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TRANSCRIPT
The Unitarian June 7, 2016
Sunday Worship — June 12
Flower Communion Sunday — Rev. David Bryce
June 12 is our Flower Communion Sunday. Each person is asked to bring a flower to leave behind, and each will leave with a different flower. If you can, please bring an extra flower or twelve for those who will forget!
Welcome and Announcements: 9 a.m. Sara Oaklander; 11 a.m. Catherine Claypoole
9 a.m. Ushers: Margaret Ekling & Betsy Klimasmith 11 a.m. Ushers: John Kolterman & Jody Renouf
The flowers on the Chancel Table this Sunday are given to celebrate an exciting merging of the Puopolo and Michlewitz families: Congratulations to Maria Puopolo and State Representative Aaron Marshall Michlewitz on their engagement.
Services at 9 & 11 a.m.; childcare is provided.
Sermon archive: uubelmont.org/sermons
Lay-Led Summer Services begin June 19 at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall
Reflections from Rev. David Bryce, Senior Minister
Summer Schedule
I will have regular office hours through the month of June.
I will be on vacation for the month of July and have arranged for other UU ministers to provide pastoral care coverage for that time. This list (summer pastoral care coverage) is being provided to the Parish Board, to members of the Worship Committee (one of whom will
be at each of the summer Sunday services) and to Janice Zazinski in the office. You may contact any of them for the names.
During the month of August I will not have office hours (officially I am on Study Leave) but I will be on call for pastoral care concerns and for meetings
if committees or other groups need my presence. August is my preparatory time when I plan out my work for the year — e.g., sermon topics, including hymn and reading selections; thinking about the training programs that are needed in order to refresh different groups; and I do much of the studying and writing necessary for this. I also do more reading than usual, reading which may or may not find its way into sermons. And I take time for contemplation, for reflection and for being present to the natural world in ways that fill my spirit. The best
way to contact me in August (as, indeed, at any time) is by e-mail: [email protected].
My regular office hours will resume right after Labor Day. I hope you all — each and every one of you — have the summer you dream of.
Remember that we are a year-round congregation and although they will be on a different schedule, we do have a wonderful array of lay-led services, one every Sunday throughout the summer.
Following the June 12 service: the All Church Picnic
Mark your calendar and plan to attend the annual All-Church Picnic immediately following the 11:00 service on Sunday, June 12. There will be delicious food including burgers, chicken, hot dogs and vegetarian options, lots of yummy salads, and of course, dessert. The cost is $5.00 per person, $20 max per family. Children 3 and under are free.
Salad Contest
Don’t miss the annual First Church Salad Contest! Bring your favorite salad to share at the picnic – green salads, pasta salads, fruit salads; all types are welcome. Please bring your salad to the kitchen the day of the picnic and enter your name on the list to be part of the contest. Then at the picnic everyone will vote for their favorite. We serve over 200 people at the picnic, so the more salads, the better!
Volunteers
We will have a sign-up sheet at coffee hour listing different opportunities for people to help with this fun annual event — volunteers needed to help run games for kids, grill, sell tickets, set-up, clean-up, shop, etc. If you have any questions, or would like to help out, please e-mail or call Melissa Irion at [email protected] or 617-571-9391.
Reimbursement requests due by June 30
The end of our fiscal year is approaching and in order to complete it, we need to process all requests for reimbursements by June 30. Please leave your reimbursement requests and receipts in Janice Zazinski’s mailbox in the church Conference Room (there are blank reimbursement forms there). Contact
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her at [email protected] or 617-484-1054, ext. 201, with questions. Thank you!
Children’s Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation
Although the church year is drawing to a close, staff and leadership do cast their vision forward into the next year.
For CRE this means cleaning up the classrooms, putting away supplies, making end-of-year purchases, and sending one more Children’s Offering donation to a worthy organization – the children chose New England Greyhound Rescue as the recipient of over $100.
It also means planning for the next year’s classes, recruiting teachers, ordering supplies, reminding CRE families to register their children and youth for FCB’s religious education programs – CRE, OWL, COA, and Youth Group, and putting CRE classes and events on the calendar.
For me, it means making sure that my successor can find everything that they need, with or without Wendy’s assistance. It means clearing my things out of the CRE Office. It also means saying goodbyes.
