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January 10, 2019
Latest News
Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
Transition Workshop This Sunday
Potluck and Coffeehouse
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance
Offices Closed on January 21
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
From the Music Director Search Team
Stewardship Consultation Weekend - Thank You!
Electoral Justice Initiative
Inclement Weather/Emergency Cancellations
 




New to First UU?  Register for one of our upcoming New UU Orientation Sessions




Upcoming Service
Join us for worship on Sunday, January 20 at 
9 and 11 a.m.

Worship Leader:
Rev. Susan Milnor

Worship Associate: 
Kristin Kany

 



 

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If you think you may need spiritual support for anything that touches a tender spot in your spirit, please call our 
Spiritual Support Line  
at ( 802) 870-0447 .





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Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
Sunday, January 13 at 9 and 11 a.m.
 
Worship Leader:  Rev. Andre Mol, 
Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership

Worship Associate: Judy Brook

"Forming Each Other"
Many people today identify as "spiritual but not religious." This suggests a sense of individual spiritual exploration separate from community. Yet, as members of a congregation, we have not abandoned the value of accompanying each other on our individual spiritual journeys. When we gather as a congregation, we affirm the power and possibility of community in our spiritual lives. Rev. Andre considers the transformative power we have to shape each other as they reflect on their ministry at FUUSB, which winds down over the next six months.

Transition Workshop This Sunday
If you have not already attended a Transition Team Workshop...

The Transition Team will again be holding a Transition Workshop to reflect on where the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington is just now. This session will be held this  Sunday, January 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

The past year has been a time of much change at the First UU Society. In truth, most of us don't like change unless it is change we particularly seek. When it happens, though, what falls within our power is how we respond and adapt, whether we use it as an opportunity to grow. If we do, that's a creative transition.

This workshop is the same as the workshops held in early December. It is designed to lay the groundwork for important decisions this congregation must make.  Participants will work in small groups to reflect on a short series of questions. The point is to understand better both the strengths of this community and the challenges it faces.

Bagels and light snacks to be provided, along with childcare. Please RSVP as directed below, including whether you will need childcare. I look forward to seeing you. 

Blessings,
Rev. Susan

Please RSVP at this link: 

Potluck and Coffeehouse This Saturday
Todd Schlossberg

Join Us for Good Food, Friendship and Music at the  January 12 FUUSB Potluck and Coffeehouse
 
Good riddance, at last to 2018
It was rough, and gnarly, and mean
So as we look forward to this spin 'round the sun
Let's gather for food, and music, and fun
 
Join us, dear friends, on Saturday night
As we welcome the gradual return of the light
We'll eat, tell stories, laugh, and sing 
At our monthly UU coffeehouse thing
 
We start with a potluck, right about six
You don't have to hassle, don't get in a fix
Bring a hot entrée, a salad or stew
If you can, something yummy, to nourish a few
 
Sign up, if you're psyched, for the open mic
Or sit back and listen, if that's what you'd like 
Share a poem, a story, a solo, or song
Tap your feet, clap your hands, or perhaps hum along
 
All ages are welcome, all talents are relished
It's a pretty sweet scene, don't think I embellish
There's really not much, that you must do
Just one thing's important, and that's to bring you!
 
What : Our Monthly FUUSB Potluck and Coffeehouse
Who : Everyone! Friends and family  welcome
Where : The Parlors, First UU Society of Burlington
When : Saturday, January 12, 6-8:30 p.m.
Bring : A potluck dish, a song, story or poem to perform, yourself
Questions?  email Todd Schlossberg: 

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance
Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center presents:

Annual Burlington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance

Sunday, January 20 , 3:00 p.m.
First Unitarian Universalist Society

Free tickets available at Fletcher Free Library,  Peace and Justice Center,  and City Market.

In addition, on  January 19 the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert will be held at the First Congregational Church. Please click here for details.
 
FUUSB Offices Closed on January 21

Opportunities - add to your calendar or click for the monthly web calendarThe  Society offices will be closed on Monday, January 21 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 


Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
Sarah Russell

No this is not a baking session, read on........

Sundays: January 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24
12:30-2:30 p.m.

TOTAL OF FIVE Sessions - If you can only make 4 out of 5 you can still sign up!  Held at FUUSB - 152 Church Street, Burlington. 

"Cakes for the Queen of Heaven" is a female honoring adult RE curriculum by Rev. Shirley Ranck.  Join Sara Everest and Sarah Russell in examination of pre-Judeo Christian cultures that may have worshiped the female as divine.

