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The Unitarian - March 22, 2016
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Sunday Worship - March 27, 2016
Sermon: Easter Sunday - Rev. David Bryce
Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Peter Guthrie; 11 a.m. Jackie James 9 a.m. Ushers: Debora Hoffman & Leland Ackerson 11 a.m. Ushers: Margaret Marks, Marcus Davidson & Graham Backman
Lay Pastoral Care: 9 a.m. Devon Beckett; 11 a.m. Steve Saar
The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by the Belmont Unitarian Alliance.
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Easter Sunrise Service - March 27
Come join our ritual of creating sacred space at sunrise at Habitat in Belmont. Meet in FCB parking lot at 5:45 or meet at the Habitat parking lot (10 Juniper Road, Belmont) at 6 a.m.
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
You will receive this just after the official beginning of astronomical spring.
Already I have seen the blooms of crocus and daffodils and - earlier today - some very impatient creeping myrtle.
I suspect that flowers will be much more bounteous a week from now.
It is no wonder it was thought that many ancient divinities died or disappeared at some point in the year and then were re-born in the spring. There is always a sense both of renewal and of unexpected possibility when the world is coming to life around us and it seems appropriate to think of a divine spirit preceding or causing that renewal of life.
There is almost always a day in spring when I feel that everything seems brand new - the earth, the air, the birds and even me. That day is liberating and joy-filled. And then, just as the day and the Earth seem to be, I feel full of potential and possibility.
In that moment I also feel a deep connection to all that is. I sense myself full of power, power that is connected to, not separate from, all of being. It is the power of life flowing through me as part of the All. So it is not power over; it is power with.
Maybe "power" is the wrong word to use. Perhaps we humans are too prone to think in terms of power and control. Maybe creativity is what I feel in that moment, the ability to engage in the co-creativity of the universe and to do so without preconceiving what that creativity will result in.
Would that I could feel that in every moment of my life.
Perhaps some people can, and perhaps that is what is meant by enlightenment.
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Say Hello to Andrea Spencer-Linzie, First Church's New Intern
The Intern Committee (Mike Widmer, Kathy Crawley, Tony Vagnucci, and Sam James) are very pleased to announce that Andrea Spencer-Linzie will be our intern starting this fall. Andrea will work closely with Rev. David Bryce for four months and then fill in for him while he is on his sabbatical from January 1-July 1, 2017. While he is away, she will work with Rev. Doris Hunter. Andrea has the skills and abilities to cover for David and we, as a congregation, have an opportunity to contribute to her education. We are very pleased that she will be joining us and we believe you will be as well ... { click here for more }
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March Stewardship Drive - Mind The Gap! Still $78,000 to go!
Hi Everyone - If you have not yet made a pledge to the 2016 March Stewardship Drive, we need to hear from you now. Thanks to more than 215 First Church households who have responded so far, our pledge total is over $520,000 - over 85% of our goal. But now is the hardest part, and we still need $78,000 to reach our $601,000 pledge target. To reach our goal, we need to hear from all members and friends. If you are newer to the church, please join us with a pledge now. And if you pledged last year, please consider increasing your pledge this time. We hope you can consider First Church as your top charitable priority. If your circumstances are such that you are not able to make a financial commitment to First Church for the coming year, please let us know; as long as we hear from you, we can count you as participating in this year's drive. Either way, please try to send us your pledge or response no later than this Sunday, March 27.
The First Church Stewardship Committee - Roger Read, Chair
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Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
Based on the feedback I have received from so many of you, the spring multigenerational worship service - "Celebrating Our Differences" - was meaningful and inspiring. The music was terrific and a wonderful blending of younger and older voices in songs of praise, spring themes, and celebration of the diversity of life forms on our Mother Earth. The personal reflections by Ian Garvie, Ellie Somers and Andrea Prestwich revealed how often our differences are hidden, not readily visible to those around us. The story "George Wants a Dress" reminded everyone that our identities, too, are complex with internal aspects that even our families may need to learn to accept ... { click for more }
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Youth Group News
UU College of Social Justice trainings
The UU College of Social Justice is offering three Activate youth justice trainings this summer! Generous financial aid is available for those who need it.
