We will mark the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King by examining the wisdom and courage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu – another 20th century hero in the vast struggle against racism around the world. What particular lessons can we learn from Desmond Tutu’s life? How might we use them in our time?
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 of the service will be available on our YouTube channel.
All are welcome to Zoom Coffee Hour at 11 a.m. at this link: bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Upcoming YUUth Group Gatherings
YUUth Group is ON (via Zoom) this, and every, Thursday in January!
YUUth Group is still gathering on Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., but we’re gathering on the virtual platform known as “Zoom.” Yes, there is less communal pizza eating (though it is still the snack of choice for many), but this is a crowd that knows how to keep leaning in and make the best of the cards we’re dealt. If you’re new or haven’t been around in a while, Zoom might not seem the most obvious choice for trying out YUUth Group… but we reckon we’d surprise you with how much fun and warm welcoming can be experienced between rectangles. Join us! zoom.us/j/97669829370
YUUth Group on Ice, Callahan Park, Sunday, 1/16, 1-3 p.m.
Watch out Disney on Ice… Watch out Mighty Ducks… because this Sunday, YUUth Group will be taking to the ice at Callahan Park. It’s COLD and it’s covid, but we’ll be masking up and keeping the fun alive, sledding and skating on the community rink, staying warm with hot bevies. All are welcome, though permission required, so if new and wanting to join, please reach out to David Ruffin at [email protected], to request a permission slip. Callahan Park is at 45 Locust St., Burlington.
Parents & Caregivers as Sexuality Educators
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Mondays 1/17, 1/24, 2/7, and Tuesday 2/15, 6:30-8 p.m.
There are still a few spots open for this four-session small group ministry style series, which starts next Monday. Parents and caregivers will support each other as they explore their roles as the primary sexuality educators of their elementary through teenage children and build comfort in talking about sexuality-related topics. For more information about the program click here. To register contact [email protected].
Winter Vespers Returns! (via Zoom)
Wednesday, January 19, 6 p.m.
Rev. David Ruffin and the Vespers team
"The only way to get it together...is together."
- Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
Well, here we are again… it feels for many of us. In this groundhog day-like life of covid challenges, it might be hard to connect with much of a sense of the “happy new year.” And, indeed, perhaps one thing this pandemic has been teaching us is less about what’s “happy” and “new” and more about connecting with and sharing what’s true - in ourselves, and between us. If we’re down, we’re down - we can be down together. In fact, we must. And, when we’re connected with some hope and vitality in life, we know we need to share that, too.
Yes, we’d rather be in person, without masks, huddled close. But we’re actually looking forward to the “old times” of gathering around the hearth of the Zoom screen, huddled closely in a different, but still palpable, way. We know what we need... Each other.
Music, poetry, meditation, reflection, space to be together. Find us on Zoom via this link. We hope you'll join us.
Join Us to Discuss "Who Are We Now?"
Hope Baker-Carr, Board President
An FUUSB Community Conversation
Sunday, January 23 at Noon via Zoom
As our Society approaches the start of a search for a new settled minster, we need to begin to think about who we are and how we want to present ourselves to ministerial candidates. This conversation will begin to lead us into that more extensive examination. Much has changed over the past two years. Have we also changed? What do we want to carry forward from this time into the future? Who are we now?
Please join the Board of Trustees, Rev. Tricia and other members and friends of FUUSB for a Community Conversation. Whether you are a longtime member or newcomer, we value what you have to say. After a preliminary introduction to the topic, the group will be divided into small breakout rooms with a board-appointed monitor so that everyone who wants to speak will be heard. We will come together at the end to bring forward some of the thoughts and major themes. Don't miss this opportunity to be present with one another and to let the board and others know where you stand.
Here is the Community Conversation Zoom link for January 23: bit.ly/3nbh2fS
2022 Theme Circles
Registration is presently underway for our next season of Theme Circles!
Groups will begin meeting at specific times during the third week of February through June to explore our monthly themes. Participation in a Theme Circle is a wonderful way to make new friends, connect with old friends, and foster meaningful connections in our large congregation. After receiving and studying the monthly edition of The Path, participants choose a question or two to incorporate into their daily lives and then ultimately share that experience (or other thoughts or inspirations) when the group meets. Groups will meet via Zoom until COVID regulations allow us to meet in the Meeting House.
Registration is available online through this link.
The Racial Justice Team (RJT) continues its work towards dismantling racism and white supremacy within both our congregation and the broader community. We have lots of opportunities for you to join us in this effort, from book groups to the proposed 8th principle to supporting community racial-justice efforts.
Wherever you are in your personal journey, whatever time you have to contribute, there is a place for you in this work!
