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9 and 11 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Susan Milnor, Interim Senior Minister
Worship Associate:
Rodney Lowe
"Just One More Aye"
In June, 1919, nearly one hundred years ago, the United States Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution granting women the right to vote in this country. What better time to honor the deeper struggle for agency and, yes, for a better life for everyone's children that we could associate with this day? Do you know how the real Mother's Day began? Do you know the women of color who were part of the suffrage movement? Where have mothers come into this? Our service will include a prayer/blessing for the widely divergent experience of mothering that people bring into this community; the first outing of our Adult Choir with our new director, James Stewart, as they strike a Beatles note; and a Child Dedication ceremony.
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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, May 5 at 9 and 11 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Susan Milnor, Interim Senior Minister
Worship Associate: Maeve McBride
"Listening with the Ear of the Heart"
With this congregation having as a goal for next year becoming more welcoming, including of people with particular identities, what is the overarching spiritual umbrella of welcoming like? When have others made us feel welcome, and how do we internally navigate toward being able to extend that in turn? Reflections on "listening with the ear of the heart."
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| Sunday Service Schedule Reminder |
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On
Sunday, May 19, we will begin our one-service summer schedule. Join us for worship at
10 a.m. on Sundays!
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Director of Lifespan Faith Development Announcement
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Members and Friends of FUUSB,
The Director of Family Ministry Search Team and I are pleased to share with you that Erika Reif will become our new Director of Lifespan Faith Development beginning on July 15. Erika has been serving as the Family Ministry Assistant, and both she and we are excited to see her move into this new position.
When the search team, Christina Fulton and I began meeting, the members of the team identified the qualities they most wanted in the new director. Along with relating well to our children and youth and adults, the ability to build community, support for our Unitarian Universalist values, and great organizational skills ranked as extremely important. As we reflected on the profile that was emerging, we realized we had someone with all the essential qualities right here in Erika. In addition, of course, she will bring familiarity with our children and youth, volunteers, program and curricula, and wider FUUSB community.
Following a marked national trend, enrollment in our religious education/family ministry program has decreased over the past few years. As a result the directorship can probably be handled in a 75% Full Time Equivalent position. With no assistant minister next year, however, your leaders are also aware of the need for support for theme circles and small group ministry. We have combined these two roles, with Erika devoting 25% of her time to the adult programs. Thus we have titled the position "Director of
Lifespan Faith Development
." A part-time assistant will be hired this summer to fulfill the duties Erika is currently covering.
Please welcome Erika into an extended role in FUUSB's future. And please join me in extending a heartfelt thank you to the members of the Search Team: Kim Brockway, Sharon Leach, Leslie Patterson, and Jennifer Schollmeyer.
Blessings,
Rev. Susan with Christina Fulton and the Family Ministry Search Team
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May 12 Child Dedication
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 Rev. Susan Milnor, Interim Senior Minister
If you would like to have a child dedicated in the worship service on May 12 (Mother's Day), please contact Rev. Susan Milnor (
[email protected]
) by May 3.
The Unitarian Universalist rite of passage for welcoming children into the world and community is called a Child Dedication. In it, parents dedicate themselves to raising their children in the light of worthy values; the congregation dedicates itself to nurturing the child religiously and spiritually; and the minister(s) dedicates the child to a spirit of truth and love. Child dedications are not baptisms; they in no way change the theological or spiritual status of this little human being. Instead, they represent a welcoming and naming and commitment.
It's fair to say that child dedications are among Unitarian Universalists' favorite rituals.
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Game Night
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 Erika Reif, Family Ministry Assistant
Come join UU families and friends for Game Night! We will have games out to play and you are welcome to bring a favorite, too. And because any gathering is more fun with food, we're having a potluck as well, so bring a dish to share. Homemade or store-bought is fine! And you can skip the plates and utensils-We've got that covered!
Mark your calendar:
Saturday, May 4 from 5-8
p.m. in the Community Room. 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; our new ping-pong table is also open and ready for play! We look forward to having you join us!
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Family Ministry Workshop
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 Erika Reif, Family Ministry Assistant
Spiritual Practices: Sand Mandalas
Sunday May 5, 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
The creation of impermanent paintings with sand is a part of various religious traditions a
cross
the globe; Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas are the most well-known example.
We will
learn a little about their history and spiritual significance
and
then
make our own colorful sand artwork, only to wipe it all away at the end.
This
program is open to all ages and will take place immediately after Family Chapel in the Community Room
,
during both services.
