The Compass, December 17, 2025
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Over the past several weeks, I have been working with four students from a Marketing and Business Management class taught by Professor Jackie Einstein. This marks the fifth time I have partnered with Professor Einstein as a community partner, having previously represented the Mattapoisett Museum, Tri-Town Against Racism, and the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford (UUNB) on three separate occasions.
This semester’s project involved visiting the UMass Dartmouth Archives to explore the Tryworks collection donated by Maggie Peirce and creating a public service announcement (PSA) video that highlights the history of the space, its present-day use, and our hopes for its future. The image above was found in one of the scrapbooks housed in the archive.
The complete collection is available for viewing at the UMass Dartmouth Archives, located within the Claire T. Carney Library Archives and Special Collections. To schedule a research appointment, please contact Judy Farrar (jfarrar@umassd.edu), Head Archivist, and reference collection MC-097. Archives and Special Collections are generally open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Below are some of the items we discovered during my visit to the archives with the students in early October.
Jessica, Administrator
P. S. Stay tuned for a video compiled by the students!
Did you miss Sunday's service? Watch it below.
December Services
UU Members in the Community
The Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women has announced ts new leadership team, effective January 1, 2026.
Makenzie Lennington, BCCSW Chair
Santita Castellano, BCCSW Vice Chair
Sri Lakshmi Gandham, BCCSW Treasurer
Nedjine Desruisseaux, BCCSW Secretary
Following a productive and energizing strategic planning session, the Commission is aligned, focused, and ready to build momentum. They are proud of the leadership team and excited for the important work ahead as they move toward 2026.
Social Justice Committee Meetings - New Day!
Join the SJC virtually every other MONDAY at 6:30 PM—dates are on the church calendar. Be part of the change you would like to see in your community and beyond.
REMINDER: The church office will be closed from December 24 through January 2. Karen and Jess will be in the office on Tuesday, December 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please note that there will be no newsletter next week.
December 21: Solstice Service Hosted by The Way Cool Sunday School, Hope and Choosing to Look in Unexpected Places
December 24: XMAS Eve Service 7:00 pm
December 28: No Sunday School, Hope and Choosing to Begin Again
“At times when our own light goes out, it is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer
Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas, 1914 –1953
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Holiday Greeting from UUA President Sofía Betancourt
Labours of Love
By Laura Dobson
December 10, 2025
“[Anglo-Saxon pagans] began the year on the 8th calends of January [25 December], when we celebrate the birth of the Lord. That very night, which we hold so sacred, they used to call by the heathen word Modranecht, that is, ‘mothers’ night,’ because (we suspect) of the ceremonies they enacted all that night.”—The Venerable Bede, 8th century, The Reckoning of Time (Trans. Wallis)
Many Northern European pagan traditions honoured a mother goddess who gave birth to a child of light, representing the sun, as the sun is reborn at the winter solstice.
The Sámi, the indigenous reindeer herding people of the Nordic countries, honoured the goddess Beaivi by smearing warm butter—yellow like the sun—on doorposts at the winter solstice. Beaivi, the sun goddess, flew through the sky as a reindeer, carrying the life-giving light of the sun in her antlers on the night of the winter solstice. The offerings of the people helped her gain strength and fly higher and higher into the sky to return fertility to the land.
Saule, the Lithuanian and Latvian goddess of the sun, also flew across the sky in a sleigh pulled by antlered reindeer, throwing pebbles of amber into chimneys to symbolise the sun. (The next time you see Santa, spare a thought for the forgotten Mother Christmas!)
It’s no coincidence, then, that the Christian Church chose the winter solstice for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. In that story, Mary struggles through hardships to give Jesus birth. Just two or three generations ago, many of my female ancestors died in childbirth or were widowed early. As part of my observance of Yule and Christmas, I honour them by lighting candles and spending some quiet time remembering them with gratitude.
I think of women like my great-grandmothers: Elsie, who worked in a bicycle pump factory; Ethel, who spent her teenage years working as a servant until she married; Lizzie, a blacksmith’s daughter who married a farmer, had six children, and died of pneumonia aged 34; and Nellie, who ran the family farm, bringing up her five children alone when her husband Frank died in the 1919 Spanish Influenza epidemic.
Many family relationships can be complex and difficult, and my family certainly has its fair share of those relationships. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the sacrifices my ancestors made to give me the precious gift of life. Whatever our spirituality or beliefs, may we honour the precious gift of life with gratitude this holiday season, and may our memories be blessed.
Prayer
Hail Grandmother Spirit, full of Grace and Eternal Love: Blessed are you, blessed are we, and blessed are the fruits of our labours of Love. Holy Mother of all life and death, forever enfold us in your loving embrace. Amen.
FREE Events Happening at UUNB
Please share these events with your family and friends, and consider attending yourself. We would love to see you! Have an idea for an event? Let's chat about it!
The calendar on our website shows everything happening at UUNB. Updates are displayed immediately, so you will always know what is planned.
Save the Date!
This free class will take place over four Saturdays starting in January. Registration is required.
In partnership with the Massachusetts Center for the Book, author, Ieva Jusionyte will join us on March 12, during AHA! night for a book discussion, Q&A, and book signing.
Note: Vigils for Love are quite intentionally not political in nature. We do not hold political signs, just positive messages of love, support, and solidarity.
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 Officers
Steve Carmel, President
Charles Morgan, Vice President
Deborah Carmel, Treasurer
Elise Rapoza, Secretary
Rochelle Pettenati, Clerk
Trustees
Camilla Brooks
Mary Rapoza
Jack Vitale
Niko Tarinni
Committee Chairs
Charles Morgan, Religious Education
David Godinez, Outreach (interim)
Pamela Sherman, Thrift Shop
Carlton Dasent, Finance & Endowment
Bett Low & Mary Rapoza, Garden
Ed Rooney, Religous Services
Steve Carmel, House & Grounds
Tonianne Wong & Isaiah Kidney, Social Justice
Staff
Rev. Karen LeBlanc, Minister
Yasmin Flefleh-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