April News & Views
- Apr 2
- 11 min read
There is more to see in myself than just what I look for. There is more to see in my enemies than just what I look for. There is more to see in this country than just what I look for. I need this to be true. Nadia Bolz-Weber
Next comes winter, January and February. Boy! Are they ever cold! What comes next? Not spring. ‘Unlocking’ comes next. What else could cruel March and only slightly less cruel April be? March and April are not spring. They’re Unlocking — Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut is right, as usual, and this observation lets us know he lived in New England. This IS a time of Unlocking. Temperature fluctuations read like a safe combination. 63…37…41…58. Rain, mud, thunder, wind, the occasional hailstorm or snow flurry, with a few unseasonably warm days thrown in to draw you outdoors and fool you into putting away your heavy coat.
The sun is shy in the sky. The earth is damp, almost warm enough to plant seedlings, but we know the frost likes playing games. At night, peepers announce the frustration of waiting and hoping. Waiting for the key. Hoping the lock will pop any day now. And any day now, it will. But at this moment, we live in the liminal time, just before rebirth, where anything is possible, when we anticipate and envision what the future will bring. We are green shoots, pushing through, seeking the light.
Embracing Possibility is our Soul Matters theme this month as we navigate the Unlocking, waiting for True Spring to arrive. And nothing says possibility like a wedding! As most of you know, two dear congregation members, Sri and Kwang, will be tying the knot this week. They came to our church seeking community and found friendship, then love. It has been a delight for all of us to watch their relationship unfold. There’s not always a lot of good news to make us smile, so let’s call this a big WIN for everyone. We wish them the very best and look forward to watching them grow and prosper.
May the season of spring, when it is finally unlocked, bring us the warmth and light we need to sustain us, as we continue to sustain each other. Bright Blessings-Karen
Soul Matters: Welcome to Embracing Possibility
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.
Theologically, you might say we were the people who believed that God hadn’t given up on us, and so we shouldn’t give up on each other or this world. Psychologically, it’s led to us being a people of “why not?” Why not give people another chance? Why not fight what seems like a losing battle? Why not risk a little failure? Or forgiveness? Why not trust in the possibility of a new dawn?
So that’s our religion. But what about us personally? How open have you been recently to “Why not?” How’s your faith in possibility doing? As we honor our religion’s unwavering faith in what’s possible, we need to allow space for the reality that trusting possibility isn’t so easy for many of us. Here’s how one Soul Matters group member put the challenge:
“When I think of possibility, I think of all the people and opportunities I’ve closed the door on. I’ve let myself believe that I would never see eye to eye with my sister. I stayed way too long at a ho-hum job because I was scared of starting my own business. And I spent two very lonely years in a new town because I convinced myself that I could never find close friends like I had where I used to live.”
Who of us can’t relate? We all tell ourselves so many small stories about who we and others are. We all - at one time or another - have lived in tiny tales of what the world could be. Part of it has to do with real-life defeats.
But often a bigger part of it is about imagined fear and protecting ourselves. There’s comfort in convincing yourself that the effort is hopeless; that way, you don’t have to try and risk failure, hurt, or disappointment, yet again.
All of which is to say that maybe embracing possibility has more to do with being able to embrace vulnerability and courage than we’ve thought. The work isn’t just about believing in possibility. It’s about being willing to endure a few wounds along the way. It can hurt to be hopeful.
And if that’s true, then it seems that the core question this month isn’t simply “Are you ready to embrace possibility?” but “Who binds up your wounds and tends to your hurt when you risk possibility?” And a whole host of clarifying questions spill out from there, such as: Who have you gathered around you to pick you up and patch you up when the path of possibility gets bumpy and knocks you down? Whose faith can you lean on when yours grows dim. Have you placed yourself in the orbit of someone who consistently tells bigger stories than
you? And maybe most important: Have you found a friend or partner who sees more possibility in you than you do yourself?
The thread woven through all these questions is, of course, the fundamental truth that no one makes it down the road of possibility alone.
And perhaps that’s the real secret: remembering that “Why not?” is something we all have to say and sing together. It’s not a solo act. For “Why not?” to sink in - and better yet, take flight - it needs to be at least a duet. Of course a quartet is even better. And just imagine what we might pull off if we can gather a choir, all singing the tune of “Why not?!” at the top of our lungs!
