Today, December 14, 5:30 p.m.  at the Meeting House:

In remembrance of the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary school tragedy, as well as the 500,000 American victims and survivors of gun violence since December 2012, First UU is joining with eight other communities in Vermont and hundreds of communities and organizations nationwide to #EndGunViolence. These vigils and gatherings of remembrance are taking place between  December 10 and 14 . Organizers include citizen activists, faith leaders, and others who recognize that gun violence is a scourge that affects all Americans, regardless of residence, income, race, creed, or politics.

 

Our First UU vigil will include speakers from Steps to End Domestic Violence and First Call, a suicide prevention program. The vigil is sponsored by Gun Sense Vermont.

 

Please join us and help show support for ending gun violence.

For more information on the nationwide vigils click here.

Christmas Eve will be here before you k now it. We are looking for people to sign up to be a Candle-Lighter/Usher for each of the three Christmas Eve services. 

 

If you would like to sign up for one of the services, please  follow the easy instructions below!

 

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

 

1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com:  http://signup.com/go/wwAkkxa

2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.

3) Sign up! It's easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

 

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Christina at  [email protected] or ( 802) 862-5630 ext. 22 and I can sign you up manually.

"What day is the Christmas Breakfast?" A favorite question this time of year! Our FUUSB Christmas Breakfast is on...CHRISTMAS! What better day to open our doors and invite our friends and neighbors to join us for good food, good conversation, and great coffee? We UUs gather and start our day by serving breakfast to each other and our guests. It's a wonderful tradition. Families welcomed and encouraged! Please join us!

 

To sign up to help and/or donate food, please click here . Breakfast is from 8 to 10 a.m. Sign up to see volunteering times, or contact Lynn Douglas at 318-2663.

The Society offices will be closed from Monday, December 26 through Monday, January 1, 2018, so that staff members can celebrate the holidays with their families. We will re-open the offices beginning on Tuesday, January 2nd. 

It's the end of the calendar year and before you know it, it will be time to do your taxes! And who really knows what the tax situation will be for 2018? So you may want to pay your pledge before December 31 to get your tax credit for 2017. You can do this by paying with a check, paying via credit card or by donating appreciated stock.  

Please remember that all checks must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31. You can set up a credit card payment by going to our website: 

http://uusociety.org/donate/  and clicking on the Donate Now Button. If you would like to donate appreciated stock, you should contact your broker ASAP and follow the instructions on the website:  http://uusociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/stock-gifts.pdf . Please do not hesitate to contact Christina at  [email protected]  if you have any questions.  

   

The Yuuth Group is hosting their annual Lasagna Dinner fundraiser during First Night Burlington again this year, and we need YOUR help! All proceeds from this event benefit the Yuuth Group service trip in the spring. Donations of lasagnas and baked goods will be gratefully accepted! Sign-up sheets for donations can be found on the bulletin board near the Parlors, or accessed electronically at this link.

We ask that donated lasagnas and baked goods be delivered to the Meeting House kitchen on  December 31 between 2-4 p.m. We will be serving lasagna from 5-7:30 p.m. Thank you!

Please make a little extra dinner and share with one of the four FUUSB families who need some loving support.  

*   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.

*   John Stevens had additional shoulder surgery right after Thanksgiving  and Jill also has some long-term health challenges. They welcome some assistance for several weeks as John heals.

You can find all the information about where to deliver and how to contact these families here:

Welcome page for First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington

Last year we voted to hire a new minister. Our second minister will be responsible for the ministries we offer to one another in our congregation. That's why the plan calls the position a Minister of Congregational Life. In a series of conversations in January, Board members will be asking you to share your insights regarding the purposes and functions of our faith development, family, and religious education ministries. Board members will be asking people to sign up for those conversations. Click here to sign up!

A special Thank You to all the people who volunteered to make the 85th Annual Holiday Bazaar a great success. We would especially like to thank the people who took leadership roles in organizing the various aspects of the Bazaar-- Sarah Forbes with the greens, Wendy Coe with the luncheon, Carol Czina with the crafts, Claire Graham Smith with the Silent Auction, and Myra Timmons with the Jewelry Table. Everyone does their part and that is what contributes to the success of the Holiday Bazaar! 

-Kim Watkin, Deboroah Ragione, and Brenda Dupuis