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Enews Blast
December 5, 2013
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Our Mission: We gather to inspire spiritual growth, care for each other and our community, seek truth and act for justice.
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Upcoming Worship Service Information
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Dec. 8, 9 and 11 am "Waiting" - Rev. Mara Preaching
Inspired by the liturgical season of Advent, we will explore the spiritual dimensions of "waiting." We spend an inordinate amount of time in life "waiting" - to see the doctor, to get where we're going, for something to happen. And yet, more and more, we live in a culture of real time results, immediate answers, and instant gratification. What might be the value of "waiting?" How do we navigate those times when waiting feels impossible?
Dec. 15, 9 and 11 am"Keeping Hope Alive" - Rev. Mara Preaching
Our Sermon Slower Cooker topic this month is HOPE. Hope is a value often lifted up during the December holidays. This Sunday, we will journey into hope's heart together. What is hope? What does it matter? How can we find hope when it's hard to find? The third Sunday is The Sermon Slow Cooker, which means that Rev. Mara welcomes your thoughts, reflections, and suggested readings on the topic prior to preaching. If you'd like to contribute any ideas about "Hope," please send them to Mara at revmara@uusociey.org by Wednesday, December 11. See the December Steeple for some reflection questions on hope
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 Child Dedication Ceremony Coming Up December 22nd!
During the multigenerational services on Sunday December 22, we will offer a dedication ceremony to welcome new babes into the circle of our community. A child dedication is a uniquely UU ceremony in which the child is officially welcomed by the congregation and the community, in turn, pledges its love and support to the child and her/his family. It also features a blessing with a flower and water, during which the sacredness of the new life is acknowledged. While dedications are often performed for infants in their first year of life, they are also open to children of all ages who might want to participate. If you are interested in having your child dedicated on December 22, please let Rev. Mara know via email at revmara@uusociety.org or by calling the church office (ext. 24). The deadline to sign up is Sunday December 15.
 In Memoriam . . .
Long time member Barbara Goodman passed away recently.
Barbara's memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 15th at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All is safely gathered in
She sits at the end of the pew
next to the aisle, ready to flee
if someone should smile her way or,
God forbid,
touch her shoulder in sympathy.
Her coat is on; she's always cold now.
Her pockets and purse are stuffed with Kleenex,
just in case.
She doesn't want to lose face
and break down sobbing.
She makes it to the last hymn,
and the tears threaten to start.
Grief has her in a choke-hold.
Her eyes find above the altar
a wreath of golden ears of corn.
Don't mourn.
One...two...three
four...five...six...
Forty-four.
Or was that forty-five?
One...two...three
four...five...six ...
Forty-six?
Still not sure.
They're a blur.
One...two...three
four...five...six..
The hymn ends.
Amen.
There are forty-five ears.
Forty-five.
Forty-five.
Judy Brook January 2, 2006
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Put This On Your Calendar . . .
Click on the event for more details! |
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Click Here for Your Copy of the Adult Programs On-Going Events Catalog for 2013-2014!
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Social Auction
Great news! The UU Social Auction raised over $9,000 this year thanks to everyone's generosity and participation. All donors will soon receive a letter letting them know who won places at their event. Bidders will receive a letter listing the items they won and indicating the total amount due. A yellow envelope will be included in the letter addressed to the FUUSB office and marked "Social Auction". Please mail or deliver the envelope to the office before January 15th. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's auction a success!
Grief Support Group 
Grieving the loss of a loved one? The Care Network Ministry offers a grief support group on Tuesday evenings, December 3rd, 10th, 17th and January 7th from 7:00-8:30PM. Please email carenetwork@uusociety.org if you have questions or would like to attend.
 A Vigil Remembering Sandy Hook/Newtown Tragedy
A short vigil will be held at UU in remembrance of the school shooting tragedy at Sandy Hook/Newtown one year ago. Please join us in keeping their memories alive.
Saturday, December 14, 4:30 - 5:00 PM
At the front steps of UU
Join other UUs learning about the beginnings of our faith.
The third in a series of six films called "Long Strange Trip" exploring the history of Unitarian Universalist thought from the beginning of the Christian era to modern day Unitarian Universalism is scheduled on Wednesday, Dec. 18th at 3:00 PM in Butternut 1 Lounge at Wake Robin Community, Shelburne.
