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This Sunday
Music: March 29, 2015
Prelude: Hosanna in the Highest
-Hymn Tune Ellacombe, 1784
Alfa Joy Radford, organ chimes
Trumpet Descants played by
Greg Gettel and Robinson Pyle
Major Choral Work:
"The Creation" -F.J. Haydn (1732-1809)
with Choir, Soloists, & Orchestra
Soloists:
Sopranos: Melanie Bacaling, Livia Racz, Melanie Salisbury
Mezzo Soprano: Irina Kareva,
Tenors: Davron Monroe, Roger Read
Baritones: Chuck Claus, Bruce Kozuma
The plants are given by the Belmont Unitarian Alliance.
Ushers: Kurian Thomas, Phil Thayer and David Warner
Welcome & Announcements: Penny Schafer and Anne Donohue
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Calendar
Next Issue: March 31
Deadline: 10 a.m. March 26
Wed., Mar. 25
FC Book Gr - Lib, 7:30 p.m.
Men's Group - 8 p.m.
Thurs., Mar. 26
Nova Choir-Sanct - 6:45 p.m.
Sr Choir-PH/S - 7 p.m.
Wi$dom Path-Library - 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 28
Sr Choir-PH/S - 9:30 a.m.
Sun., Mar. 29
Sr Choir-PH - 8:15 a.m.
CRE Special progr a.m.-PH - 8:30 a.m.
CRE-Library - 8:30 a.m.
FCB Green-Lib - 12:15 p.m.
Spiritual Autobiography-cl5 - 4 p.m.
COA-Parlor - 4:15 p.m.
OWL-Lib - 4:30 p.m.
Tai Chi - Upper Hall - 4:30 p.m.
YAC/YG-Parl/Lib/CR/cl5 - 6 p.m.
Social Action - Beyond Ferguson, PH - 7 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 30
Jobseekers-Library - 9:30 a.m.
Youth Chrs-S - 6:30 p.m.
Meditation-Lib - 8 p.m.
Looking Ahead
April 24: Women's Potluck.
The complete church calendar
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Easter Sunrise Service, April 5 at 5:50 a.m.
Come celebrate the cycle of rebirth at our Easter Sunrise Service. Our service will take place at dawn, surrounded by the interdependent web of all existence in the Highland Farms meadow of the Habitat grounds, in Belmont.
We'll meet in the Church parking lot Easter morning, leaving at 5:50 a.m. for the brief drive to Habitat. (Or, you can meet us in the Habitat parking lot at 10 Juniper Rd., Belmont, at 6:00 a.m.
Take Leonard St. to Clifton St., left onto Fletcher Rd. then 2nd left onto Juniper Rd.) After the short service, all are invited back to church for a community breakfast.
Please contact Richard Waring, 617-962-1630, rwaring@nejm.org, or Kristin Phillips, 781-929-9638,kristin.phillips@earthlink.net if you have questions.
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Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates for Church Offices 2015-16
The Nominating Committee is currently in the process of forming a slate of candidates to be voted on at the Annual Meeting on May 17th for the following: Parish Board, Finance Committee and Nominating Committee. We will be filling the Vice President and Trustee-at-Large positions for the Parish Board and two vacancies on the Nominating Committee. Further information is here or e-mail NOM@uubelmont.org .
Nomination are due Monday, March 23.
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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 Janice 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 |
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
Boxes and boxes of thanks to all of you who made this year's MAC AND CHEESE MADNESS such a great success. Thanks!!!
FOOD: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINES
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| Save the Date!!
All Church Rummage Sale, Saturday, May 9
The Sale provides critical funds for the Stained-Glass Window Fund (e.g. Tiffany repair and new exterior storm), the Partner Church Committee (travel expenses), and the Social Action Committee (interfaith programs). As you sort and clean out during these cold days, please save your saleable items for donation: 3-season clothing for all, jewelry, household goods, small working electronics, tools, small furniture, books and media, toys, etc. Thanks!
(Recycle TVs and monitors, computers, and peripherals through the Town of Belmont in April.)
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Tai Chi Classes
Please join Trudy Eyges as she leads a free Tai Chi class in the Upper Hall on Sunday from 4:30 - 5 p.m.
