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Enews Blast
September 18, 2014

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
September's Theme:  Gathering

 

September 21st - 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Guest Worship Leader - Mike Brown "Laboring in the Vineyard" 

"First of all, jobs and inequality are closely linked if not identical issues. There's a pretty good though not ironclad case that soaring inequality helped set the stage for our economic crisis, and that the highly unequal distribution of income since the crisis has perpetuated the slump, especially by making it hard for families in debt to work their way out..."

          - Paul Krugman, "The Populist Imperative," New York Times, January 23, 2014

 

We are delighted to welcome to our pulpit this Sunday Rev. Michael Brown, Pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian in Burlington, where he has served that small, outspoken, activist congregation for nearly twenty-five years. He is also one of the founding group of clergy who began what is now Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA). He enjoys a capella singing and flyfishing, and is also a cabinetmaker and historic preservation carpenter. He has two grown children living in Madison and San Francisco, and is married to Amity Baker.

 

 

September 28th - 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
"To See It Is To Have It" 

 

In an oft-quoted line from the Book of Proverbs, the ancient scripture-writer observes that "where there is no vision, the people perish." On this final Sunday of our "Gathering" month, we'll consider the meaning and importance of "vision" in faith community. This year, the Board of Trustees will be articulating "ends" for First UU, which paint a picture of our shared values and the difference we hope to make in the world. As this work begins, we'll explore the power and possibility of gathering around a shared vision.   

 

 

 

Put This On Your Calendar . . .
 
Click on the event for more details!

Worship & Music . . .

 

Seeking Your Input on November's Theme: Generosity

 

This year, we will be seeking resources and ideas from you, the congregation, to help us develop upcoming "seek and inspire" themes. In this way, the spirit of shared ministry will infuse this new program. Similar to Rev. Mara's sermon-slow-cooker last year, we invite you to send in material related to the theme two months from now. We welcome quotes; personal experiences; stories from books, media, or mythology; poems; music; and/or favorite hymns. Please send your submissions to 

[email protected] or drop them in the church office by Friday September 26. 

 

A member of the Worship Associates Team will receive and collate these submissions, then in turn, share them with Rev. Mara, Martha, our music staff, the small group ministry task force and other staff and lay leaders planning programs. This material will become important fodder for the upcoming month's worship, RE, and other programming. A few things to keep in mind when you submit:

 

- The person who receives submissions will rotate throughout the year.

- If you are sharing a personal story, please indicate if it's okay to attach your name when it's shared.

- Submissions will be acknowledged with an automated email reply. We can't guarantee exactly how or whether submissions will be used throughout the month, but we welcome and appreciate all of them.


So without further adieu, we invite your submissions related to Generosity. Thank you in advance for your contributions to our collective ministry!

 

 

 

Caring & Belonging . . .

Values Conversations by Gene Bergman, Board Vice-President

A key role of the Board is to help our society identify its core values, those timeless and enduring beliefs or ideals we share, the embodiment of what we stand for. Naming values is extraordinarily important, a tool for making judgments, choosing among alternatives, and assessing probable outcomes. Understanding these values and using the information gathered in the search for Rev. Mara, the Board will develop "ends" that articulate the results we seek as a society to achieve over the next few years.

 

The Board has scheduled 3 congregational conversations for members to list the short phrases and individual words that encapsulate our values:  

1. Wednesday October 8, at 2pm;

2. Friday October 10, at 6:30;

3. Sunday October 19, after church at 12:30.

 

We need you. Please join us at one of these conversations on this next step on the road of "policy-based governance."  


 

Care Network Ministry Offers "Caring and The Art of Listening" Workshop

The Care Network Ministry (CNM) will offer a workshop on "Caring and The Art of Listening" on
Saturday, September 27th, from 9:00am- 4:00pm (a light lunch will be provided).  This workshop is part of "Developing the Caring Community", a guide to training lay members for pastoral care within the congregation.


 

"Caring and The Art of Listening" is open to members and friends and is suggested for anyone interested in volunteering with the Care Network Ministry.  Registration by September 19th is required.  Email Daniel Wilds at [email protected] to register. The CNM is a group of Society members and friends who work with the minister to provide support to those with physical, spiritual or emotional concerns.  The CNM is comprised of trained volunteers and welcomes new members.

  

Photo Directory Reminder!

The first photo sessions for our directory are this week, Sept. 18, 19 & 20!  These dates are completely booked so please show up for your appointment and plan to arrive 5 minutes prior to your scheduled photo time.  All photos will be in the church parlors. 


 

Since we filled all available time slots & have several on the waiting list, we will be adding one more photo day on Thursday, October 16th.  We are in the process of contacting everyone on the waiting list to get them scheduled.  We had a sign-up table for 4 consecutive Sundays and are not planning additional ones at this time.  If you still need an appointment and are not already on the waiting list, please contact Mandy Boyers to schedule a time ([email protected] or 317-430-4289). 


