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Building A Vision - Preserving Our Past and Welcoming
Our Community
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Renovation
Continues!
Renovations to
First Universalist Parish in the Stone Village have begun and the project
is moving forward rapidly. Work began in the sanctuary as wall
paper was removed, pews were stored and carpeting was taken up. Several
unexpected historic treasures were found during the process! Underneath
the more modern carpeting was discovered carpeting thought to be more
than 100 years old. This historic carpeting, with a pattern in black,
pale green and pink, was more like heavy upholstery and had been hand sewn
to create wide swaths which are in fairly good condition. Pennies
from the 1800’s were also found, along with orders of service and
papers dating back to that century. The congregation’s
“Sanctuary Committee” is earnestly choosing paint colors for
the plaster walls and carpet runners for the sanctuary that will
complement the stained glass windows and refinished wide pine flooring.
The congregation
has been committed to creating an accessible, safe and historically
restored building. A lift is being put in along with a new set of stairs
to the downstairs floor and the bathroom will be made handicap
accessible. A new fire alarm system will be installed. Flooring
that had been impacted by water damage is being replaced, and insulation
and weather proofing are being added to ensure more energy efficiency.
The congregation
wants to extend thanks and gratitude to its members and friends and to
the larger community for the generous support of our renovation project.
Sunday morning worship services are being held at Newsbank Conference Center at 9:30am. All are
welcome!
You can see other
images from the renovation here.
Newsbank (images)
has graciously offered to let us use their conference center for most
Sundays. A Calendar of Services and locations is listed below, and we
plan to send out frequent communications to the congregation during the
renovation.
The
rough timeline for renovations is three months. We are hoping we will be back in
the completed building in early 2012!
Capital
Campaign:
We
are engaged in a program to renovate our beautiful and historic stone
church to ensure accessibility to all and preserve it for future
generations. Click here to learn more and contribute
to our capital campaign.
You are welcome here,
no matter your age or your size,
the color of your skin or your eyes.
You are welcome here,
no matter whom you love.
You are welcome to bring your
ideas and your energy,
creativity and strength, joys and sorrows
into this community.
You are welcome here.
The mission of the First Universalist Parish of Chester is:
- to create an open and
welcoming home for spiritual seekers
- to travel together on our
life-long paths of learning, with the freedom to explore our own
beliefs
- to strengthen the
Unitarian Universalist global family, and
- to advocate for social
justice, serving our communities and the broader world in a spirit
of love
Through worship,
religious education, pastoral care, community outreach, and social
action, we grow as individuals, nurture one another, care for our earth,
and live our Unitarian Universalist Principles.
The First
Universalist Parish of Chester is located in the picturesque village of
Chester, Vermont. Originally founded as a Universalist Church, it is now
affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Worship services are held in the historic Old
Stone Church, North Street (Route 103 North). Directions
and Map. During renovations,
services will be held at Newsbank Conference Center at 352 Main Street in Chester.
Map.
Services begin at
9:30 a.m. and are followed by light refreshments and conversation. We
offer childrens’ Religious Exploration
programming, and all are welcome.
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January
Services
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8
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The Ancient
Art of Listening
led
by Rev. Telos Whitfield
In these winter months, “I am listening to all that makes
me pull my cloak a little tighter. I am listening to trust buried deep
in the ground of my being.” [Joyce Rupp] Can the simple art of
listening offer us trust and freedom in a season when so much of living
is buried and in a time of waiting? There are people throughout history
who mastered the art of listening. What can we learn from listening to
their words and how do we enter into a new year through a listening
door?
Services will be held at Newsbank
Conference Center at 352 Main Street in Chester. Map.
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15
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Duty’s
Faithful Child – A Visit with Louisa May Alcott
led by lay speakers Jeanne Austin and Peter Nadolny
Famous as the author of Little Women and other books
for young people, Louisa May Alcott was in herself a fascinating
character. Her life was formed in the intellectual and philosophical hotbed
of nineteenth century Concord, MA, home of Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne,
and her own philosopher father, Amos Bronson Alcott. Peter N. has
written Alcott’s life into a script that Jeanne A. offers as a
portrayal of this remarkable woman.
Services will be held at Newsbank
Conference Center at 352 Main Street in Chester. Map.
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22
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No Feat Too
Small – Hands of Justice
led
by Rev. Telos Whitfield
Each year, we honor and celebrate the birthday of
the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by remembering his words and his
work that helped transform the culture and society we live in. And some
of his most powerful work was done by “ordinary” people
with courage and commitment.
Services will be held at Newsbank
Conference Center at 352 Main Street in Chester. Map.
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29
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Namaste
led by lay speaker Nancy Davis with guests Sally Hunsdorfer and Dawa
Sherpa
We will be “Sharing the Warmth”, learning
about Nepal, and supporting The Himalayan Program. Our Service will be
followed by a session of making fleece blankets for Sally to distribute
to the people of Nepal.
Services will be held at Newsbank Conference
Center at 352 Main Street in Chester. Map
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February
Services
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5
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The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth
led by lay speaker Jay Emery
This service will explore and uncover how the idea of truth can
expand or change depending on the situation or experience.
Services will be held at Newsbank
Conference Center at 352 Main Street in Chester. Map
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12
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Sweet Home! – First Sunday In our Building!
led by Rev. Telos Whitfield with
Meg Minehan and our Choir
This will be our first service coming home to our newly
renovated, accessible, restored First Universalist Parish! We will have
special music, a re-dedication ritual and gratitude to the many people
who helped to make this project happen. Our service will be followed by
a Celebration Brunch downstairs in our accessible social hall. All are
welcome!
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19
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Joseph Priestley – Scientist and Theologian
led by lay speaker Bruce Parks
“An 18th century English theologian, dissenting clergyman,
natural philosopher, chemist, educator, and political theorist who
published over 150 works. He contributed several scientific discoveries,
the most famous being what Priestley dubbed ‘dephlogisticated
air’ (oxygen).
Priestley, who strongly believed in the free and open exchange
of ideas, advocated toleration and equal rights for religious
Dissenters, who also led him to help found Unitarianism in
England.” [from
www.wikipedia.org]
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25
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The Words Do Matter
led by Rev. Telos Whitfield and Bernie
Stebel
Words have so many varied meanings, depending on how and when
they are used. Bernie and Telos will offer an
exploration into the meaning of some of the religious and secular words
we hear and use, and the power they hold.
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March Services
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5
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Rolling With the Changes
led by Rev. Karen Brammer, Acting Director
and Smaller Congregation and Justice Specialist for the Northern New
England District, of the UUA
Karen has offered workshops and discussions to small
congregations in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire on the ways that
change can impact a congregation.
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12
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To be announced
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19
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To be announced
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25
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To be announced
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