As I write, it’s 41 degrees, the sun is pouring in my window, and we’ve now seen over two weeks of decline in Covid infections. This day of welcome thaw is falling on “Imbolc,” marking the turning toward Spring in Irish Celtic tradition, halfway from solstice to equinox. This Imbolc, it’s not hard for me to imagine the possibility of seeds stirring beneath the earth, or to feel a stirring within. I hope the same may be true for you, in some way at least.
I’m grateful to have been invited to lead worship this Sunday, so I can invite you all to a special “Widening the Circle” worship, filled with stories and creative gifts of members of your community. The “circles” that many of us have been living within have continued to be small. Between Omicron and winter, perhaps some of us have, indeed, felt “buried beneath the earth.” But what sustains us in these times is, often, something very true and precious within, that we know and cherish more intimately thereafter. Is it not these same inner gifts that may be what we now need to widen the circle?
With Nina Harrington, Tricia Knoll, Melinda Lee (Worship Associate), Linda Patterson, Erika Reif, Todd Schlossberg, Myra Timmins and Sam Whitesell.
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 our YouTube channel.
All are welcome to Zoom Coffee Hour at 11 a.m. at this link: bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Join the 8th Principle Conversation
Geoff Duke, Radical Welcoming Team
One of the goals for FUUSB’s developmental ministry is to “Actively and meaningfully welcome, support, and empower congregants who are black or other persons of color, LGBTQ+, have disabilities, and other congregants with marginalized identities.”
The new FUUSB Radical Welcoming Team believes that the proposed 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism represents a tangible, well-defined, and active first step to help our congregation move toward our developmental goal and radical welcoming. We hope that FUUSB will adopt the 8th Principle this year. But just what would that mean for our Society? The Radical Welcoming Team is hosting virtual informational discussions to explore this topic.
The next discussion will happen after the service this Sunday, February 6, at 11:15 a.m.
Additional discussions will occur after the Sunday service at 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 20, and at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 and 24. Information for these discussions will be shared in the eNews and on the Society website closer to the discussion dates.
No registration is required. Please mark your calendar and join us to learn more about the 8th Principle, voice your support and concerns, and get your questions answered. Email [email protected] with questions.
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Tuesday, February 8, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
New member and longtime scholar of the world’s religions, Phillip Brentwood, presents an introduction to Hinduism as part of a series on eastern religions. In-person spots are full, but more are welcome via Zoom. Click here for a more detailed description of this session and the link to join.
Sharing Our Covid Journeys… So Far
Sarah Russell, Pastoral Care Associates Team
An opportunity for deeper spiritual connection
During this time of shared disruption because of the Covid pandemic, the Pastoral Care Associates invite you to participate in a communal small group activity to reflect on how this experience has shaped each of us so far. While everyone has experienced the pandemic differently, for many it has been a major ongoing stressor in their lives. One of the antidotes is human connection.
Please join us for a workshop (via Zoom) to reflect and make meaningful connections on either:
Wednesday, February 9 from 12-1:30 p.m., or
Thursday, February 10 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Participation will be limited to 8 people per session, but more sessions will be scheduled if there is sufficient interest.
During the session, there will be a hands-on activity for you to map your Covid journey, share highlights with fellow participants, and hear the stories of others. We imagine that themes will emerge, and you may gain new perspectives about where we have been and where we are now. We are considering offering more opportunities for shared spiritual reflection in the future, so your participation and ideas are important to us.
Register here for the Feb. 10 session. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants.
Sledding Party
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday, February 13, 1-3 p.m.
Join FUUSB friends for winter fun at Burlington's Calahan Park! This is an event for sledders and ice skaters of all ages, and even for those who prefer to just sip hot cocoa and watch from the sidelines. We'll bring the coffee, tea, and cocoa; you bring yourselves with sleds, skates, or whatever you need for fun in the snow! The high school YUUth Group will be there, as will members of the Family Faith Development Council with kids ranging from 3-14. Hope to see you there, too!
Socially Responsible Investing
Sponsored by the Climate Justice Team
Have you wondered how you can align your investments with your values? Whether it is possible to pursue competitive returns and also drive positive change?
Today’s greatest sustainability challenges are globally interconnected, affecting the health and welfare of individuals as well as society. The direction they take is material to both economic and social outcomes, representing real risks and opportunities that have significant implications for investment portfolios. In this presentation, Lenore Reiner, Senior Responsible Investing Strategy Specialist at Calvert Research and Management, will explore why responsible investing matters, trends in responsible investing, and how it can be used to drive positive change, benefitting investors, communities, and companies alike.
Thursday, February 17 at 6 p.m.
Please contact Mary Andrews at [email protected] for the link to the webinar.
How to Submit eNews Announcements
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
Thank you for reading the eNews! Just as a reminder, our weekly Thursday eNews is for brief announcements (under 200words - shorter is better!) about FUUSB-sponsored events and projects, or organizations with which we have a relationship. To learn more about our publications, click here.
The deadline for submitting eNews items is every Tuesday. Please email to [email protected]. If your email has arrived, you will receive an automatic confirmation. If you don't receive a reply or have questions, you can also email [email protected] or call 862-5630 ext. 2100. Thank you!
New England Region UUA News
Please click here for the February New England Region UUA Newsletter!