“Stone Soup: Multigenerational Celebration of Thanksgiving”
When it feels as though we’re living in a time of scarcity, how can we act from a place of abundance? When we believe we have nothing to give, could we really have more than we know?
Members of the congregation act out the traditional story of two strangers whose visit inspires the generosity of an entire village, who arrive empty-handed and yet leave the place richer when they go. Liz Jones writes in UUWorld, “The stone soup story isn’t about selfish people. It’s about people who thought they were powerless. It’s about people learning that they had something to offer that would feed themselves and each other.” Come be fed.
The FUUSB board of trustees would like to thank everyone who has completed the survey about FUUSB priorities that was sent out to the congregation. The survey is still open until Sunday, November 22 and we welcome your feedback. Click here for the survey: forms.gle/UFpcbTkPvhXdevfy5
The information gathered by the survey is another important step towards greater transparency of decision-making and input from our congregation.
On Tuesday, December 1 at 6 p.m., the board will be hosting a discussion via Zoom to share the input we received from the survey and further discuss ways in which we can harmonize our spiritual and financial priorities. This will be an opportunity to exchange information and ideas between all of us. Click here for the Zoom link: bit.ly/2TtY4SA
If you are unable to attend that meeting for any reason, or if you simply have questions about the meeting, please email the board at any time atboard@uusociety.org. I look forward to seeing many of you on December 1.
Dan House, FUUSB Board President
Autumn Auction & Wreath Sale!
I’m excited to let everyone know that we’ve had many more auction donations over the last week, so we’ve decided to leave the bidding for the auction open a couple more weeks. The official bidding deadline is now midnight, Friday, December 4. Please check out the new items up for auction.
CASH DONATION OPTION: If you want to support the FUUSB and the very important fundraising of the auction, but would rather not enter into the fray of bidding or donate an item, there is also a very simple cash donation option on the website. You can donate any amount you wish starting at $1, and the donation will go directly to supporting the work and mission of the FUUSB.
to see what is available in the auction, register as a bidder, or submit a cash donation. If you have questions, please email AutumnAuction@uusociety.org. Thank you for your support.
Our wreaths are beautiful, premium-quality and handmade in the Northeast Kingdom on the Michaud family farm. They measure about 24” wide and about 8" thick.
• Choose a custom-decorated wreath with natural materials and a bow. $25 each
• Choose a lush, premium-quality undecorated wreath with a bow. Decorate yourself or enjoy as is. $18 each
• Choose a gorgeous evergreen swag for your door. Swags include various greens, natural materials, cones and a bow. They measure 18"-24" long. $15 each
Pick-Up
Sunday, December 6 outside at FUUSB, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drive up, choose a wreath and drive away! If you miss the pre-order there most likely will be wreaths available for purchase and pick-up that day. Delivery can be arranged if you can't get to the UU.
Memorial Greens and Wreaths
Remember a loved one this year with a memorial wreath or greens which will decorate our exterior doors, some windows and the large wreath above the chancel during December. $15
Weekly and Monthly Vigils Suspended
Zoe Hart
Our weekly Love & Justice vigils and our first Sunday of the month anti-racism vigils are just two ways we live into our mission of caring for our community and acting for justice. Right now, the best way we can care for our community is by staying home and staying safe. In compliance with the latest guidelines from the Governor and the Vermont Dept. of Health, we are suspending both the Wednesday Love & Justice vigils and the monthly anti-racism vigils. We'll be back when it's safe to do so. Until then, take good care, friends.
Racial Justice Training
Zoe Hart
The Racial Justice Team is excited to offer REWIRE, a racial identity group for white people to unlearn racism. Participants explore racial identity formation and learn how to be effective allies for racial justice. The program consists of 8 facilitated sessions spread over 6-8 months.
REWIRE was designed by All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma to support white members of All Souls’ multicultural community to uncover, identify and “rewire” internalized white supremacy, both personally and systemically. Tulsa community members face both a particularly potent historyand present reality of systemic racism, and All Souls has been on its own particular journey of intercultural community building and racial justice work, after members of another, predominantly black, church community joined All Souls in 2008. With their willingness to share their REWIRE curriculum with us, we have an opportunity to benefit from all that they have learned on their journey.
To learn more about REWIRE and other Racial Justice Team offerings, visit our Racial Justice Resources page. Or if you’ve heard enough, visit our registration page to sign up. Registration is open until December 9 and the class can hold up to 16 people. Additional registrants will be put on a waiting list for a future FUUSB offering of REWIRE. To learn more about this year's Racial Justice Team goals and how this training and others fit into those goals, please read our article inthe most recent Steeple. Please join us as we strive to bring our vision of beloved community closer to reality.
Virtual Day After Thanksgiving Tea
Friday, November 27, 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Come with a favorite holiday beverage, leftover turkey sandwich, or pumpkin pie ~ Bring a favorite family recipe to share ~ Enjoy an opportunity to check in with UU friends the day after Thanksgiving, to share gratitude and memories, music, and reflections. Stay the whole time, or just drop in to say hello! Led by the Unitarian Church of Montpelier Membership & Hospitality Committee.Click Here to Join on Zoom!
Guide to Online Giving
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Many of you have been deciding to make your pledge and other gifts to the Society online. This is a wonderful idea that we support wholeheartedly. Giving online is safe and cuts down on administrative time processing checks. If you're considering this way of giving, but you're still a bit confused, here are the basics:
Where to set up your gift - If you are a member and have a Realm account, just log in to your account and click on Giving. From there you can either make a one-time gift or set up automatic payments. If you do not have a Realm account, you can make online gifts from our website: uusociety.org/donate.
How to make sure your gift is credited to the right fund - When you set up online giving, there are several funds to choose from. Please click here for a guide, and answers to frequently-asked questions!
If you ever have questions about online giving, please contact Christina at xina@uusociety.org. Thank you so much for your generosity and support of FUUSB!
Shopping Online
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
During this time of COVID many of us are shopping online more than ever. If you happen to shop online at Amazon, please consider switching to AmazonSmile and naming the First Unitarian Universalist Society as your charity. By doing so, FUUSB will receive a donation from Amazon every time you shop. Thank you.
Online Joys & Sorrows Form
An online Joys & Sorrows submission form is available at this link, and in each week's eNews (in the right margin). 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!
World AIDS Day Art Installation
Kelly Arbor, VT CARES
This year for World AIDS Day, Vermont CARES is hosting two pop-up art installations in Burlington; one along the fence line at the First UU Society on Pearl St. and one along the trees outside Dealer.com on Pine St.
Poster art submission info is in the attached poster. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m., Tuesday, November 24. Art will be displayed from December 1-15.