I have really enjoyed my two years as the Acting Director of CRE at FCB. I have lived and breathed the seven UU principles along with the children, youth, teachers, CRE Committee, families, staff and FCB community. We have seen everyone as important, treated all people fairly and kindly, accepted one another and kept on learning together. We have encouraged each person to search for what is right and true, given everyone a vote about the things that concern them, worked for a peaceful, fair and free world, and taken care of the Mother Earth, our Blue Boat Home.
When I introduced myself two autumns ago, I promised to keep the program running smoothly while at the same time making an assessment of what is working well and where making changes could strengthen the program. I communicated my findings with the Parish Board in a report in December 2015, as well as stating the most significant realities in my report for the annual meeting each spring.
At the time of my first meeting you, I also said that I had chosen to work in the field of religious education/life-span faith formation while I was still working to meet the requirements of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, because I felt it would broaden and deepen my ministry. It has certainly done this and I am grateful for the experience I have had here at FCB. I believe the benefits of my experience here will show – and perhaps already have in the interim search process – as I embark on the adventure that lies ahead for me as the interim minister in Tallahassee.
May this congregation continue to grow in love as we go in peace to our summer haunts. And don’t forget to bring a little water back with you in September that represents all the places you’ve gone in June, July and August.
In case I don’t see you at the Flower Communion and Annual End-of-Year Picnic, many blessings upon your journeys.
Yours in faith and with fond regards,
~ Charlotte Lehmann, Acting Director of Children’s Religious Education
E-mail: [email protected]
Remaining CRE programs
June 12th, Flower Communion, multigenerational worship services at 9 am and 11 am. If your family would like to light the chalice or help with ushering, please contact the CRE Office ([email protected]). The annual end-of-year fellowship picnic follows at 12:30 p.m. Food and fun for all!
Children’s Religious Education Program Registration and Information
Consider registering your children for CRE early for 2016-17 using the registration link found on the Children’s Religious Education page of the FCB website (www.uubelmont.org/childrens-re/) which allows you to register children from birth through 12th grade. All children must be registered for CRE.
Sandy Island Registration is Open!
12th Annual Sandy Island Retreat, September 16-18
The Fellowship Committee invites you to join us for the popular First Church Sandy Island Retreat. This is a
wonderful opportunity to kick back, relax, and meet new and old friends after a long summer. Sandy Island offers recreational opportunities for people of all interests and ages.
Information and the registration link are online: uubelmont.org/sandy-island-church-retreat/
Questions? Contact Ariane Frank and Martin Plass at [email protected].
An Evening with Richard Curzi & Positive Energy featuring the Belmont Roxx Orchestra.
Don’t miss this final show of the Second Friday Coffeehouse season this coming Friday, June 10, at 7:30.
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As is usually the case with Positive Energy, this year’s concert will be a wide-ranging variety show, with musical configurations and collaborations covering a number of musical genres. This year’s concert will feature the debut performance of the 16-member “Belmont Roxx Orchestra”, led by our own Director of Music, Ian Garvie, and made up of some of the finest young musicians from Belmont High School, including several from the First Church community. Positive Energy is made up of all members and friends of First Church: It is led by Richard, joined by Roger Brown, Jon Svetkey, Jim Wooster, Paul Judge, Bridget Curzi, Rick Dimino, Heather Quay, Roger Read, and John Howe.
The Belmont Roxx Orchestra includes: Ian Garvie, Conductor; Eugene Wong, Audrey Quinn, Daniel Lay, and Paul Rhee on violin; Erin Cantor and Honney Thomas on viola; Annalise Schlaug and James Kitch on cello; Lizzy Knight on contrabass; Hannah Read and Anya Zhang on flute; Jasper Wolf on trumpet; Rowan Wolf and Benton Jones on saxophone; and Rafi Wagner on trombone.
The show will have an eclectic mix of musical styles and will include several musical tributes to recently lost super-star performers. Admission is $10 ($5 for students and seniors). Featured beneficiaries are UU Urban Ministries and the Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center.
