Past Worship Services

MMUUF Through the Years: Reflections on 30 Years of Faithful Risk-taking

What does it take to build and sustain a spiritual community? Join several long-time members of the Mount Mansfield Unitarian Universalist Fellowship as they share reflections on key moments in the history of our shared community. From the first to sign the book of members, the dedication towards religious education, and the leap to buying our sacred space to the many lessons of leading through a pandemic, we will explore all that we have done to engage in the covenant of faithful risk-taking.

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Poetry & Community

Last year’s Poetry service demonstrated the strength of poetry to build community. As we shared our poems, we learned more about each other. It seemed a logical step to focus this year’s Poetry service on community. As poet Amanda Gorman states: “Poetry has never been the language of barriers, it’s always been the language of bridges.” In this interactive service we’ll share some poems, then invite our Fellowship members and guests to share a poem relevant to the theme of community, however you define it. We may even write a poem together.

Danielle Thierry is a member of MMUUF, where she’s active in the Last Minute Choir and the Cares and Concerns committee. Danielle previously served as the organizer/executive director of the Burlington Writers Workshop, where she focused on broadening access to free and supportive writing workshops, retreats, and publishing opportunities and co-founded the community-led literary journal Mud Season Review. Danielle has a master’s degree in creative writing and journalism from Rowan University and has taught writing in community college, workshops, and other settings. She currently works on initiatives to make federal government benefit programs more accessible and equitable through clear language and people-centered design.

Ann Bonanno is a member of MMUUF, and has chaired the Sunday Service Committee for the past decade or so. Ann’s spirituality is based in the natural world and the connections between all living things, and she suspects her life’s goal is to become a tree.  Ann believes strongly in living in gratitude, and spends some time each day grateful for the beautiful state of Vermont and the MMUUF community.

Be A Love Ambassador

This Sermon encourages people to consider who they are and who they can be as love ambassadors who build community and reject meanness (hate), especially when the latter includes antics Dr. Robin D’Angelo calls nice racism, per her 2021 book, Nice Racism. The Sermon asks people to understand and fulfill the Biblical question: What does the Lord require?

Roy V. Hill II is a 37-year Vermont resident who arrived in 1987 to become the first American-Black Director for the Executive Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations at the University of Vermont. His career includes: Washington University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, the Robert Russa Motor Memorial Institute, and NAFEO in Washington DC. He was also the Advisor to Dr. Dorthy I. Height at NCNW. He was a member of the UCC National Executive Council, President of the Vermont Ecumenical Council, Deacon for College Street Congregational church and a Devotional Leader for the Vermont Legislature. He is a Minister in Presence Leader in Saint Albans, VT and he is also a Founding Member as well as a Deacon for New Alpha Missionary Baptist church, which is the only Vermont Baptist church that worships in an African-American tradition.

How do you find truth in the news?

With the increase in social media, media bias, and even Artificial Intelligence, what can we do to make sure that what we read/watch/hear is true? The thought of examining each news story before believing it is daunting. But if we want to know if something is true, is that what we need to do?

Catherine Stevens lives in Jericho with her husband and their two dogs. Her professional life began in marketing, and about 20 years ago she began using the same skills as a Development Director, responsible for fundraising, grants and communications for non-profit organizations. She enjoys travel, not only seeing new places but also learning about other cultures and history. And, while she is still very interested in news, it has proven to be a challenge to know what is true.

Curiosity and open-heartedness during conflict

I hope to offer still-evolving reflections about approaching conflict without the baggage of advance expectations and righteousness. Our MMUUF fellowship’s covenant speaks of nurturing our spiritual curiosity. In it we promise to learn from others with open hearts and to assume the best intent in others. I will try to apply lessons from Amanda Ripley’s High Conflict in putting those promises into practice in responding to world events, presidential election cycles and more local disagreements. 

Gaye is a long-time member of MMUUF. She’s retired from a nonlinear career that included baking, managing mission-focused organizations, legislative service, and leading a grantmaking organization. Now her days change with seasons, but consistent elements include trying to keep up with her 90-something friends and role-models and serving on the board of VTDigger, a nonprofit news organization. She lives in Jericho with her husband, Chuck Lacy, and their two cats.