A new newsletter from
RE for UU families! |
November 3-
"Beloved Community Beckons"
Worship Associate: Maeve McBride Music: Adult Choir (11), Sam Whitesell (9)- keyboardist, Wayne Schneider (11)- keyboardist
Guest- Jeff Salisbury (percussion)
Guest- Steve Ferraris (percussion)
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November 6
Children's Choir Rehearsal: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
November 7
Healing, Hope, and Community
Monday, November 7 at 6 pm at the First Congregational Church of Burlington, UCC, 38 South Winooski Avenue.
November 8
12:00 p.m. FUUSB Book Group: "The Good Lord Bird" November 13
Children's Choir Rehearsal: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm November 10 Writing With Spirit begins!
2nd and 4th Thursdays, starting Oct 27th, 6 - 7:30 PM
Mother Up! A Gathering for Families
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
November 20 Children's Choir Performance: Both Services
December 3 Holiday Bazaar 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
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Dear Ones,
 This week, I traveled to Greenfield, New Hampshire to join a hundred or so other UU ministers from across New England for a first-ever "regional" retreat. Usually, we gather with our colleagues from just Northern New England, but this week's gathering also included clergy from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, as well as some who had traveled from other places, drawn by the program. It was such a joy to be with dear colleagues-to worship, sing, share meals, and learn together. Our workshop-led by the amazing Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis focused on the worship arts, and I can't wait to share my learnings with you and find ways to bring them to life in our sanctuary. For many of us, the retreat was not only a nourishing immersion in collegial community, but also a calming respite from news of the approaching election. At the same time, as we mused around the campfire, it was just not possible to be fully "away." Even as we drove to the retreat center through the beautiful rolling woods of southern New Hampshire, lawn signs-many of them nearly billboard-sized-lined large stretches of the roads, a visceral reminder of next Tuesday. And in her program, Jacqui charged us to think about the important role our congregations, as forces for love and justice and healing, must play in the weeks ahead, no matter what happens in the election. All of this will be on my heart and mind when we are together again this Sunday and over the coming months. From my conversations with colleagues, as well as many of you these past weeks, I sense a collective, palpable anxiety among us. Related, I can't think of a more important time for faith community-both as a container to comfort us in our understandable fear and worry, and as a vehicle for building the beloved community, within our Meeting House walls and beyond. As we head through this election home stretch, I wanted to share two spirit-nourishing resources, which have graced my online world and that you, too, might find helpful: - "How To Live This Election And Beyond," a Conversation with Natasha Thretheway and Eboo Patel on the latest episode of Krista Tippett's On Being If you are seeking ways to be in spiritual community together, on Monday evening at 6pm, our friends at First Congo will be hosting be a multi-faith, non-partisan pre-election service and vigil at the First Congo. I will be joining other leaders of our Burlington congregations, who will be offering prayers and readings. Please come if it calls to you, and help spread the word!
Also, the day after the election, we happen to be having our second "Minister's Monthly-Meet-up" (Wed. 11/9, 4:30-6pm) in the Parlors. These monthly gatherings are a chance to chat with me and other members of our community in an informal setting-there will be snacks and warm beverages! If you find yourself in particular need of some community on Wednesday afternoon, please come on down if you can.