Belmont Resident 2016 Gun Buyback Event: Safer Homes, Safer Community
No Questions Asked/No Id Required
Saturday, June 11, 2016, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Exchange unwanted firearms for grocery store gift cards
Drop-off location will be at the Belmont DPW Yard, 37 C Street
The Belmont Gun Buyback is sponsored by the Belmont Police Department, the Belmont Religious Council, the Middlesex Sheriff ’s Office and Belmont houses of worship.1 It provides a safe, no questions asked, no ID required, way for Belmont residents to dispose of unwanted firearms (working or non-working) and ammunition.
Guns turned in at the event must be unloaded with safety engaged and must be contained in a bag, box, or case prior to transporting them for drop-off. Amnesty will be extended for gun law violations (involving
1 Beth-El Temple, First Church of Belmont, UU, Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC, Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Belmont, and New Roads Catholic Community.
transport of firearms) for Belmont residents traveling to the event location, the DPW Yard, 37 C St., on Saturday, June 11, 2016, from 10 a.m.
In addition to peace of mind, participants will receive gift cards to local grocery stores when they drop off their unwanted firearms. Grocery gift cards will be in the following amounts:
Ice Cream Coupons for toy guns
$25.00 for BB or Pellet Gun or Inoperable Firearm
$50.00 for Revolver, Semi-Automatic, Shotgun, or Rifle
$100.00 for Assault Weapon
The Belmont Police Department and Middlesex Sheriff ’s Office will provide on-duty officers at the event to receive weapons for safe storage, followed by destruction in accordance with state law.
The BPD has set up the following special phone line to receive questions and/or requests for assistance in safely transporting firearms: 617-993-2529.
This year’s gun buyback is part of a five-town coordinated regional initiative. Arlington, Watertown, Cambridge and Somerville are also holding gun buyback events in June as part of the Safer Homes, Safer Community initiative.
Housing wanted James & Rebecca Hencke are looking for a Ground Floor rental in or near Belmont area, either 2BR or 1BR with a study. Please e-mail [email protected].
Many thanks to everyone who helped with ushering during 2015-16!
Ushers this year included the 84 individuals (76 adults and 8 youth ushers) listed below. During the course of the year there are 76 Sunday services, as well as holidays, and special occasions. Thus, many people served at multiple services during the year. Our great appreciation to:
Adult Ushers: Joanne Adamowicz, Lee Ackerson, Bethany Allen, Pam Andrews, Cheryl Brown, Katharine Canfield, Alan Cantor, Downing Cless, Sarah Cliffe, Priscilla Cobb, Evelyn Corsini, Martha Courant, Lauraine Dalton, Mark Davis, Nancy Davis, Ann Dexter, Connie DiCocco, Diana Dill, Abigail Donner, Dianthe Eisendrath, Margaret Ekland, Bev Freeman, David Fung, Laurie Graham, Denis Green, Michael Griffin, Peter Guthrie, Ana Hammock, Mary Harrison, Debora Hoffman, Carolyn Howard, Jeanne Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Betsy Klimasmith, Leslie Kolterman, John Kolterman, Brian Kopperl, Anjali Kumar, Karsten Kueppenbender, ML Landfried, Jim Landfried, Jeff Larson, Marianne Leahy, Kathy Lind,
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John Little, Bruce Logan, Jen Marler, Margaret Marks, Judy McSwain, Scott Moorman, Veera Mylapore, Claudia Nasson, Sandy Nayak, Sara Oaklander, Kathy Olofson, Eva Patalas, Hanspeter Pfister, Martin Plass, Milo Plass, Andrea Prestwich, Martha Read, Jody Renouf, Mark Rosenstein, Catherine Scott, Thomas Schieber, Dave Scott, Martha Spaulding, Lanier Smythe, Jim Staton, Leslie Talmadge, Barbara Terry, Mark Thurber, Alice Trexler, David Warner, Leslie Wolf and Jack Weis.
Youth Ushers: Graham Backman, Marcus Davidson, Mariko Findell, Esperanza Garschina-Bobrow, Tilly Hamer, Lilly Pfister, Ian Svetkey and Ella Ciccolo.
Thanks to all.
Adult Programs News
First Church Programming for Young Adults: June 9
There will be a discussion to explore the possibilities of creating programming for young adults (18-35) on Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. If you are interested in being part of this discussion but can’t attend the meeting contact Lillian at [email protected].
