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The Unitarian - September 27, 2016
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Sunday Worship - October 2
The Spirit of Renewal - Rev. David Bryce
New Year festivals abound throughout each year. This year the Jewish and Muslim New Year's overlap. Of course, "new year's" is not only about a turning of the page on our calendars; it is also about spiritual renewal.
Prelude: Veni Redemptor, Thomas Tallis (c. 1505 - 75)
9 a.m. Nova Choir Anthem: Gather Us In, Jay Althouse (contemp.)
11 a.m. Senior Choir Anthem: Psalm 150, Cesar Franck (1822 - 90)
Postlude: Fugue in E flat, "St. Anne" (Part 1), J.S. Bach (1685 - 1750)
The flowers on the Chancel table this Sunday are given by Marianne Leahy and Bruce Logan.
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Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
There is a brief story in Tales of the Hasidim by Martin Buber which goes as follows:
Once, when Rabbi Mordecai was in the great town of Minsk expounding the Torah to a number of men hostile to his way, they laughed at him. "What you say does not explain the verse in the least," they cried.
"Do you really think," he replied, "that I was trying to explain the verse in the book? That doesn't need an explanation! I want to explain the verse that is within me."
Unitarian Universalism encourages each of us to find and explain the verse that is within us. For me that does not mean rejection of sacred texts, which are the repository of spiritual wisdom from many cultures and traditions. I read these fairly avidly.
But it does mean that I read them seeking those individual texts that resonate with something within my own mind, heart or soul.
Ultimately it is the truth within that I seek. And it is that truth within, that "verse that is within me" that I seek to express.
And that is the UU path. The searches we engage in throughout life, whether of reading or of experience, are about finding the verse within.
It is not only our path, of course. Many faiths teach that truth lies within us. But we tend to be more open about in the "outside" sources of our reading and search.
May our searches be fruitful and fulfilling.
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From Andrea Spencer-Linzie, Ministerial Intern
Ralph Waldo Emerson said that "It is a happy talent to know how to play." In an Apache myth the Creator gave humans many talents and abilities. But it wasn't until the Creator gave humans the ability to laugh that the Creator said "Now you are fit to live."
To play and to laugh is such a gift. We feel good when we play, and laughing is quite contagious. Play and laughter bring people together even when we are very different from each other. This was demonstrated many times over the weekend at Sandy Island. We built playful camaraderie while playing volleyball and so many other games. I laughed the hardest while watching the wild and crazy kayak polo. I felt really good and had a huge grin on my face.
The spirit of playfulness is so important to our daily lives. You can't feel bad when you're laughing! Play and laughter help us keep a positive outlook and a sense of hope. Play and laughter create bridges to each other. I hope we can all find a way to laugh and play each day. It's good for the soul.
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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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Among Us
Sending healing wishes to Laurel Damashek.
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New Programs
Ongoing Programs
- Meditation - Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Library
- Jobseeker Buddy Group - Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Library
- Hootenanny/Jam Session - Wed., Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
- First Church Book Group - Wed., Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., Library
- Women's Fall Potluck Supper - Friday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., Upper Hall
- 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
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Benefit Concert for asylum-seeking women and children: October 1 in the Parish Hall
Please join us for a Benefit Concert October 1, 7 p.m. at the First Church for asylum-
seeking women and their children now in Massachusetts. Featuring the Loomers, the Yellow Room, and The Blood Mountain Brothers, the concert will help raise $35,000 for a case manager at the Irish International Immigrant Center. Once hired, this professional will immediately extend support and refer to legal services for them. If y
ou would like to help:
[email protected]
.
Tickets can be purchased in advance: iiic-benefit-concert-tickets and donations can be made here: iiicenter.org/2016/08/case-manager/.
We hope to see you Oct. 1 and enjoy the show!
Second Friday Coffeehouse 2016 - 17 Season
As of September 21, 51 (fifty-one!) Coffeehouse Season Tickets have been sold!!! Together we can keep it up the momentum! 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 19 more. If we can do it by October 16, we'll be done by the next full moon, and we be in a position to give to all our beneficiaries at a level comparable to last year's great distributions!
Did we mention that 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.
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. Meet at St. Joseph Parish Hall (corner of Common & School Streets) and proceed from there to project sites for a family-friendly day of community service. 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 Monday, October 10.
- Volunteers will pick up the bag from your doorstep and deliver it to the Belmont Food Pantry!
2nd Fellowship Fall Hike - Middlesex Fells
Saturday, October 1st, 1 - 4 p.m.
Please join us, old and young, for our 2nd annual fellowship fall hike. This year we will explore another beautiful local nature area: The Middlesex Fells Reservation. Click here for details.
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 (please note the October 2 session has been cancelled)
All members are urged to attend an informational session leading up to the congregational fossil fuel divestment vote. Panelists will discuss the decision processes and financial experiences of other divested UU congregations, as well as UU values in relation to divesting. The attendees will be able to ask questions. Watch for more information and sign-up sheets at fall coffee hours.
Ushers Needed
Please consider helping out with the worship services by signing up to be an usher. You can sign up online (
tinyurl.com/fall-ushering
) or on the Ushering sign up poster in the Upper Gathering Hall during coffee hour. Thanks for your help.
Grow Clinic!
Did you know that as part of our FCB Grow Clinic mission we deliver food collected every month by students at Hanscom Elementary School at the Hanscom Air Force Base? This year their offerings included pacifiers, baby bottles, and even sparkly barrettes. What a joy to deliver overflowing bags for them!
- 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-ministry
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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
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