Rev. Erin returns to FUUSB to share a timely fable from Rabbi Ed Friedman about relationships, nerves, and insensitivity training. Can that be true, insensitivity training? Yes! Sometimes we are soooo very nice to others that we make ourselves sick, and tired, and so small and miserable that perhaps, we might even become desperate enough to allow ourselves to change. Come explore what the morale of insensitivity training could mean for you.
Rev. Erin Gingrich is a Unitarian Universalist minister and a somatic coach. She was first introduced to Unitarian Universalism in the early 2000’s at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington by Rev. Gary Kowalski and Rev. Roddy O’Neal Cleary. Ordained in 2010, Rev. Erin served two UU congregations, one in Reston, VA, and the other in Des Moines, IA. This past spring Erin started her own somatic and spiritual coaching practice as her embodiment of our shared UU values. She believes every person deserves to feel whole, alive, and at home in their skin, and that whatever keeps us from knowing our wholeness is a cry for social change and healing. She supports people who struggle to be at home in their skin to safely inhabit their birth right of wholeness and aliveness again.
Please join us for Sunday morning worship at 10 a.m., which will be held outdoors at the First UU Society. The service will also be live-streamed. The livestream link and order of service will be shared at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.
There will be chairs, but please bring a portable chair if you can. Summer Garden Childcare will be available in the Memorial Garden. Following the service, all are welcome to Outdoor Coffee Hour.
While at the Meeting House, anyone is welcome to wear a mask. In the spirit of caring for each other, please stay home if you have any cold or flu symptoms. Thank you.
In the event of inclement weather, Sunday services, childcare, and coffee hour will move indoors.
Here is the quote from Parker Palmer that inspired Sunday's Call to Worship:
"As often happens on the spiritual journey, we have arrived at the heart of a paradox: each time a door closes, the rest of the world opens up. All we need to do is stop pounding on the door that just closed, turn around - which puts the door behind us - and welcome the largeness of life that now lies open to our souls. The door that closed kept us from entering a room, but what now lies before us is the rest of reality." (Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer)
Come home for the first time! Come home again! Join us as we celebrate the start of a new congregational year with our annual ritual to bring our collective waters into one offering. You are invited to bring water that is meaningful to you – from the hose in your backyard, from a faucet in your home, from a neighbor who has cared for you, from a brook or lake or pond or ocean that has been your good company. Given this summer in Vermont, it is important that we acknowledge that power of water in our lives – both its generative qualities and its destructive powers. The choir will be singing. Rev. Karen will be introducing a new practice of “homegrown holy water,” inviting the congregation to offer its egalitarian blessing. It is also PRIDE in Burlington, so we will offer a special glitter blessing – facilitated by a team of youth and children – for those who would like to opt in. It will be a JOYFUL occasion! Please consider joining FUUSBers, joining other Vermont UUs, marching together in the Pride parade after the service.
Join us for worship in person in the Sanctuary, or online. The livestream link and order of service will be shared at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.
Save the Date: Burlington Pride 2023 - Sept. 10
Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries
Burlington Pride is happening on Ingathering Sunday this year, September 10. We are connecting with high school youth and people of all ages from other UU congregations' groups around the region to march in the parade together after services! Meet up in the Memorial Garden after the service to grab a bite to eat and get ready for the parade. Be in touch with Rowan ([email protected]) to get involved or keep an eye out for more details.
Short-Term Volunteer Opportunity:
Pride Fence Weaving
We need help to weave rainbow colors in the fencing in front of our Meeting House in preparation for Pride Day, September 10. We will be weaving at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 8 and hopefully finishing on Saturday, September 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's to monitor our symptoms and stay home when we are sick. If you haven't been to the Meeting House lately, you may be surprised to know that we've had nearly 200 people in the building on Sundays. Our congregation is filled with people who are at varying risks of catching COVID and/or the flu. So we ask that you follow this advice from the CDC.
Remember, staying home doesn't mean you will miss the Worship Service; you can always watch the live-streamed service. And meetings can be held via Zoom, by scheduling a Zoom link with Mary. Thank you.
Meet & Greet Rev. Karen...
