The Compass, May 20, 2026
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Give a warm welcome to our new Treasurer, Mary O'Beirne, and the newest Trustees, David LaBrie and Ed Rooney! And we give MANY thanks to Deb & Steve Carmel, and Pamela & Brownie Sherman for dedicating so much time to the church in all capacities.
Did you miss the last Sunday Service? Watch it here!
Events, Outreach, and Fundraising Meeting Scheduled for May 21, at 6 PM
Continuing the conversation from the Annual Meeting, we will come together to discuss ways to improve communication, break down silos, and explore the possibility of combining committees that currently have only one member. The discussion will be led by the administrator, Jessica. Please come with an open mind and positive suggestions.
For the fundraising aspect of the meeting, we will discuss EVENT fundraising, not capital expense fundraising.
Feel free to bring nibbles to share.
UMass Dartmouth CVPA Lighting Design
On May 12, UMass Dartmouth CVPA Lighting Design students presented their final lighting project designs to Jessica & David Godinez.
In April, Jessica met with Professor Stephanie McGoldrick and her students for a walk-through of the space to assess lighting and safety concerns. The students were divided into four teams, each assigned a specific area of focus: the Tryworks Auditorium, the first-floor Parish House, the back of the sanctuary and vestibule, and the front of the church, including the mosaic. The projects included design suggestions and product specifications to illuminate key areas while following ADA compliance and energy efficiency.
If you would like to view the projects, please click here.
If the congregation would like to explore any of the proposed changes, Prof. McGoldrick can help source the products and give grant-writing assistance to support the expenditure.
May Services
Only 5 Services Left of the Church Year!
You read that right, folks! We are in the single-digit numbers of how many services are left.
But, we want to keep the momentum going! Are you interested in leading a discussion group, book club, hosting a dinner at the church, or offering lessons in a craft? Let's stick together this summer. All ideas are welcome!
Please email admin@uunewbedford.org with any ideas you may have.
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.
What does it mean to be a people of Awakening Curiosity?
May 24: A Bridge to a World With Wiser People
May 31: A Bridge to the World of Our Future Selves
This month's theme is Awakening Curiosity. And all month long, we are exploring how awakening our curiosity is a bridge to “other worlds”.
We are exploring how curiosity is a bridge to a world with wiser people. And as we do this, we will have a chance to lift the language in our UU Value Purpose Statement that calls us to “to foster a life of curiosity” as well as our traditional UU belief that no one has the whole truth.”
Lastly, we’re exploring how curiosity is a bridge to the world of our future-self. As we do this, we will dive into the idea that what we are curious about as a child almost always shapes who we are as we grow up, and especially what we are passionate about as we get older.
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, May 22, at 11 AM
Open Mic is back, hosted by Octave Avenue (Kwang & Tonianne)! Open mic will take place on the LAST Sunday of each month.
Looking Ahead...
*** All the money we make at the jazz concert is ours to keep! Ad packets are in the Parish House, please help us sell ads to local businesses or to individuals who want to support the church. Ads are due by June 15.
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
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