If interested please call or email: 
Sara at 802-881-6682 or  sara.everest@gmail.com 
OR Sarah at 617-838-5160 or sally_russell@yahoo.com

Here is a link to the website for more information:

From the Music Director Search Team
We have held meetings with members of the choir and with the congregation to hear what is important to people about the music program at the Society. We learned a lot, and we will keep it in mind as we interview candidates. If you weren't able to attend one of the meetings, or have more to say, please seek us out.

Christina has posted our job announcement with several organizations specific to musicians and choral directors both local and national, on our Facebook and web page, on the UUA website, and with an online employment site. You can see the posting on our website by scrolling down to the bottom of the home page and clicking Are You Awesome

Applications have started to come in! We will be setting up preliminary interviews, and will keep you posted as the process unfolds.

Stephen Rainville, Mary Peabody, Priscilla Douglas, and Tom Hyde

Stewardship Consultation Weekend - Thank You!!
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Mark Ewert from "Stewardship for Us" visited last weekend to learn about our history, strengths, challenges, opportunities and culture in order to make recommendations that will help our congregation move into the future with discernment and intention. He met with many groups and individuals to gather information about our values, history and vision for the future. Mark will be providing a formal report within the next few weeks, but expressed how impressed he was with our congregation. He was struck by the care we've taken stewarding our historic building, the strength and commitment of our community, and our faith in each other and in our future. He also notes the challenges that we have with our current financial situation and our annual giving levels and will be providing recommendations soon. We apologize that the full schedule wasn't finalized in time to publish it. Thanks so much to the lay leaders who attended the designated committee sessions and to the multitude of members who came to the open luncheon to share their thoughts.

- Your Board of Trustees and your Stewardship Team
 
Electoral Justice Initiative at FUUSB
Image credit: 2011 Michael Fleshman, December 10 march for voting rights
Jud Lawrie

IS DEMOCRACY DYING?  This was the central theme of a recent issue of the Atlantic magazine. IMO the jury is out. Clearly, democracy is being seriously challenged on many fronts, political, economic and social. Not just in this country but around the world. This is what has motivated me to propose an Electoral Justice initiative here at First UU.

The primary purpose of this initiative will be to address key issues of electoral justice in our community, our state, and our country. Our social justice problems are in large part caused or allowed by the people we elect. In turn, the people we elect are in large part selected, elected, and controlled by the special interests. So, if we are to make significant progress against the various social injustices, we must regain control of the electoral process! Our democracy is at risk!

We plan to work with UUA as well as others with similar interests. As UUA has recently stated:

One of the fundamental principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is the use of the democratic process. As an expression of our faith, many Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations engage in voter registration, election reform, and protecting voting rights and democracy.

If you want to get involved, please contact me ( jud@lawrie.com , or 802-488-5792).
 
Inclement Weather/Emergency Cancellation Protocol
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations and Finance

It is the time of year when weather and health emergencies often occur. We strongly encourage members and friends of FUUSB to think carefully before venturing out in such an emergency. If you are ill, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you believe that the roads are unsafe, please stay home. Your safety is the most important thing. If Sunday worship services need to be cancelled for any reason, the staff will implement their Procedure for Emergency Cancellation of Services. This procedure, in short, is as follows:
  1. The Senior Minister and/or the Director of Operations will make the final decision to cancel.
  2. Once the decision has been made, the Director of Operations will contact all other staff members to notify them of the decision.
  3. The Director of Operations will insure that the Society voicemail message is changed to reflect the cancellation, the congregation is sent an email informing them of the cancellation, notices will be posted on the Facebook page, Facebook group and website, and a notice will be sent to WCAX.
  4. Every attempt will be made to put a sign on the door of the Meeting House.
In the case of a meeting or event cancellation at a time other than Sunday morning worship:
  1. If you are responsible for cancelling a meeting or event, please notify the office as early as possible. We suggest cancelling no later than 3 p.m. for an evening meeting. Also attempt to contact all people who are scheduled to attend your meeting or event via phone or email.
  2. When notified of a cancellation, the Society will put a sign on the door notifying people of the cancellation, put a notice in the Facebook group and in the News section of our homepage.
  3. If the decision is made to close the Meeting House offices, we will contact all groups with events scheduled for that day. We will also put a notice in the Facebook group and in the News section of our homepage.