The First Church in Belmont

THE UNITARIAN  February 10, 2015

In This Issue
Calendar 

Next Issue: February 17

Deadline: 3pm February 12

 

Wednesday, February 11

7:00pm   CRE Cte. cl5.

7:30pm   Facilitators. Lib.

7:30pm   Youth Cte. cl7.

8:30pm   LPC. Study.

Thursday, February 12

6:45pm   Nova Choir. Sanct.

7:00pm   Living w/Illness. Lib.

7:00pm   AED/CPR UH.

Friday, February 13

7:30pm   Coffeehouse. PH.

Saturday, February 14

Youth Group Service Trip.

1:00pm   Mindful Yoga. PH. 

Sunday, February 15

9:25am   Sr. Choir. Parish Hall.

12:30pm Predicting the

               Future. Library.

2:00pm   Parents w/Kids. Lib.

4:00pm   Memoir Writing. cl5.

Monday, February 16

Church office closed.

8:00pm   Meditation. Lib.

Tuesday, February 17

7:30pm   ProgramCoun.Parlor.

7:30pm   SGM. Library.

Wednesday, February 18

12:00pm BelUnitAlliance.UH.

7:00pm   Stewardship. cl4.

7:30pm   Women's Gr. Lib.

 

Looking Ahead

Feb 25: FC Book Group 

 

Link to church calendar  

This Sunday
Music: February 15, 2015 

Prelude:

Ian Garvie, organ

Offertory Solo: 

The Sky Above the Roof 

-R. Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)   

Irina Kareva, alto

9:00 Postlude:

Mary Beekman, organ

11:00 Sr. Choir:

Tantum ergo in E-Flat Major

-Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

11:00 Postlude:

Ian Garvie, organ  

   

The flowers this Sunday are given by Jill Young Coelho in joyful memory of her parents, Phyllis and Edwin Young, and in gratitude for her sisters and brothers, John, Dorothy, Nathan and Barbara.
   
Ushers: Eva Patalas & David Warner; Margaret Marks & Debbie Dobbins
  
Welcome & Announcements: 
Penny Schafer & Doug Burden 
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, James Hencke, Abby Jacobs, Steve Saar, Martha Spaulding, and Tom Neel

Social Action Corner

ACTION IS OUR PRAYER

First Church Holiday Fair December 7, 2014

First Church held a very successful annual Holiday Fair on December 7. Eighteen different groups raised funds for social welfare causes both near (Grow Clinic, Urban Ministry) and far (Save the Children, Ebola Orphans, Izotalillo Village, El Salvador). Profits raised for these causes totaled $6,830.00. Thank you to the many church members who helped to recruit organizations, decorate and staff the tables, and set up the Parish Hall for this lively and fun event.

Fund Recipients: Alternative Gifts, Amnesty International, Boston Center Refugee Health & Human Rights, Eastern Service Workers Assn, Elizabeth Seton Center, Grow Clinic, Izotalillo Village/El Salvador, More Than Words, Religious Education Group, Save the Children/Ebola Orphans, Sharing Foundation, Social Action Committee First Church, Transylvania Partner Church, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Urban Ministry, YouthBuild, Youth Group - Himalayan Health Care, Youth Group - Trip, Zienzele Foundation


Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!  

Wouldn't you like to add some LOVE to your cart this Valentine Holiday with a few extras for the infants and toddlers at the Grow Clinic?

FOOD: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINES

A Note from The Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry 

Bethany House, our transformational living community for young adult women, is in high need of furniture right now. Desks, desk chairs, beds, bedside tables, and dressers. If you know anyone in your congregation who might be able to donate one of these items please help us out by spreading the word.

     In addition, the Bethany House residents are planning a Spread the Love event for February 14th. They will be filling backpacks with necessities and distributing them to the homeless on the streets of Boston. We are collecting winter hats and gloves, toothbrushes and toothpaste, mouthwash, wipes, candy, granola bars, socks, etc. If you or a group from your congregation would like to collect and donate some of these items we would greatly appreciate it!

     Finally, our Roxbury Youth Program is going on a series of college visits over February School Vacation again this year. We are looking for congregations to donate bagged lunches for the youth on one or more of the following days: April 17, 18, or 19. If you or a group from your congregation would like to prepare bag lunches for the youth please let me know asap! 