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| Art Exhibit Closing |
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Artists:
Three months have passed and our show is coming down. I will be at the FUUSB
this Sunday
, May 5, after
12 p.m.
to facilitate. If you stop by before that, please take your artwork down, your bio from the book, and check off your name on the checklist.
Thanks for participating.
Mary Ellen Manock
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Potluck and Coffeehouse
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 Todd Schlossberg
Join Us for Good Food, Friendship and Music at the
Saturday, May 11 FUUSB Potluck and Coffeehouse
Although in the hills, there's still plenty of snow
Spring is here, and in bloom, in the valleys below
So let's gather, and celebrate the warmth of the sun
Share food, friendship, music, and have us some fun
Join us at the UU this Saturday night
To feast and make music, and share smiles bright
We'll eat, and tell stories, laugh and then sing
At our monthly potluck and coffeehouse thing
At six starts the potluck, a feast to behold
From savory to sweet, from hot and to cold
Bring an entrée, dessert, a salad, or stew
If you can, something yummy, to nourish a few
Sign up, if you're psyched, for the open mic
Or sit back and listen, if that's what you'd like
Share a poem, a story, a solo, or song
Tap your feet, clap your hands, or perhaps hum along
All ages are welcome, all talents are relished
It's a pretty sweet scene, I don't think we embellish
Truth be told, there's not much, that you must do
Apart from this one thing: that is, to bring you!
What
: Our Monthly FUUSB Potluck and Coffeehouse
Who
: Everyone! Friends and family
welcome
Where
: The Parlors, First UU Society of Burlington
When
: Saturday, May 11, 6-8:30 p.m.
Bring
: A potluck dish, a song, story or poem to perform, yourself
Questions?
Todd Schlossberg:
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Stewardship Update
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 Nancy Knox
Thank you all who pledged to make this year's stewardship campaign a success! All who pledged by April 14 were eligible for our stewardship raffle, and here are the winners:
Peace and Justice Center - $25 gift certificates:
- Brianna & Andrew Douglas
- Carol Livingston
Phoenix Books - $50 gift certificates:
- Kristin Kany
- Nancy Hellen
- Zoe Hart & Robyn Woodworth
- Meredith Kenton
- Millie Eidson & Tom Henderson
Church Street Marketplace - $50 gift certificates to one store of your choice:
- Barbie Alsop
- Rita & Adam Bortz
- Bruce Brown
- Roger Bourassa
- Nina Dahlstedt Buss
We are so grateful for everyone's participation in this year's campaign!
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Annual Picnic - June 2
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SAVE THE DATE: June 2 will be packed with activities: a lovely worship service, our Annual Meeting, all followed by our Annual Picnic! We will be gathering to enjoy community, share wonderful food and bid farewell to Rev. Susan, Rev. Andrée, and Andrea.
Many MAG (ministry area) leaders have stepped up to guide aspects of the picnic. We are still in need of a few key "guides." So please, tap your inner party planner and sign up for:
*co-chair to conduct the action,
*a liaison with staff ahead of the picnic, and
*a photographer.
If you could pitch in and cover one of these spots, it will be a wonderful day and well worth the effort!
Contact Lynn Douglas:
[email protected]
or (802) 318-2663.
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Flower Power Team Seeking Flower Donations
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 Peggy Derby
This summer we would love the opportunity to do Sunday flower arrangements with flowers from our members' gardens. This will not just keep cost down but will provide more variety, better quality, sustainable flowers. When you have blooms that are ready or near ready please contact either Peggy Derby (
[email protected])
or Susan Raimy (
[email protected]).
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Steeple Newsletter Article Submissions
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 Mary Williams, Society Administrator
The next issue of FUUSB's congregational newsletter, the Steeple, will be published the second week of June. The deadline for article submissions is
May 28
.
Steeple Article Guidelines:
Length: 200 - 400 words
Content: Big picture/goals-related, or the story behind your program or topic; can include photos.
Check out more information about the Steeple and our other newsletters at:
If you would like to write an article for the Steeple or have questions, please let Mary know by emailing
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| From VIA: Interfaith Seder |
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 Debbie Ingram, VIA Executive Director
Join Ohavi Zedek Synagogue and Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) for an Interfaith Seder on Thursday, May 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ohavi Zedek, 199 N. Prospect St. in Burlington. This event will celebrate our shared goal of freedom from oppression for all peoples and features a universalized version of the Passover Seder, commemorating liberation. Please join us as we share stories, songs, prayer, and a special vegetarian meal (gluten-free options available). Everyone is welcome. New Americans will be our guests. Adults: $25; Teens: Free. RSVP by May 16 to 864-0218 or [email protected]. Proceeds benefit VIA.
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