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The Unitarian - October 4, 2016
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Sunday Worship - October 9
Atonement - Rev. David Bryce
Many cultures have practices for atonement, forgiveness and restoration. It is a practice that relieves guilt, brings peace and builds right relationship. But who gets to decide whether someone has atoned enough?
Prelude: Improvisation on We The Heirs of Many Ages 11 a.m. Senior Choir Anthem: Sim Shalom (Grant us Peace), Max Janowsky Postlude: Minuet Finale from Music for the Royal Fireworks, G.F. Handel (1685 - 1759) The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by Eva Patalas. This week's offering will benefit the Partner Church.
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
I have been coughing for the last two days.
Well, the last two weeks.
This is merely a minor annoyance, but it is an annoyance. It keeps me awake at night and is rather wearing and tiring.
But in the grand scheme of things, I have nothing to complain about.
This did get me thinking about illness and how quickly it can spread. One person with a cold shakes hand with another and, Voila!, another sick human.
We know that illness can spread quite rapidly, infusing itself into a population with astonishing speed.
And it seems that evil can as well.
Yes, I said evil. We Unitarian Universalists too often avoid talking about evil. It is real. I do not mean by that some entity that embodies evil, nor do I mean that there are evil human beings as such. I think we can all, any one of us, engage in evil acts. That seems especially true when a group that we belong to is behaving in evil ways. Evidence of this is all around us. I think of the vicious war that tore apart some of the Balkan states just a few years ago.
Immorality (badness) is most certainly contagious.
So why, I wondered, does it not appear to be the same with other "nesses"; with good-ness, kind-ness and well-ness of spirit?
Actually, I think it is the same, I think that these too are catching, are contagious.
One act of kindness or goodness or morality can lead other people to act in similar ways. And if the spread of badness is a saddening and distressing fact about human beings, the ability of goodness to spread is a reassuring fact about us.
So, a question: What will I do today to spread the contagion of kindness, goodness, morality?
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Seeking Housing -- please share
Do you know someone in the area that has an empty room or two in their home they could share? Our Ministerial Intern, Andrea Spencer-Linzie, is looking for a room or two in the area where she could share living quarters with an individual or family. Please email Andrea at aspencer-linzie@uubelmont.org with information. Thank you!
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Reverend Bryce's Spring 2017 Sabbatical
Please visit uubelmont.org/sabbatical for details about pulpit and pastoral coverage while Rev. Bryce is away, from January to June 30, 2017.
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New Programs
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Next Chapter Support/Discussion Group
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Folk Music in the Digital Age - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
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Spiritual Pilgrimages - Sunday, Oct. 16, 12:30 p.m., Library
Ongoing Programs
- Meditation - Mondays, 8 p.m., Library
- Jobseeker Buddy Group - Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Library
- Caring for Older Adults - Thursday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m., conference room
- Fiber Arts Fellowship - Thursday, Oct. 6, 8 p.m., Location TBD
- Men's Fall Potluck Supper - Friday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m., Upper Hall
- Belmont UU Alliance - Wednesday, Oct. 19, 11:45 a.m., Upper Hall
- Facing Illness Together - Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., Conference Room
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Seeking Artisans for the Social Action Fair
First Church's Social Action Committee is seeking artisans from the First Church community who would like to offer their work for sale at this year's social action gift fair on December 4. Participation will allow you to market your work at the fair while at the same time supporting the work of the Social Action Committee by sharing the proceeds in a 50/50 split.
If you'd like to be considered for this opportunity, please submit a letter of application by October 14 with photos of your work to the gift fair co-coordinators, Evelyn Corsini (corsinievelyn@gmail.com) and Sara Oaklander (saraoaklander@gmail.com), and we will be happy to consider your participation as we seek to put together a good mix of art work for sale at the fair. Thank you!
Second Friday Coffeehouse 2016 - 17 Season
As of September 28, we've sold 55 (fifty-five!) Coffeehouse Season Tickets!!! Super Thanks!!!! Together we can keep it up the momentum, reach our goal of 70 tickets, and be able to give to all our beneficiaries at a level comparable to last year! With each other's help, we can hit our goal of 70 tickets, and we can do it as fast as we can! We need to sell 15 more. Remind your friends! If we can do it by October 16, we'll be done by the next full moon!
