Join us for worship on
Sunday, April 7 at
9 and 11 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Susan Milnor, Interim Senior Minister
Worship Associate:
Kristin Kany
|
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
.
|
|
Visit the publication
archives on our website!
|
|
|
|
Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
|
|
Sunday, March 31 at 9 and 11 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Andre Mol, Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership
Worship Associate:
Melinda Lee
"Narrative Freedom"
Author Thomas King writes: "The truth about stories is that's all we are." Yet, not all of us have the power to tell our own stories. If we are to honor each other and our interdependence, if we are to allow for a responsible search for truth and meaning, we need to create space for each person to own their own narrative. We'll explore the power of personal narrative, and the power-struggle behind narrative that exists for those of us on the margins. We will also take time to honor Trans Day of Visibility.
|
|
Rev-eries
|
|
I heard a bird singing loudly yesterday, and I stopped in place to listen, feeling surprise along with a surge of hope that, yes, spring will return. We will thaw, and we will relish the longer days. We will remember summer with its delights.
I feel a turning of sorts at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington as well. We have spent some time turning inward, which we must do during an interim period, taking stock of where we are and how we move into the future. It has been necessary and important.
But with the change in season, we, too, turn a bit more toward the larger mission. There are two important upcoming opportunities to engage is exploring how we can live by our values. The Healthy Congregation Team is sponsoring a non-violent communication workshop led by experienced teacher Pan Vera. The congregation is also offering a curriculum on Trans Inclusion - and living a radical welcome - which is being organized here by Assistant Minister Rev. Andre Mol. Both of these programs offer learning that is grounded in both social justice and spiritual growth. I hope you will consider participating.
In the faith,
Rev. Susan
|
Stewardship Update
|
|
 Nancy Knox
Thank you to all who have pledged!! If you haven't,
complete your pledge card right now!
You can also fill out a pledge card (we mailed you one last week!) and mail it or bring it to the UU next Sunday. Turn it in at the table in the Parlors or in the Community Room (we're there to answer your questions, too).
Late-Breaking Stewardship Announcement!
We have a special challenge from an anonymous pledger: If 20 pledging units will increase their pledges by $1000, they will also increase their pledge by $1000.
Here are additional links you may find helpful (also, check out our bulletin boards in the main hallway and in the Community Room for more information about the campaign):
|
Stewardship Story
|
|
I donate to FUUSB because I believe in the power of our liberal religious faith to help heal the world. I love that I have a spiritual place to be among like-minded, caring, activist folks. I love how involved we are with current social, racial, economic and environmental justice issues. I loved the children's programming and am so grateful to have raised my son in this congregation (he's now in the YUUth group and taller than me - how'd that happen?!). I love that we continue to work on realizing true inclusion of people of all faiths, gender, race and sexual orientation. Proud to be a UU for sure!
Suzie McCoy, member
|
| Sunday Service Schedule Update |
|
On
Sunday, May 19
, we will begin our
one-service
summer schedule. Join us for worship at
10 a.m.
on
Sundays!
|
Bereavement Group
|
|
The First UU Society of Burlington Pastoral Care Associates team invites you to a Bereavement group which will begin on
Tuesday, April 2. The group will be held on Tuesday evenings in April and May from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
No one is immune to losses. It comes in many forms such as loss of a loved one by death, a miscarriage, or a suicide. It may be an anticipatory loss or loss of a job, finances, a sense of self, and much more.
If you are interested in attending, please register
here.
If you have any questions please call Brenda Dupuis at 802-338-7196.
|
Non-Violent Communication Training
|
|
Your Healthy Congregation Team is thrilled to invite all UU members and friends to a Non-Violent Communication training!
What: Transforming and Effective Communication training with expert teacher Pan Vera
When: Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: FUUSB basement/Community Room
Who: UU members and friends, all experience levels welcome--no prior experience required.
Enter the discount code uu-member to get a $0 ticket for UU members and friends.
Questions? Email Amelia at
Hope to see you there,
The Healthy Congregation Team
(Amelia, Sarah, Stu, Brenda, Noah, & Nancy)
|
April Game Night
|
|
 Erika Reif, Family Ministry Assistant
Come join UU families and friends for another fun-filled Game Night, April 6!
We will have some games at the ready and you are welcome to bring a favorite, as well. And because any gathering is more fun with food, we're having a potluck too, so bring a dish to share (skip the plates and utensils-we've got that covered!)
Come for a little bit or the whole time; bring all your ages (and your inner child, too) and play an old favorite or learn a new game. (10-handed solitaire, anyone?) We look forward to having you join us!
