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Sunday, February 25,
9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Worship Leads:
Racial Justice Task Force members
Andre Mol, Ministerial Intern
Worship Associate:
Judy Brook
"The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith"
In our commitment to embracing the presence and leadership of people of color, white Unitarian Universalists are still learning to decenter our whiteness so that people of color are brought from the margins to the center. Join us as we practice that work and promise a new way of being together. Our worship service on February 25 will center around the voices and experiences of Unitarian Universalists of color. What might these voices teach us to be better allies, better siblings in faith, and even better citizens in our community? This worship service was produced by members of our Racial Justice Task Force and our ministerial intern.
Our offering during the service will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (or BLUU), a national ministry for and by black-identified Unitarian Universalists. BLUU embodies a liberating community of all ages. A community that lifts up the lives, and stories and the leadership of those who have been marginalized and silenced. A community that brings hope, when hope is hard to find. And a community that calls us to wrestle with the gap between our theology and our practice in the world.
If we believe that our faith must become radically inclusive, justice centered, multiracial and multigenerational, then there is no better way to advance that vision than through our support of BLUU. The power and promise of Unitarian Universalism is waking up to meet fear and hate with radical imagination, transformative partnership, resilience, and joy. We make this possible through our commitment and generosity. Please come to the service prepared to offer your financial support for BLUU as part of our offering.
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Visit the publication
archives on our website!
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| Message from Our Senior Minister and Developmental Director of Family Ministry |
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Rev. Mara Dowdall and Andrea Spencer-Linzie
Dear friends,
Perhaps like some of you, I have found it hard today to find words for the awful mix of anguish, fear, grief and anger washing over me following news of yet another mass shooting yesterday afternoon, this time at a high school in Florida. I learned of the news via the Facebook page of a freshman year college roommate, who graduated from Stoneman Douglas High School, where the violence happened.
At times like this, when we feel overwhelmed, afraid, outraged at the inaction of our leaders, and helpless to change the brokenness of the world around us, we need one another, in the words of George Odell we shared in worship a few weeks ago, even more.
We need one another when we mourn and would be comforted.
We need one another when we are in trouble and afraid.
We need one another when we would accomplish some great purpose but cannot do it alone.
As part of our time together on Sunday at the UU, we will make a space in our service for mourning and sharing ways to respond as people of faith and seekers of justice and love. In the meantime, here is a pastoral message from Andrea, our Developmental Director of Family Ministry.
One of the most basic desires that we have for the children in our communities and families is that they are safe. And yet, in recent years our faith in the reliability of safety for our children, especially when they are at school, has been shattered by violence again and again. This violence has created injury, death and the erosion of trust that safety is possible in our communities.
As a faith community we mourn the loss of life and safety in the Parkland community and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. As a faith community we hold those who suffer in comfort and love. As a faith community we may pray for one another and for the world.
May the words of Susan Manker-Seale be a comfort and a vision:
Beyond the personal prayers of our hearts, we share the collective prayers of humanity, prayers for love and justice, mercy and solace, respect, compassion and peace. Universal prayers manifest in the values we cherish.
Prayer is the seed, the guide, the vision, the direction. But our hands must work to build a better world and [we must travel]* the paths that lead to a universal, loving, respectful human community.
Let us pray, and then, let us begin the work once again.
*Denotes adapted language.
Related resources for families when talking with children and youth:
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Join Us for Worship This Sunday
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Sunday, February 18
at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Worshop Lead: Rev. Mara Dowdall, Senior Minister
Worship Associate: Rodney Lowe
Question Box Sunday
Our UU faith places a premium on the spiritual value of asking questions. We often say that, when it comes to the deepest issues in life, we have more questions than we do answers. This Sunday, as a celebration of our UU quest for truth and meaning, we will give you the opportunity to ask your minister your burning questions about faith, spirituality, and life. Your questions will be collected early in the hour; Rev. Mara will attempt to answer as many as she can (on the fly!) in lieu of a traditional sermon, with our Worship Associate, Rodney Lowe, acting as interviewer. When we offered this in 2014 and 2016, we got a great response each time, so we are reprising it once again!
