October 2026, News & Views
Courage, it turns out, isn't one dramatic leap. It's the daily, unglamorous decision to keep authoring your own life instead of accepting the draft everyone else already wrote for you. —Leena Wilde Ryan
Table of Contents
Minister's Studio
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Do not be afraid.”
-Frederick Buechner
Courage is our Soul Matters theme for October, and the above quote landed especially hard this month for me for its simple, pragmatic message. There is a line I often use for funerals and memorial services that goes, “Life is sacred. It is sacred in its birth, it is sacred in its life, and it is sacred in its death.” This month, which culminates at Samhain, when we honor our ancestors and those who have moved into the next realm, is an exercise in the kind of courage we all face when a loved one has died.
My good old girl, Stella Beans, a nearly 18-year-old, constantly anxious, 80 lb. beautiful mix of Border Collie and something like a Lab, went to her rest on Oct. 2. I never had to put one of my dogs to sleep when they weren’t actively dying, but the good old girl looked at me weeks ago with such pain in her eyes that I knew I had to find the courage to let her go. My doubts rose and fell over the course of a few weeks, but as the day approached, I knew I was making the right decision. The day before was filled with sausages, whipped cream, and endless treats. The day of was sunny and warm, and the mobile vet came so Stella could go where she was comfortable in the easiest way possible. It was beautiful and terrible. But it was quick and painless. I was lying beside her whispering in her ear that she’s a good girl, a brave girl, a pretty girl, and that I loved her, as I have done every night of her life before I go to bed. Neither of us was afraid, only sad to part ways for now. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Four days later, my stepfather, Charlie McKenna, died suddenly after a long illness. His courage as he faced every day for the last year has been an inspiration to see, second only to my mother’s courage as she cared for him and advocated for him through never-ending appointments and emergencies. They were married for 36 years and rarely apart. The courage she will need to muster to face the future without him will take all my family’s support and love, but she is, as always, unafraid. My mother and Charlie have deep faith and a large church community that will be there, making everything less scary. Sitting in the hospital with the whole family, drawing strength from each other while we said goodbye... all I could think about was how sacred it felt. No one was afraid. My thanks to Fr. Kevin from Holy Name church for being the one to reinforce how sacred the moment was with his calm presence and prayers.
None of us escapes the grief that comes with loss. Here is the world, beautiful and terrible. We can only hope to have a community that will surround us in love as we make our way through the terrible back to the beautiful. I think it’s the only way to keep the fear at bay and find the courage we need. So, this week, I’m very thankful for the blessings of my spiritual community and my mom’s spiritual community, who have held us up, reminded us we are never alone, and confirmed the sacredness of each part of our lives from beginning to end.
May all of us experience such support when we need it.
Bright Blessings and Gratitude- Karen
Soul Matters: Welcome to Courage
Courageous people change the world. So many names fall easily from our lips:
Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sojourner
Truth, Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson. The list goes on and on.
We rightly honor such giants. But the problem is that most of us aren’t that tall.
Or are we?
Here’s what we have to help each other remember: In addition to the heroic acts that
alter history, there are also the daily choices that prevent history from altering us! Bending the arc of the universe toward justice deserves praise, but so does the ordinary
work of integrity and not allowing yourself to be bent.
We need to make room on the stage for these common acts of courage. The bravery of
embracing your beauty even when it doesn’t fit the air-brushed images surrounding us.
The courage of calling out microaggressions that occur daily for many of us. And what
about resisting the persistent seduction of status and stuff? Simply put, the list is long:
Turning down that drink one day at a time. Making yourself get out of bed when
depression tells you to stay. Holding your partner’s hand in public. Make no mistake,
there are dozens of ordinary acts of bravery we embody every day!
Or maybe we should say there are dozens of ordinary acts of bravery we help each other
embody every day. This we need to remember as well. Courage is not only noble; it’s
contagious! The bravery that makes it into the history books may save the world, but it’s
our ordinary courage that keeps each other going. Watching someone else make it
through another day helps us endure. Witnessing someone else confront bigotry allows
us to bravely be more open about who we are. They say that courage is found by digging
deep, but most often it is passed on. It doesn’t arise from within as much as it arises
from the connections between us.
So don’t worry so much if you haven’t changed the world yet. And certainly let’s stop
comparing ourselves with those giants. Our work rests less in looking up to them and
more in looking over at each other. And in remembering that others are also looking
over at us.
Soul Matters Playlist on YouTube
Soul Matters packets will no longer be attached to the newsletter and will be placed on the members-only page here. If you need the password, please email admin@uunewbedford.
Courageous, Anti-Comfort Zone Actions
Small Steps Out of Your Comfort Zone:
Call a friend or relative you’ve lost contact with.
Learn a simple but new skill.
Get up in the middle of the night to see a meteor show.
Do a night hike.
Eat dinner out by yourself
Go to a movie by yourself
Attend an event where you don’t know anyone. Don’t just be a wallflower either, talk to at least 5 people.
Drive a different route to work every day for a week.
Cook a couple complex recipes if you’re a “meat & potatoes” person.
Listen to 2 popular podcasts by people from a political party opposite yours.
Purchase and wear a flamboyant shirt.
