Wonder plays a part in all the world’s religions. Experiences that “transport” us beyond life’s normal-ness can be a doorway into a deeper understanding – of what matters most, of other people, and of ourselves. Or, we can shake our heads and walk on by. How is wonder connected to love?
Please join us – either in person in the Sanctuary, or online. Find the livestream link and order of service on the Livestreamed Sunday Worship page, or visit our YouTube channel. While inside the Meeting House, masks are strongly encouraged.
After the service, all are welcome to Coffee Hour in the downstairs Community Room!
Second Sunday Circles
Sharing Circles Coordinating Team
Grab your coffee and meet at 11:15 a.m. to discuss the Sermon, Readings, and Benediction as a small group. Gail Beck will facilitate. Looking forward to seeing you! The next monthly meeting, on December 11, will be in the Barnum Room, on the lower level, or join us by Zoom at this link: bit.ly/3Db6Hb9 (meeting ID: 875 4572 7264, passcode: 849701).
Young Adult Social: Games & Cookies
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday, Dec. 11, 4-6 p.m., Parlors
Newcomers and students at local colleges, as well as members of the congregation in their late teens, twenties, and thirties are all invited to come get to know each other and build community. Hopefully this event will be the first of many!
Come for tea and coffee, tabletop games, and an extremely casual cookie exchange; bring cookies to share if you can, be they store-bought or homemade. We’ll have games on hand, but feel free to bring a favorite.
Service of Loss & Remembrance - Dec. 13
Tuesday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Rev. Patricia Hart, with Betsy Ferries, Melinda Lee, & Sam Whitesell
If you have lost a loved one this year – or any year – you are welcome to attend this lovely interactive service, marking the grief of loss and the power of remembrance. Bring a picture of your beloved person (or pet), or an object that reminds you of them.
Join us in person in the Sanctuary, or online via Zoom at this link: http://bit.ly/3F9eeIB
For audio only, call (646) 558-8656 (northeast US), or find your local number at this link. (Zoom meeting ID: 831 0084 8468, passcode: 173114)
The Rebirth of the Sun - Players Needed
Sunday, December 18 at 10 a.m.
Rev. David Ruffin, Director of Youth & Creative Arts Ministries
Our annual multigenerational Solstice Service is returning in person (and livestreamed), and we need you! Kids, teens, adults, families, anyone who loves to play…in a play. Our Solstice Play, to be precise! It’s not too late to join the fun. We’ll rehearse the morning of and then lead the celebration of the dark and the sun's return at 10 a.m. Email David Ruffin now!
Ice Lanterns for the Solstice Light Festival
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
It’s that time again when we invite everyone to create an ice lantern or other luminaria (or two or three) to be part of the Solstice Light Festival on the evening of Wednesday, December 21 (5:30-7:30).
We supply large cans for ice lanterns to pick up just inside the Meeting House beginning this weekend at Sunday services, and throughout the week. Instructions for lantern creation Here.
From the Ministerial Search Team
Tom Hyde
The information your Search Team gathered about our congregation is out there for interested ministers to see. Thanks to all who participated in the listening sessions and did the survey. The UUA Transitions Program Manager gave it high marks, and we are excited to get some great applicants.
Also, thanks to all who participated in the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop last Saturday. The discussions of the "cases" were lively and thoughtful. They will help us approach ministerial applicants and each other with respect for the variety of identities, abilities, and interests that make up a vibrant community. The cases are at this link for your further consideration.
On Monday, we met with the UUA Transitions Program Manager about "discernment," which is the next phase of the search. Early in the new year, we will see the materials from the ministers who have expressed interest in us. We then have only three weeks to read and assess them, interview the ones we consider the most likely, then choose three to interview in person. Therefore, our work this month will be to set up our decision-making process.
Please reach out to any of us on your Search Team (Nancy Hellen, Tom Hyde, Tom Porter, Brian Haas, Rose Ledoux, Peggy Owen Sands, Amelia Schlossberg) with any questions you have at this point in the search.
