Calendar
Next Issue: February 4
Deadline: 3pm January 29
Wednesday, January 28
7:30pm FCBook Gr. Library.
Thursday, January 29
4:00pm DRESupport Cte.cl5.
6:45pm Nova Choir. Sanct.
7:30pm Wi$dom Path. Lib.
Saturday, January 31
10:30am Mindful Yoga. PH.
Sunday, February 1
9:25am Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.
12:00pm Auction Cte. cl5.
12:30pm Explore the Kingdom
of the Monarchs. Lib.
1:00pm AuctionSubcte. cl4.
3:00pm Poetry. Parlor.
4:15pm COA. Parlor.
4:30pm OWL. Library.
6/7pm YAC/YG. Parlor/UH.
Monday, February 2
6:30pm Jr; 7 Chan; 7:45 Youth.
7:30pm Adult Prog Cte. CR.
8:00pm Meditation. Library.
Tuesday, February 3
7:30pm Auction Cte. cl5.
7:30pm Partner Ch. Cte. CR.
7:30pm SGM. Library.
Wednesday, February 4
7:30pm Women's Gr. Lib.
Looking Ahead
Feb 7: Auction: An Evening at the Oscars
Link to church calendar
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This Sunday
Music: February 1, 2015
Prelude: We Decided -from the Gospel Harmonettes of Demopolis, Alabama
The First Church Linden Singers:
Richard Curzi, John Howe, Paul Judge, Roger Read
Offertory: The Prodigal Son
-Trad'l, Gospel SongThe Linden Singers
9:00 Postlude: Mary Beekman, organ
11:00 Sr. Choir:
River in Judea
- John Leavitt (contemp.)
11:00 Postlude:
We Decided
- from Gospel Harmonettes
The Linden Singers
The flowers this Sunday are given by Ben Bauer and Susan Gonzalez to love, peace, and kindness.
Ushers: Members of the New Connections Ministry
Welcome & Announcements: Peter Guthrie & Anne Donohue
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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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Social Action Corner
ACTION IS OUR PRAYER |
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Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
Many, many thanks for the wonderful contributions to this year's Great January Jar Race. Your generosity was grand, and the Grow Clinic families are supremely grateful to you for taking part in the race.
Jars and jars and jars of gratitude.....Your Grow Clinic Committee
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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
- Silent Auction begins January 31 at 10am
- An Evening at the Oscars, February 7
- Winter Clothing Drive NOW through March 15
- First Church Book Group, January 28
- A Path Appears, January 29
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Sunday, February 1
Should We Blame Religion?
Rev. Doris Hunter
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.)
Isn't it easy for us to put the blame on religion in whatever form it takes for the violence in our world and in our lives? Perhaps we should stop and wonder about the roots of violence and take another look at its source.
** Next Sunday, February 8 **
Rev. David M. Bryce preaching, Stewardship Sunday
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
In the opera Anna Bolena by Donizetti (based on the life and death of Anne Boleyn) the Jane Seymour character begs the King, Henry VIII, to spare the life of the Queen. One of the lines she sings is, "Every heart has its failings, so that we might show mercy to others".
When I see people engaged in bad behavior (even evil actions) I strive to see the part of my own character that could lead me to the same action--and I almost always find it.
There are countervailing parts of my character that make evil behavior unlikely, at least under my current life conditions. (The last phrase of that last sentence is extremely important.)
Could I steal from other people? Yes, especially if I thought that it was the only way to get food for my child--or for myself. Or if I was convinced that the social structure was such that I was being denied access to goods and services that were rightfully mine.
Could I take part in terrorist acts? Yes, if I believed there was injustice that could be set right in no other way.
Could I take part in or approve of evil actions against terrorists? Yes, if I truly believed that it was the only way to protect my own safety.
In these and much lesser acts I can see myself.
The point here is not to see myself as "dripping with sin"; rather it is to recognize the truth that, "Every heart has its failings, so that we might show mercy to others".
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
FIRST CHURCH CHOIRS - New Singers Welcome!
