We Are Going!
Faith Development News Letter
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Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.
- Robin Wall Kimmerer
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Greetings Families,
Our worship theme for December is Opening to Joy and we hope the Winter Holiday Celebration Packet which we sent last weekend to families with children through 8th grade, will serve that cause, helping families to open to the joy of this darkest season. If you have a child in that range and did not receive a packet and would wish to be included in future deliveries, please let us know.
Below you will find some of the elements from that packet which might be appropriate for any age and a list of upcoming outdoor and livestreamed events here at FUUSB that we hope will open us all to the joy of this season!
Sending you warmth and coziness,
Erika
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We hope your family will find a dark and quiet moment in the coming weeks to light a candle and recite this together. Taking time to slow down in this season of darkness and appreciate our place in the natural world, with it’s patterns and cycles, is one way to open to joy. |
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“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” -Karl Barth
Joy and Gratitude are entwined with each other. As we take time to mark each day of Advent it brings us joy and as we experience joy we are grateful, and as we are grateful it brings us joy. So, we blended the advent countdown with a daily gratitude practice. We hope that adding a link each day with a message of gratitude will help your family open to joy this holiday season!
If you didn't receive a packet, this is easily done with paper strips at home and meaningful at any age. Each day write down something you are grateful for; family members can take turns. Add each link to a paper chain as you count down to Christmas or New Year's Day. Choose a day, perhaps Christmas dinner or new year's morning to read together these messages of gratitude that you have collected.
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Homemade gifts are a wonderful way to express love for friends and family, and generally do less harm to our environment than what we buy in a store, so we repurposed some of our donated yarn and thread for bracelet making.
Visit these links for really helpful video tutorials:
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We're hoping everyone in the congregation will make a lantern or two or three for our Solstice Light Festival (See events below).
The packets were delivered in a big recycled can so that families have a mold for making an ice lantern. We have more at the Meeting House for anyone who wants one. Pick one up from the top of the ramp any time!
Lanterns can also be made out of recycled plastic jugs like those that milk and cider come in. Find out more here:
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Upcoming Events
Outdoors & Live Stream!
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Outdoor Family Chapel
December 12th 11:00-12:00AM
We have been asked to keep the Sunday morning outdoor gatherings going as long as possible, so that's what we'll do!
We'll bundle up, engage in some child-friendly worship, sing songs, and play games. Tea, coffee, and light snacks will be served! Snow won't stop us but we'll cancel if there's rain.
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Sunday, 12/19 10am
Several families have volunteered to help the Rev. David Ruffin with this theatrical livestreamed service to mark the solstice. This holiday favorite will make for a great service for the whole family to watch together, and as the livestream will be recorded, you can watch at any time after the original broadcast. All are welcome to come congratulate the cast at an outdoor coffee hour at 11, weather permitting.
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December 21st 5:30-7
Come wander paths of light, sip hot cider with friends, and take time to appreciate the darkness on this longest night of the year. Music Director, James Stewart, will start us off with Christmas Caroling in front of the Meeting House and later the youth group will sing the sun's praises among the displays of our homemade lanterns. Come for a few minutes or stay the whole time. Feel free to invite neighbors and friends to this all ages event.
If you'd like to help with set up during the day please contact Margo@uusociety.org
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Christmas Eve Pageant - Outdoors! |
December 24, 4:30-5:15 pm
Come a few minutes early to put on a costume. Shepherds robes and angel halos will fit right over your snowsuit! Or, come in one from home.
We will celebrate Christmas Eve by performing the traditional "No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant" together on the front steps of the Meeting House, with carols and candles. Snow won't stop us but we will cancel for rain.
Volunteer costumers needed! Contact Margo@uusociety.org
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Open Sanctuary and Cookie Swap |
5:15-6:00 pm
Bring a few cookies with you, because immediately after the pageant we'll share the sweetness of the season with an outdoor cookie "potluck", accompanied byhot tea and cider. Meanwhile, families can take turns warming up in the decorated Sanctuary, listening to the organ, and feeling that Christmas Eve stillness amid the excitement.
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7:00 pm
A traditional service of lessons and carols will be livestreamed from our Sanctuary. Watch it in real time or whenever it suits your celebration, as the recording will remain on the website and Youtube channel.
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Watch At Home Faith Development |
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Songwriter and Religious Educator, Lea Morris, wows us once more with her favorite songs about being thankful. May they inspire you to open to joy through gratitude! |
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And, her version of This Little Light of Mine, is a family sing (and dance) along waiting to happen!
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June 10-12, 2022 Camping at Elmore State Park
I know it may seem early to start making plugs for June, but we are hoping to revive this beloved FUUSB tradition that took a hiatus during the pandemic and the best campgrounds fill up fast!
Join other members of the congregation (not limited to families with children) in a whole different setting. We'll deepen our connection to each other while having fun in the fresh air. Friday night we share a potluck feast, there's swimming, hiking, kayaking, campfires and s'mores aplenty. We'll even fit in a little al fresco worship.
Seven families have reserved sites already, and Faith Development is holding several other sites(spreadsheet here.) Consider booking a site now. The most one can lose for cancelling a reservation if something comes up is 18$, and likely we can find another family to fill your spot. If you want one of the sites we've already set aside, or for more information, contact erika@uusociety.org otherwise make a reservation with Vermont State Parks and then let Erika know!
[Pictured: Happy campers past]
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Happy Holidays!
-Erika & Margo
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