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August 6, 2020
Latest News
Join Us for Online Worship!
Outdoor Vespers Services
Zoom Coffeehouse
Racial Justice Team Visit to Hinesburg
Fund in Memory of Kathleen Bonilla
Have Courage
Outdoor Space Use
Online Check Request Form
Steeple Newsletter Submissions
Virtual Run for JUMP



Minister's Monthly Update

Click here for Rev. Tricia's latest update!




Online Joys & Sorrows Submission Form

Click here to submit 
a joy or sorrow.

 


Online Audio Meditations

Click here for this week's meditation!

 


Join Us for These Weekly Online Events!
Sundays at 10:45 a.m.
Virtual Coffee Hour
or call 1-646-558-8656 
(meeting ID: 664 917 485)

Sundays at 2 p.m.
Yuuth Group
or call 1-413-398-0207 (PIN: 744 756 177#)

Wednesdays at 12 p.m.
Zoom-In Lunch with Rev. Tricia
or call 1-646-558-8656
(meeting ID: 105 353 699)

Thursdays at 4 p.m.
Drop-In Chalice Circle
or call 1-646-558-8656 (meeting ID: 882 782 496)

 


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Contact Us
First UU Society of Burlington
152 Pearl Street
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 862-5630
or visit the staff directory
Join Us for Online Worship This Sunday!
babbling-brook-sm.jpg
Judy Brook and Doug Facey will reflect on lessons that we can learn from the water around us. The service will feature Judy's watercolor painting and a photo trip along the Winooski River.

Join us for online worship at uusociety.org/worship-and-music/online-sunday-worship/ at 10 a.m. on Sundays!

Late Summer Outdoor Vespers Services at FUUSB
Rev. David Ruffin

In these challenging times, while summer's abundant beauty is still with us, let us safely come together, in person, to renew our hearts in community. As nourishing as our online worship life has become, sometimes we just need to be in each other's physical presence. We may never have been more aware of how sacred that gift can be. 

Though we cannot yet all come together in this way, beginning August 12 you are invited to join in small, socially distanced, outdoor Vespers services on Wednesday evenings. Gather under the cover of our new Memorial Garden canopy, for music and prayer, poetry and reflection, sharing and renewal, with Rev. David Ruffin and Director of Music, James Stewart. 

Services will take place weekly, from Wed. Aug. 12 - Wed. Sept. 2, starting at 7 p.m. and lasting approximately 40 minutes. Registration will be opened the week prior to each service via REALM. Space is limited to 25 individuals, so don't wait. Please bring and wear your mask. Arrive early if you can, to check in and enjoy a meditative space of welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

Register for the August 12 service hereFor safety, participants are asked to review FUUSB's COVID Safety Checklist before attending a service.

Second Saturday Zoom Coffeehouse
Todd Schlossberg

Come to Our Monthly Second Saturday Zoom Coffeehouse and Campfire 
Saturday, August 8, at 7 p.m.!

Join us dear friends, this Saturday eve
For songs to be sung, and tales for to weave
The company of friends, to delight and inspire 
Warm your hands and your heart at our online campfire!
 
Who: Everyone! Invite friends and family! 
How: via Zoom, on your computer, tablet, or phone 
When: Saturday, August 8, at 7 p.m.
Share: a song, an instrumental piece, a short story or poem, a hidden talent, or just watch and listen. Bring your own beverage.

To sign up for the open mic, email Todd: 
greenmountainlaw@gmail.com. Include the type of piece (e.g., song, poem, etc.). Plan to do one piece (about 5-6 min.) to start, so that everyone has a chance to share. As time permits, we'll go back around the campfire and share more.  

Zoom Invitation:
Audio by telephone: 1-646-558-8656 
Meeting ID: 895 5294 9210, Passcode: 460673

Vermont's African American Heritage Trail Beckons...
Linda Cooper, Racial Justice Team

Your Racial Justice Team takes you to Hinesburg to learn about the Black Farmers of 1790-1890: 
Saturday, August 15, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Leave from FUUSB at 9:45 a.m. to carpool with face masks and windows open (or meet the group by the Black Settlers Historic Marker in Hinesburg). Bring snacks and water for yourself. Please register at this linkMaximum 20 adults, $10 each.

