This Sunday Jon Salleé and the Reverend Peter Newport will explore how they came to different approaches to military service. Inspired by the peacemaking efforts of Soldiers and Servicemembers, Jon is an FUUSB member and Buddhist working to ordain in both traditions, and also a Chaplain Candidate for the US Army. Peter’s Sermon “Why We Are Not a Peace Church” will offer a personal take on the tension between service and conscience with a nod to our Unitarian/Universalist ancestors.
Please join us in person or online! Find the livestream link at uusociety.org or on our YouTube channel. While inside the Meeting House, masks are strongly encouraged.
Following the service, all are welcome to In-Person Coffee Hour! The location will be announced.
New Member Signing Sunday - Nov. 13
Kim Watkin, Membership Team
Did you know... If you’ve taken the New UU classes and made a pledge of financial support to the FUUSB but have never signed the Membership Book, you are still not an official member! The final step of signing the Membership Book is quick and easy but sometimes gets overlooked, so we offer regular opportunities for those who have done everything but “sign on the dotted line” to do just that. You can arrange to sign the book at any convenient time, but to make it even easier we have a Signing Sunday coming up this Sunday, November 13. On Signing Sundays the Membership Book is available in the Sanctuary right after the service for those who are ready to sign. We hope to see you there!
2nd Sunday Circles - This Sunday!
Sharing Circles Coordinating Team
Grab your coffee and meet at 11:15 a.m. to discuss the Sermon, Readings, and Benediction as a small group. Gail Beck will facilitate. Looking forward to seeing you! The first monthly meeting, on November 13, will be in the Barnum Room, on the lower level, or join us by Zoom at this link: bit.ly/3Db6Hb9 (meeting ID: 875 4572 7264, passcode: 849701)
Sheets, Blankets, & Towels, Oh My!
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
FUUSB members have been asked if we can help to supply the Elmwood Ave. Pod Community with some household items they will need to get up and going in November. The items needed are twin sheets, twin blankets, standard bed pillows, bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths. Items must be new.
If you would like to help out, please sign up at this link: signup.com/go/MLmwjud and deliver your items to the Meeting House on Sunday, November 13. If you have any questions, please contact Christina at [email protected]. Thank you!
Pie Potluck!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday, November 20, 11:15 a.m.
West lawn or Community Room
Whether you cast a vote in the Great Pie Election or not, please consider bringing a pie to share at this special coffee hour! Apple pie won the contest for congregational favorite, but all pies will be joyfully consumed. We'll provide pie slicers, plates and forks; just bring your pie with you to coffee hour. Vegan and gluten-free pies welcomed!
From the Ministerial Search Team
Tom Hyde
Thanks to the 150 people who took the survey, and to the 127 people who came to listening sessions to tell us about your experience at First UU and your hopes for a new minister. We're using this treasure trove of data to prepare the forms that go to ministers who are searching for a congregation. On December 1st, they can start looking at us!
You should have gotten an email invitation to the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop on December 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The goal is to help all of us keep our minds open and free from bias and preconceived notions as we consider who our new minister should be. Please sign up at bit.ly/3Wz6Xtx.
Support the FUUSB and order a beautiful, custom-decorated, premium-quality wreath or swag for your home or for a gift. Wreaths are handmade in the Northeast Kingdom and measure about 24” across. Swags are handmade, decorated with natural materials and a bow and are about 24” long.
Wreath pick-up is Sunday, December 4 in the Community Room, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.
Memorial Greens & Wreaths
Remember a loved one this year with a memorial wreath or greens which will decorate our Meeting House exterior and Sanctuary during December. Sign up online through the FUUSB Fundraiser link: gofundraise.link/FUUSBHolidaySale2022
ORDER HOLIDAY CARDS NOW, while they last!
Price reduced from last year!
Select the designs you like best and order just one or many.
Our unique holiday cards are designed by members of our congregation. This year's cards are left over from last year and are being sold for $1.25 each! Select your favorite design(s) and get as many as you would like! Cards will be available at the Meeting House on the Sunday after you order them.
I am hoping someone could take on the VERY important job of driving to the Northeast Kingdom to pick up the wreath order and bring it to FUUSB on Wednesday, November 30!
A small truck or SUV would be needed, as there are 25 bundles of 5 wreaths each to deliver.
Some who have done this job in the past have gone with a friend, stopped for lunch and made a fun day of it! Another person beelined it there and back, enjoying the help and company of the Michaud family who make the wreaths on their family farm.
Obviously without wreaths to decorate there can be no fundraiser, so if it is possible for you and/or someone you know to do this, it would be wonderful! Many thanks in advance for your consideration.
Cones, natural materials & evergreen boughs wanted for FUUSB wreath-making!
When cleaning up your gardens or hiking around, please consider collecting interesting pods, bark, cones, grasses, dusty miller, birch bark, fern or daylily seed heads, red bark dogwood, etc., and greens like cedar, holly, white pine or other evergreen boughs for making wreaths. Contact Sarah Forbes to arrange pick-up or drop-off, or bring to the UU on December 1st, or 2nd. Thank you! Sarah Forbes, 578-6119, [email protected]
Come Join Our Team!
The Finance Team is seeking one or two new members. Financial knowledge or experience not required. Just an interest and a willingness to learn and a desire to serve our community. We meet once a month on a Thursday evening from 5:15-6:30 p.m. to review the Society's regular financial reports and discuss any other financial issues. And team members take turns helping to count the offering each Sunday morning. And from time to time, we support the staff in contacting members who may have lost track of their pledging. And that's about it. If you're interested or have questions, contact your treasurer, Zoe Hart, at [email protected].
We're Hiring!
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
FUUSB is currently looking for two people to join our AV/Tech Team as Tech Assistants. We are looking for people who are interested in AV equipment and learning how we livestream our services, weddings, and memorial services. We are willing to train the right people! Must be at least 16 years old; have availability on Sunday mornings, and occasionally on other days of the week; be able to climb to the balcony level of the Sanctuary; and work well in a team. If you are interested in becoming part of our AV/Tech Team, please send a letter of interest to Christina at [email protected].
From the UUA: What Every UU Needs to Know About Changes to the 7 Principles
Maybe you have little interest in by-laws. Or maybe you are a governance geek. Either way, as staff of the New England Region UUA we wanted to be sure to get the word out about the proposed changes to Article II of the UUA by-laws. This is the article that currently includes:
a list of the seven Principles of the Association of UU congregations,
a list of the six Sources of the Association,
the Purposes of the Association,
statements of inclusion and of freedom of belief.
Article II articulates the covenant at the heart of the Association of Unitarian Universalist Congregations.
Before a final revised draft of this Article is presented to the UUA Board in January, the Article II Study Commission is inviting all to participate in a feedback process. Now is the time to pay attention, to listen, to learn, to check in with yourself and the values you hold dearest, to engage in conversation with others about what’s at the heart of this faith, to offer your feedback, and to participate as you are able in this collective discernment and decision-making process... Please click here to continue reading!
FUUSB Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
FUUSB's Thanksgiving holiday break will be Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Thursday, Nov. 24. Offices will be closed and most weekly meetings will not be held. Please visit uusociety.org for updated event listings.
The eNews will take a break for the holiday on Nov. 24, with weekly issues resuming Dec. 1.
We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
Upcoming Worship Services
November 20 at 10 am
In-Person & Livestreamed Multigenerational Worship Service
Rev. Patricia Hart with Erika Reif & Betsy Ferries