     
Thank you all so much! Rev. Rebecca Hinds, Director of Congregational and Volunteer Engagement 617-318-6010 x214 / www.uuum.org

  

UUSC (uusc.org)

  

 

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
  • Stewardship Drive Update
  • Winter Clothing Drive NOW through March 15
  • A Path Appears, February 12
  • Second Friday Coffeehouse, February 13
  • Belmont Unitarian Alliance Lunch & Program, February 18
Sunday, February 15          

This Beautiful Moon 

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 receive messages continuously, whether from life, the world, some divine source or our own inner being. How well do we listen? 

 

** Next Sunday, February 22**

Laura Wagner, UU Mass Action, The Power of Being a Faith Community

 

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

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

On the pagan calendar, today (Feb 02) is Imbolc, a "cross-day" halfway between a solstice and an equinox, in the case of Imbolc, halfway between winter and spring. Yes, despite the late January blizzard and the early February snow, spring is on its way.

     Some gardeners have already begun to sow seeds indoors for spring planting, a reminder that tending a garden is a year round project that involves many different kinds of activities.

     Tending the garden of our congregation is also a year round project, though certain bring with them more intensity.

     According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "husband" used to mean "peasant farmer" and so to speak of "husbandry" is to speak of caring for or tending to. Given modern sensibilities, let us use the term "steward" instead.

     We are stewards of our congregation and so we have various tasks to do to tend it. It needs enough volunteerism, enough personal interaction and, yes, enough money, to be a truly healthy place.

     We cannot all provide an abundance of each of these, but most of us can all provide an abundance of at least one of these and some small amounts of the others.

     May we each feel responsible for the health of our community, may we each give what we can in all areas of congregational life, and may we each feel that we are a part of this place and of all that it does. 

Alfa Radford
Music Notes from Alfa Radford

VALENTINE HEARTS to the Nova and Sr. Choirs for beautiful anthems last Sunday, meant to bring attention to Rev. Bryce's stewardship sermon; and to Chuck Claus, Ian Garvie, and Livia Racz, for their unique and exotic "Dharmasong."

For PARENTS of CHORISTERS:

CHANCEL & JR. CHOIRS sing in church:

March 8 Multigenerational Services:

9:00am Jr (K-Gr4) Arrive 8:30

11:00am Chancel (Gr5-6) Arrive 10:15

 REGULAR MONDAY EVENING REHEARSALS:

JR. CHOIR (K-Gr4) Mons 6:30-7:00pm. Sing in church Mar 8 & Jun 14.

CHANCEL CHOIR (Gr5-6) Mons 7:00-7:45pm. Sing in church Mar 8, May 10, Jun 14.

YOUTH CHOIR (Gr. 7-High Sch) Mondays 7:45-8:30 pm. Sing in church March 22, May 10.

NOTE regarding Monday Holidays henceforth:

YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS: (No Childr/Youth rehearsals on 2/16, 4/20, 5/25)

QUOTABLE:  (Because it amuses me so, this is a repeat, yet again!)

"For those who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs."

      Joyful blessings, Alfa
Stewardship Update: Learn - Reflect - Decide - Respond

Stewardship Season is underway! Please take this time to LEARN about The First Church's finances and REFLECT on David Bryce's stewardship sermon delivered on February 8. This year's letter, brochure with details of church finances, stewardship sermon text, and a chart of recommended pledging levels are all available online at www.uubelmont.org/stewardship. You will receive your pledge form and reply envelope in the mail in late February, at which time we will hope you will be ready to DECIDE on your level of pledge support for 2015-16. This year, we will once again kick off our RESPOND phase with a celebratory service on Sunday March 1, at which all parishioners are invited and encouraged to return their signed pledge cards. Thank you, as always, for your consideration and for your support of the church we all love.  - The First Church Stewardship Committee


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 [email protected]

If you've been to the Bidding for Good website, at www.biddingforgood.com/uubelmont, you know that the Silent Auction is going strong. You still have a few days to outwit the competition and emerge victorious with the items you want. But hurry--the bidding closes on Saturday, February 14 at 10:00pm. Be sure to place your final bids by then.

     And please pick up your winnings (if they're portable) on Sunday, February 15 after either of the worship services.

     Haven't done any bidding yet? Go to the website, where you'll find more than 200 wonderful items in every price range. You can buy a place at the table for Lanier Smythe's exquisite Moroccan dinner, the Partner Church Committee's delectable Hungarian feast, Sandy Nayak's superb South Indian vegetarian food, Kathy Crawley and John & Teresa Howe's delicious lobster dinner or Michael Griffin's scrumptious gourmet vegetarian/vegan patio meal.

