11th Hour Calling April 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 for bell ringing and visible action to demand meaningful climate solutions. Signs provided, or bring your own! Questions? Email socialaction@uubelmont.org .

The First Church in Belmont, MA is a welcoming Unitarian Universalist congregation offering worship, music and lifelong learning opportunities. Our Partner Church First Church Belmont has an active partnership with the Unitarian Church of Désfalva, Transylvania. Since 1990, pilgrims have traveled between the two congregations every few years to share fellowship and to support each other’s spiritual journeys. Education Fund The Transylvania Partner Church Education Fund was established in 2001 to provide financial support to high school and university students of Désfalva who otherwise could not attend school. With no high school in the village, students commute to or live in distant towns to continue their education and pay out-of-pocket for books, travel, room and board. The fund provides each student an annual stipend to help defray these expenses. We support 10-15 students each year. Your gift of any size will help First Church continue its critical role in funding this important program. Get Involved and Connect Visit their website Check out their Facebook Désfalva Tune in on YouTube Learn more about the UU Partnership Council Email us at partnerchurch@uubelmont.org

Youth Group — Legacy of Slavery February 22 · 12:00 AM The FCB Youth Group welcomes all high school students (9th-12th grades) to explore their faith, identity, and role in society in a safe, welcoming space. We meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:30 pm For more information, email Elliott at youthprogram@uubelmont.org .

Music for Troubled Times: A Piano Recital With Paul Bempéchat May 2 · 7:30 PM · Parish Hall First Church’s own Paul-André Bempéchat returns for another of his acclaimed piano recitals. This concert will feature music chosen especially to soothe the spirit in these difficult times. Questions? Email Ian Garvie at igarvie@uubelmont.org .

Spiritual Renewal through Poetry Make-Up Class March 22 · 2:00 PM · Library In this small group we will read and discuss poems that deal with spiritual issues in the broadest sense of the term. Email Peter Guthrie at peter.guthrie@verizon.net .

Drop In Meditation March 11 · 11:00 AM · Library Join us for a weekly drop-in meditation on Wednesdays from 11 am -12 pm 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 · 11:00 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 — Casey Hannan Welcome and Announcements – Board Member Prelude — "The Snow is Dancing" from Debussy’s Children’s Corner Chalice Lighting Child 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 Pt. 1 — Rev Martha, Ian & Actors Anthem — Carol of the Bells, by M. Leontovich, arr. Peter Wilhousky- Youth Choir Solstice Badger Pageant Pt. 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 Pageant Pt. 3 — Rev. Martha, Rev Chris, Ian, & Laura Couch Candles of Celebration and Concern — Rev. Chris Jablonsk Prayer — Rev. Chris Jablonski Anthem- Joy be Yours in the Morning, by Douglas Wagner ; Youth Choir Solstice Badger Pageant Pt. 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

We are a welcoming congregation dedicated to nurturing each other spiritually through meaningful sermons, joyful music, authentic, non-judgmental social connections, and a shared commitment to justice, peace and conscientious stewardship of our planet. Who we are The First Church in Belmont Unitarian Universalist welcomes people from all religious backgrounds, including those with no religious background, and incorporates other faiths and humanist values into our worship and activities. We welcome people who are married or single, straight or gay, with children or without. For individuals who may feel uncertainty about the religion of their upbringing or for families who are blending two or more religious faiths, First Church is a particularly welcoming community. For those who feel something is missing in their day-to-day lives, but are unsure whether church is for them, we encourage you to visit us. As a mid-sized church with over 400 members and friends, we are a faith community that strives to nurture one another spiritually through meaningful sermons, joyful music, non-judgmental social connections, and a shared commitment to justice, peace, and conscientious stewardship of our planet. Come see for yourself if First Church is what you are looking for to enrich the lives of yourself and your family. Our Mission At First Church Belmont, we strive to create a welcoming spiritual home for all who seek meaning, belonging, and purpose, while celebrating diversity and acting with courage and kindness to nurture a more just and loving world. Our Vision We honor the holiness in one another and in all that is. Living mindfully, we serve our community and our world. We work to achieve our Mission and Vision by: Worshiping together as a Unitarian Universalist community Fostering the spiritual growth of individuals of all ages and inspire one another to grow personally Welcoming all people and celebrating the diverse gifts that each person brings to our community Relating to one another and our community through all the cycles and circumstances of our lives Promoting social justice Sharing the vision, longings, and wisdom of each generation Relating to one another with integrity and compassion, facing conflict as an opportunity for growth Our Symbol: The Flaming Chalice A flame within a chalice is a primary symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. We light a candle in the chalice as a symbol of hope, the sacred, the quest for truth, the warmth of community, the light of reason, and more. Learn more about the symbol of the chalice, and please feel free to sign up to light the chalice at one of our services FCB BYLAWS MEET THE STAFF FCB PROGRAM COUNCIL

SoUUper Lunch February 25 · 12:00 PM · Kitchen Come Join us for SoUUper Lunch Every Wednesday at noon. Soup, salad, bread, dessert and great conversations. No reservations required!

Friday Night Stand-Out Against ICE and For Democracy April 24 · 5:00 PM · Offsite Join us to protest ICE actions and to defend the Constitution and Democracy, every Friday evening from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm, in front of the church. Bring your own signs and your voice.

Christmas Eve Service December 24 · 2:00 PM · Sanctuary

Spiritual Renewal Through Poetry January 10 · 2:00 PM · Parlor Robert Frost once defined a poem as “a momentary stay against confusion.” Good poems can help us see ourselves and our lives more clearly, trigger moments of epiphany, and cut through the confusion of life to what truly matters. They grapple with some of the most basic spiritual questions: How can we lead a meaningful life? How can we make sense of loss and joy? How can we connect on a deeper level with ourselves and others? In this program we will read and discuss poems that deal with spiritual issues in the broadest sense of the term.