September 2026 News & Views
Another world is not only possible, she’s on her way. Maybe many of us won’t be here to greet her, but on a quiet day, if I listen very carefully, I can hear her breathing. -Arundhati Roy
Table of Contents
Minister's Studio
Greetings, my dear compatriots, and welcome back! I hope you have had a luscious, relaxing summer and you’re ready, as I always am at this point, to get the church year started!
We have dubbed this, “The Year of Communication,” and we are going to realize that goal to the best of our abilities. Each Board member is on one or more committees as liaisons to facilitate better communication with everyone, and I am grateful for their commitment to the success of our church, as I am so grateful for all of you who put your time and effort, tirelessly, toward that positive result.
I’m also grateful to everyone who has worked over the summer to keep us on target with the many projects we have going on, the thrift store volunteers who serve such an important purpose, the new food pantry volunteers who are lifting a weight from the staff as the need for it has grown, and all those who I know have been working behind the scenes to make sure all those little things magically get done. I am ever humbled by your love, dedication, and drive to be stewards of the past and planners for the future while we hold it all together in the now.
We will begin this year a little differently. Our usual first service has been, for the 10 years I’ve served as your minister and many before it, the Ingathering/Water Communion. This year we will be separating those elements. Our first service will celebrate the Ingathering; our coming back to this Beloved Community and starting the year on a joyful note. Like, SUPER JOYFUL!
We will begin out in the yard, so COME EARLY. We’ll have treats and coffee. Bring drums and/or other shaky things. Bring a FLAG you really like…there will be some bamboo poles available to fly them from. I think I will wear the United Federation of Plants flag like a cape. We will have some available to wield. If you have some other joy to bring…BRING IT. I will spend part of the service explaining Water Communion so everyone is prepared for the following week.
There’s so much happening! October is the Witches Ball, November will feature the Star Trek 60th Nerdfest, and our Holiday Fair in December. Read your newsletter and watch our Facebook page and website for all upcoming events. I’m excited about what the new year will bring, and I look forward to seeing you all soon. LET’S GO!!!
Bright Blessings-Rev. Karen
Soul Matters: Welcome to Beginnings
Beginning is a big word in our culture. It comes with a lot of pressure. We are expected to be a hero of sorts: Clear about where we are going and courageous enough to get there on our own.
The beautiful life, the enviable journey, is the one that is mapped out from the start and never veers off track.
Even the wise and widely-loved, Mary Oliver, seems to get into this game of bold and brave beginnings. “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?,” she asks. It’s a question that can sometimes feel more intimidating than invitational.
But what if we began our journeys differently? What if we allowed ourselves to start off with humility, not heroism? With our doubts rather than our certainty? What if it was ok for us to say out loud: “I’m not sure where I’m going? And I’m not sure I can get there on my own?”
John O’Donohue, the beloved Irish poet and philosopher, suggests one answer to that. He writes:
Beginnings often frighten us because they seem like lonely voyages into the unknown. Yet, in truth, no beginning is empty or isolated. We seem to think that beginning is a setting out from a lonely point along some line of direction into the unknown. This is not the case. Shelter and energy come alive when a beginning is embraced… We are never as alone in our beginnings as it might seem at the time. A beginning is ultimately an invitation to open towards the gifts and growth that are stored up for us.
In other words, if we are brave enough to own our fear and need at the start of a journey, then we make space to experience that journey as our friend.
This sense of being helped by the journey itself, in turn, opens space for us to imagine (or is it remember?) another possibility: that our most sacred journeys begin with a question, not a destination.
This is fundamentally different from our culture’s “keep your eyes on the prize” advice. This is an orientation that believes the journey is about wholeness and unfolding, not striving and winning.
It is what many have called the orientation of the soul.
It is an orientation that proclaims that the way forward is found by looking within.
It is an orientation that says the first step is not about figuring out the destination but discerning the question stirring somewhere deep. The question that somehow knows us before we know it. The question that seeks us as much as we seek it.
