy online. And while you're there, please consider making a donation to the auction. |
Still Looking for Christmas Eve Ushers
We still need volunteers to usher at three of our four Christmas Eve Services on Wednesday, December 24th, especially the 6:00 pm service. As of Monday, 12/8:
- 4pm service: 3 ushers still needed.
- 6pm service: 8 ushers needed (no one has yet signed up for this)
- 11pm service: 2 ushers still needed.
Please consider this two hour commitment to a treasured event in our church year. Look for the Christmas Eve Usher Sign-Up Board at coffee hour, or contact David Warner at dwarner@uubelmont.org. |
| On December 21st at the Multigenerational Holiday Service, you will have a special chance to share your holiday spirit with the children and families of the Grow Clinic. There will be an opportunity during the service to place gifts of food under our community Christmas tree. Pick up a list of preferred foods at one of our displays. Baby foods of all stages, Enfamil with iron, and Flintstone vitamins are always appreciated. Food: One of the Most Important Medicines |
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ALLIANCE LUNCH & PROGRAM AT FIRST CHURCH
Wed, Dec 17, 12noon - All Women and Men Welcome!
The Alliance invites members and guests to attend a viewing of the film, Green Fire, about the life and work of Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) environmentalist and father of land conservation and wildlife in the mid-west in the first half of the twentieth century. Leopold began his career as a forest ranger in New Mexico, and then as a student and professor at the University of Wisconsin. The Leopold Foundation, headquartered at Baraboo, Wisconsin perpetuates his teachings of sustainability and responsible land management. Attendees are invited to bring their brown bag sandwich for lunch at noon followed by the showing of the film at 1pm. We will provide soup, beverage, and dessert. The suggested lunch donation is $1.00 per person. To help us prepare for the number of attendees, please call Susan Street, 617.484.1054 x201 and let her know that you will attend and the number of guests you will bring. |
SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY
Ken Bernstein and Edwin Taylor - Thu, Dec 18, 7:30pm, CR
Dick Lyon will lead a discussion on the Biblical story of Ruth, along with Mark Russell's street-wise, unconventional retelling from his Bible commentary "God is Disappointed in You." The reading is posted at eftaylor.com/sands. It includes both the Bible story and Mark Russell's racy retelling. Only eight pages altogether; this is a good month to join Science and Spirituality! |
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ADULT PROGRAMS WINTER BROCHURE
... is available by clicking here. One correction to the information in the brochure. To register for Spiritual Autobiography please contact jofarrell@uubelmont.org. |
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Coming up early in January:
MINDFUL YOGA with Jessica Hicks - 5 week series
Saturday mornings, Jan 3, 10. 17, 24, 31 - 10:30-12noon, PH
Slow flow, mindful yoga for adults of all ages, abilities, and experience levels*. Come experience embodied awareness in motion while stretching and strengthening your body in a supportive community. Jess is a registered yoga instructor with a lifetime of practice and a love of both the movement and still aspects of yoga practice to share. Jess and her family joined the First Church community last year, and she is thrilled to give back to our community by offering these classes for free. Just bring a mat, a twin-sized blanket if you have one, and a curious mind. *Jess can help you modify all of the movements even if you are practicing in a chair rather than on the floor, and chairs also can be used for support in standing postures for those with limited balance or lower body strength. It really is for every body! Drop-in. To be continued if there is interest. For more information contact jhicks@uubelmont.org. |
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LIVING LATER LIFE TO ITS FULLEST
Bob Weber with Jackie James - Sun, Jan 11, 12:30-2pm, Lib
What constitutes a spirituality that facilitates living life in all its fullness as we age. Fullness of life involves living well within four dimensions: the body, the mind, the heart, and the spirit. This presentation will explore the fourth dimension, the spiritual--from a psychological perspective, i.e. what it takes to live well interiorly, in solitude, and in community. |
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SPIRITUAL RENEWAL THROUGH POETRY
Peter Guthrie - Sun, Jan 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 3-4pm
Robert Frost once defined a poem as a "momentary stay against confusion." Good poems can help us see ourselves and our lives more clearly, trigger moments of epiphany, and cut through the confusion of life to what truly matters. We will read and discuss poems that deal with spiritual issues in the broadest sense of the term. |
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THE BREAST CANCER JOURNEY
Melanie Deveikas - Tue, Jan 13, 27, Feb 10, 24, 7:30pm, Lib
An educational series focusing on life & wellness during and after breast cancer treatment. Each week there will be a wellness education topic for discussion. There will also be an opportunity for sharing your breast cancer journey and related concerns through and beyond treatment. For more information or to sign up, please contact Melanie at mdeveikas@uubelmont.org. |
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 First Church Christmas Services December 2014
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Rev. David Bryce, Rev. Alfa Radford
2:00pm Junior Choir; Lessons and Carols
4:00pm Chancel Choir; Lessons and Carols
6:00pm Youth Choir; Lessons and Carols
11:00pm Alumni Choir; Lessons and Carols
Please note that the doors will not open for these Services until 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 10:30. No seats are to be "saved," other than those labeled for Service readers.
Christmas Offering - We invite you to consider these special gifts for the Christmas offering: A Christmas gift to the Charitable Projects of The First Church ("Xmas Charities") or to The First Church ("gift"). The charitable projects include the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry campaign, "Uniting Communities and Transforming Lives," Grow Clinic which serves infants and toddlers diagnosed with Failure to Thrive, and CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Please note on the memo line of your check "Xmas Charities" or "Gift to First Church."
Thursday, December 25
10:30am Worship Service & Brunch
Rev. David Bryce
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