We'll have childcare available in the nursery for the littlest, with some kids' games available if they choose.
Mark your calendar: Saturday, April 6 from 5:30-8 p.m. in the Community Room. (Please note: We are starting at 5:30 this time instead of 5 to accommodate other events.)
|
From the Stewardship Team and the Yuuth Group
|
|
 Kim Hier
Join us on April 14, "Gratitude Sunday," when the Yuuth Group in partnership with the Stewardship Team will be offering a FREE pancake breakfast after the 9:00 and 11:00 services in the Community Room.
Enjoy fresh hot pancakes and the company of friends, while we express our gratitude for our wonderful UU community! Please consider a donation to the Yuuth Group Service Trip Fund.
|
| Register Now: Transgender Inclusion in Congregations Program |
|
Registration is now open for the "Transgender Inclusion in Congregations" program. As previously announced in The Steeple and in worship services earlier this year, this program is being offered at First UU as a way of deepening our welcoming to all. The program begins with discussion groups in mid/late-April with a final workshop in early May.
This program is offered by Transforming Hearts Collective, a trans-led organization working to create a world where people genuinely care for each other. The program will be composed of two group discussions and one half-day workshop. The group discussions will begin with participants completing two video lectures at home and then gathering together in small groups on a Sunday afternoon or a Tuesday evening to review reflection questions, and resources that take the conversation deeper. Participants can choose one of two discussion times to attend (Sunday or Tuesday). These sessions would be led by FUUSB facilitators. The program will culminate in a half-day workshop at FUUSB led by Zr. Alex Kapitan from Transforming Hearts Collective.
Click
here to register and to view the specific dates of the program. Registration will remain open through April 5.
In faith,
Rev. Susan & Rev. Andrée
Trans 101 Resources:
Some of you have also asked about resources helping to educate you around trans and gender-inclusive language. We have curated a list of short videos including one featuring Rev. Andrée and FUUSB member and OWL Instructor, Amelia Schlossberg, discussing gender and pronouns. You can access those videos
here.
|
| COTS Walk |
|
D
ear First UUs:
Sunday, May 5 is the annual COTS Walk. This is a picture of last year's small but enthusiastic UU team. We hope to have a bigger turn-out this year and need your help. Please visit the COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter) website (
http://give.cotsonline.org/site/TR?fr_id=1040&pg=entry), click the "Join a Team" button, and enter our team name, First UU for COTS, to join our team.
We will also have a table in the Parlors after the services over the next few weeks if you need help registering for the walk or sponsoring the team.
Thank you for your support!
Nina Harrington
802-660-2670
|
UUA General Assembly!
|
|
 Christina Fulton, Director of Operations and Finance
This year UUA General Assembly (GA) is going to be in Spokane, WA from June 19-23. This year's GA theme is "The Power of We"
"In a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world, what does our faith demand from us? At this year's General Assembly we will explore the power, possibility, purpose, struggle and joy of finding the path forward together as Unitarian Universalists. Attendees will leave inspired, with the tools needed to carry on the work into their own congregations and communities. Join us as we work for collective liberation inside and outside our faith."
FUUSB has a small amount budgeted to help pay the registration fee of members attending GA. If you are interested, please contact Christina at
[email protected]
and let her know that you would like to be considered for a GA Scholarship. The deadline for FUUSB scholarships is April 22, 2019. Registration fees go up on May 1st, so it pays to register early!
There are other forms of financial aid for GA, but applications are due no later than March 31.
FUUSB has nine delegates for this year's GA. If you'd like more information on the responsibilities of being a delegate, you can find that information here:
If you are planning to attend GA and would like to be a delegate, please contact Christina at
[email protected].
At this point we know that Rev.
Andrée, Christina and Woody Fulton are all planning to attend GA. If you are planning to attend, please let Christina know. We try to have a gathering of attendees in early June.
|
| First UU Community BBQ |
|
Zoe Hart
Living into our mission: First UU 4th of July Community BBQ
July 4, 2018 fell on a Wednesday and Darrell Fields and I were standing in front of the Meeting House at our weekly Love & Justice vigil. I learned that day that, while various organizations provide meals throughout the year for those in need, on the 4th of July there is no place where those in need of a meal can find dinner. Darrell and I had the idea that day that First UU might fill that gap by hosting a 4th of July Community BBQ. We would welcome both those in need of a meal and our Old North End neighbors, to share a meal and get to know each other better.
If you'd be interested in helping with First UU's 4th of July Community BBQ, contact Zoe Hart at
[email protected].
Let her know if you'd like to help with the planning, help the day of, or both.
|
|
| |
|