June Programs
Meditation — James Hencke
Mondays, 8-9 p.m., Library
In meditation practice, we allow ourselves to dwell in the present moment. We find that by developing our awareness and compassion we can open ourselves, relax into situations, and enjoy our life!
Jobseeker Buddy Group — Martin Plass
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Library
The Jobseeker Buddy Group is a small support group for people looking for new or better jobs. We provide encouragement, feedback, ideas, résumé suggestions, job leads, unemployment assistance, advice and networking opportunities to each other. Questions: [email protected].
For a list of jobs that are sought visit: uubelmont.org/jobseekers-buddy-group/.
Facing Illness Together — Kathy Lind
Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m., Conference Room
We welcome you to join our ongoing group as we explore ways to live bravely while facing health challenges - either of our own, or of loved ones for whom we act as caregivers. Our group provides a safe place for us to talk about our concerns and our ideas for moving forward. We share strategies for setting goals
and living positively with the medical issues in front of us. By nurturing our connections, we comfort and support each other. Through compassionate listening, we help one another understand his or her own challenges.
First Church Book Group Potluck Supper — Karl Klasson and Anne Stuart
Wednesday, June 22, 7 p.m., Upper Hall
The Book Group will be hosting its Fifth Annual Potluck Supper when we will enjoy summer salads and desserts, talk about books, swap books we've brought, and plan for the coming year.
Please feel free to come (and bring a friend), even if you have not participated in the group during the past church year. All are welcome. Please bring a salad, cold entree, or dessert. RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected].
Hootenanny/Jam Session — Jon Svetkey and friends
Wednesday, June 22, 7:30 p.m., Parlor
Are you a closet guitar hero with no band? A great shower singer? Then we've got just the thing for you: a good old fashioned Hootenanny. Bring along your portable acoustic instrument (i.e., guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, shaker, suitcase, jaw harp, spoons...), your voice or just yourself and -- most of all -- bring your enthusiasm. And your iPads, iPhones etc. so we can access words to the songs. We'll have copies of "Rise Up Singing”. All levels encouraged!
Beyond Ferguson — Social Action Committee
Sunday, June 26, 7 p.m., Library
Please join Belmont Against Racism, The First Church in Belmont Social Action Committee, the Belmont Religious Council, the Belmont police department and graduates of Youth Build as we continue our discussion about how to end racism in Belmont and in the wider world.
The following groups will meet over the summer:
Meditation — James Hencke
Mondays, 8 – 9 p.m., Library or Parlor
Jobseeker Buddy Group — Martin Plass
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Conference Room
Hootenanny/Jam Session — Jon Svetkey
Last Wednesday of each month - July 27, August 31, 7:30 p.m., Parlor
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The complete church events calendar is online.
Program & Committee Updates
Belmont Food Pantry
First Church members staff the opening of the Belmont Food Pantry on the second Tuesday of every month. There will be a sign-up table after Sunday’s service to recruit volunteers for the months of June through September.
Volunteers work for about 90 minutes, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Please stop by the sign-up table in the Gathering Hall to volunteer to help out one evening during the upcoming months.
Refugee Resettlement Training: Thursday, June 23 in the Parish Hall, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
We are pleased to announce a follow up meeting to the Belmont Religious Council’s Annual Meeting to provide an evening of training for those who want to participate in helping resettle refugee families. The training is scheduled for June 23, from 7:00-8:30 in our Parish Hall. This will be a 90-minute training that will provide the following:
Introduction to the International Institute of New England
Frontline orientation to refugee resettlement
Cultural and demographic information on newly-arrived refugee populations
Guidance on how to volunteer effectively to support newcomers
Opportunity to identify specific partner engagement activities that fit your interest and capacity
After this evening we will begin to prepare for assisting families starting in July; consequently, the training is a very important part to helping prepare for our resettlement efforts. We hope to see you June 23rd! Questions: Sam James: [email protected].
Caring Connection
The Caring Connection provides support to members of our community who need short-term help. Please let us know if you or someone you know would benefit from our support. Contact Laurie Graham at [email protected] or the church office: 617-484-1054, ext. 201.
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. We share in moments of
celebration and happiness. We reach out to those who are unable to get out and who would like a visit. Please contact us through the Web site or the church office if we might be of help or comfort.
Grow Clinic!
