"Said the river: imagine everything you can imagine, then keep on going." - Mary Oliver
|
A new newsletter from
RE for UU families! |
|
September 25-
"Cultivating Connection"
- Rev. Mara
10:00 a.m.
In some ways, in 21st century America, thanks to technology and social media, we are better "connected" than we ever have been before. And yet, as many commentators have noted, simultaneously, our lives afford us fewer chances for meaningful, face-to-face connecting. How can we cultivate deeper connections in our lives? And how might a spiritual practice of "connection" counter the forces of division, isolation, and dehumanization, in which our public landscape is awash?
October 2-
**Return to Two Services**
|
Sept 25
After children are sung from the sanctuary, we'll gather in the Community Room for a special Welcome to RE morning of creating a covenant, connecting and reconnecting with one another, and learning about our year ahead with some fun activities!
Sept 28
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.-
Gun Violence Task Force
October 2
**Two Service Sundays Return!**
1:00
Building a Listening Congregation
October 15
9:00 a.m.
New UU Class
|
Visit the eNews archives on our website!
|
|
|
Gun Violence Task Force Meeting
| | by Jud Lawrie
The Gun Violence Task Force is holding our first official meeting at UU on Weds. September 28th, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.. Among other things we'll be discussing possible activities for the task force for the rest of the year. One primary focus will be working with Gun Sense VT to support passage of Universal Gun Background Check legislation in the 2017 session of the VT legislature. For more information about Gun Sense VT, see: www.gunsensevt.org.
We'd love to have you join us.
|
| What Does it Mean to Be a Healthy Congregation? | | |
by Peggy Owen-Sands
 Join the Healthy Congregation Team on October 2, 2016 at 12:30 for a light lunch followed by a discussion of conflict, communication and listening. Sarah-Elizabeth Anderson, a Restorative Circle Facilitator from the UUA, will lead the discussion and help us practice deep listening so that we can learn to be a Listening Congregation. Deep Listening is one of the essential components of being and remaining a healthy congregation. Deep Listening is also a tool you can use in many aspects of your life. Plan to join us after the service on October 2. You will be glad that you did! |
| Meet the Minister! | | |
by Nina Buss
Beginning October 5th Rev. Mara, Nina, and the Membership Team, will be hosting a "Meet the Minister" gathering on the first Wednesday of each month from 4:00-5:30 in the Parlors. (*Due to a scheduling conflict, however, the November gathering only will be the second Wednesday, 11/9).
This will be an informal drop-in event with light refreshments. If you have not yet had a chance to meet our minister in a small group setting, this is your opportunity! It will also be a great way to connect with other First UU folk in a more intimate setting than Sunday coffee hour.
Since this is primarily a group social event, if you are in need of one-on-one conversation with Rev. Mara about a pastoral issue or spiritual care matter, it's best to set up a separate appointment time with her via email (revmara@uusociety.org ) or office phone: 862-5630 x-24.
|
| Creative Project- Spiritual Theme Art Pieces! | | by Sarah Forbes
Are you, or your UU group creative?
We are looking for different individuals & groups to create the banner/wreath/wall-hanging/textiles that will represent the spiritual theme for each month. Each piece will hang in the arch above the pulpit for its designated month. The idea is to have some wonderful art pieces, made with love and enthusiasm to visually support the spiritual theme that will be spoken of from the pulpit and in the Path and Afterword. We would like the theme word to be incorporated into the item, the size to be roughly 3' x 4' and it needs to have some way to hang it. Spiritual Themes are:
October-Deep Listening
November-Hospitality
December-Expectation
January-Inheritance
February-Love
March-Imagination
April-Resistance
May-Growth
June-Delight Please contact Sarah Forbes for a project outline if you or your group is interested! sarahforbesdesign@comcast.net
|
| New UU Class October 15 | | by Nina Buss
Save the Date-New UU Class October 15th: Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism? Find out more about our own Burlington UU Congregation? Meet other newcomers? If so, please sign up for the New UU Class! The class will be held October 15th from 9am -12:30 here at the Meeting House. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the parlor or you may e-mail Nina Dahlstedt Buss at nina@uusociety.org |
| Meals on Wheels Volunteers Still Urgently Needed! | | by Susan Alden
Our First UU Society is responsible for supplying 8 drivers and 8 "runners" to deliver meals to the homebound each month, on the 1st and 5th Wednesdays, if there is a 5th.
Our next dates for delivery are Oct 5, Nov 2 + 30.
You as a regular volunteer or sub, will be paired with someone who knows the route in BTV and vicinity. We start and end from the Meals kitchen at 3 Cathedral Square, off Cherry St.
Students and neighbors who want to do some volunteer work are welcome. Please let me know.
Continued gratitude to our 'regulars', Jan Abbott, Barbie Alsop, Deanna Anderson, Adam Bortz, Rita Bortz, Chris Bullard, Mary Gade, Sue Golden, Barbara Heeter, Harriet Long, , Jeanne Lynch, Keith Morgan, Nick Nixon, Peg Twitchell, and former longtime volunteers, Barbie Alsop, Pam MacPherson, Betty VanBuren, and the late Sara Mikell.
