“Con Todos” November 22 · 9:00 AM · Sanctuary Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements – Board Member Prelude Chalice Lighting Life is a gift, for which we are grateful. We gather in community to celebrate The glories and the mysteries of this great gift. Gathering Hymn Story Anthem Reflection Words of Offering Offertory Doxology From all that dwell below the skies; Let words of love and peace arise; Let joyful songs of praise be sung; Through every land by every tongue. Amen. Candles of Celebration and Concern Prayer Hymn Sermon Closing Song Extinguishing the Flame Postlude Flower Dedication

The First Church in Belmont, MA is a welcoming Unitarian Universalist congregation offering worship, music and lifelong learning opportunities. FCB GREEN FCB Green exists to promote the 7th UU Principle: “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” This principle emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life and the need to protect the planet for future generations. Email fcbgreen@uubelmont.org to learn more. What We Do T Implement sustainability initiatives within our church. Educate parishioners to help them make informed decisions about environmental and climate issues. Promote environmental and climate action in the world outside our church by connecting the congregation to resources and like-minded organizations Organize our Earth Day services and explore the spiritual dimensions of our connection with the interdependent web of all existence Get Involved There are many ways to help support our work to protect the planet, both locally and globally. Check out the resources below, attend an FCB Green meeting, or sign up for our emails featuring local events and environmental and climate actions by emailing FCBGreen@uubelmont.org Current Initiatives A new podcast series, Climate Reveal , co-hosted by an FCB Green member Exploring how to decarbonize the church by installing geothermal heat pumps Participating in the creation of the Miyawaki Forest at Belmont High School Participating in UU Mass Action’s Advocacy Day to lobby for climate justice legislation Hosting 11th Hour Standouts in front of FCB on the 11th of each month to bring attention to the climate crisis Promoting native plantings around the church grounds FCB Green Publications & Resources T FCB Green Advocacy and Activism Food and Land Sustainability Actions Plant-Based recipes and resources to lower your carbon footprint

Journey to Belonging October 25 · 12:30 PM · Parlor Interested in getting to know our community better or exploring the path to membership at First Church? Join us for a guided exploration that welcomes newcomers into Unitarian Universalism, helping them find community, understand our principles, and discover their place in a diverse, evolving, justice-oriented faith.

Journey to Belonging November 1 · 12:30 PM · Parlor Interested in getting to know our community better or exploring the path to membership at First Church? Join us for a guided exploration that welcomes newcomers into Unitarian Universalism, helping them find community, understand our principles, and discover their place in a diverse, evolving, justice-oriented faith.

FCB offers honest, accurate information about sexuality though a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula, Our Whole Lives (OWL). Our Whole Lives Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula. Lifespan Sexuality Education for all ages Kindergarten & 1st Grade There is curriculum for Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Kindergarten or First Grade. We hope to offer the program in the future, but until that time we have many resources to share with families. Learn More 5th & 6th Grade Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Grades 5 or 6, is a sexuality education program designed to nurture and support the “three R’s” of childhood sexuality education – Respect, Relationships, and Responsibility. Learn More 7th & 8th Grade Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Grade 7 & 8 is a progressive, comprehensive sexuality education program, framed around sexual health, justice & inclusion, self-worth, and responsibility. It is designed to help participants gain the knowledge, values, and skills to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives. Learn More "I liked learning about positive decision making." -Youth, 8th Grade OWL

The CRE program offers engaging Sunday morning programs at 9:00 am, 11:00 am designed to inspire children and teach them about key social, spiritual, and relational topics. Children's Religious Exploration The Religious Exploration program at FCB aims to provide an enlightening, engaging and rewarding religious educational experience for all children that: Is grounded in the principles of Unitarian Universalism Focuses on fundamental human values, life skills, and spiritual development and exploration Encourages an understanding and acceptance of all religions Creates a sense of belonging to the entire church community We offer a variety of programs on Sunday morning (9:00 am, 11:00 am), and beyond, that capture the interest of children and help educate them on key social, spiritual and relational topics. Nursery care is provided for children ages 0-6 during both services. Sign up for the program here . Contact Martha for more information! What's Happening in RE this Sunday? 7 days ago What's Happening in RE this Sunday Sep 8 We're Hiring a Nursery Care Provider Aug 31 What's Happening in RE this Sunday? Jun 2 RE Calendar Each month we offer Multigenerational Worship, All Ages Children's Chapel, and Age-Based RE classes. Check out the RE Calendar to know what to expect on Sunday morning. RE Calendar Volunteer With CRE We are always in need of helpers for our Children's Religious Education programs. From nursery care to OWL facilitation to organizing supplies, we have needs for every interested volunteer. Volunteer with CRE PreK - Kindergarten - 1st Grade Class: Spirit Play Spirit Play is an active way of thinking about religious education. The lessons utilize a Montessori framework to model authentic religious questioning, the freedom to search for one's own meaning, and perhaps most importantly, spiritual learning through fun and creativity. This class is open to preschoolers and kindergarteners aged 4 - 6. Currently this class is doing a Spirit Play-Style Curriculum. Each week features a storybook, reflection time, and open play. Sign up here . 2nd - 4th Grade Class: UU Identity Formation This class will be doing a curriculum this Fall developing their identity and self-understanding as Unitarian Universalists. We will use games, crafts, art projects, stories, and other activities to help our young learners learn about their community and their religious tradition. Next Spring, the class will focus on Bible literacy. Sign up here . 5th - 8th Grade Class: Crossing Paths This Fall, the 5th-8th graders will learn about other religions with the Crossing Paths curriculum. Through a combination of classroom-style learning and field trips to nearby religious communities, the middle schoolers will develop an understanding of their friends and neighbors' religious traditions. Sign up here .

