As you may recall, this year we are having a special raffle each week for everyone who has completed a pledge card. Our raffle prizes were donated from Church Street Marketplace, Phoenix Books and the Peace & Justice Center. This week the winner of the $50 gift certificate to Phoenix Books is Deborah Ragione! And the winner of the $50 gift certificate to the Church Street Marketplace establishment of their choice is Linda Kay Stone!  Congratulations!! If you would like to be included in the rest of the raffles, all you need to do is either send in your pledge card or complete your pledge card online at 

http://uusociety.org/donate/stewardship/. The next drawing will take place on Wednesday, March 28!

The book Cycles of Reflection is a collection of excerpts from the sermons and meditations of our Minister Emeritus, Bob Senghas. Bob was minister at First UU from 1979 until 1989 and now lives at Wake Robin in Shelburne. Published in 2001, Cycles is a powerful expression of Bob's Buddhist-leaning perspective on life. As the cover page says, his words will "challenge, comfort and inspire you."

The first printing of the book sold out quickly, and a large second printing was done, all at no cost to the Society. Remaining books can be purchased for $8 each, and from the beginning Bob has donated all proceeds to the Society. To pick up a book, check at the book table during Coffee Hour or email  [email protected] . The deeply meaningful readings are timeless, poetic, and thought-provoking.

The Sanctuary and Solidarity Task Force seeks to deepen our understanding of Islam as a way to combat Islamophobia. We sponsored a 2-part film series in January and February. The films were "Inside Islam: A Sweeping Story of One of the World's Great Faiths" (produced by the History Channel) and "Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think" (based on a Gallop poll). Thank you for making the film series a smashing success. Next, the Task Force has invited me to teach two classes about Islam, based partly on what we teach our 7th graders in the world religions program called Building Bridges (formerly known as Neighboring Faiths). 

Tentatively, the classes would be  12:30-2 p.m. after the second services on April 22 and May 6. The first lesson might cover the numbers of religious adherents, the life of Muhammed, the five pillars of Islam, and beliefs shared with UUism. We could also practice Muslim greetings and Arabic script. The second lesson might include the division between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, comparisons between Islam and associated religions (Judaism, Christianity, Sufism, Sikhism, Baha'i), the life of Khadijah, women's status, and Muslims in peace and conflict. We would have time for asking questions and having discussions. Would you attend on April 22 and May 6? What topics do you want to learn about? Do you have pictures or objects to share? Please reply to 

[email protected],  802-497-0920 (during daylight hours). 

For more than 50 years I was very anti-church and anti-religious. However, I did over the years slowly develop many spiritual beliefs and ethical values, a personal "spiritual theology." When I moved to Burlington five years ago I decided to check out the UU church. To my great surprise, I discovered that most of my beliefs and values were right there in the principles and values of UU. I quickly jumped in and became a member in 2013.

I was drawn to UU in part because of its "theology," but also by its commitment to social justice and social action. I quickly became involved in what at the time was called the Social Justice Web. This led to later becoming a member of the Racial Justice Task Force where I now serve as Co-Chair. This fits very well with my involvement in and support for the cause of civil rights since the '60s and '70s.

When I was first "checking out" First UU, I heard a very powerful sermon by the Interim Minister at the time - Rev. Roberta. This was shortly after the 2012 school shooting tragedy in Newtown/Sandy Hook. In the sermon she spoke about the deeply troubling issue of the idolatry of guns in America's culture. This, too, resonated with me. I have long been very concerned not just about gun violence in particular, but also with the more general violence that seems to be embedded in America's genes. I soon became involved with Gun Sense Vermont and later formed the First UU Gun Violence Task Force of which I am currently the Chair.

As many people realize, there is considerable convergence between gun violence and social justice. After all, it is people of color, women, and children who tend to be the ones most often harmed by guns. The Gun Violence Task Force has therefore been working closely with Gun Sense Vermont to support the passage of meaningful gun safety legislation by the Vermont legislature. With the recent and tragic mass shooting at the school in Parkland, Florida, and the recently averted school shooting in Fair Haven, VT, there is hope that the gun legislation logjam in Montpelier is finally breaking loose.

As I look back over my five years with First UU, I think about:

1. The value to me of being able to live my values among kindred souls.

2. The value that First UU provides to the larger community it serves through its many social justice programs and activities.

3. The high cost of maintaining our iconic 200-year-old building and fairly compensating our excellent staff.

And then, being as generous as I can be at this time in my life, I make my annual pledge as a way of giving back for the tremendous value I have received. I don't think of it as an optional expense like entertainment, or fancy meals, but as something that helps me be who I want to be, who I need to be.