A vital response to our changing times calls forth our creativity perhaps unlike any recent moment. Judy Brook offers an artistic meditation about “directions for a richer life” and Maeve McBride’s focus is “a reflection on lasts” — melting ice pools on the beach, grief, and connection to land and spirit.
The climate crisis has become urgent. What can we do that makes a difference? We’ll hear 350.org cofounder Bill McKibben’s thoughts on the subject (via video), then open it up for discussion.
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
For current 8th-10th graders:
A safe and fun opportunity for in-person reconnection and shared exploration, to honor and support this important time of life transition.
Sessions will include games that are both fun and foster opportunities for group and personal growth. There will be wild-wanders in the woods and gathering and sharing around fire. We’ll ask big questions and find new ways to tell our stories that matter to us. We’ll share some of our skills and passions, and find opportunities to be of service as we go.
Taking place on four consecutive Saturday afternoons, May 1 - May 22, the final Saturday will be a Canoe Trip. Meeting times TBD but anticipate approximately 1 - 4 or 5 p.m. Proposed locations are Rock Point, Mt. Philo State Park, and the Winooski River. We hope youth will be able to attend all sessions, but participants are expected to attend at least 3 of the 4, to support community building.
Led by Rev. David Ruffin with the support of our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Gabriel Ely, and FUUSB community members Dan House and Marcus Keely.
If your youth is interested in participating in this program, please register by tomorrow, Friday, April 23. Follow this link to the Faith Development Registration page, follow the instructions and check the box for C.O.A. Make sure you continue until you see the message "Thanks for registering!"
Spring Vespers Series - “Unfurling with Spring”
Rev. David Ruffin, Consulting Minister
Spring Vespers - Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Spring this year, perhaps more than ever, is a dance of unfurling - each of us finding our own pace for participation in the emergence, releasing ourselves in some ways and bracing ourselves in others. After all we've been through, and are still in the midst of, how do we open our hearts to the vaccinated "new leaf" emerging with the new leaves?
Vespers is back with a Spring series where you're invited to join others in living such questions and finding ways of "unfurling," together. Vespers services are an opportunity to take a mid-week pause, share in music and meditative silence, poetry and presence, gratitude and grief, breath and blessings. Though we can’t yet meet in person, we can still be together, sharing these gifts of renewal. Come as you are. All are welcome. Join us at 6 p.m. Wednesdays on Zoom at zoom.us/j/91243888402. For audio only, call (646) 876-9923 (meeting ID: 912 4388 8402).
Immigration Justice Team News
Jill Stevens
There are always issues to be addressed as national policies are in flux and human lives depend on them. Right now and for the foreseeable future, participation by our congregation can make a huge difference. Here are some ways you can help:
Call or write to President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to urge them to halt family detention at the southern US border. Click here for details.
The UUs for Social Justice immigrant-led action team will hold a Zoom town hall about advocacy at the federal level on April 28. Please register here.
Finally, the film Human Flow comes highly recommended. It is about refugees migrating from 10 regions of the world. You can find it on Netflix.
Action to Defend Human Rights
Janet Biehl, Immigration Justice Team
Take action to defend human rights during Ramadan!
During Ramadan (April 12-May 12 this year), Muslim communities around the world celebrate by affirming their faith. They focus on practically applying it in everyday life and on strengthening and performing service to their communities.
This year Amnesty International USA is campaigning during Ramadan to protect the human rights of Muslims, including prisoners of conscience, detained attorneys and activists, persecuted refugee communities, and more. Each week AIUSA features new cases. AIUSA's Faith in Action Network invites all faith communities and individuals to join in taking action to protect human rights of Muslims during Ramadan. To learn more, visit amnestyusa.org/ramadan.
UUA General Assembly - Register Now!
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
The annual gathering of UUA member congregations, General Assembly (GA), will be June 23-27. This event will once again be totally online, which means it's easier than ever to participate. Those of us who attended last year's online GA found it to be one of the best GA's ever! The registration fee is minimal, there are no travel expenses, and you can easily pick and choose which workshops and events you want to attend.
Registration - Registration is $200. The UUA website has financial aid opportunities, and FUUSB also has some scholarships available for members who wish to participate. If you would like a FUUSB scholarship to pay your registration fee, please email Christina at [email protected].
Delegates - Each congregation receives a number of delegates based on their certified membership number. Delegates are the official voting representatives for our congregation and are able to vote at all business meetings at GA. If you are interested in becoming a delegate for FUUSB at this GA, please email [email protected].
Programs - In addition to Business Meetings, GA offers a ton of great programming, including Workshops, Worship Services, Lectures, and Children & Youth programs. Please check out all that GA has to offer.
This year's GA Theme is Circle 'Round for Justice, Healing, Courage. It promises to be a wonderful time to gather with other UUs across the nation. We hope you will consider registering for this inspiring event. Please reach out to Rev. Tricia, Christina, or Erika if you'd like to know more about GA.
Online Joys & Sorrows Form
An online Joys & Sorrows form is available at this link, and in each week's eNews. Joys & Sorrows will be shared in our Sunday services as much as possible. Since online services are available publicly on the FUUSB YouTube channel, we will not read full names or personal details. Thank you!