|
The Unitarian - April 5, 2016
|
|
Sunday Worship - April 10, 2016
Sermon: Hanuman, Religion, Human Beings and All Beings - Rev. David Bryce
Hanuman is the Monkey God of the great Indian epic the Ramayana who was a devotee and supporter of Rama. Recent studies of chimpanzees have indicated that they engage in ritual behavior which may point to them having a spiritual nature. Perhaps we are less distinct from other animals than we like to pretend.
This week's music will feature gospel quartets by the Linden Singers - Richard Curzi, John Howe, Paul Judge, and Roger Read:
- Farther Along, W.B. Stevens
- Sit Down Servant, Arr. Pop Staples
Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Sara Oaklander; 11 a.m. Penny Schafer
9 a.m. Ushers: Thomas Schieber & Ana Hammock
11 a.m. Ushers: Laurie Graham & Judy McSwain
Lay Pastoral Care: 9 a.m. James Hencke; 11 a.m. Tom Neel
The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by Roger & Lynn Peterson Read and Martha Read to celebrate the lives of their fathers, A. Ray Peterson and Charles Rodes Read.
|
|
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
"A problem is an issue you can do something about; if you cannot do anything about it, it is not a problem it is just context."
I forget who said that. But it contains wisdom.
Racism is a problem; the rising tide of anti-Muslim attitudes in America is a problem. We can and must do something to change these.
But perhaps the source of these-the tendency for human beings to categorize things and then to label those categories as good or bad-perhaps that is just context.
Categorizing things can be a very good process with very good outcomes.
It helps us to learn about the universe that we live in, about the stars in our galaxy, about the planets in our solar system.
It helped us to recognize the existence of and process of evolution.
It helps us to decide which plants to eat and which to avoid. It helps us to decide which animals to make pets of and which to leave in the wild. It helps us to decide which school to go to, which political party to join, which congregation to attend.
Choosing to judge our created categories as good or bad is a separate step, and one that requires some extra discernment.
In looking at stars, for example, we do not apply terms like good and bad to red giants and white dwarfs. We categorize, but do not judge.
In thinking about mushrooms, on the other hand, because some are delicious but some are poisonous we do tend to "judge". There are "good" mushrooms and "bad" mushrooms. We are not judging the morality of these fungi, just the effect of eating them.
We ought not to judge people as good or bad, either; not in a categorical way. There are behaviors that we should judge as good or bad. Those that promote life and health in ourselves or in others are good, those that harm ourselves or others are bad. And those that intentionally harm ourselves or others are morally and ethically bad. But that is behaviors, not people.
Our Universalist heritage calls upon us to love everyone. Whether we believe that the ability to have universal love is imparted to the human heart by divine power or is the product of evolution matters not. We can and must learn to see all people as siblings. We can and must learn to apply the golden rule to all, not just some.
Our problem is to figure out how to do that.
|
March Stewardship Drive - Still $45,000 to go
Hi everyone - If you have not yet responded, please let us hear from you ASAP. Although we have raised more than $550,000 in pledges toward our $601,000 goal, closing the gap is the hardest part. To reach our goal, we need to hear from each of you, and your pledge can make a meaningful difference. If you haven't pledged in the past, 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 this week.
The First Church Stewardship Committee - Roger Read, Chair
|
|
Among Us
Our sympathies to Bruce Kozuma, Livia Racz, and family. Bruce's mother, Doris Miura Kozuma, recently passed away.
Our sympathies to the family of former longstanding First Church member Nancy Miller Kriebel, who passed away in November 2015 at her home in Santa Fe. Her son Steven let us know that there will be a celebration of Nancy's life, along with an unveiling of one of her paintings, on May 1 at 4 p.m. at the Arlington Center for the Arts, 41 Foster Street (Nancy was a founding member of the A.C.A.), and that all are welcome to attend.
|
|
Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
There is news in the past week that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) have made significant progress towards re-establishing relations after almost 20 years. Ain't that Good News? ... { click for more }
|
|
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 }
|
- UU Purposes and Principles - Sunday, April 10, 12:30 p.m., Library
- Theatre Discussion - Sunday, April 10, 3 p.m., Parlor
- Potluck Supper and Program - Friday, April 15
- 7 p.m.; Potluck, Upper Hall
- 8 p.m.- Program, Parish Hall
- Solar Flares - Sunday, April 24, 12:30 p.m., Library
- Salsa Sensation - Tuesdays, April 26, May 3, 7-9 p.m., Parish Hall
- Meditation - Mondays, 8 p.m., Library
- Breast Cancer Wellness Journey - Wed., April 6, 7:30 p.m., Parlor
- Caring for Older Adults - Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., conference room
- Fiber Arts Fellowship - Thursday, April 7, 8 p.m., Location TBD
- Parenting Kids with Challenges, Sunday, April 10, 2:30 p.m., Library
- UU Alliance Lobster Roll Lunch/Annual Meeting - Wed., April 20, 12 noon
|
|
Program & Committee News
Ushers Still Needed for spring Sunday Services
Please consider signing up to usher at one or more of these services. To select your dates now, sign up to usher on the bulletin board in the upper gathering area, sign up on the church website or contact:
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 runs through April 15. ACA is at 41 Foster Street in Arlington. Learn more at www.acarts.org; click on Gallery.
 |
|
Second Friday Coffeehouse with Heather Quay & Jon Svetkey, April 8
Second Friday favorites Heather Quay and Jon Svetkey - now using the folk-friendly name "The Yellow Room" - have been singing and strumming together for almost twenty years. Their original songs combine elements of classic pop, folk, and country music while showcasing their love of two-part harmony and fun.
Opening act: Tammy Patrick and The Merkin Wranglers, roots music. Proceeds will benefit the Unitarian Transylvania Archives Project: archives.unitarian.ro
Happy Spring! How about celebrating by purchasing vitamins this month for our Grow Clinic children? Flintstone Chewables and Polysol with Iron Liquid Vitamins. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thanks for helping the Grow kids GROW!
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
|
|
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/
|
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, April 12. Please send your announcements, news, events, and other submissions to office@uubelmont.org by noon on Wednesday, April 6. Please note that announcements may be edited for space and clarity.
|
|
