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We need volunteers to keep the monthly Welcome Table program running smoothly. Thank you to anyone who has volunteered in the past! Sign up for March 2 today!

Hello Families, This Sunday February 22nd is a Curriculum Sunday! Children will be invited to start in worship and depart together after the story downstairs to class. A One-Room-Schoolhouse Style RE Lesson is offered during the 9:00am service. Age-Based RE classes are offered during the 11:00am service. Don't forget to register your children for the program here! RE Child Pickup Policy:  We are excited that some enthusiastic volunteers are bringing back food to coffee hour! With this shift, many children are excitedly dashing up to the Upper Gathering Hall after RE class. We want to make sure that children are reunited with their families after RE and service concludes. We also want to make sure that volunteer RE teachers have an opportunity to attend coffee hour. So starting in the New Year,  please pick up your child from RE Class promptly when the service ends   before going to coffee hour.  This applies to any child 6th Grade and younger. If your child is not picked up, they will be dropped off at the nursery until you are able to collect them. Thank you for working with us to ensure a smooth transition between class and coffee hour! Upcoming Events February 22nd -- Youth Group clothing drive at Coffee Hour!  On Sunday, February 22nd, the Youth Group will be collecting clean clothing and other items during the Coffee Hour to benefit our unhoused neighbors. We are accepting used ADULT SIZED clothing, new (unused) men's and women's underwear and white socks, unused travel size toiletries, used (functional) bags, sleeping bags, and blankets. No children's clothing, please! Volunteering opportunities Bring a snack for coffee hour!   The sign-up is  here . Volunteer at the Welcome Table Spaghetti Dinner!  We need volunteers to keep the program running smoothly. Thank you to anyone who has volunteered in the past! Sign up for March 2nd  here . Sign up for April 6th  here . Schedule of upcoming RE Sundays: March 1st -- Children's Choir and Celebration Sunday. Multigenerational Worship. March 8th -- Curriculum Sunday March 15th -- Major Music Service March 22nd -- Curriculum Sunday March 29th -- All Ages Children's Chapel April 5th -- Multigenerational Worship April 12th -- Curriculum Sunday As always, your RE staff are here to support your family. If there is anything we can do for you, don't hesitate to reach out.

Save the Date! The 2026 Women's Retreat in North Andover will be the weekend of April 24-26. Registration opens March 6. This long-standing tradition includes music, food, fun, games, a workshop, facilitated small-group conversations, and crafts. Come build new friendships and strengthen old ones. Questions? Email Adult Programs at adult.programs@uubelmont.org

