|
This Sunday
May 17, 2015
Prelude: TBD
Offertory Trio: "Hebe deine Augen auf" (Lift thine eyes)
(from Elijah)
- F. Mendelssohn (1809 - 47)
Livia Racz, Bruce Kozuma, Hanna Racz-Kozuma
Sr. Choir, 11 a.m.: Motet: Jesu meine Freude
-J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
9 a.m. Postlude: Offertory from Mass for the Parishes
- Francois Couperin
Mary Beekman, organ
11 a.m. Postlude: Romance No. 1
-Robert Schumann (1810 - 56)
Rowan Wolf, tenor saxophone
Alfa Joy Radford, piano The flowers on the Chancel Table this Sunday are given by Anne Selman in loving memory and celebration of the wonderful lives of her mother, Jean Strickland Savage, and her sister, Susan Pearce. And by extension, in honor of all the remarkably wise, loving, and generous men and women of our church family and our global family who generation after generation give the best that they can give in the nurturing of new lives towards healthy, just, and joyous adulthood! It takes a village.
Welcome & Announcements
9 a.m.: Sara Oaklander
11 a.m.: Doug Burden
Ushers
9 a.m.: Bruce Logan & Marianne Leahy
11a.m.: Jen Deaderick & Felicity Lufkin
Lay Pastoral Care
9 a.m.: Abby Jacobs
11 a.m.: Nancy Davis
|
Next Issue: May 19
Deadline: May 14
Tuesday, May 12
A Path Appears - Library, 7 p.m.
Membership Comm. - Classroom 5, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13
CRE Committee - Classroom 5, 7 p.m.
Facilitators-Lib, 7:30 p.m.
LPC team-Study, 7:30 p.m.
Men's Group - Classroom 5, 8 p.m.
Thursday, May 14
Nova Choir - Sanctuary, 6:45 p.m.
Living w/Illness-Lib, 7 p.m.
Caring for Older Adults-CR, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15
Small Group Ministry (CS)-Lib, 4 p.m.
Second Friday Coffeehouse -PH, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17
Nova Choir-Sanct, 8:15 a.m.
CRE-Library, 8:30 a.m.
Senior Choir - Parish Hall, 9:25 a.m.
Men's Gr-Parlor, 4 p.m.
OWL-Lib, 4:30 p.m.
Annual Meeting-PH, 5 p.m.
Monday, May 18
Jobseekers-Library, 9:30 a.m.
Childr's/Youth Choirs - Sanctuary, 6:30 p.m.
Meditation-Lib, 8 p.m.
The complete church calendar
Room assignments may change at the last minute for a variety of reasons -- please check online or "This Week's Calendar" on the easel in the Lower Hall for updates.
|
|
Join the celebration of Alfa Radford, May 31
Join us on Sunday, May 31, in celebrating Alfa Radford's long tenure at First Church. Both services that day will have lots of music and reflections on role music plays in the life of our church community.
The recognition for Alfa will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a brief ceremony in the Sanctuary where she will be installed as Minister of Music Emerita, followed by a party in the Parish Hall with socializing and tributes.
If you would like to donate towards a gift for Alfa, please send a check to Janice at the church office, made payable to First Church in Belmont, with "Alfa gift" in the memo line.
We are also creating a memory book for Alfa. If you and your family would like a page, please send your photos and memories by mail to the church office or by e-mail (preferred) to alfabook@uubelmont.org.
|
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, ext. 201.
|
| 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
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Note
The UU College of Social Justice is offering some very worthwhile
July and August programs for young people who were in high school during 2014-2015.
Please bring these opportunities to the attention of those who might be interested in
leadership development and hands on social justice work. This summer's locations are Boston (application by 5/17), the Southwest Border (by 5/31) and New Orleans (by 5/31). For program descriptions, costs, scholarship options, exact dates, and more, go to uucsj.org, and find the details in the drop down menu under "Youth."
-- Alice Trexler for the UUSC Team
|
|
Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
STOCK THE SHELVES FOR SUMMER!!!
Polysol with Iron Liquid Vitamins. Canned Fruits Packed in Syrup. Canned Vegetables. Carnation Instant Breakfast. Peanut Butter. Thanks for your generosity!
Food: One Of The Most Important Medicines
|
|
Volunteer Sign Up for 2015-2016 Church Year
What time and talent do you have to contribute to the mission of First Church? As we plan for another vibrant year of fellowship, worship, service and joy for the 2015-2016 year, we need your volunteer commitment to run the church and keep our congregation moving forward.
