Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation

For those who may not already know, I will be continuing as the Acting Director of Children's Religious Education here at First Church in Belmont for the 2015-16 church year; that's one position for which there doesn't have to be a staff transition this year!

Even as this church year is moving headlong into the final two months of its yearly cycle, with stewardship and budgeting processes winding up, annual reports, year-end meetings, special worship services and celebrations getting our attention, CRE is both providing classes and planning for next year at the same time. Soon, CRE will be asking for feedback from families and teachers in the form of an on-line survey. Also CRE will also be asking families to register for next fall's program for youngsters up through grade 8, and to commit to teaching in the CRE program. The CRE Office can't plan the program well without this information, nor can it run the program without the help of a large number of people. When the Annual Report is published, I encourage everyone to read it from cover-to-cover and know as much as you can about the activities and well being of this congregation. Make sure that you are informed and that, if you are a member of First Church, you participate in the Annual Meeting in May.

~ Charlotte Lehmann, Acting Director of Children's Religious Education

Highlights from Our Religious Education Wing

• Pre-school/Kindergarten classes are engaging in Spirit Play now through the end of the church year. Eleanor and Jim Sugarman are teaching the 9 am class, and Kate Searle is leading the 11 am class with help from parent-volunteer teachers. These classes are using classroom #6 for Spirit Play.
• During the month of April, children in grades 1-6 are exploring environmental stewardship. FCB Green committee will be our guest teachers on 4/19. 

Office hours (generally): Sundays 8 am-1pm, and Tues/Weds/Thurs 10am-6pm. E-mail: clehmann@uubelmont.org.

Upcoming Events

Belmont Unitarian Alliance - Wednesday, April 15, 12 Noon, Upper Hall

Annual Meeting and Lobster Roll Lunch This lovely once-a-year Lobster Roll Lunch also includes: salad, chips, and angel-food cake with strawberries and ice cream. The price for this luncheon is $12/person. Our Annual Meeting will begin at noon and in case we have to vote on something, you must be a paid member to vote. If you have not yet paid for your 2014-15 membership, please bring an additional $15 to pay for your membership. Lunch will be served following our annual meeting. Rsvp to Janice in the office at 617-484-1054, ext. 201, or by e-mail.

A Path Appears in Belmont: A Campaign to Make A Difference - Nicholas Kristof

Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 p.m., Belmont High School

We are honored to host best-selling author, two-time Pulitzer Prize Winner and New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof on April 15th at the Belmont High School at 7:30 p.m. To reserve (free) seats go to apathappearsinbelmont.eventbrite.com

     Mr. Kristof will speak about his latest best selling book, A Path Appears; Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunities which he wrote with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn.

     The book describes how ordinary people can make extraordinary differences in the lives of others, both globally and locally. The issues addressed are closer to home then we may think; human sex trafficking, domestic violence, poverty, and hunger.

Knitting Circle -- Eva Patalas

Thursday, April 16, 8-9:30 p.m., 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. 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. 

Science and Spirituality -- Ken Bernstein and Edwin Taylor

Thursday, April 16, 7:30pm, Classroom #5

Jack Dennis will lead us in a discussion of from Truth and Tension in Science and Religion by Varadaraja Raman. A selection is posted at eftaylor.com/sands.

Lima Climate Discussion of December 2014 - Monte Allen

Wednesday, April 22, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

Tony Alcorn of FCBGreen starts the evening with short remarks on "carbon footprint. Monte Allen, senior development director of CARE, was an official observer of COP20 in Lima. He offers a rare opportunity for a first-hand inside look at meetings that could impact our future. In this presentation, he will explain COPs and the experience of attending them. The perspectives of several other important voices will shared through videos. Finally he will discuss the broad outcomes of COP20 and his hopefulness about the process moving forward. An opportunity for questions follow.

Co-sponsored by FCB Green, Adult Programs and Social Action.

First Church Book Group - Karl Klasson and Anne Stuart

Wednesday, April 22, 7:30pm, Library

The Book Group will meet to discuss A Path Appears by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. In A Path Appears the authors provide stories of individuals who have worked in varying ways to make a difference in the world. Kristof, an op-ed columnist for the New York Times, will be speaking at Belmont High School on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Social Action Committee's A Path Appears in Belmont initiative.

Women's Spring Potluck Supper

Friday, April 24, 7pm, Upper Hall

A lovely way to connect, re-connect and welcome Spring together! Choose an appetizer, main dish, salad or dessert AND a beverage of your choice to bring. This is a true pot-luck so there is no need to respond in advance. All are welcome. Childcare provided with advance notice. Contact landerson@uubelmont.org.

From Brain Science to your Life: BRAIN CHANGE IS POSSIBLE - Dr. Laurance M. Hirshberg

Sunday, April 26, 12:30 p.m., Library

Brain science has shown that the brain is changeable. This key insight is increasingly being used to develop brain training treatments to address a wide range of difficulties, including attention, organization, self control, mood, anxiety, social functioning and learning. This talk will describe several of these new brain training approaches and the research and experience with them in practice. Dr. Hirshberg is the Director of the NeuroDevelopment Center and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Alpert Medical School, Brown University

Beyond Ferguson: Fifth Post Vigil Discussion - Dorothy Stoneman, facilitator

Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m., Library

Please join members of the Social Action Committee, the Belmont Religious Council, Belmont Against Racism, the Belmont police department and graduates of YouthBuild USA as we continue our discussion about how to end racism in Belmont and the wider world. Our guests from the YouthBuild program will return to share with us their experiences growing up and facing challenges related to class and racial bias.

  We recommend (not required) reading The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander. It provides a highly relevant analysis of some of the profound present-day issues of racism today in the United States. Reading it can deepen our knowledge and discussion.

The Birth of a Nation: How a Legendary Filmmaker and a Crusading Editor Reignited America's Civil War - Dick Lehr

Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall

1915 saw the release of D. W. Griffith's "The Birth of a Nation," both a cinematic masterpiece and a vitriolic racist diatribe. It brought about a backlash led by William Monroe Trotter, a Boston newspaper editor. Our own Dick Lehr's latest book explores this tumultuous period in American race relations. Book signing and refreshments.

Save the Date!

Men's Fall Potluck Supper - Friday, May 1, 7 p.m., Upper Hall

All-Church Rummage Sale - Saturday, May 9

 In just three weeks the Parish Hall will be transformed into Selfridge's? - well, more like a warehouse of wonderful and amazing bargains and finds. The Sale needs your excess. As Spring motivates us to clear out our homes, think donation to the Rummage Sale, and the good causes the Sale supports: the PCC, the SAC, and the Stained-Glass Window Fund, and many local non-profits.

     The Sale also needs your help. Volunteer boards are up this week in the Upper Gathering Hall or volunteer on line at http://vols.pt/P1Evrp Any church member or friend is welcome to volunteer for 2 hours, and to shop at the Pre-Sale on Friday evening at 6 PM. (Purchases are for personal use only, not for resale.) Email any questions to fcb404@gmail.comVolunteers are needed especially for set up Sunday, May 3rd and for Saturday, May 9th during and after the Sale.

     If you're busy all week but have 2 hours on Saturday afternoon, consider volunteering for ADOPT-A-NONPROFIT which benefits local shelters and charities by 1) asking about their needs, 2) shopping for them at 2 PM on sale day, and 3) taking those goods to them directly or to your home for later pickup. A great family project!! See Sara for more details.