On this Mother’s Day, we celebrate the lives and stories of those mothers and others who brought us up, on the way to our own destinies. Hearing other people’s stories is an important way to figure out what matters, and the difference it makes to choose. When we don’t know the stories well, we might need imagination and creativity to make them whole.
Join us for worship in person in the Sanctuary, or online. The livestream link and order of service will be shared at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.
After the service, all are welcome to Coffee Hour, either outside in front of the Meeting House or in the Community Room, depending on weather.
While at the Meeting House, anyone is welcome to wear a mask. In the spirit of caring for each other, please stay home if you have any cold or flu symptoms. Thank you.
Children & Youth This Sunday!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday, May 14
Families will begin in the Sanctuary together, where Rev. Tricia will lead the Reflection for All Ages. Afterwards, children of all ages are invited to leave for Faith Development activities in the Community Room. The Nursery will also be open.
Family Faith Development Council - On Zoom!
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
Thursday, May 11, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The more hands, the better, as we chart the course ahead for Faith Development programming. Parents, teachers, and other members with interest in programming for children and youth meet to provide vision and form community! The particular goal of this meeting is planning for children to say goodbye to Rev. Tricia. Even if you have not attended before, we would love to hear from you. "Membership" in this council is casual and all are welcome to drop in. Join us on Zoom at this link.
DRUUMM Public Worship - Tonight 8 pm
Zoe Hart, Racial Justice Team
Each year in May DRUUMM hosts a public service, by and for BIPOC UUs and open to all. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience a UU service that centers BIPOC voices. This year's service is titled "Shine On Beautiful & Resilient People" and will take place tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern time. It is free and open to all, but you must register to attend.
Celebrate Rev. Tricia on Sunday, June 11!
Jonathan Sands, Transition Team
Join us in a celebration of Rev. Tricia’s ministry on Sunday, June 11, at 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The celebration will follow her final worship service as our Developmental Senior Minister. There will be songs, tributes, gifts, videos, and messages from special guests, as we give thanks for Rev. Tricia and her ministry. Childcare will be available during this time.
The celebration will culminate in a potluck picnic lunch on the front lawn, starting at 12:30 p.m. (In case of rain, the picnic will move to the Community Room.) Please click this link to sign up to bring something yummy for the potluck.
You are also invited to contribute to a special memory book for Rev. Tricia, by submitting a plain 4”x5” card (available in the Parlors or use one of your own) and dropping it in box in the Parlors or mailing it to FUUSB. (Please see the instructions on the requested format.)
We look forward to celebrating with you on June 11!
Bridging Sunday - May 21
Rev. David Ruffin, Suzie McCoy
Mark your calendars! Sunday, May 21 is "Bridging Sunday." We will be honoring our graduating high school seniors and their journeys to this moment within our community, ritually marking this passage of bridging from youth into young adulthood. This is a special tradition and special opportunity to show up as a community to see and celebrate our graduating youth.
If you're inspired and able to offer something a little extra special for a festive coffee hour reception to follow, we'd gratefully welcome such contributions. Please email member Suzie McCoy who is coordinating this. And if by any chance we've missed a graduating senior out there who would like to participate, it's not too late! Email David Ruffin ASAP!
Hope to see you there!
W3: UU History Workshop - Final Session
Rev. Peter Newport
Sunday, May 21, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
In 1897 Paul Gauguin, during his sojourn in Tahiti, painted a huge piece called Where did we come from? What are we? Where are we going? There’s also a hymn by that name in our hymn book. We sing it with some regularity. It has always puzzled me how we seem to enjoy its wan existential message, the more so since we do know where we come from, biologically, historically and theologically anyway; we are just careless with that memory, preferring instead a salutary narrative that hides more than it reveals.
Sessions one and two addressed the questions "Where did we come from?" and "Where are we going?" Join us for:
Session 3, Where Where Are We Going? We will be joined by Rev. Tricia as we learn how Unitarianism got to this continent; The First Great Awakening; the Antinomians and the Armenians; the 1805 Unitarian Controversy; and the formation of the American Unitarian Association in 1827.
Please find the full listing, registration and Zoom link here.
From the Ministerial Search Team
Peggy Owen Sands
With great joy and celebration, the members of First UU voted overwhelmingly to call Rev. Karen G. Johnston to be the next settled minister of the First UU Society!
The Ministerial Search Team would like to thank the Staff, the Board, and the Tech Team for helping to make Candidating Week and Sunday’s Special Meeting run so smoothly. We would also like to thank you, the First UU congregation, for engaging in the search process, coming to the services that Rev. Karen led, for voting so that we would know what the congregation wanted, and for trusting us as we selected Rev. Karen to be our candidate.
We are so honored that you all were part of the nomination process that drew our Ministerial Search Team together. We have grown as individuals and as a team and have learned much from each other and the search process. Thank you for this opportunity to be of service to this wonderful congregation.
Elmwood Snack Collection
Martha Molpus
Friends, our turn has come around again to provide snacks for our neighbors at Elmwood Community Shelter. We, together with seven other faith organizations, provide items such as bars, chips, fruit, etc. Whatever you call snack that doesn't require refrigeration would be welcome. These snacks are very much appreciated.
Our week to donate begins May 15, and we have begun collecting at the Meeting House. You can bring snacks to the service on May 14 for the Elmwood snack box, which will remain in the alcove for the week. If you like, you can take your snacks yourself to the center, on Elmwood Avenue, and staff can let you in.
Thank you for caring for our community!
Reparations... Truth in Reconciliation...
There's a Difference...
Zoe Hart, Racial Justice Team
Visit the Richard Kemp Center any Thursday this month at 6 p.m. and hear Vermont Racial Justice Alliance Executive Director Mark Hughes speak about reparations and truth in reconciliation. Want to go when there will be other UU's in the house? Join members of the Widening the Circle study group there on Thursday, May 18. Or go any other Thursday and bring a friend! The Racial Justice Team hopes to start (or maybe continue for some) a conversation about reparations later this spring. This talk at the Richard Kemp Center is a great chance to start learning and thinking about reparations.
Our Society Is a Fragrance-Free Zone
Sarah Forbes
In consideration of those who are sensitive to the chemicals in fragrances, our Society has been declared a fragrance-free zone. Please refrain from wearing perfumes or cologne, using fragrant flowers, smelly hand sanitizers and air fresheners. The chemicals in these items can affect anyone at any time, causing incapacitating and even disabling illness.
Who can be affected by these chemicals?
People with: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), migraines, Asthma, pregnant women and developing children, COPD or other breathing disorders, Emphysema, allergies, sinus headaches, Autoimmune Disorders (MS, Lupus and others), ADHD, Autism, respiratory infections or frequent colds, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and formerly healthy people who've been exposed to too many chemicals. Even You!
Thank you for caring for your fellow UU's!
Online Order of Service, Online Giving, & More
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
Just a quick reminder about the QR code labels inside our gray hymnals! The labels say, "Scan this QR code for access to the order of service, newcomer card, online giving, & pledge card." Scanning this code with your smartphone takes you to the Livestreamed Worship page on our website, which can also be found via this link: bit.ly/FUUSBWorship. The page also includes links to the livestreamed service, our YouTube channel, and more. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Upcoming Worship Services
May 21 at 10 am
Bridging Sunday
In-Person & Livestreamed Worship Service
Rev. Patricia Hart
with Rev. David Ruffin & Betsy Ferries
May 28 at 10 am
Memorial Day
Online Worship Service
Rev. Patricia Hart
Special pre-recorded service! We will not have in-person worship, so everyone can avoid the marathon street closings.