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This Sunday
April 26, 2015
Prelude: Andante cantabile (Organ Symphony IV)
-Charles Widor (1844-1937)
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
Offertory Duet: Au fond du temple saint (from The Pearl Fishers)
- Georges Bizet (1838 - 75)
Davron Monroe, tenor; Chuck Claus, baritone
9 a.m. Nova Choir: Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name
- Spiritual, arr. B. Dennard
9 a.m. Postlude: Dialogue
- Nicolas de Grigny (17c. French)
Mary Beekman, organ
11 a.m.: Sr. Choir with soloist, Irina Kareva
Da ispravitsa molitva moya (Let my prayer arise)
-Pavel Tchesnokov (1877-1944)
11 a.m. Postlude: Rowan Wolf, saxophone
The flowers on the Chancel Table this Sunday are given by Deveaux and Greg Duckworth in memory of Greg's mother, Carol Duckworth.
Ushers:
9 a.m.: Betsy Klimasmith
11a.m.: Lauren Crocker, Emilia Farrell, and Martha Courant
Lay Pastoral Care
9 a.m.: Abby Jacobs
11 a.m.: Martha Spaulding
Welcome & Announcements
9 a.m.: Betsy George
11 a.m.: Catherine Claypoole
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Calendar
Next Issue: April 28
Deadline: April 23
Tuesday, April 21
School Vacation Week
Program Council-Parlor, 7:30 p.m.
Small Group Ministry(PS)-Lib, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22
Lima Climate discussion-PH, 7:30 p.m.
FC Book Gr-Lib, 7:30 p.m.
Men's Group - Classroom 5, 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 23
Nova Choir - Parlor&Sanctuary, 6:45 p.m.
Friday, April 24
Women's Spring Potluck - Upper Hall, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 26
Nova Choir-Sanct, 8:15 a.m.
CRE-Library, 8:30 a.m.
Sunday Service, 9 a.m.
Sr Choir-PH, 9:25 a.m.
Sunday Service, 11 a.m.
Brain Change is Possible-Lib, 12:30 p.m.
COA-Parlor, 4:15 p.m.
OWL-Lib, 4:30 p.m.
YAC/YG-Parl/Cl. 7/CR/Cl. 5, 6 p.m.
Social Action: Beyond Ferguson - Library, 7 p.m.
Monday, April 27
Jobseekers-Library, 9:30 a.m.
YouthChrs-S, 6:30 p.m.
SAC-cl5, 7 p.m.
Min Prog-CR, 7:30 p.m.
Meditation-Lib, 8 p.m.
The complete church calendar
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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
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Note
Don't forget to visit the UUSC website to purchase sustainable and fair trade gifts, to sign petitions, and to read reports of worldwide initiatives. In the update section of "Our Work" read a fascinating partner profile of the Center for Human Rights and Environment in Argentina. Discover why and how UUSC is assisting in the protection of glaciers there -- just one of the reasons to celebrate its 75 years at the end of this month.
-- Alice Trexler for
the UUSC Team
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Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
Our campaign to help the GROW babies and toddlers GROW by sending them lots of Vitamins is nearing its end. Won't you please make a note to put Flintstone Chewables or Polysol with Iron Liquid Vitamins on your shopping list this week? Many, many thanks for your generosity!
Introducing FCB Green
Please complete this short FCB Green survey.
First Parish in Concord's low-cost Rain Barrel Program -- order by 4/25
The Social Action Community is offering a Rain Barrel Program this year to help residents conserve water and save money.
Tri-County Forum: The Many Faces of Homelessness
Sunday, April 26, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., at St. Joseph Parish Hall, 130 Common Street, Belmont
Keynote Speaker: Libby Hayes, Executive Director of Homes for Families
The Social Justice Ministry of New Roads Catholic Community (St. Joseph and St. Luke Parishes) in Belmont, along with local social agencies and the police departments of Belmont, Waltham, and Watertown, have organized a forum with panelists from agencies and coalitions that focus on homelessness and affordable housing and representatives from homelessness prevention and service programs. Come learn what you can do to take action on homelessness in our communities.
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The Unitarian Newsletter
Please submit items to Janice Zazinski by April 16, including:
- Photos as JPG files
- Attachments as PDF files
- Note that all listed e-mail addresses and phone numbers in The Unitarian are public on our Web site
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First Church Office
617-484-1054
Monday - Friday, 9 - 3
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Things to Know This Week
- FCB Green survey ends soon
- Lima Climate Discussion, Wednesday evening
- Book Group, Wednesday evening
- Women's Spring Potluck Supper, Friday
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Sunday, April 26 -- Rev. David M. Bryce
"Earth Day 2015" -- with FCB Green
- 9 & 11 church service
- Childcare for infants and young children
- For weather-related service and RE class cancellations, please call 617-484-1054, ext. 250
Sunday, May 3, 2015 -- Youth Group 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
I spent today in Boston at UU Mass Action's UU Advocacy Day. That is the day each year when Unitarian Universalists from throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts go to the State House to lobby for certain bills with their Representatives and Senators. Yes, today I was a lobbyist; that is not a bad word or a bad practice.
The morning was comprised of worship and meetings, with people going to "break out" groups that focused on their area of legislative interest.
Among the attendees were Downing Cless and Alice Trexler; and Will Brownsberger was the Keynote speaker. So it was good to see The First Church in Belmont represented.
I had chosen to lobby on Mass Incarceration issues - mandatory minimum sentencing, pretrial bail issues and issues around support while returning to the community.
