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Sunday Worship - February 21, 2016
Sermon: Does Religion Matter? - Rev. Doris Hunter
With the ongoing development of artificial intelligence, the future might involve a super intelligent computer that can respond like the human mind. At that point will there be a theologian present who will program the religious questions about the meaning of life and the ethical questions of right and wrong? Does religion matter to the future of artificial intelligence?
9 a.m. Nova Choir Anthem: Sing to God, O Sing His Praises! Hugh S. Livingston (composed 1989)
11 a.m. Senior Choir Anthem: Lo, My Shepherd Is Divine, Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Offertory: King David, Herbert Howells (1892-1983); Chuck Claus, baritone Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Jack Weis; 11 a.m. Downing Cless Ushers: 9 a.m.: Sara Oaklander; 11 a.m.: Mark Rosenstein & Jody Renouf Lay Pastoral Care: 9 a.m. TBD; 11 a.m. Tom Neel The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by Paul Santos & Anne Stuart in loving memory of Robin, Cristina, Paul, & Peter Santos.
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
Do we need fear in order to be good?
A complaint that I commonly hear from people about the Catholic Church is that people can misbehave then go to confession and be absolved, so this - supposedly - opens the door for all kinds of bad actions.
As someone who believes in repentance, forgiveness and redemption; and as someone who recognizes how damaging guilt can be, I do not find this to be a valid criticism. The ability to be cleansed, if you will; to start over, is an important one. Without it decent people would be burdened down with guilt and shame.
And the person who uses the confessional in order to go out and sin again has misused the confessional. That is not a Church problem, that is a person problem.
In the past our Universalist heritage was even more strongly condemned by some-including the Unitarians--because in its more radical form it proclaimed that all of our sins are forgiven without even the necessity of the confessional. The "Ultra-Universalists" proclaimed that no matter who we are or what we believe, what faith or creed we hold, all of our sins were taken away by the sacrifice of Jesus.
This was both outrageous and absurd to many. And it was seen as promoting sinful behavior.
A story about the get Universalist leader Hosea Ballou answered this claim:
Hosea Ballou...was riding the circuit in the New Hampshire hills with a Baptist preacher one afternoon. They argued theology as they traveled. At one point, the Baptist looked over and said, "Brother Ballou, if I were a Universalist and feared not the fires of hell, I could hit you over the head, steal your horse and saddle, and ride away, and I'd still go to heaven." Hosea Ballou looked over at him and said, "If you were a Universalist, the idea would never occur to you." -told by the Rev. Elizabeth Strong
The Universalist response was two-fold. First, the theological (some would say the theoretical) argument was that when people accepted universalism, and accepted the fact that God loved them and forgave their sins, they were so joy-filled and grateful that they simply would not do evil.
The second response was the more practical: Show us, they said, the prisons full of Universalist law breakers; you cannot because they do not behave as you predict.
May we be as filled with joy and gratitude as our Universalist forebears, may we feel the love of the universe and love from and for others.
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2016 March Stewardship Drive
Dear Members and Friends,
Pledge Packets will arrive in your mailbox this coming weekend - look for the envelope with the First Church clock tower logo. The Pledging phase of our campaign kicks off just a week later, at our special Celebration Sunday services on February 28. So, when you get your packet, please:
Reflect on:
- The value of First Church to you, your family, your fellow parishioners, and the broader community;
- The role First Church plays in promoting social justice and standing up for what is right;
- David's Jan. 31 Stewardship sermon;
- First Church as one of your top charitable priorities.
Decide on your pledge:
- Please consider a generous increase over last year's pledge - the continued vitality of church finances depends on generous increases each year;
- If you are a first time donor, please pledge as generously as you can.
Join us with your pledge on Celebration Sunday, Feb. 28, for a festive service and special coffee hour.
The First Church Stewardship Committee - Roger Read, Chair
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Congratulations to David Deese on the birth of a second child to his son, Brian, and his wife.
