S upport the annual 4th-7th Grade Boston Trip--Donate your used toys and games! In the spring this class will  travel to Boston as the culmination of their study of UU History. Your used toys can help fund the trip! 

Socially Responsible Santa is in its 35 th  year. It's one of the most unique programs in the Burlington area. Referrals come from our Senior Minister, staff, and other community organizations as well. Instead of giving wrapped gifts, First UU Society gives a very welcome gift of cash! This honors the dignity of the recipients by allowing them to choose items they might need for their own particular circumstances.  We typically help between 25 to 30 families or individuals each year.

Exploring Paganism Chalice Circle open to new members:

Members of the Exploring Paganism Chalice Circle gather  to listen, to learn, to share, and to grow in our own ways and together as we explore the many paths of Paganism and Earth-centered spirituality.  We meet on the second Sunday of each month at the UU Meeting House from 12 to 1:30 p.m. 

Our previous discussion topics have included the Wheel of the Year, Making Magic, Magical Ethics, and Brigid - Goddess and Saint, among others. We have also shared some practical magical techniques and even had a Magical Show and Tell.

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.

The Light of Truth Chalice Circle:

My Experiences and How to Join

As a fresh new member of FUUSB, and an introvert, I knew that I could more easily feel a sense of belonging in our large-member congregation by initially connecting with a smaller circle of members in a more intimate setting, so that I would eventually feel at home in the wider congregation. 

So, this fall I started a chalice circle to do just that. Our small group, thus far, has had the opportunity to get to know one another and discuss a variety of interesting topics, allowing us to be both reflective and introspective. In other words, I learn as much about myself as I do my cohorts.

Our ongoing chalice circle is about friendship, celebration, and authentic sharing of experiences. Discussions might include topics such as: The Kindness of Strangers, Breaking the Rules, Best Advice I Got, Kindred Spirits, Rites of Passage and Leaps of Faith . We meet downstairs the first and third Sundays after services, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please let me know if you would like information about joining our group. [email protected]

We need eight people (ages 12 and older) for the 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. services and seven people for the 8 p.m. service. Volunteers must be willing to arrive 45 minutes early for orientation. Duties include handing out orders of service, assisting with the collection, and functioning as candle lighters. Come take part in this annual holiday event!  Click here to sign up.

 

It's that time of year: sign up for our annual Christmas Breakfast. To read more about it, click here for recycled musings.  To sign up for food or volunteering, click here . 

Exciting news! We have now entered the world of Text Giving! You can now pay your pledge, give to Loose Plate for Charity, give a Christmas Eve gift or even give an unspecified gift by using your phone! Simply text  Steeple to 73256 using standard text messaging. The first time you give, you will need to enter your credit card information and it will take less than two minutes. After that, you're all set to give by text anytime. (Standard text message rates do apply.)

Thanks to the wonderful generosity of First UU folks, we raised over $4,600 for JUMP in our Thanksgiving appeal. This will support almost two months of transportation assistance for JUMP clients who need gasoline, bus passes, a bicycle to get to work or medical appointments. Thank you everyone for your generosity.

Woody Fulton

Treasurer, JUMP

And all the JUMP volunteers, present and past, from our congregation