"Part III - American Unitarianism(1620-1860)". Approximately one hour long, this third film shows the development of Unitarianism in America from 1620 through Theodore Parker's death in 1860. It discusses the early fractures between religious liberals and Congregationalists in Colonial America. It discusses the effect of Joseph Priestley's immigration and William Ellery Channing's role in the formation of the American Unitarian movement. It tells the story of the final split between the Unitarians and the Trinitarian Congregationalists in the 1820s from both a theological and a legal perspective. It revisits the Arian/Socinian fracture that played out here as well and the Transcendentalism of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, and Theodore Parker. It talks about the key role Fuller played in moving Transcendentalism out from a niche movement in Concord to the driving force behind Unitarianism. Finally, it discusses the role Theodore Parker played in advancing Unitarianism beyond its traditional Bible-centered roots and his role in some of the great social justice issues of the day, especially the abolition of slavery.
All who find an afternoon event convenient are welcome. For specific directions call or e-mail Dave Conrad at 658-1047 or dconrad@uvm.edu
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Religious Education for Children & Youth
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Coming of Age is about to launch! 
We kick off the program this Sunday, Dec. 8th from 4-6 PM. We're excited to have four participants in the program this year: Dan Hellen, Gwendolyn Sands, Alexandra Stamper, and Eva Paradiso. Their mentors are, respectively: Chip Patullo, Kathy Stamper, Peggy Sands, and Jeff Trumbower. Thank you, mentors! We look forward to the shared journey of discovery over the coming months.
Safe Congregation Reminder:
Religious Education Stewards, please remember to sign a hardcopy of the Code of Ethics and give it to Martha or Christina. Copies are available on bulletin boards and online at: http://www.uusociety.org/codeofethics
Nativity Pageant Coming Soon!
This fun, narrated, unrehearsed play that we did last year will be back by popular demand! - December 22 at both services. In case you weren't there, people from the congregation volunteer for parts as the story is narrated. They don't have to say anything, just wear the "costume" we have. We will need a few people at each service to help the actors put on their costumes - things like beards, walking sticks and halos. Sound like fun? Want to help? Please let me know and also tell me which service you plan to attend. Thanks! Tree reassistant@uusociety.org
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 Socially Responsible Santa
On Sunday, December 8, Socially Responsible Santa will visit our Society. Since 1986, this unique program has provided cash gifts to families in need during the holidays. In this way, we honor our first principle by giving families the opportunity to make choices in their lives, often something
they are unable to do. In the past, families have purchased food for a special meal, warm clothes or boots, and have even been able to move out of a shelter. to Last year we provided gifts to 35 families and, as the Head Elf, I'd love to see us reach 40. Elf helpers will be in the parlors, downstairs in the community room, and at the front door after each service to collect donations. If you are not able to be at the service that day, you can send a check to us with Socially Responsible
Santa in the memo line. Thank you in advance for your generosity! If you have any questions, please contact me at mehayes@uvm.edu. I could also use more elf helpers(and you even get to wear a special hat). Maggi Hayes, Head Elf.
Welcoming a Guest at Your Table 
Each year at this time, our congregation participates in Guest at Your Table - a UU tradition for decades. By bringing home a beautiful Stories of Hope booklet and envelope or box, you can learn about how the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) puts our shared values into action in the United States and around the world.
Through a potent combination of advocacy, education, and partnerships with grassroots human-rights leaders, UUSC promotes workers' rights, rebuilds sustainable communities, advances civil liberties, and heals people affected by disasters.
The Stories of Hope booklet helps us connect with leaders throughout the world who are working hard for human rights in partnership with UUSC. In each household, Guest at Your Table materials are placed in a prominent spot where the household gathers. When family and friends gather to enjoy their blessings, they can reflect on the contributions of these "guests" to the movement for universal human rights - and share generously.
Sharing our blessings through Guest at Your Table ensures that UUSC's human-rights/social justice work continues worldwide. Please consider making a contribution that meets membership levels (indicated on the envelope or box). Since UUSC is an independent organization that receives no funding from any government or denomination, your support and membership are vitally important. For more information about UUSC, please go to: www.uusc.org
We will open our Guest at Your Table program this Sunday, Dec. 8th. Thank you for putting UU values into action globally as well as locally.
JUMP Goodies Available
For the next three Sundays JUMP will have several gift items available for sale. Friendship Soup, a blend of beans, rice, and spice that you can augment as desired - this makes a wonderful small gift for a favorite teacher, letter carrier, or aunt!. And, an assortment of note cards with original artwork. These you can use or they will make a nice gift as well. Proceeds go to support JUMP, the Joint Urban Ministry Project. Thank you.
