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August 9, 2018
Latest News
Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
FUUSB Potluck and Coffeehouse
Classes for Newcomers
Steeple Newsletter Schedule
OWL News!
Formation of Pastoral Care Associates
New Evening Book Group
Help Grow Souls!
Facilities/Property Team Project Report.
Vermont Interfaith Action Convention
JUMP News
UUA New England Region News
Summer eNews Schedule
 
 
 




Upcoming Services
Sunday, August 19 at 
10 a.m.

Pulpit Guest:

Worship Associate: 
Kristin Kany

"The Circle of Life"
On August 19 we welcome  Chief Don Stevens, Chief of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk - Abenaki Nation.
Chief Stevens will share Abenaki creation stories and speak about the spiritual heritage of the 
Abenaki.

Chief Stevens is an award- winning leader, businessman, writer, and lecturer. He has been featured in magazines, books, TV shows, and documentaries. He was appointed to the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs by Governor Douglas in 2006 for two terms, where he served as Chair and led the fight to obtain legal recognition for the Abenaki People in Vermont. Chief Stevens was able to acquire tribal land for the Nulhegan Tribe which had been absent for over 200 years.  A gifted storyteller, h e speaks about issues of Native American Sovereignty and Abenaki Identity. 
_____________________

Sunday, August 26 at 
10 a.m.

Worship Leader:

Worship Associate: 
Judy Brook

"The Fire Sermon"  
Our minister emeritus Gary Kowalski returns on August 26 to recount his experiences working as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Being a first responder, he discovered,  means more than driving  a big red truck. It means facing grief, fear and depression,  but also offers glimpses of altruism, teamwork and courage that show people at their finest. 
Rev. Gary's talk is excerpted from his book  
Old Men and Fire , available from Amazon. All proceeds benefit his outfit, Hondo Fire & Rescue. A talkback will follow the service in the Susan B. Anthony Room. 


 

 
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Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
Sunday, August 12  at  10 a.m.

Pulpit Guest:  Jay O'Hara
Worship Associate: Maeve McBride

"A Rock in Turbulent Times"
In these times, activism is insufficient. To strike at the roots of the multiplying crises we face, we must stand on firm ground, on unshakable bedrock. But where do we find this bedrock in a society whose economic system and political institutions are little more than quicksand? How can faith orient us in this ever-changing world, prepared to act?

Jay O'Hara is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). He travels in the ministry among New England Friends under a letter from Sandwich Monthly Meeting on Cape Cod, working to nurture Friends' faithfulness. This ministry has grown in creative relationship with taking nonviolent direct action on climate change. He cofounded the Climate Disobedience Center following a blockade of 40,000 tons of coal with a little white lobster boat in Massachusetts. In 2016 he helped to shut down the five pipelines which carry Canadian tar sands crude oil into the U.S.

FUUSB Sanctuary City Potluck and Coffeehouse
Todd Schlossberg

Join Us for Good Food, Good Company, and Sweet 
Summer  Music - 
Saturday, August 11 
FUUSB Sanctuary City Potluck and Coffeehouse!
 
When the weather turns sultry, and energy flags
And streams of sweat flow down the face
One barely can think, to just pour a cold drink
Takes the effort of running a race
 
What would it take, for a well-deserved break
With good friends, good food, and some song?
We've got just the ticket, no march through a thicket  
and you don't have to wait very long 
This Saturday evening, on August 11
Our potluck and coffeehouse redux!
You'll think that you croaked, landed in heaven
It's a meal, and a show, and deluxe! 
 
Join us, not least, for a marvelous feast
And then stay for some music and poems
Sing a song, share a story, and, oh, what glory
None will care if it rhymes        
  
Bring something to taste, it won't go to waste
a salad, cold soup, or a stew?  
Bring a friend, or a few! And of course, please bring you
'Cuz without your warm smile, we'll be blue
 
All ages are welcome, all talents invited   
We'll beat this 'ol heat, like a drum
We can promise you this: an evening of bliss
And a welcome respite from the sun. 
 
Where: FUUSB Parlors
When:  Saturday, August 11
Time: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
Bring: A favorite dish (summer entrees especially encouraged), an instrument, a song, a poem, or a story, friends and family members, yourself!

Classes for Newcomers
Andre Mol, Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership

We offer two classes for people who are new to us and would like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, find out about our activities and meet other newcomers.

New UU Part 1: Getting Acquainted
This 1 ½ hour class is offered every month. The class provides an overview of Unitarian Universalist history and beliefs, including our Seven Principles and Six Sources. It's a great introduction to UUism and also a good way to meet others.

Upcoming classes:
  • August 19 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
  • September 9 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
New UU Part 2: Getting Connected
This is a 2 ½ hour class that provides information about activities, programs and ministry teams here at First UU. It also includes time for getting to know each other, and an overview of the process for becoming a member of the congregation. Getting Connected is offered on a Saturday morning several times per year. Attendance at Getting Acquainted is required before taking Getting Connected, except for people who have already been a member of a UU congregation.

