The Compass, October 8, 2025
- Oct 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 10
Sunday Service
Did you miss Sunday service last week? Watch it here!
Committee Chair Fair on Sunday, October 19
Committee Chairs will be available after service on Sunday, October 19, to discuss what their committees are up to and plans for the future. This is a great opportunity to mee the Chairs and sign up for volunteer opportunities that may interest you.
Garden Committee Update
Bring your gardening gloves to church (And maybe a trowel too!)
Your Garden Committee did some weeding and mulch moving on Sunday, September 21, but there is more to be done. We invite you to donate just 20 minutes of your time during the after-church coffee hour to help weed or move mulch on Sunday, October 12.
As a thank you to all church members who can join us, we will share a houseplant cutting or a small plant for your winter windowsill garden.
Grow on!
Bette & Mary
Social Justice Committee Meetings
Join the SJC virtually on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. Be part of the change you would like to see in your community and beyond.
Soul Matters: Cultivating Compassion
It’s tempting to think of this month’s theme as one of our lighter, more pleasant ones. After all,
compassion sounds…well, nice. It conjures warm feelings and tender thoughts. Images come to mind of people telling each other they are holding them in their hearts. It would seem to be all about emotional connection and empathetic feeling.
But then along comes a quote like this:
“Compassion hurts. When you feel connected to everything, you also feel responsible for everything. And you cannot turn away. Your destiny is bound with the destinies of others.” - Andrew Boyd
Or this:
“True compassion is to engage in the suffering of others.” The Charter for Compassion
Both remind us that compassion is not just niceness and thoughtful feelings. It’s about
something deeper: an impulse that drives us to action.
Indeed, that may be compassion’s defining characteristic; it is distinguished by doing. To feel the pain of another, empathy has that covered. But compassion takes it a step further. It urges us to do something about that pain.
In other words, compassion calls us to change things! It’s not just about comforting others; it’s about our comfort getting disturbed. It’s about connecting with another’s pain and struggle so deeply that we can’t rest until they rest. When we feel compassion - real compassion - we don’t just understand another’s pain, we want it to stop. And then we do what’s needed to make it stop.
And if that’s the case, then maybe compassion’s question for us this month isn’t what we first
imagined. Instead of asking us, “How deeply are you able to feel?” maybe it’s asking, “What are you prepared to do?
Self-compassion is a powerful practice that can transform how we relate to ourselves. Here are six simple yet profound ways to bring more kindness and care into your life:
ㅤAsk yourself, 'What do I need?': Pause for a moment and check in. Do you need rest, reassurance, movement, or connection? Listening to yourself with curiosity and care is a powerful act of self-compassion.
ㅤTreat Yourself Like a Friend: Speak to yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a dear friend.
ㅤSupportive Touch: A gentle hand on your heart or a comforting self-hug can soothe and ground you in moments of distress.
ㅤWrite a Self-Compassionate Letter: Put pen to paper and offer yourself words of comfort and encouragement, just as you would to someone you love.
ㅤRemember You Aren’t Alone: It’s important to acknowledge that we all face challenges—this imperfection is what makes us human.
ㅤUse a Warm Inner Tone of Voice: Try to adopt a gentle tone with yourself, especially when things go wrong. Practice patience, understanding, and warmth toward yourself.
Download the October's Soul Matters packet below!
What does it mean to be a people of Cultivating Compassion?
October 9: Art, History, Architecture {AHA} Tunes, Treats & Creative Streets
David Rovics and Kamala Emanuel: Ministry of Protest, 6 PM to 8 PM, in the sanctuary.
October 12: Compassion’s Call to Treat Everyone With Dignity
Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss
October 19: Compassion’s Call to Move Outside Our Comfort Zone
Clara Barton, Angel of the Battlefield by Tamara Hollingsworth
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
October 30: YWCA Women of Distinction Awards: Minister Karen LeBlanc, 5:30 pm
Rachel’s Lakeside, 950 State Road, Dartmouth, MA
Autumn Welcoming, by Sarah Gettie McNeill
Come in, from the crisp morning air outside, come in, wearing the autumn sunlight on your face, come, carrying the turning of the seasons in your heart. Whatever and however the greatness of life is speaking to you now, you are welcome here in our circle of friends.
Registration
Even if you are a returning family or just an occasional attendee, please register your child or youth by completing the registration form. Registrations help us stay up to date on contact information, medical/social needs, and also help us keep track of how our program is growing! {Green Registration Forms Located in Parish House}
Yasmin Fle-Fleh Vincent
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.
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.
Save the Dates! Your Vote is Your Voice!!
Join the candidates' forums for the NewBedford School Committee and New Bedford City Council's At-Large. Hear from those running for office, learn about community priorities, and get informed before Election Day.
Key Election Dates to Remember:
October 25, 5 p.m.: Voter registration deadline for the general municipal election.
October 28, 5 p.m.: Application deadline for mail-in or absentee ballots for the general election.
November 3, noon: Final day for in-person absentee general ballots.
November 4: Municipal election day, polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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
Comments