On this Sunday, marking the end of Rowan Van Ness’ ministerial internship year, both Rowan and Rev. Tricia will reflect on what it means when a congregation takes on the important work of helping a ministerial candidate learn about that role in our UU tradition. People training for the ministry are often referred to as being in “formation.” What about the rest of us?
We hope many of you will join the service – either in-person (outside the Meeting House) or by tuning in to the audio livestream. Find the links to the service and to Zoom coffee hour at uusociety.org.
There will be chairs, but feel free to bring your own portable chair, or a blanket if you’d like to sit on the ground. Choose distancing that makes you comfortable and wear a mask if you prefer. If entering the Meeting House, masks are strongly encouraged indoors.
Childcare will be available in the Memorial Garden during the service. After the service, all are welcome to Outdoor Coffee Hour at 11 a.m., and Zoom Coffee Hour at 11:15 a.m.
Summer Garden Childcare
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Every Sunday in August, the garden is set up for fun! Faith Development Assistant Margo Whitcomb and members of the childcare staff are bringing out water tables, craft projects, active toys and more; the only curricula will be nature, friends, and fun! Parents of children 9 and younger should accompany them to the garden to sign them in and return after the service to sign them out again. Older children can join in the fun as well and, as always, children are welcome to stay with their parents to take part in the service. (In case of rain, we'll move the kids inside to the Nursery and Library. An email will go out before 9 if the rain plan is in effect.)
Celebrate Our Ministerial Intern!
Louis deRosset, Ministerial Internship Committee
Rowan’s time as our Ministerial Intern is drawing to a close. Over the past year she has been a vital and central presence in our congregation, supporting our efforts to become a radically welcoming congregation and calling us to live our commitments to our UU values. Her final service as our intern will be this Sunday, August 14. During the service, Rev. Tricia and Rowan will share reflections on the challenges and significance of her internship. Please join us outside the Meeting House at coffee hour after the service to help us thank her and celebrate her accomplishments over the past year. There will be special treats.
New Fiscal Year Housekeeping!
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
If you are currently paying your pledge automatically through Realm, this message is for you! Please go into your Realm account and check the following things:
Is your gift going to the correct fiscal year? Realm does not automatically update your pledge year, so if you don't go into Realm and change it to 2022/2023 then your payments will be going to the 2021/2022 fiscal year.
Is your credit card expired? Please check the expiration date on the credit card you are using in Realm and make sure it's up to date.
Did you intend to give automatically to another fund account? In addition to your pledge, you can make automatic payments to any other fund account, for example: Share the Plate, the Angel Fund, etc. Now is a great time to set this up.
If you want to set up automatic payments but haven't done it yet, this is a great time to do it! Log into your Realm Account and go to Giving and then click on "+Enter Online Gift."
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Christina at [email protected].
FUUSB Climate Justice Team Meeting
Lisa Lax
Are you feeling down and hopeless about the climate crisis? Or a fiery passion to act? In either case, we would welcome you. Please join us at the next FUUSB Climate Justice Team meeting on Sunday, August 21 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and learn how you can get involved. We will meet in person, outdoors at the FUUSB Memorial Garden. Our current focus is on projects to inspire others to take action.
New Family Welcome
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
Sunday, August 28 at 11:15 a.m.
Several families with children and teenagers have dropped by so far this summer! We would love to get to know you better before the hustle and bustle of the fall. If your family is new to us, please join Erika Reif (Director of Lifespan Faith Development) and Margo Whitcomb (Faith Development Assistant) for bagels and fruit, a tour of the building, and an opportunity to get acquainted and learn more about First UU. Bring the family! Please r.s.v.p. to [email protected] with any dietary restrictions so we can get the proper food and a headcount.
Online Facilitator Trainings
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Whether you are a current circle facilitator who would like to grow in the role, or a circle member who might like to give facilitating a try, there are online trainings available starting in late August! Soul Matters, the source of our spiritual theme content, offers trainings twice a year that range from 2-hour single sessions to 5-month series. Visit their Trainings Page to find out more. Please contact [email protected] if you want to take part.
2022/23 Registration Kicks Off!
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
Growing our children and youth in Faith Development
Another exciting year is about to begin and now is the time to register your children and youth! There will be childcare, age-based classes, YUUth Group and OWL, but also multigenerational events, family service projects and more. However your children might participate, registering now will help us plan for the kids we have and know who to contact as opportunities arise. Please take a moment to register your child(ren) or youth with us at the link below!
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
FUUSB is hiring a part-time Caretaker. This person will join Bob and Charlie in providing assistance during meetings and events at the Meeting House. Here is a short description:
"To provide a welcoming presence to groups entering the building, clean and maintain the facilities in a professional manner, and ensure the safety, health, and security concerns of the Society. *Due to COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting large gatherings, the number of hours per week that we can offer is somewhat unpredictable. As our building begins to re-open, working hours will increase."
If you are interested in learning more about this position or applying for it, please send an email describing your interest and experience to Christina Fulton at [email protected].
Young Adult Messenger
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Are you a young adult member of our congregation who would like to connect more easily with others at First UU? We have started a "Young Adult Messenger" list within our Realm database, for anyone in the very broad age range of 19-39. The hope is that listees will reach out with suggested events or meetups or other messages and begin connections that might lead to a more formal affinity group or two in the future. Realm settings allow one to receive posts as individual emails, in a digest, or only when logged in. There is a Realm Connect phone app that can be used instead of email, once you have created a Realm login. If you would like to be added to this list, email [email protected].
Abolish Slavery VT 2.0 - Post-Primary to the General Election
TONIGHT!
Thursday, August 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Now that the Primary elections are all said and done, VIA and our partner Vermont Racial Justice Alliance will gear up our Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery, no exceptions. Join us as we kick off the second phase of the campaign with Abolish Slavery VT Launch 2.0.
This virtual event will be modeled on our public actions and will feature a research report reminding us of the history of the Vermont constitution and slavery, testimonies from those who have pledged to vote in favor of Prop 2, and inspiration to motivate you to see this through to the finish line!
To register for this event held only on Zoom, click here. You will then be emailed a unique Zoom link to join the event. For security purposes, please do not share this second link with others!
For more info, contact Melissa or leave a message at (802) 651-8889.