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November 14, 2019
Latest News
Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
Game Night!
Thanksgiving and JUMP
FUUSB Together Autumn Auction
K-1 OWL
Holiday Bazaar Volunteer Sign-up
Vegan Thanksgiving Celebration & Potluck
Spirit Play Basket Makers
Crafters for Holiday Bazaar
Driver Needed for Wreath Pickup
Holiday Wreaths
Service of Loss & Remembrance
VIA Event
COTS Phonathon Volunteers
Holiday eNews Schedule
 




New to First UU?  Register for one of our upcoming New UU Orientation Sessions




Upcoming Service
Sunday, November 24 at 10 a.m.

Worship Leaders:
Rev. Patricia Hart and Erika Reif
 
Worship Associate: 
Mavis Milne

"Stone Soup"
A multigenerational celebration of thanksgiving and the many gifts that come from sharing our abundance. Come help us tell this timeless story!
 






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Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
Sunday, November 17 at 10 a.m. 

Worship Leader:  Rev. Patricia Hart, Developmental Senior Minister
 
Worship Associate: Judy Brook
 
"Collaborative Ministry (Really?)"
As the culture changes all around us, congregations are changing, too - not least of all in how authority is exercised and trust is built, plus who is leading the way into the future. The roles of Minister, Board, staff and volunteers look quite different now than even a decade ago. How shall we, together, help the First UU Society be ready for this time?

Game Night!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Saturday, November 16,  5-8 p.m. in the Community Room!
 
Come join UU families and friends for Game Night!  We will have   games   out to play and you're welcome to bring a favorite, too. Because any gathering is more fun with food, it's also a potluck, so bring a dish to share. Homemade or store-bought is fine; don't stress! And you can skip the plates and utensils-we've got that covered!
 
Come for a little bit or the whole time; bring all your ages (and your inner child, too). Play an old favorite or learn a new game; our new Ping-pong table is also open and ready for play! 
 
Childcare staff will have kids' games out or just play in the Nursery, whatever's needed to make the night fun for all!  We look forward to having you join us!
 
Thanksgiving and JUMP
Many of you can envision the large collection of bags filled with groceries, toiletries, and cleaning supplies on the chancel that First UU collected for JUMP, the Joint Urban Ministry Project, in previous years. Starting last year, JUMP ceased distributing food supplies due to several factors: lower demand for the items JUMP supplied to clients, increasing desire of clients for items connected to their individual culture, the availability of many sources of emergency food in Chittenden County, and storage and handling concerns at JUMP. As Wanda HInes, JUMP's Managing Director explained when she visited First UU on November 3, the service most requested by JUMP's clients is transportation assistance, in the form of vouchers for gasoline, bus passes, and bicycles.

Accordingly, we are asking First UU congregants this year to write a check for the equivalent amount previously spent on grocery items, about $25. Previously we collected upwards of 150 bags of food and personal items. An equivalent number of $25 checks will assure JUMP's clients of more than a month of transportation assistance to access jobs, educational opportunities, medical appointments and other basic travel needs.

Envelopes will be distributed Sunday, November 17 during the service. Please plan to return them with your check, made out to JUMP, on November 24, the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Any and everything you can do will be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you!

Woody Fulton,  JUMP Treasurer

FUUSB Together Autumn Auction


On Sunday, November 17, following the service, please join us for the Autumn Auction! We invite everyone to a free soup lunch provided by the 4th through 7th graders, entertainment, and a free raffle for all regardless of your participation in the auction. All bidding on auction services and events will take place on the 17th. If you cannot make it to the auction, someone else can bid for you. We will compile a list of all auction winners so that you know what you have won before you leave. Please plan to pay for your winning bids on the 17th (cash, check, or credit card).

Visit the auction website to see what services and events have been offered by others. Bidding for many items begins at only $5.  TogetherAuction.com/fuusb .   

If you have any questions, please contact Autumnauction@uusociety.org
If you missed the donation cutoff for the list of donations, contact the Autumn Auction Committee to get your item included in the auction.

K-1 OWL Beginning in December
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development 

Do you have a child in kindergarten or first grade? Do you have questions about the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum for this age group? Two of our OWL facilitators will be available to explain the program during the soup lunch on Sunday, November 17. Look for them in the Barnum Room, sipping their soup and answering questions, 11:15-11:45 a.m. Curriculum and related materials will be available to review or check out. Classes are scheduled to begin with a parent/child orientation on December 8.
 
Holiday Bazaar Volunteer Sign-up
Nina Dahlstedt Buss

The Holiday Bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are multiple ways to be involved with this event, from wreath decorating to helping on the day of the bazaar. Sign-up information is in the Community Room after the service this Sunday or contact Kim Watkin at  watkinfam@aol.com .

Vegan Thanksgiving Celebration & Potluck 
Janet Schneider

All are invited to socialize and feast on delectable vegan eats at the 6th annual Vegan Thanksgiving on Sunday, November 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the downstairs Community Room. Please bring a vegan dish or beverage to share and label all ingredients. Sponsored by UU Animal Ministry.
 
