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Run for JUMP, Pop Up Ministry Fair, Toward a Just Economy

  
eNews

September 16, 2016
Latest News
Run For JUMP This Saturday!
Pop Up Ministry Fair
Meals on Wheels Volunteers Urgently Needed!
Toward a Just Economy
Calling All Goddesses!
New Business Office Hours
New UU Class October 15
Sept 18th: Teacher-Prep Day!
Big Blue Trunk
Big RE & Little RE
Still a few spots open for Children's RE stewards!
We Are Going!
UU Parent RE Orientation & Open House

 
"Said the river: imagine everything you can imagine, then keep on going." -  Mary Oliver

Breath of Fresh Air
    
 
 
 

 A new newsletter from
RE for UU families!
 
Upcoming Services
September 18- "Everyone's Ministry"- Rev. Mara

Worship Participants:
Ministerial Intern: Andre Mol 

Worship Associate: 
Judy Brook

Youth Group members: 
Wren House and Tatum MacBride

Music: Wayne Schneider, Keyboard

Adult Choir

One Service at 10:00 a.m.

How might we deepen our connection to this First UU community in the coming year? How can our faith community nourish our own spirits more deeply, and in turn, what "ministry" (or way of serving) might life be calling us into in the year to come? What piece of our collective shared ministry is meant to be yours? 


 
Important Dates
Sept 18  
Ministry Fair (after the service)

This is a chance to learn more about the wide variety of programs, activities and other opportunities for involvement here at the UU.  Leaders from each of our Ministry areas will be available to talk with you and answer any questions you may have.  Come find out what's happening and how you'd like to participate this year!  


Big Blue Trunk will be here for lots of fun before, during and after the service. There will also be quiet crafts and indoor games for children who prefer that.

RE Teacher Prep Day
Reminder that this coming Sunday features special events to orient, inform and support Children's RE volunteers in their plans for the year. 


September 20

"Toward a Just Economy"
7:00 p.m. at FUUSB



Sept 25

After children are sung from the sanctuary, we'll gather in the Community Room for a special Welcome to RE morning of creating a covenant, connecting and reconnecting with one another, and learning about our year ahead with some fun activities!

 

 
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Dear Ones,

There's something about this time of year -  if   I can pause amid the September hubbub - that reminds me of my (and our) deep and abiding connection to Life. I felt it last Sunday in the palpable energy and engagement of all-ages worship, and in a quieter way this morning, in the crisp, autumnal air. 

Last Sunday's Ingathering offered us a chance to connect and reconnect on several levels: with one another after the summer months, with new faces on our staff team, and with our larger community, as we sent forth our ideas to "love some Heaven into this world" this year and as several of us joyfully paraded up Church Street for Pride. 

This Sunday's service will invite each of us to consider how we might connect more deeply with our UU faith community in the coming year, and related, connect to our own unique "ministry." How can your engagement with First UU help fill your well this year? And in turn, what particular gift or passion do you have to offer through First UU's shared ministry? We'll engage these questions during worship - which will feature some youth reflections on their July service trip as well as the Adult Choir - and after, in a more tangible way during our pop-up 'Connect with UU Ministry Fair.' Immediately after the service, leaders of our various First UU ministries, programs, and leadership bodies will be on hand to help all of us get better connected. There will also be some special food for social hour on the front lawn (rain location: Parlors). 

For kids this Sunday, the Big Blue Truck will be on hand to engage and entertain, hopefully outside! (rain location: Community Room). And Martha Dallas will be orienting and training this year's Children's RE stewards before and after the service.

Look forward to connecting again this Sunday.

Much heart,

Rev. Mara


Run For JUMP This Saturday!
by Woody Fulton

Saturday, September 17 is the annual Run for Jump, starting at North Beach. This 5K run or 1K walk is open to all, kids included. A fun run in a great location along the bike path. If you are a runner come on out. If you don't run, please support us.

Runners and supporters can go to  www.jumpvt.org, click on Run for Jump on the right hand side, and follow the simple directions to lend your support to the First UU Supporters listed at the bottom of the registration page.

 
Pop Up Ministry Fair
by Nina Buss

On  Sunday Sept 18th  there will be a Ministry Fair in the Sanctuary immediately after the service.  This is a chance to learn more about the wide variety of programs, activities and other opportunities for involvement here at the UU.  Leaders from each of our Ministry areas will be available to talk with you, answer any questions you may have, and maybe even sign you up to participate!  Refreshments will be served out on the lawn if the weather cooperates (and in the Parlors otherwise). Come find out what's happening at the UU and then enjoy some treats while you catch up with other members you may not have seen for a while.
 
