“How Music Changed the World: The Estonian Singing Revolution”
Has music ever changed the world? Can culture hold a people together? Join us this Sunday as we explore the Estonian “Singing Revolution,” a non-violent uprising that took place in the late 1980s leading up to the fall of the Soviet Union. It’s a timely story about how a people won their freedom, not with bloodshed or conflict, killing or destruction, but with “singing and a smile.”
We are inviting up to 50 people to attend worship in person. To sign up for this Sunday, go to: rsvp.church/r/eJ7rm65u. To make our Meeting House as safe as possible, we ask that everyone who is 5 and older be vaccinated, and those 2 and older wear a mask while inside. Seating in the Sanctuary has been adjusted for safe distancing, and the ventilation system can accommodate many more than 50 people. We are glad to welcome those who are comfortable attending in person.
The service will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. The link will be shared on our website, uusociety.org. If you miss the livestream, a recording will be available on our YouTube channel.
All are welcome to Outdoor Coffee Hour at 11 a.m. in front of the Meeting House, and Zoom Coffee Hour at 11:15 a.m. at this link: bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
In-Person Faith Development
for Preschool Through 8th Grade!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Starting with an all-ages session this Sunday, and breaking into age-based groups in the weeks to come, Faith Development programming for children and middle school youth is once again part of Sunday mornings at FUUSB. We’re very excited by the response we’ve had so far, and we hope even more new and returning families will join us this spring. Contact Erika Reif, [email protected], for more information. Register children at this link.
Sharing Your Treasure
A Stewardship Update at the Halfway Mark
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
It is hard to believe, but we are already halfway through our 2022/2023 Stewardship Campaign. We have done our best to bring you inspiring testimonials and make pledging easier than ever. We’ve encouraged you to look at your commitment to this Society and see if that commitment is reflected in your pledge. We’ve asked that you increase your pledge if you can, by using using the UUA Guidelines or this year’s cost of living of 5.9%.
At this point, we have received 50 pledges for a total of $131,728. Our goal is to receive 250 pledges for a total of $515,327. This amount will allow us to create a budget that will fulfill our mission in the coming year. So as a member or friend, here is what we need you to do before April 3rd!
In the spirit of simplicity, pledges no longer come with an automatic expiration date of one year; you do not need to complete a pledge card to renew your pledge but we would be happy if you would. Once people commit to becoming members and make a financial pledge, the understanding is that your commitment will be sustained from year to year. Therefore, if you are a member and we do not receive a pledge card from you, we will assume that your pledge will be the same as last year.
Thank you for your generosity and continued commitment to support the mission of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont.
We Need Your Donations for the
Online Spring Auction!
Nina Harrington, Spring Auction Committee
COVID is weakening and the weather is warming – Let’s meet up through the UU online auction! The First UU’s online Spring Auction, “Building Community,” begins on April 17. All Donations must be received by April 14. This year’s goal is to raise $12,000 to contribute to FUUSB's programming.
For this year’s auction we are asking for donations of small group events or gift certificates. Events could include a vacation rental, dinners, cocktail parties, game nights, lake outings, barbecues, movie nights - or maybe a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant, spa or yoga class.
The Healthy Congregation and Radical Welcoming Teams invite you to join a Deep Listening Circle on the 8th Principle: an intentional gathering to share how you are and to listen deeply to others. In times of change like this, it can be hard to find the space and quality of connection to hear and speak our truths: How I am really? What do I notice about myself amidst these times? We will center the circle on the following questions:
What are you thinking/feeling about the 8th Principle for our Society?
What needs to happen for you to become comfortable with the adoption of the 8th Principle?
What actions/changes would you like to see happen in yourself or in our Society as part of our 8th Principle work?
We can support one another to ask and answer these questions. The practice of coming together in our faith-based community in this way is one way for us to be in covenant.
Via Zoom: Anyone can attend. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required, to [email protected]. Please indicate the date you plan to attend in your email.
In-person circles coming soon - Details in next week's eNews.
Questions: Please contact the Healthy Congregation Team, [email protected].
Spring Vespers - Beginning April 6
Marcus Keely, Rev. David Ruffin (on behalf of the Vespers Team)
In this season of returning light and warmth, we hope you’ll join us for a series of four Spring Vespers gatherings beginning Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Vespers gatherings offer an opportunity to share in music and meditative silence, poetry and presence, gratitude and grief, story and song. We take a midweek pause to re-connect and re-inspire ourselves for the journeying.
We will also be offering “Soup at 6 pm,” serving soup and bread outside for all to enjoy, whether or not you can stay for Vespers.
If the weather is fair we will stay outside on the Meeting House grounds and, if not, will come inside to the Community Room for Vespers. For indoor gathering we will request RSVPs of up to 20 individuals HERE and will also offer a way to join via Zoom. If outside, there is no cap on in-person attendance.
Upcoming Vespers Gatherings (all begin at 6:30 p.m.):
Wednesdays, April 6 and 27, May 11 and 25
Game Time! April 10, 2-4 pm
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
The YUUth Group invites everyone for an afternoon of games and fun! In the spirit of our pre-pandemic Game Nights, we’re bringing out all the board games, cards, party games, and even ping pong, for FUUSB members of all ages. We’ll be masked in the well-ventilated Community Room and if the weather is really nice we can even move some of the games outdoors. Come enjoy this multigenerational community-building event!
Coming of Age Outdoor Spring Intensive
May 2022
An opportunity for youth to find a unique community experience of meaningful connection through active and reflective fun. Coming of Agers are invited to risk showing up authentically, giving and receiving the gift of acceptance, while asking and answering questions that matter to them, day to day, along with some of the deeper life questions that are beginning to capture their curiosity. All of this while playing, adventuring, working and sharing together in the beautiful (and occasionally challenging) setting of nature.
Rev. David Ruffin will be leading this program and has been reaching out to families of 8th and 9th graders already, but if you have an 8th or 9th grader in your life that we have missed, there is still time to sign up. The program will be held at Rock Point in Burlington, timing TBD but we are planning for 3-4 Saturdays or Sundays in May. Contact [email protected] for more information.
In-Person COTS Walk Returns - May 1
Zoe Hart
After two years of virtual COTS Walks, this year's COTS Walk is once again an in-person event. That means we have the opportunity to raise money for COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, a critical provider of services to the homeless. And we get to gather on a beautiful spring day to walk together and catch up or get to know each other for the first time. This year's walk will be held on Sunday, May 1. I hope you'll join me and Team FUUSB for this great cause and fun event. To join our team, go to give.cotsonline.org/COTSWalk2022, click on the Join a Team button and search for Team FUUSB. Any questions or problems, contact me at [email protected]. You can learn more about COTS and the walk at their website, cotsonline.org.
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
This year's GA will be a multi-platform event. You can attend in-person in Portland, Oregon or online from your very own home. Either way, GA 2022 has lots to offer. This year's GA will be held from June 22-26.
Delegates - FUUSB receives 9 delegates for GA, members of the congregation who attend business meetings during GA and vote on behalf of our congregation. If you would like to be a delegate, please contact Christina as soon as possible.