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January 20, 2017
Latest News
Information for Women's March
Community Dinner at the Islamic Society
The Chittenden County Historical Society Presents: "200 Years Watching Over Church St."
6th Grade RE Soup Sunday!
DOVE- Demonstrating Our Values Through Eating Returns!
New Library Books
Taco and Game Night
You Are Welcome Here
Learn About the Unitarian Universalists
"Remembering the Message of MLK in Turbulent Times".
Upcoming Sundays for Children
Minister's Monthly Meet-up
Senior Minister Study Leave Next Week
 
Breath of Fresh Air
   
 
 
Upcoming Services
January 22- "Fragments of Light"

w/ Rev. Mara 
Worship Associate: Maeve McBride
Musicians: Wayne Schneider and Sam Whitesell

This Sunday, we'll take our inspiration Rachel Naomi Remen's telling of the story of "the birthday of the world." We'll explore Remen's interpretation of the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, the repairing of the world, and what it might have to teach us at this moment in our world. How can access and make manifest the fragments of holy light Remen says is within each of us? What do we make of this sacred inheritance?


 
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Important Dates
January 21

January 22
6th Grade Soup Sunday!

January 26
DOVE starts
Register Today! 

January 28
Community Meal at the Islamic Society




 
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Dear Ones,

Inauguration day has arrived, and - like I'm imagining many of you - I am awash in a variety of mixed emotions this morning. Amid the fear and uncertainty, one thing I do feel clear about is this (and thanks to all who spoke this truth on my social media feed last night, when I posted that "I don't feel ready"): 

We are in this together. We are in this life together; we are in the struggle for justice and understanding together; we are in beloved community together; we are in a congregation of care and learning together. That was true yesterday, and it's still true today.

Tomorrow, many of us will march in Montpelier or Boston or Washington, DC.

And on Sunday, many of us will gather on Sunday morning, as we do each week, for worship and the celebration of life. 

Whether you will be with us in person or in spirit this weekend, know that you are held in the love of this faith community, that your presence and contribution matters, and that we are in this together, for the long haul.

Today, beloveds, I invite you to care for yourself, in body and spirit. Do something that feeds your soul: call an old friend, take several deep breaths, listen to your favorite song on repeat, eat something your body savors, gaze out at the lake and mountains, dance a little bit in your kitchen, dig out your favorite quote and put it somewhere you can see it every morning, ask for help if you need it, rub your cat or dog's ears. Wear your favorite shirt. Practice some inner hospitality. Then try to show your care for someone else. Ask a co-worker how they're doing. Offer a hug or fist bump. Give your bus driver a warm smile and extra thank you. Pay for the person behind you in line for coffee. Tell a loved one you love them. 

However you can, wherever you can, let your light shine.

Much love,
Rev. Mara

Information for Women's March
WomensMarchby Julielyn Gibbons

1. Arrival: Thanks to Andre Mol and our friends at the Montpelier UU, I recommend that you plan to arrive to Montpelier no later than 12:30pm. Rights & Democracy VT are expecting thousands of Vermonters to turn out, so get there early and bring your patience. If you're so inclined, there are several tasty places to brunch in the Capitol City!

2. Parking: There are several state employee lots off of Taylor Street that are open on the weekend. That sounds like our best bet. From I-89, take Exit 8 that leads to Memorial Drive. From there it's 1.1 miles to Taylor Street (I've attached a map for better reference)

If you get there and they are full, there's various metered parking around town. Make sure you bring your quarters just in case! Once you've parked, head towards the Montpelier High School along the bike path, which is less than 1/4 of a mile. My guess is it will be well traveled by others that day.

3. UU Meet Up @ High School: It sounds like there will be very limited parking at the High School (5 High School Drive), as that is the starting point for the March. Let's meet at the southwest corner of the parking lot, where the lot meets the tennis courts. If for some reason that's not feasible once we get there, please call or text me at 517.614.7308 and I'll have an alternate location.

4. The March: We'll march together from the High School to the Capitol from 1pm - 2pm. The Unity Rally will occur from 2pm-3pm at the Capitol.

5. Recommended items to bring:
Patience, love for another, and an extra big smile
Cell phone with a fully charged battery
Portable cell phone charger if you plan on taking/sharing photos and videos from the march
Reusable water bottle (we'll be walking, a lot!)
Dress in layers (The high is 42 degrees!)
Hat, gloves/mittens, scarf
Pants/jackets with pockets for your phone, keys, gloves, etc
Signs (particularly if you have a Standing on the Side of Love one)
Change for parking meters (just in case)
Cash (just in case)
Portable snack

6. What Not to Bring:
Large purses, bags
Portable chairs

7. If you offered to give others rides: You're off the hook! We had so many wonderful folks offer rides, but not a single request for a ride. Thank you for offering though!

8. Questions? Feel free to call or email me in the meantime - [email protected] or 517.614.7308
Dinner with our Islamic neighbors, January 28
by Linda Graves

silverware_heart_knife.jpg"From Our House to the World": With Rev. Mara's words from our bicentennial celebration on January 8 resounding in our hearts, we have an opportunity to put love into action by beginning meaningful connectionbetween members of the First UU Society of Burlington and the Islamic Society of Vermont. We have been invited to enjoy a meal at the Islamic Society in Colchester at 6 pm on the evening of January 28. If you would like, please bring a salad or dessert to share.  Please remember to remove your shoes when you enter the building; dress is modest and head scarfs are not required for women. 

