Join us in the dappled shade under the sheltering maples and elms in our front yard at the top of Church Street for this special annual service of music, songs, and mostly original poems. We’ve got sweet harmonies, sassy brass, and your new favorite poem—something for everybody—followed by social time with refreshments. Hope to see you there.
We hope many of you will join the service – either in person (outside the Meeting House) or online. Find the livestream link at uusociety.org or on our YouTube channel.
There will be chairs, but feel free to bring your own portable chair, or a blanket if you’d like to sit on the ground. Choose distancing that makes you comfortable and wear a mask if you prefer.
Summer Garden Childcare will be available in the Memorial Garden during the service (details below). After the service, all are welcome to Outdoor Coffee Hour at 11 a.m., and Zoom Coffee Hour at 11:15 a.m.
Summer Garden Childcare During the Service
The garden is set up for fun for our final Sunday outdoor childcare. Faith Development Assistant Margo Whitcomb and members of the childcare staff are bringing out water tables, craft projects, active toys and more; the only curricula will be nature, friends, and fun! Parents of children 9 and younger should accompany them to the garden to sign them in and return after the service to sign them out again. Older children can join in the fun as well and, as always, children are welcome to stay with their parents to take part in the service.
New Family Welcome
Sunday, August 28 at 11:15 a.m.
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
Several families with children and teenagers have dropped by so far this summer! We would love to get to know you better before the hustle and bustle of the fall. If your family is new to us, please join Erika Reif (Director of Lifespan Faith Development) and Margo Whitcomb (Faith Development Assistant) for bagels and fruit, a tour of the building, and an opportunity to get acquainted and learn more about First UU. Bring the family! Please RSVP to [email protected] with any dietary restrictions so we can get the proper food and a headcount.
Ingathering Picnic - Helpers Needed
We are planning an Ingathering Picnic on Sunday, September 11 after the service, and we will need lots of people to help! Let us know if you would like to be on the team. Email Rev. Tricia at [email protected].
Hinduism: the Grandmother of Spirituality
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Thursday, September 15 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
New member and longtime scholar of the world’s religions, Phillip Brentwood, will be repeating the first multimedia session in his series introducing participants to Eastern religious traditions, last presented in February with the pandemic raging and the weather less pleasant. We are offering another opportunity for those who missed it, this time under the tent in our beautiful Memorial Garden, with special finger foods provided by professional chef Linda Vogler.
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
We are reviving the tradition of marching as a group in the Vermont Pride Parade! Come one, come all, and celebrate Pride together! We are registered already and hoping to march alongside a group from the CVUU congregation in Middlebury. If you are able to help organize (a simple job, mostly handing out signs and flags and telling people where to go) or if you are interested in staffing a table for First UU at the Waterfront Park Pride Festival, contact Erika ([email protected]).
First UU Climate Conversations
Rosanne Greco, Climate Justice Team
Are you feeling confused, conflicted, concerned, overwhelmed, scared, hopeless and/or more about climate change? Uncertain what to do, or even whether to do something, about the greatest crisis humankind has ever faced? If so, you are in the majority. But even though most people are worried about what’s to come and what to do, the vast majority don’t even talk about it. And, talking about it is actually the first crucial step forward, and something every one of us can do.
Wise people say one of the greatest antidotes to despair is action. And, most actions start by talking with others. So, the FUUSB Climate Justice Team is proposing to start a small group (or groups) in person and/or virtually to talk about the climate crisis and our feelings surrounding it.
If folks are interested, the FUUSB Climate Conversation group(s) will start in mid-September on a day and time convenient for the participants. Please email Rosanne Greco if you would like to join the group.
Regain hope and energy, inspire others, and be part of the solution. See you in September.
Online Facilitator Trainings
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Whether you are a current circle facilitator who would like to grow in the role, or a circle member who might like to give facilitating a try, there are online trainings available starting in late August! Soul Matters, the source of our spiritual theme content, offers trainings twice a year that range from 2-hour single sessions to 5-month series. Visit their Trainings Page to find out more. Please contact [email protected] if you want to take part.
2022/23 Registration Kicks Off!
Growing our children & youth in Faith Development
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
Another exciting year is about to begin and now is the time to register your children and youth! Offerings include Nursery care, Spirit Play, Bible Stories, Building Bridges, OWL and Yuuth Group. However your children might participate (you needn’t know now), registering them will help us plan. Please register your child(ren) or youth with us at the link below!
We are sad to share the news that Tony Redington, First UU Society member, passed away on August 18, 2022.
An obituary and an article about Tony can be found at the links below. A memorial service will be held this fall at FUUSB. More information about the service will be shared as soon as available.
Support Our Friends at Vermont Racial Justice Alliance This Weekend!
Click here for the full announcement from VIA on this weekend's events, including Vermont First African Landing Day, Abolish Slavery National Network Anniversary Celebration, and Hampton Museum 1619 Traveling Exhibit at the Richard Kemp Center!