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Sunday Worship - January 24, 2016
Sermon: What Do We Really Need? - Rev. David Bryce This morning our Chalice Lighting will be words from a member of our partner church in Transylvania. For me they raise the question, "What, really, do we need?" What are the important things in life, and do we appreciate them when we have them?
Prelude: Hungarian Peasant Song by Béla Bartók (1888 - 1945); Dylan Sauerwald, piano
Postlude: Hej, tulipán [Hey, tulip (Traditional)]; Livia Racz, citera
9 a.m. Nova Choir Anthem: Csillagos ég (Starry Sky); Lajos Bárdos (1899 - 1986)
11 a.m. Senior Choir Anthem: Sanctus from Missa Brevis; Zoltán Kodály (1882 - 1967)
Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Sara Oaklander; 11 a.m. Deveaux Duckworth
Ushers: 9 a.m.: Ana Hammock & Kathy Lind; 11 a.m.: Judy McSwain & Laurie Graham
Lay Pastoral Care: 9 a.m. Tom Neel; 11 a.m. Martha Spaulding
The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by Pegeen Wright and Charlie Hubbard in loving memory of their brothers - Keith, Timothy and Ted Wright and Ron Hubbard. - Services 9 & 11 a.m.; childcare is provided.
- Sunday, January 31: Why This Community is Needed - Rev. David Bryce
- Sermon archive: uubelmont.org/sermons
- Directions & parking
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
I had lunch with a colleague today, a fellow Unitarian Universalist minister, and we shared our "journeys" into (and within) Unitarian Universalism and into ministry.
I have experienced a number of changes in theology over the years, from Theist to non-Theist to my current Humanist and Universalist paradox (there is no God and we will all spend eternity in heaven with God).
In any other western religious tradition - and in many non-western religious traditions - each of these changes would have required that I "hide" my theology or that I leave my current tradition and find another one. Part of my gratitude to Unitarian Universalism, part of what I hold dear and most deeply cherish, is that through my theological growth and journey, no matter what my thinking was at any given time, I was still always welcome as a UU.
That to me is one of our strengths: that we can hold within our circle people of varying beliefs.
I once shared our open theological stance -including our encompassing of Humanism, Theism, Paganism, Buddhism and more -.with a young man who happened to be Muslim (though he could have been of any other faith and had the same reaction). His comment to me was, "But that is nothing!" My unspoken thought in response was, "No, that is everything!"
One of the reasons we can have such a wide range of theologies within our tradition is that we believe in people; we believe in the human potential to think, feel and theologize for ourselves. As a tradition 9though this varies from congregation to congregation) we recognize that there is no "final answer." We are all searchers, or are at least open to the possibility of searching. And so we do not exclude those who do not think exactly as we do on matters of theology.
That is not to say there are no limits; but that is for another time.
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Annual Piano Celebration - Saturday, January 23
This Saturday, January 23rd at 8:00 p m., The First Church in Belmont is hosting its 21st Annual Piano Celebration. The program will be followed by a reception and refreshments.
This year's eclectic program will include music from a wide variety of styles and genres, including Baroque, Classical, Impressionist, Jazz, Popular, and more. Music will be performed by talented members of the First Church community. Pianists are Ian Garvie, Richard Curzi, Nina Grimaldi, Mariko Findell, and others. Joining them are Rick Dimino on bass, Jerry Twomey on guitar, Mark Kohler on percussion, Dylan Sauerwald on organ and harpsichord, and other surprise guests.
Concert proceeds will be used to carry on the maintenance of the First Church grand pianos, fine Casavant pipe organ, and harpsichord. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in advance at the church office or at the door. For more information, please call 781-646-2123. (Snowdate: Sunday, January 24th, 7:00 p.m.)
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Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
Wendy Conroy and I are excited to share with you that FCB will be field testing the Unitarian Universalist newest curriculum: Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators. Workshops will be offered on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 7-9 pm in the FCB Library, starting January 26 and running through May 24. We encourage you to attend as many workshops as you can.
The program is grounded in Unitarian Universalist values, and will provide parents and caregivers a unique understanding about tweens/teens, sexuality, and parenting ...
{ click here for more }
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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! }
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| | 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
- Making Italian Wedding Soup - Sunday, Feb. 7, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Kitchen
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
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Program & Committee News
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Team of First Church
Monthly Note (Jan. 2016)
At the UUSC Guest at Your Table Sunday in November, contribution boxes and Stories of Hope were distributed to the congregation. We trust that these stories promoted conversation and reflection and that your box has become fuller and fuller over these weeks. As you remember, this year's funds are going to refugees and displaced persons. Please send your donation by the end of January. { click for more }
Grow Clinic!
January: The Great Jar Race -- Baby Foods of All Kinds! Collection baskets in the Lower Hall.
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.
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.
FCBGreen Committee Survey Results and Announcement
In Spring 2015, the congregation was asked to participate in a survey related to the mission of FCBGreen (making our building more environmentally sustainable and initiating education events and actions related to the environment and global warming). Click here for results of the survey. In its January meeting the Parish Board voted to endorse commit2respond, which is a global climate change initiative of the UUA and UUSC. Click on the link to read more about this exciting development which is supported by many UU congregations.The Caring Connection provides support to members of our community who need short-term help. Lay Pastoral Care TeamThe 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.
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Connect with UU actions, events & resources
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Contact Usontact Us
617-484-1054 ~ office@uubelmont.org ~ Staff Directory
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Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9 - 3.
| 404 Concord Avenue | PO Box 113 | Belmont, Mass. 02478
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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. Please use your judgment as to whether you can safely get to services or programming.
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Next Issue
The next issue of The Unitarian is Tuesday, January 26. Please send your submissions to office@uubelmont.org by noon on Wednesday, January 20 for the January 26 issue.
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