“To see, simply to look and to see, is an ethical act and intentional choice; to see, with open eyes, is a spiritual practice and thus a risk, for it can open you to ways of knowing the world and loving it that will lead to inevitable consequences. The awakened [and curious] eye is a conscious eye, a willful eye, and brave, because to see things as they are, each in its own truth, will make you very vulnerable.”

Short newsletter this week!

Happy Earth Day! It's the day for all of us to commit in love for our planet and all the beings who live and thrive here.

The Administrator of this church, Jessica, also once served on the board of directors of the Mattapoisett Museum from 2021-2023. In her time volunteering at the museum she spent many a Sunday afternoon diving into newspaper articles stretching from the 1800s to the 1960s. This particular one was fun for her to connect the dots. She hopes you enjoy it! This year, marks 150 years since the harrowing Catalpa expedition.

April is National Poetry Month! Our Annual Poetry Service is SUNDAY, April 26. All are welcome to read one or two poems at the service. If you want to rehearse your poetry before the service, workshop a poem in process ( bring 5 copies) or meet your fellow church poets, join us SUNDAY April 19, after the service in the Maya Chepek room. So, grab your coffee & snacks and head over for a poets meet up on Sunday, April 19.

Of all our themes this year, Embracing Possibility is arguably most central to our faith. It has distinguished Unitarian Universalists from our beginning. Historically, when others saw depravity and sin at the core of human identity, we saw potential. When many were preaching that this world is fallen, we fell in love with the possibility of heaven on earth.

If you would like to purchase flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one, please make sure your donations are in no later than March 31. Order forms are on the table in the back of the sanctuary. You can also drop a check off at the mail slot on the office door. Please indicate which flower(s) you would like. Prices are below: Tulips: $10 Hyacinth: $10 Lily: $20

We are thrilled to announce that UUNB has been awarded grants from the New Bedford, Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, and Acushnet Local Cultural Councils to support the 42nd Annual Jazz Concert on June 28, 2026!

Free author talk, sponsored by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, will take place during Thursday, March 12, AHA! night at the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford. Details inside!

Greetings my friends! I’ve been keeping you all in my thoughts while we’ve been battling the blizzard and its aftermath. I hope you are all safe and warm and, hopefully, semi-dug out by now. As inconvenient as this storm has been, it has been a great time to exercise this month’s Soul Matters theme of Paying Attention.

How do we lean into the unknown while remaining rooted in our values? This is the tension at the heart of our faith, calling us both to question boldly and to remain grounded in our commitment to justice, equity, and the inherent worth of every person.