|
Sunday, December 16
at 9 and 11 a.m.
Worship Leaders:
Andrea Spencer-Linzie, Rev. Susan Milnor,
Rev. Andre Mol
Worship Associate:
Kristin Kany
Multigenerational Winter Solstice Service
Running beneath most winter holidays is the recognition of light and dark and the Earth's movement. The longest night, the return of light - this rhythm affects us deeply, and many cultures celebrate the turning point with story, song, and ritual. Join us for a multigenerational Winter Solstice Service.
|
Need Spiritual Support?
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
.
|
|
Visit the publication
archives on our website!
|
|
|
|
Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
|
|
Sunday, December 9 at 9 and 11 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Susan Milnor, Interim Senior Minister
Worship Associate: Judy Brook
"Questioning God"
Traditional understandings of the divine often leave us unmoved and spiritually wanting. Can we hold a sense of divinity that makes room for Mystery and acknowledges the sacred while allowing us room to breathe and think? Why do some people, even among Unitarian Universalists, need "God talk" while others don't? Is the most important question whether God exists - or not?
|
| Disaster Relief Collection |
|
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations and Finance
On
Sunday, December 9, half of our Loose Plate collection will be given to the UUA Disaster Relief Fund. Your donation to this fund will allow the UUA to respond flexibly to current disaster needs, like the California fires, and to new situations as they arise.
We know that long after the initial clean-up, real recovery can take months or years. The UUA stands with its congregations and is ready to provide assistance to help congregations in repairing any damage, and to support them in responding to the needs of their members and their community's efforts to get back on its feet.
The Disaster Relief Fund disburses grants to UU congregations and affiliated UU entities. Disaster relief grantees have reported feeling held in care and more connected to other UU congregations and to the UUA as a whole. So please come prepared to be generous. Donations may also be made anytime by going to their website:
https://giving.uua.org/disaster-aid.
|
| Potluck and Coffeehouse |
|
 Todd Schlossberg
Join Us for Good Food, Friendship and Music at the
December 8 FUUSB Potluck and Coffeehouse
Oh, the weather outside is frightful
So you deserve a night full
Of good food, friends, and music
(really, now, who couldn't use that?)
Good news - there's barely a wait:
On Saturday evening, December 8
Let's gather together, to eat and to 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, December 8, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Bring
: A potluck dish, a song, story or poem to perform, yourself
Questions?
Email Todd Schlossberg:
|
| Vigil to End Gun Violence |
|
As part of the nationwide vigils and events to end gun violence, a vigil will be held on
Tuesday, December 11 at 6 p.m. in the FUUSB Sanctuary. Organized by GunSense Vermont and co-sponsored by FUUSB's Gun Violence Task Force.
Please click here for the event poster.
|
| Service of Loss and Remembrance |
|
We will be gathering for a special Service of Loss and Remembrance on Wednesday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. to remember FUUSB members, personal friends or family whom we have recently lost.
This service for all ages will be led by Rev. Andre Mol, Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership, and will be supported by the Care Network and Pastoral Care Associate teams. We will create an altar of remembrance to which you are invited to bring a photo or memento of anyone you wish to honor.
Following this brief service, we will gather for refreshments. Please join us and share this news with others.
|
| Donations to Black Lives of UU |
|
Gabriel Ely, FUUSB Racial Justice Team Co-Lead
BLUU - Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism - was founded in 2015 out of the frustration of Black UUs at being silenced and marginalized for many years. BLUU works to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs, funded by resources promised but not delivered by the UUA in the past. This time, we're committed to keeping our promise.
In 2016 the UUA Board of Trustees committed $5 million to BLUU, including $1 million from UUA congregations, estimated to be $10 per member. FUUSB committed to raising our part by June 30, 2019.
UU donors, the Bradburds, have pledged matching funds and so has the Northern New England District, so that if FUUSB raises its $10 per member ($4700) for BLUU by June 30, that amount will be tripled. We have raised $2200, including a budget commitment of $1000.
Half of the loose plate for the service on Sunday, December 16 will go towards our $4700 goal.
|
| Holiday Plays and Pageants |
|
Two upcoming holiday services will offer the opportunity for children and families to be part of the action!
First, our multigenerational Solstice celebration on Sunday, December 16, at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services will include a lively solstice play in which all children who wish can participate, without any advance preparation.
Then our 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight serv
ice on Monday, December 24 is especially geared towards families with younger children.
Featuring our "no-rehearsal" Nativity Pageant, and filled with favorite carols, children are invited to leap into the roles of Angels, Shepherds, Animals, Wise Ones and more! There are enough parts and costumes for every child or adult who wants to participate!
We also need 4 or 5 adult pageant helpers. You will help put costumes on the children and point them in the right direction when it's their turn to enter the scene. Andrea will email you the script in advance, and ask you to arrive between 3:15 and 3:30. You will also help clear the chancel and sanctuary of pageant props and costumes and stow these away at the conclusion of the service, so that the 6:00 p.m. service is ready to go. Please let Andrea know if you can help out!
(
[email protected]
)
|
| From the Music Director Search Team |
|
The search committee has met several times now. We have hammered out the job description and a notice we can use to advertise the job, and will post it soon.
Before we can interview applicants, we need to hear your thoughts about the music program at First UU. We know the program needs to satisfy the diverse needs and tastes in our congregation, and each of you is part of that diversity.
Therefore, we will be hosting a listening session at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, December 23
. Please come and share what is important to you about the music program.
And don't hesitate to talk to us any time - We have light blue name tags so you can find us.
