May 16th First UU Society Enews Blast!

Bridget Meyer, Worship Associate. Memorial Day began as a day to commemorate those who had died during the Civil War and later became a day to remember all those Americans who died fighting for their country. Bridget Meyer, who was raised in a military family, will lead this service. We'll explore how to honor the courage and sacrifice of soldiers while acknowledging the huge costs and tragedies of war and affirming our commitment to peace.

Put This On Your Calendar . . .

Click on the event for more details!

May 17, 5:00pm Poetry Night

June 2 - Annual Congregational Business Meeting

Ministerial Search Committee News

Thanks to all who have met with Reverend Mara Dowdall, our candidate for settled minister. The discussions have been very informative on both sides - we learned a lot from each other as well as from Reverend Mara.

Whether you have attended any of the meetings or not, you can come to the all-church potluck this Saturday the 18^th at noon. It will be outside if the weather is good (and the current forecast is splendid), in the community room if not. There will be wiffleball, face painting, and other activities for kids. Please RSVP and let Kristin and Hope know what you plan to bring at by clicking here. You may also call Kristin Kany at 324-4566 and/or email Hope Baker-Carr at epochs@myfairpoint.net to let them know how many will be coming and what you'll be bringing.

On Sunday the 19^th, Reverend Mara will conduct both services, then there will be a congregational meeting to vote on calling her as the new minister. The meeting is for members only, and the vote will be by paper ballot. There is no provision in the bylaws for absentee ballots - you must be there to vote. Check-in starts at 12:15, and the meeting will begin at 12:30.

To learn more, you can visit Reverend Mara's web site at www.revmaradowdall.com. And here are a few of the questions people asked at the gatherings, with Reverend Mara's answers:

Q: What is it that attracted you to the Burlington UU Society?

A: I was drawn to FUUSB's vitality and vibrancy, your public role in the community, and your long commitment to social justice work. I also appreciate that you have faced your challenges and have done deep transition work, including creating new structures to better support shared ministry. I admire your rich history, and have heard many good things about you from colleagues. The strong sense of call I felt to FUUSB vocationally was also aligned with some important personal factors: my husband works in Burlington, and we have close family and friends that live here, as well.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about being a minister?

A: I love the rich variety of a minister's work. There are certain constants, but each week brings different kinds of experiences: collaboration with staff and lay leaders about different ministries, reading and writing, and learning new things. I also love that ministry is about connecting and being present with people of all different ages and life stages.

Q: How do you balance ministry with being the parent of a small child?

Balancing work and family life is something many of us navigate every day. I have found the relative flexibility of the parish minister's schedule helpful in being able to fulfill my professional role while also being available for my son. I have also found that parenting has deepened my ministry in unexpected ways, and has stretched my capacity to be present and in the moment. Playing with my son is one of my spiritual practices. Having a healthy support structure, which includes my partner, extended family and friends, is also important.

Q: What would you offer this congregation, and, in turn, what would you need from the congregation for successful ministry?

A: I bring experience creating inspiring, integrated services and gifts in worship leading and preaching. I have a long history with social justice work, both in and beyond congregations, which is blended with a commitment to spiritual nourishment and a pastoral presence. I also have experience with institutional structures and organizational work, including collaborating with committees and leading and staff teams. I'm excited to think boldly with you about what Unitarian Universalism and this congregation can offer the world.

As a newly settled minister, my greatest need would be for the congregation to continue doing what it's already doing-participating in and being engaged with shared ministry! I would also welcome healthy expectations, open communication, and clear feedback. At the beginning of a new ministry, there can be tremendous excitement about all that we would hope to accomplish together. It would be important to come up with a sustainable pace to channel that excitement and a sequence of projects and goals to sustain the new ministry for the long haul.

Programs . . .

Scheduling Meetings for the Summer!

If you are a member of a Small Group Ministry or some other group that meets regularly at the Meeting House this message is for you! Please email Christina at xina@uusociety.org by June 1st to let her know if your group plans to continue meeting during the summer months at the Meeting House. We will have limited staff during the summer and need to plan ahead. Thank you!

From the Nominating Committee:

Slate/s to be Presented at Annual Meeting June 2, 2013

Because a revision of the current by-laws is proposed for a vote at the June Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee has been directed to prepare two slates of nominees for leadership positions depending on which set of by-laws is in effect. No matter which set of by-laws is in effect, all the Council Chairs/Contacts listed will be in place as of July 1st.

