Join the congregation to explore the 25 traits we want to pursue to grow in being a Beloved Community.
Following the service there will be an opportunity to continue the discussion of Beloved Community at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlors or via Zoom at this link: http://bit.ly/3ZDpfKx
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. While inside the Meeting House, masks are strongly encouraged.
After the service, all are welcome to Coffee Hour in the Community Room.
Children & Youth This Sunday
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Family Chapel Followed by Classes
Sunday, April 2, 10 a.m.
Community Room
Attention Parents! We will begin in the Community Room on the lower level with about fifteen minutes of shared, child-centered worship, our first ever Family Chapel hosted by one of our families (thank you, Barbots!).
After that, parents can head upstairs for the remainder of the service in the Sanctuary and children will head to classes or free play in the Nursery for children 5 and under. Spirit Play (Grades K-4) will learn about Passover, while Crossing Paths (Grades 5-8) will begin their exploration of Hinduism in preparation for an upcoming field trip.
After regular classes, the first session of 5th and 6th grade OWL will begin with lunch in the Dix Room at 11:15.
Conversation About the 25 Traits of Beloved Community
Jana Porter & Beth Howard, Racial Justice Team
All are invited to a post-service conversation about the 25 Traits of Beloved Community this Sunday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlors or on Zoom. Last June, we committed ourselves to “build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions” when we passed the UUA 8th Principle.
Where are we in pursuing our intent? Which Beloved Community traits should be our priority, and what barriers might we anticipate on this journey? Please join us in person, or remotely via this Zoom link: http://bit.ly/3ZDpfKx, as we determine our next steps.
Springtime in Vermont, this year’s UU online auction, has already received some exciting and creative donations! But we need many more community-building events in order to achieve our fundraising goal and to help us become closer as a congregation. Please go to the auction website (auctria.events/FUUSBSpringAuction2023) and enter an event, outing, get-together, or gift certificate, either to be bid on or offered at a fixed price. And remember, this year we will celebrate with a live event including food, music, raffles, and loads of fundraising fun! Please contact springauction@uusociety.org if you have questions or need help.
From the Ministerial Search Team
Tom Hyde
Making a choice between our excellent pre-candidates has been hard, so we have spent some time learning about ways to reach consensus while respecting each person's views.
Last week, I mentioned contemplative dialog, which invites each person to share their views honestly and openly, trusting that different opinions will be welcomed. Here is a short talk about it by UUA New England Congregational Consultant Erica Baron (who was raised in this congregation).
We have also learned as a group about the difference between “discern” and “decide.” Here is a short article about that. As each of us voiced the considerations that led to our belief that one candidate or another would be the best fit for First UU, our views shifted and came into better focus. So it did feel more like discernment than decision-making.
We hope to know soon which candidate we will present to you. We appreciate everyone's patience and trust in this search process!
Fiber Arts Group
Linda Graves
Please join the Fiber Arts Group on Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. for an hour's worth of chatting and whatever particular craft you enjoy. We welcome all, especially if you are a first-timer! Zoom link: http://bit.ly/3qKUgLa (meeting ID: 813 5671 4635, passcode: 112630)
The Egg Hunt Is Coming!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday April 9, 11:15 a.m. (or 15 minutes after the service ends) - Memorial Garden
Our annual traditional egg hunt for children of any age (if they still want to take part, they are welcome!) is happening after the multigenerational Easter service. All kids are welcome, whether they are Faith Development regulars or visitors from out of town, and we have methods for making sure every child has a chance to find some eggs. The hunt will happen rain or shine!
Egg Donations: Staff have many eggs on hand, but we welcome donations from the congregation of eggs stuffed with non-food items, especially if you have plastic eggs and fillings to reuse or upcycle! Our hunt has always been quirky with items like seashells, pocket change, flower bulbs, and mini origami (also a great way to get rid of some excess party favors and small toys in the home). A basket to collect eggs will be available inside the east (ramp) entry this Sunday, April 2, and you can also contact erika@uusociety.org to arrange to drop off during the week. On Easter Sunday, please only bring eggs before 9 a.m.
How to Schedule (or Cancel) Meetings at FUUSB
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
Spring is one of the times when FUUSB's facility schedule fills with meetings and events, especially on Sundays. If you would like to request space, please submit our online Space Use Request Form as far in advance as possible. Even informal meetings need to be scheduled. Thank you!
To cancel a meeting or event at FUUSB, please leave a message on our Cancellations line as soon as possible at (802) 862-5630 ext. 38 or email cancellations@uusociety.org.
To schedule an online meeting, please submit this Zoom Meeting Request Form. Zoom meetings should be requested at least one week in advance.
Our meeting request forms can also found on our website here or here. Please email mary@uusociety.org with any questions about scheduling or canceling a meeting. Thank you!