Dear Members of the Congregation,

I'm sure you all know by now that Alfa Radford, our Minister of Music, and Susan Street, our church administrator, have both decided that 2015 will be their last year as esteemed staff members of First Church Belmont.  Susan is retiring, and Alfa is leaving for health-related reasons.  While I was saddened by this news, I have to remember that we are so fortunate, and I am so profoundly grateful, for the years of dedicated, excellent service (85 years between the two of them!) these two wonderful women have given our church community. 

Change of this magnitude can stir feelings of instability, or it can excite feelings of growth and hope for the future.  As David has noted to our church staff and leadership, part of the process is grieving for what was.  Honoring that process is important.  But maintaining equilibrium is essential, and looking to the future with inspiration and positive energy is affirming.  We at First Church have the structures and support in place to move forward with verve: among the leadership, and among you, the congregation.

Both Alfa and Susan are working with us to make our transition to new staff as seamless as possible.  Susan has extended her time with us for a couple of months and Alfa is not leaving until June.  They are keepers of institutional memory and have been clear that we can continue to draw upon their wisdom about church related questions beyond their last day.  These are great gifts.  While they are here, we will go through our processes to fill their positions, working with the strong structures in place: the Parish Board, the Music Committee, and other church leadership.  A Parish Board subcommittee has been working to better define how new staff in the administrator's office can work to best serve the needs of a church that has grown in many ways during Susan's tenure.  A group of amazing volunteers (Miriam Baker, Sara Oaklander, Eva Patalas and Penny Schafer) has been completing administrative functions for three weeks while Susan was away for the holidays (thank you all!).  The Music Committee has already started the process of determining the best way of finding a Music Director.  The music program Alfa has created is uplifting, sustains our services with its beauty, and provides a consistent draw for new membership.  Maintaining the integrity and excellence of this asset to our community is a priority for church leadership.

The honesty, intelligence and thoughtfulness that members of the both the Parish Board and Music Committees are bringing to discussions of our immediate church needs is impressive.  With such talent among our leadership, throughout all of our church committees, and among you, our congregation as a whole, I am confident that we will meet change with the best plans and solutions for a bright, exciting future.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Howard

Parish Board President   

The Adult Programs Committee is pleased to present a series of programs to help us understand the issues faced in the last chapter of our lives. 

LIVING LATER LIFE TO ITS FULLEST - Sunday, January 11th at 12:30pm with Bob Weber and Jackie James. 

Bob Weber is in the Dept. of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, an associate in Psychology at Mass. General Hospital and a former Jesuit.  He has written extensively about the spiritual aspects of aging.  Hope you can join us in the Library at 12:30pm.  Refreshments served. 

THE CONVERSATION PROJECT - PART I

Rev. Rosemary Lloyd

Thursday, Jan. 22, 7:30pm, Library (Part II on Feb. 10th)

How we die is part of our legacy to our loved ones and our communities.  The Conversation Project is dedicated to supporting congregation members in having crucial conversations about the kind of care they would want through the end of life.  This 2-part workshop begins with identifying the concerns and values that will ground and guide decision making and includes practice in how to begin The Conversation with a loved one.  In part two, participants will share the experience of starting The Conversation and consider the next steps they need to take to insure that their wishes will be respected.  For more information contact landerson@uubelmont.org or visit the website: theconversationproject.org.

THE BREAST CANCER JOURNEY

Melanie Deveikas

Tues., Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 10 (Parlor), 24, 7:30pm, Library

An educational series focusing on life and wellness during and after breast cancer treatment. Each week there will be an education topic for discussion as well as 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.

SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY

Thursday, January 15, 7:30pm, conference room

KNITTING CIRCLE

Thursday, January 15, 8pm, Classroom #4

Come join us in the fun and fellowship of knitting with a genial group on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Everyone is welcome and no commitment is necessary. Contact Eva with any questions.