 And of course, we will gather for worship this Sunday at our regular times. Our special guest preacher will be Rev. Alison B. Miller, who serves our congregation in Morristown, NJ and is a candidate for UUA President. Worship Associate Maeve McBride and I will also share in leading worship. After the 11am service, there will be an informal "Conversation with Alison" in the Sanctuary, which will be a time to learn more about our upcoming UUA election in June, and to hear more of Alison's vision for our faith. Love, courage, and "deep peace of the quiet earth to you," Rev. Mara |
| In Memoriam | | by Rev. Mara
 We remember and celebrate the lives of two longtime and beloved First UU members who died this week: KK Wilder passed away at the Respite House on Monday night, after a period of illness. An obituary will be forthcoming, and will keep you posted on a possible memorial at a later date. Ruth Page passed away at Wake Robin on Sunday. You can find her obituary here. A Circle of Remembrance for family and friends will be held Wake Robin this Sunday evening, 11/6, at 6pm. We hold KK and Ruth and their dear ones in the light during this time of grief. |
| JUMP Bags Distributed This Sunday | | by Woody Fulton
 JUMP (Joint Urban Ministry Project) has been supported by our congregation for almost 30 years. It is supported through our budget, with many volunteers from First UU, by supplying toilet paper for JUMP's clients, and by our annual Thanksgiving JUMP Bag drive. T his Sunday, November 6, JUMP bags will be distributed. Stapled to each bag will be a list of items that you, as a bag recipient, will procure and place in the bag. Some lists will be of food staples, such as rice, beans, cereal, and tomato sauce. Other lists will be of toiletry items, tooth paste, razors, etc. Then on Sunday, November 20, you will bring your filled bag to Sunday service. The bags will be delivered to JUMP at First Congregational Church on Monday, November 21. First UU is the major contributor of these items for JUMP's clients, and it seems that the need is never less, only more. First UU's contribution is very appreciated by JUMP and JUMP's clients. We have come close to 200 bags is the past - let's hit 200 bags in 2016! Thank you from everyone at JUMP. |
Care Network Dementia Care Survey
| | by Martha Molpus
 The Care Network Ministry wants to know how FUUSB might strengthen support to members with dementia and their families. Dementia is a difficult topic...yet is a reality in our lives. What would FUUSB Dementia Care look like? Please complete our Dementia Care Survey, using either the survey form in the November 6 order of service or online. We will share the survey results with the FUUSB community and use them to shape our efforts. We can do this, together. Thank you!
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| Come to Mother Up: A Gathering for Families! | | by Maeve McBride
Join us Thursday, November 10 at 5:30!
 We'll begin with a simple, vegetarian dinner for all ages. (No need to bring anything!) Following dinner, for parents and older children, we will gather in a time of reflection and story-telling about the climate crisis and the ongoing actions at Standing Rock. Childcare is provided for young children in the nursery. RSVP with food allergies and childcare requests! maeve@350vt.orgMother Up! is a program of 350VT bringing together families to talk about the tough realities of climate change and to participate in the transition to a healthier and safer world. What Joanna Macy calls the "Great Turning," or the third revolution, is this unprecedented time where we are called to stop the destruction of our world, to build new life-sustaining practices and ways of being, and to shift our collective consciousness. We especially wish to engage young parents in this vital discussion of how we can make positive changes to protect our planet for our children's future. Curious to know more about Mother Up? Contact our project coordinator, Abby Mnookin, abby@350vt.org
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| Two New Library Books for Parents! | | by Peggy Derby
 Two New Library books for parents. Both can be found on the Parenting Cart in the community room just outside the Henry Bergh room on Sundays.
"What's Happening to My Body? A Book for Boys and Girls."
A bestselling up to date growing up guide for preteens and teens by Lynda Madaras. Call number 613.9
"New Kid New Scene." by Debbie Glasser PhD. Call number 373.18.
This insightful book provides concepts and exercises to help children adjust to new schools.
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Healing, Hope & Community
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 All are invited and welcome to gather for a pre-election, non-partisan, apolitical prayer vigil on Monday, November 7 at 6 pm at the First Congregational Church of Burlington, UCC, 38 South Winooski Avenue. We are all feeling the stress and tension over this election and area clergy want to offer your community, our community, a time and a place to come together for healing and hope. No politics - just song, poem and prayer. The vigil will take place outdoors, weather permitting. This event is hosted by First Congregational Church of Burlington, UCC, with planning assistance from area clergy representing interfaith and interdenominational traditions.
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| Our Whole Lives (OWL) for 5th & 6th Grade! | | by Martha Dallas
 We will, for the first time, be offering the Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade curriculum this year! Part of the UUA's series of comprehensive human sexuality curricula, this program availability is part of being a safe and sexually healthy congregation. It will kick off in December and continue through January and February, meeting after second service, from 12:30-1:30.
