Have you ever wanted to attend a vigil or rally or protest, but hesitated because you just weren't sure what to wear? Not to worry. Your Justice & Outreach ministries have the answer to your justice fashion quandary. 

For the next two Sundays, September 16 and September 23, Justice & Outreach volunteers will take your orders for Side With Love t-shirts and hoodie sweatshirts. Because our vision includes everyone in Side With Love apparel, we're making it available on a sliding scale starting at $0. 

So whether you're looking to update your old Standing On the Side of Love shirt with the new Side With Love brand or buying your first piece of UU justice apparel, now's the time to place your order. Come see us in the Parlors after the service this Sunday or next.

Friday, September 21 at  5:30 p.m.

All are invited to the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington's Community Labyrinth for a time of quiet introspection and shared celebration marking the turning of the seasons. The gathering will begin with an invocation and blessing. Members of the UU Labyrinth 

Ministry will lead the Labyrinth walk. All welcome. Free.

On  September 30 , we will begin our regular  two-service schedule. 

Join us for worship at  9 and 11 a.m.  on Sundays!

Gabriel Ely and Sally Russell

The mission of the Care Network Team is to be a caring presence for members and friends of this congregation. To that end, we welcome referrals of people who might enjoy and/or benefit from visits from a member of our team. There are several ways to initiate that:  

• Contact Andre Mol at [email protected] or 862-5630 ext. 27
• Contact the chairs of the Care Network Team:

Sarah Weber at [email protected] or 863-1840         

• Email the Care Network Team at [email protected]
• Or talk with a member of the Care Network Team (we wear special nametags to identify us).

We look forward to being a service to the members and friends of our community, and we welcome help from the whole congregation as we try to provide meals to people in need. 

 

Mary Silverman, member of the Care Network Team

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations and Finance

As we begin a new year here at FUUSB, I would like to remind everyone that we are striving to be a Fragrance Free Zone. Many of us, both staff and members, are adversely affected by fragrance of any kind. I, myself, can experience debilitating migraine attacks when confronted with scents. I know of others in our community who have adverse health reactions when exposed to fragrances. For many years now, FUUSB has been committed to using fragrance free cleaning products and even our hand soap is fragrance free. As David McFeeters told me many years ago: Clean has no smell, it's just clean. 

 

Did you know that there's a difference between "Unscented" and "Fragrance Free"? Unscented means that a product doesn't have a detectable odor - but it does not mean that it contains no artificial scents. Manufacturers are allowed to use artificial scents in "unscented" products if they are there to cover up the smell of other ingredients. By contrast, "fragrance-free" is the label to look for if you are bothered by chemical fragrances, as it means no artificial smells have been added to a product. You can double-check this claim, if there are ingredients listed, by looking for the words "perfume," "parfum" or "fragrance" on the list. If you'd like to know more about Fragrance/Chemical Sensitivities, here are links to a few articles:

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/bothered-by-fragrances-this-story-will-be-a-breath-of-fresh-air/2018/03/19/ace83e8a-26cd-11e8-b79d-f3d931db7f68_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fd996ca31d5b

https://www.womensvoices.org/2017/09/08/fragrance-new-second-hand-smoke/

https://www.collective-evolution.com/2018/04/17/heres-why-fragranceperfumes-are-being-labelled-as-the-new-second-hand-smoke/

 

So I encourage everyone to be mindful of what you're putting on your body when coming to the Meeting House.  Perfumes or colognes are the obvious things to avoid, but hair products, body lotions, laundry detergent and fabric softeners are all filled with scents that could cause your fellow FUUSB members severe health reactions.

 

You may notice a change to the format of the joys and sorrows book that is used on Sundays. This change is simply to help our ministers and caring volunteers follow up where appropriate with individuals who share something personal during worship.

While the format has changed, our ritual of sharing joys and sorrows during worship as a way of caring for each other has not changed. Please use this book to share a personal joy or sorrow to be read out loud during service. Please write your name if you wish for it to be shared as well.  

Fall is almost here and so it is time to register children and youth for classes and YUUth group! 

As we take our first steps towards a Family Ministry model of faith formation, you may notice a change in the language we use; what we referred to in the past as Religious Education classes will now be known as Family Ministry classes, but will remain very similar in practice. 

We will also be rolling out some new opportunities for families to grow in faith together throughout the year, so expect to hear more about those soon!

I invite you all to register your children from the littlest nursery goers through seniors in high school with this  link to our database. Returning families are already known to the database, and I encourage you to create a log-in for yourselves; newcomers can register as guests.

It is very helpful to our planning process to get children and youth registered at the beginning of the year when possible, so your prompt action will be greatly appreciated!

Please contact me with any questions you may have about this process at  [email protected].

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.

We are very excited to be offering two 8th Grade OWL classes this fall! In order to keep providing this invaluable opportunity to our youth and the youth of the larger community, we need more dedicated volunteers! Specifically, we are looking for individuals, 25 and older, who are willing to attend a weekend-long training and join our 8th Grade OWL teaching team later in the year or in fall of 2019.

Trainings are held in  Auburndale, Massachusetts, outside of Boston. FUUSB will cover the cost of the class and accommodation.

• January 25-27, 2019, Grade Levels 7-9 and 10-12
• February 1-3, 2019, Grade Levels 7-9 and 10-12
• May 3-5, 2019, Grade Levels 7-9 and 10-12

Please contact Andrea Spencer-Linzie, 

[email protected], if you are interested in becoming an OWL facilitator.

Run for JUMP  (Joint Urban Ministry Project)  is a fun event that includes an open 5K run, a 1K run for kids under 14, and a 1K walk - all on Burlington's beautiful Waterfront. Become an event sponsor or register to participate. Help those in need while also having fun! 

   

Register online at:

https://www.firstgiving.com/event/jumpvt/RUN-or-walk-for-JUMP-2018

 

or download a registration form at: 

http://www.jumpvt.org/runforjump2018.html

   

For more information or to volunteer: 

Visit  www.jumpvt.org,  contact JUMP Director Wanda Hines at 777-3821, or email  [email protected]  

Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership

This workshop is for boards, committees, church staff, newly nominated or elected leaders, and longtime volunteers who want to tap their individual and collective power for living into the mission and purpose of their congregation.  Click here for more information!