JANUARY SERVICES
JANUARY 14: Long Range Planning Committee
The Long Range Planning Committee will be presenting the results from the Congregational assessment with a Q&A after service.
JANUARY 21: Matt Meyer
Matt has led music and worship for hundreds of services in congregations all over the U.S. and Canada.
JANUARY 28: Social Justice Service
I feel our nation’s turning away from love... moving into a wilderness of spirit so intense we may never find our way home again. I write of love to bear witness both to the danger in this movement and to call for a return to love.
-bell hooks
Did you miss Sunday service? Watch it here!
What does it mean to be a people of LIBERATING LOVE?
January 14: Love Pulls Us Up Stream
Long Range Planning Committee
Article II and Our UU "Technology" UUA
January 21: Love Pulls Us Back To The Table
Matt Meyer- HAS LED WORSHIP FOR HUNDREDS OF CONGREGATIONS, TRAVELING THE
COUNTRY SHARING A MESSAGE OF LOVE AND JUSTICE, THROUGH RHYTHM AND SONG!
January 28: Love Pulls Us Toward Beauty
Social Justice Sunday
Birthday Blessings
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Walking Field Trip 10:45 am
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Fred Gifun on Jan. 2. He and his wife Evelyn were members here for many years and served our church in so many ways. Fred was a dear friend and mentor, and I've missed him since they moved to Florida. The world has lost a wonderful soul. - Karen
If you would like to send his wife Evelyn a card her address is:
226 Birch Ln
Lakeland, FL 33813-3561
Read Fred's obituary here. We encourage you to leave a message or memory in the virtual guest book here. There will be a live stream of Fred's Memorial on Saturday morning, January 13, starting at 10:30 am if you would like to join.
New Bedford Recycles
First Unitarian Church in New Bedford was recently awarded an “Our Business Recycles” window cling from the Greater New Bedford Facilities and Fleet Management for doing an outstanding job recycling at the church and Thrift Shop.
Jessica contacted the New Bedford Recycles team to come to the church and assess how we do with waste management and recycling. They were very impressed with the congregation's commitment to cutting down waste by using reusable dishes instead of disposables, using rags to clean rather than paper towels, recycling paper in the office, the Thrift Shop’s commitment to recycling metal, and our partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation to recycle textiles that can no longer be used or sold (thank you, Pam and Brownie).
Please donate any unwanted textiles in any condition to the Thrift Shop. The church earns a small amount of money whenever we get an Epilepsy Foundation pickup. Every little bit helps!
You can follow New Bedford Recycling on Facebook.
Social Justice Meeting - Today
The First Unitarian's Social Justice Committee meets weekly on Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Contact Ely Dorsey, chair, with any questions. We hope to see you there!
Today's agenda is
1. Debrief on visit to Mattapoisett Congregational Church this Sunday past
2. Discussion of January Service Teach-In (Karen)
3. Discussion of January 28th SJC service (Ely)
4. Discussion of Congregational Anti-Racism Teach-In on January 28th (Izzy and ToniAnne)
5. Discussion of food and clothing drive as an ongoing Church project (Eileen)
6. Discussion of outreach to Fairhaven UU Church.
7. New business (All)
The Social Justice Committee is collecting food and personal care items through January to make care packets for those in need. Donations can be dropped off at the church office Monday-Friday 10 am - 1 pm, or at Sunday service.
Our church is partnering with the SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network to bring a free screening of Netflix's film about Bayard Rustin on January 14 at the Whaling Museum.
Revolutionary Love
How do we love in a time of rage? How do we fix a broken world while not breaking ourselves? Valarie Kaur—renowned Sikh activist, filmmaker, and civil rights lawyer—describes revolutionary love as the call of our time, a radical, joyful practice that extends in three directions: to others, to our opponents, and to ourselves. It enjoins us to see no stranger but instead look at others and say: You are part of me I do not yet know. Starting from that place of wonder, the world begins to change: It is a practice that can transform a relationship, a community, a culture, even a nation.
Kaur takes readers through her own riveting journey—as a brown girl growing up in California farmland finding her place in the world; as a young adult galvanized by the murders of Sikhs after 9/11; as a law student fighting injustices in American prisons and on Guantánamo Bay; as an activist working with communities recovering from xenophobic attacks; and as a woman trying to heal from her own experiences with police violence and sexual assault. Drawing from the wisdom of sages, scientists, and activists, Kaur reclaims love as an active, public, and revolutionary force that creates new possibilities for ourselves, our communities, and our world. See No Stranger helps us imagine new ways of being with each other—and with ourselves—so that together we can begin to build the world we want to see.
Have a story or point of view to share? Email it to admin@uunewbedford.org
Thrift Shop Update
Start your New Year off with great deals on athletic and exercise clothing and equipment.
Valentine's clothing and decorations will be arriving soon.
Would be happy to have a one-time volunteer to organize records and CD's.
Thank you to our donors who have given a total of $756 as of January 10, 2024
Plastering over the organ has started and will hopefully be completed by early next week!
We are still taking donations for this project. Your donation, no matter the size, will contribute to the $8,000 cost for repairs. We will be collecting donations through January. If you would like to donate by check, please send it to 71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, with "Plaster" in the memo. Or, you can donate online by clicking the link below. Thank you for your continued generosity.
New year, new playgroup at the Millicent Library in Fairhaven! Starting Monday, January 8, the storytime room will be open from 9:30-11:30 am for eight weeks. Drop in to meet other families and play with our collection of toys, games, art supplies, and books. For kids 5 and under, siblings are welcome!
Our Promises
Each person is important.
Be kind in all you do.
We help each other learn.
We search for what is true.
Each person has a say.
Work for a peaceful world.
The web of life’s the way.
Build the beloved community, free from racism and oppression.
First Unitarian Church in New Bedford
71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 994-9686
Administrator ext. 10
Minister ext. 13
Karen cell: (508) 441-9344
Board Members & Officers
Steve Carmel, President
Charles Morgan, Vice President
Deborah Carmel, Treasurer
Cora Peirce, Clerk
Trustees
Committee Chairs
Staff
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