The power and energy of congregational life comes from the reality that we make it happen together: adults of all ages, children and youth, babies and elders and everybody in between. Kind of like a neighborhood, but more intentional. We have so much to learn from loving one another!
Join us for the first Ceremony of Naming and Dedication in more than three years, as we dedicate Seneca, daughter of Rowan Van Ness and Caitlyn Tengwall.
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. at this link: bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Summer Garden Childcare
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Every Sunday in August, during the outdoor services, children are invited to play in the Memorial Garden with Faith Development Assistant, Margo Whitcomb, and members of the childcare staff. 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. As always, children are also 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 a.m. if the rain plan is in effect.
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 at 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.
Intro to Meeting House Grounds Group
The Meeting House Grounds group (of the Radical Welcoming Team) is working to welcome those neighbors who visit our grounds while keeping the area safe for everyone. We are building community in these efforts and are requesting your awareness and participation.
We recognize that the inequities in our broader community contribute to the homelessness and substance use which is part of this situation. Following our UU Principles, including the proposed 8th Principle, we are seeking connection through making relationships. Community is built through relationships and we invite you to join us.
We are working with the Safe Recovery program of the Howard Center, Burlington Police Department’s Community Support, CEDO’s planned Elmwood Avenue Emergency Center and their Community Resource Center as well as other community agencies and organizations.
The Meeting House Grounds group is serving as the coordinating committee to ensure that events and developments are shared in an open, inclusive manner within FUUSB and the community. All meetings are open and resource information public.
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 erika@uusociety.org.
We're Hiring!
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 xina@uusociety.org.
Abolish Slavery VT Launch 2.0
Next Thursday, after the Primary elections are over, VIA and our partner Vermont Racial Justice Alliance will gear up our Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery, no exceptions. Join us via Zoom on Thursday, August 11 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This virtual event 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 in November!
To register, click here. You will then be emailed a unique Zoom link to join the event on August 11th. 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.
New England Region UUA News
For the latest news from the New England Region UUA, check out the August newsletter at this link.