With Something Sweet
Rev. Karen Johnston, Senior Minister
What: A relaxed and intimate opportunity of about 90 minutes to get to know our new minister better and for her to get to know folks in our congregation. Rev. Karen facilitates a format using the same three questions at all of these gatherings, yet there is room for each event to be its own thing.
Where: Several members of our congregation have generously agreed to host small groups (5-7) at their homes for conversation with Rev. Karen for either an after-dinner dessert or afternoon sweet snacks.
When: These will happen occasionally over the next few months. If the slots for scheduled dates fill up and there are still folks who want to participate, we will roll out additional dates in the new calendar year. If that's the case, we may be looking for new hosts to help make sure everyone in the congregation has a chance to participate.
Who: If you consider FUUSB your spiritual home, or are considering whether it is, this is for you. If you are relatively new to the community, this is for you. If you are a long-timer, this is for you. If you are only minimally involved, this is for you. If you are on every team and committee, this is for you. At the risk of being repetitive: this is for you.
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
It's that time of year again! If you have children or youth who plan to take part in Faith Development programs at First UU this year, please take a moment to click on the link below and register them. From infants in the Nursery to high school youth, registration helps us plan and provides us with important contact information.
Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries
Come to our UU Young Adult Kickoff on Sunday, September 17 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Susan B. Anthony Room! Food will be provided. This fall, we are starting a new "Emerging Adult Group" for young adults roughly 18-24ish, in the earlier stages of adulthood, which will likely meet monthly on Sundays after services. We are also hoping to connect young adults (roughly 18-39ish) who are interested in connecting with others in this age range for chalice circles, social events, etc. Are you interested in connecting with others? Meet others and make plans together! Please be in touch with Rowan ([email protected]) if you are interested in getting connected to either/both of these groups!
Could a Circle Group Change Your Life?
Gail Beck
Circle Group sign-ups are beginning, and signing up for one is easy!
Currently there are Chalice Circles where the group explores a topic and meets twice a month; Chalice Circles are intended to be a place where one can build long-term bonds. Theme Circles, which center on the theme from The Path newsletter, meet once a month and are a 6-month commitment; the group opens for sign-ups again in the spring.
Here is a link to view the currently running Circles. There is room for more participants, groups and facilitators. For more information or to sign up, please email [email protected] or [email protected].
Stop by the Circle Group Table at Coffee Hour on 9/3 and 9/10!
Eckhart Tolle Chalice Circle
Eckhart Tolle Chalice Circle is accepting new members. Our meetings are from 3 to 5 p.m. every other Sunday online. Please email Jeff Byam here if you have any questions or would like to join. Many blessings!
Child Dedication - October 1
Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister
Child Dedications are a joyful covenant between a child’s family and the congregation, recognizing that the raising of a child is a community blessing. Senior Minister, Rev. Karen G. Johnston, and the Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Erika Reif, will be leading such a ceremony for a group of children during the service on October 1. Dedications can happen soon after birth or adoption; they can happen for an infant, a toddler, a preschooler, or an older child.
If you would like to have your child dedicated at First UU on that morning, or to find out more, contact Erika, [email protected].
Member Parking Stickers
Blake Ewoldsen, Facilities Manager
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
Each September, FUUSB members may renew or purchase parking tags, which allow you to park along the oval driveway next to the Meeting House for non-FUUSB business (shopping, etc.) for up to 3 hours. Parking guidelines can be found here.
In your message, please provide: your name; car make, model, color, and plate number; parking tag number if possible; and whether you need a new tag.
Pay for your tag ($45 per tag). You can pay online using the Make a Gift button on the Donate page of our website (select “Member Parking Tag” under Fund). Or you can mail a check to FUUSB, 152 Pearl St., Burlington, VT 05401, or drop off a check or cash in a labeled envelope and place it in the FUUSB mailbox by the east entrance. Note "Oval Parking" on the check memo and envelope.
If purchasing a new tag, Mary will mail that to you.
If you have parking questions, please contact Blake at [email protected] or (802) 862-5630, ext. 23.
We can sell or renew up to 50 parking tags this year. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Thank you!