'Tis the Season for Giving
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
This is the time of year when many of you are considering your charitable contributions for the year. While many of you give regularly to FUUSB by fulfilling your annual pledge, there are also other ways to share your treasure through the Society.
Socially Responsible Santa - Gifts to this fund are distributed by amazing UU elves to members of our larger community in the form of cash gifts. This allows people the dignity of purchasing their own gifts for their families.
Discretionary Fund - Gifts to this fund help members of our congregation and greater Burlington community throughout the year with things such as utility bills, uncovered medical expenses, and other unexpected financial emergencies.
Share the Plate - Each month our Share the Plate collections are split between FUUSB and a local non-profit. In December our collections are going to our Socially Responsible Santa program.
Gift to FUUSB - One-time gifts can be made to FUUSB to help us fulfill our mission.
Angel Fund - We often have members who are unable to meet their pledge due to unforeseen circumstances. Since the pandemic, this is happening even more often. The Angel Fund helps to replace that lost pledge income.
Gifts can be made by sending a check to the Meeting House with the fund you'd like to give to written in the memo line, donation of stock (please let Christina know if you've donated stock to FUUSB), or a charitable distribution from your retirement account (please contact your tax advisor for more information about this option). You may also make a contribution to FUUSB by clicking on this link: Donate Now!
If you have any questions, please contact Christina Fulton at [email protected]. Thank you!
Christmas Breakfast for COTS
Lisa Lax
This Christmas morning, FUUSB will deliver breakfast and warm clothing items to folks at the COTS Day Station in Burlington. To support this effort, we need volunteers to donate breakfast foods and warm clothing items.
This project differs from the weekly Sunday breakfast on the Meeting House grounds, which has a separate sign-up page. Donated breakfast foods and warm clothing items are also needed to support the weekly Sunday breakfast on Christmas morning. We are counting on the generosity for which our Society is known, to support both projects.
Why do we need two separate projects? The answer is simple: We received a request from COTS for this. Their clients appreciated the special Christmas breakfast that we delivered during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Also, the folks at COTS are not necessarily the same people who stop by for breakfast each Sunday.
Please consider helping with this special event! Some food items can be brought to the Meeting House on Christmas Eve. Foods requiring refrigeration can be delivered to the Meeting House on Christmas morning by 8:30 a.m. Warm clothing items (that are new) can be left at the Meeting House in the alcove whenever we are open. Volunteers will deliver the items to COTS at 9 a.m.
The online sign-up page for the COTS Christmas Breakfast is at signup.com/go/oBNVSDk
Camel Needs a Plastic Surgeon!
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
It’s almost time for the annual Christmas Pageant. One of our most beloved characters has been Camel - a head/hat costume. Camel has not aged well over the years. Camel needs some loving repair or surgery to their paper-mache surface!
This is a wonderful at-home project for an individual or a family. Can you help? All artists/surgeons welcome. The camel’s recovery must be complete by Christmas Eve at the latest! Contact Margo at [email protected].
8th/9th Grade OWL Request
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Our 8th/9th grade OWL class is seeking one or more pregnant person(s) to discuss the experience for a session on pregnancy on Saturday, January 28, 2023, time TBD. Attending on Zoom is an option. All that is required is to informally meet the group and answer questions for about 30 minutes or so. By that point, the group will have delved deeply into matters of human sexuality as a group.
The person would have to be comfortable with being vulnerable, a little silly, and honest even with intimate details. Some have brought their partners to answer questions with them. It is voluntary but hopefully rewarding, as it is a chance to share knowledge and wisdom with some great kids! If interested, please contact Erika Reif at [email protected].
December at FUUSB
In case you missed this week's email about the many happenings at FUUSB this month, you can find it at this link: December at FUUSB
We will be updating event and worship service information as needed on our website at this link.
And check out the "Upcoming Worship Services" section in this eNews!
Upcoming Worship Services
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5:30 pm
Service of Loss & Remembrance
Rev. Patricia Hart, with Betsy Ferries, Melinda Lee, & Sam Whitesell