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UUSC.org
Monthly Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Note
March 22 is UUSC's Climate Justice Sunday at UU churches throughout the country. To accomplish a few good deeds on behalf of the coming service and the environment, visit UUSC.org/action-center to sign the petitions on fracking and ozone. What could be easier? Then click on "Climate Justice Sunday" in "take action" to read about the blue buckets campaign for water rights, and donate if you are so moved.
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The Unitarian Newsletter
Submission Guidelines
Please submit articles for the newsletter to Janice Zazinski 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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Sunday, March 29 -- Palm Sunday
10:30 am: SPRING MUSIC SERVICE
Music: "The Creation"- F.J. Haydn (1732-1809)
Senior Choir Soloists Chamber Orchestra
conducted by Alfa Joy Radford, Minister of Music & Organist
and Ian Garvie, Assistant Music Director
Homily: Creation and Re-Creation - Rev. David Bryce
This Sunday morning, during our annual Spring Music Service, the Sr. Choir and Soloists, will present THE CREATION by Franz Josef Haydn, well-known Austrian composer. The choir and soloists will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra of strings, woodwinds, brasses, timpani, and harpsichord. First Church parishioner, Kenneth Stalberg, will be the Concertmaster. Soloists are Melanie Bacaling, Livia Racz, and Melanie Salisbury, sopranos; Irina Kareva, mezzo-soprano; Davron Monroe and Roger Read, tenors; Chuck Claus and Bruce Kozuma, bass-baritones.
When Haydn's Creation, was first performed in 1798, it was considered to be his crowning achievement. In this masterpiece of the Classical period, the composer makes full, dramatic use of singers and instruments to tell the amazing Genesis story. The work is rich with musical depictions of plants, animals, sun, moon, and stars; and vivid orchestral effects symbolizing the natural wonders of the universe.
Join us on Sunday, as we welcome and rejoice in this glorious season of rebirth and renewal!
CRE classes start at 10:30 a.m. - "Cantastic Food Sculptures" combined class for children in grades 1-6 in Parish Hall. Grade 7 "Neighboring Faiths" class meets in room 5. Pre-School/Kindergarten class in room 9. Nursery available at 10:15 a.m. Please note: Grade 5/6 OWL meets at 9 a.m.
**Easter Sunday, April 5th **
Rev. David Bryce, preaching
"Easter" -- Easter is a celebration of resurrection of rebirth. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and the promised resurrection of each person, but also the rebirth of each of us in this life.
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, 'Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.' And he replied, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?'And looking at those who sat around him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.'
In the passage above (from chapter three in the book of Mark) Jesus appears to be rejecting his family for his followers. Some say he is replacing his earthly family with his spiritual family--which includes his modern followers.
I am well aware of the fact that for some-for good reason--biological family ties have little meaning. But for most of us they are highly valued.
As someone for whom family is important, the idea of rejecting or replacing them with a different set of people seems harsh and, frankly, unworthy of a religious leader.
I am someone who believes that our "whole" family is all of humanity.
And, I am someone who recognizes the special ties that we have to our "immediate" family, to those who raised us, to those who we grew up with, to those we share our lives with, to those we have raised. To these I feel special obligations.
So I live in the tension between the immediate and the whole, between the connections I feel to my family and the connections I feel to the family of all of us.
I suspect we all have areas where we "live in the tension between" two or more things, whether ideas or loyalties or calls to action.
Perhaps one person believes in the Humanist "truth" that if the things of this world are to change it is we human being who will make that change happen, and then also believes in some version of "Let go and let God". (A contradiction? No, a paradox.)
Living in the tension means refusing to let go of either; it means declaring both to be true or of value. It means that sometimes we will move closer to one and at other times will move closer to the other. And that means we can be accused of inconsistency. But that is inaccurate. We are being consistent in our deep attachment to both and in seeing the truth of both. And we are being consistent in discerning which truth applies in any given particular, individual case.
So let us hold in our hearts to our family members -- and also hold in our hearts all of our human family members. And maybe we can even be loving enough and expansive enough in our souls to hold in our hearts as family some non-humans.
I hope so.
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 Music Notes from Alfa Radford
SPECIAL SPRING MUSIC SERVICE:
MARCH 29th 10:30 a.m. (NOTE the time!) "THE CREATION" -F. J. Haydn
Choir, Soloists, and Orchestra.
