Rev. Chris Long, Guest Preacher, with Rev. Patricia Hart and Jon Sallée, Worship Associate
"We’ll Build a Land: Holding History, Toward the 8th Principle"
Rev. Tricia and special guest Rev. Chris Long will engage the theme of “Holding History” this Sunday, as we look toward the possibilities and promises of adding an 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism. Through song and music, we will share together a bit of history around the formation of our Seven Principles. Where are they leading us, now?
Rev. Chris Long is a Unitarian Universalist minister whose call is to cultivate Beloved Community -- within UU congregations and in society at large. Rev. Long is currently Minister of Pastoral Care and Programming at Community Church of NYC (UU). His past positions include co-creating and serving as West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church's first Justice Minister (Cleveland); Visiting Professor at Starr King School for the Ministry (Berkeley); and as part of an anti-racism team at the Leadership Institute at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Chris is a leader in anti-racism efforts throughout the UUA, and has consulted to several UU congregations on leadership, transformation, and on the 8th Principle.
The service will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. The link will be shared on our website,uusociety.org. If you miss the livestream, a recording of the service will be available on ourYouTubechannel.
All are welcome to Zoom Coffee Hour at 11 a.m. at this link:bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Let's Play... And Tuck Fall In, for Winter!
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
As we close out our outdoor season, the Faith Development team invites all families to play active community building games and deepen our connection this Sunday, November 14 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. We have retained a smaller canopy in the Memorial Garden (with lights!) and have hot chocolate! It may be chillier than last week but we will be moving, inventing, working together and warming ourselves and each other in beloved community. Join us! Blankets, snugglies and friends welcome!
Weekly Open Sanctuary Hour Continues
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 set a time each week when people are welcome to come sit quietly in the Sanctuary: every Thursday, from 5-6 p.m.
We are following our Society policy for gathering in the Sanctuary: No more than 20 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.
Exploring the Racial Wealth Gap
Pam Laser, FUUSB Racial Justice Team
VIA Racial Justice Presentation on the loss of generational wealth & what we can do about it
You are invited to a presentation-information session from Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) Executive Director, Debbie Ingram, about the effects of racial discrimination in housing and land ownership.
Members of our First UU Society participate in the VIA multi-congregation Local Organizing Ministry, which addresses systemic racism that has disadvantaged people of color in accumulating generational wealth.
This presentation will share VIA's work to date on this issue, explore the foundation for pressing the passage of relevant Vermont legislation beginning in January, and identify what each of us can do to help change this disparity.
The same presentation will be presented TWICE, both via Zoom:
You are welcome to attend at whichever time is most convenient. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Pam Laser at [email protected] or 802-324-2091.
Holding History? Your-stories...Our-stories
Rev. David Ruffin, Director of Youth & Creative Arts Ministries
Indoor Vespers Continue - Wednesday, November 17, 6 p.m.
Holding our "history" is complicated. It's tender. It's too heavy and too large! But then, what we actually end up holding is often far too small... If ever there was an invitation to imperfection and vulnerability, yet with so much potential for growth, healing, connection and beauty, it's in trying to hold our stories together. Will you come hear and share the stories that maybe we don't quite know how to hold?
After a beautiful indoor Vespers in the Sanctuary last week, we're offering this special opportunity again, this Wednesday, Nov. 17, and on Dec. 1. We will be masked, distanced, and limited in our capacity to 20 in-person participants. Because of the limited capacity we are asking those interested in attending in person to please RSVP here. Thank you for doing that at your earliest convenience! Those who wish to experience the service via Zoom are also most welcome to attend at this link. No need to RSVP for virtual attendance.
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.
FUUSB Fundraiser: Wreaths & Greens!
Sarah Forbes
Holiday Wreath & Greens Sale!
Order a beautiful, custom-decorated, premium quality wreath or swag for your home or for a gift. Wreaths are handmade in the Northeast Kingdom and measure about 24” across. Swags are handmade, decorated with natural materials and a bow and are about 24” long. Sign up through the FUUSB Fundraiser link:gofundraise.link/FUUSBholidaysale2021.
Pick-up is Sunday, Dec. 5 in the Community Room. Contact [email protected] with wreath questions or [email protected] with fundraiser/web questions.
Memorial Greens & Wreaths
Remember a loved one this year with a memorial wreath or greens which will decorate our Meeting House exterior and Sanctuary during December. Sign up through the FUUSB Fundraiser link:gofundraise.link/FUUSBholidaysale2021.
Wreath Decorators Needed!
Learn something new or continue your tradition! Come decorate wreaths and make swags for the FUUSB Annual Fundraiser! We will be decorating in the Community Room, socially distanced and with masks. Thursday, Dec. 2, Friday, Dec. 3, Saturday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Thank you!
Contact Sarah Forbes to sign up and with any questions. 578-6119 or [email protected]
Natural Materials & Evergreen Boughs Wanted...
...for FUUSB wreath-making!
When cleaning up your gardens or hiking, please consider collecting interesting pods, bark, cones, grasses, dusty miller, birch bark, fern or lily seed heads, red bark dogwood, etc., and greens like cedar, holly, white pine or other evergreen boughs for making wreaths. Call to arrange pick-up or drop-off, or bring to the UU on Dec. 2 or 3. Thank you! Sarah Forbes, 578-6119, [email protected]
"Healing Our Waters" Event
Rabbi Jan Salzman, Congregation Ruach haMaqom
Tuesday, November 30, 7 p.m. in the FUUSB Sanctuary
Guest speaker: Rev. Nancy Wright, PhD, activist and water quality diva
Water: It’s more than a source of life. When we think about water, we tend to hone in on what might be coming out of our taps. Yet water is both the mythical and evolutionary foundation of life on this planet. How might we raise our consciousness and become more of an activist for water on this blue marble that floats in space? We’ll take a look at a variety of topics, including non-point pollution, the health of Lake Champlain, and exciting opportunities to improve access to clean drinking water. Also available by Zoom. Sponsored by the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington and Ruach haMaqom. A link to join us virtually will be shared soon. Click here for more information!
eNews Holiday Schedule
The eNews will take a break for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be one more issue this month on November 18, then no eNews on November 25.
Upcoming Sundays
November 21 at 10 a.m.
Online Worship Service
Join us for live-streamed Sunday worship! The link will be shared on our website, uusociety.org.