Being in Service to Wholeness
Heather Vickery, Coordinator for Congregational Activism,
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Sunday, March 26, 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 Folk tunes from Brazil, Russia, Cuba
Melanie Rieck, piano
Welcome Heather Vickery
Prelude When We Are Living (Somos del Senor)
traditional Spanish arr by John Carter
Chalice Lighting Our Shared Hope for the World, by Pat Uribe-Lichty
Covenant
Singing Together #1004, Busca el Amor
Children’s Focus The Parrot and the Eagles, told by Rev Paul Beckel
Children’s Blessing
Announcements
Reflections, part 1 Heather Vickery
Special Music “Whatcom County Immigration
Through History: A Medley”
arranged and performed by Kevin Allen-Schmid
Reflections, part 2
Sharing our Gifts Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love,
folk song from the Chereponi district of Ghana
adapted by Tom Colvin
Singing Together #1017, Building a New Way
Benediction Each of Us Ministers to a Weary World, by Darcey Roake
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.
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.
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
BUF Spring Retreat
Saturday, May 6th 10am to 2pm at Hovander Pavilion in Ferndale. More information to come. Contact: genia@buf.org if interested in volunteering for this activity-filled day retreat.
CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Our theme for March is Vulnerability. Each week we’ll explore another aspect of being vulnerable, such as asking for help when we need it; trusting that “all will be well” when things are rough; being our own unique selves; and sharing our feelings with others. We will use stories, games, art, and sharing to learn about this month’s theme while building connections with one another. Children will start in the sanctuary where we have a child-friendly space with pillows, low tables and chairs, drawing supplies, fidget boxes, and a front row seat for the Story of All Ages. After the Story, we will head upstairs where there’s a one-room classroom for 1st graders on up. We’ll share our joys and concerns followed by activities surrounding a weekly theme. Preschoolers will be in a separate room for fun, supervised playtime. If you have any questions or concerns about our children’s programming or want to volunteer, please contact me at genia@BUF.org
Easter Potluck for All
Sunday April 9th at Lake Padden Playground Shelter. Fun activities, capped off by the traditional egg hunt! More info in MWU and via genia@buf.org
2023-24 Budget Update
We’ll present the current draft of BUF’s 2023-24 at a Zoom meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, March 28th. Please come and offer feedback. Use the regular Sunday service Zoom link. In April, the Board of Trustees will create its final draft for presentation and vote at the Annual Congregational Meeting following the service on Sunday, May 21.
NEXT Year’s SEJC Collection Recipients
Applications Due May 3, 2023
The application process for next year’s Social and Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC) collections has begun. The SEJC team is asking BUFsters to seek out and encourage non-traditional groups in the community, sometimes under the radar, to apply for the BUF special collections. Questions: please contact Kara Black, Team Coordinator at kara@cedartreellc.com
BUF Night In and Game Night
Every Wednesday at 6 pm
Join our weekly supper in the Social Hall, with games and childcare until 8:00. It’s a simple dinner of soup and salads, with vegan and gluten free options as well. Just $5 a person, and kids under 12 are free. After dinner stick around to play Code Names or a rousing card game of “Dutch”!