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Visit the publication
archives on our website!
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Join Us for
Online Worship This Sunday!
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Please visit our website at
Sunday, March 29 at 10 a.m.
In these very challenging times, as we're staying away from our friends and trying to keep up with the news (without driving ourselves into a panic or around the bend) it feels harder and harder to know what's true. And yet knowing what is most true - in our hearts, as well as our heads - is what helps us practice wisdom.
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Virtual Coffee Hour
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 Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Sunday Coffee Hour Is ON!
Woot!
Have you been missing coffee hour? Well, FUUSB Sunday morning coffee hour is on! We will be gathering together on Zoom at 11 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 8 -10 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. 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 coffee!
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| Stewardship Campaign Update |
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 Nancy Knox
Hello UUs - How are you all managing with the 'stay at home' thing?
We're working on staying connected.
Here's our update on the 2020-21 Stewardship Campaign, "Making a Difference" - after 2+ weeks, we've raised
$258,389
(53% of our target) from
119
pledges (40% of our households). This is great progress, especially considering the interruption of activities due to coronavirus. We're sending out handwritten thank you notes and cool UU stickers to all who have pledged - if you've already pledged, look for yours coming in the mail soon.
We decided not to put our 2020 Stewardship Campaign on hold, and we need your help to get through this time. If you have already pledged - THANK YOU!! Here's how you can pledge:
If you are new to FUUSB, or new to pledging, you may think that giving via the loose plate collection (like we did in the pre-coronavirus days) or using online giving through Realm such as "gifts" or "outreach offering" is the same as pledging. As wonderful as these gifts are, they are NOT quite the same. When you make a pledge, you help us create a viable budget for next year. It's true - every single pledge makes a difference to our congregation's well-being - no matter the amount!
We understand that we are all in an age of extreme uncertainty, and that people may be reluctant to pledge right now. Some of us are worried about our own economic well-being in the coming months, and about all of our financial commitments. Of course that's okay! We appreciate your letting us know.
For those of us who can make our pledges now, we only need to be as thoughtful and generous as we can. Some of us may be able to give somewhat more than we'd planned, which can help make up the difference.
Meanwhile, we hope to organize some online First UU Cottage Parties, using Zoom, so stay tuned! If you have any questions about pledging, or want to host or attend a cottage party online, please contact me: Nancy Knox at
[email protected]
- otherwise stay safe and wash your hands!
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Rev. Tricia Wants to Have Lunch with YOU!
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Each Wednesday, beginning on April 1st (no this is not an April Fool's joke), Rev. Tricia will be waiting for you in a Zoom meeting room. Spend an hour, noon - 1 p.m., chatting with our minister and our fellow UUs.
If you do not have internet access you can join by calling: 1-646-558-8656 and you will be able to listen and participate in this lunch date.
So mark your calendar and join in!
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| Supplies Needed for Handmade Masks |
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FUUSB member Suzanne Stimik is seeking donations of materials for hand-sewn protective masks. U
sing a Deaconess Hospital pattern, she is
making and donating free washable cloth masks for caregivers, pharmacy staff, and others. Needed supplies are:
- 1/4-inch flat elastic
- colorful "happy" fabric
If you have supplies to share, or if you need a mask or know someone who does, please contact Suzanne at 951-9882 to arrange drop-off or pick-up at her front porch. Thank you!
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New Theme Circles
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Normally we have registration for Theme Circles twice a year in September and January. However, these are not normal times. If you have not signed up for a Theme Circle but think perhaps this would be a good way of staying connected to the community while we are are physically distancing, then give me a call at 781-460-3644 or send me an email at
[email protected]
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Theme Circles are small groups of 8-10 people who meet once a month to discuss the theme of the month using The Path as a guide. Just because we are physically distancing does not mean we need to be separated socially and spiritually. Normally Theme Circles meet in the Meeting House but nowadays they tend to meet electronically using Zoom. If there is a demand I will coordinate the creation of new groups at agreed upon times.
Stay Safe. Stay Sane.
Rodney Lowe
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Listening Circles to Be Held
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 Noah Patullo
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.
Sunday, March 29 at 6 PM
Friday, April 3 at 6 PM
Sunday, April 5 at 6 PM
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| Accessing The Path Newsletter |
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 Mary Williams, Society Administrator
The next issue of The Path, our spiritual theme newsletter, will be emailed to everyone next week!
The most recent Path is also available via the link in each week's eNews, in the lefthand margin.
The content for The Path comes from Soul Matters. Due to copyright restrictions, we will no longer be posting The Path on our website.
If at any point you are not able to find an issue in your email or in the eNews, please let me know (at [email protected]) and I will email a new copy to you.
Thank you!
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Free Legal Clinic at First Congregational Church
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Dear Friends -
In an effort to offer our Sunday afternoon Free Legal Clinic in the environment of coronavirus precautions:
First Congregational Church UCC of Burlington has
organized a "CALL IN - FREE LEGAL CLINIC for Sunday, March 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Those seeking legal advice are invited to call in between 1:00 and 3:00 at: 802-862-5010
- A Legal Clinic volunteer will answer the call and will collect some basic information from the caller.
- Callers will be asked for their full name, area of legal concern and best phone number.
- One of our Legal Clinic lawyers will then call the person seeking assistance.
- Calls will be returned in the order received starting at 1 p.m. - no calls will be taken after 3 p.m.
- We will not be able to create specific appointment times - all calls will be returned on Sunday afternoon, March 29.
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