Meals on Wheels Volunteers Urgently Needed!
by Susan Alden

Our First UU Society is responsible for supplying 8 drivers and 8 "runners"  to deliver meals to the homebound each month, on the 1 st and 5 th Wednesdays, if there is a 5 th .

We need help between 9:50 am and ~ 11:45 am.  Please call Susan Alden with  questions and to volunteer, at 863 - 6585 or sbalden@burlingtontelecom.net.     

Our next dates for delivery are Oct 5, Nov 2 + 30.
You as a regular volunteer or sub, will be paired with someone who knows the  route in BTV and vicinity.  We start and end from the Meals kitchen at 3 Cathedral Square, off Cherry St.  
Students and neighbors who want to do some volunteer work are welcome. Please let me know.

Continued gratitude to our 'regulars', Jan Abbott, Barbie Alsop, Deanna Anderson, Adam Bortz, Rita Bortz, Chris Bullard, Mary Gade, Sue Golden, Barbara Heeter, Harriet Long, , Jeanne Lynch, Keith Morgan, Nick Nixon, Peg Twitchell, and former longtime volunteers,  Barbie Alsop, Pam MacPherson, Betty VanBuren, and the late Sara Mikell.

Thanks also to our "subs", Harris Abbott, Joanna Cole, Eva Diner, Phyllis Farrell, Stewart Graves, Linda Gross, Janice Lange, Christina Long, Bruce MacPherson, Suzie McCoy, Shirley McLane,  Aaron Schlossberg and Jonathan Stevens.


"Toward a Just Economy" This Tuesday!
by Gene Bergman 

The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington's
Economic Justice Task Force invites you to an evening discussion:
 
"Toward a Just Economy: A Framework for Progress"
with Vermont Interfaith Action, Public Assets Institute, and Rights & Democracy
 
 When: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
 
Where: First Unitarian Universalist Society Meeting House
152 Pearl St., Burlington (Top of Church St.)

The greatest defense of democracy is an informed and active citizenry.  In the face of growing inequality and cynicism, we are fortunate to have bold, brave people organizing for change. Please join us to discuss ideas to move us forward to a just society, ways to hold candidates and government officials accountable, and ideas you can act on during the next session of the Vermont Legislature, including the campaign for the $15/hour wage by 2020, paid family and medical leave, and a current services budget.
 
For more information: Gene Bergman, FUUSB Economic Justice Task Force, 802-658-6289, 

 
Calling All Goddesses!
by Suzie McCoy

I'm hosting a wonderful experiential presenter, Rev D'vorah Kelley, on  Saturday, October 1st  at UU. Please join me as we "Explore Our Ages and Stages Through the Four-Fold Goddess Archetypes: Maiden, Mother, Sovereign, Crone".

Rev. D'Vorah is a gifted facilitator of Women's Circles, and believes strongly in the power of the Circle to affect change in a woman's life. I met her two summers ago at Ferry Beach, Maine. 

Using poetry, writing, collage, meditation, various religious/spiritual insights as well as her own valuable insights and experiences, Rev D'Vorah will lead us in an exploration of the stages and ages of our lives, and, no matter what our age, claim our Wise Woman!

DETAILS:

When:  Saturday, October 1st
Time:  10am - 3 pm (bring a bag lunch) 
Where: First UU Burlington, 152 Pearl Street
Workshop fee: $45. Partial scholarship available.

More workshop details and info about D'Vorah can be found here:   http://www.revdvorah.com/aging-as-a-spiritual-journey.html

Please share this invitation with your friends!

Here's a testimonial from a woman who took her workshop:
D'Vorah Kelley's workshop," Aging as a Spiritual Journey", was a life-changer for me. I went home that weekend feeling joyful and hopeful and optimistic about the next stage in my life. D'Vorah doesn't so much lead a workshop as guide a group through a new experience. She's very willing to make changes to fit the needs of  the group; one of her guiding principles is that of letting go of expectations. The important thing about any of D'Vorah's offerings is that she listens, she really listens. - Sandy H. Andover, MA
Pre registration is helpful so we can plan accordingly. 


Feel free to email or call me with questions. I hope you can join us!

 
New Business Office Hours
by Christina Fulton

The Society has started new Business Office Hours:
 
Monday - Office Closed
Tuesday -  Friday - Office Open  9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Saturday - Office Closed
Sunday - Office Open  8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
 
Please note that "Business Office Hours" are when there will be someone seated in the main office near the Clarke Street entrance and will have the doors open to greet you.  Other staff members will each have their own posted "Office Hours" when you can expect to reach them at their desk.  If you are part of a group that has completed a "Blue Sheet" and received a confirmation from Bob, you can assume that there will be someone to let you into the building and to lock up afterward, even if that meeting is not during Business Office Hours.  If you are coming to meet with a specific staff member, please check their posted Office Hours on the website or call ahead to make an appointment. 
 
