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This Sunday
May 24, 2015
Prelude: Improvisations on "Materna"
- Samuel Ward (1848-1903); arr. AJR
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
Offertory Solo: Chuck Claus, baritone
Postlude: Theme and Variations on "America"
- Janet Linker (contemp.)
Alfa Joy Radford, organ
The flowers on the Chancel Table this Sunday are given by John and Teresa Howe in loving memory of Barbara Burleigh Howe (1925-1995) to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of her birth.
Welcome & Announcements
9 a.m.: Betsy George
11 a.m.: Tom Neel
Ushers
9 a.m.: David Warner & Karl Klasson
11a.m.: Barbara Terry & Leslie Kolterman
Lay Pastoral Care
9 a.m.: Steve Saar
11 a.m.: James Hencke
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Next Issue: May 26
Deadline: May 21
Please note the church office will be closed Monday, May 25, for Memorial day.
Tuesday, May 19
Program Council-CHECK WEBSITE FOR NEW DATE
Small Group Ministry(PS)-Lib, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20
Belmont UU Alliance - Upper Hall, 12 p.m.
Youth Cte-CR, 7:30 p.m.
Women's Group - Library, 7:30 p.m.
Men's Group - Classroom 5, 8 p.m.
Thursday, May 21
S: Nova Choir, 6:45 p.m.
Small Group Ministry (ES)-Lib, 7:30 p.m.
Sci&Spirituality-CR, 7:30 p.m.
Knitting Circle - Cl. 4, 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 24
CRE-Library, 8:30 a.m.
Chamber Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 6 p.m.
Monday, May 25
Yoga - Parish Hall, 9:30 a.m.
Jobseekers-Library, 9:30 a.m.
Chamber Music Rehearsal - Sanctuary & Parlor, 6 p.m.
SAC-cl5, 7 p.m.
Meditation-Lib, 8 p.m.
NO JUNIOR OR CHANCEL CHOIR REHEARSAL TODAY
Tuesday, May 26
End of Life Issues Meeting - Library, 7:30 p.m.
Worship Cte-CR, 7:30 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.
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Join the celebration of Alfa Radford, May 31
Join us on Sunday, May 31, as we celebrate 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.
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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, ext. 201.
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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
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
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Grow Clinic! Grow Clinic!
STOCK THE SHELVES FOR SUMMER!!!
Last Chance for Good Deeds! Please remember to add something for the GROW CLINIC in your cart this week. You'll be glad you did.
Food: One Of The Most Important Medicines
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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!
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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
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Social Media
 
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First Church Office
617-484-1054
Monday - Friday, 9 - 3
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Sunday, May 24 -- "Heroism"
Heroism comes in many forms. It is often in the actions of soldiers on the field of combat and it is in the actions of those who engage in non-violent civil disobedience. In lesser ways, it is in the sharing of our true selves and it is sometimes displayed in the quiet heroism of just getting through the day. Today we celebrate heroism in its many forms.
-- Reverend David M. Bryce preaches
- 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 31 -- Music & Spirituality
Reverend David M. Bryce preaches
Bring A Flower on June 14
June 14 is our Flower Communion Sunday. Each person is asked to bring a flower to leave behind, and each will leave with a different flower. If you can, please bring an extra flower or twelve for those who will forget!
Sermons in text and audio format can be found at uubelmont.org/sermons
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
Preparing For Someday
Some friends of ours have a son who attended his first year of college in the Boston area this year.
We had the family to dinner last September when the son started school, and made many unscheduled plans with the son. We said we would take him to dinner at several restaurants we know and named a number of other outings.
This past weekend his classes were over and he went home.
We had not gotten together with him once.
How often do we make plans that are meant to happen "someday soon" and suddenly the days are gone?
Perhaps that has never happened to you. It seems to happen to me often.
Part of that is that life is so busy it is difficult to find the time to actually schedule things.
But part of it is also poor planning on my part.
If something is important, I ought to schedule it now because things will eat into whatever time I think I have. If I delay, the calendar will fill up.
I have come to realize that this is true not only of a given year, but of a lifetime.
If it is important, schedule it and follow through.
That applies also to our spiritual life. What are the things I have been planning on doing or achieving or attaining or observing that I have just never gotten around to? How do I ensure that I will do so?
I started prayer (in a regular, intentional way) last summer. But is there more for me to do?
As Unitarian Universalists, we each have and are responsible for our own spirituality. In our tradition, no one can decide for any other person what their spiritual path "ought" to be or what the next step on it is. That is for each of us to determine for ourselves.
But a kind of broad overview can help me to think about what my next steps might be. Where am I in life's journey? What would normally be coming up in the next ten years? What might take me by surprise in the next ten years? How do I prepare for this spiritually?
If I were planning on running in some upcoming Boston Marathon, I would not sit around and wait for the day to come. That would not prepare me for the run. I would begin training, and would do so slowly and build up to the big event. So, given the things likely to occur in my life by 2025, what is the "training" I should undertake now?
I am pondering these questions for myself, and will do so more fully this coming summer. I suggest them to you as well.
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Music Notes from Alfa Radford
SPRING BOUQUETS to the Sr. Choir for last Sunday's singing of Bach's famous motet, Jesu meine Freude. It's one of my favorites, and the singing touched my soul.