From 1795 to 1865 an African American farming community thrived on Lincoln Hill in what we now know as Hinesburg. The first settlers at the bottom of the road in 1798, from Massachusetts, were Samuel Peters, Hannah Lensemen and husband Prince Peters. Prince served in Captain Silas Pierce's MA Line for three years during the American Revolution. Samuel Peters volunteered at the Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812.

Violet and Shubael Clark, from Connecticut, arrived at the top of the hill in 1795. Their farm grew to 175 acres spilling over into Huntington, and one son owned 100 acres nearby. The original settlers expanded to five related families just before the Civil War; many are buried in an abandoned cemetery at the top of the hill.

We will go for a walk around Lincoln Hill (on a road) with historian Elise Guyette to see where the farms were, learn what their lives in Hinesburg were like, and see some of the remnants of the cemetery. Elise is author of Discovering Black Vermont: African American Farmers in Hinesburg, 1790-1890.

Fund in Memory of Kathleen Bonilla
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

When we lost our beloved member Kathy Bonilla to cancer last August 15th, many of you expressed a desire to offer assistance to the two grandchildren who lived with her, and for whom she served as sole guardian. All who wish may make a donation in Kathy's memory to the children she loved so dearly, allowing these two incredible young people who have shared so much of themselves with this congregation throughout the years to feel our love as they journey into their futures. Here is the link to the GoFundMe page.
 
Have Courage  
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant

This past month has seen the loss of a true hero for justice, John Lewis. He leaves a legacy of hope, resilience and courage for today's youth.

John Lewis talks with kidsJohn Lewis answers questions from kids about his life. An 8-minute video of Mr. Lewis in conversation with young teens about his struggle and sacrifice. For kids and families.
 
Short A Cappella SpiritualsA short (3-minute) audio recording as part of the oral history project. Two beautifully sung civil rights spirituals with a little lively dialogue in between. A treasure and no screen!
 
12-year-old Tybre FawThis short video (5 minutes) shows this young man's meeting with John Lewis and the reading of Lewis' favorite poem at his "homegoing."

Update: Outdoor Space Use at FUUSB
Mary Williams, Society Administrator

Groups may schedule small meetings (up to 25 people) outdoors in FUUSB's Memorial Garden. Thanks to the efforts of David McFeeters, we now have a canopy tent in the garden. Chairs can be provided if requested in advance, or you may bring your own. Our Outdoor Space Use Request Form, Outdoor Space Use Policies, and COVID Safety Checklist can be found on our website at uusociety.org/information/outdoor-space-use/

All outdoor gatherings at FUUSB must be scheduled in advance, so that we do not double-book any spaces and so that caretaker staff can be scheduled if needed. Mask use and physical distancing are required, and each participant will need to review the COVID Safety Checklist before meeting. Please contact Mary with questions at mary@uusociety.org. Thank you!
 
New Online Check Request Form
Many of our FUUSB forms are available on our website at uusociety.org/members/forms/ or by clicking on "Members" in the top menu bar on the homepage, and then selecting "Forms." We now have an online check request form which will go directly to Christina when you click "submit" at the bottom of the form. If you have suggestions for other forms that you would like to access online, please let Mary know at mary@uusociety.org. Thank you!
 
The Steeple Newsletter Submissions
Mary Williams, Society Administrator

Are you interested in writing an article about a FUUSB project for the Steeple newsletter? The Steeple is published four times per year, and the next issue will be out in September. The deadline to submit articles is August 24If you would like to write an article or have questions, please email mary@uusociety.org. For details on the Steeple and our other publications, please visit our website at uusociety.org/spiritual-growth/stay-connected/. Thank you!
 
Virtual Run - or Walk - for JUMP 
Wanda Hines, JUMP Director

We are excited to announce that the September 26 "Run - or Walk - for JUMP" will be virtual - giving all who support JUMP's mission the opportunity.
The "Run - or Walk - for JUMP" will be up and ready for registrations later in August. Just go to our website: 
jumpvt.org - and follow the directions for event information and registration. The website will list our many extraordinary sponsors and will include updates about JUMP and invitations in preparation for the event.