In May, the Membership Committee is distributing and collecting Volunteer Sign up forms for next year. These are due on May 17th and are available in the sanctuary, on the bulletin board and on the FCB website to download and print off. Please fill out your volunteer sign up sheet as soon as possible and make your interests and talents known so you can make a difference in keeping FCB strong! If you have questions, contact members of Membership committee whose names and contact information are listed on the form.
You may download the sign-up form as a Word or PDF document. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to First Church!
|
|
The Unitarian Newsletter
Please submit items to Janice Zazinski:
- 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
|
|
Social Media
 
|
|
First Church Office
617-484-1054
Monday - Friday, 9 - 3
|
|
Sunday, May 17 -- New Member Sunday
- 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 24, 2015
Reverend David M. Bryce preaches
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons
|
|
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
In "the Norton Anthology of World Religions" there is an article about Hinduism by Wendy Doniger. She describes how there are many different strands within Hinduism and that no single set of ideas or practices will apply to all Hindus. She goes on to say:
"This polytheistic approach could be represented by a Venn diagram, a chart made of intersecting circles. It might be grouped into sectors of different colors, one for beliefs or practices that some Hindus share with Buddhists and Jains, another largely confined to Hindu texts in Sanskrit...a third more characteristic of popular worship and practice, and so forth. But since there is no single central quality that all Hindus must have, the emptiness in the center suggests that the figure might better be called a Zen diagram, a Venn diagram that has no central ring."
Whether she is correct in her assessment of Hinduism or not, that sense of emptiness in the center--a positive emptiness--seems to me quite apt for Unitarian Universalism.
We contain within our ranks theists and humanists, Buddhists and Pagans, seekers and knowers, the easily classified and the not-at-all-possible to classify and many others.
Our sacred texts vary from person to person - some finding truth in many written texts from the Upanishads to 'Abdu'lBaha, others finding it in poetry, others in the sacred web of nature, and still others in music.
Our statement of Principles and Purposes is just that; a suggested and changeable statement of what we could agree upon thirty years ago and it is not a creed.
A Venn diagram of our beliefs and practices would have an open ring in the center.
I used the term "positive emptiness" for that central part of the diagram as I do not see it or feel it as a "lacking" emptiness. Rather, to me it represents an openness that is full given all that surrounds it, but an openness that then allows me to pour in what is important for me.
What is most Unitarian Universalist to me is the ability that I have to explore varied religious texts and practices without fear of being "cast out".
Of course, that very openness, that central positive emptiness, makes Unitarian Universalism very difficult to describe. Imagine an "elevator speech" of Unitarian Universalism that begins with, "Well, we have this empty space in the center of our beliefs".
If anything does fill that center, it is covenant; our agreements to be with one another on our religious journeys.
Let our covenants, both written and lived, be ones of love and support.
|
Music Notes from Alfa Radford
BOUQUETS to the First Church Coming of Age Class and their mentors for thoughtful credos and songs last Sunday. And ROSES to our Chancel and Youth Choirs for wonderful singing at the Coming of Age Services.
BRIGHT DAFFODILS to the combined Nova and Chancel Choirs for their expressive rendition of Edvard Grieg's "Ave Verum". I was especially pleased with the choristers' Latin!
SPRING AZALEAS go to our fine Sr. Choir, who warmed my spirit when they sang the well-known American folk song "O Shenandoah."
CALENDAR ITEMS FOR CHOIR PARENTS
Multigenerational Services:
- June 14: Junior Choir (K-Gr.4) sings at 9 a.m. Arrive 8:15.
- June 14: Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) sings at 11 a.m. Arrive 10:15.
FIRST CHURCH CHOIRS: New Singers Welcome!
- NOVA CHOIR rehearses Thursdays 6:45 - 8 p.m. (Sings in church twice a month at 9 a.m.)
- SR. CHOIR rehearses Sunday mornings 9:25-10:45. (Sings every Sun. -- except 5/24 -- at 11:00 Service)
- YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS: (No Children's/Youth rehearsals on May 25)
- JR. CHOIR (K-Gr.4) Mondays 6:30 - 7 p.m.. Sing in church June 14th
- CHANCEL CHOIR (Gr.5-6) Mondays 7 - 7:45 p.m. Sing in church June 14th
SPECIAL EVENT COMING SOON! ANNUAL CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT
Sunday, June 7th, at 8 p.m. Save the date!