The working schedule is: Dec 4: parent orientation Class dates (8 sessions) Dec 11 Jan 8 Jan 15 Jan 22 Jan 29 Feb 5 Feb 12 Feb 19 If you'd like to register your 5th or 6th grader, or for more information, please contact Martha Dallas: martha@uusociety.org or 862-5630 x 28.
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| Welcome Sam Whitesell! | | by Jennifer Carpenter
 I wanted to take a moment to welcome our newest staff member. Please join me in welcoming Sam Whitesell, our new Interim First Service Pianist!! Sam will be joining us on Sunday, Nov. 6th. Sam has a wealth of experience in both classical and jazz piano, has degrees in Piano Performance from SUNY Potsdam - Crane School of Music, and has an extensive background as a freelance accompanist, as well as a private piano teacher of varying ages, skill levels, and repertoire. He has recently moved to Vermont, but has played in the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival for many years. We are most excited to welcome him to the team!!!! |
| First Unitarian Universalist Holiday Bazaar | | by Carol Czina
 First Unitarian Universalist Holiday Bazaar is Saturday, December 3, 2016, from 9 am - 2 pm. Seeking vendors of cards, artworks, jewelry, crafts, handmade items.
We have 10 tables available to rent to UU's who would like to sell their crafts during this busy and fun community event that fills our building with holiday cheer. We will be upstairs in the Susan B Anthony Room, lots of light and windows this year! Elevator access. Set up is from 8am to 9am on Dec 3. Tables will be 6-8' long. Tables are $30.00 or 10% of your proceeds (whichever is less). We'll also have one group table for UUs who have just a few things to sell. If we don't rent all tables by November 5, we'll seek vendors from the broader Members/Friends of FUUSB community. |
| Minister's Monthly Meet-up: November 9th 4:30 - 6:00 in the Parlors | | by Nina Buss
 Join us at this community-building Open House to enjoy some light refreshments and connect with Reverend Mara and others in a relaxed social environment. We especially invite those who have not had a chance to talk with Reverend Mara more deeply than the greeting line allows. Drop by for 15 minutes or an hour! No RSVP required. |
New UU Class Nov. 12
| | by Nina Buss
 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 November 12th from 9am -12:30 here at the Meeting House. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the Parlors or you may e-mail Nina Dahlstedt Buss at nina@uusociety.org
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| Time to Order a Holiday Wreath! | | by Sarah Forbes
 These lush wreaths are hand-made in the Northeast Kingdom and are custom-decorated in-house by a talented group of UU's. They come in the standard 24" width. To order a larger size, contact Sarah Forbes by November 21st at 578-6119 or sarahforbesdesign@comcast.net. Wreaths will be ready for pickup at the Bazaar Dec. 3rd or Sunday the 4th in the community room. |
Parents, Are You in the Loop?
| | by Martha Dallas
S ubscribe to my monthly UU Families email, "We Are Going," here.Also, for class-specific details, our teachers only have contact info for the parent who registered them. If you want your contact info shared with your child's teachers, please contact Alex Kerrigan, RE Assistant: reassistant@uusociety.org.
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| Upcoming Sundays for Children | | by Martha Dallas
Nov 6 at 9 & 11... Classroom Sunday Nov 13 at 9 & 11... Classroom Sunday Nov 20 at 9 & 11... Classroom Sunday
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| "Working for a Second Chance" | | by VIA
 The VIA group at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul is partnering with Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility to host a unique event called "Working for a Second Chance" on Wed., Nov. 16 from 6 to 7:30 pm at St. Paul's Common Room (2 Cherry St., Burlington). Panels of ex-offenders and potential employers will share their personal stories about looking for work or hiring workers. VIA will moderate a discussion including the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections about providing better job opportunities for ex-offenders in future. Please help us create an atmosphere of trust and support so that our panelists can speak freely. Refreshments will be provided.
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| Set Your Clocks Back! | | by Annemarie Granillo
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Back to the Future
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Great Scott! It's time to set your clocks back!
Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 a.m. so don't forget to set your clock back before you go to bed!
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