Congratulations to Dorothy Stoneman and John Bell on the recent birth of a son to their daughter, Sierra. Condolences to Sarah Marie Jette on the recent death of her father.
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Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
After that gorgeous snowfall on Friday, the winter winds blew in a guest from the ancient deserts of the Middle East. On the first Sunday in February, the Biblical patriarch Moses visited the combined grades 1-6 class for Community Sunday (aka Children's Chapel). What follows is a brief summary of what the kids learned from Moses about his life, the time that he lived, and why his story is still important to us in the 21st century ... { click here for more }
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Upcoming Adult Programs
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Click to view all upcoming events.
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- Understanding Hospice - Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
- Breast Cancer Wellness Journey - Wed., Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., Parlor
- UU Principles - Sunday, Feb. 28, 12:30 p.m., Library
- Film & discussion - "Lena: My 100 Children" - Mon., Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m.
- A Real World Perspective on the Presidential Campaign with Mike Widmer; Thursday, March 3, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
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Boston School of Painting - Sunday, March 6, 12:30 p.m., Library
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Solar Workshop - Sunday, March 6, 12:30 p.m., Parish Hall
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Theatre Discussion - The Convert - Sunday, March 6, 4 p.m., Parlor
Ongoing Programs
- Meditation - Mondays, 8 p.m., Library
- UU Belmont Alliance Lunch and Program - Wed., Feb. 17, 12 p.m., Upper Hall
- Living Positively - Thursday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Tinkham Room
- Science and Spirituality - Thursday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m., Parlor
- Fiber Arts - Thursdays, Feb.18, 8 p.m., Location TBD
- Hootenanny - Wed., Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
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Program & Committee News
Belmont Food Pantry Volunteers
First Church members staff the opening of the Belmont Food Pantry on the second Tuesday of every month. There will be a sign-up table after Sunday's service to recruit volunteers for February through May.
Belmont Open Sings - February 21
Come hear Irina Kareva in Mozart's stirring Requiem; and, even better, get to sing the choral parts too, when Mary Beekman conducts Belmont Open Sings on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
This is the last piece Mozart wrote, and in it you can hear his uncertainty as to whether God will judge him as a sheep or a goat.
The reading takes place at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St. and $10 gets you a seat, a score, a full orchestra and fine soloists, and even a cookie or two! Hope to see you there!
First Church and Refugee Resettlement
At First Church we are exploring the possibility of working with a resettlement agency to help resettle refugees coming to the US. The process began as an outreach to Syrians fleeing their country but in all probability they will not be in the US for resettlement until late 2017 or early 2018.
Just the same, there are many others who need help finding a home in the US. If you would like to be part of this discussion, please send me, Sam James, with your e-mail address and I will add your name to the distribution list. My e-mail address is sjames@srjames.com. We are working to initiate a town wide response with all congregations participating in this effort. So please join us. The first step is to send an e-mail and we will place you on the list.
Grow Clinic!
Wouldn't you like to Put Some LOVE in Your Cart this Valentine Holiday with a few extras for the infants and toddlers at the Grow Clinic?
- February Special Request: Baby Food and Formula. Collection baskets in the Lower Hall.
Caring Connection
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: uubelmont.org/lay-ministry
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Can you help Ben Ackerson with a UUUM youth service project?
I am working on a youth service project at the UU Urban Ministry in Roxbury - a fence and a firm foundation to hide a dumpster from view and keep it from wrecking the ground. I need an experienced builder or landscape architect who is willing to do some volunteer work to help me write up the plans. I expect that the commitment would be:
- A trip to the Urban Ministry one weekday afternoon or one weekend day to view the site;
- Help writing up a plan or diagram and coming up with a list of required materials.
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Connect with UU actions, events & resources
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Contact 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, February 23. Please send your announcements, news, events, and other submissions to office@uubelmont.org by noon on Wednesday, February 17.
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