The evening will end at 7:30 with the last of their five prayers of the day. We hope you will join us as we embark on this new relationship between our two faith communities.  To RSVP for this event or with any specific questions you may have, please be in contact with Linda Graves, 865-0038
[email protected] by January 24.

 
The Chittenden County Historical Society Presents: "200 Years Watching Over Church St." 

Chittenden County Historical Society is sponsoring an open meeting, "200 Years Watching Over Church St." on Sunday, January 29th at 2:30 at the FUUSB which is celebrating it's bicentennial of this historic building. 
Speakers will be Mary Gade and Woody Fulton followed by tours led by members. 

Refreshments will be servved (CCHS)

 
6th Grade RE Soup Sunday!

by Zoe Hart

Please join us in the Community Room after either service (or both!) for some delicious soup. Eat in or take it home in a to go container. This is a fun and delicious fundraiser for the 6th grade's annual trip to Boston where they'll immerse themselves in UU history. See you Sunday! 

 
DOVE- Demonstrating Our Values Through Eating Returns! 
by Valerie Wood- Lewis 

Join us for a 4-week program, offered through FUUSB's Lifespan Education, that explores the connections between our personal values and our food choices. It includes guided group discussions, educational documentaries, fun cooking sessions and more!

When: 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
Thursdays:  1/26, 2/2, 2/16, and 2/23

Registration Required

Where: Meeting House (Community Room and Kitchen)

For more information and to sign up: Please contact Valerie Wood-Lewis at [email protected] or 859-0049. 

What does DOVE cover?  It uses video, discussion, and supplementary materials to explore issues that affect us all:
  • Why do some foods seem almost addictive?
  • How can we fight global warming with our fork?
  • What really happens to the workers and animals who  produce our food, and what can we do to help?
  • Participants also get time in the kitchen, preparing delicious recipes that demonstrate values of health, justice, compassion and sustainability.

 
New Library Books- Thomas Moore Collection
by Peggy Derby

We are very pleased to have recently added  to our library carts in the Parlors  7 books by psychotherapist, former monk turned spiritual writer Thomas Moore.

A Life at Work (call # 158.6) The joy of discovering what you were born to do.

Soul Mates (158.2) Honoring the mysteries of Love and Relationships.

Care of the Soul (158.1) A guide for cultivating depth and sacredness in everyday life.

The Re-Enchantment of Everyday life (158.1) Applying the principles of caring for our soul to how we live.

The Education of the Heart (158) Readings sourced from his books.

A Religion of One's Own (204.4) Explores the possibilities of developing one's own spirituality.
 
Taco and Game Night:  Friday, January 20th 6-8PM
by Tiffany Tillman

All middle and high school youth are invited to join other local youth groups for a night of games and tacos.  First United Methodist Church at 21 Buell Street, is hosting the event.  Youth can meet at FUUSB at 5:45 or meet at First United at 6PM.  We are in charge of bringing chips, salsa, sour cream, quac and drinks.  Please sign up using this spreadsheet so we know who is coming.  Chaperones are needed.  You can also contact Tiffany Tillman at [email protected] for more information.  
 
You Are Welcome Here
by Tiffany Tillman and the FUUSB Youth Group
Thanks everyone for your support of our You Are Welcome Here project.  We are in the process of making our video from our photo booth on January 8th.  Once we finish our video we will begin a social media campaign where we'll try our best to share our poster with the world at large.  We'd love for you to help with that project.  In the meantime use this link to print a copy of the poster.  There are also some available in the parlors.  

Feel free to share the poster on social media and with friends and family.  We'd also love to see the poster around town.  Feel free to hang it up in your home, car, place of work or business.  During this time especially it's important that we make the world a more welcoming and inclusive place.  

 
Learn About the Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC)

Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC) is a vibrant progressive organization committed to economic justice for all. Their philosophy is rooted in the UU liberal religious tradition - to create a world of justice, equity, and compassion. Their work contributes to a broader movement for social change, in collaboration with the UUA, UU Service Committee and grassroots organizations.  They seek to inspire UUs to study our society's economic and social systems and to become advocates for justice.

Their current focus is challenging corporate dominance, with our members and allies participating and leading actions to raise the minimum wage, support community banks, credit unions & cooperatives, promote single-payer healthcare, estate tax reform, amending the constitution to remove "corporate personhood," opposing unfair trade and globalization and ensuring access to available and affordable 

 
"Remembering the Message of MLK in Turbulent Times"

Watch WCAX segment of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award  honoring Carol Moseley Braun. The ceremony was held here at the event was held here at the Meeting House and features a quote by our own Gene Bergman. 

 
Upcoming Sundays for Children
by Martha Dallas 

January 22
6th Grade Soup Sunday!
Classroom Sunday. Martha away,Alex Kerrigan subbing.

January 26
DOVE starts
Register Today!

January 28
Community Meal at the Islamic Society

January 29
Classroom Sunday

February 5
Classroom Sunday Preceded by Children's Chapel

February 12
Classroom Sunday
 
Minister's Monthly Meet-up: February 1st 4:30 - 6:00 in the UU 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.  Everyone is welcome and 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.
 
Senior Minister Study Leave Next Week

Rev. Mara will be taking a few days of study leave next week, and will be away from the office email during that time. If you are in urgent need of pastoral care next week, please call the Pastoral Care Number, where someone will be able to help you: 802-870-0447.