Need Spiritual Support?
If you think you may need spiritual support for anything that touches a tender spot in your spirit, please call our
Spiritual Support Line
at (
802) 870-0447
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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, October 28 at 9 and 11 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Andre Mol,
Developmental Assistant Minister
for Pastoral Care and Membership
Worship Associate: Maeve McBride
"Practicing What It Means to Be Human"
Acknowledging the wholeness in ourselves and each other requires us to break down the barriers we create through categorical thinking, and to reduce the harm we perpetuate through demands for certainty. Experiencing the world beyond "either/or" and embracing the ambiguity that accompanies this sacred space allows us to make a sanctuary for each other.
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| First Family Ministry Workshop |
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 Erika Reif, Family Ministry Assistant
Spiritual Practices: Prayer Beads
This Sunday, October 28, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
During each month of the Family Ministry Program, we will have at least one
Sunday where there are no formal curriculum-based classes. Instead, we will have a program, event, or service project in the Community Room, where children, youth, and adults may participate together. We'll start out each program with getting to know each other.
Our first Family Ministry Program will be related to spiritual practices. We will learn some history about the use of prayer beads, and where in the world the use of prayer beads is common. Then, we will have materials on hand so that each person can make their own prayer bead string for use in meditation, prayer or other calming or focusing practices, along with meditative music.
We'll provide some snacks, and mats to sit on the floor, as well as chairs and tables.
No registration is necessary; just come and join us!
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| New Chalice Circles Forming |
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(formerly called Small Group Ministry groups)
Sign up now for one of the new Chalice Circles for affinity groups, including: for young people (in their 20's and 30's), for men, for LGBTQ, for women, for parents, for general interest, or for those interested in paganism. Chalice Circles (formerly called Small Group Ministry groups) and Theme Circles are both part of our Society's Small Group programming, intended to help strengthen connection between UU members and friends, particularly during this time of change and uncertainty.
Chalice Circles are small groups of 6 to 10 people who meet for 2 hours either once or twice a month at the Meeting House or in member homes, to share what is going on in their lives and their thoughts about a given topic. Facilitated by a trained leader, each person gets time to speak while others listen. Unlike Theme Circles, groups meet on an ongoing basis (although some groups do not meet during the summer months). People make a commitment to the group--but can join or leave at any time. Some of these groups continue for several years, and the connection between participants tends to deepen over time. In addition, the focus of meetings may vary from a particular theme, to many different topics or no topic.
Sign up for a Chalice Circle online at
We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity!
Hope Baker-Carr &
Andre Mol
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| Seeking Playful Spirits! |
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Erika Reif, Family Ministry Assistant
Spirit Play Teacher Training: Sunday, November 11, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
in the Barnum Room
As you may know, Spirit Play is the Montessori-based approach to faith formation that we use for preschool through 5th grade children during the
9:00 service, and for preschool through 3rd grade during the
11:00 service.
If you are looking for a way to serve our congregation and deepen your connection, consider becoming a Spirit Play Storyteller or Doorkeeper!
Spirit Play teachers do not need to be parents of young children! Not sure you have what it takes? Come to the training, ask questions, and see if it would work for you!
RSVP here by November 7. Childcare and light breakfast provided.
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| FUUSB Friday Book Group |
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 Almy Landauer
FUUSB's Evening Book Group will meet on Friday, November 16, 6:30-8 p.m.
in the Parlors.
Our second selection is
The Road to Character by David Brooks
. Further selections will be chosen by participants! No RSVPs required.
From a review by Rebecca Mead: "
The Road to Character is an account of Brooks's effort to...'cultivate character.' To make his case, Brooks...has come up with a pair of clarifying terms: the 'résumé virtues' and the 'eulogy virtues.' Résumé virtues are those that are valued in the contemporary marketplace: the high test scores,
...professional accomplishments. They are the skills that are met with bigger paychecks and public approbation. Eulogy virtues are the aspects of character that others praise when a person isn't around to hear it: humility, kindness, bravery. Our society exalts the résumé virtues, but overlooks the humbler eulogy virtues. Still, he writes, we know at our core that this second category of values is what matters more." Brooks shares a wide variety of case studies of well-known figures to make his case.
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| Holiday Bazaar Crafters Wanted! |
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 Carol Czina
Seeking vendors of cards, artwork, jewelry, crafts, and other handmade items for:
The First Unitarian Universalist Society Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 1 from
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
We have 10 tables available to rent to those who would like to sell their crafts during this busy and fun community event that fills our building with holiday cheer. Tables will be 6-8 feet long. Tables are $30 or 10% of your proceeds (whichever is less).
We will be downstairs in a large double classroom off the Community Room where the crowds flock to find all sorts of goodies and gifts. Elevator access. Setup is from 8-9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Please remember to respect the No Fragrances guidelines in the building.
Please contact Carol Czina for sign-up or questions at [email protected] or (802) 864-0242.
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| Meetinghouse Needs |
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Lynn Douglas
Hi all,
In order to have enough flatware for large events we are in need of LOTS of regular forks. We have PLENTY of spoons, knives and dessert forks. If you have some good condition metal dinner-sized forks to donate (check those cupboards) please bring them along to
Sunday services! Label and leave in the downstairs kitchen. Many thanks!
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| From VIA: Get Out the Vote Rally |
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 Debbie Ingram, VIA Executive Director
Please join Vermont Interfaith Action for a Get Out the Vote Rally on Tuesday, October 30 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, (39 Main St.). This event will feature live bluegrass music, pizza (while it lasts), raffles, and free buttons which can be used in our social media campaign on Election Day. Information about candidates and polling places will also be distributed. The event is non-partisan, free, and open to the public. For more info:
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| COTS Phonathon Volunteers Needed |
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 Bruce Brown
The COTS Annual Winter Phonathon is coming up again, November 26-29 and December 3-4.
FUUSB members have been regular helpers at this event in the past and I hope we can also get some new volunteers this year. COTS is not having an Interfaith Night as in the past, but FUUSB members are welcome to volunteer individually. I will be volunteering on November 28 if you care to join me. Both mail room volunteers and callers are needed. Calls are made only to previous contributors who are happy to hear from us (no cold calling). It's actually a fun evening, as we cheer when big donations come in and hopefully win raffle prizes.
Orientation and pizza is at 5:30 p.m. and calling is from 6-9 p.m. at COTS, 95 North Ave. To reserve a spot, contact Sian Leach at [email protected] or call 864-7402, ext. 207.
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| Daylight Saving Time Reminder |
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Remember to set your clocks back one hour at the end of the day on November 3. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on
Sunday, November 4.
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