All Souls Church,UU 

at The West Village Meetinghouse

Weekly E-News
THURSDAY, May 23, 2024 – WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2024

Worship Service – Sunday, May 26th at 10 a.m.

“Voices of Our Congregation” led by Jody McAssey and Marty Shaw. 

Join us to hear and learn insights from a variety of church members whose voices represent a diversity of experience. We draw inspiration from our community and our own lives. May our voices be heard! Our worship services are both in-person and on Zoom. Click on the worship link on our website – www.ascvt.org to join via Zoom.

All Church Breakfast Social at 9am! Join the RE and Membership Committees for an All Church Breakfast Social before the Sunday Service, every 4th Sunday of the month. Bring a breakfast dish or fruit, or just yourself; there’s sure to be plenty of food. Visit, make a card at the card-making table, or just have more coffee. 

Anthem on May 26: “This Is My Song” (music from “Finlandia”) words by Lloyd Stone, music by Jean Sibelius offered by All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director

“This Is My Song,” published during the period between the two world wars, expresses a hope for lasting peace among all nations, races, and cultures. “Finlandia” is derived from a tone poem of the same name by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. He wrote it as a patriotic offering in 1899.

Lloyd Stone (1912–1993), an American public school teacher who lived in Hawaii, wrote “This Is My Song” for its inclusion in the collection, Sing a Tune, 1934.

Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) was a Finnish composer widely regarded as his country’s greatest composer, and his music is often credited with having helped Finland develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia.

Celebratory Gathering
To Honor Andrea McAuslan
Sunday, May 26, from 4 – 6 p.m.

As most of you know, long time resident of Cow Path 40, Andrea McAuslan, died at home last October. In Andrea’s honor, a group of us are planning a celebration to mark her passing.

• WHO: All of you who would like to share memories of Andrea. Please pass the word to those who might not see this.  Stan McAuslan and his wife, Jan will be there.
• WHAT: Pot Luck event. We will supply some beverages, food and dinnerware, and would appreciate contributions.
• WHAT ELSE: Do you have a memory or story to share? How about some music to make the gathering more special? 
• WHEN: Sunday, May 26, from 4:00-6:00. Remembrances will start around 4:30.
• WHERE: Blueberry Lodge– the Glover Family house, 55 Fox Road, Marlboro (The large red house to the left at the driveway fork. Parking along the driveway and on Fox Road.)
• WHY: Andrea McAuslan was a lifelong friend to some, and a longtime friend to many. It is time to celebrate her!

Women’s Gathering, Saturday, May 25 

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Main Hall

Our gathering uses a modified Small Group model of check-in and discussion. Bring your questions and share in our search for answers to Life’s Great Mysteries. We encourage all women, whether you are a newcomer or a long-time friend, to join us for great conversation and simple refreshments. You will find good company, warm hearts, and collective wisdom. Take a break from your busy life and gather with All Souls women. You deserve it! Each meeting is independent of the previous month. For more information or to let her know you’re interested, please contact Marty Shaw at 207-615-5279.

Circle Dinners are coming in June!

Circle Dinners are planned potluck meals, with dinners in the host’s homes and the Saturday noon meal at the church.  It’s a great time to be together, break bread (or lasagna) and just plain visit (well maybe the dishes have to be done too), a bit more time to talk than our typical Coffee Hour.  Although we have a couple of hosts, 1  at the church and 1 in Newfane, and 1 in Halifax, we are looking for a host in the Brattleboro area, can you open your kitchen for this fun event?  The sign-up sheets will be with Carla or Linda Hay on Sunday. 

Questions- Kathy Squires, 802-365-7388, or click here to send her an e-mail.

Sponsored by the Membership Committee for a chance to get together just for fun!

From the Arts Team – Cycles Exhibit on View 

We hope that you’ll take time to interact with the Cycles exhibit of artwork by 25 Vermont artists with disabilities currently on display at All Souls.  In a variety of media, the exhibit “Cycles” explores cycles of nature, of the body, mind, and spirit, experiences of repetition, circular shapes, and more..The exhibit is more than art on the wall, and accessibility is an integral part of the show.  To ensure accessibility, each of the 27 works has verbal descriptions, and tactile representations accompany selected works. Materials are available in print, large print, Braille, audio, and digital formats. 

We hope you will join us on Saturday, June 22, 3 – 5 pm for an artists’ reception, and be sure to invite friends and neighbors to view this special exhibit and to attend the reception.

From Our Caring Circle

If you had a medical emergency in the church building who would you want to be contacted? The Caring Circle began last Sunday to collect emergency contact information from members and friends of All Souls Church. The person might be a relative or a close friend or neighbor who knows how to contact your family. You can print out a copy of the form by clicking here and then return it to the church.

We are committed to caring for each other. Members of our Caring Circle:  Heide Bredfeldt, Linda Hay, Ann Hier, Beth McKinney, and Ellie Weiss

Social Justice and Community Outreach

Boys & Girls Club Collection – During the month of May we are continuing to collect items for the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro.  Your contributions make a difference to the children of our community.  A bin is in the foyer for contributions of the following items: 

• Board games for grades K-5
• Small sturdy boxes, such as match boxes
• Colored chalk
• Compostable cups
• Battery packs –  Double A & Triple A
• Juggling Balls
• Wiffle Balls
• Ping Pong balls
• Pool cue tips
• Pool cue chalk
• Spray bottles for H20
  

37th Annual Walk For Life
Saturday, May 25th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

The community is gathering at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro as AIDS Project of Southern Vermont honors Rev. Shawn Bracebridge and celebrates years of commitment from community members supporting individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

Office Administrator Position in Transition…
Office Help Needed on Thursdays

Current Office Hours:  Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m. – noon

We are again in a time of transition as we seek a new candidate for our Office Administrator position. The position is posted on Front Porch Forum in several towns, and if there is someone you know who might be interested, please encourage them to apply. Rev. Telos is currently managing and doing office related tasks, along with George, and she needs your help. Please call her at 802-376-4977 or click here to send her an e-mail if you might be able to spend time in the office on Thursdays, answering the phone, assisting with copying, and other needed office tasks in the coming weeks. Thank you.