GLBT Movie Night – Feb. 11 6:30 p.m.
January 27, 2011
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.
This season we are focusing on foreign films. Films we have viewed so far include a French Canadian and an Irish film. The movie for February, which our licensing agreement prohibits our citing by title, is a 2004 Spanish film written and directed by Pedro Almodovar. It is an award-winning movie about the relationship among two boys, Ignacio and Enrique, who are classmates in a Catholic school, and the priest who sexually abuses one of them.
February 11 promises to be another wonderful night at the movies at Bell Street Chapel. So bring some food or beverage to share and join us at Movie Night!
Learn more about U.U. – Feb. 13 & 27
January 27, 2011
Interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism or Bell Street Chapel? Want to talk about what brought you here and where you’re spiritual path is headed? The Membership Committee will be offering a two-part discussion about the basic history of our religious movement, why we gather together here and the individual spiritual journeys we are all taking. Scheduled after service Feb. 13 and 27, this discussion is a must for anyone thinking of becoming a member, and is also open to any current members who’d like to be a part of it. For more info, please contact Membership Committee Co-chairperson Meredyth Waterman at MeredythW@aol.com or (401) 451-2322.
Accessibility
January 27, 2011
Some weeks ago, I was downstairs alone greeting and service had started, when a man stumbled into the doorway of the church. He was a shadow of his former self. As he proceeded to tell me his story, I had trouble holding back tears. Diagnosed with AIDS and suffering from severe complications, he had recently undergone an operation removing large portions of his stomach and making him incontinent. He was looking for answers, he said. “Why had this happened to him?” he asked. He talked about how much pride he had taken in his appearance and how he had never imagined he would look like this to anyone. He wanted to hear something from God. He wanted some relief. He wanted a place to rest. How easy it should have been for me to usher him to a discrete pew in the back of the chapel where he would have found some momentary peace and community. How appropriate for a house of worship…except he could not climb the stairs.
There is no goal that is more consistent with Bell Street’s mission than making the beautiful and historic chapel fully accessible to all those who enter. Every service, individuals are excluded because their mobility limitations make it impractical or impossible to ascend those lovely winding stairs. Some members and guests are exhausted by the time they reach to top, and have to slowly pause before they enter the chapel to collect themselves. Attending a church service or a classical music performance shouldn’t place such a burden on anyone. We Bell Streeters do our best, and every service, our members go above and beyond, in some cases, even physically lift those congregants who cannot ascend and are willing to take that risk.
What a jolt of positive energy it was, then, to see the new smaller stairlift to Eddy Hall finally installed! The price of this smaller unit: $4,950 – money raised through fund-raisers, Ballou Channing District grant funding and a generous donation from Unitarian Church of Sharon, Mass., which collected for our accessibility project at the dedication of its own.
Accessibility doesn’t come cheap. And it doesn’t come without a substantial amount of labor involved in determining the right lift for our needs and our budget while finding the right contractor and manufacturer that will ensure that these tools will continue to do their job for years to come. Thanks go out to Stu Smith and Ray Perreault for their House Committee efforts and to Dan Greco for keeping this project on track with the Trustees. It took us a while and many fits and starts, but we are here now. And as everyone has noticed, the lift does little to intrude upon or deface the historic qualities of the building.
There is one more procedural hurdle. The lift to the Chapel must be approved by the Fire Marshal, but we have a plan and we are optimistic. More on this in the next few weeks.
So, if you thought it was a thrill to see the stairlift to Eddy Hall, imagine how exciting it will be to see the long and full curved stairlift ascend the stairs to the Chapel. Now IS the time. We have approximately $2,000 left in our fund-raising account. With a match from the Trustees, another $5000 from the congregation will put us over the top.
As we begin this New Year, let’s make this dream a reality. Please consider a generous and immediate donation to our accessibility fund. The Board is working on finding a chair for the capital campaign, but please, don’t wait. Now is the time. Once we have the funds, a lift can be installed in a day! Until a fund-raising chair is appointed, our president, Dan Greco will field any fund-raising questions you may have and direct those who wish to make a donation to the right person. If you wish to donate anonymously, just drop a check made out to “Bell Street Chapel, Accessibility Fund” into the basket at service or mail to the Chapel directed to Heidi.
Think about it: What really stands between us and making good on our invocation? What will it cost us to have provided a moment of respite for the man I met a few weeks back? Do we mean it when we begin every service with, “For this hour, you are a member of this congregation?” It is the equivalent of $500 from 10 members or $250 from 20 members or …— you get the idea. Please do what you can to make it happen now!
~Steve Barreto, House Committee Chairperson
Where is Our Holy Church?
January 27, 2011
Rev. José Ballester
Unitarian Universalism is adapting to the culture of a post modern world by exploring the streams of the Emerging Church. What does this mean for the local congregations and the faith of the individual?
Homelessness
January 27, 2011
Philip Smith
I feel secure with four walls and a roof around me, heat and hot water. How about you? Learn about those who don’t.
Standing on the Side of Love
January 27, 2011
Rev. José Ballester
Every Sunday we claim the “Love is the spirit of this church.” Our fellow Unitarian Universalist sisters and brothers are proclaiming this love by acting on behalf of others. Let us live our words.
Whitman’s Sampler
January 27, 2011
The Worship Committee
The Worship Committee will present a service of poetry on the rather wide subject of love. While not reading every poem on the subject, we will aim for breadth in topic, treatment and tone. Suitable for everyone.
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.