The Unitarian - April 12, 2016
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Sunday Worship - April 17, 2016
Sermon: Earth Day - Rev. David Bryce
Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Jack Weis; 11 a.m. Todd Schatzki 9 a.m. Ushers: Bethany Allen & David Warner 11 a.m. Ushers: Martha Spaulding & Karsten Kueppenbender
Lay Pastoral Care: 9 a.m. Steve Saar; 11 a.m. James Hencke
The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by John and Leslie Kolterman to honor the memory of their grandmothers and a great-grandmother: Bertha Kolterman, Lillian Adams, Claudia Westa, Doris Dodge and Mina Bellamy.
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
This is a season of meetings.
The fifth Principle of Unitarian Universalism is: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
And that is a good thing, a good thing which comes down to us from our Puritan forebears.
It is especially important to remember in this election year. Democracy is only as strong as the willingness of voters to participate in the process.
I am not sure how many religious traditions would call democracy one of their principles. Those on the "liberal" wing of the Reformation do: we and our Congregationalist (UCC) cousins; the Baptists; perhaps a few others. But many religious traditions can function just fine without democracy.
I am glad that we are who we are. We have democracy at all levels of our denomination.
But, again, that democracy is only as strong as the willingness of voters 9in our case, individuals and congregations) to take part in the process.
Our own Annual Meeting is coming up in mid-May, and I hope each of you will do your best to attend that meeting. You are the ones who get to make decisions, including choosing our leaders for the coming year.
But our congregation is not unconnected to other congregations. We are part of a broader association.
We get three delegates to the Massachusetts Bay District. (That organization will be voting on April 23 on whether or not to dissolve itself.)
We get eight lay delegates to the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association which will be meeting in Columbus, Ohio in June. At the moment we have no certain volunteers.
We get three delegates to the UU Urban Ministry. While two of our current delegates will continue, one is stepping down and should be replaced. (This task is more involved than attending business meetings.)
We get two delegates to the Belmont Religious Council, which serves to bring many of the town religious communities together to share fellowship and to do good works. One of those positions is open.
Each of these is a means for us to express our democratic values. I hope you will consider participating.
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Stewardship Drive - please pledge today
Hi everyone - If you have not yet pledged or responded, please let us hear from you ASAP. We still have over $40,000 to go, and we need pledges or responses from everyone now to fund essential church programs for the coming church year. Please visit uubelmont.org/stewardship today to make your online pledge.
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Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
On April 3rd the children in our CRE classes were visited by two Bible visitors, Miriam - the sister of Moses - and Esther - a queen who saved the Jewish people. Miriam and Esther talked to the kids about the Bible stories that tell us about them and what it was like for women during Bible times in the ancient Middle East ... { click for more }
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- Meditation - Mondays, 8 p.m., Library
- UU Alliance Lobster Roll Lunch/Annual Meeting - Wed., April 20, 12 noon
- Facing Illness Together - Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m., Tinkham Room
- Science and Spirituality - Thursday, April 21, 7:30 p.m., Conference Room
- First Church Book Group - Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., Library
- Hootenanny/Jam Session- Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., Parlor
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Program & Committee News
"Do Giraffes smile?" Absolutely. Last week Gloria (right) was grinning broadly with the outpouring of wonderful food contributions from the RE classes and other First Church members.
Food: One of the Best Medicines and One of the Best Ways to Make Children and Gloria Smile It's Spring. Flowers and Children should grow. Won't you help them by buying vitamins this month? Flintstone Chewables and Polysol with Iron Liquid Vitamins. Thanks for helping the Grow Clinic children to blossom! - April Special Request: Vitamins
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Team Monthly Note (April)
In the wake of the Flint lead poisoning disaster, we need to ask ourselves and our elected officials: how can we let this happen? Today, one in five U.S. families are forced to spend more than they can afford - between 5 and 20 percent of their income - on water. Black and Latino communities are often hit hardest by these staggering expenses - and even at these outrageous prices, that water isn't necessarily safe. Sign the petition on UUSC.org in the Advocacy section of "Take Action" to tell the EPA: ensure access to safe, affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation. The Obama Administration won't do it unless they hear from us. UUSC is also working with partners in Michigan, including the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, the Detroit People's Water Board, and Michigan UU Social Justice Network, to pass legislation led by state representative Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) that aims to begin restoring justice in Flint and prevent water disasters in the future. ~ Alice Trexler for the UUSC Team
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
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Contact Us
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9 - 3
Please note that the church office will be closed Monday, April 18, for Patriots Day.
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 19. Please send your announcements, news, events, and other submissions to office@uubelmont.org by noon on Wednesday, April 13. Please note that announcements may be edited for space and clarity.
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