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Visit the publication
archives on our website!
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Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
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Sunday, January 28
at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Andre Mol, Ministerial Intern
"Journey with Intention"
Intention is not a destination. It is a way of being. If we practice following the guidance of intention we will inevitably find ourselves in unfamiliar but transformative situations. We'll explore a pivotal story from early Universalism in America: the chance encounter between preacher John Murray and farmer Thomas Potter in Good Luck Harbor, New Jersey. This meeting changes the direction of John Murray's life and leads him toward founding the first Universalist church in America in 1774. We'll examine what this story might teach us about change, luck, and intention and the times when all three of these forces decide to show up in our lives at once.
Worship Associate: Kenneth Russell
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FUUSB Spiritual Theme Circles
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 Kenneth Russell
Winter-Spring Term:
February-June
Official sign-up time is here!
What Are Theme Circles?
Each Theme Circle is a group of eight to ten people who meet once per month for two hours to discuss, explore and reflect upon our monthly spiritual theme using the monthly newsletter called "The Path."
Joining a theme circle is a great way to meet new people, foster more meaningful connections with them and deepen your own spiritual journey. The commitment is for five months at a time.
Each group is led by a trained volunteer facilitator (a fellow UU), and each follows the same program using a similar structure to their meeting.
The spiritual themes to be discussed during this semester are:
February:
Perseverance
March:
Balance
April:
Emergence
May:
Creativity
June:
Blessing
How Do I Join a Circle?
In-person registration:
January 28 and February 4
after each service
Deadline:
Monday, February 5
When you register...
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Give us your contact information
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Review the list of available groups (day, time, facilitator)
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Identify your 1
st
, 2
nd
and 3
rd
choice of groups (if possible)
Winter-Spring semester space may be somewhat limited because people who signed up in the fall can continue in their group if they wish. The sooner you register the more likely you will be placed in the group that is your first choice.
What to expect after registration:
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You will be notified of your group assignment by approximately February 12 by email or phone.
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Shortly after you'll get an email from your facilitator with a welcome and instructions.
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All groups meet on the 3
rd
______ of the month. (e.g., the 3rd Thursday evening). Mark these on your own calendar. You'll also get reminder emails from your facilitator.
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Finally...Join and enjoy your monthly Theme Circle, from February through June!! (Laugh, cry, listen, grow, and so much more!)
Thanks! We look forward to continuing this adventure with you!
If you have questions, you can email
[email protected]
and someone will be in touch.
With love,
Andre Mol, Melinda Lee, Kenneth Russell, Linda Graves
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| Inside Islam: Film Discussion Series -Starting this Sunday |
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Andre Mol, Ministerial Intern
The Sanctuary and Solidarity Task Force is sponsoring a film discussion series on Islam. This program focuses on deepening our understanding of Islam as a way to combat Islamophobia.
The two initial screenings offered in January and February examine the history of Islam and how the faith is understood and practiced by Muslims today. Each screening is paired with a group discussion structured to explore the topics of the film in more depth.
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Gun Violence Legislation -
Important Public Hearing |
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On Tuesday evening, January 30, the Vermont legislature will be holding an important public hearing in Montpelier. At issue: three bills being considered that will help to reduce gun violence:
H.422 - Remove weapons from people cited for domestic assault
S.6 - Background checks
S.221 - Extreme Risk Protection Order
Jud Lawrie
Chair, UU Gun Violence Task Force
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| New UU Getting Acquainted Class |
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 Nina Dahlstedt Buss, Membership Coordinator
Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism? Find out about some of our activities? Meet other newcomers? If so, please come to the New UU Getting Acquainted class. This class will be held on February 4
from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the Whitney Young, Jr. Room. RSVP is helpful but not required. Contact Nina Dahlstedt Buss at
[email protected]
with questions or to RSVP.
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| Soup Luncheon Fundraiser |
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 Elaine Sopchak
The 5th-6th grade RE class will again be serving delicious soup after the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, February 4 to raise money for their Boston trip. Bowls are $5; cups are $3. The last soup luncheon was a huge success--Come early for the best choices, or to get yours to go!