Thanks also to our "subs", Harris Abbott, Joanna Cole, Eva Diner, Phyllis Farrell, Stewart Graves, Linda Gross, Janice Lange, Christina Long, Bruce MacPherson, Suzie McCoy, Shirley McLane, Aaron Schlossberg and Jonathan Stevens.
|
UU Parent RE Orientation & Open House
| | by Martha Dallas
Come learn about our programs and where your children fit in!
I'll provide a general overview with some Q& A time. Then, at 9:15, a bunch of our teachers will be here in classrooms, where you can meet them and learn about our program plans for the year. WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 25 from 8:30-9:45 WHERE: Community Room Refreshments and Childcare provided
|
| Everyone is welcome and ALL are strongly encouraged to attend | | by Martha Dallas
How, as UUs, do we affirm our first principle and also give all learners a chance to have a rich, fun morning?
In this training, Martha Dallas will cover both practical/procedural matters and philosophical/theological considerations. You will leave with more tools in your toolkit for those times when you may ask yourself, "Now, why did I choose to do this??!"
We'll remind you why. :o)
|
Classroom Management & Behavior Support Training
| | by Martha Dallas
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 25
TIME: 11:30 (gathering & refreshments at 11:15)
WHO: Any RE steward! Leads, Assistants, Storytellers, Doorkeepers... anyone who works with UU kids!
|
| Upcoming Sundays for Children | | by Martha Dallas
Sept 25 at 10 AM... special activities with Martha
Oct 2 at 9 & 11 AM... classes for preschool-7th grade begin
Oct 9 at 9 & 11 AM... classroom Sunday
Oct 16 at 9 & 11 AM... classroom Sunday
Oct 23 at 9 & 11 AM... classroom Sunday
Oct 30 at 9 & 11 AM... Multigen Worship
|
Special Kids' Welcome to RE Sunday, Sept 25
| | by Martha Dallas
I'm looking forward to cooking up some fun (with meaning and wonder!) for children this coming Sunday! After being sung from the sanctuary, children will join me in the Community Room for some Welcome activities, including connecting with each other, making a special altar cloth for this year's children's worship and some fun exploration of the Meetinghouse and UUism (a Treasure Hunt, perhaps?!). Don't miss it!
|
We Are Going! ... reflections & connections for UU parents
| | by Martha Dallas
The first edition is out! Yay! Because this will be a key means for me of going deeper and more broadly with family-focused content, I hope all parents will subscribe! Link to the September edition is here. |
| Calling All Goddesses! | | by Suzie McCoy
I'm hosting a wonderful experiential presenter, Rev D'vorah Kelley, on Saturday, October 1st at UU. Please join me as we "Explore Our Ages and Stages Through the Four-Fold Goddess Archetypes: Maiden, Mother, Sovereign, Crone".
Rev. D'Vorah is a gifted facilitator of Women's Circles, and believes strongly in the power of the Circle to affect change in a woman's life. I met her two summers ago at Ferry Beach, Maine. Using poetry, writing, collage, meditation, various religious/spiritual insights as well as her own valuable insights and experiences, Rev D'Vorah will lead us in an exploration of the stages and ages of our lives, and, no matter what our age, claim our Wise Woman! DETAILS:
When: Saturday, October 1st Time: 10am - 3 pm (bring a bag lunch) Where: First UU Burlington, 152 Pearl Street
Workshop fee: $45. Partial scholarship available.
D'Vorah Kelley's workshop," Aging as a Spiritual Journey", was a life-changer for me. I went home that weekend feeling joyful and hopeful and optimistic about the next stage in my life. D'Vorah doesn't so much lead a workshop as guide a group through a new experience. She's very willing to make changes to fit the needs of the group; one of her guiding principles is that of letting go of expectations. The important thing about any of D'Vorah's offerings is that she listens, she really listens. - Sandy H. Andover, MA
Pre registration is helpful so we can plan accordingly.
Feel free to email or call me with questions. I hope you can join us!
|
| New Business Office Hours | | by Christina Fulton
The Society has started new Business Office Hours:
Monday - Office Closed
Tuesday - Friday - Office Open 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Saturday - Office Closed
Sunday - Office Open 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Please note that "Business Office Hours" are when there will be someone seated in the main office near the Clarke Street entrance and will have the doors open to greet you. Other staff members will each have their own posted "Office Hours" when you can expect to reach them at their desk. If you are part of a group that has completed a "Blue Sheet" and received a confirmation from Bob, you can assume that there will be someone to let you into the building and to lock up afterward, even if that meeting is not during Business Office Hours. If you are coming to meet with a specific staff member, please check their posted Office Hours on the website or call ahead to make an appointment.
We understand that this may all seem rather complicated and appreciate your patience. You see, it is rather complicated. Our staff has grown. We have some full-time staff and many part-time staff. We all need to adjust our work schedules to accommodate many meetings both daytime and evening. We all also need some uninterrupted work hours when we can concentrate on things like writing, planning, supervision, pastoral care and financial tasks. So we will all do our best to keep you advised of our work schedules and have away messages on our voice mail and email when appropriate. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
