History Group April 30 · 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 .

Our congregation's mission to act on our values of promoting justice, peace, and inclusion. To this end, we invite you to learn about and contribute to our social action initiateves in Greater Boston and beyond. TakeAction Promoting social justice is built into the Unitarian Universalism vision and the Values of The First Church in Belmont. We engage with our community within and beyond the congregation, often in partnership with local and national organizations, to strengthen our voice and actions. We are passionate about the environment and climate change, racial and social justice, and voters’ rights, among other issues, while recognizing and embracing the intersectionality of these issues. In addition to action and volunteering, we also donate money to other nonprofits in our community through our Sunday morning collections. Social Action Committee The Social Action Committee’s mission is to lead our congregation to act on our values of promoting justice, peace, and inclusion. To this end, we invite you to learn about and contribute to our current priorities. Please consider attending one of our monthly meetings or committing to one of our priorities. We welcome your participation!! To attend a meeting or to learn more, please contact SAC for more information. Contact SAC FCB Green FCB (First Church Belmont) Green leads the church’s climate activities. Learn more about the FCB Green committee’s work and how you can participate in FCB’s Green Sanctuary Initiative . Contact Bayard Klimasmith at fcbgreen@uubelmont.org for more information. Read More Legacy of Slavery Project Early substantial gifts to the church were funded by the Atkin’s family, sugar plantation owners who gained their wealth through the use of enslaved people in Cuba. This project explores the First Church’s historical ties to slavery through the Atkins family’s 19th-century gifts. By exploring how other institutions have addressed similar histories, we aim to learn, reflect, share insights with our community, and consider meaningful next steps. Read More Refugee & Migrant Support We are committed to welcoming refugees and immigrants with compassion and care. We partner with the RIAC and other local groups to provide direct support, raising funds, collecting essential items, and volunteering to help newcomers build safe, stable lives in Massachusetts. More Info Coming Soon UU The Vote UU the Vote is a bold initiative created by the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Side With Love team, providing UUs a thoughtfully crafted “plug-and-play” opportunity to bring our democratic values to life in the crucial struggle to build a genuine multiracial democracy. UU the Vote engages people in voter registration, issue education, get-out-the-vote drives, voter protection, state leadership development, and more. Read More Belmont Serves Belmont Serves is an annual interfaith day of service where community members of all ages join together to care for local parks, collect food, and give back to Belmont. Belmont Religious Council 2LGBTQIA+ Welcoming Congregation As a UUA-recognized Welcoming Congregation, we fully include and affirm 2LGBTQIA+ people in all aspects of church life. We celebrate diversity, advocate for justice, and commit to ongoing learning and inclusion. Read More Upcoming Justice Events 40ftE resources Social Action Blog Become a Champion for the Planet! Join FCB Green! The FCB Green Committee exists to promote the 7th UU Principle: “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We implement sustainability initiatives within our church, educate parishioners to help them make informed decisions about environmental issues, promote environmental action beyond our church, and organize our Earth Day services. Meetings are online. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, September 22, at 7:00 PM. Please reach out to Bayard Kl 1 day ago Bike Donations Sought The Legacy of Slavery Project group at First Church in Belmont is seeking serviceable adult bikes for donation to healthcare workers in Cuba, to be collected and distributed by Bikes Not Bombs. Bikes will be collected on Monday, October 12—Belmont Serves Day (exact time and site to be determined). For more information, please contact: legacyofslaveryproject@uubelmont.org. 1 day ago

< Back 2023 Special Meeting Minutes (from April 2023 Bylaws meeting) To be voted upon at the 167th Annual Meeting on June 11, 2023 Previous Next

< Back Committee on Ministry 2024 Survey Report Previous Next

Youth Group — Offsite February 1 · 12:30 PM · Offsite 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 .

Leading 19th Century Ministers and the Revolution in Unitarian Theology May 7 · 7:30 PM · Online Special Unitarian History presentation by Bill Blumberg: Introducing the Revolutionary Thought of William Ellery Channing, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Theodore Parker. Thursday, May 7 at 7:30pm (Zoom)

FCB Sangha April 13 · 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

SoUUper Lunch May 6 · 12:00 PM · Kitchen Come Join us for SoUUper Lunch Every Wednesday at noon. Soup, salad, bread, dessert and great conversations. No reservations required!

Outdoor Service: New Member Sunday & Flower Communion June 7 · 10:30 AM · Town Green We will celebrate and welcome our new members and share flowers with one another. We invite you to bring a flower. Worship is multigenerational and childcare will be provided. We invite you to stay for Annual Meeting after worship! https://canva.link/3rvnayiipk5ihc8 Lyric Insert: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QXAuOMxk3z5KbBDOZ9BRji9Yj3fZvxXtVSfMUgVH15w/edit?usp=sharing Gathering Music - A collection of Irish marches and jigs: “The Eagle’s Whistle,” “Rights of Man,” “Off to California,” and “Donnybrook Fair” Welcome and Announcements – Board Member Prelude - “ Craigieburn Wood” a Scottish Air 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 #38 , “Morning Has Broken” Story - Rev. Martha Durkee-Neuman Anthem - “Hymn of Promise” an arrangement of Salley Gardens, by Mary McDonald; Senior Choir New Member Welcoming Ritual — Rev. Chris Jablonski, Rev. Martha Durkee-Neuman, and Alex Andrews Johnson Words of Offering This month, we share the plate with Belmont Against Racism Offertory - Wild Mountain Thyme, a traditional Scottish/Irish folk song arranged by Ian Garvie; Ian Garvie and Camila Parias 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. Prayer — Rev. Martha Durkee-Neuman Hymn #1068 , “Rising Green” Sermon — “The Blossom Atop The Devil’s Staircase” by Rev. Chris Jablonski Interlude - “ McNamara’s Fancy,” by Ian Garvie - During this time, all are invited to come forward and take a flower, other than the one you brought. Closing Song #121 , “We’ll Build A Land” Extinguishing the Flame Postlude - Two Irish jigs: “Banish Misfortune,” and “Maid on the Green” Guest Musicians: Karen Burciaga, fiddle Joy Grimes, fiddle Matthew Wright, guitar

The Ordination of Sophia Doescher April 19 · 3:00 PM · Parish Hall You’re warmly invited to celebrate Sophia’s ordination to the Unitarian Universalist ministry, with a sermon by the Reverend Lauren Smith. This event marks a meaningful milestone, supported by both the First Church in Belmont, where Sophia’s ministry began to take shape during her internship, and the First Parish in Cambridge, where she now serves as Assistant Minister. Members of both communities will have a special role in the ceremony, and all are welcome to join this joyful celebration, with a reception to follow. RSVP at invite.social/sophia today!

Youth Group: Sunday Service Prep April 12 · 6:30 PM · Parlor 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 .

11th Hour Calling December 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