Rev. David Ruffin with Judy Brook, Rebecca Gurney, Tricia Knoll, Todd Schlossberg, Herb Schroeder, and Sam Whitesell
“Creative Bridging: How Creativity Cultivates Relationship When We Need It Most”
When the burden of disconnection weighs upon us, how can creativity help us build a bridge back into connection and deeper into life? With the help of a band of creative artists from our community, we’ll explore how coming into creative relationship with our experience, however challenged or isolated in it we may feel, can create new pathways for the relationship we and others need. How do we remember/reconnect with that creative potential within us all, and have the courage to use it?
The service will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. The link will be shared on our website at uusociety.org. If you miss the livestream, a recording of the service will be available on our YouTube channel. You can also watch the livestream with others at 10 a.m. on a TV outside the Meeting House, weather permitting.
At 11 a.m. all are welcome to in-person Coffee Hour outside the Meeting House, and Zoom Coffee Hour at bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Outdoor Sunday Events - You’re Invited...
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
...to Family Faith Development Programming in October!
Come take advantage of the fall weather, and the canopy in the Memorial Garden, to spend meaningful time with other FUUers of all ages and reflect on this month's theme of cultivating relationship. Each Sunday morning from 11:00-12:00 there will be coffee and tea outside the garden gate and a family chapel followed by crafts and activities inside it.
We strive to create programs which focus on the needs of families with children, while also having multigenerational appeal. Adults are invited to participate, for the whole hour, or by joining us in crafting or games after some time spent chatting over coffee.
Worried about having time to travel to the Meeting House after watching the live-streamed service? We are setting up an outdoor large-screen TV watch party for the services at 10 am.
October 17 - Collaborative Nature Art - 11 am
We cultivate relationship by creating together. The whole congregation is invited to come reflect artistically on the service led by our Director of Youth & Creative Arts Ministries, Rev. David Ruffin. We will work in groups to create beautiful impermanent displays with the materials our grounds provide us. Tables with pre-harvested natural items will be available for those not able to work on the ground. Families will start with our normal 15 minutes of child-friendly worship in the Memorial Garden before creating together; adults are welcome to join us or begin creating right away!
Open Sanctuary Hour Begins Today
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
We have received many requests from members who would like to have some time to just sit in the Sanctuary. Time to meditate, pray, or just be in the space. We have decided to set a time each week when people would be welcome to come sit quietly in the Sanctuary. That time will be every Thursday, from 5-6 p.m. We will be following our Society policy for gathering in the Sanctuary: No more than 50 people in the Sanctuary at one time, everyone must be masked, windows will be open, and everyone will need to maintain a 6 ft. social distance. Please enter and exit by the east door (where the ramp is) and keep your mask on at all times in the building.
Yuuth Group Updates
Rev. David Ruffin, Director of Youth & Creative Arts Ministries
Thursday Yuuth Group Cancelled 10/14
As Yuuth Group participants and advisors prepare for our overnight trip this weekend, we'll be taking this evening off from our regular Yuuth Group meetings. See you at the Overnight and again next Thursday!
Yuuth Overnight Camp-Out! Oct. 16-17, Rock Point Peninsula
There's still time to join the Yuuth Group in camping out overnight on the beautiful land of Rock Point this Saturday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. to Sunday morning, Oct.17. Youth will be diving into the beauty of the natural world of Rock Point, while deepening connection with one another and themselves. Fire, Smores, Games, Night-time explorations on the land, etc. We'll bond while we brave the autumn elements. We will have access to shelter and facilities and be able to handle the moderately inclement weather in the forecast. We will reschedule in the event of severe weather. To learn more and sign up, email David Ruffin at [email protected] ASAP. All youth are welcome!
Walking Tour With Racial Justice Team
Linda Cooper, Racial Justice Team
The Racial Justice Team brings you a walking tour: “More Than a Market: Finding Community in Local Markets of Burlington” - October 16, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Join this tour to learn about the migration stories through historic and present-day markets owned by people from around the world. These neighborhood markets have long served as the heart of their communities. Some markets have been in the same family for many generations and others expand the horizons of immigrants coming to the city and looking for a taste of home. Featured are historic markets on North Champlain St., Conger Ave., Pearl St., and North Ave. Our group is limited to 8 participants.
This will be a free tour, starting at 7 Pine St. and ending at 1 Intervale Ave. This tour is organized by the Community Center on Allen St. Please register with Linda Cooper,[email protected] to enjoy this historical tour.
Fall Vespers Continue Wednesday!
Rev. David Ruffin, Director of Youth & Creative Arts Ministries
Fall Vespers Services continue this upcoming Wednesday, October 20, at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Garden. Bring your open heart, a mask, and... layers!
Last week's "Getting to Know You" Vespers was a treat for all of us lucky enough to gather together under the canopy on that fine fall day. Next week is likely to be a little chillier, and may, indeed, be our last outdoor Vespers gathering for a while. Won't you please come out and join us? It's just so good to be together.
We'll be continuing to explore how cultivating a creative relationship to the challenges we face can help us cultivate deeper relationship with one another, ourselves and the gift of life. We will sit distanced in the Memorial Garden and will all put on our masks for singing and near any children under 12.
Vespers offer a mid-week opportunity for a soulful, musical, co-creative hour of renewal and connection. Vespers services need you and your voice to make the magic happen. Please reach out to [email protected] to learn more about getting involved. ALL are welcome.
This service is crafted for an in-person experience, but Zoom participants are welcome, as well, at this link.
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
We are seeking article submissions for the next Steeple newsletter! The deadline to submit articles is November 1, and the word limit is 400 words. If you would like to write about a FUUSB project or team for the upcoming issue, or have questions, please email [email protected]. For details on the Steeple, please visit uusociety.org/information/stay-connected. Thank you!
Upcoming Sundays
October 24 at 10 a.m.
Online Worship Service
Rev. Tricia Hart with Melinda Lee
Join us for live-streamed Sunday worship! The link will be shared on our website, uusociety.org.