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This Sunday, September 4th @ 10:00am in Eddy Hall, Shannon Donahue will be wrapping our Summer Worship Series. Shannon's sermon is titled:"Covenant, Courage and Commonsense”.
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Theme-Based Ministry at Bell Street Chapel
This year at Bell Street we have organized the program year into monthly themes. This means that each month we will explore a particular theme in worship, religious education, and other aspects of church life.
Every month will focus on a different religious or spiritual theme, and we will explore these areas through a Unitarian Universalist lens.
The newsletter will include weekly questions (called "Possible Ponderings") to consider and engage as an individual, a family, or in other aspects of our lives outside of church. Check out this month's questions in the section below.
Themes for the year include:
September - Covenant
October - Healing
November - Story
December - Presence
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Possible Pondering
August 28- September 3: Do you have the courage to ask for help? And is that courage you need in your life right now
September 4-10: Who are some of the people you covenant with in your life? Who do you feel you’ve made a promise to, and how does that impact your relationship?
September 11-17: What are the ways you carry this congregation or community with you throughout the week? How does a sense of community give you energy to get through difficult things?
September 18-24: How does making a promise to yourself and others help you in your life? How can it make things more difficult?
September 25-October 1: How does living out your values help you in achieving strong relationships and goals?
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***Attention ***
Tuesdays from 3:00 - 6:00pm at Seven Stars on Broadway Rev. Weis will be holding Community Office Hours.
Rev. Weis will also begin holding hours at the office again on Thursdays from 10am-1pm. However, due to unexpected scheduling conflicts, it would be best to call (401) 273-5678 or email first to arrange a meeting.
*There will be NO Community Office Hours on September 20th.*
~Please check Facebook each Tuesday, to see if hours will be held as planned.~
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***IMPORTANT *** ***IMPORTANT *** ***IMPORTANT ***
Turning Point Conversations
"As we enter into the third year of our Developmental Ministry, we find ourselves at a turning point. The time is right for us to ask some deep questions about who we are becoming, what is it we are called to do, and who are our neighbors, those we can partner with to bring about beloved community right here".
This is an excerpt from the E-Blast Announcement Rev Weis sent out, in which she explains the partnership with Karen Bellavance-Grace and the Turning Point Workshops.
Karen Bellavance-Grace, our regional consultant, will be with us after the service on September 18th for our first Turning Point Workshop. The workshop will begin at 11:30 and is expected to end around 1:00 pm. This is an important workshop for Bell Street, We are hoping that everyone of Bell Street Chapel Unitarian Universalist family members will plan to be in attendance. As well as, joining in the future workshops and dialogue as we look towards into BSC's future as well as, the BSC families futures.
Sunday, September 18th @ 11:30a - 1:00p
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Taste of Faith Continues!
On Sunday, September 25th, Bell Street Chapel will join with our UU siblings in faith and friends from the Muslim community for another great potluck and opportunity for community building. The meal will be after church and coffee hour
Multi-Faith Picnic
When: 9/25/2016
Where: Goddard Memorial State Park
1095 Ives Road, Warwick
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
All members of Bell Street are invited to
join in for food, fellowship and community
building.
Bring a dish that serves 6-8 to share w/ utensils.
Our Muslim guests request that No pork or
alcohol be served and/or prepared with. Please
include an index card w/ the name of dish, as
well as the ingredients. Please see Christine if
you need an index card for your dish.
Children of all ages are welcome, please bring
an outdoor game or activity; as well as chair( s)
Please note that proper dress is required in
respect to our Muslim guests. Crew neck short
sleeve tops, polo shirts, Bermuda shorts and
Capri pants are acceptable attire.
Multi-Faith Picnic Coordinator: Christine
christineconstantineau@gmail.com or 749-0424
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Womensphere
Womensphere¸ a Sacred Circle Gathering for Women through the New England region of The Unitarian Universalist Association invite you to join us for the Fall Retreat.
Build your Chi for True Wellness
Shift your body and your life in a healthier, happier direction by mastering key skills and practices that allow you to sustainably overcome the stresses of everyday life.
Friday Sept30th - Sunday Oct 2nd 2016
Senexet House, 276 Senexet Road, Woodstock CT 06281
Combining functional wisdom and self-care strategies, learn how to eat, rest, and manage your chi energy for optimal vitality and satisfaction.
With guest presenter Peg Doyle; a nationally certified holistic nutrition coach, speaker and author of “Food Becomes You - Simple Steps for Lifelong Wellness”.
For details and registration go to www.uuwomensphere.com
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Annual Fall Marsh Clean-Up
The fall cleaning of the Providence River marsh long ago adopted by Bell Street Chapel is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 24, from 8 a.m. to about 10 a.m. The marsh is located at the waterfront end of Oxford Street, off Allens Avenue in Providence. (We meet directly at the site, not at Bell Street.) We are usually joined by members of the public at our fall cleanup, because it is part of the International Coastal Cleanup. (The ICC is officially Sept. 17, but ours will be a week later because high tide will make our site inaccessible that morning. If you really love helping the ocean, you can check http://www.savebay.org/icc and you can find a second cleanup to participate in on the official day.)
