FCB Green Monthly Meetings November 24 · 7:00 PM · Online 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. Please reach out to Bayard Klimasmith at FCBGreen@uubelmont.org for more information or to join our efforts!

SoUUper Lunch February 4 · 12:00 PM · Kitchen Come Join us for SoUUper Lunch Every Wednesday at noon. Soup, salad, bread, dessert and great conversations. No reservations required!

Your Courage is My Courage March 22 · 11:00 AM · Sanctuary In difficult times, we come into community to lend one another courage. Our resilience is stronger and braver when we join with one another. Join Rev Martha to explore the borrowing of courage as a key part of our resilience. RE Classes are happening during worship, childcare will be provided. Gathering Music - Casey Hannan, organ Welcome and Announcements – Board Member Prelude - “C antabile” from Three Pieces, by César Franck; Casey Hannan, organ Chalice Lighting — Rev Martha 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 - #115 God of Grace and God of Glory Story — Rev Chris Anthem - Like as the Hart Desireth the Waterbrooks, by Herbert Howells, Senior Choir Reflection — Michael Griffin Words of Offering — Michael Griffin Offertory - With Verdure Clad, from The Creation, by F.J. Haydn - Melanie Salisbury, soprano 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 — Community Care Team Prayer — Rev Chris Hymn — #6 Just As Long As I Have Breath Sermon — “Your Courage is My Courage” Rev Martha Closing Song — “We Carry Each Other” by Soren Austenfeld Extinguishing the Flame — Rev Martha Postlude - “Andante Tranquillo” from Sonata in A Major, by Felix Mendelssohn; Casey Hannan, organ Flower Dedication

WordSong: One Text. Four Composers. A Public Conversation December 14 · 7:00 PM · Sanctuary Join us on December 14, to explore the intersection between poetry and music in an interactive concert setting. Listen and reflect on different interpretations of the same poem. Intended for folks of many ages, who are interested in the intersection between poetry and music. How WordSong works First, we all read a given poem and listeners give their reactions. Then performers play composers’s settings of the poem; and then listeners, composers, and performers have an open conversation about what we all just heard and felt: a dialogue reflecting various points of view and what they all have in common. In the course of the discussion, each of the pieces is played again. A WordSong forum is all about communal reflection on multiplicity: multiple settings, multiple hearings, multiple meanings. Together, we discover how a single, familiar text can inspire a variety of thoughts and feelings; we explore our perspectives and yours and how they are represented in the various meldings of words, ideas, and music. We hope you will join us in this exploration of multiplicity, this interaction between the familiar and the unfamiliar, this new way to experience new music!

Embodying Resilience with the Worship Committee May 17 · 9:00 AM · Sanctuary Join our FCB Worship Committee for a service exploring our theme of embodying resilience through reflection, poetry, music, and practice. RE classes are happening and childcare is offered. Gathering Music - Welcome and Announcements – Board Member Greet Your Neighbor – I now invite you to connect with those around you, take a moment and welcome your neighbors with a smile and friendly hello. - Gabby GB Prelude - Woven Together, by Alex Andrews Johnson Opening Words: The Soft, Stubborn Practice Rev. Michelle Collins - Margaret Eagle Source of Love, Spirit of Interdependence, we give thanks for the web that holds us, the hands that have steadied us, the voices that remind us we are not alone, the presence of those who have leaned on us just as we have leaned on them. Resilience is not a solitary triumph. It is woven through community: shared meals, gentle questions, laughter that breaks through grief, courage borrowed from one another when our own runs thin. In this moment, let us remember that we are stronger together than apart. May we continue to offer and receive care, trusting that our connections sustain us even when we cannot behold the whole picture. Blessed be the bonds that hold and that keep holding. 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 — #121 We’ll Build A Land Story - The Bamboo and the Storm – A Zen Buddhist Tale – Read by Leslie T Anthem - Boulder to Birmingham, by Emmylou Harris Reflection and Practice - Leslie Talmadge and Ariel Savitz Words of Offering - Louis D. Brown Peace Institute Offertory - Take a Moment, by Will Reagan, adapted by Alex Andrews Johnson 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 Martha Hymn - #100 I’ve Got Peace Like a River Reading-- Words from Pema Chödrön - Gabby GB Closing Song - #168 One More Step Extinguishing the Flame - Rhythms of Renewal- Rev Michelle Collins - Leslie Talmadge The circle widens, the season turns. We have paused in this hour to remember that the world remakes itself by rhythm, not by force. As you leave this place, let yourself join that rhythm, giving and receiving, resting and moving, one small life in a great turning of renewal. Postlude - Little Gifts, by Alex Andrews Johnson Flower Dedication

Book Group March 25 · 7:30 PM · Parlor The book group meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm. It's a hybrid meeting and all are invited, even if you haven't finished, or have started, reading the book. Questions? Email Christine O'Neill at bookgroup@uubelmont.org

Bingo, Pizza, and Prizes January 17 · 5:30 PM · Parish Hall It’s time for Bingo, pizza and prizes! Bring your family and friends for a fun night at First Church. Register at the tiny URL below in advance so we can ensure we have enough food. Come for the games, pizza, and the chance to win some amazing prizes. https://tinyurl.com/UUBingo26

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.