It is an orientation that urges us to put down the status-soaked questions of: How can I get ahead? How do I stay on top? How can I prove my worth?
Instead, it invites us to listen for spirit-filled questions such as: What is home? How can I be safe? How can I find me again? Who is my most important audience? Is the voice I’ve been listening to really my own? Where does my deep gladness intersect with the deep needs of the world?
Your question will, of course, be unique to you.
And if you listen for it, and begin with it, there is no way you can go off course.
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.
Soul Matters Playlist
Way Cool Sunday School
Happy September! Welcome back!
The Religious Education staff and I are excited to see you all and share our plans for this year’s religious education programs. We are blessed to have Marissa Fay and Samantha Angelini back this year as RE teachers. I am serving as the new Director of Religious Education for our church. We look forward to seeing all our RE families.
Way Cool Sunday School classes kick off on Sept. 13, 2026. We will begin in the church garden and participate in the Candles of Joys and Concerns before making our way to Sunday School in the Parish House.
We are bringing back the youth group for our older participants. They will meet on Sunday during the service. We hope this will serve families whose children have outgrown the traditional Sunday school offerings and engage our youth in a fun community while developing spiritual growth practices.
The Religious Education Committee is an important way for members to participate in the development of our religious education offerings. Elise Rapoza has offered to chair that committee. For the first time that we know of, we will have youth representation on the committee as well. Items on the agenda for our first meeting scheduled for Sept. 20 at 10 AM are: introductions, family participation in the RE programs, Third Space Thursdays, and the youth group structure and schedule. Please accept this invitation to join us and help shape the future of our RE programming.
Third Space Thursdays is a new RE program starting this fall. Every Thursday evening, we will open the Parish House or garden for RE and volunteer-led activities.
NB Circle will meet the fourth Thursday of each month to explore earth-centered religious traditions and share experiential worship. NB Circle will meet Sept 24, 2026, at 6 PM. On Oct. 24, 2026, we are hosting a Witches Ball. On the other Thursdays, we will host the youth group, offer family activities, and participate in AHA!.
We want your input on the activities you want to see on Third Space Thursdays. We will discuss ideas at the RE meeting in Sept.
A poster on our sign at County and Union St. first drew me into this church over 40 years ago. It said, “Grow your own religion”. As a UU community, we covenant to support our spiritual and personal journeys. Come and be a part of our “Way Cool” religious education program.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday and beginning a new year of religious education.
Best wishes and bright blessings,
Mary Rapoza, Director of Religious Education
Church News
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
Current and upcoming sales below!
Postcards to Swing States
Over the course of three Sundays this summer, community & church members gathered to write over 1400 hand-written postcards to Texas, Nevada, and North Carolina, reminding people to vote on November 3. These postcards have been proven to increase voter turnout by 2.8%! It's a low-lift but makes a huge impact. We have purchased some postage, but could use more. If you wrote postcards and didn't bring postage, a monetary donation will do; Jess can get stamps.
Venmo: @UUNewBedford
—OR—
Donate using the donate button on our website, or add money to the Sunday collection marked "for postage."
Updated Drop-In Office Hours
It's a very busy time of year, with the start of church, ongoing projects, meetings, and grant writing. I am changing drop-in office hours to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 10 AM to 1 PM for the next few months. I will still be in the office, but I ask that you not stop by to see me without checking in by email first. Thanks for your consideration. —Jessica
Karen's office hours remain the same: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Mary Rapoza will hold office hours on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Construction
The repointing project has begun! Parking is going to be tricky over the next month or so. A reminder to church members that there is absolutely no parking in the rented lot, Monday through Friday until 5:30 PM.
September 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
Updated Bylaws
We earned a 2026 Candid Silver Seal of Transparency! See what your donations help us accomplish.
Use this link for unlimited access to our profile. Keeping our profile up to date helps us gather support; enabling funders and donors to find us and learn about our impact.
Comments