A heartfelt Thank You to the congregation for a very strong start to the "Response" phase of our 2015 March Stewardship Drive. A wonderful outpouring at our March 1 Celebration Sunday pledge offertory service brought our initial pledge total to over $294,000 - reaching, on the very first day, nearly 50% of our target of $605,000. We still have a long way to go, however, and if you have not yet made a pledge, we urge you to do so thoughtfully and promptly. Timely pledging in March is essential for orderly planning in April for the annual budget, and this year's appeal focuses on the need for strong across-the-board increases as we seek to broaden and deepen our support among all generations of our members and friends. Visit www.uubelmont.org/stewardship to make your pledge or to review pledge materials, or contact the church administrator if you need another pledge packet. An honor roll of timely pledges will be posted in church next Sunday morning, March 15. The list will include the names of all parishioners who have communicated their pledges to the church by this Thursday, March 12. Thank you for your consideration and your generous response. − The Stewardship Committee (Roger Read, Chair, rread@uubelmont.org)

Partner Church Update from the Partner Church Committee

Our annual Easter donation to the Désfalva Congregation was sent this week. This is one of the uses of Sunday morning plate collections designated for Partner Church. A donation of $1,000 is sent each December and $500 each spring. The minister and the lay leadership of the Désfalva church decide how these gifts are to be used. The December gift is often used for repairs on the church, parish hall building, or the parsonage. The spring donation is usually used to buy cooking oil for those who would otherwise depend on lard for their cooking needs. We have sent these gifts from the very beginning of our partnership in 1991. For the first decade of our partnership it was difficult to get the money to Désfalva because there was no reliable way to send money. Several years ago the UU Partner Church Council solved this problem. We pay dues to the UU Partner Church Council each year, and in return, they provide us with information about the Unitarian Church in Romania, arrange for church trips, and provide a safe transfer system for monetary gifts.

     In addition to scheduled plate collections, the Partner Church Committee asks for individual scholarship donations usually in February of each year. This year the appeal was done in conjunction with Partner Church Sunday. This year eighteen individual or family donors have given donations ranging from $10 to $500. As a result we have enough money to fund our high school and college students for the coming year. We are most grateful to all the donors who contributed this year and in the past. The people of Désfalva are very grateful for the gift of education for their children. Check out the flyer on the Upper Gathering Hall welcome table to see information about our most recent scholars.

     Parishioners are also reminded that the bookcase in the Parlor is dedicated to Partner Church. There are books about Romania and about the history of Unitarianism in Transylvania. There are photo albums of past trips and Partner Church Council newsletters. There are various items of memorabilia given to us by our partners or brought back by First Church pilgrims who have visited Transylvania. You will find it most interesting.

Welcome! ...to Jen Deaderick who signed the Membership Book on March 1!   

LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS

Kathy Lind - Thur, March 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. 

Please mark your calendars for March 13 @ 7:30 pm for Twisted Pine, an up-and-coming blue grass ensemble out of Berklee College of Music. Stan Dzonik (President of the Boston Bluegrass Union) writes, "Their approach is modern, but their connection to tradition is clear. If you have a chance to see them, do it! You won't be disappointed." This is going to be a great concert; you shouldn't miss it! Click here to see flyer!

MINDFUL YOGA

Jessica Hicks - Sat, March 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.

ALLIANCE LUNCH & PROGRAM AT FIRST CHURCH

Wed, March 18, 12:00 Noon - All Women and Men Welcome!

 

The Alliance lunch and program will be here at The First Church in Belmont. The Alliance lunch begins at 12:00 and the program at 1:00pm. Our program will be a talk by Gladys Unger about her trip to Turkey last year. All men and women are invited to join us.To help us prepare and set up for the number of attendees, please call Susan Street, 617.484.1054 x201 and let her know that you will attend and also the number of guests you will bring. Bring your own sandwich; we will provide soup, beverage, and dessert. Suggested lunch donation $1/pp.

PREQUEL TO MAJOR MUSIC

Ian Garvie - Wednesday, March 18, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

Inspired by The Messiah during his second London visit, Haydn vowed to compose his own oratorio. Based largely on Paradise Lost, "The Creation" is a masterpiece of the form, both luminous and powerful.

"FIELDS OF BLOOD"

Doris Hunter & Edwin Taylor - Sun, March 22, 12:30pm, Library

Karen Armstrong's book "Fields of Blood" - The relationship between religion and violence" notes that not until the 1700s was religion ejected from political life in the West. "When, therefore, people claim that religion has been responsible for more  than any other human institution, one has to ask, "More than what?" . . . John Locke believed that the separation of church and state was the key to peace." Modern wars have proved him wrong too. What is the source of the evil of war? Doris and Edwin will start our discussion.

FIRST CHURCH BOOK GROUP

Karl Klasson and Anne Stuart - Wed, March 25, 7:30pm, Library

The First Church Book Group will discuss James Howard Kuntsler's dystopian novel World Made by Hand. Kunstler has written nonfiction books describing the potential dire results of climate change and the decline of oil production, and in World Made by Hand he explores the deterioration of civilization that could be brought on by these changes. After roads crumble and other infrastructure is lost, people return to raising their own food, crafting what they need, and depending on horses for transportation. 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 or would like to be on their mailing list.

FIRST CHURCH SEDER

Friday, April 3, 6:00pm

Please join us in a simplified Haggadah (readings and blessings) and meal in celebration of Passover. A Passover Seder is a retelling and celebration of the story of Exodus and reminds us all of ongoing global struggles for freedom. We are hosting a potluck Seder on Friday, April 3 at 6pm in the Parish Hall. This is a very kid-friendly (and delicious) event. We ask $3 child, $5 adult, $12 family donation, and we are looking for help with set up and clean up. We have recipes for traditional dishes. Please RSVP to Eleanor Sugarman, esugarman@uubelmont.org or look for the sign up at coffee hour.