Dear First UU Parents,

I hope that by now most of you are aware that I am soon to embark on a sabbatical. If you’re not familiar with the term, or not familiar with it in this context, a sabbatical is a form of extended leave meant to create space for deeper professional development and renewal than is possible during the pace of the normal congregational year. Like many UU congregations, First UU Society believes that when religious professionals are periodically given time to spend in study, reflection, and spiritual renewal, they will return better able to serve their congregations. I certainly feel lucky to have this chance to refresh! 

For practical reasons, the sabbatical will be divided into two chunks, the first of which will be from mid-May to mid-August, so less than two months away. Because most of our programs for children pause during the summer, I think the obvious effects of my absence will be minimal; it will be, perhaps, a good test-run before the second chunk that comes in November, when our programs are in full swing.

While we won’t be hiring a substitute for my role during this first chunk, our incredible Family Programs Assistant, Mo Singleterry, will be here, continuing our shared work. 

We have many exciting things planned both before and after my departure! Find more information below about tonight's game night, the Annual Campout, and our plans for Easter.

Also in the works are plans for a Day of Fun and Service for 8th-12th graders on the afternoon of April 19th, which will hopefully include some much-needed paint being applied to our meeting House fence! More details are coming! 

If at all possible, please plan to be here for the service on May 3, a service that will include the participation of all three exploration groups. Members of the Crossing Paths and Yuuth groups will be asked to arrive early. We are excited to have a children’s choir for the first time in many years, who will be singing that morning; here will be a Bridging Ceremony to celebrate the two high school seniors becoming young adults, and In general, the children of our congregation will be centered in this multigenerational worship service. The working name is “Faith Development Sunday”, though we may try to find something snazzier to call it!

This Sunday's activities for children and youth will be led by our Music Director, Liam Hart and our volunteer Children's Choir director, Sarah Showalter. Their will be lots of singing, partly in preparation for May 3rd, but mostly just because singing is a fun and a wonderful way to to be in community with each other.

Thank you for your continued participation in the life of this vibrant community and Hope to see you Sunday!

Erika

Friday March 27, 5-8 pm

This is an event for all ages, not just families with kids, but we sure hope some of you will come have fun with us! We have lots of games at the ready, but feel free to bring the one you want to play.

You can plan to play with your children or encourage them to play with childcare staff while you try out a game with an older crowd. Make it what you want!

We'll have a "no-stress" potluck; you can wow us with your culinary skills or pick up a loaf of bread and a tub of hummus from the market. The point is to have fun together and not go hungry. We'll have coffee, decaf and tea available, dishes and utensils.

Come for a little bit or stay the whole time. Come ready to make new friends and reconnect with the old!

Just a quick note about Sunday morning childcare for our littlest UUs: We are so sorry that we haven't been able to staff the Nursery this March! We plan to reopen the nursery for the month of April. Plans beyond then are still being determined. Whether the nursery is staffed or not, infants and toddlers and the noises they may make are always welcome in our worship services.

Sunday April 5

June 19-21

Here is another fabulous opportunity for multigenerational connection coming up in June; the Annual Campout at Elmore State Park! Join other UU's for a minimally programmed weekend of outdoor fun. There are several families with children among those already signed up, but perhaps the biggest endorsement for this trip is the five young adults who grew up with this annual tradition and have already signed on to return this year, some with their parents, some with their partners, some with both!

If you can't do overnight camping, consider coming for the Friday night picnic potluck or for a day trip on Saturday. Use the form to let the organizers know, so they can locate a spot for your car in "our" loop.

Either way, now is the time to sign up, here! Or contact Chip Patullo at sunergy.vt@gmail.com with questions!

March 29:

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:15- Singing Sunday Activities for all children and youth

11:10- Coffee Hour

April 5:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Multigenerational worship in the Sanctuary

11:10- Coffee Hour

11:30- Egg Hunt

April 12:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:15- Building UU Values, Crossing Paths, YUUTH

11:10- Coffee Hour

11:30- Children's Choir Rehearsal in SBA

April 19:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:15- Building UU Values, Crossing Paths, YUUTH

11:10- Coffee Hour

11:30- YUUTH Day of Fun and Service

April 26:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:15- Chalice Choice

11:10- Coffee Hour

May 3:

10:00- Multigen Worship in the Sanctuary - led by the kids!

11:10- Coffee Hour