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| Coffeehouse and Potluck |
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Sally Russell
February 10, 6-8:30 p.m. - Sanctuary City Coffee House - "Sweet Hearts and Broken Hearts" - Coffee House and Potluck - FUUSB Parlors
The music ministry team and a small planning group have scheduled Coffee Houses/Potlucks for the second Saturday of the month, January-April of 2018. In the true spirit of a potluck please bring a dish of your choice to share with others. What better way to survive the winter weather, than to break bread together, while we entertain each other!
This month we will eat first and the entertainment will start at 7 p.m. People of all ages are encouraged to attend. We have some people who have agreed to perform a few songs. Additionally there will be time for an "open mic" so if you sing, play an instrument, want to recite a poem, etc., you will have an opportunity to perform. Invite your friends and come join us.
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| Flu Season |
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 Christina Fulton, Director of Operations and Finance
Hi Everyone! Hey, the flu has hit some of the FUUSB Staff. I've just sent our staff a memo reminding them not to come into work if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms and I'd like to remind you all of the same thing. Our congregation is filled with "at-risk" folks who could become seriously ill if they were to get the flu. So please, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay home. We will miss you, but we'll get by without you until you feel better! Thank you!
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Care Network Update
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Dementia Caregiver Support
To continue the Care Network team's support of those caring for people with dementia, here are some thoughts about visiting someone with dementia:
Meal Support
Please consider helping the following community members with the gift of a meal. Nothing fancy is required or requested. The break from planning, shopping for and cooking even the simplest meal is a tender offering to these families dealing with out of the ordinary challenges. (The link to all these meal trains is below.)
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Elz Curtiss is caring for her partner, Lynne Matthews, and would love a meal on Mondays for herself. She is the sole caregiver for Lynne on the weekends, and so by Monday has exhausted her food stores and hasn't had time to replenish them.
* Kathy Bonilla has been fighting a long-term health battle and she and her two granddaughters truly appreciate the help that a meal can be.
* Miriam (Tammy) Strauss is also dealing with long-term health issues caused by being rear ended by a cattle truck.
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John Lincoln had additional shoulder surgery right after Thanksgiving and his partner, Jill Stevens, also has some long-term health challenges. They welcome some assistance for several weeks as John heals.
www.mealtrain.com/uusociety
On behalf of the Care Network:
(Please don't hesitate to call with any questions.)
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| 2017 Tax Year Giving Statements |
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Christina Fulton, Director of Operations and Finance
Your 2017 Tax Year Giving Statement has been mailed! Please look for it in your email inbox or in your snail mail box! This statement is strictly for tax purposes only. It does not give you the balance of your 2017/2018 fiscal year pledge. You will receive that statement in a separate mailing. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Christina Fulton at
[email protected] or
802-862-5630 ext. 22.
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| Spiritual Theme Art in Sanctuary Archway |
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Sarah Forbes
Caitlin Waddick created the beautiful painting for this month's theme art in the Sanctuary archway. January's theme is Intention. If you or your group would like to lend a piece of art for an upcoming theme, please contact Sarah Forbes.
Artists' Statement:
What does it mean to be a clear and coherent being on your path? Sometimes, I know exactly who I am and what I want, and sometimes I am waiting for my ideas to come into focus.
While I am waiting, I express my wishes and thanks as prayers: "May I know the path that makes my heart sing." "May I be awoken to a clear vision of my ministry." "May I know how to serve." "May my self-direction and self-fulfillment make the world a better place." "May I be open to perceiving the world in new ways." "May the light guide me and bless me."
The painting is called Clarity, and it shows my experience of the quality of becoming clear. For me, it answers this question: What does it look like as an intention becomes clear?
The painting uses watercolor techniques that are inspired by my foray into anthroposophical art, a philosophy of mystical art taught in Waldorf schools. Two forms are called veil painting and Lazure. The latter is completed on walls with the purpose of ensouling the space so that the wall becomes alive. It embodies the concept shown by the lemniscate, an infinity symbol, that spirit is constantly transforming into matter and matter into spirit. Thus, material things are spirited; that is, there is a god in all things and beings.
-- Caitlin Waddick
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