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eNews

October 19, 2017
Latest News
Join Us for Worship This Sunday
Fire Drill on October 22
Religious Education Class Schedule
OWL Schedule Change
Mother Up! Gathering Today
Small Group Ministry
Community Chorus Starting Soon
New UU Getting Acquainted Class
Book Group Gathering
Update From the Care Network Team
In Memoriam
New Safety Team Members
 
 
 
Upcoming Services
Sunday, October 29,
9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
 
"General Assembly 2017: Resist and Rejoice"
 
General Assembly (GA) is the time each year when thousands of UUs come together from all over the U.S. We come together to worship, to sing, to learn, to make connections. This year, in New Orleans, the theme was Resist and Rejoice, and  over 4,000 UUs came to do just that, including 28 people from our congregation. We elected a new UUA president. Throughout GA, the work against white supremacy and for racial justice within the UUA were the predominant themes in workshops, reports, and business items. GA is our connection to the wider UU universe, a time of inspiration that is infectious. We want to try to share that excitement with you, and to do that we will learn a few new songs and share video clips, including a piece from our own Rev. Mara's Sunday service.
 
Worship Team: 
Gene Bergman
Wendy Coe
Woody Fulton
Zoe Hart
Rodney Lowe
Sally Russell 


 
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Join Us for Worship This Week
Sunday, October 22 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Rev. Phyllis B. O'Connell, Sabbatical Minister
 
"Personal Reflections on Retirement and Aging"
It is Benjamin Franklin to whom this quote is attributed: "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." True enough. And for most of us, right next to these two certainties come the likely certainties of retirement and aging. This sermon is a personal firsthand reflection on both.
 
Worship Associate: Rebecca Gurney 
 
Fire Drill on October 22
Bob Furrer, Facilities Manager
fire alarm

Drill Time! Fire Drill, that is! On Sunday, October  2 2,there will be a fire drill at the close of both services. As many of you know, the FUUSB has been staging drills for many years as a proactive and educational means to prepare ourselves in the event of an actual fire. When the alarm sounds at the close of each service, there will be a prerecorded message broadcast throughout the Meeting House prompting immediate evacuation. There will also be instructions included within the order of service that should be reviewed by attendees prior to the alarm. The same instructions can be viewed by clicking here. It's my hope that everyone cooperates to their fullest ability, so the exercise can result in an efficient and constructive way to better prepare ourselves for the event of an actual fire.
 
Religious Education Class Schedule
Martha Dallas, Director of Religious Education

Upcoming Sundays for prescho ol through 7th grade: kids_parents_handprint.jpg
 
October 22:  Classroom Sunday - fire drill today
October 29: Classroom Sunday
November 5: Classroom Sunday
November 12: Scheduled Classroom Sunday is replaced by special surprise activities for Martha's Goodbye Party. RE families and stewards will receive details on October 22.

OWL Class Schedule Change
Martha Dallas

Reminder: No 8th grade OWL class on October 22.
Class resumes on October 29. 

Mother Up! Gathering Today
Rachel Schek

If you are a parent concerned about climate justice but not sure how to make space for it around work emails, the laundry pile, and the grocery list, then Mother Up! is the place for you.  Mother Up! is a program of 350VT bringing families  together  to talk about the tough realities of climate change and participate in the transition to a healthier and safer world.  

We're collaborating with FUUSB to host monthly gatherings for families to learn about and act on climate justice concerns. Join us today, October 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room. A simple vegetarian (vegan option) dinner for all ages will be included. Childcare is provided for young children in the nursery. 

RSVP (appreciated, but not required) to 
rmschek@gmail.comPlease use our  Facebook event  to invite friends!
 
Small Group Ministry
Hope Baker-Carr

Curious about Small Group Ministry?
Small Group Ministry Groups are groups of six to ten UU members or friends who meet twice a month on an ongoing basis. A lay leader helps structure the opening and closing of the meeting and sometimes provides a topic or set of questions for discussion. All members have the opportunity to express thoughts or feelings while the rest of the group listens. Most participants find that the groups are a great way to expand friendship within the Society, creating a greater sense of closeness and connection. The groups also provide a way for members to "minister" each other, offering care and concern, and putting into action our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of each human being. Small Group Ministry groups provide a great way for newcomers to feel engaged with others or for established members to expand their network or begin to explore deeper questions about the meaning and/or purpose of our lives.

