We have created a new page on the website entitled "Information from your Board." This page can be found under the Members heading on the home page.

 

There are currently letters from Rev. Susan Milnor and Tracy Titchner on this page, and also a copy of the Board Summary Report of the Transition Team Sessions and the Stewardship Consultant Visit.

   

Kid Free Time with Your Honey on Valentine's Day?

Yes! Our amazing YUUTH group is offering child minding (aka babysitting!) on Thursday, February 14 at FUUSB as a fundraiser for their service-learning trip. How about a romantic Valentine's Day dinner with your sweetie, or just time together to catch up with your significant other in any way you please? $10 to drop off and then $5/hour anytime between 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. YUUTH group advisors Mary Beth, Sarah, Rodney, and Cheryl will be on hand to assist. Please pre-register with Mary Loomis at 

[email protected] . 

   

This season we are offering an online gathering for one of our Theme Circles. Our online offering provides an alternative to participate in Theme Circles for those who might not be able to attend one of our in-person groups at the Meeting House. The online group will meet February through June on the third Thursday of the month, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., using a video conference platform which is accessible from your computer, smartphone or tablet. We have three more spots available for participants to join this group!

Theme Circle groups meet with a trained facilitator at specific monthly times to discuss, reflect, and explore our monthly spiritual theme. Participation in a Theme Circle is a wonderful way to make new friends, connect with old friends, and foster meaningful connections in our large congregation.  

If you would like to join this online group, please email me at [email protected] by Friday, February 15.

Have you wondered - How do the new tax laws affect your charitable giving, and especially your annual pledge to our First UU Society? Join us for a talk on:

THE TAX IMPLICATIONS OF CHARITABLE GIVING WITH THE NEW TAX LAWS for 2019   (Federal and State of Vermont)

 

Jason Cadwell will talk about the new tax law and how it affects charitable giving, and how it might inform strategies for pledging and planned giving to the First UU Society. Jason is the Principal of Vermont Pure Financial, a CPA/Certified Financial Planner and Chair of our First UU Endowment Team.

 

When: Sunday, February 17, 1:15 p.m.

Where: In the Parlors at First UU

 

This talk is presented by the FUUSB Planned Giving Committee and the Stewardship Team. For more information, contact: Nancy Knox for the UU Stewardship Team at [email protected] or Alex Hsieh for the Planned Giving Committee at [email protected].

On Sunday, February 17 we will gather in the Community Room between the services to fill gallon-sized bags with small toiletries and other items that might bring comfort to those in need. 

This multi-generational service project is open to the whole congregation, not just families with children in Family Ministry classes. You can take part by bringing items from the list below to the Meeting House (look for baskets in the Parlors and Community Room), and/or by staying after or coming early on that Sunday to stuff the bags as a group!

• Gallon-size storage bags 
• lip balm
• wet wipes
• tissue packs
• chemical hand-warmer packets
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• comb
• soap
• hotel-size shampoos
• trail mix
• granola bars
• crackers
• bandages
• mouthwash
• socks, gloves
• rain poncho
• tampons/pads (for women)
• pre-paid bus tokens or passes
• gift card for a grocery store
• a note of encouragement

Our team is humbled and thrilled that we as a congregation exceeded our Black Lives of UU (BLUU) fundraising goal. After a very impactful "Honoring the Campbells" worship service presented by our guests from the Nashua, NH UU congregation, you all were so generous and supportive during the special collection, of the mission of the Racial Justice Team (RJT) and the larger efforts within the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Because we met our goal, the amount we raised will be matched by our Northern New England District (NNED), and by a very generous couple, Julie and Brad Bradburd, so every $1 we raised as a congregation actually gives $3 to BLUU.

To date we have raised $5,814.73. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all who donated and supported this RJT goal for this fiscal year.

If you did not attend the worship service and/or were not able to give during our special collection on Sunday, January 27th, you can still give to support BLUU. Leave it in the office indicating that it is for BLUU Fundraising or drop it by the RJT table in the Parlors during worship services.

You can listen to this and any other past worship services on Soundcloud here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-607731177 .

 

Over the past three years the Racial Justice Team has organized three services that looked at racism within Unitarian Universalism - both its historical roots and its present day reality. In the coming months we invite you to join us in going deeper with a series of book readings and discussions. Together we'll read and discuss three books. 

Unitarian Universalists of Color is a collection of essays by UUs of color about their experience in UU congregations. Centering is a collection of essays by UU ministers of color about challenges they face in leading mostly white congregations. And Darkening the Doorways by Reverend Mark Morrison-Reid looks at the history of Unitarian Universalism that brought us to where we are today. 

You can join us for one, some, or all of the books. If you're interested, contact Zoe Hart at 

[email protected] . When we know who's interested, we can find dates and times that work well for as many of us as possible.

Thank you to everyone who came out last Sunday to support the Yuuth Group's Waffle Breakfast Fundraiser! Many bellies were fed and smiles shared. Don't forget to mark your calendars for next month's Pancake Breakfast which will be held on  Sunday, March 24 after both services.

 

Last week Yuuth Group members Cianya and Mak, and Youth Advisors, Sarah Russell and Mary Loomis volunteered at ANew Place on North Street. The four cooked a dinner of black bean soup, bread, and brownies, and enjoyed sharing a great meal and better conversation with the residents of ANew Place.  This week   students are meeting to plan and prepare for their upcoming Valentine's Day Fundraiser. 

Our 8th Grade OWL program has been a great success this year, thanks to the dedication of our volunteer facilitators. We need more trained individuals to continue to offer this valuable service to our community!

Here is an opportunity to make a real difference, by helping us provide comprehensive sexuality education, not just to the youth of our congregation, but to some of their classmates as well.

Consider becoming a trained 7-9th Grade OWL Facilitator, by attending a weekend training in Auburndale, Massachusetts on May 3-5. (Please note, OWL Facilitators are required to be 25 years of age or older.) FUUSB will cover the fees, which include room and board, for incoming members of our OWL team.

Spots fill up fast, so contact Andrea at 

[email protected] or 862-5630 X 28, as soon as possible for more information about our OWL program. More information on the facilitator training can be found here.