Upcoming classes:
  • August 25 (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
For questions or to register for any of these classes, please contact Andre Mol, Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership ( andre@uusociety.org).

2018-2019 Steeple Newsletter Update
Mary Williams, Society Administrator

The next issue of FUUSB's congregational newsletter, the  Steeple will be published the second week of September.  The deadline for article submissions is August 27This church year, we are planning a quarterly schedule (September, December, March, and June). Any changes to this schedule will be announced ahead of time. 

Steeple Article Guidelines:
Length:  200 - 400 words 
Content:  Big picture/goals related, or the story behind your program or topic; can include digital photos.
 
Check out more information about the Steeple and our other newsletters on our website at: 

Click here for an updated copy of "How to Get the Word Out"  which includes deadlines and descriptions of our publications.

If you would like to write an article for the Steeple or have any questions, please let Mary know by emailing mary@uusociety.org or newsletter@uusociety.org, or call 862-5630, ext. 21. Thank you!

OWL News!
Erika Reif, Religious Education Assistant

We are very excited about the possibility of offering two 8th Grade OWL classes this fall, but are still finalizing our teaching team!  Expect more information and the full calendar of classes soon! 

In the meantime, if you have a child entering 8th grade OWL please save one of these dates for  OWL Parent Orientations:

Sunday, September 9,  2-4 p.m., in the Susan B. Anthony Room 
Wednesday, September 12,  6-8 p.m., in the Bergh/Alcott Room

Also note that the first two OWL classes of the year will be from  10-11:30 a.m. on  September 16 and September 23. (These are both still single service Sundays.) 

Formation of Pastoral Care Associates
Andre Mol, Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership

Part of caring for each other within our society includes providing a listening presence and spiritual companionship in times of need. This is often referred to as "pastoral care" and many of you have benefited from receiving such care from our ministerial staff. However, the needs of a congregation our size, with over 500 members, require the additional support of specially trained lay members known as Pastoral Care Associates.  

This fall we will be forming a team of Pastoral Care Associates at FUUSB. These associates will work closely with our ministers and our Care Network to provide pastoral care to members of our society. We will be holding an orientation session on  September 12 for anyone interested in the team to help answer basic questions and to help those attending determine if they would like to serve as an associate. More formal training and ongoing supervision with our ministerial team will begin in October.

If you are interested in serving as a Pastoral Care Associate or want to find out more information, please reach out to Martha Molpus, Lead Pastoral Care Associate ( mmolpus@sover.net), or Andre Mol, Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and  Membership ( andre@uusociety.org).

Reminder: New Evening Book Group Starting!
Debbie Landauer
 
September 14 (through end of "Trunk") 
October 12 (rest of book)
6:30-8 p.m.,  Susan B. Anthony Room
 
Our first selection is The Overstory by 
Richard Powers. Further selections will be chosen by  participants! No RSVPs required.  All are welcome!
 
THE OVERSTORY
"In his twelfth novel, National Book Award winner Richard Powers delivers a sweeping, impassioned novel of activism and resistance that is also a stunning evocation of...the natural world..."

For more information,  click here for the book group flier!
 
Help Grow Souls! Help with Faith Formation!
Erika Reif, Religious Education Assistant

It's that time of year again! Fall is right around the corner and  Family Ministry at the First UU is in the process of recruiting stewards for 2018-19. We need volunteers to work with every age group from preschool through high school.

Whether you have taught a Religious Education class in the past or not, here is your opportunity to deepen your own faith while helping others form theirs. You do not have to be a parent to participate, and volunteering with children or youth is a great way to strengthen the ties between younger families and the rest of our beloved community!

If you are interested in leading or assisting in a preschool through 7th grade classroom or acting as an advisor to our YUUth group, please take a moment to  fill out this form   and Andrea, our Director of Family Ministry, will be in touch to discuss the specific opportunities that match your interests.

Midsummer Facilities/Property Team Project Report
Bob Furrer, Facilities Manager

Hello Everyone,

First, I'd like to thank the Property Team, specifically Chip  Patullo, David Foster, Jim Lawson and Doug  Watkin for their work contributions on Saturday, July 28. Projects included painting the bulkhead doors at 34  Elmwood Ave. and 27 Clarke St., and staining the porch deck and trim repair at 27 Clarke St. These kinds of projects are wonderful examples of grassroots stewardship that are so important to the maintenance of  FUUSB properties. Kudos to the Property Team!!

As I'm sure you've noticed, the paving project (as presented by Property co-chair John Davis at the  June 3rd annual meeting) was completed recently. The tower/steeple painting project has just started, later than scheduled, but I'm confident that it will be completed by Labor Day. The planning stage continues for the 2019 window frame/sill and palladium window repair and restoration. Again, these projects were presented to the congregation by John Davis at the  June 3rd meeting.
As this is the last full week of my employment as facilities manager with the  FUUSB, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank everyone, especially Property Team members and administration for their support during the last six years. Along with it being an exhilarating, inspirational, challenging and educational six years, it has also been a great privilege to work with a society whose views of social justice and ethics so closely correspond with mine.
Though I'll be seeing many of you from time to time in the future for social or professional reasons, I'd like to wish all the very best for the future.