Our Society currently has nine Small Groups, some of which have openings. New groups can also be created as needed. There is no set time to join Small Group Ministry, though new groups tend to form in the fall.

To learn more about Small Group Ministry or current openings in groups:
1. Look for the Small Group Ministry sign in the Parlor, before and after the service, on the following Sundays: October 22 and 29, and November 5;
2. Check the poster on the bulletin board in the foyer; and/or
3. Email Hope Baker-Carr, Coordinator of Small Group Ministry at smallgroupministry@uusociety.org.
 
FUUSB Community Chorus Starting Soon
The first rehearsal of the new Community Chorus will be on  Wednesday, November 1  from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. in the Parlors. All are welcome!  Click here for all the details!

Please contact Jennifer Carpenter, Music Director, with questions at  jennifer@uusociety.org.
 
New UU Getting Acquainted Class
Nina Dahlstedt Buss, Membership Coordinator

Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism? Find out about some of our activities? Meet other newcomers? If so, please come to the new UU Getting Acquaited class. This class will be held on November 5 from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the Susan B. Anthony Room (upstairs). RSVP is helpful but not required. Contact Nina Dahlstedt Buss at nina@uusociety.org with questions or to RSVP.
 
Book Group Gathering
pile_of_old_books.jpg
Barbara Doody

The FUUSB Book Group will meet on Tuesday, November 14 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the Susan B. Anthony Room. We will be discussing a book by a local author: An Address in Amsterdam by Mary Dingee Fillmore. The book is a compelling historical novel about a young Jewish woman who joins the resistance during World War II. All are welcome to join us!

Update From the Care Network Team
It's easier than ever to offer care to members of our beloved community who are in need. All active requests can be accessed from one place: The First Unitarian Universalist Society homepage and scroll down just a little. This same link is also on the Society Facebook page. 

There are two families needing meal help:
Miriam (Tammy) Strauss
Kathy Bonilla

There are two members needing rides:
Jill Allen
Abby Kirk

Please consider how you can help, and thanks for sharing the care!

On behalf of the Care Network,
Sarah Weber
 
In Memoriam
Longtime member, Mary Jane Gentry, died peacefully on October 4, 2017. A Celebration of Mary Jane's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017, at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne, Vermont. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Jane's family and friends in this difficult time.


Meet Our New Safety Team Members
Martha Dallas

In case you missed last week's eNews:

The Safety Team develops and supports the implementation of our Safe Congregation Policies. One role of the team is to be a congregational resource and sounding board, so I'm pleased to announce our two new members: Mike Nichols and Lisa Lax.

Mike joined the First UU Society in 2010 where he has been involved in the RE Program and is a trained OWL Facilitator. He is currently helping to lead the 8th grade OWL class. He is a spiritual introvert who continues to be transformed through ever deeper immersion in the solitary meditation practices of Buddhism. He is a clinical social worker who works full time as a crisis clinician at the Howard Center and is also involved in Team Two, a statewide training curriculum where law enforcement and mental health crisis workers train together to strengthen collaboration in responding to a mental health crisis. Originally from Delaware, Mike moved to Vermont for college where he studied Transpersonal Psychology at Burlington College and Social Work at UVM. Mike's 12-year-old son, Gabe, is currently in the RE Program for 6th graders.  

Lisa has been a member of the First UU Society since 2001. At the Society she has been a volunteer parent in RE, a theme circle facilitator, waitstaff for the Christmas breakfast and has helped with other miscellaneous activities. Her work as a professional social worker has included managing a child welfare education project at UVM and administering a district office for the Department for Children and Families. She currently works for Invest EAP as a clinical coordinator and counselor. She is the mom of two adult children.