First Night Lasagna Dinner
Tuesday, Dec. 31st from 4 - 8 in the Community Room
Sign-up sheets are going up this week for Lasagna Makers, Cookie Bakers and Volunteers! This is a time honored event and this year the proceeds will support the Labyrinth Fund and the Yuuth Group. We will need many people to contribute to the success of this event. It's fun and a great way to reach out into the community. As an added feature we will be selling coffee, hot chocolate and cookies in the Parlors for people coming in and waiting for the next event!
UU Labyrinth News
Visit our Labyrinth Table at the Holiday Bazaar this Saturday from 9-2! You will find beautiful handcrafted pewter Labyrinth earrings, pendants, keychains and finger labyrinths. We will also be selling original prints and cards by Carol MacDonald and Jen Kristel. Support the Labyrinth Fund - buy Raffle Tickets for the framed "Labyrinth" print. We will be on the Main Floor in the Parlors. Can't wait to see you!
Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors!
Volunteers from the UU Society are coordinating Sunday dinners at the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. Volunteers are needed from 4:30 - 7 on 12/15,12/22,12/29, 1/5/14,and 1/12/14, to prepare, serve and clean up at the Food Shelf ( 228 North Winooski Ave.). Older teens and home-for-the-holidays college students are welcome. This is a great opportunity to do hands-on social justice work work together. Many of the attendees at these dinners are homeless or unemployed due to economic forces beyond their control. Numbers are way up at the dinners -- helping hands and casserole donations are most appreciated.
We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity. Please sign up to volunteer or bring food donations for Sunday Dinners @ Food Shelf - here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1.Click here
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 Jean Palmer and I can sign you up.
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VIA's Partner, Vermont Health Connect Announces Enrollment Help
December 7th: Vermont Health Connect's Countdown to Coverage
With January 1st and the start of health coverage just weeks away, Vermont Health Connect is hosting enrollment assistance events at ten computer labs across the state. The events focus on Vermonters who are purchasing health insurance plans on their own, as opposed to getting coverage through an employer. Participants will be able to use computers to set up an account, see if they qualify for financial help, and compare health plans.
Vermont Health Connect staff and Navigators will be on hand to provide assistance and answer questions about the enrollment process. Applicants are encouraged to have the following documents handy: Social Security Numbers for each household member (or document type and number for legal immigrants), recent tax documents or pay stubs, and information about medical needs.
When: Saturday Dec. 7, 10am-2pm
Where: Hinesburg, Champlain Valley Union High School
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| Administrative Information |
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 Why Do We Do That?
A member wonders why our Order of Service is now printed on full 8 1/2 X 11 sheets of paper? We used to always have our Order of Service printed on an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper folded in half with half sheets stuffed inside. Ann Livingston was our awesome volunteer who copied, folded and stuffed the Order of Service ever single week for us on Thursday mornings. The reason this changed is mostly a timing issue. Rev. Mara takes Mondays off as her "Sabbath," which means the order of service is not ready for publishing until Thursday afternoon. Super Volunteer Ann already had a commitment for Thursday afternoons. So we went into problem solving mode and decided that by putting the order of service on full sheets of paper, we could process the entire project on the copier on Thursday afternoon. No need to fold pages in half, no need to cut pages in half and no need to stuff it.
If there is something about our Society or the way that we do things that you'd like to know more about, send your question to Christina at xina@uusociety.org. I will either answer your question myself, or if I don't know the answer I'll find someone who does!
The gift of generosity 
This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported the First UU Society this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit http://www.uusociety.org/Contributions or contact Christina at xina@uusociety.org or 802-862-5630 ext. 22.
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Office Hours
The office will be open Monday - Thursday, December 9th - December 12th, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Each staff member has slightly different office hours, so if you're trying to be in touch with individual staff members, here are the times we're generally available:
Rev. Mara: In the office on Tuesday - Thursday
Martha: Monday 1 - 5, Tuesday - Thursday 9 - 5
Christina: Monday - Thursday 9 - 4:30, Sunday 8 - 12:30
Bob: Monday - Thursday 6:30 - 3, Sunday 6:30 - 12:30
Kathleen: Monday 9 - 1, Tuesday - Thursday 9 - 4:00
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