Book Group December 30 · 7:30 PM · Online Please join the book group for a discussion each month, generally on the 4th Wednesday from 7:30- 9 PM online. 4th Wednesday of the month-August 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Dec. 2, Dec. 30, Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 24, April 28 and May 26, July 28 All from 7:30 to 9PM. all online. The June 23 meeting will be in person in the upper gathering hall and be a pot luck dinner, from 6:30-9 PM The titles so far are: August: Travels with Charley: In Search of America, John Steinbeck September: Long Island, Colm Toibin

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< Back FCB Garden Group Zoom & In Person The first Thursday of the month at 4:00 pm. October - June Contact: Jess Hausman hausman.jessica@gmail.com for more information. Welcome ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Previous Next

The Taking Up and the Letting Go, A New Year’s Ritual December 27 · 10:30 AM · Sanctuary Come for our annual ritual of letting go through magician flash paper and setting our intentions for the coming year. This will also be Rev. Chris’s last service before his sabbatical and we will have a special ritual of release and blessing for his time away.

Drop In Meditation February 18 · 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.

The Solstice Badger: Featuring the Children’s Choirs December 21 · 9:00 AM · Sanctuary December 21 is the longest night of the year. Join us for a multigenerational worship service exploring the winter solstice and embracing traditions of the light returning across cultures, accompanied by the music of our Children’s Choirs. We will celebrate with the pageant of the Solstice Badger! Childcare will be provided and children are encouraged to participate in the service. OOS Gathering Music — Ian Garvie, piano Welcome and Announcements – Board Member Prelude — O Christmas Tree, arr. Scott Raney - Ian Garvie, 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. Rituals of Light — Rev Martha, Rev Chris, & Ian Gathering Hymn — Gloucestershire Wassail Wassail! wassail! all over the town, Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown; Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree; With the wassailing bowl , we'll drink to thee. Here is to Cherry, and to her right eye, May god send our mistress a good Christmas pie; A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see, With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee. So here is to Broad May and to her broad horn May God send our master a good crop of corn And a good crop of corn that may we all see With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee. And here is to Fillpail and to her left ear Pray God send our master a happy New Year And a happy New Year as e'er he did see With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee. Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best Then we hope that your soul in heaven may rest But if you do draw us a bowl of the small Then down shall go butler, bowl and all. Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin For to let these jolly wassailers in. Solstice Badger 1 — Rev Martha, Ian & Actors Anthem — “Light One Candle,” by Peter Yarrow; Junior Choir Solstice Badger Part 2 — Rev Martha, Ian, & Laura Couch Words of Offering — Rev Chris This month we share the plate with Friends of Caritas Cubana Offertory — The Lights of Kwanzaa, by Marguerite Shaw; Junior Choir 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. Solstice Badger Part 3 — Rev Martha, Rev Chris, Ian, & Laura Couch Candles of Celebration and Concern — Rev Chris Prayer — Rev Chris Anthem- Solstice, by Randall Thompson; Junior Choir Solstice Badger Part 4 — Rev Martha & Laura Couch Closing Hymn - #235 Deck the Halls Extinguishing the Flame Postlude — “Fugue in C Major, BWV 870,” by J.S. Bach; Casey Hannan, piano

Garden Group May 7 · 4:00 PM · Offsite Monthly gathering at different Belmont gardens for any wishing to chat gardening! Beginning to advanced gardeners share community and talk about gardens, tips, or techniques. All are welcome! Contact Jess Hausman at garden@uubelmont.org for this month’s meeting place!

Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal faith, allowing each individual to explore and develop their own beliefs. Membership in a UU church is a covenant among equals, not tied to any specific doctrine. If you've been attending and feel this is the right place for you, we invite you to become a member by signing our Membership Book. Membership To discuss membership in the church or to arrange to sign the membership book, please contact our Welcoming Coordinator, Alex Andrews at aandrews@uubelmont.org . Meaning of Membership Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal association of congregations, meaning each of us is free to develop our religious beliefs without reference to a particular theological doctrine. Instead, we consider membership in a UU church as a "covenant” among equals. If you have been attending for a while and think this may be the right place for you, we welcome you to become a member by signing our Membership Book. Choosing to become a member of The First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist means that you feel this church makes a difference in your life, giving it greater strength, depth, significance, and direction. It means you feel a sense of belonging and commitment to the liberal religious values this church represents. It means the willingness to support the church with ideas, energy, time, and money so that these values can be realized in the world. If you’re not yet sure, we welcome your questions and respect your process. We invite you to speak to Rev. Chris Jablonski or Rev. Martha Durkee-Neuman. So, why join? To affirm the purpose and principles of our free religious tradition; To enjoy a community of kindred spirits with whom you can feel safe, welcomed, appreciated, and respected; To experience spiritual growth for yourself and your children; To find beliefs and values put into action through social outreach and education. To fully participate in the governance of the community by voting on matters of official business, such as our budget and the election of members to our Parish Board. We require no creedal tests and no professions of doctrine. For us, membership is a covenant to walk together in fellowship. We ask only for an honest desire to participate in and support the life and work of the congregation. Path to Membership “Journey to Belonging”: An Introductory Workshop We encourage everyone interested in exploring membership to attend our "Journey to Belonging” workshop, facilitated by Rev. Chris Jablonski and others. The workshop provides a chance to reflect on your individual spiritual journey, as well as learn about the history of Unitarian Universalism, discuss Unitarian Universalist beliefs, and learn more about our congregation. The workshop is typically offered twice during the year. Childcare and lunch are provided. Although very informative, the workshop is not a prerequisite to membership. Meeting with Reverend Chris Jablonski If you decide you would like to become a member, you are invited to meet with Rev. Jablonski or Rev. Martha Durkee-Neuman, to get to know one another better and to give you a chance, and to give you a chance to ask all the questions you might have. If or when you are ready, Rev. Chris will be happy to arrange the opportunity for you to sign the Membership Book. New Member Welcome Service We hold a New Member Welcome Service each year, when we recognize and welcome new members into the life of the church community. To discuss membership in the church or to arrange to sign the membership book, please contact the Welcoming Coordinator, Alex Andrews, at aandrews@uubelmont.org

3rd Saturday Film Discussion Group March 21 · 7:30 PM · Online Join us to discuss of Israelism, a 2024 documentary, March 21, 7:30 to 9 pm, on Zoom. For Zoom link, contact saturdayfilm@uubelmont.org.

Belmont UU Alliance: Representation in Boston Statuary Part 2 December 10 · 11:00 AM · Online Please join us for part 2 of John Howe’s fascinating program regarding statuary in the Boston Public Garden. In this talk will focus on how the statuary has evolved in recent decades to reflect the city’s more diverse population, democratic values, and a renewed appreciation for some of the city’s older, untold stories. Register here for the link or contact Kathy Lind.

Community Concert: Positive Energy May 1 · 7:30 PM · Parish Hall Positive Energy is Richard Curzi on keyboard and vocals, Roger Brown on percussion, Jim Wooster on guitar and vocals, Paul Judge on guitar and vocals, Rick Dimino on bass, and Kate Donovan and Roger Read on vocals. This concert will feature a collection of original music by Richard and Jim based on the amazing lyrics of Roger Brown and John McAlpin—all members and friends of the First Church community. The band will also continue its tradition of paying musical tribute to iconic artists we lost in the past year. This will be a night you won’t want to miss!

Drop-In Meditation September 9 · 11:00 AM · Library 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.