The First Church in Belmont, MA is a welcoming Unitarian Universalist congregation offering worship, music and lifelong learning opportunities. Members reserving space or adding events to the church calendar for church-related purposes should use the Event Submission and Room Request Form . Members seeking to rent space for personal use should follow the steps below. Rentals Thank you for your interest in renting space at The First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist Step 1: Please begin by checking the church calendar below to see if your preferred time and space is available. Step 2: Once you've confirmed availability, complete our Rentals Request form . Rental Rate Categories: Church Member Use: For members of record of The First Church in Belmont, UU who wish to rent the space for private events with family or friends (e.g. weddings, parties, memorials). These events must not involve ticket sales, fundraising, income generation, or be affiliated with any organization (non-profit or for-profit). Non-Profit Use: Non-profits must provide a valid 501(c)(3) tax ID number when reserving space. Standard Rate: Applies to all other rentals. General Information: Spaces are rented by the hour. Include time for setup, cleanup, and room reset. All spaces are wheelchair accessible. Rentals must comply with the church's tax-exempt status (example: no political campaign activity). Custodial services are typically required for all events and will be invoiced separately. Please contact the Space Use Coordinator for details. Concerts, performances, and fundraisers involving music must be approved by the Director of Music. Include full details in your request. For full space details, rates, rental policies and more visit: Space Details & Rates Food, Alcohol, and Miscellaneous Permits Audio/Visual Equipment Parking and Accessibility Building/Space Use Calendar Building Space Use Calendar You are seconds away from getting this done. 🤩 
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Choosing Hope November 30 · 9:00 AM · Sanctuary Michelle Collins says, “Hope is not a certainty but rather a choice. When the world offers you despair, choose possibility. When cynicism seems reasonable, choose engagement. May our hope be grounded in love and expressed through action. And may we return here to find courage to choose again.” Join us for an exploration of Choosing Hope. During the 9:00 am service, Trailmix will be providing the music. Children’s Chapel All Ages-RE will be offered during both services to explore hope. Children will depart, after the story. Choosing Hope November 30, 2025 9:00 AM Gathering Music “ Amazing Grace,” performed by Trailmix; instrumental Welcome and Announcements Board Member Prelude “ Hold On,” Mary Ross Greet Your Neighbor Michael Griffin Chalice Lighting Michael Griffin 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 Song #118 , “This Little Light of Mine” Story "Frederick,” by Leo Lionni; Gabrielle Garschina-Bobrow, Anthem ”Take Hope for a Ride,” by Bayard Klimasmith Reflection Richard Waring Words of Offering Richard Waring Offertory “ Happy Children,” Lori McKenna 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 Rev. Chris Hymn #107 , “There’s a River” Reflection Michael Griffin Closing Hymn #95 There is More Love Somewhere Extinguishing the Flame Gabrielle Garschina-Bobrow Postlude ”Something to Love,” Jason Isbell

History Group December 4 · 7:30 PM · Online Join us on the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm for ongoing discussions about First Church history with Historian John Howe. For more information, contact John at history@uubelmont.org.

11th Hour Calling May 11 · 10:45 AM · Town Green On the 11th hour of the 11th day of every month, we join with interfaith communities to call attention to the urgency of our climate crisis. Join us 10:45–11:15 AM for bell ringing and visible action to demand meaningful climate solutions. Signs provided, or bring your own! Questions? Email socialaction@uubelmont.org

Drop In Meditation December 3 · 10:45 AM · Library Join us for a weekly drop-in meditation on Wednesdays from 10:45–11:35 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 ethobbs@rcn.com.

History Group March 5 · 9:00 AM · Online Join us on the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm for ongoing discussions about First Church history with Historian John Howe. For more information, contact John at history@uubelmont.org .

Writing Memoir Workshop February 8 · 4:00 PM · Online Writing Memoir Workshop with Martha Spaulding, Sundays, February 1, 8, 15, 22, 4-5:30 pm, Online, contact martha.spaulding@gmail.com

13: The Musical performance November 22 · 7:00 PM · Parish Hall Evan Goldman’s move from New York City to small-town Indiana turns his world upside down as he navigates friendships, popularity, and growing up. Funny, heartfelt, and full of energy, 13 is a story every teen can relate to. Showtimes are November 20–23. Questions? Email YouthMusic@uubelmont.org.

“Thank You, Jesus, I Would Happily Love My Enemies, But Have You Met These Guys?” Rev. Chris December 7 · 11:00 AM · Sanctuary In this moment, few of Jesus’s teachings feel more challenging than the call to love our enemies. Together, we’ll explore similar teachings in the Buddhist tradition, and if we can find even one more major tradition that echoes this wisdom, we’ll commit to trying it out together. Music featuring Casey Hannan on organ, and the FCB Senior Choir. Livestream here. Gathering Music Casey Hannan, organ Welcome and Announcements Board Member Prelude Casey Hannan, organ 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 #357 , “Bright Morning Stars” Story “Lovingkindness Meditation” by Rev Martha Durkee-Neuman Anthem “Surgamus, Festinemus!” (”Arise, rejoice!”), by Marc-Antoine Charpentier Arise, rejoice! Hasten unto Bethlehem. There we shall offer praise to God, born in the form of a sinner. Why then do you linger, oh shepherds? Arise, rejoice! Reflection Margaret Eagle Words of Offering This month we share the plate with Friends of Caritas Cubana Offertory “Some Children See Him,” arr. Richard Curzi 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 Rev. Chris Jablonski Hymn #225 , “O Come O Come Emmanuel” Sermon “Loving Our Enemies” by Rev. Chris Jablonski Closing Hymn #226 , “People Look East” Extinguishing the Flame Postlude

UUUM Community Conversations: "Culture as Resistance" February 19 · 6:00 PM · Online Using music, storytelling, movement, and visual art, we'll explore how culture functions as a form of survival. Go to uuum.org/upcoming-events for Zoom info

This Great Gift of Ours—An Outdoor Youth-Led Service May 3 · 10:30 AM · Town Green Join us for the first outdoor service of the year on the town green, planned and led by members of our Youth Group. We invite you to come and support their leadership in worship. This will be a multigenerational service, and children are invited to stay. Childcare will be provided for children age 6 and younger. Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements – Alexandra Lipp and Olivia Gates Prelude - Forever Young, by Bob Dylan Chalice Lighting — Lucas Lattimore Life is a gift, for which we are grateful. We gather in community to celebrate The glories and the mysteries of this great gift. Opening Words - Lee Sisson Gathering Hymn - #118 This Little Light of Mine Story - Ben/Hazel Jablonski Anthem - Blowin’ in the Wind, by Bob Dylan Senior Reflection - Lila Abruzzi Words of Offering - Alexandra Lipp and Olivia Gates Offertory - Bridge Over Troubled Water, by Paul Simon 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. Senior Reflection - Ben/Hazel Jablonski Candles - Alexandra Lipp and Olivia Gates Prayer - Cecily Goho Hymn - Stand By Me, by Ben E. King (do we need lyrics in the OOS for this @Ian ?) Homily - Harry Sasser Bridging Ceremony — Rev Martha Durkee-Neuman Closing Hymn- #1028 The Fire of Commitment Extinguishing the Flame - Lucas Lattimore Postlude - In My Life, by John Lennon and Paul McCartney Flower Dedication

Belmont UU Alliance: A Journey to Désfalva, our Partner Church in Transylvania January 8 · 11:00 AM · Online Please join us on Zoom for a presentation by the Partner Church Committee about their recent trip to Desfalva, January 8, 11:00 AM, on Zoom. Please contact Kathy Lind at belmontuualliance@uubelmont.org for the link.