Read the entire Soul Matters Packet for April. Download below.
Save the date!
We are holding the FY27 budget discussion on Sunday, April 26, after the Poetry Service. Members, please stick around during coffee hour.
UUNB is an NB48 Participant
After the No Kings protest last Saturday, we had participants from the New Bedford Film Festival's NB48 challenge film in our space from 7 PM to 4 AM.
The Challenge: Teams are assigned a specific location in the downtown area at 7 PM on Friday and pitch their stories for approval at 10 AM on Saturday, before filming for 8 hours at the assigned venue. Teams have 48 hours from start to finish to get a location, write a script, make costumes, film, and edit before submission.
The short films are shown during the NB Film Festival on April 11 at Your Theater. Get tickets here.
We are thrilled to take part again this year, and we are looking forward to additional partnerships with the New Bedford Film Festival.
No Kings! March for the People
Sneak Peek of photos taken by Maggie Howland of the No Kings march on 3/28/26.
Unitarians from New Bedford and Fairhaven joined hundreds of others from across the South Coast in a powerful, peaceful protest and #NoKings march in downtown New Bedford on March 28. Together, we showed up in solidarity to speak out against injustice and to affirm the dignity and worth of all people.
Speakers included representatives from the Massachusetts Teachers Association; Tonianne Wong of UU New Bedford, who spoke passionately about the ongoing struggles facing the LGBTQ+ community; local high school students who shared the fear many young people are experiencing; labor union representatives; and advocates calling attention to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the war with Iran.
The march was led by Cape Verdean drummers, grounding the day in rhythm, culture, and collective strength. UU New Bedford rang its bells 68 times to honor those taken by ICE in our community and opened its doors to provide food, warmth, and care for all who gathered.
We built new alliances, strengthened existing relationships, and reaffirmed our commitment to justice, compassion, and collective action.
Below are a few video highlights from the day.
Rev. Karen's opening blessing at the New Bedford District Court on March 28.
We also want to thank the volunteers for preparing an amazing potluck for the protestors and organizers; David for making our space cozy and inviting; Steve for being a century for the sanctuary; Pam for keeping the Thrift Shop open; and Maggie Howland for volunteering her time to photograph the event.
We look forward to many more events like this in the near future!
Did you miss the last Sunday Service? Watch it here!
April Services
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 Sunday April 19. Hosted by Bette Low.
Social Justice Committee Chair
UUNB is looking for a new chair of the Social Justice Committee, currently co-chaired by Tonianne Wong & Isaiah Kidney. If you are interesting in volunteering, please reach out to Karen to discuss. This is an opportunity to make an impact in not only the church, but the greater community. The only caveat is that you must be a member of the church to serve as a committee chair.
Beltane, May 3
We need people to plan the event, recruit volunteers to set up and break down.
We would like to include a child's Maypole this year, which means setting up two Maypoles
Musicians
Food planning
Karen can not do everything for this event. In order to make this happen, we need YOU! Please reach out to minister@uunewbedford.org to express your interest.
Jazz Concert, June 28
We need organizers and planners for food. Are we doing a bake sale? Providing sandwiches? Providing drinks? We need one person to be the point of contact and main organizer of food.
Volunteers to help with gift baskets and selling raffle tickets.
Please fill out the form below to indicate how you would like to help?
What does it mean to be a people of Embracing Possibility?
April 5: Easter, Embracing the Possibilities that Lie Beyond Grief and Loss
April 9: AHA Project Planet Earth Eve Parade—Meet at Custom House Square at 5:15 PM
April 12: Walking Trip Downtown. Please sign the permission form.
Embracing the Possibility of Building a Better World
Say Something By Peter Reynolds
April 19: Embracing the Possibility of Healing the Earth
Creekfinding By Jacqueline Martin
April 26: Poetry Service, Embracing the Possibilities in Each of Us
Birthday Celebrations
All month long, we are exploring how we can embrace possibilities.
This week, we are exploring embracing the possibilities that lie beyond grief and loss and our UU Value of Transformation. Sad and disappointing things happen to all of us; grandparents or pets die, friends move away, and sometimes we don’t make the team or get the part in the play. When such things happen, it seems like the sadness we feel will never go away. Our UU faith encourages us to trust in the possibility that things will get better.