     And those are just the dinners! You'll find excursions, services, gift certificates, sports and entertainment tickets, art objects, and much more on the Bidding for Good website. But hurry--the bidding closes on Saturday, February 14 at 10:00pm. Maybe you'll find something for your special Valentine.  

 

Upcoming Events: 

THE BREAST CANCER JOURNEY

Melanie Deveikas - Tue, Feb 10 (Parlor), 24, Mar 10, 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. Melanie Deveikas, PT, MHA is a physical therapy graduate of the University of Vermont. For more information or to sign up, please contact Melanie at [email protected].      
THE CONVERSATION PROJECT - Part II

Tuesday, February 10, 7:30pm, Library

Please join the Rev. Rosemary Lloyd in this continuing discussion. If you weren't able to attend Part I, please contact Lillian ([email protected]) to receive the distributed materials. The Rev. Rosemary Lloyd has a life-long interest in end of life care and ethics. An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, Rosemary has led courses in congregational settings on aging and end of life choices for more than 10 years.

A PATH APPEARS IN BELMONT - A Campaign to Make a Difference, Thursday, Feb 12, 7pm at Temple Beth El, 2 Concord Ave, Belmont. Part Three of the 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 here in the United States. There will be a follow-up discussion moderated by Janet Domenitz, Executive Director of MASSPIRG.

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 [email protected].

LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS

Kathy Lind - Thursday, Feb 12, 7pm, Library

Our lives are constantly changing and facing changes that involve illness makes us feel vulnerable. This ongoing support group provides a space and time to understand and process feelings and circumstances related to dealing with serious illness, both for caregivers and people in all stages of discovery and recovery.   

2nd FRIDAY COFFEEHOUSE

Friday, February 13 

This week the 2nd Friday Coffeehouse is proud to welcome two veteran performers to our stage. Eric Kilburn writes and performs songs about "what I see..." and displays a gift for finding gentle humor in our human condition. The Kenny Selcer Band is a quartet featuring guitar, bass, percussion, and vocals, performing a variety of upbeat tunes guaranteed to "get your toes tappin'..." So join us to make Friday the 13th Lucky at First Church and support our featured beneficiary and long-time associate Bristol Lodge. Check out the flyer! 

MINDFUL YOGA

Jessica Hicks - Sat, Feb 14, 1-2:30pm, Parish Hall

Due to popular demand Jess has offered to continue the class on the second Saturday of each month. Please note the time change. 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. Drop-in.

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. Refreshments served. 

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ALLIANCE LUNCH & PROGRAM AT FIRST CHURCH

Wed, Feb 18, 12:00 noon - All Women and Men Welcome 

Alice Trexler, a retired Tufts University performing arts professor, will discuss "Viewing Dance" using selected video excerpts from Swan Lake and other classic and recent choreographic examples. This session follows an Alliance arts program on How to View Art and an outing to the Tufts University Art Gallery. The Alliance lunch begins at 12:00 and the program at 1:00pm. To help us prepare for the number of attendees, please contact Susan Street (617.484.1054 x201) and let her know that you will attend and the number of your guests. Bring your own sandwich and we will provide soup, beverage, and dessert. Suggested lunch donation: $1.00 per person.

SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY

Ken Bernstein and Edwin Taylor - Thu, Feb 19, 7:30pm, CR

Alice Trexler will lead us in a discussion of E. O. Wilson's latestbook, The Meaning of Human Existence. Wilson is known as the father of sociobiology and a major exponent of biodiversity. The reading is available for download at eftaylor.com/sands

THE FIRST CHURCH BOOK GROUP

We will meet on Wed, Feb 25, at 7:30pm in the Library to discuss the 2012 National Book Award winner, Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. Amartya Sen, Professor of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard University, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, described Behind the Beautiful Forevers as "A beautiful account, told through real-life stories, of the sorrows and joys, the anxieties and stamina, in the lives of the precarious and powerless in urban India whom a booming country has failed to absorb and integrate. A brilliant book that simultaneously informs, agitates, angers, inspires, and instigates." The Book Group is always open to new members and does not require a commitment to attend future meetings. Please contact Anne Stuart at [email protected] if you are interested in participating.