This is a genuinely fun, quick way to help the earth, and newcomers to Bell Street are especially welcome, since it’s an easy way to meet other Bell Streeters.
If you are interested in participating in this fun event to help our city and our environment, please sign up by contacting Meredyth Whitty atMeredythWhitty@gmail.com or (401) 451-2322, or see her at coffee hour. Please provide your phone number and email address. Light sprinkles won’t stop us, but if steady rain is expected, your contact info will be needed the day before to let you know the plan. No pets or small children please, due to the sketchy nature of the trash we find there. (As always, there is a semi-fabulous prize for whoever finds the most sketchiness.) Those interested often go to breakfast across Allens Avenue at the Seaplane Diner afterward. Wear sturdy shoes, and work gloves if you have them, and bring your own cool beverage, please. Thanks!
~Meredyth Whitty
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** This is an excerpt from an email we received this week from the Regional Director at CIEE. CIEE an international educational exchange company.
My name is Kate Deming, and we are looking for a host family for two students who have specifically requested to come and ARE coming to Rhode Island. Both are wonderful kids who would be a great addition to your community! I grew up attending UU services in Connecticut and know how welcoming the communities are, so I thought I would reach out. We also offer a $100 referral fee for any individual or group that helps us find a successful host family. Here are their profiles:
Tommaso is a 16 year old boy from ITALY.
"My name is Tommaso, I come from Italy and I live in a small town near the sea. I'm attending a scientific high school and I'm a good student. I'm a friendly guy with few but true friends. I live with my big family, my parents are divorced, but they live very close so I spent my time with them and my four brothers and sisters. I like to have a pet because I love animals. I really love to play basketball. I enjoy playing video games and spending my time with my friends. I would try this experience for improving my English and for growing up. In my future I'll attend engineering faculty and English knowledge is essential."
Filippo is a 17 year old boy from ITALY
. "Hello, I'm Filippo, I am a curious, smart and sporty boy. I practice ski at competitive level, then usually I go to mountain on the weekend, but I want to learn and practice more about American football and baseball. My favorite sports are ski, soccer, tennis and basketball. I always watch the NBA Finals on T.V. I like school because I love learn new thing. My favorite subjects at school are information technology and physics. I love America and my dream is to go at university to MIT at Boston. My dreams for the future are to create something revolutionary for the world but for present I would like to create an application for IPhone. I like to talk about politics and finance. For me coming in America is a big dream and I'm looking forward to begin this great experience!"
We try to connect incoming students with host families who share their interests, which is why I am contacting you. CIEE is an international educational exchange company - the oldest and largest in the country. As we finish up placing our students for the upcoming year, we are looking to make sure all the students have welcoming host families with which they can share their culture and interests. This can be such a valuable experience for the host family, the student, and the community! Also, all students will arrive with their own insurance, spending money, and 24 hour support from CIEE. All host families are supported by a local coordinator who is there for any questions or issues they might have. They will attend local high school as coordinated by CIEE and the local coordinator.
As Filippo and Tommaso will be arriving in Rhode Island soon, it would be great to know of any possible host families soon so we have time to work with them before their arrival. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or thoughts, or to have any families contact me directly - no pressure, of course, I would be happy to discuss CIEE and our students with anyone interested.
Thanks so much for your time, Kate
KATE DEMING // CIEE
Regional Director
──────────────────────────
12 Silvey Place, Unit 2, Somerville, MA 02143
email kdeming@ciee.org
tel +1.207.553.4000
mobile +1.203.435.0849
web ciee.org/
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How Do We Live Our Covenant When I am planning to write something I most often ask people around me what they think a word or phrase means to them. As a result of several conversations the general consensus is that “covenant” is a promise. It may be a sacred promise, a religious promise or a promise you hold at the deepest level of your heart, soul or spirit. Whatever you prefer. Our covenant is something we carry with us daily. We all make covenants at various times in our lives.I made a covenant when I first realized I was pregnant with my oldest son. I made a covenant to love, care for and protect my son at any and all costs. I made that covenant with myself as well as the baby I carried. My other children were added as the pregnancies came along. That Covenant is one I still live by today. There are couples here as well as individuals who are part of a couple. These people have made Covenants with each other. Covenants they hold to till death separates one from the other. When that happens, we as a congregation are here to comfort, love and support those left behind.Here at Bell Street Chapel,we say our covenant or our mission statement weekly. My question is; How do each of us live our Covenant (our Promise)? How do each of us ‘live together in peace’ when there is so much conflict happening all around us? What do we do to ‘seek the truth in love’? How do we ‘help one another’? Some of us are active at Bell St. As members we take on different responsibilities. Some of us make a joyful noise singing in our choir. In my experience music has always spoken much louder than words. As a group we recently took part in an interfaith, potluck dinner and get to know you, event. There were Muslims, Unitarians and some Quakers. We came together, enjoyed each other’s company and shared an amazing bounty of food. I have hope that we can do more things together but I am not aware of any future plans as of now. We as a congregation fully support the Black Lives Matter Movement. How can we do more than support the movement. Is there something more we could do in order to live our Covenant more deeply? How do we live together in peace without knowing each other? Our faith means takng action.To live our covenant is to act. Practising our faith means taking action, for faith without action is incompete. Action must be peaceful and completely nonviolent. Just as it was with Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bishop Desmond Tutu. Hate, hurt, pain breed hate hurt and pain. Only LOVE can conquer hate. Only love knows no bounds. I want to challenge each of us to actually be aware of how we live our Covenant as well as how living that Covenant impacts other people
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Love Reaches Out
Celebrations, Losses, Milestones, and Calls for Fellowship
Bell Street members Pama and Dan Brown were in a serious motorcycle accident.