Go out of your way to give compliments.
Learn to juggle.
Larger Leaps Out of Your Comfort Zone:
Speak in front of a group about a subject you are passionate about.
Take a class in something you don’t think you have any talent for.
If you only do art or write poetry for yourself, bravely share it with others.
Take on a phobia: Hold a snake. Climb a tall building. Fly in an airplane. Skydive. Volunteer to be a lay worship leader at your church!
Grow a mustache.
Take dancing lessons.
Dye your hair.
If you are a classical music lover, go to a country or rock music concert. (or vice versa)
Give online dating a chance.
Finally ask for that raise you deserve.
Get rejected! (see the TED Talk below for inspiration)
Way Cool Sunday School
September Sundays have been rainy but Sunday School participation has been great. The children and youth are starting each Sunday with a chalice lighting and activity. This year’s RE theme is The Wheel of the Year. We will continue to build on this lesson throughout the year. We are also incorporating the UUA monthly theme of Courage into the October lessons. The youth start each Sunday with a chalice lighting and then break out for activities with staff. The theme for October is ancestors and our responsibility to build on the courageous work that has been done. Your child will be asking you to share a story of a family ancestor or one of your heroes or sheroes. The RE Committee agreed that parent participation at Sunday School and Third Space Thurdays is important. Please see Mary for a CORI form so that you can help out.
Third Space Thursdays have kicked off!
The 1st Thurs. of each month will be youth programming,
The 2nd Thurs we will participate in AHA!,
The 3rd Thurs. is family and community programming,
The 4th Thurs is NB Circle.
We will program 5th Thurs. as they come up with special program ideas.
Third Space Thursday meets weekly from 6-7:30pm from Sept through June. We are also interested in partnering with community organizations on programming for Thursdays. Partner organizations will have free access to the Parish House for downtown programming on Thursday evenings.
We got a $500 grant from the UUA for Third Space Thursday youth programming. We will use the funds for supplies and program needs. See Mary to volunteer or share ideas for programs and partners. For more information, check the church calendar or contact Mary.
Mary Rapoza, Director of Religious Education
Church News
Four Ghosts Walk Into a Unitarian Church...
On Saturday, October 3, UUNB participated in the 3rd Annual Ghost Tour in collaboration with the Community Collaborative, a 501(c) 3, which engages the public with Pokémon, while teaching them about the United Nations' Global Goals.
In attendance were the ghosts of Herman Melville, Mary Rotch, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Paul Cuffee. It's very interesting to see that the ghost of RWE looks alarmingly like one of our members, Ed Rooney.
A Unitarian Theater Club, perhaps
We have a most excellent Community Theater around the corner called “Your Theater"
at the Steeple Playhouse -159 Williams Street -an easy stroll from the church.
The first show of the season, “Rumors,” was very funny & we thought it might be fun to go with some of you as each show has a Sunday Matinee @ 2 pm, perfect to walk over after coffee hour.
Perhaps let’s get a group together to go to the next show together? Tickets are Pay-As-You-Can tiered prices and are available online.
If you are interested, contact Bet to coordinate dates as each show plays for two Sundays
We would like to thank the Food Pantry volunteers for allowing us to better serve the individuals who use the food pantry! Thank you!!
We desperately need personal care items: travel-size shampoo, toothpaste, soap, razors, body wash, and shaving kits. Donations can be dropped off during office hours: Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM.
The Food Pantry is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM. We now have a working doorbell at the food pantry door.
New Church Space Coming Soon!
Over the summer, staff turned an unused storage room into a new, fully accessible space for church members and the community to use for meetings. We have a few final touches before we open it up for rentals, but church members can use it as it is.
We hope to add a few more perks to the space, like a mini fridge, a coffee pot, and a large monitor for hybrid meetings.
Contact the office to schedule a time to take a tour! admin@uunewbedford.org
The Thrift Shop has extended its hours to include AHA! Nights from 5 PM to 7 PM! Also open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM. (508)994-9686 ext.12
October Sale: 50% off kitchen glassware
October Services
Calendar & Events
Please share these events with your family and friends, and consider attending yourself. We would love to see you! (This calendar also includes committee meetings and rentals)
FREE Events Happening at UUNB
Being Human takes place every Friday at 11 AM. Please use the parking lot door.
Ticketed Events & Fundraisers
If you can't attend the Witches' Ball but still want to contribute to our fundraising efforts, please consider donating using the link below.
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.
Unitarian Universalist New Bedford
71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 (508)994-9686
Administrator ext. 10
Thrift Shop ext.12
Minister ext. 13
Minister & Staff
Rev. Karen LeBlanc
Minister
(508)994-9686 ext. 13
Office Hours: Tues-Thurs
10 AM to 1 PM
Randy Fayan
Director of Music
Does Not Hold Office Hours
Jess DeCicco-Carey
Administrator
(508)994-9686 ext. 10
Office Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs. 10 AM to 1 PM
Mari Fay-Martin &
Sam Angelinni
Way Cool Sunday School
Teachers
Officers & Trustees
Jack Vitale
Vice-President
Elise Rapoza
Secretary
Niko Tarini
Ed Rooney
David Labrie
Mary O'Beirne
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