|
Visit the publication
archives on our website!
|
|
|
|
Join Us for Online Worship This Sunday!
|
|
Please visit our website at
Sunday, April 12 at 10 a.m.
"What's All Around Us"
We may think of Easter as a time of celebration, when the whole world calls out "Hallelujah!" But when you stop and think about the stories in the Bible, there was no celebrating for Jesus or the disciples. Life had fallen apart. It was hard to imagine what might come next...or even what was right in front of them.
|
Easter Bonnet Coffee Hour
|
|
 Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Sunday Coffee Hour Is ON!
Woot!
This past Sunday we had nearly 50 people in coffee hour and we had a great time! Some people even like virtual coffee better than our regular coffee hour! This Sunday is Easter and so we would like to invite you to wear your Easter Bonnet to Coffee Hour! If you don't have one, just see what you can come up with.
We will be gathering together on Zoom at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Coffee Hour will begin with a brief welcome from Christina, followed by three 15 minute sessions in "breakout rooms." Breakout rooms will be groups of approximately 6-8 people. You can introduce yourselves, and chat with each other. After 15 minutes, the groups will be rearranged, so that you can gather with some new people. And after another 15 minutes we will rearrange the groups one more time.
If you have internet access, you can join coffee hour by clicking on this link:
zoom.us/j/664917485
If you do not have internet, you can still join by calling 1-646-558-8656 and providing the meeting ID: 664 917 485. You won't be able to see everyone, but you will be able to hear and participate in the conversations!
So let's give this a try! I'll see you on Sunday; don't forget to bring your coffe
e
and wear your bonnet
!
|
|
Stewardship Campaign Update
|
|
Hello UUs!! How are you doing?? Here's our early April update on our 2020 Stewardship Campaign - after 4+ weeks, we've raised over
$331,868 or 68% of our target from
156 pledges (over 1/2 of our households). That is really amazing, when you think of it, and shows just how important caring for our spirituality is to caring for us physically. It also reminds us of how hard this can be for so many of us (see the final note below) and the role our extended family at the FUUSB plays in meeting our mission to care for each other and the community in living out our values.
Here's what else is new:
- We had planned to end our campaign on April 5th, but we're continuing through the end of April, because our Board needs income numbers for next year's budget - your pledge is an essential part of that.
- Check out our awesome UU video below (your kids can look for the stuffed animal buddies in the video)!
-
We are looking for about 115 more pledges from UU households - please pledge today! We got a pledge emailed from a member
who was stuck on a cruise ship
in the Pacific Ocean, so if you are
stuck at home
, this is a good time to take a few minutes and let us know about your pledge.
- We'll be reaching out by phone and email - please respond and let us know how you are doing. We miss seeing you, and want to know you're okay or if you need anything.
Here's how you can pledge:
- Online via the FUUSB website: Go to uusociety.org/donate/ and follow the prompts.
- Online through Realm: Go to uusociety.org/members/access-acs-members-stay-connected/ and click on either "Activate your Realm Account" or "Login to Realm." (Contact Christina Fulton at [email protected] if you need any help with this.)
- Mail in a paper pledge card - you should have received one in the mail. If not, contact me (Nancy Knox, [email protected]) and I'll send you the packet.
- OR - simply email Christina Fulton at [email protected], with your name and how much you plan to pledge, and she'll do the rest. Even if you plan to pledge the same amount as this year, we need to know in order to factor that into our budget.
A final note for our times: We understand that we are all in an age of extreme uncertainty, and that people may be reluctant to pledge at this time. Some of us are now worried about our own economic well-being in the coming months, and all of our financial commitments may have to change. Of course that's okay! We ask you to be as thoughtful and generous as you can when making your pledge. And if you can't make a pledge at this time, please let us know (please email Christina, see above). Some of us may be able to give somewhat more than we'd planned, which can help make up the difference.
With gratitude,
Nancy Knox
|
|
| A Conversation About Stewardship |
|
| A Property Chat with David McFeeters |
|
Please join me today,
Thursday, April 9, at 4:00 p.m. for a sharing of what's happening at the Meeting House including completed and planned projects. The session will be interactive and fun! It will be recorded in case you can't join us at this time.
If you don't have internet access you can join by phone at 1-646-558-8656 (meeting ID:
452 472 058).
See you soon.
David McFeeters,
Facilities Manager
|
|
Listening Circles
|
|
In these uncertain and isolating times the Healthy Congregation Team plans to hold Listening Circles to strengthen our bonds, lessen our isolation and to help ameliorate the stress of our present times. We underline that these are listening circles about each of us in our current situations, and so are not "informational" re covid-19 per se, but are about being and staying aware of one another and what is true for us. Nor are they purposefully advice-giving; they are speaking our truth and listening to others. Everyone has an opportunity to speak and there is no cross-talk or discussion.
They will be done using Zoom in groups of no more than 10 to 15. To join, one needs a computer or a smart phone. Technical assistance cheerfully provided.
Please email Noah Patullo to sign up at
[email protected].