And MORE BLOSSOMS to the Racz-Kozuma Family. The Mendelssohn trio was so beautiful!
ALERT! REGISTRATION for YOUTH & CHILDREN's CHOIRS:
Welcome to all youth and children who enjoy singing! Gr. K thru High School. Please see article elsewhere in this newsletter. Wizard of Oz for next Fall !!
NOTE: Current choristers also need to register for the Fall programs. You may register for the Choirs, whether or not you plan to participate in the play.
QUESTIONS? Contact Ian Garvie igarvie@uubelmont.org or Alfa Radford aradford@uubelmont.org
CALENDAR ITEMS for CHOIR PARENTS:
June 14 Multigenerational Services:
- June 14 Junior Choir (K-Gr.4) sings at 9am. Arrive 8:30
- June 14 Chancel Choir (Gr.5-6) sings at 11am Arrive 10:15
MUSIC and SOCIAL ACTION: CHAMBER MUSIC BENEFIT CONCERT: Sunday, June 7, at 8:00 pm for the benefit of children at the Pediatric Division of Boston Medical Ctr. Concert attendees will be have the pleasure of a special evening of music for harpsichord, voice, flutes, and bassoon. Admission is by donation, and there will be a delicious Strawberries and Wine Reception. Yum! Come, and bring a friend!
- Joy and blessings, Alfa
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NOW OPEN! REGISTRATION for YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS
Welcome to all who enjoy singing!
We are now taking registrations for all the YOUTH & CHILDREN'S CHOIRS for the upcoming church year, Sept 2015-June 2016; and for the Fall musical "The Wizard of Oz."
You may register ONLINE by clicking on the link. All interested choristers should register, whether or not they plan to participate in the musical play.
QUESTIONS? Contact Ian Garvie: igarvie@uubelmont.org.
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Welcome to new members:
- Yolanda Aliberti
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Sarah Marie and Aaron Jette
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Jen Deaderick
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Leland Ackerson
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Jon Svetkey and Heather Quay
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Rick Hawkins and Kathleen Beyerman
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Christopher and Dorinda Rife
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Youth Programs
If you attended either the COA Ceremony this past weekend or the Youth Group Service the Sunday before, you witnessed the culmination of the COA program and the celebration of the community that the Youth Group builds all year long.
This is the time in the year when we celebrate and wrap up the church year, while at the same time we are ramping up and preparing for the year ahead. Building community, a place where you can truly trust and be accepted just as you are, takes a lot of work. It doesn't happen on its own. It requires intentional decisions from the members of the Youth Group all year long. It takes a lot of time, energy and effort on the part of the youth leaders (otherwise known as YAC or Youth Advisory Council), who organize events and activities where their peers can let their guard down and connect in a way they do not in other settings.
Later this month we will have a spring retreat for Grades 9 & 10. This retreat is an opportunity for the two grades to start getting to know each other and begin laying the groundwork for the supportive community they will create together next year. For 9th graders this helps ease their transition into Youth Group and for 10th graders this is their opportunity to start stepping into more of a leadership role. This year we will be camping together. There will be time for hiking, swimming at a nearby lake, relaxing in the warm sun or sitting in the shade, playing frisbee, hanging out with friends and making new ones. We'll cook our dinner together over the campfire, play games and have a late-night worship. The best part of this retreat will be all of us! These 15 and 16 year olds, along with 4 advisors, will laugh together, play together and create shared memories together in the outdoors. Slowly over the course of the weekend, some magic will happen; they will also share a little more of themselves. The weekend will undoubtedly end with 30 people anticipating the year ahead, knowing they've started building the community they will cherish. May it be so.
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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.
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. 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
- Will Brownsberger, Chair of Senate Judiciary Cmt.
- Leslie Walker, Esq., Exec. Director of Prisoners Legal Services
- Thursday, May 28, 7:00 pm, Parish Hall
What is being done in Massachusetts to address mass incarceration?
Light refreshments will be served from 6:30-7 pm. Belmont Against Racism will have a brief presentation at 6:45 pm. Sponsored by the Social Action Committee
Beyond Ferguson: Bridging Class, Cultural, And Racial Separations - Dorothy Stoneman
Sunday, May 31, 7:00 pm, 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.
Creating a More Peaceful Society by Confronting the Origins of Violence - Ronald Goldman, PhD
Sunday, June 7, 12:30pm, Parish Hall
Why is the U.S. one of the most violent developed countries in the world? We recognize the problems of violence but generally seek to treat its symptoms with, for example, better gun control, security, and protection. While these are important, is there a better way?What about prevention? What makes people violent? You will learn the root causes of violence and how to contribute to peace in your family and society. Be prepared to question some of your cultural assumptions.
Ronald Goldman, Ph.D. is a psychological researcher, speaker, and writer. His work includes hundreds of contacts with parents, children, and medical and mental health professionals. He has a particular interest in perinatal psychology and serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology and Health.
For more information visit ronaldgoldmanphd.com.
Co-sponsored by Adult Programs and Social Action. Refreshments served.
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.
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 -- 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. |
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