Join Vermont Interfaith Action's (VIA) work on public safety or economic opportunities for BIPOC.
Explore the resistance in Vermont to Critical Race Theory.
Support a Black-owned basketball camp scholarship.
To learn more about any of these efforts, email [email protected]. For a list of recommended racial-justice books and movies, visit the RJT Resources page.
We hope that you will consider joining us in this important work. Every person has something they can offer. Every contribution is important and welcome. Please contact us with any questions about how to get involved.
From the Climate Justice Team
Jud Lawrie, Climate Justice Team Chair
If you cherish the natural world and understand the interrelationship between protecting open lands and the climate crisis, will you take one simple action that could make a huge impact?
South Burlington is about to enact new land development regulations (zoning rules) related to protecting the remaining open rural lands in the city. You do not need to be a resident of South Burlington to comment on the proposed zoning regulations. If the City Council hears from enough people who favor strong environmental protections, they may save the natural world, rather than allowing it to be paved over for more housing developments.
Click here for specifics and Councilors’ email addresses.
Realm Tips
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Every month Christina will give you a little tip on how to make Realm work better for you! Realm is the main way that FUUSB is keeping in contact with you, so the more you use Realm, the more connected you will be. Once a Realm Tip has appeared in the eNews, it will also be put on our website: uusociety.org/realm-quick-tips
Privacy Settings - Why Can't People Find Me in Realm?
Who can see your personal and contact information?
By default, the viewing of your personal and contact information is limited to members of groups you are in, group leaders, and Realm users who have permission to view profiles—such as staff members.
However, if you choose to, you can make your information visible to all registered users of your church's Realm website.
What is considered my "personal information?"
Your personal information is your name, photo, address, phone number(s) and email address(s).
Click here to keep reading this Realm Tip, including how to Set Your Privacy Preferences to control who sees your personal information, and a list of Privacy Settings in Realm.
Socially Responsible Santa Update
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Thank you to everyone who contributed this year to our Socially Responsible Santa program! This year we collected $5500 and were able to provide cash gifts to 20 families. I received this note from one of our community contacts:
"I just wanted to send a BIG THANK YOU for coordinating this and offering this program for our community. I was able to drop off the envelope to my family in need yesterday and I just received a call from the mother expressing so much gratitude that I wanted to pass it back to all of you who made it possible. She said, 'I opened the envelope and just kept saying oh my god thank you.' It has been a very hard year for this family and I haven't heard that much hope and joy in her voice in a while."
So thank you to each and every one of you who make this very special program possible. And also a big thank you to Ellen Wollensack, who provided some much-needed elf magic to the program this year.
FUUSB Holiday Schedule
In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, FUUSB staff will be off for the holiday on Monday, January 17.
In Memoriam
On Saturday, January 8, a beautiful winter morning, Tim Parsons passed on from this life very quietly at home with his family by his side. Recently, one of the things Tim said he was enjoying most was the view of Lake Champlain, so the evening prior to his death, he was able to be moved from the bedroom to the living room, and he died looking out over his beloved lake, embraced in abundant love and sunlight.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance
The Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center has announced that the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance will take place on Sunday, January 16 at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Church, 20 Allen Street in Burlington, and via livestream. Monday’s Civil Rights Panel at Echo is cancelled.
The program will feature a Civil Rights panel of speakers and quotes from the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. read by Leander Buckley and Jaden Gomez. The Montpelier Community Gospel Choir under the direction of John Harrison will perform at the event.
Keynote speaker for the annual event will be nationally known Tim Wise. Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the United States. He has spent the past 25 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, on over 1500 college and high school campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, and to community groups across the country.
Wise has also trained corporate, government, entertainment, media, law enforcement, military, and medical industry professionals on methods for dismantling racial inequity in their institutions, and has provided anti-racism training to educators and administrators nationwide and internationally.
Please join Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) clergy and leaders as we participate in the annual Homelessness Awareness Day & Vigil. The virtual gathering will begin at 9 a.m. with legislative training, participating in both House and Senate committees, and include a 12 noon vigil where our VIA board president, Rev. Joan Javier-Duval of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, will be one of the speakers. For more information and the Zoom link, please visit the Facebook event page.
Please Join Us for UUA General Assembly 2022!
In 2022, we will have the option of meeting online or in-person! For those who enjoyed the convenience and accessibility of remote participation, General Assembly will continue to offer a virtual experience with robust programming and enhanced delegate discussion tools. For those who miss the in-person experience, GA 2022 offers opportunities to re-connect with friends old and new, local site attractions, and more! Join us June 22-26, 2022 online or in-person in Portland, Oregon.
For more information and to register, visit uua.org/ga.