The Unitarian - October 11, 2016

Sunday Worship - October 16

Tending the Flame - Andrea Spencer-Linzie
The Flaming Chalice unites our members and symbolizes the spirit of our work. The flame of the chalice lives in us, representing our own spiritual "spark." How can we tend this spark over time, for ourselves and others? How does our spark help create authentic community? What is our role in passing the flame on to others?

Prelude: Prelude in C sharp minor, J.S. Bach (1685 - 1750)

9 a.m. Nova Choir Anthem: A Time for All Things, Douglas E. Wagner (b. 1952)

11 a.m. Senior Choir Anthem: TBA

Postlude: TBA

The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by Frederica Frost in appreciation for the church community and its supportive culture.
Rev. David Bryce
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister

I am writing this on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. You will recall that St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. It is said of him that he could and did talk with animals.
     I am not comparing myself to St. Francis, but I have found that if you do speak to animals they listen. And they respond. And since most communication is non-verbal, there is some mutual understanding.
     I have said many times in the past that we are more like other animals than we pretend. Human beings like to think of themselves as halfway between animals and angels; but we are merely somewhat more intelligent than most other creatures. 
     Because of our intelligence, which we can use to override our instincts, we are more able to make choices than other creatures. A cat - whether a lion, a panther or a domestic cat - is going to hunt and is going to eat meat. Though we have evolved from hunting creatures we can choose what we will eat. We can choose to eat meat, or a mixed diet, or to be vegetarian. 
     Being more able to make choices means that we are individually responsible and accountable for our actions, more so than other animals. [There are major exceptions to this in my mind.] 
     This fact of responsibility is both liberating and burdensome. 
     The "judge" that each of us believes in may be ourselves, our community or our God.
     At any time of year, but for some of us more particularly in this season of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it is right to ask ourselves the question: what are the choices that I will make today? And as I stand before my judge - self, community or God - how will I be seen? 
     May we each act according to our highest ideals.
From Andrea Spencer-Linzie, Ministerial Intern
So, I've been reading a bit about the desert monastics lately. In an interesting article by L. Roger Owens, it seems that the desert monastics, such as John Cassian, who lived in the 4th-5th centuries CE, might be able to offer a lesson in discernment for today's congregations. 
     In a conversation of ministerial students, they found helpful guidance from the 5th century texts they were reading. One student commented that "Abba Moses says that discernment holds all the virtues together - it's the most important ...This makes me wonder whether practicing discernment can become the guiding center of activity in our congregations." 
     In further discussion they learned that the "virtue of discernment is not one that can be 'seized... merely by human effort....." It is ours as a gift from the universe, but at the same time we must "do the utmost to acquire it." A bit of a paradox. 
     So, the "gift" of discernment must be learned and sharpened. Discernment is a "deliberative process" that is a way of being together, of listening to that which is sacred, and that making decisions can be practiced and improved over time. 
     One of the messages that I most appreciated is that "discernment helps us see and name what spirit is moving us." What spirits move us? Do they move us to positive action or negative reaction? To discern the answers to these questions, we need to be willing to notice and respond to the movement of the spirit. And perhaps most importantly, to understand -- both ourselves and the spirits.
Adult Programs News

Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War - If you missed this we have two copies of the DVD that are available to borrow from the church office. Stop by the office and you can sign them out for a week with Janice. 

New Programs
  • Folk Music in the Digital Age - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
  • Spiritual Pilgrimages - Sunday, Oct. 16, 12:30 p.m., Library
  • Potluck and Program with Simon Andrews - Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Upper Hall 
  • Fossil Fuel Divestment - Sunday, Oct. 23, 12:30 p.m., Library
  • Approaching the Election with Mike Widmer - Tues., Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
Ongoing Programs
  • Meditation - Mondays, 8:00 p.m., Library
  • Belmont UU Alliance - Wednesday, Oct. 19, 11:45 a.m., Upper Hall
  • Facing Illness Together - Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., Tinkham Room
  • Science and Spirituality - Thursday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m., Conference Room
  • Fiber Arts Fellowship - Thursday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Location TBD
  • Parenting Kids with Challenges - Friday, Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m., Library
  • Hootenanny - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
  • First Church Book Group - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., Library
  • Beyond Ferguson - Sunday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m., Library
Program & Committee News in Brief: Click Here for Details

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. To be considered, please submit a letter of application by October 14 with photos of your work to the gift fair co-coordinators, Evelyn Corsini ([email protected]) and Sara Oaklander ([email protected]).

Second Friday Coffeehouse 2016 - 17 Season
This wonderful FCB family has purchased 56 tickets, closing in on our goal of 70! Warmest thanks from our beneficiaries and from the Coffeehouse Committee! Now is the time for us to really rock and roll and sell those last 14 tickets before the end of October. Imagine the safer, better-fed, healthier people with dramatically improved access to justice and brighter futures that your purchase of a ticket will support. And imagine coming to church in November knowing this sales drive is complete! You can help make it happen!
  • 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. Performing are two dynamic Singer-Songwriters, both of whom are returning to the Coffeehouse: Carl Cacho and Brian Doser ... click here for details.

Belmont Re-Settle Together
Your help is needed in October to support refugee families who are re-settling in Lowell. Click to see how you can help.

October 1 Benefit Concert Recap
Bev Freeman writes about benefit concert experience:
     The benefit concert for asylum-women and children - now 93 families in the Commonwealth - was held Saturday, Oct. 1. The music by The Loomers, Blood Mountain Brothers and Yellow Room was beyond energizing and beautiful. It was a delight to see people dancing following a sobering presentation about the circumstances of the women and their children. 
     The audience of 200 saw a video about the history of detention and the campaign to help them. A woman from Honduras spoke about her journey to the US border with her six-year old, which involved four different attempts to leave her country, finally concluding with her detention in Texas for almost a year. The memory of her experience still haunts. With our financial support, she can hope for help from the Irish International Immigrant Center, which - once we meet our goal - will hire a case manager dedicated to these families. Frank Johnson, a lawyer from Chin & Curtis, spoke of the about the organized volunteer-legal efforts to help the women, still being detained in Texas, to gain their freedom. 
     I am happy to say we raised $6,000 from ticket sales and donations made at the concert. My deepest thanks to all who came. We are still short of our goal by $8,800. Visit www.gofundme.com/asylumnow - kindly view the video, donate if you have not already, and send this to friends.

Celebrate the Bard of Avon with Musica Sacra
Have you gone the entire year without realizing this year is the 400 anniversary of Shakespeare's death? Musica Sacra, directed by Mary Beekman, will honor the bard with settings of his works in their concert In music is such art, taking place Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. at 1st Church Congregational, 11 Garden St. in Cambridge. Tickets are available at www.musicasacra.org or by calling Mary Beekman.

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!
"Children you have never seen and who have never seen you owe the recovery of their bodies and brains and chance for a better life to your kindness."  Dr. Debbie Frank, Grow Clinic Founder
  • 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
The Caring Connection provides support to members of our community who need short-term help: uubelmont.org/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

Companion Wanted
Bea de Muinck Keizer's daughter is looking for someone who can be a companion to Bea once or twice a week. Please click for details.

   
Connect with UU actions, events & resources
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.
Parish Board
Information and board minutes are online at uubelmont.org/parish-board.

Contact Us
Next issue: October 18
The next issue of The Unitarian is Tuesday, October 18. Please send announcements, news, events, and other submissions to [email protected] by noon on Wednesday, October 12. Submissions may be edited for space and clarity.
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