 

If you cannot make any of the photo dates but still want your photo to be included in the directory, please contact Mandy to make arrangements for submitting your photo and paying the $10 fee which the directory company charges for submitted photos.  It is best if the submitted picture is vertical and 5x7 or smaller.  The photo should be sent electronically since there is no guarantee that Lifetouch will return the picture if it is a hardcopy.  


  

Looking for the Perfect Person!
 

Is the FUUSB Holiday Bazaar always on your calendar? Do you look forward to buying gifts, picking up a new book, buying that 'useless plastic object' you've always wanted and finishing off with a lovey soup and sandwich lunch? Well-this plea is for you!  The Bazaar Committee is looking for a co-chair, particularly someone to publicize, advertise and 'break' into social media (Facebook anyone?). Please contact Carol Czina [email protected]

or Lynn Douglas [email protected] for more info! Thank you!

  
Spiritual Growth & Learning . . .

 

A quirk with RE registration this year... 
If you registered prior to Sept. 1st, thank you! If you tried to register on Sept. 1st or more recently, you discovered that the link wouldn't let you in to register. If this is the case, please accept my apologies and try again (we came to an unanticipated technical wall). There is a new link to the registration form (it is actually a copy of the original form), so don't be surprised when you look for friends who registered in August or July and don't see them listed. The current form will essentially be a "second batch" of registrations for the 2014-2015 year. The new, working link is here:

Click Here to Register for RE Classes!
 
Thanks for your patience and understanding as I navigate the e-technology! 
- Martha Dallas, DRE


 

Renewable Energy Activities: Earth Justice! 
Mixed-age activities for children THIS Sunday, Sept 21st during both services. Erin, from the Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP) will set up multiple activities to play with and learn about solar & wind energy and electricity! Come join the fun in spirit and solidarity with UUs marching in NYC for climate action! 

Upcoming Sundays in Children's Religious Education: 
Sept 21: Justice Sunday: Renewable Energy! 
Sept 28: Classroom Sunday
Oct 5: Classroom Sunday
Oct 12: Classroom Sunday
Oct 19 Classroom Sunday

News & changes in Religious Education... 
Unfortunately, since many people did not make it to this year's RE Orientation, I will email a summary of news and updates soon, to everyone who has registered for RE this year. -Martha Dallas


Northern New England District Fall Conference
"Lower the River: Cultivating Systemic Change in Your Congregation"


Justice & Outreach . . .

 

     



Climate March Labyrinth Walk
This Sunday, September 21st, a member of the Labyrinth Ministry Committee will be at the FUUSB Community Labyrinth between the morning services to support anyone who wishes to walk the Labyrinth in solidarity with those attending the Peoples Climate March in NYC.  Everyone is welcome to peacefully walk the circuits of the Labyrinth in support of keeping our world safe from the ravages of climate change.


Open Streets Burlington

Get ready to bike, stroll, roll, dance and skate on 3 miles of car-free Burlington streets, 

9am - 2pm September 21, 2014


 


Vermont Interfaith Power & Light Conference 

The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington has long been a member of Vermont Interfaith Power & Light, which exists to serve Vermont faith communities in their efforts to address the climate crisis. The Social Justice Web at FUUSB invites you to participate in VTIPL's annual conference, "Renewing Our Energy: People of Faith and Spirit Empowered to Act" on Saturday, September 27 at Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, Vermont. Register online at http://vtipl.givezooks.com/events/fall-conference-2014This information is linked from our Facebook page.)

 
The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, the Conference Minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ and a climate activist, will give the Keynote speech and will lead a workshop on divestment. Other workshops include Net Zero Energy; Theological Foundations for Creation Care; and Action Steps for Congregations. The conference also includes lunch, music by the Spoon Mountain Singers, conference sponsors' displays, a book fair, and more.  

 
Check-in on the day of the event will begin at 8:45AM, and the conference activities will begin at 9:30AM and go to 4:30PM.

When cost is an issue, VTIPL will offer a reduced price. Please contact VTIPL at [email protected]  or 802-434-3397 to inquire. Conference income covers expenses and supports VTIPL's work. Registration deadline:September 19, 2014. If you plan to attend, p
lease let me know, Caitlin Waddick (
FUUSB's Social Justice Web Convener, [email protected]802-497-0920); we hope to strengthen our engagement on climate issues through interfaith action.     


 


  

Stewardship & Resources . . .

 

 


 

 

 

Do You Have A  Copy of This Book???

We have many new Committee Chairs waiting to read this book.  If you previously borrowed a copy of this book from the Society and are done reading it, we would love to have it back.  Please drop off any copies you have in Christina's office.  Thank you!




When Was the Last Time You Googled the First UU Society of Burlington?
Well you should give it a try!!!  New member Tim Eakle volunteered his services to take photographs of the Meeting House and add them to our google site.  
Click here to take a peek!  This is such a great gift as anyone googling our Society will now be able to take a virtual tour of our building.  Thank you Tim!  www.studio360vt.com
  

Office Hours

Monday, September 22nd - Office Open 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16th - Office Open 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 17th - Office Open 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday, September 18th - Office Open 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Please note that Staff Meeting will now be held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  This is generally not a good time to stop into the office as we will all be in this meeting.  Thank you!