GLBT Movie Night Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m.
December 21, 2010
For the past several years, Bell Street Chapel has sponsored a monthly movie night at which we view and discuss films with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or gender-identity themes. In this way, we live out our commitment as a Unitarian Universalist Association Welcoming Congregation; we also have a good time together and share a delicious potluck dinner. Over the past few years, we have seen some spectacular films – dramas, comedies, musicals, and documentaries – all mainstream films, many of which have won awards. We show these films on a large screen donated by the Rhode Island International Film Festival, for which Bell Street Chapel is a venue.
The movie for this month, which our licensing agreement prohibits our citing by title, is a 2003 Irish film written and directed by David Gleeson. It concerns a conservative country youth who comes to the city of Limerick to work and settles into a flat with a gay art student. It is an honest look at contemporary youth and the problems and decisions they face as they define their identities.
So bring some food or beverage to share and join us at Movie Night!
Adult Religious Education
December 21, 2010
Begin the new year with other Bell Streeters, learning, sharing and enriching your faith journey. Later this month we will begin a new Tapestry of Faith Program for adults in our congregation. These programs have been designed by the Unitarian Universalist Association to offer participants the space, time and community to explore their Unitarian Universalist spirituality. While there a lots of wonderful choices for programs I have narrowed down our choices to either “Spirit of Life” or “Spirit in Practice.”
“Spirit of Life” focuses on a different aspect of spiritual life, framed by the lyrics of Carolyn McDade’s song , “Spirit of Life”-as in please turn to No. 123 in your hymnal.
“Spirit in Practice” was created to help Unitarian Universalists develop regular disciplines or practices of the spirit – practices that help us connect with the sacred ground of our beings, however we understand it.
Is there something in either program that speaks to you? You can find out more by accessing the Tapestry of Faith section of UUA.org. The program we choose will likely be run on a weeknight for about 6 to 8 weeks and will meet in the Parish House. I look forward to your feedback and questions about these programs. Please contact me via my e-mail, pegboyle@hotmail.com.
In Spirit,
Peg Boyle
Midyear congregational meeting
December 21, 2010
Our mid-year congregational meeting is fast upon us. Like all years seem to, this one has gone by quickly, and we are already at the halfway point. Like so many years, this year we have accomplished much, and we have so much yet to accomplish. Our midyear meeting is an opportunity to reflect upon our plans from the fall and their progress. It is also a time to look forward to the future and chart new courses. Please join us after service on Jan. 30 for the midyear meeting to mark the past, to set a course for the future and to celebrate the present.
This year we will be voting on the future of our ministry. We are in search to find a settled part-time minister. The Search Committee has done an incredible job helping Bell Street to become ready for a settled minister. As many of you know, it was our hope to call a full-time minister this fall, but because of our small size, we are not able to do so. It is still our goal to have full-time ministry, even though we will not be able to offer it this fall. Some churches have put into their ministerial agreements (contracts) a commitment to fund full-time ministry in a certain time period, often 5 years. These are often the churches that are most successful at growth. This year we will vote on whether to offer an agreement to a ministerial candidate that includes a commitment to fund full-time ministry.
We will also vote on our mission and vision statements. For the past year, Bell Street Chapel has been working toward a mission and vision statement, and we will vote on a drafted statement at our midyear meeting. While we have an opportunity of Jan. 9 to further shape our mission and vision statements, this will be our opportunity to clearly articulate who we are and where we hope to go in the future.
In addition, I will report from the Governing Board and will give an overview of the first half of the church year. We will also hear from Don Laliberte, chairperson of the Search Committee. Don will discuss the process of finding a settled minister, and what’s expected of Bell Street in the next few months. Greg Greco, our Finance Committee chairperson, will discuss our financial health, and Steve Barreto, our House Committee chairperson, will report on our important steps toward greater accessibility.
Finally, thank you for your membership and your support for Bell Street. I have always thought of us as the little church that could, and that has been continually reinforced during my time as president. Please come to the meeting with an open mind and a loving heart. This meeting will be a potluck, so please bring a food item. I look forward to seeing you on the 30th.
In faith,
Dan Greco
President
Can We Be Saved?
December 21, 2010
Rev. José Ballester
Unitarian Universalist congregations have often been compared to families. However what happens when there are disagreements in the congregation? What must be done to grow when we disagree?
The Decline of Universalism
December 21, 2010
Dan Lawlor and Ray Perreault
Universalism was once the fastest growing faith in the United States. What can about today’s decline in religion from the Universalism?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
December 21, 2010
Ray Perreault
Each year we honor Dr. King with excerpts from his speeches and sermons and our own personal reflections on his doctrine of non-violence and love.
Una Sola Tristeza
December 21, 2010
Rev. José Ballester
On the eve of a fact-finding trip to Arizona, this is an exploration of the intersection of Unitarian Universalism and social justice issues facing marginalized communities throughout the United States.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
December 21, 2010
Audrey Greene, Kate Gillis and Ray Perreault
This 1974 classic about the notion of quality has been read by millions. Robert Pirsig explores Zen and quality, in our relationships with the people and objects that surround us. We will also celebrate our annual fire communion.
Stuff
December 21, 2010
And So They Come
December 21, 2010