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| Care Network Team Update |
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Have questions about what it means to cook vegetarian or vegan or gluten-free meals? On Sunday, March 18 at 12:30 p.m. the Care Network Team will be hosting a guest speaker to help us understand these different ways of cooking and eating. Stay tuned! Delicious samples will be served.
HOW TO REACH US
Please let the Care Network Team know if you are aware of someone in the community who could use some support. The email is:
[email protected]
MADE TOO MUCH FOR YOUR FAMILY'S DINNER?
Share with one of the following:
* Kathy Bonilla has been fighting a long-term health battle and she and her two granddaughters truly appreciate the help that
a few meals a week
can be.
* Miriam (Tammy) Strauss is dealing with long-term health issues caused by being rear-ended by a cattle truck. One meal every week is a major support to her.
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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 a couple times per week for several weeks as John heals.
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Elz Curtiss is caring for her partner, Lynne Matthews, and would love
a meal once a week 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.
Thank you for all you do,
On behalf of the Care Network Team,
Sarah Weber
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FUUSB's Christmas Eve -
Gratitude & Generosity in Action |
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Gene Bergman, Stewardship Team 
If you ever wondered what place we have in our larger community, look at what we do on Christmas Eve when we hold three candlelight services that fill the meetinghouse to capacity, with some 1500 people, young and old, newcomers and longtimers, experiencing the warmth and comfort that this service provides. Those services embody many Ends we strive for: to provide welcoming worship; to provide a profound sense of welcome, belonging, and spiritual care; and to provide diverse opportunities for transformational spiritual growth.
These services cannot be done without the generosity exemplified by volunteer contributions. Starting with
the Holiday Bazaar on the first Saturday in December, volunteers make wreaths for the windows, doors, and the front of the Sanctuary. The choir rehearses for two services. Children and parents perform the pageant. Eight ushers are needed for each service.
It also cannot be done without an incredible amount of staff time. Planning, involving all our wonderful staff, starts in early December. Wreaths are put up. Candles and candle holders, fire blankets, and other supplies are inventoried, ordered, and readied. Volunteers are recruited, oriented, and trained.
The sermon is written; readings, hymns, prayers, music chosen. Choir rehearsals are scheduled and led. The pageant is readied. Worship roles planned. And orders of service are drafted, edited, redrafted, and printed, folded, and stuffed. 1500 of them.
On Christmas Eve itself, staff arrives in early afternoon. The building is readied, bathrooms cleaned, sidewalks cleared, candles gathered, and ushers/candlelighters trained. During the services, while the focus is on the pulpit, staff makes sure attendees are assisted, late-comers helped, the balcony kept safe, and no one's hair or anything else catches on fire during Silent Night.
Our mission calls us to act for justice and during these services our loose plate collection goes entirely to
JUMP, Vermont Interfaith Action, our Partner Church in Transylvania, and our minister's Discretionary Fund to aid community members in need. This year almost $8,000 was raised and divided equally between the groups. That's also a lot to count and safeguard.
Most of us go to services and then leave, but so much work needs to be done after each Christmas Eve service: 15 minutes to clean the Sanctuary (dirty Kleenexes, etc.); train the next set of ushers; organize and then clean up the choir/staff party between the 2nd and 3rd services. After the last service, when the program staff leaves, the Sanctuary, Parlors, and bathrooms are cleaned and made ready for the Christmas community breakfast the next morning. Then the doors are locked, around 11 p.m.
We and the greater community are grateful for the Christmas Eve services and the generosity needed to make them happen. Through these services we live out a fundamental value: engaging all with kindness as faithful stewards of all we hold dear.
These services show us that being faithful stewards, being generous, being grateful, and being guided by our values are how we inspire spiritual growth, care for each other and our community, seek truth, and act for justice.
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| Housekeeping/Lost and Found |
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Hi folks,
I'm wondering about many of you having cold fingers, ears, etc. Also, are you thirsty? How about,"Where is that crock pot or lasagna dish?" Well, PLEASE take time to cruise both the Lost and Found (green bin located in the Community Room) and the basement kitchen. Water bottles and coffee mugs are on the shelf above the first floor coat rack. Glasses and jewelry are held in the office.
Many of these items have been around for 2-3 months or more. Some even have names on them. All of them will be going away March 5th, so claim your stuff while you can!
Thank You - Myra
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