The 2020-21 Stewardship Campaign "Making a Difference" is off to a great start, despite the interruption of activities at the UU Meeting House due to coronavirus. Over 27% of anticipated pledges have been received thus far! Pledge materials were mailed out last week to all households who had not yet pledged by March 8 . As you know, all of the cottage parties were canceled. We are hopeful these parties can happen at a later date, so UUs can socialize again when conditions allow. We've asked all of the hosts to check in with their invitees - please respond if you hear from them. And let us know if you need help or connection at this time! 

 

Despite COVID-19 the Stewardship Campaign is still on. If you have already pledged - THANK YOU!! Pledges may be made by pledge card, mailed to FUUSB. Since the office is now closed, dropping them off is not an option at this time. You can also pledge via the website at  https://uusociety.org/donate/ . Or you can make your pledge directly through your Realm Account where you can specify payment by check, credit card or bank withdrawal for the specified period. (Contact Christina Fulton at [email protected] if you need any help with this.) We plan to give a weekly update on the progress of the campaign every Friday, so watch your email!

 

If you haven't already, please take a look at the pledge brochure and materials where you will hear from local organizations about how FUUSB makes a difference to their missions. Also included is the "UUA Giving Guide" to help you decipher the range of pledges that someone at your income level might consider as well as information on the number of pledges FUUSB received last year at each level (on the back of the pledge card). 

 

Please keep in mind that every single pledge makes a difference to our congregation's well-being - no matter the amount! 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 appreciate your letting us know. Some of us may be able to give somewhat more than we'd planned, which can help make up the difference.

 

Wrapping up her sermon on March 8 , Rev. Tricia reminded us of a wonderful piece of wisdom from the Dalai Lama: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." Our love and care for one another and this beloved congregation is what matters most, and what keeps us going. Thank you, for all you do!

In this time of social distancing we are all looking for connection. The staff, the Board, the Stewardship Team, and even a Theme Circle have all been holding their meetings via Zoom. Zoom is way to hold meetings online, so that anyone with an internet connection can join in. And if someone doesn't have an internet connection and would still like to participate, there is a phone number they can call to participate over the phone line.

Zoom is available free of charge to anyone. Just type  zoom.us into your browser to set it up. The Society has two more advanced Zoom accounts that allow for large and longer meetings. If you would like to set up a Zoom meeting using the Society's account, just email  [email protected] with the Name of the Meeting, Date, Start Time and End Time. Then Christina will send you an invitation that you can mail to your group.

So give it a try and help your groups stay connected!

Christina

 

We realize that members and friends have a multitude of thoughts and emotions around the Coronavirus and what we are hearing and experiencing. We are being asked to practice social isolation, that is, avoiding large groups of people. We are suspending many in-person visits for the time being. What we can do is to reach out by phone or email to congregants, friends, neighbors and check in on them. Maybe someone who lives close to you needs something at the store and you are headed there anyway. Just talking on the phone might alleviate a sense of being alone.

 

Many of us attend FUUSB for the community it provides. The unknowns of this virus make for a scary time. Who do you know who would love to get your message or hear your voice? Let's all find ways to share the warmth of our community in these uncertain times. We can do this!

 

If you or someone you know needs extra support, please reach out to our care team leaders, Lynn Douglas, [email protected], Care Network, Linda Graves, [email protected] and Martha Molpus, [email protected], Pastoral Care Associates.  The Care Network always welcomes new members and you may wish to consider joining that team to help us grow and strengthen our ability to care for one another.  

The Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) will remain open with limited hours and mainstream prepackaged services.

 

Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Assistance will be offered on a first-come/first-served basis to the first 12 eligible individuals or households. No appointments. However, people displaying cold and flu symptoms will be asked to seek medical attention before receiving services.

 

JUMP mainstream assistance include:  transportation assistance support-gas & bus passes, grocery gift cards, diapers and much needed personal care and cleaning supplies.

 

JUMP will continue to offer coffee, but no snacks, and JUMP will practice social distancing for clients wanting to remain a time at the drop-in center.  

 

In compliance with the Vermont Department of Health, JUMP will actively increase sanitation measures and safety procedures for combating the spread of the virus so that we can continue to provide access to basic essential goods.

 

Wanda Hines, Director: "Even though the number of cancelled programs continues to grow, JUMP is anticipating increased activity due to the impact of the virus on local non-profit direct service systems. For these reasons, with thoughtful consideration, JUMP has elected to remain open with streamlined pre-packaged services."

 

In addition, JUMP is bracing for a decline in contributions, in-kind donations and a shortage of volunteers.  As such, JUMP is asking for your continued support to help them serve our most under-served and ostracized neighbors in Vermont during this alarming unknowable amount of time.

 

To learn more and support JUMP, visit: www.jumpvt.org  or email: [email protected]

We know that there have been a lot of questions about our plans for the NNED Spring Assembly and Annual Meeting. Given that President Trump has declared a national emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the government is recommending against gatherings of more than 10 people for at least the next eight weeks, the Board of Directors has determined that it would be ill-advised, imprudent and irresponsible to go ahead with the Spring Assembly and Annual Meeting scheduled for April 24-25, 2020.  We are rescheduling the meeting and Assembly for September 25-26, 2020.  The current officers, board members and Nominating Committee shall continue in place until that meeting.

Our Annual Meeting will be dealing with important issues, and it is best to schedule it at a time when it is safe for people to attend. Hopefully by September the current situation and the uncertainty surrounding it will have eased a bit. More information will follow.

Thank you all for your understanding and for pulling together in this difficult time. If you have any questions for the Board, feel free to reply to this email.

In faith, 

Your NNED Board of Directors