FUUSB eNews 10/29/20

eNews

October 29, 2020

Join Us for Online Worship This Sunday!

Sunday, November 1 at 10 a.m.

Worship Leader: Rev. Patricia Hart

Worship Associate: Cheryl Herrick

"Voting in America"

Ever since our revolutionary ancestors won independence from England, voting has been an essential part of this country’s identity. But looking back at how voting has happened in America gives a less-than-consistent message about what really matters. What principles are guiding us now?

Join us for online worship at uusociety.org/worship-and-music/online-sunday-worship at 10 a.m. All services are also available on our YouTube channel.

Silent Vigil for Racial Justice

Zoe Hart

Sunday, November 1 at 1 p.m.

Once again, as we do on the first Sunday of each month, we will join with other faith communities in Burlington and around Vermont in standing together in faith against racism. The vigil begins at 1 p.m. and goes until 1:30. We will have as many signs as we can supply from our regular Love & Justice signs, but you’re invited to bring your own as well. Please wear a mask (we’ll have some extras if you need one) and we’ll maintain six feet of distance as we spread out in front of the First UU Meeting House along the Pearl Street sidewalk.

Interfaith Service at Battery Park

A service of lament, healing, and hope on the eve of the election: Monday, November 2 at 6 p.m. at Battery Park in Burlington.

Click here for more details!

Election Night Blues?

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

Many of us are not looking forward to sitting at home on election night. We're pretty sure that we won't have any announcement of a winner, so what will it be like? Well, for a little while that night you can be with friends. FUUSB will have a Tuesday Night Get Together on Zoom! Join us on Tuesday, November 3 from 7:30-9 p.m. Grab some hot cocoa, tea, wine, whatever, and join us for some time to just be together. Zoom link: bit.ly/34kzie1

Autumn Auction: One Week Left to Donate!

Nina Harrington

FUUSB’s only fundraiser of the year, the Autumn Auction, is in full swing and needs your donation. There will be no live auction this year due to COVID restrictions, so donations, bidding and sales will be accomplished online with powerful new software.

Please support the auction by making a donation by the first week of November. Some donation ideas are food items, a delivered meal, gift baskets, outdoor activities, small gatherings or outdoor get-togethers (in the spring or summer), gift certificates, services, arts and crafts, or games and hobby items. Because of COVID-19 we are asking donors to plan gatherings that minimize the risk of spreading the virus while still offering fellowship opportunities. As in years past, you can allow for bidding on your item or a seat at your event or you can set a fixed price for your donation. New this year, the Holiday Wreath Sale will be a part of the auction with each wreath available for a set price.

The Auction Committee will enter your donation for you! To donate, please email a description of your donation to autumnauction@uusociety.org with the following information:

Name of item or event/activity

Value (of item or one place at table)

Number of places at event

Will you accept 1 additional person?

Minimum bid or set price

Description of the item or event including accessibility, dietary accommodations, etc.

Donations will be accepted for the auction until the first week of November. All bidding will be online from November 7 to 21. You can go to the website now to register to bid and see the generous items that have already been donated. The auction website is: auctria.com/auction/FUUSBtogether.

Staying Connected

Sarah Russell, Membership Team Co-Chair

On Sunday, November 8 at 12 p.m. the Membership Team will be holding a virtual “Staying Connected” gathering. “Staying Connected” is primarily intended for “newish” folks to get acquainted and learn a bit more about First UU Society. It is very informal; we simply go around the “room” introducing ourselves, collecting and answering questions. We warmly invite you to join us via Zoom. We look forward to seeing you!

Zoom link: bit.ly/3097Lti

Meeting ID: 832 9657 5946

Passcode: 301277

For audio only, call: 1-646-558-8656

Fall-Winter Theme Circles

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

It's time to sign up for Theme Circles! Meeting monthly, starting in mid-November, each circle will explore and reflect on the themes of Healing, Stillness, Imagination, and Beloved Community. These facilitated discussions, now held on Zoom, are a wonderful way to make new friends, connect with old friends, and foster meaningful connections in our large congregation.

Normally these groups dissolve and reform for each new session, breaking completely during the summer, but this year, with the stress and isolation of the pandemic, many continued to meet throughout the summer and want to continue as a group a little longer. Once he hears from those who are interested, our Theme Circles coordinator, Rodney Lowe, will either match newcomers with open spots in these existing groups or form a whole new circle if the interest is there. Please contact him to sign up or for more information at

Rodney_Lowe@yahoo.com. We look forward to another fabulous season of Theme Circles!

Care Network Shawl Ministry

Lynn Douglas, Care Network Team Chair

One of the ways your Care Network Team connects with folks who are ill, or have had an accident or a loss, is to gift them with a shawl. These shawls are knit or crocheted by another member who puts love and intention into every beautiful shawl. If you would like to part of this ministry, please contact Lynn Douglas at herbalwoman@gmail.com for information on shawls, pick-up, or assistance with purchasing yarn. Thank you!

Pumpkin Gratitude

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Thank you to all those children, youth, parents, and advisors who took time to so beautifully decorate our fall festival pumpkins earlier this month. Thank you as well to the pumpkin delivery team who reached out to more than 30 members of the congregation and delivered 28 painted or collaged pumpkins. I hope they were as much fun to receive as they were to send!