UU Urban Ministry hosts Youth Week in April - "Making Friends, Doing Justice"Come learn about urban social justice issues, challenge oppression, roll up your sleeves and volunteer in the City of Boston! ... { click for more }
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- Five Wishes - Tuesday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
- Muslims in America - Thursday, March 24, 7:30 p.m., Temple Beth El
- UUA Tour - Sunday, April 3, 12:30 p.m., Library
- UU Purposes and Principles - Sunday, April 10, 12:30 p.m., Library
- Theatre Discussion - Sunday, April 10, 3 p.m., Library
- Potluck Supper and Program - Friday, April 15, 7 p.m., Upper Hall
Ongoing Programs
- Meditation - Mondays, 8 p.m., Library
- First Church Book Group - Wed., March 23, 7:30 p.m., Library
- Breast Cancer Wellness Journey - Wed., March 23, 7:30 p.m., Parlor
- Hootenanny - Wed., March 30, 7:30 p.m., Library
- Caring for Older Adults - Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., conference room
- Fiber Arts Fellowship - Thursday, April 7, 8 p.m., Location TBD
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Program & Committee News
Ushers needed for the spring term, for the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services
Please consider signing up to usher. This key volunteer responsibility is a tremendous contribution to the smooth operation of our worship services. To select your dates now, sign up to usher on the bulletin board in the upper gathering area or on the church website. Visit uubelmont.org/membership-committee/ for information on being an usher and to sign up online.
STEREOTYPES: A Conscious Look at Race, Faith, Gender and Sexual Identity; cosponsored by SAC
"Stereotypes: A Conscious Look at Race, Faith, Gender and Sexual Identity," an exhibit of 15 photos by Kevin Briggs, is now on view at the Arlington Center for the Arts Gibbs Gallery. The show is open Monday -Friday from 9 - 6 p.m. and on Saturday, April 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. with an artist talk at 2 p.m. Reception with the artist is Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m. ACA is at 41 Foster Street in Arlington. Learn more at www.acarts.org; click on Gallery.
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Second Friday Coffeehouse with Heather Quay & Jon Svetkey, April 8
With opening act with Tammy Patrick and Jeff Farias. Proceeds to benefit the Unitarian Transylvania Archives Project.
Thanks so much to all of you who are putting the MAC & CHEESE boxes in your shopping cart. Cruise by our basket downstairs and look at all the boxes. Just imagine all the kitchens where YOUR boxes will end up. Keep up the good work! There are collection baskets in the Lower Hall and the vestibule outside the Sanctuary.
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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Connect with UU actions, events & resources
UU Urban Ministry, uuum.org
- Annual Meeting, Sunday, May 15 at 1 p.m. We have moved this important event to Sunday in the hope that more of our friends will be able to join us. Same great gathering, different day! We'll see you there!
- The Jericho Road Roxbury matches skilled volunteers (especially in grant-writing, administration support, 501(c)3 assistance, and website development/IT support) with Roxbury-based non-profits. Please contact Rev. Rebecca Hinds if you would like to volunteer and for more information: 617-318-6010 x214 or rhinds@uuum.org
- Hope Out Loud 5: Open Doors, Open Hearts, Sunday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. This annual concert will feature members of the UUUM Roxbury Youth Programs, Mssng Lnks and the Hope Out Loud Festival Chorus, and special guests musiConnects and the South Boston Training Choir of the Boston Children's Chorus
Join our annual gathering at the State House
- Where: Arlington Street Church, 351 Arlington St., Boston
- When: Tuesday April 12
- The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration and the program will begin at 10:00 a.m. sharp! We will gather at the Arlington Street Church in Boston for our program and then head to the State House together after lunch.
- Worship Leader: Rev. Sarah Stewart, First Unitarian Worcester
- Keynote speaker: Senate President Stan Rosenberg
- Information and registration at uumassaction.org/events-2/
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Contact Us
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9 - 3
404 Concord Avenue | PO Box 113 | Belmont, Mass. 02478
Job Opportunities at The First Church
The church is looking to fill the following vacant positions; please share with any suitable candidates you may know:
- Director of Youth Programs
- Director of Children's Religious Education
- Part-time Nursery Assistant
- Part-time Office Assistant - a good fit for a stay-at-home parent, as the hours are flexible and the summers are free
The next issue of The Unitarian is Tuesday, March 29. Please remember that the deadline for this issue was noon on Monday, March 21, because of the church administrator's time off.
The following issue of The Unitarian is Tuesday, April 5. Please send your announcements, news, events, and other submissions to office@uubelmont.org by noon on Wednesday, March 30. Please note that announcements may be edited for space and clarity.
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