The Compass, October 22, 2025
- Oct 22
- 4 min read
Sunday Service
The mission of the Human Relations Commission is to;
Advocate for the human and civil rights of all residents of the City of New Bedford
Educate the public about their rights and create greater awareness of human rights issues
Intake, mediate, or refer complaints of human rights violations
Outreach – Work with public and private organizations to increase compliance with local, state, and federal laws and raise the level of awareness and sensitivity to human and civil rights issues
Also, this Sunday during coffee hour, the United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts will be here with a petition to get rent stabilization on the Massachusetts ballot in 2026.
Did you miss Sunday service last week? Watch it here!
Social Justice Committee Meetings - New Day!
Join the SJC virtually on MONDAYS at 6:30 PM. Be part of the change you would like to see in your community and beyond.
Thrift Shop
New arrivals are hitting the racks! The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM. Stop in to see what's NEW.
From UU World: Moment of Reflection: The Brilliance of ‘Star Wars’
Science fiction, fantasy fiction, stories that imagine a different world, with different rules than the world in which we live—this kind of storytelling has always been a counter-oppressive effort. As long as there have been groups of human beings who are disenfranchised and marginalized, these groups of people have been creating worlds in which they have more freedom and more power.
To paraphrase Duchess Margaret Cavendish’s introduction to her 1666 novel The Blazing World: I do not have the means by which to conquer worlds, so I have created a world instead.
Science fiction, in that way, is always an act of faith. It is an act of faith to imagine a world where oppression is either gone, or where—as is the case of Star Wars—oppression is challenged and ultimately defeated.
The brilliance of Star Wars, then, is not only that it portrays an evil empire, but that it also portrays resistance. It shows heroic people, marginalized people, poor farm kids and scoundrels and outcasts, and weirdos, showing up powerfully in the face of a totalitarian regime that seems impossible to resist. Star Wars gives us a vision of hope that oppression and empire can be resisted, and that they can be resisted by the likes of us.
Adapted with permission from a homily presented during “One with the Force: Love, Justice, and Resistance” at General Assembly on June 19, 2025.
What does it mean to be a people of Cultivating Compassion?
October 26: Compassion’s Call to Not Single Anyone Out
Jack 'O Lantern Jubilee/Costumes Encouraged: Pumpkin Donations Needed {12}
All children are encouraged to come in costume. Bring pictures of loved ones for our Altar as we celebrate Samhain, Halloween, and Dia de Los Muertos! Autumn Equinox for ALL!
Please drop off pumpkins at the Parish House. Thank you in advance.
Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
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.
There is also an open AA meeting, led by Walter Silvia, that takes place each Saturday at
noon in the Parish House.
Save the date!
Ticketed Events: A portion of the sales from these events will benefit the restoration of the Tryworks Auditorium
In collaboration with Infinity Productions, we are excited to present a monthly concert series. Please check the events page on our website for updates. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Tickets to all of our shows can be purchased in the office with cash or check during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 1 PM, or online with a credit card.
The calendar on our website shows everything happening at UUNB. Updates are displayed immediately, so you will always know what is planned.
Marsh Island in Fairhaven—now a peninsula—is the largest remaining stretch of undeveloped land along the Fairhaven/New Bedford Inner Harbor. But it needs our help. Over 3.5 tons of trash and debris are estimated along its shoreline, and we’re rallying volunteers for a cleanup like no other.
Cleanup Schedule (Timed with Low Tide):
Saturday, Nov 1: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Kick off Event
Monday, Nov 3: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Tuesday, Nov 4: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Wednesday, Nov 5: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Meeting Point: Bottom of Taber Street, Fairhaven
Join for one day or all four — every hand helps!
We have been fortunate with so many dedicated volunteers. But we must get this task done. Your support is Vital.
How to Volunteer: Pre-registering helps us to plan for important volunteer services. Click here to register or call 508-989-9049.
Day of Cleanup: Sign up/check in at our Operation Clean Sweep headquarters table. Remember to bring your reusable water bottle if you got one last year! Tools and bags will be provided.
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
Trustees
Committee Chairs
Staff
The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM
(508)994-9686 ext.12
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