Your First UU Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slates of nominees for consideration at the June Annual Meeting. Committee Members are Rita Bortz, Anya Byam, Sally Conrad (Chair), Marla Emery, Linda Gross, Mary Ellen Manock

SLATE 1:

Offices and Positions complying with the proposed Bylaws Article X

Board Officers and Trustees

President (2 year term) Nominee: Chip Patullo 2015

Vice President (2 year term) Nominee: Gene Bergman 2015

Treasurer (2 year term): Janice Lange 2014

Secretary (2 year term) Nominee: Nina Harrington 2015

Trustee At Large (3 year term) Nominee: Tracy Titchner 2016

Trustee At Large (3 year term) Nominee: Debby Bergh 2016

Trustee At Large (3 year term) Tiffany Tillman 2015

Trustee At Large (3 year term) Nominee: Ed Amidon 2015

Trustee At Large (3 year term) Elizabeth Clayton 2014

Trustee At Large (3 year term) Nominee: Carol Livingston 2014

Assistant Treasurer

Tom Porter 2014

Trust Fund Committee (Five year terms)

Jason Cadwell (Chair) 2014

Ed Amidon 2015

Debby Bergh 2016

Tom Hartshorn 2017

Nominee: Tom Hyde 2018

Nominating Committee (Three year terms)

Nominee: Henry Schek 2016

Nominee: Dan House 2016

Rita Bortz 2014

Marla Emery 2014 (Chair)

Mary Ellen Manock 2015

Linda Gross 2015

SLATE 2

Nominees for Offices and Positions complying with the current bylaws (Article IX):

Board of Trustees

President (2 year term) Nominees: Chip Patullo 2015

Vice President (2 year term) Nominee: Gene Bergman 2015

Treasurer (2 year term): Janice Lange 2014

Secretary (2 year term) Nominee: Nina Harrington 2015

Property Co-Chairs (2 year term) Nominees: Jim Lawson 2015; Mark Kuprych 2015

Personnel Chair (2 year term) Nominee: To be announced

Council Chair (2 year term): Stephen Rainville 2014

Trustee At Large (3 year term): Elizabeth Clayton 2014

Trustee At Large (3 year term): Tiffany Tillman 2015

Trustee At Large (3 year term): Tracy Titchner 2016

Administrative Positions and Terms

Assistant Treasurer (2 year term): Tom Porter 2014

Stewardship Chair Nominee: Louis deRosset

Trust Fund Committee Members:(five year terms)

Jason Cadwell 2014 (Chair)

Ed Amidon 2015

Debby Bergh 2016

Tom Hartshorn 2017

Nominee: Tom Hyde 2018

Nominating Committee Members (Three year terms)

Rita Bortz 2014

Marla Emery 2014 (Chair)

Mary Ellen Manock 2015

Linda Gross 2015

Nominee: Henry Schek 2016

Nominee: Dan House 2016

Council and Other Committees

Animal Ministry Chair: Janet Schneider

Anti-Racism Chair: David Clark

Archival Committee Contact: Ann Livingston

Care Ministry Co-Chairs: Charlotte Brody/Mary Silverman

Floral Committee Chair: Sarah Forbes

Green Sanctuary Contact: Maeve McBride

Denominational Affairs Chair: Pat Allen

Fund Raising Contact: Nina Harrington

Library Chair: Lynn Douglas

Membership Chair: Carol Schneider

Music Chair: Carol MacDonald

Partner Chair: Bill Suiter

Planned Giving Chair: Nick Nixon

Programs and Adult Education Contact: Sally Conrad

Publicity/Public Relations Resource: Lori Roberts

Religious Education Chair: Sharon Leach

Sanctuary Committee Co-Chairs: Mary Gade; Aileen Chutter

Small Group Ministry Chair: Barbara Heeter

Social Action Web Convener: Jean Palmer

Welcoming Congregation Chair: Danielle Rochford

Women's Alliance Contact: Rita Bortz

Worship Committee Chair: Bridget Meyer

Help feed our hungry neighbors!

Volunteers from Unitarian Universalist Society are coordinating Sunday night Food Shelf suppers. Volunteers are needed from 4:30 - 6:30 each Sunday to prepare, serve and clean up at the Food Shelf ( 228 North Winooski Ave.).Older teens and home-for-the-summer college students are welcome. Small Group Ministries - this is a great opportunity to work together doing good work. We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity.

Please sign up for Sunday Dinners @ Food Shelf - here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1.Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot:

2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)

3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone.

If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Bridget Meyer at bmeyer1038@aol.com or phone 879-5409, and I can sign you up.

Thanks so much!

Creative Leadership

A Unique Opportunity!! Here's your last chance to experience the dynamic organizing skills of Rev. Roberta before she leaves us for her next Interim Ministry experience. On Saturday, June 1 (10 AM to Noon) and repeated on Tuesday, June 4 (6:30 PM to 8:30 PM) Rev. Roberta will give an interactive workshop on everything you want to know about being a creative and effective leader and/or committee member!

