Impedimentia
Sunday, February 12, 2023, 10:25 am
Online on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/738363620
Passcode: BUF
Zoom by phone, for audio only: (346) 248-7799
Meeting ID: 738 363 620
Passcode: 306220
Gathering Music Japanese Gardens in the Rain / Sunshower
Composed and played by Karen FitzGerald
Welcome Rev. Paul Beckel
Prelude Open Door, Karen FitzGerald
Chalice Lighting
Covenant
Singing Together #1000, Morning has Come
song leaders Barbara ten Hove, Carrie Koehnline
Children’s Focus Rainstorm – Kevin Allen-Schmid
Children’s Blessing
Meditation “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters,”
by Portia Nelson
Anti Racism/Anti Oppression/Multicultural Moment Beth Brownfield
“How Great Thou Art” played by Swil Kanim
Reflections
Social & Environmental Justice Collection – Kids In Motion Therapy Clinic
Erin Cristofaro, speech-language pathologist
Sharing our Gifts “Thanking the People”,
composed and played by Swil Kanim
Singing Together #108, My Life Flows On in Endless Song
song leaders Carol Smith & Jayme Curley
Benediction Serenity Prayer
May I have the Courage to change the things I can,
The Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
And the Wisdom to know the difference.
May I have patience with things that take time,
Appreciation for all that I have,
Tolerance for those with different struggles,
And the Strength to get up and try again,
one day at a time.
Singing Together #155, Circle ‘Round
Afterward
If you’re with us on Zoom today, please stay after the service for our online coffee hour. If you’re here in person, please join us downstairs for coffee and conversation.
If you’re new, we’d be grateful to have you provide us with contact information so we can let you know what’s happening here. There are buff-colored visitor contact cards in the pew racks, and in the entryway, that you can drop in the collection basket. Or provide your contact information HERE.
Contributions payable to “BUF” may be sent to:
1207 Ellsworth Street, Bellingham 98225
For info about donating online (credit card or PayPal), by automatic bank transfer, or via phone apps, see the “give” button in the upper right-hand corner at buf.org or contact the office: (360) 733-3837 / admin@buf.org
Announcements
Upcoming Services
Sunday, February 19 – Eliminating Racism: Beginning with Ourselves
Dr. Damani Johnson is a retired professor of Civic Education at WWU. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, he has advised grassroots groups and government officials on ways to eliminate systemic racism from their institutions.
Sunday, February 26 – Article 2 and the Democratic Process
Our statement of UUA principles and sources has served to identify us for 40 years. Today we begin the conversation at BUF about a proposal to be considered at this summer’s General Assembly.
We love having children with us in the sanctuary
their noises and wiggles are welcome too. There’s a table up front with materials for drawing and a little more space for moving. And if at any point you’d feel more comfortable, we have a nursery space at the back with toys, where you can see and hear what’s going on in the sanctuary.
BUF Night In
every Wednesday at 6 pm with soup, bread, salad and dessert. Dinner is just $5 a person, and kids under 12 are free! Afterward, stay and play board games or put together a puzzle.
Lunch With Paul
Bring your own lunch and join us in the Social Hall every Tuesday at noon.
UU History and Principles
Everyone is welcome to our final session of the Pathways to Membership class where Paul will offer an overview of UU history. Saturday, February 18, 10 am-noon. Refreshments too! RSVP: Felice Davis (253) 307-8981 or fdavis1944@gmail.com
BUF Auction Is a Success!
While this article is being written before the final results are in, with well over a hundred auction items and events and over a hundred people attending, the event has already succeeded. And, it’s not quite over. Items that didn’t sell and events that didn’t quite fill up are still available. Come down to the Social Hall after church and make your bids. The Auction Team will keep the bidding open until 12:15 PM.
And speaking of the Auction Team, let’s give a shout out to the folks who made Auction 2023 so much fun. Sarah Pearson, Naomi Gary, Barbara Gilday, Hank Ohana, Helena Chaikin, Judy Kasper and Barbara ten Hove with staff support from Genia Allen-Schmid.
The team is meeting on Friday, February 17 to debrief. If you have comments or suggestions for them to consider, send an email to auction@buf.org before noon Friday.
“New Blood” Canvassers Needed! — Vlad D Improver (aka Rick Steele)
We are excited to return to one-on-one canvassing for our spring pledge drive—for the first time since before the pandemic. So…we need a dozen new volunteer canvassers. How about you? Canvassing is an excellent opportunity to get to know our BUF community.
Canvassers connect with pledgers in person, by telephone, or through Zoom/FaceTime based on what works for them. A lot of us come to BUF for the community and we see the fundraising process as an important part of growing that community. It’s a way to support many BUF activities that improve lives of people, both within and beyond our walls.
Training for Canvas Volunteers is provided, and there is no arm-twisting involved! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact to me at rickvladsteele@icloud.com or phone: 360-319-7759. We’d love to have you join us!