Please join us in Steven’s Chapel EVERY
Sunday!
or Join our service on Sunday at 11 am by following this link:
https://zoom.us/j/9407668736?pwd=STN5bVZXd21neEpmaUxTYW5ib0pWdz09
The UUSMV Zoom ID# is 940 766 8736, password is 735531
Or call: 1-646-558-8656, and when prompted give this ID# including the pound sign at the end: 9407668736# and the password 735531
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This Week's Service
 Sunday May 29 at 11 am "Why is the Buddha Crying" with Rev. Rob Hardies
Monseñor Oscar Romero once said, “There are some things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” This Sunday, a first-grader’s question to me about a Buddhist figurine opens up a reflection on loss, grief and compassion.
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Dear Friends,
This morning after I dropped off my fourth-grade son at school, I stood alone on the sidewalk and wept for the nineteen fourth-graders and two teachers who were murdered Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas.
My heart is broken by the recent spate of mass shootings in our country. I know yours is, too. Our hearts go out to the victims, families and survivors of shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Orange County, and so many communities before them.
And like many of you, I am also filled with a sense of hopelessness, frustration and rage. How can our nation sit by and do nothing as the carnage continues?
In moments of collective grief and trauma, it is important to gather as a spiritual community and be with one another. As it turns out, my sermon this Sunday—Why is the Buddha Crying?—wrestles with the question of what to do with all our tears. The martyred Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero once said, “There are some things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” This Sunday, a first-grader’s question to me about a Buddhist figurine opens up a reflection on loss, grief and compassion. Sunday’s order of service is attached to this email.
Please join us in person or online at 11:00 am. If you are joining in person, please be aware that masks are required while in the chapel. Worship leaders will be removing their masks while speaking and singing.
For those attending by Zoom, you may join the service virtually by clicking on the Zoom link, or copying and pasting it into your browser. You and anyone you invite can also join the service by going to our website and clicking on the button: "In Person and Virtual Sunday Services 11:00 am.”
However you can join us, it will be good to be together. See you on Sunday.
Love,
ROB
Rev. Rob Hardies
Consulting Minister
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Tuesday, May 31, 9:30 am: Meditation Circle (meeting will take place on Zoom)
Friday, June 3, 10 am: Lay Pastoral Ministry (meeting will take place on Zoom)
Friday, June 3, 2 pm: Sewcial Action Network
Save The Date
Monday, June 6, 2 pm: Parish Committee (meeting will take place on Zoom)
Tuesday, June 7, 9:30 am: Worship Committee (meeting will take place on Zoom)
Wednesday, June 15, 12 pm: Impromptu Brown Bag Lunch, meet at Owen Park
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An Auction Success Story
- We had 46 donors, including members and friends, and 10 sponsors.
- 72 people registered to bid and 59 of those bid on 121 items. We sold 91 items.
- Advertising was online and in print in both local papers. During exit interviews with winning bidders we were told some non-member bidders found our auction through our ads. From the online ads people could click and go directly to our auction. Ann designed and negotiated these ads. Excellent job, Ann!
- The Bidding for Good community accounted for 23 registered bidders who won items for a total of $1,400. This is the reason we chose to use this online auction platform “Bidding for Good,” and it paid off! Any items in the auction that had to be used here on the island were noted.
- When all is said and done the net to UUSMV will be approximately $5,000. At this time we are working on distributing and shipping items and the final report will be done once all items are processed and proceeds are received by UUSMV.
- A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated, bid, and/or purchased items in our auction! If anyone has feedback on any part of this new experience in fundraising for us, please share with a member of the team below. We really want to hear from you, so if we do this again, we can make the experience and result even better!
- Another HUGE thank you to the auction team for making this auction happen: Rita Brown, Karen Sankey, Kristy Brooks, and Ann Cilfone.
Welcome Reverend Janet Newton
 We have uploaded Reverend Janet's video and our letter to the UUSMV community. Visit our member page to view and see updates from the Minister Search Team. www.uusmv.com
Impromptu Brown Bag Lunch
Judy Hickey is hosting an impromptu get together at Owen Park in Vineyard Haven for June 15 at 12:00 pm! Bring a chair, your lunch, or just yourself for a fun gathering! No need to RSVP but if you have questions, you can contact Judy Hickey.
Ma y Birthdays
Doreen Kinsman 28th
June Birthdays
Jenifer Parkinson 4th
Emily Anderson 17th
Debbie Dean 22nd
Susanna Savov 26th
May Care Coordinator June Care Coordinator
 Jack Street  Judy Hickey
For Care Coordinator contact information and quick reference go to the UUSMV member page: www.uusmv.org
Our Island Community
Truth a nd Joy - June 25, 2 - 8:30 pm
Join the MV Diversity Coalition on Saturday, June 25th at 2:00 pm, for a Diversity Fair offering a cultural celebration of our rich island diversity. Tables filled with food from Jamaica, the Caribbean and other nations will be alongside tables overflowing with artwork from local artists. Community service organizations will also share information, including job opportunities. The tables will surround the entrance of the Tabernacle from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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... fost ering community action, racial equity, and universal justice
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UUSMV Universal Justice in 2022
Take Action
It is both the high profile mass shootings and the daily death by guns (violence against others and suicide) that claim too many lives each year. Nearly 80% of Americans want gun safety legislation. You probably already know the horrific statistics but if not, go to bradyunited.org/key-statistics
So what do we do?
