Committee Fair
January 13, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012: Have you made a New Year’s Resolution to learn more about how Bell Street works? Come to the Committee Fair after church on January 22. Ask questions. Find out what keeps Bell Street going.
Yule Service
November 22, 2011
Rev. CJ McGregor
The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. The interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations.
The Defrosters
October 7, 2011
Don’t miss the rock band Defrosters back by popular demand for their second fall performance in Eddy Hall on Oct. 29, 2011, 7 to 11 PM. Dancing encouraged. Cost is $8 and a non-perishable food item or winter clothing donation. For additional information Contact Us.
The Death and Loss Reading Group
October 6, 2011
The Death and Loss Reading Group will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 in the Parish House. Our book for this month is “Elegy for Iris” by John Bayley. This book is both a touching memoir of the marriage of two unique intellectuals and a moving testament to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. The library has copies available. Snacks and lively conversation are guaranteed.
Candidating Week April 2-10
April 5, 2011
Itinerary for Rev. CJ McGregor’s Candidating Week
Saturday, April 2, 6 p.m. Potluck Welcoming Dinner at Carol Crowley’s home (For directions, contact Carol at (401) 272-2088)
Sunday, April 3, 10 a.m. First worship service led by Rev. CJ, followed by coffee hour
Tuesday, April 5, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adult religious education class, Eddy Hall
Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. to noon Time with children and families
Sunday, April 10, 10 a.m. second worship service led by Rev. CJ, followed by congregational meeting and vote.
Rev. CJ Will be available for additional hours during the week to meet with committees and individuals.
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.
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
Movie Night Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m.
October 28, 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 Spanish film, a story of sexual awakening, both gay and straight, set in a seaside town near Barcelona. It is superbly acted and a winner of awards at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.
So bring some food or beverage to share and join us at Movie Night! This movie night will be held at the home of Carol Crowley, because Eddy Hall is in use for a Daydream Theatre production. See Carol or contact her at ccrowley8@cox.net for the address.
MARSH CLEANUP – SEPT. 18, 8 A.M.
August 25, 2010
Bell Streeters and anyone else interested in helping the earth are invited to take part in the fall cleanup at the salt marsh we’ve adopted on the Providence waterfront. This year’s fall cleanup is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 18. As usual, we will affiliate our fall event with the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) coordinated in Rhode Island by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and internationally by the Ocean Conservancy. However, ours will be held a week earlier than the international event, because local tides will make our beach inaccessible that morning. Nonetheless, since our cleanup will be open to the public and publicized, we are likely to be joined by a number of guests.
We will meet directly at the marsh, which is located off Allens Ave at the end of Oxford Street. Please contact Meredyth Waterman at MeredythW@aol.com or (401) 451-2322 to sign up. Please provide your name, phone number, e-mail address and T-shirt size, since Audubon usually provides volunteers with T-shirts during the fall cleanup.
Thanks to Save the Bay, we have plenty of garbage bags and plastic gloves. We also have some work gloves and a few rakes and shovels, but you are encouraged to bring your own if you want them. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots. Sunblock and hats are also advised. Only if it rains very heavily will this event be rescheduled to Oct. 2 at 8 a.m..
We usually wander across the street after our cleanup for a satisfying breakfast at the Seaplane Diner, so bring a few dollars if you are interested.
Unlike our spring cleanup, at our fall cleanup we document every piece of litter we find as part of a worldwide effort to monitor pollution of our shores and whether it’s improving. It’s often amazing what we find. And along that vein, our cleanup always features the popular Bell Street Biohazard Contest, which arguably makes otherwise unsavory discoveries a treat. Nonetheless, please do not bring young children or pets to this event due to the dangerous nature of the rocks and the items we find.
Please join us for this fun morning of helping the earth.
~Meredyth Waterman
GLBT Film Festival Aug. 10-15
June 29, 2010
Once again, Bell Street Chapel is proud to be a venue for the Rhode International Film Festival (RIIFF) Aug. 10 – 15. This year we will be hosting the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Sidebar Wednesday through Saturday nights. We will be screening a variety of GLBT-themed films, including shorts and features, comedies, dramas and documentaries. We are planning an opening reception on Wednesday evening. We are also organizing panel discussions to discuss issues raised in the films including marriage equality and transgender issues.
Additionally, on Saturday afternoon, we hope to screen documentaries focusing on other social justice issues. At press time, the screening schedule
was still being developed. So mark your calendars for Wednesday August 11 through Saturday August 14, and check the Bell Street Web site
or the RIIFF Web site (www.film-festival.org) for updates.