The Unitarian
December 15, 2015
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Christmas Offering
We invite you to consider special gifts for the Christmas offering:
A gift to The First Church ("gift"), or
A gift to be divided between the charitable projects of the First Church ("Xmas charities"):
- CARE, chosen by the Youth Group, is a
leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty (care.org) - The Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry's "new kitchen" campaign
- To be decided by the Program Council
Please make checks payable to First Church and note on memo line either "Xmas charities" or "gift."
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In Case of Severe Weather
If a Sunday service is to be cancelled due to inclement weather, a message will be put on the church voicemail system.
We will also post a message on our Facebook page, the church's web page, and send a church-wide e-mail.
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The most current information about upcoming events is on our Facebook page - no account needed!
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617-484-1054
office@uubelmont.org | |
Office hours:
Monday - Friday, 9 - 3
The church office will be closed from December 24 - January 4. Happy New Year!
| | Staff directory | | First Church groups & committees |
The final 2015 issue of The Unitarian is Tuesday, December 22. Please send your submissions to office@uubelmont.org by Wed., December 16.
The next issue of the Unitarian after Dec. 22 will be January 5, 2016. Because of the holidays, plese submit your items by Wednesday, December 16. |
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Sunday Worship - December 20
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Multigenerational Services: "Giving Our Gifts: A UU Holiday Tradition" - Rev. David Bryce
- 9 a.m. - Junior & Nova Choirs
- 11 a.m. - Youth & Chancel Choirs
Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Sara Oaklander; 11 a.m. Jackie James
Ushers: 9 a.m. Dave Scott and Catherine Scott; 11 a.m. Judy McSwain and Laurie Graham
Lay Pastoral Care: 9 a.m.: TBA; 11 a.m. James Hencke
The Christmas greens & poinsettias that decorate our Church are given by the Farnham Memorial Fund.
- Services at 9 & 11 a.m.; childcare is provided.
- Sunday, December 27: Lay-led service at 10:30 a.m. in the Library
- Sermon archive
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services on
Thursday, December 24
- 2 p.m.: Junior Choir; Lessons and Carols, Pageant
- 4 p.m.: Chancel Choir; Lessons and Carols, Pageant
- 6 p.m.: Youth Choir; Lessons and Carols, Pageant
- 11 p.m.: Alumni Choir; Lessons and Carols
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From the Senior Minister,
Rev. David Bryce
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What is this Mid-Winter Festival really about?
We (most of us) are preparing to celebrate a time of family gathering, of gift giving, of travel and visitation. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere it happens to occur in the darkest time of the year-that is, the time of least sunlight.
According to an article in Business insider back in 2012, a full 90% of the world's population lives in North of the equator; with about half living above the 27th north latitude, so the vast majority of people experience some form of winter at this time of year.
And many of them celebrate the midwinter turning and tilting of the earth.
Celebrate what?
That depends, of course, upon who you ask because various traditions have put their own meanings upon it.
For me it is partly about the metaphor of light in the darkness, warmth in the cold, the renewal of hope and good arising from (or surviving) evil.
But it has all of those other things that make this season special: The idea of family gathering around a table or a fire, the celebration of life and love, the recognition of the ongoing cycle of life that I am part of.
Whatever your theology about this season, whatever your rituals at this time, I wish for you all a time of abundant love and joy.
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On Sunday, December 6th, our third UU Visitor came through the Time Machine (that the kids built in September). The combined classes in grades 1-4 met with Reverend Charles Follen to learn about his life and significance to us as Unitarian Universalists. Here is a short report of what they learned from him.
The Reverend Charles Follen was born in 1796 in Hessen, Germany ... { click here for more }
Youth Group Reunion Potluck, January 8 It's time for another Youth Group Reunion and we hope you can join us on Friday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Hall. We will have a potluck dinner and goodies for dessert to entice you ... { click here for more }
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FABULOUS! NEARLY THERE!
This generous, music-loving, social action-oriented, and very special church family had purchased 50 Second Friday Coffeehouse Season Tickets as of November 13 - getting very close to our 30th season goal of 60! BRAVISSIMI! Thank you, First Church! And our ten highly worthy beneficiaries and their deserving clients thank you from the bottoms of their hearts, as do your First Church colleagues on the Coffeehouse Committee!
Please join in the final push and purchase of one of the last ten tickets we need to sell. We really do try hard to complete our major sales drive in the fall season. We know there are still a number of former and new friends who plan get a ticket. So here is your reminder: NOW is the time to get on board! Send your $99 check made out to First Church in Belmont, memo line marked Coffeehouse, to First Church in Belmont, 404 Concord Ave., P.O. Box 113, Belmont 02478. Or hand your check or cash to Jim Staton, Lauraine Dalton, Anne Selman, or Janice Zazinski.
Your becoming part of this exciting and deeply important social action commitment guarantees that the clients of all the causes we support will get the full benefit of your help, making it a real time for Thanksgiving! And again ... MANY, MANY THANKS! You are the greatest!
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This Week
- Belmont UU Alliance - Wed., Dec. 16, 12 noon, Upper Hall Lunch and Program - "Lena - My 100 Children"
- Beyond Ferguson - Sunday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Library
Ongoing Programs
- Science and Spirituality - Thursday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., Conference room
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Fiber Arts Fellowship - Thursday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m., Classroom 4
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Ongoing Programs, Events & Announcements
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Ushers wanted for the Holiday Services
The Membership Committee is looking for ushers for all four Christmas Eve services - 2, 4, 6 and 11 p.m. It's now easier than ever to sign up with our online form: goo.gl/v8XjHo.
| | Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Monthly Group Note
The UUSC's December refugee update includes a list of its global partners:
- Praksis in Greece to ensure decent reception conditions for new arrivals
- The Helsinki Committee in Hungary to reunite refugee families
- The Asylum Protection Center in Serbia to provide comprehensive mobile aid across the migration trail
- The Center for Peace Studies in Croatia to provide long-term resettlement support to refugees
The UUSC upholds the right of all people to seek asylum across borders, irrespective of their place of origin or documented status. Read more about the refugee update at: uusc.org/updates/left-out |
"Start the Day Strong" at the Grow Clinic by picking up some hot and cold cereals or vitamins.
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