"CREATION" CHOIR SCHEDULE:
Thurs, Mar 19th 7:00 pm S/A sec'l; All 7:30 - 9:30
Sun, March 22nd 10:00 am
Sat, March 21st 9:30 am T/B sec'l; All 10 - 12
Thurs, March 26th 7:00 pm Soloists (TBD); All 7:30 pm
Sat, March 28th 9:15 am Choir (w. Orch) NOTE: Reh will run til 12 or after, esp for soloists.
Sun, March 29th Choir Call 8:15 am warmup/review
Music Service 10:30 am.
CALENDAR ITEMS for CHOIR PARENTS:
Chancel Choir (Gr.56) sings at 9am Serv. May 10th
Youth Choir (Gr.7up) sings at 11am on May 10th
Jr. & Chancel Choirs sing on June 14th
BOUQUETS to Ariane and Valentine Frank for their lovely mother and son duet on Sunday, March 22nd; and YET MORE BOUQUETS to our very special Youth Choir for beautiful singing that day!
Looking forward to Music Sunday, and "...a new created world!" -- Alfa
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Stewardship Update
We are very pleased with the response so far to the 2015 March Stewardship Drive. Thanks to over 190 families and individuals in the congregation, we have made great progress toward our $605,000 target. BUT we still need well over $100,000 to reach it, and there are many of you, both members and friends, who have not yet pledged financial support for next year. Please remember we need your pledges by March 31 so the church Board and Staff can plan properly for next year. If you didn't pledge last year, please join us with a pledge now. And if you did participate last year, please consider an increased pledge this time.
Pledging is easier than ever: Pledge Online Here; or pledge by email to pledge@uubelmont.org (indicate "2015-16 pledge"); call Janice in the church office (617-484-1054, x201); or click on this link to print a form to send by regular mail or email.
Please take care of this important obligation TODAY, as the end of March is nearly upon us. For complete information, visit www.uubelmont.org/stewardship. Thank you for supporting this beloved church community.
- The Stewardship Committee (Roger Read, Chair)
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Welcome ... to Dorinda & Christopher Rife who signed the Membership Book on March 15!
Special Thanks from Susan Street ... What can I say? Though I knew about the party plans I was surprised again at what you do! Thank you all for the delicious food, wonderful cards, gifts, song, tributes, and to all who were here with hugs and good wishes. You're all very special friends and I will miss you more than I can say, Susan |
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Youth Programs Update
YES for Belmont Gallery - March 28
The Youth Group would like you to know that the Belmont School district is planning to cut several arts and music classes. In a push to raise awareness about this, students and parents are holding a gallery with works of art made in the classes that will be cut on March 28th at the Beth El Temple (7:30-9:30). If you can't come, voting on April 7th will help save these important classes and teachers.
First Church High School Students Spend Winter Vacation on Navajo Reservation in Arizona
On the first Saturday of school vacation week, 38 high school students and 8 chaperones just barely got out of town ahead of another 12" snow storm, destined for Northern Arizona on their bi-annual service-learning trip. 
The group stayed in traditional Navajo dwellings called "hogans" at a local church in Tuba City, a town of approximately 8,600 residents which serves as the main commercial center within the 27,425 square-mile Navajo Nation reservation. The primary service component of the trip consisted of two projects. Half of the group helped a local family with several projects on their property, including digging the foundation for a new hogan for their adult daughter and her family, after their original structure was destroyed in a fire. The other half of the group assisted a small grassroots organization called Angel House which provides assorted hard and soft goods to local residents who are displaced due to fire, domestic violence, or otherwise.
For the Navajo, an equally important component of service is learning about their culture. As a result, the group also spent much of its time learning about the Navajo culture, including getting a primer on the Navajo language from a local college professor; seeing a demonstration of the traditional skills of basket-weaving and moccasin-making; participating in a sweat lodge ritual; and observing the butchering of a sheep, the meat of which was then used to feed the group both lunch and dinner that day. Dinners during the trip were generally prepared and hosted by local families, giving the group an opportunity to both sample traditional fare and to mingle with residents in the community.