Spirit Play Basket Makers Needed
Image credit: Peggy Derby
Do you have a talent for crafts and love stories for children? We are in need of Spirit Play basket makers for two very exciting and inclusive stories. A great opportunity to let your imagination take flight... even a family project. Please reach out to Faith Development Assistant, Margo Whitcomb, to learn more: 
margo@uusociety.org or (802) 862-5630, ext. 34
 
Seeking Crafters for Holiday Bazaar
christmas_ornaments.jpg
Seeking vendors of cards, artwork, jewelry, crafts, and other handmade items for  the First Unitarian Universalist Holiday Bazaar  on Saturday, December 7  from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

We have 10 tables available to rent to those who would like to sell their crafts during this busy and fun community event that fills our building with holiday cheer. Tables will be 6-8' long. Tables are $30 or 10% of your proceeds (whichever is less). 

We will be downstairs in the large double classroom off the Community Room where the crowds flock to find all sorts of goodies and gifts. Elevator access. Set-up is from 8-9 a.m. on Saturday morning.  

Please remember that this is a fragrance-free building, so products with scent must be packaged appropriately.

If you would like to donate to a table where all proceeds will go to the UU, please email me with what you are offering and when you can deliver those items to me at the UU (by December 1, please).

Please contact Carol Czina for questions or sign up by December 1 at  carolczina@burlingtontelecom.net or (802) 864-0242.  

Driver Needed for Wreath Pickup
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We are in need of a driver to pick up our wreath order for the Holiday Bazaar on Wednesday, December 4 in Hardwick. You will need to have a truck or small trailer to accommodate all the wreaths. It is a lovely drive to a pretty part of Vermont and the family farm where the wreaths are made is fun to see, too! Contact Sarah Forbes at 578-6119 with questions or to say, "Yes"! Thank you.
 
Holiday Wreaths and Greens
festive_christmas_banner.jpg
Memorial Greens and Wreaths
Remember a loved one this year with a memorial wreath or greens which will decorate our sanctuary windows during December. Sign up on the bulletin board.

Wreath Orders  
Pre-order a beautiful, custom-decorated, premium quality wreath for your home or office. Sign up on the bulletin board. Wreaths are handmade in the Northeast Kingdom and measure about 24" across, 8" thick.  If you miss the pre-order there will be wreaths available for purchase and pickup Friday, December 6, Saturday, December 7 or Sunday, December 8 (downstairs).

Wreath Decorators Needed
Learn something new! Come decorate wreaths, make swags, and table decorations Thursday day and evening December 5 or Friday, December 6. Sign up on the bulletin board and join the fun! Thank you! 

Natural materials and evergreen boughs wanted!
When cleaning up your gardens please consider putting aside any interesting pods, bark, cones, grasses, dusty miller, birch bark, fern or lily seed heads, red bark dogwood, AND greens like cedar, holly, white pine or other evergreen boughs for making holiday bazaar wreaths. Call Sarah Forbes to arrange pick up or drop off or bring to the UU December 4, 5 or 6. Thank you! 
 
Wreath Bow Makers Needed
Looking for people interested in helping to make bows for the wreaths sold at the UU Bazaar December 7. Once you learn the technique, you can make them at home when it's convenient. Your help stocking up will be much appreciated!

Contact: Sarah Forbes at 578-6119 or  sarahforbesdesign@comcast.net

Service of Loss & Remembrance
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Tuesday, December 10, 5:30 p.m.  
 
For the last few years we have held this service and we will be holding it again this year. If you have had a recent loss or not so recent loss, please consider attending this service. Rev. Tricia will lead the service which will include reflections and music. A reception will follow the service. Past participants have thanked the Care Network for having this service to acknowledge our losses and to provide an opportunity to remember those we have lost, particularly during the holiday period.
 
Vermont Interfaith Action Event
Vermont Interfaith Action invites you to "Ending Homelessness in Washington County: Community-Building Dinner and Progress Report" on Wednesday, November 20 at St. Augustine's Catholic Church (16 Barre St., Montpelier). We will begin with dinner at 5 p.m., then from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., an Action featuring VIA congregation members and guests from the Good Samaritan Haven holding elected officials accountable for previous promises made, and lastly, have some guided community building conversations from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Please register here .

VIA clergy and leaders envision ending homelessness in Washington County by 2020. For the last three years since they presented that vision, they have worked closely with allied housing organizations, state agencies, and lawmakers. Progress toward this goal has been made. Join us as we build relationships with our neighbors who are still challenged to find safe, decent, affordable housing, and as we make the final push toward eradicating homelessness. For more information, contact Melissa at (802) 651-8889 or  melissa@viavt.org .
 
COTS Phonathon Volunteers Needed
Bruce Brown

COTS Annual Winter Phonathon is December 2-5 and 9-10. FUUSB members have been regular volunteers at this event for the past several years and I hope we can also get some new volunteers this year. COTS is not having an Interfaith Night as in the past, but FUUSB members are welcome to volunteer individually. 

Callers are needed on all nights and calls are made only to previous contributors who are happy to hear from us (no cold calling). Mailers are needed on December 10 and the day of December 11.

It's a fun evening as we cheer when big donations come in and hopefully win raffle prizes. Orientation and dinner (provided by local restaurants) is at 5:30 and calling is from 6-9 p.m. at COTS, 95 North Ave. To reserve a spot contact Reagan Murphy at reaganm@cotsonline.org or call 864-7402 ext. 207.

Holiday eNews Schedule
Opportunities - add to your calendar or click for the monthly web calendar
 
The last eNews issue for this month will be published next week on November 21. Please note that there will be no eNews on Thanksgiving Day, November 28. Happy Thanksgiving!