Registration page banner
eNews
November 11, 2016
Latest News
Election and our children
Care Network Dementia Care Survey
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Helping Our Neighbors at the Family Room.
UU Animal Ministry's 3rd Annual VEGAN
Labyrinth Sunday and a call
Local 1st UU Society
Holiday Bazaar
COTS Phonathon Volunteers
Courage and Gratitude
Thanksgiving JUMP Bags
RE Leaders Sustenance Circle
Upcoming Sundays for Children
Time to Order a Holiday Wreath!
 
Breath of Fresh Air
    
 
 
 

 A new newsletter from
RE for UU families!
 
Upcoming Services
November 13- 
"What is Required of Us"          

w/ Rev. Mara

Worship Associate: Melinda Leee

Music:  Sam Whitesell (9)- keyboardist, Wayne Schneider (11)- keyboardist

This Sunday, we'll come together to be in community and reflect together on the state of our world, and what is required of us as UU's and spiritual beings moving forward in it. This month's spiritual theme - hospitality - will help guide us.




 
How Do I Submit to eNews?
Click here to view our submission guidelines for 2016/2017
 

 
Important Dates
November 13       
Labyrinth Walk
(after both services)

Children's Choir Rehearsal: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

UU Animal Ministry 3rd Annual Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck
5:30 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

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
7:30
First Methodist Church
 
December 3
Holiday Bazaar
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.        


 
Quick Links
The Steeple

 
Social
Like us on Facebook

View on Instagram

Follow us on Twitter

 
In Case You Missed It
Visit the eNews archives on our website! 
Dear Ones,

As the week continues, I know that many of us are still reeling from the election, struggling to make sense of what has happened, and what it means for our faith, our children, our community, and our world. We may be struggling with how to be in a relationship with family, friends, and neighbors who voted and feel differently than we do; we may be fearing for the safety and well-being of ourselves, our beloveds and our planet; we may be grieving for what has been lost; we may be outraged about the racism, misogyny, and xenophobia that this campaign season both revealed and amplified. 

I want you to know that I am struggling right alongside you. There is much that I, and we, don't know right now, but what I feel certain of in the core of my being is that we need one another, always and even more. And so, we will gather on Sunday - and again and again in the coming weeks - to fortify our weary spirits and to practice the fierce love and radical welcome we want to see in the world (and to which our faith calls us!). As we say on Sunday mornings in our welcome, we will continue to gather to make meaning in our lives and to build the beloved community here on earth. And please, if you know of someone struggling right now, invite them to come with you; let's be generous in sharing the love and comfort and challenge of our UU faith during these days.

Many thanks to all who came on Wednesday evening to create a sacred space of comfort and courage. Special thanks to the First UU staff and volunteers who worked extra hard to lead music, provide candles, offer readings, make coffee, welcome guests, and show care and kindness to everyone who came in the Meeting House that day.
Some of you have asked for copies of the readings we shared at the vigil. You can find them here:

"Choose to Bless the World," Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker

"A Great Need," attributed to Hafiz

Yesterday, the great bard, musician, and mystic Leonard Cohen passed on and joined the ancestors. I am thinking of these lines from his ballad "Anthem," which I leave you with, until we meet on Sunday:

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack in everything 
That's how the light gets in. 

With love,
Rev. Mara

 
Election and our children
by Martha Dallas

Martha The unexpected presidential election results have left many stunned, bewildered and tongue-tied. We struggle to make sense of it all, and grasp at strands of hope, consolation and courage to pick ourselves up and find a way forward. 

I offer this resource as one source of support. I hope, too, that you will let your honest feelings and words flow, as messy and uncertain as they may be. Hold and support each other. Our children are watching and listening; for many, their fears are real. May we love and protect them as fiercely as ever in this time. 
Care Network Dementia Care Survey
by Martha Molpus
Thanks to all who have completed the Dementia Care Survey--and a reminder that this survey is still available online and takes just a few minutes.  We need your ideas--including any questions--to help us better support FUUSB members with dementia and their families.  Please let us hear from you.  


Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
The Burlington Area Ministry Association invites you to their annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. It will take place on Sunday, November 20th, 2016, at the First Methodist Church, 20 Buell Street, Burlington, Vt., at 7:30 pm.  Song, prayer, musical offerings  and a presentation by the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program will fill this cherished annual evening of gratitude.  For information, you can contact this year's convener, Rabbi Jan Salzman at rabbijan@ruachhamaqom.org
 
Helping Our Neighbors at the Family Room
by Cheryl Herrick

Our wonderful neighbors at the nearby Family Room Parent-Child Center need community help as they face a significant transition.  Cheryl Herrick is seeking other UUs to join her on a Family Room Task Force to see how we can support this resource that's so important to our multicultural Old North End neighborhood.  Email Cheryl at  herrickvt@gmail.com if you're interested in learning more and we'll set up a first meeting. 
 
UU Animal Ministry's 3rd Annual VEGAN Thanksgiving Potluck Celebration
by Janet Schneider
5:30 pm, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, All are invited to the UU Animal Ministry's 3rd Annual VEGAN Thanksgiving Potluck Celebration co-sponsored by Vegan Vermont!  Please bring a vegan dish to share (No red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, gelatin). Please label all ingredients. UU Community Room
 
Labyrinth Sunday and a call for compost movers
by Carol MacDonald

Join us at the Labyrinth after the service on Nov. 13th, weather permitting.  After both services, the flags will be out around the labyrinth and someone from the Labyrinth Ministry will be there to answer questions and guide you on your walk. This will be the last Labyrinth Sunday for the year, but we will resume this tradition in the spring.