Don't forget the ticket admits two adults to all shows at roughly $100 off the price at the door? Here's how to jump on the band wagon of unforgettable music and charitable giving made easy!- Mail: Check to First Church in Belmont, 404 Concord Ave., P.O. Box 113, Belmont, MA 02478
- Drop-off: In a clearly labeled envelope, put your check (or cash) into the secure drop-box immediately to the left of the door to the church administrator's office.
- Face-to-face: Bring your check (or cash) to any Coffee Hour in September or October or to the 10/14 Coffeehouse, or hand it to Janice or a Coffeehouse Committee Member.
- Please include your contact information (name, address, email, phone).
- Click here for an updated schedule and list of beneficiaries.
October Coffeehouse to benefit The Barton Center
The October 14th Second Friday Coffeehouse is a benefit for The Barton Center, whose mission is to improve the lives of children with insulin-dependent diabetes through education, recreation, and support programs which inspire and empower. Performing are two dynamic Singer-Songwriters, both of whom are returning to the Coffeehouse: Carl Cacho and Brian Doser ... click here for details.
Belmont Serves: Monday, October 10
Please join your neighbors in Belmont's 8th annual day of service on the Monday of Columbus Day weekend. 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. To register & for more information: BelmontServes.org
Donate to Belmont Food Pantry with Belmont Serves
Belmont Serves (Monday, October 10) makes it easy to donate to the Belmont Food Pantry. Here's how it works:
- A grocery bag will be delivered to your door with instructions.
- Fill the bag with non-perishable items (canned goods, paper items, toiletries).
- Leave full bag on your doorstep/front porch before 8:30 a.m. on October 10.
- Volunteers will pick up the bag from your doorstep and deliver it to the Belmont Food Pantry!
Putting Our Dollars Where Our Values Are: A Church-wide Conversation on Fossil Fuel Divestment
Sunday, October 23, 12:30 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., Library
Ushers Needed Please consider helping out with the worship services by signing up to be an usher. You can sign up online or during coffee hour. Thanks for your help.
Grow Clinic!
A child's brain develops more in the first three years of life than it will at any other time. Without the proper nutrition, a child's brain will develop far less quickly than it should, and a child is also far more susceptible to infections and illnesses that can result in avoidable hospital stays.
- September and October: Protein Power!!! (peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, canned stews, infant strained chicken, beef, and turkey). Collection baskets are in the Lower Hall and Sanctuary vestibule.
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-ministryBedford UU Members have apartment to rent
Members of First Parish in Bedford - a family with one gentle dog - have a beautiful in-law apartment for rent which is attached to their home in Bedford. Click for details.
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Looking for Elder Companion
Bea de Muinck Keizer's daughter is looking for someone who can be a companion to Bea once or twice a week.
This spring Bea moved into assisted living at Neville Place in Cambridge and although she likes her new home, she does not drive anymore and is looking for additional companionship during the week.
She would very much enjoy someone who is engaging, has patience with her forgetfulness, and who has a car, to come by for 2 to 3 hours, 2 days a week, and either keep her company or take her where she might like to go (grocery store, bank, CVS, library, etc).
Hours are flexible, but should be during the day (before 5 p.m.). Ideal part-time job for a college student, retiree or a parent who may have some time during the day when kids are at school.
Hourly rate $15/hr. plus gas mileage (at federal mileage rate). Please contact her daughter Juliana Spofford via julianas@charter.net or call 508-735-6011 if you are interested or know of someone who might be.
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Connect with UU actions, events & resources
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Parish Board
Information and board minutes are online at uubelmont.org/parish-board.
Contact Us
- 617-484-1054 ~ office@uubelmont.org ~ Staff Directory
- Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9 - 3. The church office will be closed on Monday, October 10.
- 404 Concord Avenue | PO Box 113 | Belmont, Mass. 02478
The next issue of The Unitarian is Tuesday, October 11. Please send announcements, news, events, and other submissions to office@uubelmont.org by noon on Wednesday, October 5. Submissions may be edited for space and clarity.
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