NOVA CHOIR -rehearses Thursdays 6:45- 8pm (Sings in church twice a month at 9am.)
SR. CHOIR - rehearses Sunday mornings 9:25-10:45. (Sings every 11am Service.)
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS:
JR. CHOIR (K-Gr4) Mondays 6:30-7:00pm
CHANCEL CHOIR (Gr5-6) Mondays 7:00-7:45pm
YOUTH CHOIR (Gr7-High Sch) Mondays 7:45-8:30 pm
(Looking ahead: No Children's/Youth rehearsals on 2/16, 4/20, 5/25)
THE PIANO CELEBRATION BENEFIT CONCERT held last Saturday evening was a wonderful celebratory event! Twelve talented First Churchers and three guest artists performed a delightfully varied program of classical, jazz, Scottish folk, brilliant boogie, and Broadway music, for a very enthusiastic audience. Thus, the First Church Piano/Organ Fund is alive and well!
BOUQUETS to performers, attendees, and to the many generous Patrons, Sponsors, and Friends of Music.
ROSES to Marilyn Yee for a lovely reception; to Eliza Burden, ticket-maker; Richard Curzi, flyer design; Gretchen McClain, Greg Duckworth, and Jane Minasian, publicity; and Susan Street, for the attractive printed program. May this tradition continue in great style.
Music, indeed, hath charm! -Alfa
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Winter Clothing Drive 
Now through March 15th
DONATION BOXES in Lower Hall.
The 9th grade COA group will be volunteering with homeless people in the Boston area and learning about poverty and homelessness next month. Please help us with a clothing drive in advance!
USED items (for men or unisex), including:
* Winter coats
* Sweatshirts and sweat pants (especially hooded sweatshirts)
* Sweaters, Long-sleeve shirts, T-shirts
* Jeans, khakis, other casual pants and belts
* Waterproof boots, comfortable shoes and sneakers
* Hats, waterproof gloves, scarves
* All kinds of carrying cases such as backpacks, tote bags, fanny packs and small suitcases with wheels (in good condition)
* Sleeping bags and blankets (clean & in good condition)
NEW items, including:
* New white socks
* New underwear - size L, XL, XXL
TRAVEL-SIZE Toiletries, including:
* Soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, Chapstick, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream and razors. (Please no aftershave or mouthwash containing alcohol.)
*Please NO children's clothes, dress clothes, slippers, bathrobes, pajamas or out-of-season clothing. For questions, please contact Julie Ennis at jennis@uubelmont.org
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 First Church's signature social event--and crucial fundraiser--is less than three weeks away! Do you have your tickets? You must be present on February 7 to bid on the Live Auction items: sumptuous dinners, including Indian, southern, Italian, Swiss, Moroccan, and "bayou"; vacation homes, from the Cape to Colorado; a restaurant review dinner with famed local food writer Corby Kummer; and much more. Tickets are $50 and are available at coffee hour or online at Bidding for Good. Have you seen the nearly 200 items donated by our members, friends, and local businesses? You must register at Bidding for Good to bid in the two-week Silent Auction, where you can find fresh produce, gourmet baked goods, personal services, works of art, jewelry, theater tickets, perennials for your garden... The list goes on and on. Registration is easy. Go to www.biddingforgood.com/uubelmont to create your own user name and password. In order to bid, you'll need to enter credit card information. Your card will not be charged unless yours is the winning bid.Then you'll have two weeks of fun in which to track how your donations are doing and whether your bids are winning. New this year: Ticket holders who register at Bidding for Good with their credit card information may leave right after the Live Auction event--no standing in the check-out line to pay for the wonderful things you just won! For questions or to volunteer, write to Marion Westgate, the auction chair, at uu.belmont.auction@gmail.com. |
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Our love and sympathy to Tom Barber and Marcia Dambry on the death of Tom's father, Clifford M. Barber (October 8, 1917-January 11, 2015).
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FIRST CHURCH BOOK GROUP
Wednesday, January 28, 7:30pm, Library
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
The New Yorker called Out Stealing Horses a "quiet but compelling novel,"observing that Petterson's "spare and deliberate prose has astonishing force."The Book Group is always open to new members and does not require a commitment to attend future meetings.Please contact Anne Stuart at astuart@uubelmont.org if you are interested in participating.
