The Unitarian -
January 12, 2016

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the entire issue online.
Sunday Worship - January 17, 2016

Sermon: The Confederate Flag, Ongoing Discrimination and Black Lives Matter - Rev. David Bryce
More than 150 years after the end of the Civil War and more than 50 years after Selma discrimination continues in our nation. But there is also ongoing hope.

Prelude: Wenn wir in h�chsten N�ten sein, J.S. Bach (1685-1750); Dylan Sauerwald, organ

Postlude: Fugue in G minor by J.S. Bach; Dylan Sauerwald, organ

Senior Choir Anthem: Go Down Moses, a traditional spiritual

Offertory: "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught," from South Pacific, Richard Rogers (1902 - 79) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960); Chuck Claus, Baritone

South Pacific received scrutiny for its commentary regarding relationships between different races and ethnic groups. In particular, "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" was subject to widespread criticism, judged by some to be too controversial or downright inappropriate for the musical stage. Sung by the character Lieutenant Cable, the song is preceded by a line saying racism is "not born in you! It happens after you're born ..."

Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Jack Weis; 11 a.m. Deveaux Duckworth

Ushers: 9 a.m.: Ana Hammock & Martha Read; 11 a.m.: Lanier Smythe & Margaret Marks

Lay Pastoral Care: 9 a.m. TBA; 11 a.m. James Hencke

The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by Patricia Garcia in celebration of friends, family, and The First Church community.
Rev. David Bryce
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister

Religion and State
A few weeks ago I received a message on my voice mail from someone in the town of Belmont. She had seen our rainbow flag flying over the front door and was calling to urge that we fly the American flag. She did not say whether she wanted this in addition to or instead of the rainbow flag.
     I am uncomfortable whenever I am in the building of any religious community and see an American flag, whether that is over the doorway, on an outside pole or in a stand in the Sanctuary or the Fellowship Hall. There is, for me, such a clear separation of religion and state that having a national flag on the property of a religious congregation seems inappropriate.
     Religion claims to represent or reach for something that transcends mere nationalism. It claims to represent something that (in Western thinking, at least) stands above and encompasses all nations and groups.
     Paradoxically, from the point of view of the nation, the nation rightly encompasses people of all faiths and so our country should not have an official religion. And that is a belief I have about all nations.
     I am aware that there are some groups who would intertwine religion and state in such ways that they are inseparable. Always their own religion, of course. But that is wrong.
     Our human freedoms arise from the fact that these are separate. If someone can choose which God you will worship no other rights really exist because God will tell them what rights you are allowed-and that will almost always be the "right" to submit to their will.
     The separation of religion and state protects our human rights. I hope that we will always maintain it.
Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
On Sunday, January 3rd, our fourth and final UU Visitor came through the Time Machine (that the kids built in September). The combined classes in grades 1-4 met with Fannie Barrier Williams to learn about her life and significance to us as Unitarian Universalists. Here is a short report of what they learned from her.
     Frances Barrier was born in 1855 in upstate New York. Her parents were free blacks. Her siblings called her Fannie and she always went by that name ... { click here for more }
Winter Clothing Drive continues ...
The 9th grade COA group will be volunteering with homeless people in the Boston area and learning about poverty and homelessness in January.  Please help us with a clothing drive in advance! { click here to see a list of items needed! }
The complete calendar of church events is online.
Upcoming Adult Programs


New Programs

 

  • Spiritual Renewal Through Poetry - Sundays, Jan. 24, 31, Feb.7; 3 p.m., Parlor
  • Small Group Ministry welcomes new members - Wed., Jan. 13 & 27, 7:30 p.m., Library and Parlor
  • The Conversation Project - Part 2 - Sunday, Jan. 24, 12:30 p.m., Library
  • Parenting Concerns - "Children and Technology"  - Sunday, Jan. 31, 10:15 - 11 a.m., Classroom 5
  • Theatre Discussion Series - "Waiting for Godot" - Sunday, Jan. 31, 12:30 p.m., Library
Ongoing Programs
  • Belmont UU Alliance Lunch and Program - Wed., Jan. 20, 12 noon, Upper Hall
  • Living Positively (formerly Living with Serious Illness) - Thursday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., Tinkham Room
  • Science and Spirituality - Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., Conference Room
  • Fiber Arts Fellowship - Thursday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m., Location TBD
  • Hootenanny/Jam Session - Wed., Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m., Library
Program & Committee News

Grow Clinic!
Your contributions of baby food will go directly from our baskets to the high chairs of malnourished babies whose families cannot always afford food for their children.
January: The Great Jar Race -- Baby Foods of All Kinds! Collection baskets in the Lower Hall.

January 18: Belmont's 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast at Belmont High School
Please join the community for this multi-age gathering, including Belmont Schools' families, Belmont Town and School officials, the Religious Council, and others from Belmont and Boston, and surrounding communities, for community, conversation and celebration.

UU Urban Ministry Anti-Racism Summit, Jan. 23, 10 - 2
Featuring a panel discussion with representatives from Black Lives Matter Boston and the Muslim Justice League. Visit uuum.org for details.

Annual Piano Celebration - Saturday, January 23, 8 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Click here for details!

All-Church Potluck/Game Night - Saturday,Feb.6, 5:30 - 8:30p.m., Parish Hall
Brush off the winter blues and come to the All-Church Potluck and Game Night. This will be a wonderful opportunity to kick back, relax, and have fun. 

Caring Connection
The Caring Connection provides support to members of our community who need short-term help. 

Lay Pastoral Care Team
The Lay Pastoral Care Team works with and supports the senior minister in reaching out to members and friends of the First Church who are adjusting to change, loss, illness or death. 

{ click here for information & details on these and other events }

Connect with UU actions, events & resources
Contact Usontact Us
617-484-1054 ~ [email protected] ~ Staff Directory

Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9 - 3.
The church office will be closed Monday, January 18, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Mailing address: PO Box 113, Belmont, Mass. 02478

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. Please use your judgment as to whether you can safely get to services or programming.

Next Issue
The next issue of The Unitarian is Tuesday, January 19. Please send your submissions to Janice Zazinski at [email protected] by Wednesday, January 13 for the January 19 issue.

 Read the entire issue of The Unitarian online.

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