A delightful array of music for harpsichord, flutes, piccolo, voice, and bassoon, for the benefit of SPARK (Supporting Parents and Resilient Kids -formerly Pediatric AIDS Program) at the Boston Medical Ctr.
QUOTABLE: -from Bloopers of Biblical Proportions by Sunday School students.
"Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others, before they do one to you."
- Joy and blessings, Alfa
|
|
It's A Boy!
We are excited to introduce you to Thomas Earl Westgate. Little Thomas came into this world at 21 inches long and weighing 9.96 pounds on May 4th at 8:15 PM!
Warm regards, Sean and Marion
|
|
Welcome to our visitors ... Susan St. John and Jamie Murphy.
|
|
|
Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
Have you taken time to stop and smell the flowers even as we rush headlong towards the end of the church year, the school year, and barrel towards summer?
It is important no matter the season or the reason to take time to breathe and let our thoughts settle, our emotions move through us whether they are filled with exuberance or sadness. Savor the moment, feel it, taste it, hear it, flow with it.
There is a lot going on during May. Be sure to find moments of Peace.
Speaking of "Peace" - that is our theme in CRE this month. The Lao Tzu poem, #602 in the grey hymnal, reminds us that "If there is to be peace in the world, ... There must be peace in the heart." And everywhere in between.
- The FCB tradition of having an intergenerational tea, inviting the congregations elders and sages to be served tea and eats by the younger children, was a delight by all accounts. There must be peace between the generations.
- Mother's Day was originally conceived as an anti-war action by Unitarian Julia Ward Howe, and promoted by Anna Jarvis in memory of her mother's efforts on behalf of soldiers on both sides of the War Between the States. In my family tradition, we would go visit the Como Park Conservatory on Mother's Day to see the spring flower show - we stopped to smell the flowers as a family. As luck will have it, some of my family could take this tradition up again this year since my sister lives nearby and the family dinner will be at her house. There must be peace in our homes.
- Unitarian Universalist Association sponsored "Standing on the Side of Love" (SSL) is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love's power to stop oppression. SSL has been actively working for healthy relationships and conversations around faith, race and justice in the midst of protests and riots, the painful response to a "justice" system that mocks the meaning of justice. But without peace, there still won't be any justice. The power of love starts in our own hearts and radiates out to all who are marginalized and oppressed. We stand in solidarity with those who are different than us; there is diversity in unity. There must be peace between neighbors, peace in cities and nations.
At the end of May, the children will be choosing the organization they wish to support through the offering they have been collecting on the first Sunday of each month during this Social Justice pillar. Their final offering will be collected on June 7.
~ Charlotte
Highlights from Our Religious Education Wing
We are looking for more volunteers in CRE, especially in the following areas, in 2015-16 church year: Spirit Play and Our Whole Lives. There are summer training opportunities for both:
- Spirit Play ~ Join Kate Searle and Charlotte Lehmann for this training lead by Nita Penfold in Melrose, MA on July 18. CRE funds cover cost of training. Contact Charlotte if interested.
- OWL ~ concurrent K-1/4-6 and 7-9/10-12 trainings July 10-12 at First Church in Nashua, NH. OWL funds cover the cost of training. Registration deadline is 6/20/15. FMI, please contact Charlotte or Wendy.
~ Charlotte Lehmann, Acting Director of Children's Religious Education
Office hours (generally): Sundays 8 am-1pm, and Tues/Weds/Thurs 10am-6pm. E-mail: clehmann@uubelmont.org.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Announcement of Expanding First Church's Small Group Ministries
Small Group Ministries provide a spiritual practice that encourages members to engage more fully with their own faith, with each other, and with the larger world. It is not a therapy,support or special interest group. Group members deepen their own spiritual journeys and develop deeper connections among parishioners who might not otherwise connect by reading selected material and reflecting together on the themes it raises for them These groups encourage us to speak freely, to listen deeply to one another, to suspend judgment, and to contemplate different understandings and perspectives. Sessions are typically 90 minutes long beginning with a brief check-in, then a shared joint reading continuing with shared reflections using active listening techniques which will be demonstrated and taught.
Beginning in Fall 2015, Joan Loewenberg and Robert Donaghey will facilitate a new group which will meet bi-monthly during September and October on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays and then will continue on a monthly basis on the 2nd Wednesday of the month beginning in November.
Joan and Robert are experienced facilitators having facilitated small group ministries at their former UU church.
