Dear friends,
What a week. As distressing events in our public life continue to unfold quickly, we grieve for the six people killed at the Quebec mosque on Saturday, and for all those put at risk and whose lives have been upended following last Friday's bans.
Amidst all the "tumult and the strife," in the words of the old Shaker hymn, our call to act on behalf of our deepest values - love, service, openness, respect - is getting - was this possible? - even clearer. This week, we at First UU, are invited to live out those values by joining fellow Vermonters, UU's and people of faith and conscience across the country in standing in deep solidarity with our Muslim and refugee neighbors.
On Saturday, over 30 FUUSB members traveled to Colchester to join the Islamic Society of Vermont for their monthly community dinner. The atmosphere was celebratory as the society welcomed the arrival of a new baby girl born to their imam and his wife on January 19. Warmly welcomed and well fed, we enjoyed the hospitality and connections with our fellow Vermonters. The rooms of the mosque were filled with a mutual curiosity of getting to know each other. Our presence and our words sent a message that we don't believe in walls, bans, or religious discrimination. There will be additional opportunities to deepen our relationship with the members of the Islamic Society in the coming months. If you have questions or ideas about inter-faith activities, please contact Andre (
andre@uusociety.org).
On Sunday, many of you participated in the somewhat-spontaneous community rally against the bans in City Hall Park; last night, many of you gathered there again for another rally and speak-out. Tonight, there will be another rally, this time in Montpelier. Members of the clergy have been specifically asked to show up and show our support, so I will be present along with many interfaith colleagues. Here's a link to the event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1706735692951277/
The turnaround is too quick for us to organize a FUUSB delegation, but if you are attending and would like to carpool with other UU's, you can use our Facebook group to do that. If you are not a Facebook user and need a ride, please email Mara today (revmara@uusociety.org) or call the UU office, and we'll do our best to connect you with a driver.
Due to tonight's rally, our Minister's Monthly Meet-up, which normally happens on the first Wednesday evening is being rescheduled to this Sunday, 2/5, after the second service at 12:30pm in the SBA room upstairs. This is an informal opportunity to get to connect with the minister and other FUUSB folks. All are welcome - newcomers, long-timers, and all those in between.
If you have any questions about these events, please be in touch with the us: 802-862-5630. We are holding each and all in the light.
In faith, courage, and love,
Rev. Mara, Andre, your FUUSB staff and justice ministry leaders