Friday, April 10, 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 6 p.m.
|
| Online Pop-Up Coffeehouse |
|
 Todd Schlossberg
Join Us for a Virtual (Online) Pop-Up FUUSB Coffeehouse
This Saturday, April 11, at 7 p.m.!
Join us by Zoom this Saturday night
To play and hear music, and share smiles bright
Eat, tell stories, chat, laugh and sing
At a pop-up Zoom coffeehouse fling!
Who: Everyone! Friends and family welcome
How: via Zoom, on your computer, tablet, or phone (see invitation below)
When: Saturday, April 11, at 7 p.m.
Bring: a song, short story or poem, card trick, yourself
Zoom Video Meeting Invitation:
By phone (audio only):
Call 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 732 986 043
Password: 013685
|
Staying Connected
|
|
 Sarah Russell, FUUSB Membership Team Co-chair
Sunday, April 12 from 12-1 p.m.
In February 2020 the Membership Team started conducting a session after services once a month called "Staying Connected." Primarily for newish members, it is also open for anyone wanting to get more connected to the Society and its mission and work.
In April we are going to have this over Zoom. This is a drop-in session. We will go around the "room" collecting and answering questions. We got great feedback from our February session. Hope to see many of you online with your Easter bonnets on or not.
It is very informal so no matter how many years you have been attending FUUSB, join us on April 12 at noon.
Click on the following link to join the Zoom Meeting:
If you don't have internet access you can join by phone at 1-646-558-8656 (meeting ID: 586 369 862).
|
Wednesday Lunches with Rev. Tricia
|
|
Every Wednesday at 12 p.m., you are invited to join Rev. Tricia for lunch and conversation.
or if you do not have internet access you can join by phone at 1-646-558-8656 (meeting ID: 105 353 699).
|
| Caregivers' Sharing Circle |
|
 Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
This new drop-in Zoom circle is especially for parents/guardians of children and youth. Let's come together to help each other process these challenging times, stay connected with our spiritual home, and make and maintain friendships. No commitment necessary, just come when you can.
Join us on Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. for our circle, with open chat continuing until 8:30 p.m. for those who wish to stay. Click on this link to
join the meeting:
If you don't have internet access you can join by phone using this number
: 1-646-558-8656 and providing the m
eeting ID: 243 012 535.
|
| New Online "Drop-In" Chalice Circle |
|
 Hope Baker-Carr
Looking for online connection during this time of isolation? Curious about Chalice Circles?
Feel free to "drop in" to a new weekly Online Chalice Circle beginning next Thursday, April 16, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. I will be facilitating a time for reflection and sharing. We will begin with a chalice lighting and a brief reading, and then move to a check-in where each participant is given several minutes to let us know how they are doing, while others listen attentively. A second round of sharing might focus on what individuals find challenging about this new way of life and what positive consequences they have discovered. Again, our collective space gives each participant time to share (if they wish) without interruption, while others listen. The group will close with a quick check-out and final reading.
If you are interested in trying out this Online Chalice Circle, watch for a Zoom link in Christina's reminder email that she will send out this coming Saturday, and/or email me at [email protected]. If you are interested, but this time does not work for you please let me know as well and perhaps another group can be formed. Questions? Feel free to email me.
Depending upon the number of participants and continued interest over time, groups of 5-8 people may decide to meet as a subgroup and/or spin off into an independent group. The duration of the group and/or subgroups will be decided by participants.
|
| Helping People - One Family at a Time |
|
|
Our FUUSB Immigration Justice Team (IJT) supports the efforts of the Chittenden Asylum Seekers Assistance Network (CASAN) to support an asylum-seeking family (mother and daughter) currently living in temporary housing in Burlington. Some members of the IJT are active members of CASAN which also has representatives from other faith communities in our area.
CASAN is raising money for long-term housing for this family. We recognize that there is a lot of economic uncertainty right now, but just one small monthly donation can add up and help this vulnerable family.
Here is the information about the options:
For more information about CASAN and its mission, please come to a Zoom meeting from 7:00-7:45 p.m. on
Monday, April 20.
Register in advance for this meeting
at this link
.
|
| JUMP Spring Campaign Update |
|
Dear JUMP Friends,
In these difficult times, we all need to support one another. JUMP is pleased to report that we have adapted
operations to remain open ONLY online, although limited. The new JUMP Flex Assistance Support (FAS) online intake application provides eligible clients a safe and efficient means to purchase groceries or transportation gas assistance.
As a result of the present crisis, JUMP has postponed its Spring Campaign fundraising phonathon, knowing many face their own difficult times.
However, with JUMP assisting low-income and homeless clients who need help now more than ever, financial support is greatly needed. If you have the means to contribute to JUMP in our present crisis, please consider doing so now.
Contributions can be made c/o JUMP, PO Box 1657, Burlington, VT 05402 or please give now by visiting: www.jumpvt.org.
Let's all do our part to keep us all safe and well!
Ronald Pynn, President,
JUMP Board
Wanda Hines, JUMP Director
|
|
| |
|