Next week, we are exploring what it means to embrace the possibility of building a better world. As we do that, we will tell the story of one of our inspiring UU ancestors, Adin Ballou, a Universalist who believed deeply in the possibility of creating a just and peaceful society. So much so that he was the founder of the Hopedale Community, an intentional utopian society.
In honor of Earth Day, we are exploring the possibility of healing the damage we have done to the natural world and marching in the Project Planet Earth Eve Parade on April 9th at 5:15 p.m.{Custom House Square} As we do that, we will lift our UU value of Interdependence, as well as have the opportunity to tell the story of and learn about Joseph Priestley, one of our inspiring UU ancestors, who “discovered” the presence of oxygen and how plants produce it to help us live.
We will also be exploring how to embrace and identify the unique possibilities in each of us. Our UU faith affirms that we are more capable and powerful than we sometimes think. To help us celebrate that, we will have some fun with National Superhero Day, which is on April 28. We will also learn about an incredibly inspiring UU Christopher Reeves along with our very own superhero children!
Please share these events with your family and friends, and consider attending yourself. We would love to see you!
FREE Events Happening at UUNB
Being Human takes place every Friday at 11 AM. Please use the parking lot door.
Friday, April 3, at 11 AM
Friday, April 3, at 6:30 PM
Friends of Kalangarai
The Friends of Kalangarai is hosting a volunteer orientation for their Skeakers4Hope campaign on Friday, April 17, from 5 to 6:30 PM in the Maja Capek room. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
Friends of Kalangarai, Inc is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit that was established in 2016. Its mission is to support community-based programs working to enhance dignity, self-reliance, and the well-being of widow-headed families in South India. These community-based programs are implemented by Kalangarai which is a non-governmental organization (NGO) located in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India. Kalangarai’s programs include micro-credit self-help groups for widowed/abandoned women, children’s educational programs, job training, a community college, and emergency services during natural disasters. Participants of these programs are approximately 2500 widowed or abandoned women and their families. Most of them are from low castes, living in rural villages, and are experiencing poverty primarily due their lack of sustainable livelihoods and exclusion from economic opportunities.
Saturday, April 18th at 8 PM
Looking Ahead...
Open Mic is back, hosted by Octave Avenue (Kwang & Tonianne)! Open mic will take place on the LAST Sunday of each month.
Vigils for Love—New Time!
Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers (no skill required) to build three homes in New Bedford! This is their first build in the city of New Bedford and they need lots of help—from providing lunch for the volunteers, to volunteering on site.
To learn more about them and their local projects, visit: https://buzzardsbayhabitat.org
They also provide FREE ramps to those in need! Learn more here.
Our Mission is to encourage diversity and mutual acceptance and work for positive change in ourselves and our community.
"We envision a congregation in which we practice the principles of our faith. We seek to enjoy peaceful reflection and inspiration in intellectually and spiritually satisfying church services. We aim to embrace the people and efforts of our church community by supporting our children and their programs, our committees and their goals, our staff and their efforts on our behalf, and each other."
Our Promises
Each person is important.
Be kind in all you do.
We help each other learn.
We search for what is true.
Each person has a say.
Work for a peaceful world.
The web of life’s the way.
Build the beloved community, free from racism and oppression.
First Unitarian Church in New Bedford
71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 994-9686
Administrator ext. 10
Minister ext. 13
Karen cell: (508) 441-9344
Thrift Shop ext. 12
Board Members & Officers
Steve Carmel, President
Charles Morgan, Vice President
Deborah Carmel, Treasurer
Elise Rapoza, Secretary
Trustees
Camilla Brooks
Niko Tarini
Mary Rapoza
Jack Vitale
Committee Chairs
Staff
Rev. Karen Leblanc, Minister
Yasmin Fle-fleh Vincent, Director of Religious Education
Randy Fayan, Director of Music
Jessica DeCicco-Carey, Administrator
Tony, Gonsalves, Facilities Manager
John Manning, Sunday Sexton
Mari Fay-Martin, Sunday School Teacher
Sam Angelini, Sunday School Teacher
The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM
(508)994-9686 ext.12
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