The Compass, September 17, 2025
- Sep 17
- 7 min read
Rev. Karen LeBlanc—Woman of Distinction
Please join us in congratulating Rev. Karen LeBlanc for being honored with the YWCA's 2025 Women of Distinction Award. She was nominated by RE Director, Yasmin Flefleh-Vincent, for being simply amazing!
The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards inspire others to achieve by recognizing the leadership of women in a variety of areas. YWCA Women of Distinction have brought key issues facing women, girls, and people of color to the forefront. The awards recognize outstanding women in Southeastern Massachusetts whose lives and accomplishments reflect the YWCA’s Mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Honorees are recognized for their exceptional commitment to improving the lives of women and girls through their leadership, advocacy, and community service while achieving success in their career fields.
We Made the List!
According to an interesting new report published by Pew Research, "Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender tend to be less religious than those who are not LGBT. In addition, adults who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual have more negative views than other U.S. adults do about religion, though many say religion plays some positive roles in society." See the full findings here: https://tinyurl.com/socoreligion.
For many South Coast LGBTQ+ individuals, religious faith is a vital source of strength, community, and personal identity. Our region is home to many LGBTQ+ affirming spaces with faith leaders and congregants working to promote acceptance and justice for LGBTQ+ people. If you are looking for a sense of belonging and spiritual support, reach out to any of the organizations we've collected in the attached list, all of which have been faithful partners with The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network over the years.
Help Annie Overcome Lymphoma
Annie was diagnosed with Lymphoma in the Spring of 2025. Since then, Annie and her family have been in what she describes as a "surreal and painful state", trying to wrap their minds and hearts around this unexpected turn.
Receiving this diagnosis has left Annie and her family in a state of shock. Prior to her diagnosis, Annie worked for 37 years as a registered nurse, which she considers her vocation and plans to return to.
She received no benefits of any kind through work, except for the choice to maintain health coverage. She received short-term paid medical leave through the state, which unexpectedly ended on August 31, 2025.
Due to this unexpected loss of financial support, she is asking for $10,000 to carry her and her family through November 15, 2025. This will cover the cost of medical bills, health coverage, mortgage bills, and other life necessities.
Your donation will have a direct impact on Annie's ability to care for herself and her family. Any contribution helps during this trying time, and we understand it's a difficult financial period for many.
Please consider donating and sharing this with other like-minded souls. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! - Becki
Social Justice Committee Meetings
Join the SJC virtually on Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Be part of the change you would like to see in your community and beyond.
Reminder: Fall Garden Clean Up & Planting Day, September 21, Noon
Fall is the best time to add perennials and shrubs to the garden. The Garden Committee invites you to a fall clean-up and planting party. You'll be taking out the weeds and adding in some plants. Plant donations are appreciated; please label with height and sun exposure needs.
So, wear your old clothes to church and bring your trowel. Many hands make light work!
Committee Chairs,
Mary Rapoza & Bette Low
Thrift Shop Volunteers Needed
The Thrift Shop has lost an efficient, dedicated volunteer and is in desperate need of an additional volunteer or volunteers for the following:
Books need to be shelved
Bags of clothing need to be unpacked, sorted, and hung
Please contact Pam Sherman at (508) 423-0544 for additional information. There are also other ways to help.
Virtual Bylaws Meeting
On Wednesday, September 26, at 6:30 PM, there will be a virtual meeting for members to discuss the proposed changes to the bylaws. This will be the last virtual meeting. If you have anything to add to the discussion, please try to attend this meeting. You can also submit comments via email to be presented to the committee. An in-person meeting of the membership will take place in the Spring.
Sunday Service
September 21: Generosity - “Share What You Have!” The Story of Honi and the Carob Tree
September 28: Interdependence: “Notice and Care for the Wider Web!”, Walking Field Trip to Serlingpa Meditation Center at 11 am, 514 Pleasant Street, if you plan to meet us there!