This workshop is for everyone- those serving or expecting to serve on the Board, committee chairs/members, and task force members. If you are a seasoned leader this is a great way to refresh your skills and prepare to collaborate with a new leadership team. If you're an emerging leader taking on a new role or considering leadership who'd like to get a sense of what leadership means in the context of our energetic congregation, this workshop also is for you! The workshop will be a mix of practical leadership skills, team building, and a process of creating a shared vision of lay leadership for the near future. It will be fun, interactive, and not to be missed! RSVP to Rev. Roberta at revroberta@gmail.com by May 29. Reserve childcare at childcare@uusociety.org by May 27.

Poetry Night

There is still room to join the Ethertons for poetry night on Friday, 5/17 at 5:00. Potluck dinner will be followed by a time to read a couple of your favorite poems. Please call the Ethertons at 658-4126 to reserve a place and decide on your food contribution.

Religious Education for Children & Youth

UPCOMING SUNDAYS FOR CHILDREN:

Upcoming Sundays for children

May 19: Special Sunday with magician Tom Verner of "Magicians without Borders. This is our second Sunday with Rev. Dowdall, followed by a congregational meeting at 12:30.

May 25at 10 AM only: Vacation Sunday for Memorial Day weekend, games and play on our lawn!

June 2: Multigenerational Yuuth Sunday at 10 AM only.

Summer services and children!

All ages are welcome for our summer services, which happen just at 10 AM. Reflections for All Ages will generally be shared, and children will be sung out to childcare for all ages, meeting in the Nursery. Children are also welcome to stay through the service in the sanctuary if they so choose.

Martha's schedule in May and June

I'll be taking vacation time Thursdays and some Mondays, so please be patient with my response time. Thanks!

Is your high schooler graduating? We will recognize our graduates on Yuuth Sunday, June 2. Please email Martha (martha@uusociety.org) by May 29th with where your child is graduating from and what his/her plans are for the summer and fall!

Rowe Camp, a unique UU camping experience

One of our members, Wendy Coe, offers this information about Rowe Camp: "I can't recommend it enough! Both of my boys went there, starting when they were about 9yrs old. My boys are very different personalities and both found a home and made lifelong friends at Rowe Camp. Click here to view link to an article about one of the younger camps (called YPC or Young People's Camp) that explains Rowe's unique, special, and awesome qualities." Contact Wendy for further information at wendycoe26@gmail.com.

For Yuuth:

Please introduce yourselves to Rev. Dowdall!

Youth and parents, from what the search committee has shared so far, it's clear Rev. Dowdall has rich experience with youth. Look elsewhere in this enews blast for times to come meet her, introduce yourselves, and talk about your dreams and visions for youth ministry at First UU!

Yuuth Sunday planning Overnight: 5:23 PM Sat 5/25 - Sun 5/26 at 10 AM

Save the date and come to have fun and finish planning Yuuth Sunday!

Yuuth Sunday is June 2nd at 10 AM

... and the rehearsal for it is Saturday, June 1 from 6-9 PM at the Meetinghouse.

Social Justice

News from the Social Justice Web:

The FUUSB Social Justice Web met on April 29 and discussed how best to use the approx. $2,500 in the Social Action Fund (also known as the Lasagna Dinner Fund). We decided:

1.$500 for materials for any of the groups in the Web to use at events/rallies

2.$500 for social justice issues/events that might pop-up during the year, need funding, but not have a budget

3. $1,500 for a one-time grant program for social justice groups/events that are not eligible for funding through the split plate or UU Council mini-grants. For example, groups that are not directly associated with FUUSB, or are not local, or are not 501(c)(3) non-profits.

Please follow this link to the application for this one-time grant program. Applications are due by June 30.

Thanks,

Jean Palmer

Convener, Social Justice Web

Administrative Information

Come In We're Open

Office Hours

On Sunday, May 19th, the office will be open from 8 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

The office will be closed Monday, May 20th - Thursday, May 23rd, as Christina will be on vacation and Kathleen will still be on limited hours. If you need to get into the building during this week please contact Bob, Roberta or Martha and schedule a time when they can let you in. If you already have an event scheduled on our calendar, we will have someone here to let you in at your scheduled time.

On Sunday, May 26th, the office will be closed.

On Monday, May 27th, the office will be closed for the Memorial Day Holiday.

Please Note that between now and the end of June we have at least one staff member and often more out of the office almost every week. This may result in the door being locked more than usual, so please make sure to ring the doorbell if you come during regular office hours and find the door locked.

The office is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.