Did you know that you contributed almost 200 bags of groceries this year to families served by the Grow Clinic? Do you know what a difference YOU made in the lives of infants and toddlers carrying the diagnosis of Failure To Thrive and to their families? Did you know you’re the absolute best congregation? Sending our heartfelt thanks to you….Your Grow Clinic Committee
Food: One of the Most Important Medicines
New Name Tags for All in September
The Membership Committee reports that after over 20 years we are no longer able to obtain supplies to maintain our existing name tag system. A new system with new name tags for everyone will be in place when the new church year begins in September.
A list of all church committees & groups is online.
Share Our Space Summer Showcase at the UU Urban Ministry
A Summer Series Celebrating Music, Art, and Culture in Roxbury — Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. All events in and around the historic First Church in Roxbury Meetinghouse at 10 Putnam St. Roxbury; more at www.uuum.org.
Introduction to Black Composers – An Afternoon Lecture
Saturday, June 4, 3:00 p.m.
Internationally recognized musician, composer and co-founder of the Boston-based Castle of our Skins concert and educational series Anthony Green shares the lives and music of eight forgotten Black composers from past to present.
Mssng Lnks-Unleashing the power of voice
Tuesday, June 7, 7:00 p.m.
Mssng Lnks: embracing, nurturing, and unleashing the power found within the voices of urban youth-of-color. This staged performance will feature a diverse group of young singers from Boston.
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Latin American Folk Song Concert
Sunday, June 26, 4:00 p.m.
Soprano Juana Monsalve, from Colombia, sings Latin Folk music accompanied by guitar and percussion. She teaches at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and Codman Academy.
Connect with UU actions, events & resources
Unitarian Universalist Association, uua.org
UU Mass Action, uumassaction.org
UU Service Committee, uusc.org
UU United Nations Office, uua.org/international/un
UU Urban Ministry, uuum.org
Easy ways to support & stay in touch with FCB
When you shop at AmazonSmile, First Church in Belmont receives 0.5% of the purchase price.
Our Facebook page is regularly updated with news, events & programs – no account needed. facebook.com/uubelmont
Next issue: June 14: “Lay-Led Service” issue
Please send your announcements, news, events, and other submissions to [email protected] by noon on Wednesday, June 8. Please note that items may be edited for space and clarity.
Unitarian Deadlines through August 2016
Midsummer issue: July 26 Deadline July 20
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 Deadline August 31
Church Staff
Senior Minister ....................................................Rev. David Bryce 617-484-1054, ext. 202; [email protected]
Minister Emeritus ............................ Rev. Dr. Victor Carpenter 617-676-6186; [email protected]
Minister of Music Emerita .................... Rev. Alfa Joy Radford [email protected]
Director of Music ............................................................. Ian Garvie 617-484-1054, ext. 206; [email protected]
Organist & Assistant Music Director ... …Dylan Sauerwald 617-484-1054, ext. 206; [email protected]
Acting Director of CRE ............................... Charlotte Lehmann 617-484-1054, ext. 205; [email protected]
Director of Youth Programs ...................................... Julie Ennis 617-484-1054, ext. 204; [email protected]
Adult Programs Advisor ................................. Lillian Anderson 617-484-1054, ext. 207; [email protected]
Church Administrator ......................................... Janice Zazinski 617-484-1054, ext. 201; [email protected]
Membership Coordinator ............................................ Jim Staton 617-484-1054, ext. 207; [email protected]
Sexton ............................................................................... Luis Carrion 617-484-1054
Summer office hours, June 13 – September 2:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9 – 2
The church office will be closed July 4 – 8 and August 22 – 26.
617-484-1054 | [email protected]
Street: 404 Concord Ave., Belmont
Mailing: PO Box 113, Belmont, Mass. 02478
Parish Board, 2016 – 2017
President .................................................................... Ana Hammock [email protected]
Vice President ...............................................Catherine Claypoole [email protected]
Treasurer .................................................................... Penny Schafer [email protected]
Clerk ............................................................................. Downing Cless [email protected]
Ex-Officio President................................................ Todd Schatzki [email protected]
Trustees
Lauren Corning Eloise McGaw Deveaux Duckworth Sara Oaklander Peter Guthrie Marion Westgate Jackie James
Parish Board minutes are online and posted on the Lower Hall bulletin board.