Finally, the trip provided an opportunity for the group to take in some of the spectacular desert landscape, including spending a day at the nearby Grand Canyon, hiking into a smaller local canyon (where some members of the group actually found fossilized wood and sea shells), and observing fossilized dinosaur tracks at a site a few miles outside of Tuba City.
In the end, the students returned to Belmont physically tired and emotionally energized from the satisfaction of helping people in need and, perhaps more importantly, with a newfound appreciation for the Navajo culture. Individually, they also forged new friendships and strengthened existing ones. All in all, they created enduring memories while simultaneously escaping Belmont's sub-freezing temperatures.
- Jack Weis
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Upcoming Events
First Church Book Group
Karl Klasson and Anne Stuart - Wednesday, March 25, 7:30 p.m., 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.
The Wi$dom Path
Tom Neel and Martha Read - Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m., Library
The Wi$dom Path is for adults, and it is about money. Some of our topics will include 1) The Meaning of Money in Our Lives: consider how childhood & family values influence us. 2)What cultural teachings about money do we share, and what is unique to the individual? All are welcome. For more information contact Tom at tneel@uubelmont.org.
The Breast Cancer Journey - Please note change of date and location!
Melanie Deveikas - Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m., Classroom #5
An educational series focusing on life & wellness during and after breast cancer 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 mdeveikas@uubelmont.org.
Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography
Jean O'Farrell - Sundays, March 22, 29, 4-5:30 p.m., Classroom #5
A course based on Dan Wakefield's book will provide the opportunity to understand your own personal journey. The willingness to write from the heart will make writers of all participants. For more information or to register contact jofarrell@uubelmont.org.
Beyond Ferguson: Bridging Class, Cultural and Racial Separations
Dorothy Stoneman - Sunday, March 29, 7 p.m., Parish Hall
Please join members of the Social Action Committee, the Belmont Religious Council, Belmont Against Racism, the Belmont police department and graduates of YouthBuild as we continue our discussion about how to end racism in Belmont and in the wider world. This is the fourth post vigil discussion circle and is facilitated by Dorothy Stoneman, founder of YouthBuild USA.
Facilitator's Training and Group Skills
Rev. David Bryce and Lillian Anderson - Tuesdays, March 31 and April 7, 7:30 p.m., Library
In many types of group situations, especially where people express differing views, good facilitation can make a difference in the success of the experience for everyone. Perhaps you have been eager to try to facilitate a group or lead a project but don't feel you have the necessary skills. This two part workshop will examine aspects of facilitation, how facilitation is different in a church setting, as well as how to participate and communicate effectively in a group. We will also identify problems that occur in group situations and discover effective ways to handle them.
Caring for Older Adults
Deborah Blumberg and Miriam Baker, Thursday, April 2, 7:30 p.m., Conference Room
Many people are juggling jobs, families and their parents' or other family members' increasing medical needs, frequent emergencies and ongoing need for care. How do we cope with the needs of our loved ones and find some balance in our own lives? What do we need to learn as we take on this task? How do we find information and community? If you find yourself in this position, you are welcome at this group for discussion and support. This is a drop-in group so please attend when it is convenient for you.
Knitting Circle Thursday, April 2, 8:00 p.m., Classroom #4
Eva Patalas
Come join us in the fun and fellowship of knitting with a genial group on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Projects could include knitting for non-profit organizations such as Caps for Kids, making small gifts for the Holiday Fair or working on personal projects. Everyone is welcome and no commitment is necessary. Contact Eva with any questions.
Getting Your Affairs in Order
Neil Winston - Thursday, April 9, 7:30 p.m., Library
Are you and those you love adequately prepared for medical crises and increasing care needs? Please join First Church member Neal Winston as he discusses estate and asset protection planning, public benefits protections and what legal documents each of us needs to have in place.
New UU Class
David Bryce and Jim Staton Saturday, April 11, 9 am - 12 p.m., Cl. 5
This class will provide answers to all of the questions you have about Unitarian-Universalism (the history and current programs); also the history and current activities of First Church. Discuss the meaning of membership at First Church and have a tour of the building. Childcare provided upon request. Contact jstaton@uubelmont.org
Three Scientists Predict the Future
Jack Dennis, Jon Graves, Edwin Taylor - Sunday, April 12, 12:30 p.m., 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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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.
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