Archives: Services

Poetry & Community

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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.

View the recording here: https://youtu.be/U7x96PTDFTw

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.

View the service recording here: https://youtu.be/imzc_ZpsA6M

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.

Music Service

Ever wonder what the Last Minute Choir would play if they weren’t choosing music to support one of our amazing service themes? Here’s your chance to find out, as we put LMC in the driver’s seat. Choir members will select songs that are especially meaningful to them—as UUs, as musicians and/or just as humans. They’ll let us in on why these selections resonate. During some numbers, just sit back and listen. For others, get ready to sing along. In the words of Hans Christian Anderson, “Where words fail, music speaks.”

Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/5wIEEKcYsXE

Firsts, Lasts and Everything in Between

We as a society are very focused on firsts and lasts. Soon we’ll be starting a new year and this is the first service of the year. How many times have you said, “this is the last time I’ll ever…” fill in the blank. In this service I will explore our fascination with firsts and lasts and maybe say something about the times between.

Dana Baron was a long-time member of MMUUF before moving to Shelburne just before the pandemic. He retired from his career in IT in 2018 and now fills his time with family, community and adventure. He currently volunteers at the Lund Family Center in Burlington and is president of the Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain region. He and his wife like taking week-long bike trips in various parts of the world. His two daughters, Erica and Joanne, live in Boston and Washington, DC, respectively.

Christmas Eve Service

Our theme for this service of songs and readings is “Peace on Earth”. We will close the service with our tradition of lighting candles and singing Silent Night so if you are joining us virtually, please have a candle ready at home. All are welcome!

Progress: Is it worth it?

We are besieged daily with reminders in the news that progress has a downside. But simply reading this, in the comfort of your home is proof that it has an upside. Progress is a two-edged sword. It is a sword that many of us might like to put down. How do we weigh the pros and cons? Or is the question really that we need to at least consider the weighing?

Kevin Geiger has worked in regional planning in Vermont for 30 years. He also spent a few years with the National Park Service as a wildland firefighter. He is the town moderator for Pomfret, where he lives, and is a sporadic member of the North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock. He is a decent cook, devoted gardener, chatty apple pruner, ex soccer coach turned referee, good husband, proud father of two, and is half dog. He thinks a lot.

This I Wonder, This I Believe

“This I Wonder, This I Believe” is a cherished topic for exploration with members of Mount Mansfield Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Guest Stephen Kastner will share their own life experiences, personal insights, and wisdom.  Stephen asks, “When will we ever realize that we will never understand the mystery of life?  We swim like fish in a sea of sensations trying to make order out of chaos.”

Stephen Kastner writes essays, science fiction, memoirs, poetry, and is currently working on a screenplay and novel about his Quaker ancestor Thomas Maule, who was arrested for defending the wise women accused of witchcraft in Salem in 1692. He leads the Green Mountain Writers Group in Vermont and creates digital media professionally as DesignWise Studios.

Thanksgiving Advent

Many Christians view Advent — the month of spiritually preparing for Christmas — as a vital part of observing the holiday. Rev. Barnaby looks at how Thanksgiving might be saved from commercial corruption by its own Advent period and some UU-grounded practices that might help.

Rev. Barnaby Feder, a lifelong UU, was raised in the San Mateo, Calif., congregation. After several decades as a reporter, primarily with The New York Times, he entered seminary in 2008. He has served UU congregations in Morristown, N.J., Stroudsberg, Pa., and for the 11 years that ended June 30, the Champlain Valley UU Society in Middlebury. He is edging into “retirement” as the half-time interim minister for the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of St. Johnsbury. He and his wife, Michele, live in Middlebury with an odd cat named Alma.