UPDATE: Pama & Dan are both doing well, considering the circumstances. Dan is no longer sedated and is expected to leave the ICU soon. Pama asked for Dan's address to be shared with the congregation, so they might send cards or words of encouragement. Let us all help to lift Dan in spirits and surround him in love, friendship and support when he awakes. Dan's address is listed below
PLEASE NOTE: There are no flowers, plants or food allowed in the ICU.
Thanks so much!
Dan Brown, ICU 3
UMASS Medical Center
55 Lake Ave North
Worcester, MA 01655
For updates on their situation please call Ellen Smith, chair of the Caring Committee, at 401-474-0115 or Rev. Weis at 774-322-1360. Thank you for keeping the Browns in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Have a milestone, celebration, or loss you're experiencing? Need some extra support? Contact our Caring Committee by emailing Ellen Smith or Rev. Weis.
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Upcoming Events
September 6: Worship Committee Meeting @ 6pm
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Sunday, September 11: September 11: Water Communion Service
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September 11, 18, 25 (during coffee hour): Ongoing Committee Fair!!! Check out the committees that we have at Bell Street Chapel. Learn about upcoming events, social action projects, and offer your ideas and energy! Get involved! We need you!
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September 14: Governing Board Meeting @ 6:30pm
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September 18 @ 11:30am: Turning Point Team kickoff!!! Join our BSC Turning Point Team and our new regional consultant, Karen Bellavance-Grace, as we kick off our Turning Point Team discussions for the year!
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September 24: Marsh Clean Up @ 8 a.m. to about 10 a.m.: BSC Annual Marsh Clean Up
The marsh is located at the waterfront end of Oxford Street, off Allens Avenue in Providence.
(We meet directly at the site, not at Bell Street.)
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September 25: Interfaith Taste of Faith Picnic 1:00-4:00pm: Multi-Faith Picnic @ Goddard Memorial State Park
1095 Ives Road, Warwick
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October 1: Governing Board Retreat (9am-1pm)
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October 2 @ 12pm: Blessing of the Animals Service. Bring your furry, scaled, or slithering friends to this annual service of thanksgiving, blessing, and celebration of the animals that bring joy to our lives!
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September Worship Schedule
September 4: Shannon Donahue, “Covenant, Courage, and Commonsense”
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September 11: Rev. Weis, “Gathering the Waters: and Ingathering Service” Please bring some water from a place that is sacred in your life. Together we will gather these waters and return to our beloved sanctuary for the start of a new church program year.
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September 18: Rev. Weis, “A Bold Promise”
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September 25: Rev. Weis, “Foundation of Hope”
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Ministerial Musings
Some have been known to say that Unitarian Universalism is a faith tradition where you can believe anything you want. People say that we don’t have any shared values because we do not have a creed.
I beg to differ.
Unitarian Universalism is a faith tradition deeply rooted in strong values of interdependence and respect for that web of connection we share. It is rooted in care for one another and our communities, ourselves, and our spiritual development. Unitarian Universalism is also deeply supported by a foundation of covenant.
A covenant is a promise we make to one another – about how we will behave with each other, how we will challenge each other, and how we will work together toward common goals.
Each week, in worship, we say together our unison affirmation and our mission statement. These are a sort of covenant with one another and this congregation.
In the month of September we will be exploring this idea of covenant – in worship, in our work with the Turning Point Team, in our gathering in solidarity and community with our Muslim neighbors on September 25th, and in our overall life together as a religious community.
As we explore this idea of promise and covenant, I invite you to think about the ways you feel connected to and part of this community. I invite you to reflect on what promises you have made to this congregation, this faith, and this world. I’d love to hear about what you find in your heart about these things.
Take good care,
Rev. Margaret
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Enjoy coffee hour? Want to make sure it continues to happen?
Join our Coffee Crew!!!
Still looking for "coffee crew" volunteers to help with coffee hour set-up and clean-up!
Most of the ambitious folks who have signed up to help are under the age of 10; we need some more folks with a few more years under their belt to help out our young folks (we'd like to see at least 2 people signed up for each week).
Minimal work is required, but necessary if we want to keep coffee and conversation going after service each week.
You will be provided with a procedures sheet to help you and there are always other hands around if you have questions.
Coffee Crew Schedule:
Sept. 4: ...
Sept. 11: ...
Sept. 18: ...
Sept. 25: ...
Oct. 2: ..
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