Finally, I ask all of you to give David  McFeeters, our new facilities manager, a warm and sincere welcome back!!!  Facilities will indeed be in competent and professional hands!!

Cheers!
Bob
 
Vermont Interfaith Action's Statewide Convention
Debbie Ingram, VIA Executive Director

Join us for our Third Annual VIA Statewide Convention on Thursday, August 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Randolph, VT (Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 43 Hebard Hill Rd.). We will share the results of our extensive statewide listening campaign and make decisions democratically about VIA's direction for the future and our top 2-3 issue focuses. There will also be reports on current issues and an interfaith worship service. Lunch and snacks provided. Cost is $12 per person, but no one will be turned away for lack of payment. 

More info: office@viavt.org or (802) 651-8889. To register go to viavt.org or our Facebook page.

JUMP News: Rick Robinson - August "Transportation Angel" Sponsor
Rick Robinson
Wanda Hines, Joint Urban Ministry Project Director
 
Rick Robinson , longtime independent JUMP donor and member of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul donated $2,500 to sponsor all client transportation assistance for the month of August. A committed volunteer as well, Rick understands lack of access to reliable transportation can be a barrier to the 45%  working poor and low-income families who visit JUMP  with transportation gas needs.
 
"Transportation Angel"  Rick's view about JUMP educating and informing the community about transportation assistance needs: "I think you (JUMP) have a good idea about people being encouraged to be transportation sponsors or, to encourage a lot of people to raise $2,500 for a month of the year." 
 
Last year JUMP assisted more than 2,100 neighbors in need. They requested nearly 5,500 vouchers valued at $98,000. The most requested voucher was for transportation gas assistance valued at $30,000 plus voucher assistance for bus passes and bikes. Combined, JUMP spent over $35,000 for transportation assistance to help the working poor and neighbors impacted by poverty.
 
Benefits of access to dependable transportation  include: c an maintain jobs, shorter waiting period for assistance, higher household income, able to accomplish more daily, improve quality of life, less stress, economic independence, increased employment opportunities, able to engage and contribute to community.
 
Celebrating a 30-year milestone,  JUMP is asking community businesses, partners and independent donors to please support the Gas Card Project and match Rick Robinson's gift of $2,500. We invite you to become a "Transportation Angel" Sponsor for a remaining calendar month: September, October, November or December, or select a month next year.
 
GAS Card Gift Level:
  • $2500: (100 Gas Cards) equals one month of transportation assistance for working poor families/low income people
  • $1000: (40 Gas Cards) for working poor families/low income people
  • $500: (20 Gas Cards) for working poor families/low income people
Your business/organization/group will receive:
  • A 12-month logo placement and support acknowledgement on our JUMP website and printed material.
  • For your office wall: Certificate of Appreciation in appreciation of your generous contribution to the Gas Card Project to "help people get where they need to be."
UUA New England Region News: Welcome Regional Colleague Rev. David Pyle

New England Region Congregational Life staff is committed to supporting the health and vitality of Unitarian Universalist congregations in New England. Since joining the team in May, my focus has been to build on the high level of service currently provided by team members to congregations. One way of doing that is to increase effectiveness and efficiency by enhancing capacity and capability. With that in mind we will be partnering with cross-regional colleagues over the coming church year to fortify our services and program offerings, while assessing our operational needs.

I am pleased to announce that we will enjoy the partnership of Central East Regional colleague, Rev. David Pyle for one year beginning  August 15. David brings a strong portfolio of skills and a wealth of experience to our Congregational Life staff, specializing in congregational governance, the arts of ministry (worship and pastoral care), church staffing, large church support, and professional staff misconduct response and recovery. David is a current member of the UUA Disaster Response Committee. He also serves as a U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain at Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Before joining UUA staff, David served as a minister for congregations in California, Michigan, and Illinois, and as a Church Administrator for a congregation in Texas.

Listen to "Getting Proximate" with Rev. David Pyle, Sermon at the UU Congregation of Fairfax, VA:
David reflects on author Bryan Stevenson's Ware Lecture at the 2017 General Assembly on  Getting Proximate - with those whose life experiences and perspectives are drastically different than ours, to really listen, and to change the narrative, in order to make the most transformative change happen within ourselves, our movement, and the wider world (22 min).  Listen Now

Please join us in welcoming Rev. David Pyle. We look forward to his partnership, contributions and spiritual leadership as we strengthen support for New England Region congregations.

In faith,

Woullard Lett, Acting Regional Lead

Summer eNews Schedule
Opportunities - add to your calendar or click for the monthly web calendar
The next issue of the eNews  will be published on  August 23Beginning on September 6 we will be back to our weekly schedule.