Archives: Services

Memorial Service

The Cares and Concerns Committee of MMUUF will be hosting a memorial service honoring our beloved dead. Members and guests will have an opportunity to remember a beloved one no longer with us. This could be a person, or dog or cat, or any creature that caused your heart to swell with grief. Folks are asked to bring some items for our beloved dead altar, even if they aren’t speaking. But we would love to have people, members or guests, share a brief memory or a few words about whoever you are honoring. Children may also share before they leave for RE classes. It will be received with respect and love.

Celebrating Beltane

We will be celebrating Beltane, the Gaelic beginning of summer, a joyous ritual to honor the greening of our beautiful Earth. If the Weather Goddess cooperates, we will also dance to the maypole.

Evergreen is a member of the MMUUF fellowship, and loves to learn about the natural world and celebrate it!

Living Traditions – Artistic and Literary Expression and Indigenous American Worldviews

This talk will provide a very brief introduction to some of the artistic and literary traditions of Turtle Island (Indigenous America). Both visual and literary forms of expression have been, and continue to be, important vessels for Indigenous worldviews. Spending time with, and centering, these perspectives is valuable for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that these are the traditions that have known and interpreted these lands and waters for thousands of years. We will learn a bit about the history of colonization, the attempted genocide of Indigenous peoples, and the clear attempt to destroy traditional lifeways and worldviews. That will be followed by a brief overview of cultural preservation, survivance, and the ongoing living artistic and literary traditions that carry these cultural perspectives into the modern world. A few contemporary artists and writers will be introduced, and resources will be provided for further research and learning.

 

Heath was born and raised in Vermont but traveled and lived in many places before returning home. Heath holds a BFA in Theatre and Religious Studies from New York University and an MA in Religious Studies and Art History from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. They have academic experience in Religious Studies, Art History, Feminist Art History, Cultural Anthropology, Theatre, and Literature. Heath is committed to the study of meaning making systems and the artistic and material practices and cultures of all peoples. They believe that the study of these elements of culture can help us to understand and care for each other, leading to more profound understanding, empathy, and compassion between individuals, communities, and cultures. Heath is now grateful to live with their amazing family on a rich and vibrant part of the land that sweeps up the side of Mt Mansfield.

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.

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.