The First Church in Belmont, MA is a welcoming Unitarian Universalist congregation offering worship, music and lifelong learning opportunities. The Legacy of Slavery Project explores and is developing an understanding of the First Church in Belmont’s ties with slavery during the nineteenth century, through the substantial benefactions of the Atkins family. FCB Legacy of Slavery Project Group Members: Gina Carloni, chair Devon Beckett Kathryn Bonfiglio Karen Brennan Charles Hubbard Reverend Chris Jablonski Douglas Massidda Lanier Smythe Pegeen Wright Fran Yuan Background: How the Project Began In early 2023, members of The First Church in Belmont History Group organized a two-part informational series, “Confronting Our History: The Stories Behind the Tiffany Window,” to share what they had begun to learn about the church’s ties to slavery in Cuba in the 19th century. Later that spring, the Parish Board put forth a charge for the creation of an Atkins Cuba LegacyTask Force (ACLTF), whose role it would be to: further explore the church’s connection to the enslaved and indentured workers on the Atkins family’s plantation in Cienfuegos, Cuba, investigate how other similarly situated institutions are addressing their legacies ofslavery, share with the congregation what they learn through their research, and ultimately, put forth recommendations based upon those research findings. Members of the task force began their work in October 2023, and continue to meet monthly. In the spring of 2024, they presented a proposal to the Parish Board requesting to change their name to The First Church in Belmont Legacy of Slavery Project (LoSP). The new name was approved and adopted at that time. Overview of the Legacy of Slavery Project Group’s Work (2023-2025) Investigated the history of the Atkins family, whose principal sugar plantation, Soledad, used enslaved and indentured African individuals in the late 19th century, as well as looking into the extensive role that New England played in the sugar and slave trades. 1 Reached out to houses of worship, universities, and groups in the Boston area who are engaging in similar work to better understand their own connections to slavery. 4 Learned about a bell that the Atkins family gifted to the Belmont Hill School in 1927, which had originally been on the Soledad plantation and is now housed at The Robbins House Museum in Concord. Organized a presentation in the spring of 2024 by Dr. Maria Madison of The Robbins House to hear more about the bell’s history and her 2023 research trip to the Soledad plantation, and took part in a guided tour of the museum. 7 Gina Carloni, chair of the project group, gave a presentation in December 2024 to update the congregation on the findings and work of The Legacy of Slavery Project. 10 Dr. Ulbe Bosma, author of The World of Sugar and the 2023 Boston Globe article about Edwin Atkins, entitled The sugar baron of Boston , gave a talk at the church in April 2025 about Edwin Atkins, his role as a sugar magnate and prominent Bostonian, and his connection to Cuba and slavery. 13 Applied for and received a grant from the Unitarian Universalist Association in the spring of 2025 to continue the project’s exploration of the history of First Church’s legacy of slavery and shepherd a process of repair, deepening, and growth for the community and the descendants of the enslaved individuals from Atkins’ sugar plantations in Cuba. 16 $2,869 (half of the total donations collected at worship services during the month of December, 2025) were donated to Friends of Caritas Cubana, a Cambridge-based NGO that supports humanitarian and social services in Cuba, including projects in Pepito Tey, the current name of the town where the Soledad plantation was located. Funding will provide mosquito nets for people in Pepito Tey to help combat the epidemic of mosquito-borne illnesses currently plaguing the island. 19 Helped to develop annual worship services in 2023, 2024, and 2025 that included Afro-Cuban music and reflections by project members about the work of the group. 2 Began learning more about reparations and connecting with organizations that are currently working on this. 5 Started looking into ways that FCB can forge ties and collaborate with Afro-Cuban communities and organizations in Cuba and the U.S. This included hosting a meeting with leadership of the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue (Cuba/Dominican Republic) in fall 2024 and agreeing to donate half of the December 2024 worship service collections to that organization as part of the congregation’s “Share the Plate” efforts. 8 Sponsored two book group meetings in January 2025, one online and the other in-person, to discuss The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times , a non-fiction book by New York Times correspondent Anthony DePalma. 11 Offered a documentary film series, Cuba and Race, in April, May, and June of 2025, which included the following documentaries: A Tuba to Cuba (2018), The Harvard Cubans (2017), and Black in Latin America: Cuba (2011) 14 At the Cuban music worship service in November 2025, described by some congregants as one of their most moving experiences at First Church, four Cuban members of the community read aloud the names of the 177 enslaved individuals. 17 Researched about indentured Chinese laborers brought to Cuba to work in the sugar fields, including those who later worked on the Atkins family’s plantation. 3 Participated in a presentation with First Parish in Cambridge in early 2024 about both congregations’ historical ties to slavery. 6 Organized a movie presentation and discussion of Traces of the Trade: A Story From the Deep North in December 2024, led by Dr. Sophia Boyer, an educational consultant and professional facilitator. 9 Project member and former history teacher, Karen Brennan, gave a presentation in March 2025 about slavery and Boston’s prominent role in the triangle trade. 12 Collaborated with historians Orlando Félix García Martínez and Anabel García García in Cienfuegos, Cuba, who were able to uncover an 1881 list of 177 enslaved individuals connected to the Atkins family who worked at the Soledad plantation in Cuba. 15 Immediately following that November service, Gina Carloni, project member Kathryn Bonfiglio, and FCB parish historian, John Howe, gave a project update to the congregation. The project group then unveiled a 6-panel, photographic and informational display focused on centering the lives of Soledad’s enslaved individuals and honoring them by name. 18 The Legacy of Slavery Project Events 2026 Fri 23 January 23 · 7:00-9:00 PM · Parish Hall An Introduction to Reparations The LoSP will be partnering again with Dr. Sophia Boyer, who will be guiding the congregation through this next phase of its work, helping us to understand more about reparations and guide our church as we begin to consider how to define reparations at FCB now that we are more informed about our church’s complex history. Sun 26 January 25 · 6:30-8:30 PM · Parlor Information Session w/ the FCB Youth Group In collaboration with Reverend Martha, members of the Legacy of Slavery Project will lead an informational session and discussion with the FCB Youth Group, engaging them in conversation about the work of the LoSP and opening up opportunities for their involvement in the project. Fri 6 February 6 · 6:30-8:30 PM · Parish Hall Traces of the Trade: Film Showing and Discussion We are planning a second viewing of the film, Traces of the Trade , with a thoughtful discussion about reparations led by Dr. Sophia Boyer. We offered a similar viewing event with this film in December 2024, and it was an enormous success. We are hoping that now that more congregants are aware of and interested in this project, we’ll have even greater turnout and another opportunity for learning and growth. Sat 21 March 21 · 9:00 AM-12:30 PM · Parish Hall The Truth of Our Past: UU Reparations Summit The FCB Legacy of Slavery Project will be hosting a summit at First Church. Our project group and four other UU congregations (UU Urban Ministry; King’s Chapel, Boston; First Parish Cambridge; and First Unitarian Church in Providence) will be sharing the stories of our journeys to learn about our churches’ legacies of slavery and begin processes of acknowledgment and repair. Dr. Boyer will also be leading a discussion at this event. Sun 12 April 12 · 12:30 PM · Parlor Presentation on Enslavement in Boston and New England LoSP member and former history teacher, Karen Brennan, who presented on the Transatlantic Triangle Slave Trade last year, will give a presentation on enslavement in Boston and New England, shedding more light on how the institution of slavery enriched this area, and its lasting impact to today. Sun 10 May 10 · 12:30-2:30 PM · Parish Hall Creating a Working Definition of Reparations for First Church Dr. Sophia Boyer will lead a workshop for the congregation with the goal of helping usdevelop a working definition of reparations for First Church.