1. Support and vote for candidates who support gun sense legislation. Go to gunsensevoter.org and take the pledge to support local, state, and federal candidates and then vote for gun sense candidates.
2. Support organizations who are working for common sense gun legislation.
Climate  resolution for 2022
By saving water you can help fight climate change. That is because it takes a large amount of energy to pump, treat, and heat your water, which in turn releases large amounts of CO2 into the environment. You can save water by turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth and soaping up your hands. Take short showers and consider turning off th e water while soaping or shampooing your hair. If washing dishes by hand don’t leave the water running. Instead, plug up the sink or use a wash basin. Only run the dishwasher when it is full and scrape the dishes off instead of rinsing. Check for leaks and install WaterSense labeled faucets, shower heads, and toilets. For more information see: www.epa.gov/watersense/start-saving, www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/
Climate Change: State of Our Island Coast
Join Cynthia Dittbrenner, Trustees Coast and Natural Resources Director and Shea Fee, Trustees Costal Ecologist on Saturday, June 11, 10:00 am at the Oak Bluffs Library or streaming on MVTV Channel 13
A Long Talk
Join other UUSMV members/friends and become an ENERGIZED, ACTIVATED and EMPOWERED ALLY. A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth is an anti-racism activation experience. They engage in constructive, reflective conversations, where participants are asked to listen, contribute, and practice effective anti-racism. Their goal is to have an anti-racist at every dinner table in America.
If you believe that a good conversation is what this country really needs, register HERE for their next Community Conversation via Zoom - June 8 & 15, 2022 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 pm.
After completing this initial workshop, you will be given a myriad of opportunities for sustained engagement within the ALT network through their Pillars of Change program, Movie Mixers, Book Bounces and Monthly Community Conversations.
For more information visit https://www.alongtalk.com/
 Becoming a Good Trouble Congregation in June!
Our mission calls us to universal justice action! Help the UUSMV protect our democracy and become a Good Trouble Congregation!
One of the UUSMV Good Trouble actions is to send 1500 postcards or letters to get out the vote. Our letter action for June is to send letters via Vote Forward to voters in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Contact Dorie Godfrey to request your packet of 10 or 20 letters!
Dorie
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What is a Good Trouble Congregation?
UU the Vote and Side With Love are coordinating the Good Trouble congregation effort . “Good Trouble Congregations are congregations that answer that call to organize their communities and engage in the multiple and necessary tactics that will help us win big for our com munities in 2022. Whether you’re protecting voter access in Georgia, fighting for reproductive justice in Kentucky, or election protection in Pennsylvania, your work is essential to building a strong movement for democracy. Let’s all do our part to build a multi-racial democracy by becoming a Good Trouble Congregation.”
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Rob's Contact Information
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Rev. Rob's Office Hours and Contact Information
In keeping with my half-time contract, I am generally be available for UUSMV appointments, calls and emails two days per week, in addition to preparing for and leading worship two Sundays per month. I publish the schedule of my availability at the beginning of each month. Please feel free to reach out by email or phone to schedule an appointment with me on one of these days. If you contact me on a day I’m not working, you can generally expect to hear back from me on my next UUSMV work day. If you have a pastoral emergency or a time sensitive matter that requires attention before my next work day, please call or text me and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
My availability in May is as follows:
Week of May 22: Tuesday May 24, Friday May 27
Week of May 29: Tuesday May 31, Friday June 3
Rev. Rob Hardies
Consulting Minister
My UUSMV contact information is:
Email: revrobuusmv@gmail.com
Mobile: 202-294-9032
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Minister’s Fund - Caring Fund
Caring funds are available for Members & Friends who need a helping hand this winter with food, medicine, utilities, heating, mortgage/rent payments or other essentials. Your request for assistance will be kept confidential. Please reach out to Rev Rob, Rev Vicky, Jan Casey, or Kristy Brooks. UUSMV cares about you!
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Hi eve ryone, I will be in the office this upcoming week on Thursday 12 - 2 pm and can arrange to meet you at another time if needed. If you would like to stop in please do or send me an email if you would like to arrange a different day/time. I update the calendar often and am happy to add your event. Please let me know if it is in-person or online and, times and locations to add to the calendar. Please send anything for the Weekly Vineyard UU Voice by Thursdays at 10 am. The best way to contact me is the UUSMV email: uu.society.mv@gmail.com .
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Sunday June 6 at 11 am: "Strong Back, Soft Front, Wild Heart" with Ed Merck
day June 20 at 11 am: "Juneteenth" with the Allies for Equity Committee