Steve Rainville, Mary Peabody, Priscilla Douglas, and Tom Hyde
|
| Christmas Eve Candlelighters/Ushers |
|
 Christina Fulton, Director of Operations and Finance
W
e are in need of volunteers to be Ushers and Candle Lighters for all three of our Christmas Eve services. There are openings for 8 people at the 4 and 6 p.m. services, and 6 people for the 8 p.m. service. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and be able to arrive 45 minutes prior to the service. Use this link to sign up:
If you have any questions, please contact Christina at
|
| Holiday Schedule for Worship Services |
|
Please note the following schedule for our worship services during the holiday season. We hope you will join us!
Monday, December 24: Christmas Eve Services at 4, 6, and 8 p.m.
4 p.m. - Multigenerational No-rehearsal Christmas Pageant
6 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Service of readings, carols, anthems, homily, and
candlelighting, with Rev. Susan Milnor, Rev. Andre Mol,
and Adult Choir
Sunday, December 30: One service at 11 a.m.
|
| Christmas Breakfast |
|
 Lynn Douglas
Every Christmas morning, UUs fill our Community Room with great food, warm conversation, and invited neighbors and friends.
Come for your 20th year or your first! It is a wonderful Christmas tradition and a terrific way to start your day. Remember, Christmas is a verb!
|
| Call for Family Ministry Volunteers! |
|
It's not too late to help grow souls this program year! There are still many opportunities to volunteer with our children and youth in our Family Ministry classes.
Whether you have taught a Religious Education class in the past or not, here is your opportunity to deepen your own faith while helping others form theirs. You do not have to be a parent to participate, and working with children and youth is a great way to strengthen the ties between younger families and the rest of our beloved community!
Our specific needs are:
9 a.m. Spirit Play (preschool-5th grade) Doorkeeper/Assistant - Block 3: 2/10, 2/17, 3/17, 3/24, 4/7, 4/14
11 a.m. Spirit Play (preschool-1st grade) Doorkeeper/Assistant - Block 2: 12/9, 1/6, 1/13, 1/27, 2/3
11 a.m.
Spirit Play (preschool-1st grade)
Storyteller/Lead teacher
- Block 4: 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 4/7, 4/14
11 a.m. Building Bridges (6th/7th grade) Assistant - We are looking for people to commit to at least 3 Sundays between 1/6 and 4/7; please contact Erika for exact dates.
Youth Group Advisor for high school-aged youth.
If you do not think that you can get involved with a teaching team this year, but you do want to help on occasion, we also need a list of people willing to assist with our multi-age Family Ministry Programming Sundays throughout the year.
If you have questions or if any of these opportunities to volunteer are a fit for you, please contact Erika Reif, Family Ministry Assistant at [email protected], or 862-5630, x34
|
| Help Lead Our Theme Circles |
|
Our Theme Circle program has become a vital way for members and friends of First UU to explore our monthly themes and deepen their connections with others. We are in need of new leaders for this program beginning in February, including new facilitators and a new coordinator.
Theme Circle Facilitators are each assigned a specific group on a specific day and time. They are responsible for convening their group and leading a structured discussion based on our monthly theme once a month for five months. All facilitators also meet separately as a group in the beginning of each month for training and support. Our facilitators find their role to be a valuable experience in creating shared spaces for listening and spiritual deepening.
Our Theme Circle Coordinator helps with advertising, registration and assigning registrants to sessions based on their preferences. The coordinator works closely with the facilitators in January, February, September and October to get Theme Circles running in both the spring and fall.
If you are interested in joining this leadership team, which plays a vital role in creating a space for belonging here at First UU, please reach out to Rev. Andre Mol, our Developmental Assistant Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership (
[email protected]
).
|
| Big Wreath for Sale! |
|
Gorgeous large evergreen wreath for sale!
A large wreath was mistakenly sent with our wreath order this year. It is 42" wide and sports a full red indoor/outdoor bow. It would look gorgeous on your home, garage or barn. It is a steal at $48. Pick up next Sunday or contact Sarah Forbes at 578-6119 to arrange another time. Please leave payment with Mary at the main office.
|
| Holiday Bazaar Thank You |
|
 Kim Watkin
Thank you to everyone who helped volunteer for the 86th Holiday Bazaar. You helped sort attic treasures, staff a table/room, cook soup and bake desserts, prepare sandwiches, serve lunch, decorate wreaths, and then clean up after a busy day! Everyone did their little part and we all helped our beloved FUUSB. See you next year!
|
| Giving Season for JUMP Isn't Over! |
|
 Ellen Wollensack
Thanks to our generous congregation, 78 bags of personal hygiene and household cleaning products were delivered to JUMP last month. The staff and volunteers at JUMP were ecstatic to see the volume of goods delivered by the dozen hearty souls from UU on a very frosty morning.
Those 78 bags were returned by the Thanksgiving service. We know that there are another 122 bags lurking out there that didn't get returned yet. If you are one of those people still "holding the bag," it's not too late for you to fill it! Here are a few suggestions for filling the bags this year:
- Decide how much you want to spend on a bag, even if it means not buying everything on the list.
- You can (or not) use the benchmark figure of $26 which is what the food bags used to cost.
- Go to the Dollar Store to shop economically.
- Buy 1 or more $10 gift cards for City Market.
- Skip the bag and write a check for an amount you would like to donate instead and make checks payable to JUMP.
If you decide to get the gift cards or write a check, you may send or give those items to Mary in the office. The bagged items can be returned to the Sanctuary where our JUMP elves will find them and bring them over to JUMP.
JUMP really depends on the generosity of our large congregation. Please help us by providing goods that the clients cannot get elsewhere. Thank you!
|
|
| |
|