New Book Release with FCB's Scott Ferson March 25 · 6:30 PM · Parish Hall You're invited to attend a special talk by author Scott Ferson about his new book, “How the Democrats Lost America.” Sponsored by Social Action and Adult Programs committees, the event will take place on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30pm in the Parish Hall. For more information, email socialaction@uubelmont.org.

The welcoming community at First Church in Belmont, UU is home to worship, music, religious exploration, and programs for all ages rooted in justice and love. We are a home for seekers, a community for justice, guided by a spirit of love—all are welcome here. top Worship Committee Series: Practicing Resistance Age-based RE Classes 9:00 am & 11:00 am We are a village of many customs and cultures. We practice resistance by joining together in prayer, in song , in celebration, and hope for a future of peace, love, and freedom for all. Join us this Sunday as the worship committee reflects on practicing resistance. Music for our 9:00 am Unplugged and Connected service will be provided by Jon Svetkey, Heather Quay, Jason Redi, and Tom Maher. Livestream Worship Sunday Services Join us at 9:00 am and 11:00 am Community-led music at 9:00 am Livestream services at 11:00 am Outdoor Worship First Sunday September, October, May & June 10:30 am Worship Calendar Sunday Worship Services Join us at 9:00 am and 11:00 am Livestream services at 11:00 am Outdoor Worship First Sunday September, October, May & June 10:30 am Upcoming Events Message Board Updates February 20 · 5:00 PM · Offsite Social Action Friday Night Stand-Out Against ICE and For Democracy Join us to protest ICE actions and to defend the Constitution and Democracy, every Friday evening from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm,… Show More February 20 · 7:00 PM · Parish Hall Adult Programs 2026 Women's Retreat at First Church The 2026 Women’s Retreat will take place February 20–21, beginning Friday from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm and continuing Saturday from 8:30… Show More Adult Programs On Kindness With John Bell Join First Church Member and Buddhist Dharma Teacher John Bell for “Kindness: A Program of Songs, Stories, and Videos” on… Show More February 26 · 6:30 PM · Parish Hall Social Action Watch Training/Community Defense Training Join the Social Action Committee and the LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts for a training on community safety and… Show More Volunteers Needed for Spaghetti Dinner! We need volunteers to keep the monthly Welcome Table program running smoothly. Thank you to anyone who has volunteered in the past! Sign up for March 2 today! 8 hours ago What's Happening in RE This Sunday? Curriculum Sunday and clothing drive 9 hours ago Save the Date: Women's Retreat at Rolling Ridge Save the Date! The 2026 Women's Retreat in North Andover will be the weekend of April 24-26. Registration opens March 6. This long-standing tradition includes music, food, fun, games, a workshop, facilitated small-group conversations, and crafts. Come build new friendships and strengthen old ones. Questions? Email Adult Programs at adult.programs@uubelmont.org 5 days ago What's Happening in RE this Sunday? Multigen Worship and an upcoming clothing drive. Feb 10 Youth Group Clothing Drive On February 22nd at Coffee Hour, please bring new or used adult sized clothing to the Youth Group clothing and supplies drive! Feb 5