We understand that this may all seem rather complicated and appreciate your patience.  You see, it is rather complicated.  Our staff has grown.  We have some full-time staff and many part-time staff.  We all need to adjust our work schedules to accommodate many meetings both daytime and evening.  We all also need some uninterrupted work hours when we can concentrate on things like writing, planning, supervision, pastoral care and financial tasks.  So we will all do our best to keep you advised of our work schedules and have away messages on our voice mail and email when appropriate.  Thank you.

 
New UU Class October 15
by Nina Buss

Save the Date-New UU Class October 15th Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism?  Find out more about our own Burlington UU Congregation?  Meet other newcomers?  If so, please sign up for the New UU Class!  The class will be held October 15th  from  9am -12:30  here at the Meeting House.  There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the parlor or you may e-mail Nina Dahlstedt Buss at  nina@uusociety.org
 
Sept 18th: Teacher-Prep Day!
by Martha Dallas

Reminder that this  coming Sunday features special events to orient, inform and support Children's RE volunteers in their plans for the year. 

If you are a volunteer RE steward - new or returning, and especially if you're working with children - please join us!

8:15-9:45 - "Welcome to RE 2016-17!" Come learn about program updates, teacher-support initiatives and more! We'll have fun and connect with one another too. Refreshments and childcare provided.

11:15-1:00 - "RE Steward Team Time" This is largely a chance for teaching teams to meet, plan, and get organized together. It will also include training for our Spirit Play Storytellers and Doorkeepers. Refreshments and childcare provided.

Please RSVP to these events via this link   so we can prepare for you! Thanks, everyone, and I can't wait to see you and kick off this year together!

 
Big Blue Trunk joins us Sunday, Sept 18!
by Martha Dallas

This is fun stuff!!

Mike Randall and the Big Blue Trunk will be here from 8:15 AM - 1:00 PM on Sunday. With the assistance of childcare staff, they will provide fun games and play to kids while RE start-up events are happening for grownups, as well as during the grownup portion of worship. Here's how the morning, kid-wise, will go. 
  • 8:15: Big Blue Trunk is open for business during the "Welcome To RE 2016-17" RE Steward event. Please sign your children in with childcare staff whenever you arrive. 
  • 10:00: Parents, please sign children out of Big Blue Trunk/childcare when you gather them to come to worship. 
  • 10:15ish: we sing children from the sanctuary. They can choose to join Big Blue Trunk (sign in, please) or do some quiet activities with me and volunteers.
  • 11:00 worship ends and parents may sign kids out of activities.
  • 11:15-11:30 gathering for RE Steward Team time, during which new children may be signed in to Big Blue Trunk for supervised fun until 1:00.

 
Big RE & Little RE
by Martha Dallas

Families, I wanted to give you a head's up that registration this year is unusually unbalanced between the 9:00 and 11:00 services (which, by the way, resume on Oct. 2). This, I've learned from DRE colleagues, is not unusual. It's normal, when you offer two services, to periodically experience a great slide of humanity from one service to the other.

At first UU, with the exception of our sought-after OWL class, we don't cap our classes, so a natural ebbing and flowing of our people occurs, with an occasional  great migration.

What, then, can you expect?

At 9:00, it will feel quieter and smaller than it recently was. In fact, our current needs will be served with one multi-age group or children. By contrast, a t 11:00, it will feel louder and bigger than it recently was! 

I invite families to see what feels right; what suits their Sunday biorhythms and also what size and energy-level matches your needs. You may register your child for groups at both times and feel them out, though I strongly urge you to choose one place to ultimately roost, so that you and your family can build community there.

I welcome your questions and comments about this as we head into our new year together!

 
Still a few spots open for Children's RE stewards!
by Martha Dallas

Joining another adult alongside a group of children for several Sundays can provide a focused, refreshing and precious window into Unitarian Universalism.

Might you be called to serve the future of liberal religious education? 

If so, then you've made this DRE smile!

Fill out our little online form indicating your preferences and limitations and I'll be back in touch with you about possibilities!


 
We Are Going! ... a NEW monthly for UU families!
by Martha Dallas

I look forward to nurturing and supporting our parents and families through this new monthly email. It will feature:
  • program highlights 
  • monthly theme tie-ins
  • deeper, reflective content
  • "Full Week Faith" ideas: UUism Monday-Saturday
  • resources for UU parents of infants - teenagers
 
UU Parent RE Orientation & Open House
by Martha Dallas

Come learn about our programs and where your children fit in! 

I'll provide a general overview, followed by open classrooms where you can meet teachers and learn about program plans for the year. 

WHEN:  Sunday, Sept. 25 from  8:30-9:45

Please RSVP here    and thanks!