The Compass, April 22, 2026
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
Happy Earth Day!
Please join us in welcoming two new members!
Kate Crosby and Eric Kilburn joined the membership on Sunday, April 19. Both have been attending church regularly. Please give them a warm welcome!
Save the date(s)—Annual Meeting Time!
We are holding the FY27 budget discussion this Sunday, April 26, after the Poetry Service. Members, please stick around during coffee hour.
Annual Meeting: May 17 at 12 PM. All active members are invited to participate as long as you have been a member for at least a month prior to the Annual Meeting date.
Upcoming Memorial Services Reminder
Friday, April 24 at 2:00 PM: Larry Jaquith (December 26, 1944 – November 9, 2025)
Did you miss the last Sunday Service? Watch it here!
April Services
April is National Poetry Month!
Our Annual Poetry Service, hosted by Rick Finneran, is this SUNDAY, April 26. All are welcome to read one or two poems at the service.
Star Trek 60th Anniversary Committee
(Pretty sure it's the best committee that has ever existed)
Captain LeBlanc is hailing all members of the United Federation of Planets to boldly go where no party has gone before—planning a 60th Anniversary celebration of the very first episode of Star Trek. Whether your skills are in logistics, decorations, or making sure the punch bowl stays at warp speed, your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to join the crew. Resistance is futile; we need your prime directives, stellar ideas, and perhaps a Vulcan-level attention to detail. Set your communicators to minister@uunewbedford.org and beam your interest aboard. 🖖 Live long and prosper.
Disclaimer: Tribbles may be involved.
Social Justice Committee Chair
UUNB is looking for a new co-chair of the Social Justice Committee, Isaiah Kidney has recently stepped up to be chair. 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 26: Poetry Service, Embracing the Possibilities in Each of Us, Birthday Celebrations
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.
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 24, at 11 AM
Open Mic is BACK!
Open mic, hosted by, Octave Avenue (Kwang & Tonianne), will take place on the LAST Sunday of each month. No entrance fee. Donations accepted!
Ticketed Event: Fundraiser for UUNB
View the three NB48 award-winning comedic shorts produced by Sack Chasers Media, one of which was filmed at UUNB. There will be food catered by RPJ Catering, and a Q&A Panel with the actors/producers. There is a suggested donation of $6 for each ticket, but please donate whatever feels comfortable to you.
There are flyers in the Parish Hall if you would like to grab one and share it with a friend.
Click on the image below for more details.
This event is for mature audiences.
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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