As someone who once worked at an agency that developed release plans for people in prison who were preparing to meet their parole board and as a former substance abuse counselor who worked with people on pre-trial diversion and with people on parole, I thought I knew a lot about the criminal justice system. But (following Will's recommendation) I found myself talking about feelings instead, talking about my cousin Joe who died of cancer while on the locked prison ward of a hospital. I saw him a few days before he died, and he was shackled. Literally. He had a large metal shackle around his ankle that was connected to a chain that was bolted to the floor.
I spoke with assistants to my state representative and state senator, and in each case, I said, "He should not have died that way."
All too often we judge people as bad or evil and we lose sight of their humanity. No matter what someone has done, no matter what they have been charged with or convicted of, they remain human beings and continue to have inherent worth and dignity that we should respect.
UU Advocacy Day reminded me of this important truth. And that reminded me that it is in acting on our values and beliefs that we deepen them, deepen ourselves, and ourselves increase our work together.
I am grateful to UUMass Action for the work it does and for the inspiration it provided me today. It is our means of working with each other and with other Unitarian Universalists throughout the state to achieve a more humane and more just society.
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
BRILLIANT FORSYTHIA to our Senior Choir  for last Sunday's fine rendition of Sanctus Benedictusby Kristina Vasiliauskaite, contemporary Lithuanian composer.
And RED ROSES to Irina Kareva for her sparkling Offertory Solo by Rossini!
CDs of our Palm Sunday Music Service, Haydn's CREATION, are available at $15 - as a mini-fundraiser for the church coffers. To order, contact ALFAJOY@comcast.net or call 617-484-1054 x206.
ALERT! WATCH for ANNOUNCEMENT of the FALL MUSICAL PRODUCTION!
CALENDAR NOTES for CHOIR PARENTS:
- There are NO Children's/ Youth Choir rehearsals on Monday May 25. (Memorial Day)
- May 10: Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) sings at 9 am. Arrive 8:15
- May 10:Youth Choir (Gr.7-up) sings at 11 am. Arrive 10:15
- June 14: Multigenerational Services:
- 9am Jr Choir (K-Gr.4) Arrive 8:30.
- 11am Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) Arrive 10:15.
SAVE THE DATE! ANNUAL CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Sunday, June 7th at 8pm. Harpsichord, flutes, voices, bassoon.
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Parish Board News
This is the report from the Parish Board to members of the church. We are sending out a brief update here and in the Sunday order of service announcements to keep you informed about what issues are facing the parish. You are invited to find any one of us at coffee hour to inquire about these updates or anything else about which you'd like more information.
˗ The Parish Board
It has been a busy spring for the Parish Board....and yes, it is finally spring!
We said farewell to Susan Street on March 15th at a "beach party" in the Parish Hall. Susan helped train Janice Zazinski, our new administrator and Janice seems up to the task of filling Susan's big shoes. Most recently Janice was an administrator at the First Church in Cambridge and before that, she was a long time manager at Peet's Coffee. So please stop by the office and have a cup of joe (or Peet) and introduce yourself.
After 50 plus years of inspiring us with her musical ministry, Alfa Radford is stepping down for health reasons at the end of this year. We were fortunate to have an excellent internal candidate for the Music Director position in Ian Garvey. The Music Director Search Committee and the Parish Board were unanimous in their decision to promote Ian from Assistant Music Director to Music Director. The Music Committee is beginning the process to find a new Assistant Music Director. Fun fact: Alfa started as the First Church music director when she was 29 years old. Ian is also 29, so we expect we will have him with us for at least the next half century.
Charlotte Lehmann has agreed to stay on a second year as Acting Director of Children's Religious Education while she continues to pursue her goal of becoming a minister. The Search Committee for a permanent Director of Children's Religious Education search will reconvene in the fall.
Because of all the changes this year, Rev. David Bryce has decided to delay his sabbatical, originally scheduled for 2016, until January 2017. The Sabbatical Committee is exploring options of how to manage his absence.
Finally, Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 5:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.
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Welcome to our visitors ... T. J. Todd and Diane Koller
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An invitation to the upcoming youth services
These services are a celebration of the values that we are passing on to the next generation and can also be a wonderful opportunity those who are interested in learning more about our church community and the role it plays in the lives of our youth. Seventh and 8th graders and their families are especially encouraged to join us so they can learn more about what lays ahead for them.
Youth Service - Sunday, May 3 - 9 and 11 a.m.
The senior class will share personal reflections on their time at First Church, the junior class will give a musical tribute to the graduating seniors and the sophomore class will share a story for all ages. This is an opportunity to learn what our church community has meant to our youth over the years.
COA Ceremony - Sunday, May 10 - 9 and 11 a.m.
This is a great chance to get a glimpse into 9th grade. The Coming of Age program creates a supportive environment where youth are able to explore big questions, reflect on their beliefs, and ultimately to have the confidence to make decisions based on their values. In this program, participants explore their UU roots alongside the personal beliefs and values that they are developing. Together with adult mentors, youth put their faith into action through community service projects, social action and by working to develop language to express their personal beliefs. The Coming of Age culminates when the youth share their personal credo statements with the congregation at the COA Ceremony.
Contact Julie Ennis with any questions you might have about our youth programs: jennis@uubelmont.org.
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Upcoming Events
Lima Climate Discussion of December 2014 - Monte Allen
Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 pm, 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, 7:30 pm, 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.
Women's Spring Potluck Supper
Friday, April 24, 7 pm, 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.
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