Climate Justice Team Service: “Reconnecting with the Earth”
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Nancy Wright, Pastor for Creation Care, The New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Vice President of VT Interfaith Power & Light
Climate Justice Team Members: Mary Andrews, Rosanne Greco, Kevin Hardin, Miles Austin Jackson, Lisa Lax, & Michael Oman
Worship Associate: Judy Brook
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.
After the service, all are welcome to Coffee Hour, either outside in front of the Meeting House or in the Community Room, depending on weather.
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.
Finding Joy in Climate Action
Discussion Following the April 23Service
Mary Andrews, Climate Justice Team
What if addressing the climate crisis meant not giving up things we rely on but rather embracing new connections and abundance? Imagine a world where you feel more connected to your community and less worried about the future we leave our children.
What if energy was produced locally, with clean technology; if our food came from sustainable, regenerative farms and producers; if our streets were safe for walking and biking? What if everyone had clean water for swimming and air to breathe? What if everyone could walk in nature? What if we no longer felt helpless and guilty about this threat?
Join the Climate Justice Team following this Sunday's service for a brief video and discussion of how you can find joy in meaningful action.
Children This Sunday, April 23
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
This Sunday we celebrate Earth Day with a captivating Reflection for All Ages from the work of activist, environmentalist, and first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathi.
Children will be welcomed into Maathi’s story of what a difference one person can make in restoring the Earth’s balance. Following the story, all ages will head downstairs for group activities around these themes. The nursery is open from 9:45 a.m. throughout the service and hosts infants through PreK.
W3: UU History Workshop
Rev. Peter Newport
In 1897 Paul Gauguin, during his sojourn in Tahiti, painted a huge piece called Where did we come from? What are we? Where are we going? There’s also a hymn by that name in our hymn book. We sing it with some regularity. It has always puzzled me how we seem to enjoy its wan existential message, the more so since we do know where we come from, biologically, historically and theologically anyway; we are just careless with that memory, preferring instead a salutary narrative that hides more than it reveals.
We had to cancel session one, but we will fit that content into the two remaining sessions. All sessions in person and on Zoom.:
Session 1, Where Did We Come From? - Sunday, April 16, 12:30 to 2 p.m. (cancelled)
Session 2, What Are We? - Sunday, April 23, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Session 3, Where Where Are We Going? - Tuesday, April 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The FUUSB Spring Auction is up and running with more than 80 amazing donations! Go to the website (auctria.events/FUUSBSpringAuction2023) to register and start bidding on paintings, dinners, sailing outings, food items, crafts and so much more! There are also several events where you can buy a spot without bidding. The online auction will be live until April 28 at midnight, and then we will meet on Saturday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m. in person to celebrate with raffles, music, food, live bidding, and much more! If you have questions, please email us at [email protected].
Celebrating Rev. Tricia on June 11!
Jonathan Sands, Transition Team
Reverend Tricia will lead worship for the last time as our Developmental Minister on Sunday, June 11. In celebration of her ministry career, there will be some special festivities on that day, and you are all invited! After just a brief break following the regular 10 a.m. service, we will reconvene in the Sanctuary at 11:15 for expressions of appreciation through songs, stories, videos, and special gifts. Activities for children will be available during this time. At 12:30 we’ll gather together on the Meeting House grounds to picnic and visit. Please watch for the announcement of sign-ups for the picnic in a future eNews, and watch for a special email message soon about how you can participate in the making of a congregational gift for Rev. Tricia.
Flower Power Team
Looking for More Members
If you have an interest or experience in creating flower arrangements for our Sunday services, please be in touch. We will work with you to get you comfortable and Sarah Forbes is available to mentor new people. If you are interested or just want more information, please email Peggy Derby.
Beloved Community Isn't Always Easy
Zoe Hart
In our April 2 service on Beloved Community, we lifted up an earlier service by Baptist minister Pastor Rodney S. Patterson. And we lifted up the 25 Traits of Beloved Community, written by Dr. Arthuree Wright, a deacon in the United Methodist Church. We want to acknowledge that the language in Pastor Patterson's service and that in the 25 Traits may be challenging or even offensive to some in our congregation. Our service planning team felt that the messages of Pastor Patterson and Dr. Wright were worth lifting up in spite of these challenges. There is not time or space to do these complex issues justice in an eNews article. Members of our team (Martha Molpus, Nancy Hellen, Peggy Owen Sands, Sal Millichamp, and Zoe Hart) would be happy to speak with you if you'd like to discuss these or any feedback about the service. Contact any of us directly or email [email protected] and one of us will contact you.
Celebrate Progress on the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion
Pam Laser, Racial Justice Team
Members of the UU Racial Justice Team and Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) are working with concerned Vermonters to persuade every municipality in the state to sign onto a Declaration of Inclusion (DOI) vtdeclarationofinclusion.org. The DOI ensures a warm welcome and open attitude toward all Vermonters and potential Vermonters. VIA's Racial Justice/Economic Opportunities committee is reaching out to congregations in many municipalities to help them persuade their town managers and selectboards to adopt the resolution. As of April 1, 2023, 104 towns and cities (out of 247), home to 62% of Vermont’s population, have signed the DOI! That’s an accomplishment to celebrate! Join us for a Celebratory Action on Wed., May 10 from 7 to 8:30 pm at College Street Congregational Church in Burlington (265 College St.), or as a hybrid event on Zoom (click here to register). Each municipality will be recognized for this first step, and we’ll have information on how to follow up with even more concrete actions. Let’s work together to ensure that Vermont will become known, and in fact be, the most welcoming and safe state in the country for all people. For more information, contact [email protected] or leave a message at 802-651-8889.
Upcoming Worship Services
April 30 at 10 am
Candidating Week
Rev. Karen G. Johnston with Brenda Balon & Melinda Lee
In-Person & Livestreamed Worship Service
May 7 at 10 am
Candidating Week
Rev. Karen G. Johnston with Geoff Duke & Mary Beth McNulty