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THE WI$DOM PATH - Tom Neel and Martha Read
Thu, Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 26, 7:30pm, Library
The Wi$dom Path is for adults, and it is about money. Three sessions will include 1) Talking About Money: to lay the groundwork to begin talking about the role of money in our lives and its connection to our well-being; 2) The Meaning of Money in Our Lives: consider how childhood & family values influence us; 3) What cultural teachings about money do we share, and what is unique to the individual?
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A PATH APPEARS IN BELMONT - A Campaign to Make a Difference - Thu, Jan 29, 7pm - St. Joseph's PH, 130 Common St
Part One of a three-part PBS Series based on the book A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. This film series is about tough issues facing women and girls around the world and in the United States. There will be a follow-up discussion led by Jeff Shea, Belmont High School social science teacher, and Massachusetts Teacher of the Year 2015.
Part Two of the series is on Thursday, Feb 5 at First Church, 7pm in the Parish Hall and will be moderated by Anne Donohue, Boston University Professor of Journalism.
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EXPLORE THE KINGDOM OF THE MONARCHS
Richard Waring and Kristin Phillips - Sun, Feb 1, 12:30pm, Lib
The Greek word for butterfly is "psyche," which translates as "soul." Many Mexicans see the returning monarchs as the souls of the dead. Join us for a photo tour of monarch butterflies at their overwintering habitat in the mountains of Mexico. Learn about this longest insect migration on earth and the perils this resilient species faces due to global climate change, logging, and pesticides.
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3 SCIENTISTS PREDICT THE FUTURE
Jack Dennis, Jon Graves and Edwin Taylor
Sunday, Feb 15, 12:30pm, Library
People who predict the distant future have a bad record. H. G. Wells expected that television would appear in the twenty-third century. Who would have predicted that by 2014 a young couple could eliminate more than 500 genetic diseases forever from their children's bloodlines? Jack Dennis (a computer specialist), Jon Graves (a molecular biologist), and Edwin Taylor will make modest predictions about developments in the next five years and join you in thinking about the coming decade.
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Registrations required for the following classes:
Writing Memoir
Martha Spaulding - Suns, Feb 8, 15, 22, Mar 1, 4-5:30pm, cl5
This workshop is designed to tap into the stories your memory holds. We will write on a wide variety of subjects and share aloud with no feedback. Bring a notebook and writing implements that appeal to you. Limited to 12 participants. Please register with Martha at mspaulding@uubelmont.org.
AED/CPR Training and Certification
Thursday, Feb 12, 7-9pm, UH (snowdate, Feb 14, 3-5pm)
First church has arranged to have Maureen Zuccaro, a certified American Heart Association (AHA) CPR trainer return to provide certification or re-certification in CPR and the use of the AED machine for those who would like to participate. The Heartsaver AED course is designed for Lay Rescuers by the AHA. It includes Adult child and infant CPR/AED and choking using individual mannequins with plastic barrier protection. The cost is $40 per person. Registration is required and space is limited to 10 people. If you are interested, please contact Lillian at landerson@uubelmont.org.
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Continuing series include:
Mindful Yoga with Jessica Hicks - 5 week series
Sat mornings, Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 10:30-12noon; Parish Hall
Mindful yoga for adults of all ages, abilities, and experience levels. Just bring a mat, a twin-sized blanket if you have one, and a curious mind. Drop-in. For more information contact jhicks@uubelmont.org.
Spiritual Renewal through Poetry - Peter Guthrie
Sundays - January 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 3-4pm
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.
The Breast Cancer Journey - Melanie Deveikas
Tuesdays, Jan 13, 27, Feb 10, 24, 7:30pm, Library
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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Ongoing groups:
Caring for Older Adults
Miriam Baker & Deborah Blumberg - Thur, Feb 5, 7:30pm, CR
Knitting Circle
Eva Patalas - Thursday, February 5, 8pm, classroom 4
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