The First Church in Belmont has a wide and varied music program that serves the entire congregation as well as the community at large. During this socially distanced time, the music program continues to bring opportunities for connection, artistry, and celebration. Many of our programs are continuing virtually this year, and we have some new programs to offer that take advantage of the digital medium we’re all working with Music at First Church The First Church in Belmont is home to a rich and varied music program, involving many members of the community. Our children's choir is open to kids and youth of all ages and performs a fully staged musical every year, along with several concerts and other performances. Our adult choirs sing in the Sunday services each week, and present two Major Music Services with a professional orchestra each year. Community members of all ages and skill levels participate in services, concerts, casual music evenings, and more. Contact Ian Garvie for more information at igarvie@uubelmont.org Music Programs And More Adult Choirs During worship services our two adult choirs lend a spiritual and emotional backdrop to the spoken word. The choirs also engender a sense of community and spirituality among participants both within and outside of worship services and other First Church events. Learn More Child + Youth Choirs First Church in Belmont offers choir programs for children and youth from Kindergarten through High School and beyond. Learn More Classical Concert Series Delight in the captivating allure of our church's classical concert series, where enchanting melodies and awe-inspiring performances harmonize within our sacred space. Learn More Second Friday Concerts The Second Friday Concert Series has been bringing music and entertainment to First Church to benefit social action causes since 1985, and is Boston’s first and oldest all benefit concert series. Learn More Upcoming Events

ON THE ROAD TO REPAIR: Developing a Congregational Commitment to Reparative Justice—Part 2 of 4 December 13 · 12:00 PM · Parish Hall The FCB Legacy of Slavery Project invites you to join us for part two in this 4-Part series of events, ON THE ROAD TO REPAIR: Developing a Congregational Commitment to Reparative Justice. During this second event, led by Dr. Sophia Boyer, we'll continue working as a community in the development of a proposal for a Congregational Commitment to Reparative Justice at First Church. Your thoughts and insights are essential throughout this process, so please come with ideas — and an open mind and heart — as we continue this important work.

FCB Sangha September 21 · 7:30 PM · Online The FCB Sangha meets weekly throughout the year on Mondays 7:30 PM lasting one hour. It features a democratically run organization where participants can sign up to either offer the opening candle, or a 20 minute reading, followed by 30 minutes of sacred silence and a closing. Questions? Email James Hencke at sangha@uubelmont.org

SoUUper Lunch January 20 · 12:00 PM · Upper Hall Join us for lunch! SoUUper lunch is an informal gathering every Wednesday at noon. Soup, salad, bread and dessert are served and good conversation takes place. No reservations required!

Drop-In Meditation Join us for a weekly drop-in meditation on Wednesdays from 11:00–11:50 am in the Library. Sessions include both walking and sitting meditation, led by Eleanor Hobbs. All are welcome. For questions or more information, email Eleanor at meditation@uubelmont.org.

“Ambiguous Grief” September 20 · 10:30 AM · Sanctuary So often our losses are ambiguous and we find ourselves holding big grief that is unacknowledged and goes untended. In this time of so much ambiguous loss, let’s look at how to care for ourselves and each other. Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements – Board Member Prelude - Casey Hannan, piano Chalice Lighting Life is a gift, for which we are grateful. We gather in community to celebrate The glories and the mysteries of this great gift. Gathering Hymn - #15 , The Lone Wild Bird Story - “The Survivor Tree” Anthem - If Ye Love Me, by Thomas Tallis Reading - Adrift by Mark Nepo Words of Offering - Rev. Chris Offertory - David’s Lamentation, by William Billings Doxology From all that dwell below the skies; Let words of love and peace arise; Let joyful songs of praise be sung; Through every land by every tongue. Amen. Candles of Celebration and Concern - Prayer - Chris Hymn #1002 Comfort Me Sermon - “Ambiguous Grief” by Rev. Ali Jablonsky Closing Hymn- #6 , Just as Long as I Have Breath Extinguishing the Flame - Postlude - Casey Hannan, piano Flower Dedication