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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 Ponderings
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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Turning Point Conversation
Sunday, September 18th
11:30a - 1:00p
As we enter the final year of this developmental ministry, your Governing Board has decided to embark on a new project and adventure here at Bell Street! After participating in a New England Regional training this past spring, the Board has decided to bring on a consultant from the Region.
This year, we have the privilege of working with Karen Bellavance-Grace from the New England Region of the UUA. Karen specializes in small congregations and will be our consultant over the next year. She led the spring training on “Churches at the Turning Point,” which your Governing Board attended, and has already been very helpful in exploring how small churches like ours can move forward boldly into the future.
Karen is going to work with a team of Bell Streeters, called the Turning Point Team, and the congregation as a whole, as we discern how we are called to be a religious community in the near future. The Turning Point Team includes Steve Kagan, Ellen Kellner, Peg Boyle, Gayle Rodgers, Shannon Donahue, Shelagh Goulis and Greg Greco.
This partnership will involve conversations, activities, and engagement across generational lines to explore together who we are, who we are called to be and serve, and how these things will shape our future.
Since we are a Fair Share congregation (meaning we pay the full membership dues to both the Ballou-Channing District and the New England Region of the UUA), our work with Karen is free of charge. This is a great blessing to us all in our continued discernment as a congregation.
We need you to be involved and engaged in this process in order for it to work!
Stay tuned for upcoming events and dates when this exciting partnership will be starting and ways you can be involved.
In faith,
Rev. Weis and the Governing Board
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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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Sunday, September 25 @ 1-4pm
Taste of Faith Potluck Picnic
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.
Multi-Faith Picnic
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Goddard Memorial State Park
1095 Ives Road, Warwick
Things to bring:
- A dish that serves 6-8 to share w/ utensils. Our Muslim guests request that NO PORK OR ALCOHOL be served and/or used in preparation of dishes.
- 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.
- An outdoor game or activity
- Folding, beach, or other types of chairs.
Children of all ages are welcome.
*** 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. ***
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Love Reaches Out
Celebrations, Losses, Milestones, and Calls for Fellowship
A memorial service will be held for Bell Street member Doug Elliott sometime soon. Details are still being ironed out with his family, and we hope to gather together this fall for a service of remembrance for Doug. Please keep checking the weekly blast and newsletter for details.
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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Womensphere
Womensphere, a Sacred Circle Gathering for Women through the New England region of The Unitarian Universalist Association, invites 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, September 30 - Sunday, October 2, 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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Upcoming Events
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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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. 11: ...
Sept. 18: ...
Sept. 25: ...
Oct. 2: ..
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September Worship Schedule
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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