The grass in the Labyrinth has taken a bit of a beating with the dryness.  We will be spreading compost on the labyrinth around 12:30 after the Labyrinth Walk and would love for a few folks to join us in moving and spreading compost. Please call Carol MacDonald at 802-373-8650 or email me at carol@carolmacdonald.com. Thanks!


 
Local 1st UU Society of Burlington Member Hosting a Human Rights Write-a-thon
by Carolyn Smiles

What: Write for Rights 2016  
Hosted by Amnesty International in VT,  Carolyn Smiles/1st UU Society of Burlington Member, Volunteer Area Coordinator for AIUSA in VT
Where: Brownell Library in Essex Junction (near 5 corners on Rt. 2A), free parking behind library
When: Saturday December 3, 2016
Time: 10 AM-4 PM  Drop in anytime during the day!

Come be part of the the world's largest human rights event and write, email, text or tweet.  Help protect human rights all around the world and do it in solidarity with others doing this around the world. All the information is provided as are snacks and beverages.

Hope to see some fellow UUs there!

Thanks.
Carolyn Smiles

Write for Rights info.:   amnestyusa.org  and click on the third screen that rotates at top of screen

 
First Unitarian Universalist Holiday Bazaar is Saturday December 3, 2016, from 9am-2pm:
by Deborah Ragione

It is that time of the year for the Annual UU Holiday Bazaar.  There will be books, jewelry, attic treasures, handmade crafts and homemade food items.  There will also be a variety of fresh wreaths and greens just in time for the holidays.   In addition, the Women's Alliance will be hosting the pie table and the 6th grade class will be hosting the toy room. A delicious lunch will be available from 11:00-1:00 for $8. 
 
If you have things that you would like to donate that fit into those categories, the hours for drop-off are Wednesday, 11/30 from 10-2, Thursday, 12/1 from 10-7, and Friday, 12/2 from 10-7.   Certain items such as clothing, bedding, furniture, large appliances and baby things cannot be accepted. Please look for information in your Order of Service with all the details the last three Sundays in November.  We are also looking for volunteers to help and have set up a link where you can sign up online to fill the spots needed to work the days of the drop off and the day of the bazaar. Also needed are baked goods such as brownies, cookies, lemon bars, etc. that can be served for dessert with the lunch.  The link for all of these volunteer opportunities is http://signup.com/go/wtexqC . There is also a signup sheet on the bulletin board outside the church office as well as in the Parlors after each service. 
 
Thank you all in advance for your help in making this event a great success!

 
COTS Phonathon Volunteers Needed
by Bruce Brown

COTS Annual Winter Phonathon is coming up again.  FUUSB will be helping out on Interfaith Night on Thursday, Dec 1 (if not convenient you can volunteer 11/28-11/30 or 12/5-12/6).  Mailroom volunteers and callers are needed.  Calls are made only to previous contributors (no cold calling). We've had a core group of volunteers but would like to get new recruits. It's actually a fun evening as we cheer when big donations come in and hopefully win raffle prizes.  Orientation and pizza is at 5:30 and calling is from 6-9 at COTS temporary location at 179 S. Winooski Ave.  Please contact Bruce Brown at bruce.brown22@gmail.com or 760-9427.
 
Courage and Gratitude
by Andre Mol
In 1939, two young Unitarians, Martha and Waitstill Sharp, answering a call from the newly formed Unitarian Service Committee, left their children in the care of their congregation in Wellesley, MA and flew to Nazi-occupied Prague, risking their lives to assist refugees.  As part of our November theme of "hospitality," FUUSB will be sponsoring a series of events to share this couple's couragous story of radical hospitality and explore what their legacy means for us as Unitarian Universalists today.

Film Screening & Pizza
"Defying the Nazis: The Sharp's War" by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky
Join us for a screening of the film released this September on PBS.  Pizza will be available starting 15 minutes before the screening.  Childcare will be provided.

Donuts & Dialogue Talkback
After the 11:00 service, join together for a dialogue about the Sharp's legacy, what it means for us as UUs, and its applicability to our social action work today.  The service will also focus on the Sharp's story, so while attending the screening is encouraged, it is not required for attending the talkback.  Childcare will be provided.

 
Thanksgiving JUMP Bags
by Ellen Wollensack

The Thanksgiving JUMP bags were distributed to the congregation on Sunday, November 6.  In case you missed getting yours, you may download the toiletries and food lists.  Otherwise, you may pick a list from the bulletin board in the church entryway.  Thanks for helping this tradition continue! 
 
On Monday, November 21 at 9:00 AM, a hearty group of UUs will gather up the filled JUMP bags and transport them over to First Congregational Church where JUMP is housed.  It takes many people to haul these bags and then put them away once over there.  It only takes an hour or so to get this big job done.  I am desperately looking for volunteers who can take an hour out of their day to come and help us out!  Please contact me ASAP: Ellen Wollensack, eewollensack@gmail.com or 922-8335.
 
Thank you so much!

 
RE Leaders Sustenance Circle
by Martha Dallas

Join us! We'll explore the question, "Why does Unitarian Universalist faith formation matter in a world with President-Elect Donald Trump?" All RE Stewards are welcome: Thursday, November 17 from 5:15-6:45.
 
Upcoming Sundays for Children
by Martha Dallas
Nov 13: Classroom Sunday
  • Building Bridges trip to Quaker Meeting
Nov 20: Classroom Sunday
  • YUUth Group hosts Donuts and Dialogue following 11:00 worship
Nov 27: FUNDay in RE (large multi-age group games & play post-Thanksgiving)
  • NO 8th Grade OWL
Dec 4: Classroom Sunday: Second Assistant/Doorkeeper block begins
  • Building Bridges trip to Greek Orthodox Church
  • Coming of Age meets
Dec 11: Classroom Sunday (Last class in preschool-7th till Jan. 15th!)

 
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.