Guest Preacher:
Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long
Worship Associate:
Melinda Lee
Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long is a mom of two and the lead minister at the UU Society of Fairhaven, MA. She has been a public school teacher and a homeschooler. She also identifies, usually fairly fondly, as a non- practicing lawyer. This is her third summer visit to us as a guest preacher.
August 25 at 10 a.m.
Worship Leader:
Rev. Tricia Hart, Developmental Senior Minister
Worship Associate:
Doug Facey
"Beginning, Again"
Life has a way of circling us around to new things, or old things with a different appearance, again and again. We get lots of practice, when we're lucky, in figuring out what matters most. In this first worship service of her developmental ministry here in Burlington, Rev. Tricia will share some thoughts on the gifts and lessons of beginnings (and endings).
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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
.
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Visit the publication
archives on our website!
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| Greetings from Rev. Tricia! |
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Rev. Tricia Hart, Developmental Senior Minister
Hello! I am so glad to be finally here, and to begin our work together in this four-year developmental ministry at FUUSB. Peter and I are mostly moved into our new condo in Williston, and with lots of help from your wonderful staff I am getting settled into the Minister's office and learning about the building. Over the next several weeks, I'll begin getting to know this congregation by getting to know some of you: I will be at the service on Sundays - preaching for the first time on August 25 - and my calendar is filling up with meetings with staff and lay leaders. If you would like to come in and have a conversation over a cup of tea to fill me in on more of the story, please send an email to
[email protected]
and we will set a time to do that.
See you soon!
- Rev. Tricia
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Join Us for Worship This Sunday!
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Sunday, August 11 at 10 a.m.
Guest Preacher:
David Ruffin
Worship Associate: Maeve McBride
"Soul in the Pulpit"
Addressing a graduating class of Unitarian ministers-to-be, Ralph Waldo Emerson told them that the medicine the waning church of their day needed was first
soul, second
soul, and thirdly...
Soul! If ever there was a UU Gospel that I tried to live as a young minister, it was that. I soon realized, though, that my soul had other ideas about how it wanted to be shared in this lifetime. Two and a half years ago it asked me to let go of everything I was sure I was meant to be doing, including ministry, and to
listen anew.
In a dominant culture which assigns value by what we do and/or produce, and in a time in which the house we live in (be it planet or country, etc.) feels as if it is on fire, stepping away from leadership and action and into a liminal space of listening felt, and still feels,
vulnerable. Such vulnerability is, of course, one of the essential ingredients of soul work, but that doesn't make it feel less so. Yet nothing has taught me more about unconditional love or made more space for growth in my life as this yes to soul.
This Sunday I'll share some of my story and my learnings on this path. I'm imagining, as I do, that you, too, as individuals and/or as a community, are in conversation in some way with the call to let go of pressing plans and actions and listen to soul more deeply. Together perhaps we can ask if we love ourselves enough to actually give soul the "pulpit."
David Ruffin is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, artist and educator who came to Vermont for a sabbatical time of renewal, exploration and discernment two years ago and... hasn't been able to leave since. Early in his ministry he founded the alternative spiritual community, The Sanctuary Boston, a home for young adults and others who often don't feel at home in more traditional church environments. He also then served for two and a half years as the Assistant Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK. Prior to ministry, David worked as an actor and singer based in New York City and still takes great joy in making music and art. Since coming to Vermont, David has dived into the worlds of sustainable agriculture, nature connection and outdoor education, including working with the Metta Earth Institute in Lincoln, VT and Crows Path's Field School here in Burlington on the beautiful land of Rock Point.
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Warm Welcome!
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 Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Hiring committees for two recently filled positions here at First UU were blown away by the quality of applications we received! We feel very fortunate to announce that Margo Whitcomb, who came highly recommended by my Montpelier UU counterpart, will be joining us as Faith Development assistant, starting in mid-August. While long-term member Gabriel Ely, having been involved with our youth group as a youth and as a parent, will start at the end of August as our Youth Coordinator, bringing along stellar organizational skills, experience as an educator and a passion for social justice work.
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Potluck and Coffeehouse
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 Todd Schlossberg
Join Us for Good Food, Friendship and Music at
the Saturday, August 10 Potluck and Coffeehouse!
The lake level's dropped, and revealed sandy beaches
And we savor the taste of sweet berries and peaches
Come gather 'round friends, and join us again
For our potluck and coffeehouse, on August 10
We share a good meal, right about six
You don't need to hassle, just add to the mix
Bring a hot dish, a salad, dessert, or a 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, I don't think we embellish
Truth be told, there's not much, that you must do
Apart from this one thing: that is, 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, August 10, 6-8:30 p.m.
