Upcoming Sundays for preschool through 7th grade:

 

Oct. 15: Classroom Sunday

Oct. 22: Classroom Sunday

Oct. 29: Classroom Sunday

November 5: Classroom Sunday

If you have taken the New UU class, made a 

fi nancial  pledge, and feel ready to become a member of the congregation, you are invited to meet Nina at the front of the Sanctuary right after the service this Sunday, October 15 to sign the Member Book.

 

After the service this Sunday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m. or 12:15 p.m., join members of the Racial Justice Task Force in the Community Room for a Black Lives Matter question and answer session. This discussion is one of a series of events aimed at helping our Society make a decision about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and putting up a Black Lives Matter banner. Helpful reading in preparation for the discussion includes:

UUA Statement of Conscience

Black Lives Matter Vermont Vision Statement

If you are a parent concerned about climate justice but not sure how to make space for it around work emails, the laundry pile, and the grocery list, then Mother Up! is the place for you.  Mother Up! is a program of 350VT bringing  families 

together  to talk about the tough realities of climate change and to participate in the transition to a healthier and safer world.  

We're collaborating with FUUSB to host monthly gatherings for families to learn about and act on climate justice concerns. Join us on Thursday, October 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room. A simple, vegetarian (vegan option) dinner for all ages will be included. Childcare is provided for young children in the nursery. 

Hello all,

The law firm Langrock, Sperry & Wool has made arrangements to use space at the Meeting House on October 20 at 7:30 a.m. to present a performance and panel discussion titled "Working for Change: Through Activism and the Law." (Click here for the event flier.) The poetry slam group Muslim Girls Making Change will perform, and then join Ebony Nyoni (Executive Director of Black Lives Matter Vermont), Thato Ratsebe (Assistant Director and Programs Manager of AALV-VT) and Marita Canedo of Migrant Justice for a panel discussion and Q & A. 

Although the presentation is "by invitation only," I approached the organizers and inquired if they could possibly offer our congregation a limited number of invitations, as the nature of the program may be of interest to those concerned with racial justice issues. They have graciously agreed to offer fifteen invites to those of our congregation expressing interest in attending the event. Invitations will be distributed on a first come, first offered basis by responding directly to me via email at [email protected] by October 17 at the very latest.

Drill Time! Fire Drill, that is! On Sunday, October  2 2,there will be a fire drill at the close of both services. As many of you know, the FUUSB has been staging drills for many years as a proactive and educational means to prepare ourselves in the event of an actual fire. When the alarm sounds at the close of each service, there will be a prerecorded message broadcast throughout the Meeting House prompting immediate evacuation. There will also be instructions included within the order of service that should be reviewed by attendees prior to the alarm. The same instructions can be viewed by clicking here. It's my hope that everyone cooperates to their fullest ability, so the exercise can result in an efficient and constructive way to better prepare ourselves for the event of an actual fire.

 

In November we will launch our "new and improved" class options for newcomers. The New UU Class, formerly offered as a 3½ hour class six times per year will be offered as two shorter classes, one of which will be offered every month. New UU Part 1: Getting Acquainted provides an overview of Unitarian Universalist history and beliefs, including our Seven Principles and Six Sources. It's a great introduction to UUism and also a good way to meet other newcomers. This class will be offered on the first Sunday of every month from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. The first class is scheduled for November 5.

New UU Part 2: Getting Connected provides information about activities, programs and Ministry Teams here at our First UU Society. It includes time for getting to know each other better, and an overview of the process for becoming a Member of the congregation. This class will be offered six times per year (approximately every two months) on a Saturday morning. The first Getting Connected class is scheduled for November 14.

Taking both classes is a requirement for becoming a member of FUUSB, although Part 1 can be waived for those who have been a member of another UU congregation. For more information about these classes or to sign up, please contact Nina Dahlstedt Buss at [email protected].

The Safety Team develops and supports the implementation of our Safe Congregation Policies. One role of the team is to be a congregational resource and sounding board, so I'm pleased to announce our two new members: Mike Nichols and Lisa Lax.

Mike joined the First UU Society in 2010 where he has been involved in the RE Program and is a trained OWL Facilitator. He is currently helping to lead the 8th grade OWL class. He is a spiritual introvert who continues to be transformed through ever deeper immersion in the solitary meditation practices of Buddhism. He is a clinical social worker who works full time as a crisis clinician at the Howard Center and is also involved in Team Two, a statewide training curriculum where law enforcement and mental health crisis workers train together to strengthen collaboration in responding to a mental health crisis. Originally from Delaware, Mike moved to Vermont for college where he studied Transpersonal Psychology at Burlington College and Social Work at UVM. Mike's 12-year-old son, Gabe, is currently in the RE Program for 6th graders.  

Lisa has been a member of the First UU Society since 2001. At the Society she has been a volunteer parent in RE, a theme circle facilitator, waitstaff for the Christmas breakfast and has helped with other miscellaneous activities. Her work as a professional social worker has included managing a child welfare education project at UVM and administering a district office for the Department for Children and Families. She currently works for Invest EAP as a clinical coordinator and counselor. She is the mom of two adult children.

Martha Molpus

It's easier than ever to offer care to members of our beloved community who are in need. The new Meal Train Plus allows all of the FUUSB requests to be accessed in one link, either on our Society's Facebook page or website,  www.uusociety.org/home . Please consider how you can help and thanks for sharing the care!