Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

November 2nd at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Mary Beth McNulty, Worship Associate

"Five to Thrive"

The paradox of abundance is that when we give some of what we have, we end up generating more. What does that mean when it comes to windfalls that we experience in our lives - when people help us out when we most need it and least expect it? When we as individuals experience an abundance of something we can share? When we as a congregation experience more, through privilege or happenstance or both? How do our values guide us? Rev. Karen is in the pulpit.

Join us for worship in person in the Sanctuary, or online. The livestream link and order of service will be shared at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.

Following the service, all are welcome to Coffee Hour in the Community Room.

While at the Meeting House, anyone is welcome to wear a mask. In the spirit of caring for each other, please stay home if you have any cold or flu symptoms. Thank you.

Children & Youth This Sunday

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

This is a Family Chapel week, meaning families (children and their parents/caregivers, youth may come on their own) and Faith Development guides will begin on the lower level with 15-20 minutes of child-centered worship, after which parents will be sung out to the service already in progress. Children and youth, preK through 12th grade, will then split up into their Exploration Groups. The nursery is open throughout the service for infants & toddlers.

Daylight Saving Time Reminder

Remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night, November 1!

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday at 2 a.m.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



The reading (a Mary Oliver poem, Long Afternoon at the Edge of Little Sister Pond) from last Sunday can be found here. And here is the text of Rev. Karen's sermon, On Not Waiting to be the Hummingbird.

Here is a link to the video recording of last week's service.

All YUUth Lunch

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday Nov 2nd 

11:30am - 12:45pm

Dix Room

Are you the parent of a teenager who is:

• Wondering where their place is at First UU?
• Or one who has been involved with our programs in the past but is just too busy for a regular commitment?
• Or one who is already showing up for services or Faith Development programming?

Let them know that we're inviting all youth in 8th-12th grades to join us after the service on for food and fun, this time prepared by the youth exploration group that meets during the service! 

Please note that the simultaneous meeting for parents of youth has been postponed until January. Date TBD.

FUUSB Board Monthly Meeting Notes

Submitted by Alana Shaw, Board Vice President

The FUUSB Board of Trustees met for its regular monthly business meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

The Board and the Executive Team continue to develop and refine FUUSB’s policy-based governance model. In this model, the Board’s primary role is the governance of the Society; the primary role of Rev. Karen and the staff is the ministry of the Society. Rev. Karen has been developing procedures for the operation of ministry teams, projects, and affinity groups. At this meeting, the Board approved the Ministry Structure Policies and Procedures. This document provides guidance for the formation and operations of Ministry Teams, Ministry Projects, and Affinity Groups.

Christina presented the financial report through the end of September, with no significant issues.

The Board is in the process of revising the Duties of Officers to clarify the responsibilities of those positions; President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

The Board also created subgroups among themselves to begin working on the FY25-26 Board goals.

After an executive session, the Board unanimously approved a plan of how to use the ERTC funds, which will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, Oct. 26.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18 at 4:00 pm in the parlors. A Zoom link will be posted on Community Messenger on that Tuesday. Please email board@uusociety.org with any questions.

Presentation of Use of ERTC Funds

Submitted by Eileen Blackwood, Board President

In the fall of 2023, we applied for the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a pandemic era financial support. We informed the Congregation about this theoretical financial benefit at the 2024 and 2025 Annual Meetings. In July 2025 we received the funds.

Following up on the Board and Executive Team’s presentation on October 26, 2025, about how the ERTC windfall will be used to support our Society’s 2025-26 Vision for Ministry, here is the list of how we plan to use the $239,548.29 received:

 Please feel free to email the Board with any questions or comments about this, at board@uusociety.org.

Endowment Committee Info Session

Endowment Team

In coordination with Reverand Karen’s talk this Sunday November 2^nd, the Endowment Committee will be hosting an informational session for those interested in Sanctuary at 11:30 a.m. after the service.

We’ll be prepared to speak to the various funds that have been created and added to that sustain the mission of the Society as well as various means to adding to them.  

Young Adult Group Meeting - Nov. 9th

Avery Hamill, Member



Join the Young Adults Group for our upcoming meeting on Nov. 9th at 11:30 (right after the service) in the Susan B. Anthory room for mocktails and painting (all things will be provided). We hope to see you there!!

First Friday Coffeehouse- Nov. 7

Coffeehouse Team

Come to the First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse Dessert Potluck!

Friday, November 7

Potluck dessert and open-mic sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m.

Open mic 7-9 p.m.

Join us in The Parlors, for another intimate listening-room experience. Share your songs or spoken word pieces. Original works and creative covers always welcome. Or, just come to enjoy

the music, poetry, and fellowship. Amplification and mics provided.

If you’re able, bring a dessert dish to share. Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be provided. All ages and talents are welcome, especially newcomers!

Singing Opportunities at FUUSB

Liam Hart, Director of Music

Our 2025/26 choir season is in full swing at FUUSB!  We have just started to dig into our music for the Christmas season, so it's a great time to get involved. If you'd love to sing, we'd love to have you with us. Our next rehearsal is Wednesday, November 5th from 7pm-8:45pm, at the meetinghouse.  All are welcome!

I also wanted to let everyone know about a great event for singers next month. Matt Meyer will be leading the music at our worship service on November 16th, and will be presenting a workshop from 12:15-1:45 on rhythm for choir. This event is FREE to FUUSB congregants and is open to the general public with a suggested donation of $15.  

SAVE the DATE: Fall Concert for CASAN Nov. 15th

Submitted by Kim Watkin

Please SAVE THE DATE for an upcoming Fall Concert on Saturday, Nov. 15th at 7pm-9pm co-hosted by the FUUSB's Immigration Justice Team and CASAN (Chittenden Asylum Seekers Assistance Network) to be held here at the FUUSB Sanctuary. 

 The proceeds from the concert will be used to fund CASAN's mission to sponsor asylum seekers in our community while they navigate the asylum process--helping with rent, living expenses, and legal aid. Welcoming our newest neighbors is part of our mission. We will share more information soon about the local musicians who will be donating their time and talent for the evening. 

Access to UU Virtual Hymnal, Sing Out Love!

Liam Hart, Director of Music

Hi Friends!

We are excited to offer members of the FUUSB congregation access to our new Virtual Hymnal, Sing Out Love! If you would like to create an account, fill out this form.

Wreath pick-up person needed

Sarah Forbes, Member

FUUSB’s 2025 holiday wreath fundraiser is in the works!

We need someone to pick up the wreaths in the NE Kingdom on December 2nd and deliver them to the UU.

A truck or a large SUV would be ideal to carry the whole order. A standard SUV would also work since there is already one volunteer who can transport 1/2 of our order.

Can you help? Thank you!

Contact Sarah Forbes with questions. Sarahforbesdesign@comcast.net

802-578-6119

Remember: Meditation every Tuesday at 5:15

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister