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."
It's National Volunteer Week, and we wanted to give a HUGE "Thank You" to our amazing LifeStream, Inc. volunteers. We have a pretty steady crew of volunteers on Monday and Tuesday mornings who help clean our facilities. From dusting the pews in the sanctuary to sweeping and vacuuming, they tackle it all with smiles on their faces. We love having them and we are so grateful for their help!
April Services - Welcome to the Gift of Interdependence
"Justice League" with Way Cool Sunday School and the SJC
May Services - Welcome to the Gift of Pluralism
Registration is not required. Tap "Register Now" to see service details.
Pluralism with Rev. Karen LeBlanc
The History of Our Church with Judy Lund
See everything happening at UUNB on the website calendar!
Upcoming Events
Registration is preferred for the following events but not required.
Did you miss Sunday service? Watch it here!
Photos from the Sunday School Team
April 28 Way Cool Sunday School Hosts the “Justice League” 11 am, Teacher Appreciation
“Interdependence: We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it. We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Susan Mohl Powers directly following the service on Sunday, May 5. All are invited to attend. A group of musicians (including a vocal quartet and instrumentalists) will be joining us for the Sunday service to perform Alan Powers's piece And Death Shall Have No Dominion.
New Bedford Festival Theater has donated two tickets to their summer production. Raffle tickets will be available to purchase Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 1 PM, in the office or on Sundays after service. The winner will be drawn on June 30 after the Jazz Service.
Save the Date!
Tonianne Wong, Chair of the Social Justice Committee is hosting a Dumpling Party on May 18, at 4:00 PM, in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This event is open to church members only. Please wear clothes you don't mind getting messy in as this is a hands-on experience. Attendees will eat together at about 6 PM. Please email admin@uunewbedford if you plan on attending so we know how many ingredients to buy.
The Annual Meeting of the Membership has been scheduled for May 19, 2024, at 12:00 PM. This is not the official notice of the meeting - members will still be notified by mail as per the bylaws. Registration is NOT required.
Pledge Reminder FY 24/25
Pledge letters went out a few weeks ago, and we hope you will consider pledging your support by Thursday, May 1, to help us plan our budget for FY 25. We have made it easier than ever to set up a recurring gift through our donation platform, GiveButter. They accept all forms of payment, even ACH payments, with approval from your bank.
Thank you to those who have already sent in their pledge cards!
REMINDER: Jess will not be in the office on April 25 due to the final presentation of the UMass students' Marketing & Management class. Karen will be here on that day 10 am - 1 PM.
Our TikTok channel is LIVE! The UMass students that Jess has been working with came in on March 23 and filmed footage for videos for us to share on social media. They will be watching the analytics this week and will use the results in their final presentation during class time on April 25. Karen will be taking over the account after that.
You're invited to the 40th Annual Jazz Service on June 30th. We are in the planning process right now but here is a tentative schedule of events. (p.s. we need volunteers)
Schedule of Events
Shop from a variety of vendors and artisans in the garden all day from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Jazz Service starts at 11 AM and will run for 1-2 hours depending on the musicians.
Raffle
Refreshments (Possibly food trucks)
We are looking for vendors to set up in the yard during the 40th Annual Jazz service on June 30, 2024. The fee to set up is $35 and is open to anyone selling handmade items. Spaces are filling up! If you are interested in participating, please don't wait to reserve your spot. Please share this with artisans you may know and support. Vendor applications are due by MAY 3.
Have a business or know someone who does? We are selling sponsorship ads in the program. Prices start at just $45! The money raised will help offset the cost of musicians. Click on the image below to get started. So far we have received commitments from The Fiber Optic Center, Tri-Town Against Racism, and Tony's Auto Detailing. We have extra printed copies of the ad packet in the office. If you would like a few please let the office know. Ads are due by JUNE 1.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities in Our Church - Please contact Jess to sign up at admin@uunewbedford.org
Seriously. We need volunteers. Don't be shy.
We are looking for volunteers to form a committee, help with preparations, set up/clean up the day before and on the day of the jazz service, and work at the raffle table.
Sign-up sheets are in the Parish House for Hospitality and Ushers on Sundays. If you can take a week, please add your name to the list. Many hands make light work.
Speaking of Volunteers...First Citizens' Federal Credit Union FREE Recycling Event
***If anyone would like to volunteer to take some of the church electronics to this event, please let us know. We have a few larger items that Staples recycling service will not take.
First Citizens' is hosting a FREE Community Recycling Event on Saturday, May 18, 9 AM-12 PM at our New Bedford North Branch, 570 North Front St. (Rain Date: Saturday, May 25, 9 AM-12 PM)
Come securely dispose of those old tax records, bank statements, and more with shredding by Great White Shred. Get rid of old TV's, cell phones, printers, air conditioners, etc with disposal by The Junkluggers. We will also be collecting donations of non-perishable can and boxed food items at the event to benefit Saint Anthony of Padua Food Pantry- Food Distribution Center.
PLUS:
- There will be a Fire Engine on display with the opportunity to meet the mascot Sparky
- City of New Bedford Police Department (Official) will be present to conduct car seat safety checks
- Party Characters by Tabby will be available for children to meet a famous princess duo
- FUN 107 will be livestreaming and doing giveaways
- Moby Kit Rescue will be providing information about cat adoptions
Behind-The-Scenes: The Carpenter's Son Restoration at Rotch-Jones-Duff House, May 9, 5:30 pm
Get a glimpse of museum collections and archives from an insider's perspective. The Carpenter's Son, a painting by Edward Simmons, would only return to the walls of the RJD Museum after it had been terribly vandalized [at UU New Bedford] and restored. Hear the story of its conservation from Jeremy Fogg, lead conservator, Northeast Painting Conservation.
Donations are accepted in lieu of a fee, as part of AHA! New Bedford. The RJD Museum is located at 396 County Street, New Bedford.
Join the First-Ever UU Climate Justice Revival, and Let’s Reimagine Together
UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, who is trained as an environmental ethicist, invites all Unitarian Universalists to participate in the transformative conversation this September.
Unitarian Universalists can deepen their connection to the planet and each other during the first national Climate Justice Revival this fall.
Reimagine Together: From an Extractive Age to a New Era, which takes place September 28 and 29, offers attendees inspiring collective worship, creative learning, and new frameworks at the intersection of climate and justice.
In a video address, UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt invites all Unitarian Universalists to come into the conversation and help imagine a more just future.
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
Board Members & Officers
Steve Carmel, President
Charles Morgan, Vice President
Deborah Carmel, Treasurer
Cora Peirce, Clerk
Trustees
Committee Chairs
Staff