If you are interested in joining or would like more information please contact Lillian Anderson adult program advisor at landerson@uublemont.org. Note: if you are interested in joining a small group ministry but Wednesdays don't work for you let Lillian know as well.
Living with Serious Illness - Kathy Lind
Thursday, May 14, 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.
Caring for Older Adults - Miriam Baker and Deborah Blumberg
Thursday, May 14, 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.
The Second Friday Coffeehouse - Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.
The Second Friday Coffeehouse on May 15 features Paul Judge and Jim Wooster performing two sets. Their first set will be a duet focusing on the music of Neil Finn of Crowded House.
In the second set , they will be joined by Roger Brown, Richard Curzi, and Mark Caddell. The featured beneficiary is the
Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.
Belmont Unitarian Alliance Lunch and Program Wednesday, May 20 - 12 noon On Wednesday, May 20, our Alliance lunch and program will be at noon here at First Church in Belmont. This will be a POTLUCK lunch, so please bring your own sandwich and some food /drinks to share. Our program will basically be conversations, ideas for 2015-16 programs, and recommended books, etc. To confirm your attendance, please call our church administrator, Janice Zazinski at 617-484-1054, ext. 201, or e-mail her. Science and Spirituality - Ken Bernstein and Edwin Taylor Thursday, May 21, 7:30pm, Conference Room Tony Alcorn will lead a discussion on The China Study by T. Colin and Thomas M. Campbell. Do extensive statistics show that we can eliminate many diseases from the earth by proper diet? Is it our spiritual duty to try? The reading can be downloaded from eftaylor.com/sands Knitting Circle - Eva Patalas Thursday, May 21, 8pm, 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. First Church Book Group - Karl Klasson and Anne Stuart Wednesday, May 27, 7:30pm, Library Our book for May is Marisa Silver's Mary Coin: A Novel. Here is a snippet about that book from the Booklist review: "Inspired by Migrant Mother, the iconic Depression-era photograph snapped by Dorothea Lange in 1936, Silver reimagines the lives of both the photographer and the subject....this dual portrait investigates the depths of the human spirit, exposing the inner reserves of will and desire hidden in both women....The luminously written, heart-wrenching-yet never maudlin-plot moves back and forth through time, as history professor Walker Dodge unpeels the layers of the photograph's hidden truths." -Margaret Flanagan, Booklist
The Social Action Committee of First Church and Belmont against Racism invite you to Criminal Justice Reform, Thursday, May 28
What is being done in Massachusetts to address mass incarceration? With: - State Senator Will Brownsberger, Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, State Representative Dave Rogers, and Leslie Walker, Esq., Executive Director of Prisoners Legal Services
- Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
- Place: First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist, Parish Hall
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Light refreshments will be served from 6:30-7:00 pm.
Belmont Against Racism will have a brief presentation at 6:45 pm
All-Church Picnic, Sunday, June 14th
Mark your calendar and plan to attend the annual All-Church Picnic immediately following the 11 service on Sunday, June 14. There will be delicious food including burgers, chicken, hot dogs and vegetarian options, lots of yummy salads, of course, dessert. The cost is $5 for adults, $5 for children 4-12 years, and $20 for families.
Salad Contest
Don't miss the annual First Church Salad Contest! Bring your favorite salad to share at the picnic - green salads, pasta salads, fruit salads, all types are welcome. Please bring your salad to the kitchen the day of the picnic and enter your name to be part of the contest. At the picnic everyone will vote for their favorite. We serve over 200 people at the picnic, so the more salads, the better!
Volunteers
We will have a sign-up sheet at coffee hour listing opportunities for help at this fun annual event - volunteers needed to run games for kids, grill, sell tickets, set-up, clean-up, shop, etc. If you have questions, or would like to help out, please e-mail fellowship@uubelmont.org
SAVE THE DATE!
The Origins of Violence -- Sunday, June 7, 12:30 pm, Library
Ronald Goldman, Ph.D
SAVE THE DATE -- September 18 - 20 REGISTRATION STARTING SOON 11th Annual Sandy Island Retreat 18-20, 2015 The Fellowship Committee would like to invite you to join us for the popular First Church Sandy Island Retreat. This is a wonderful opportunity to kick back, relax, and meet new and old friends after a long summer. Sandy Island offers recreational opportunities for people of all interests and ages. Join us for a fabulous weekend of relaxing, kayaking, games, tennis, ping pong, shared meals, interesting conversation, bocce, swimming, volleyball, fun and fellowship. Questions, contact fellowship@uubelmont.org. |
|
|