Seeking UU Gardeners
Nancy Knox, Garden Team
The FUUSB Memorial Garden has been loving the rain, but it's time to do some weeding and prep for fall. Please email Nancy Knox here if you can spare a couple of hours a week over the next couple of months. Many hands make light work!
From the Racial Justice Team:
Safer Together Solution Burlington
Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) is excited to partner with the Healthy Culture Research and Education Fund, directed by sociologist Judd Allen, to launch an initiative called Safer Together Solution Burlington.
The goal of this project, with support from the Burlington Police Commission, is to build trust and engagement among neighbors and between community members and the police in the King Street neighborhood of Burlington. As you are aware, Burlington has had its share of challenges regarding policing recently. VIA is looking forward to making a positive difference in community relations.
The first stage of this initiative is to conduct a short survey about safety and policing, which we plan to do through door-to-door canvassing. Our canvassers will go out in pairs in a 10-block area around King Street, after receiving thorough training. We hope to start canvassing on Wednesday, September 27 and Saturday September 30 between 10:30 a.m. and noon or between 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.
Are you interested in volunteering? Here’s a chance to make a difference in Burlington's public safety, where it will really help, with a brief, well-defined opportunity. If you want to volunteer or want to find out more information, email Peggy Owen Sands here.
- Peggy, on behalf of the Racial Justice Team at FUUSB
Faith Development Guides & Helpers Needed!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Help us to offer a rich and inviting set of programs for children and youth this year, by becoming a Faith Development Guide or Helper!
You do not need to have all of the answers; in fact, serving in this way can help adults on their own faith journeys. Consider modeling lifelong learning and spiritual development by caring for our community, seeking truth, and acting for justice, with our younger UUs.
There are opportunities both big and small! Fill out this quick form to indicate interest, and see a list of ways to help, including some that do not involve supervising kids and do not need to happen during the service on Sunday morning. Please reach out to Erika Reif with any questions!
March to End Fossil Fuels
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
September 17, 1-4 p.m., New York City
We can no longer ignore climate change as its effects are now a part of our daily reality. The greatest antidote to hopelessness in the face of such calamity is coming together and taking action. In 2014, many members of this congregation, including small children, elders, and everyone in between, traveled together for the Climate March and were made closer and stronger as a community by that shared experience.
Several individuals and families from FUUSB have already signed on to travel together to NYC for the march. Buses will leave Burlington in the very early morning and return by midnight. Please reach out for more information if you would like to join! (There is capacity for us to supervise high school aged youth who wish to come without a parent.) [email protected]
Silver Bay UU Conference - Oct. 13-15
Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to get together with a couple hundred Unitarian Universalists of all ages from around the region? You could participate in activities ranging from summer camp activities like archery and boating, to poetry discussions and lectures by guest speakers, tarot readings and temporary tattoos, camp fires, and more! (See draft schedule.) Director of Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries, Rowan Van Ness, is hoping to bring a group of families with young kids, elders, young adults, youth, and YOU to join in the fun this year. The conference is at Silver Bay Conference and Retreat Center. Registration is $275 for adults, $167 for youth (ages 13-17), $116 for children (6-12), and free for those under 6, and includes lodging, meals, snacks, and activities. Financial assistance available. Accommodations are limited, so please be in touch with Rowan ([email protected]) ASAP if you might possibly be remotely interested in joining our group or coordinating our Burlington contingent!
In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of a longtime member and dear friend, Shirley Wolfe. Shirley passed away on August 25, after a brief illness; she had been living in New Hampshire near family. There are no current plans for a memorial service. Shirley signed the membership book in 1980 and was active in many FUUSB groups over the years. Our hearts are with her family.
Labor Day Holiday - Sept. 4
In observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 4, FUUSB staff will be taking the day off, returning on Tuesday.
VIA's Statewide Convention
Vermont Interfaith Action's Eighth Annual Statewide Convention will be held Wed., Sept. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 43 Hebard Hill in Randolph, VT. Everyone is welcome to join us for:
Reports about our issue work
Opportunities to talk with justice-minded people from all over the state and across the spectrum of faith traditions
Training on three foundational aspects of community organizing
Sharing a meal together
Celebrating interfaith worship together
Approving our Revised By-Laws during a brief business meeting