Bring
: A potluck dish, a song, story or poem to perform, yourself
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Hosting the UVM Service TREK Program
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 David McFeeters, Facilities Manager
I would like to welcome the UVM TREK students who we will be hosting here at the Meeting House from Satuday, August 17 until Thursday, August 22. The Community Room will be their home base as they help various Burlington community organizations, including ours. They will be working to scrape paint from our historic black fence that borders the south and east sides of our property, in preparation for repainting. Here is a description of the TREK
program in their own words:
UVM Service TREK: Better Burlington
The UVM Service TREK program started in 1992 as a way to encourage incoming students to familiarize themselves and engage with the Vermont community. Service TREK now sends out six different groups of eight incoming students with two upperclassmen leaders to do service around the state, and each of these trips has a theme or issue area that they focus their service around. The Better Burlington group has continued to focus on projects with community partners in Burlington. This year the group will be working with the Committee on Temporary Shelter, the UVM Office of Student and Community Relations, Essex Community Health Initiatives & Programs for Students (CHIPS), the Howard Center, and with the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington!
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Back to School Basics for Caregivers of Trans Youth
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 Mara Iverson, Outright VT Director of Education
Outright VT in partnership with the UVM Children's Hospital Trans Youth Program, are excited to offer: Back to School Basics for Caregivers of Trans Youth
Join us at Outright VT in Burlington, Wednesday, August 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. for a discussion on how to prepare for the new school year if you're introducing a new identity or starting at a new school. Learn about name changes in school information systems, tactics for getting teachers to use correct pronouns, and much more.
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VIA Statewide Convention
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 Debbie Ingram, VIA Executive Director
Join us on Friday, August 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of the Angels (43 Hebard Hill Road) in Randolph for the fourth annual Vermont Interfaith Action Statewide Convention. We will hear reports from our working groups on issues like immigration, the moral economy, and affordable housing, and our keynote speaker will be former Rep. Kiah Morris, addressing the topic of the intersection of race and class in social justice. The day will also include remarks from Faith In Action National Network's Executive Director, Rev. Alvin Herring, time to talk with new friends from around the state, an interfaith worship service, and a light breakfast and lunch. To register, look for the link online at www.viavt.org or contact Ann at [email protected] or (802) 651-8889. Cost per person: $20, but no one will be turned away for lack of payment.
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Solidarity Bike Tour for Immigrant Justice
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Debbie Ingram, VIA Executive Director
Frustrated at what's happening at our borders but not sure what to do? Vermont Interfaith Action is sponsoring a Solidarity Bike Tour from Wednesday, August 21 to Saturday, August 24 - 160 miles total from Montpelier to Dover, NH. The ride ends in a 5-mile walk to the Strafford County Jail in Dover. Walkers may join us for the last few miles of the journey. Immigrants arrested by ICE and awaiting deportation are held at this jail. Cyclists will ride 40-50 miles each day, stopping in towns along the way and staying at supportive faith communities in the evenings. Every morning will begin with an overview of the route and a time of reflection on what our migrant neighbors are facing. In the evenings we will hold educational or prayerful discussions open to the public. For more information, contact [email protected]. To register go to www.viavt.org.
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| Run for JUMP on September 21 |
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Wanda Hines, JUMP Director
Join us for the annual Run or Walk for JUMP on September 21 at 10 am *Register 9am*
The event includes an open 5K Run, a 1K Run for kids under 14, and a 1K Walk at North Beach (60 Institute Rd) in Burlington with FREE PARKING. This welcoming, flat course offers beautiful views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Participants can run or walk and fundraise, fundraise only, or just run or walk. This is a fun event for the whole family with many raffle prizes and refreshments!
About JUMP's Work in Vermont:
Celebrating over 30 years, JUMP, the Joint Urban Ministry Project, has a dedicated history of helping to meet critical needs for families and individuals living in poverty throughout Chittenden County and Vermont. Thanks to the generosity of more than 28 area faith communities, many individuals, businesses and foundations, JUMP is a reliable source of assistance year-round.
Focused on the future... You can Walk, Run, or make a donation TODAY in support of RUN for JUMP. Please mail a check to JUMP (38 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT 05401) or donate online at: www.jumpvt.org
Thus far, the event is made possible by underwriter NBT Bank and sponsors City Market and J & M Groceries. Also made possible by the supporters of great prizes and raffle prizes for many of our participants.
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| Steeple Newsletter Submissions |
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 Mary Williams, Society Administrator
The next issue of FUUSB's congregational newsletter, the Steeple, will be published the second week of September. The deadline for article submissions is August 26.
Steeple Article Guidelines:
Length: 200-400 words
Content: Big picture/goals-related, or the story behind your FUUSB project or topic; can include photos.
Send to: [email protected]
For more information about the Steeple and our other newsletters, please visit our website at:
uusociety.org/spiritual-growth/stay-connected/
If you would like to write an article for the Steeple or have questions, please let Mary know at
[email protected]. Thank you!
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| Summer eNews Schedule |
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The next issue of the
eNews will be published on
August 22.
Beginning in September we will return to our weekly schedule.
To submit an announcement, please send to
[email protected]
by Monday of the week you want it published.
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