From the UUA
The Unitarian Universalist Association has signed on as an official partner of the No Kings National Day of Mobilization on Saturday, October 18.
Building on the momentum from the first No Kings protests in June, we are mobilizing for another mass day of resistance, resilience, and action. Our commitment to building a multiracial democracy shows up in how we resist the abduction and deportation of our immigrant community members; how we resist voter suppression in the legislature and at the ballot box; how we celebrate our LGBTQ+ kin and communities - and on October 18, shows up in how we collectively cry out No Kings!
Find an action near you on October 18 using this map.
Hosting or organizing a #NoKings event that day with your UU congregation? Register your event here to receive training and resources.
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.
Community Meeting | Tuesday, September 30 | 5-7:00 PM
First Unitarian Church | Tryworks Auditorium
2nd Floor, Parish House
71 Eighth Street, New Bedford, MA
Elevator Access available
Learn more and RSVP at bit.ly/NBSeptMeeting.
DETAILS: This community meeting is part of AHA! New Bedford’s expanded role to facilitate conversations about management services for downtown New Bedford.
During the meeting, attendees will hear from:
A local business owner who will share their perspective about the current economic climate
Andre Leroux from MassINC, who will present key findings from his report: District Management for Downtown Vitality
A Q&A session will follow.
Pizza and refreshments will be served beginning at 5:00 PM, with the presentation starting at 5:30 PM. This event is free and open to the public.
I-195 Reconstruction Project
MassDOT's I-195 Reconstruction Project brings the long-term closures of two highway ramps: 195 West to Route 18 South (ramp C), and Route 18 North to 195 West (ramp D).
Detour info is below - MassDOT expects the closures to last until summer 2027. Visit MassDOT's project website for construction updates and to subscribe to receive project emails.
If you are taking the bridge, please keep the schedule in mind.
Daily, from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, the bridge opens at the top of each hour.
Daily from 11:15 am to 6:15 pm, the bridge opens 15 minutes past each hour.
After 6:15 pm, the bridge will open on demand for marine traffic.
Are you horrified by the way our neighbors on the South Coast are being treated by ICE?
Do you want to DO SOMETHING?
SouthCoast Welcome Corps is a grassroots group trying to pool together funds for quick disbursement to the families being impacted by ICE actions in New Bedford.
The funds they raise will go to local residents who have been taken into custody by ICE, specifically to fund:
Phone call accounts so those in ICE custody can communicate with loved ones and attorneys
Basic living expenses for families who have lost a primary income in the household
Legal and attorney fees
Repair of damages to property caused by ICE agents
Who are we? The SouthCoast Welcome Corps was founded in 2023 by 6 local women to support migrant and/or unhoused families being sheltered in area hotels. We have reactivated our site to collect funds in order to support those being most impacted. We are connected with Coalition for Social Justice, Community Economic Development Center, Mujeres Victoriosas, and others doing this vital work. We plan to connect all interested donors with additional ways to support mutual aid and community-building efforts in the region, too.
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
Camilla Brooks
Elise Rapoza
Mary Rapoza
Niko Tarini
Jack Vitale
Committee Chairs
Bylaws: Niko Tarini
Endowment: Carlton Dasent
Finance: Helena Hartnett & Larry Jaquith
Garden: Mary Rapoza & Bette Low
Hospitality: Deb Carmel
House & Grounds: Steve Carmel
Outreach: David Godinez (interim)
Religious Education: Charlie Morgan
Social Justice: Tonianne Wong & IsaiahKidney
Thrift Shop: Pamela Sherman
Staff
Minister: Rev. Karen LeBlanc
RE Director: Yasmin Flefleh-Vincent
Music Director: Randy Fayan
Administrator: Jessica DeCicco-Carey
Facilities: Tony Gonsalves
Sunday School Teacher: Mari Fay-Martin
Sunday School Teacher: Sam Angelini
The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM
(508)994-9686 ext.12
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