Services are Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Parish Hall
August 27: “On Growth and Learning” with Rev. Chris and FCB Lifespan Religious Education Leaders
September 3: “On Spiritual Practice” with Rev. Chris and FCB Spiritual Practitioners
Childcare is available.
Sunday, September 10: One worship service at 10 a.m. on the Town Green
Water Ingathering! Bring water from your sacred places as we combine it together to make our holy water for the year.
FCB Sermon Archive
Visit this link for sermon recordings (summer services are not recorded).
From Your Minister is on a final summer break before the church year begins!
Welcome Back/Welcome Home Reception
Dear First Church Community –
August is almost over, September is on the horizon and there are lots of plans in the works for this new church year. To celebrate coming together after these summer months, I invite you to join me and the Parish Board to a Welcome Back Reception on Sunday, September 10th, from 7:00-8:30 in the Parish Hall. Like many of our beloved traditions, this annual gathering was suspended for a few years and we are bringing it back!
Everyone is invited whether you’ve been coming to First Church for many years, you’re a more recent attendee or if you’ve thought that this might be the time to finally come and check us out. It is a wonderful way to catch up with church friends, meet new people and hear a bit about some of the highlights of the coming year.
We will have light appetizers on hand; please bring a bottle of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice to share with others. We are working on having childcare available and will have more details in the next Unitarian.
I hope you will join us and look forward to seeing you on September 10th.
In community –
Laurie Graham
Parish Board President
Second Friday Season Tickets Available Now!
Season tickets are now available for the 2023-24 Second Friday Concerts! We have an amazing lineup of performers — from rising stars to certified legends — and we hope to see you at all of the shows this year. Tickets for individual shows are also on sale. See you this fall! Visit our website to get your ticket!
Meal Train for Ian Garvie and Clare McNamara
Join many others in helping Ian and Clare with a meal during these early days of being brand-new parents. Please sign up online and pay close attention to dietary restrictions! Thank you! https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/2n98ye
Update on Baby Rowan Garvie (from late July)
It’s hard to believe Rowan is almost a month old already! The last four weeks have been a blur of diapers, laundry, nursing, naps where we can find them, and so many baby snuggles.
I can’t even begin to thank everyone in both the FCB and H&H communities for all the support. The steady supply of meals and love has been amazing- I don’t know where we would have found the time to cook on top of everything else this past month. Thank you all!!
Sandy Island Retreat: Register by August 31
Join us for a weekend of fellowship, reflection, relaxing, kayaking, games, tennis, shared meals, interesting conversation, bocce, swimming, volleyball, and fun. All are welcome.
Registrations are open till August 31. Register early, so we can book the whole island.
Questions? Email sandyisland@uubelmont.org.
Recurring Weekly and Monthly Programs
FCB Sangha: Mondays at 7:30 pm (online)
Contact: James Hencke
Meditation practice allows us to dwell in the present moment.
Upcoming September Programs and Events
Belmont Unitarian Alliance Zoom Program: Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 11 am
Presented by the First Church Green Committee: "First Church Actions on the Climate Crisis"
Please join us for a discussion of the work of FCB Green Committee at the church in relation to the climate crisis locally, nationally, and worldwide. Three members of FCB Green, Priscilla Cobb, Downing Cless, and Monte Allen, will provide information about opportunities to participate in events and actions that respond to the global climate crisis.
Contact Miriam Baker for the Zoom link.
In Our Community
Local Author/FCB Member Book Reading at Belmont Library, September 13, 7 p.m.
We are here for you
Remote office hours are Monday - Thursday, 9 - 2.
Call/text 781-400-4587
Email the church office
Mail to: 404 Concord Ave., Belmont, Mass. 02478
The Complete Calendar of Building Use
In August, we Share the Plate with UU Urban Ministry
You can make a worship offering here, text the word “offering” to 617-819-8168, or mail a check to the church. Please make checks payable to The First Church in Belmont and write “offering” in the memo line.
Beautify the Sanctuary by Donating Flowers
Thank you for donating flowers to beautify the Sanctuary: a new form, for this coming church year, is now online.
Our longtime partner, Paradise Flowers, will create the arrangements. You can use this form to pay with a credit/debit card, ACH, or send a paper check later in the mail (click Pay Later on the form).
Next Issue: Thursday, September 7
Please use this form to submit your news or event (you can upload photos and graphics and paste links to further information) by noon on Wednesday, September 6. Submissions may be edited for space and clarity.
Forms for church members
Outside groups and non-church events, start here to inquire about rental space, even if you have rented from the church previously.