Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

December 15 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Sarah Lammert, Guest Minister

Judy Brook, Worship Associate

"Who is Our Neighbor?"

One of the peskiest exhortations of the Christian Scriptures is also the most profound: “Love your Neighbor as Yourself.” Easier said than done, especially in this election year! Who exactly is my neighbor? And really, how can I love them as myself?

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Lammert lives in Greensboro VT with her husband Tim. She has served UU congregations in California, Utah and New Jersey and most recently served for almost 14 years as the UUA’s Director of Ministries and Faith Development. She is the founder and principal of Shared Vision Consulting.

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

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

Families will begin the morning together in the Sanctuary. After the Time For All Ages, children, preK through high school, will be escorted to the Community Room for Chalice Choice activities. The nursery is open throughout the service for infants and toddlers.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

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

Here is a link to the text of Rev. Karen's sermon, The Presence of Hope (or Not).

Other images from this past Sunday. Love spelled out on the pulpit. Chancel flowers worthy of the first big snow of the year. The magnificent chancel wreath. Our stone ritual table.

We completed our Community Room puzzle! Are we ready for another?

A Reminder:

Making Space for Bodies that Need Space

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

This past Sunday, did you notice the signs on the pews that have the cut-outs? Here's an image.

This is a gentle reminder that the pews behind the ones that have a cut-out are meant for bodies that are experiencing mobility challenges - use of wheelchair, rollator, walker, crutches. If you sit in the pew behind the open space (the "cut out") and someone who needs it more than you, please thoughtfully and immediately find a different pew and make space for those who need that space. This is yet another way we take care of each other. This is how we live into justice as accessibility.

Memorial Wreaths & Greens

Sarah Forbes, Member

Have you noticed the beautiful wreaths and greens gracing our Sanctuary and Meetinghouse? They have all been lovingly donated in celebration and honor of loved ones.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated and remembered a loved one this year with a memorial wreath & greens.

2024 Memorial Wreath & Greens List

Thank You for Helping with the

Holiday Bazaar

Bazaar Planning Team 

It certainly "takes a village" to make the Holiday Bazaar the special event that it has been for the past 89 years! 

This year was a great success. We wanted to extend a special Thank You to Sarah Forbes for coordinating the Wreaths Project and Wendy Coe for coordinating the Luncheon.  

Thank you for all the numerous volunteers who took a shift to help with Set Up, Day of Bazaar, serve at the Luncheon, as well as all the bakers for desserts, items at the food table, and soup and sandwich makers! 

Special Thank you to Doug Watkin and Peter Fisk for helping to truck away all the stuff that did not sell!  

And of course, FUUSB Staff members Devin Fallon and Darrell Fields who helped with clean up detail!

Submitted by the Bazaar Planning Team: Kim Watkin, Martha Molpus, Suzy Haas, Gail Beck, Sarah Russell, Rita Bortz, Heidi Duke, Carol Czina, Mary Andrews, Shirley Zundell, and Mary Birdsall.

Climate Justice Team Meeting- Dec. 15th

Climate Justice Team

Our next meeting is December 15, 11:30am-12:30 pm, after the service in the Parlors. The Climate Justice Team welcomes visitors and new members. Show up or Contact us: climatejustice@uusociety.org  

We have a living agenda and meeting minutes in a shared Google document. We typically meet the third Sunday of the month, after the service. 

We continue to explore how we can create a flourishing future. We are working with the material for the UU Climate Justice Revival, which kicked off in September this year. As part of the revival, the Side With Love campaign released 3 videos, each 12-18 minutes long, on the theme, “Climate at the Intersections,” which you can view here: https://sidewithlove.org/climate-at-the-intersections We found them inspiring, and we hope you do too. 

Click here to contribute to FUUSB's "Fill the Gap" Fund.

Candle Lighters/Ushers needed for

4pm Christmas Eve Services

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered to be a Candle Lighter/Usher for our Christmas Eve services!

We have a few more spots (6) to still fill for the 4 p.m. service- The No-Rehearsal Christmas Nativity Pageant!

Volunteers (ages 12 and older) must be willing to arrive 45 minutes early for orientation. Duties include handing out orders of service, assisting with the collection, and functioning as candle lighters.

Come take part in this annual holiday event!

Click here to join the Christmas Eve Candle Lighter Crew!

Note: Volunteer sign-ups for the p.m. & 8 p.m. services are FULL.

Questions? On the fence? Contact Töve.

Join us for Christmas Eve Services!

Sunday, December 24 at 4, 6, & 8 p.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

• 4 p.m. – No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant- All are welcome to this family-centered service in the Sanctuary, featuring a No-Rehearsal Nativity Pageant and candle lighting.

• 6pm & 8pm - Carols & Lessons with our congregational choir, organist, pianist, and music & stories to make the heart sing, even in the dark of the winter season, even in the midst of chaos in the world. We will light the candles as we sing Silent Night in the dark, then throw open the doors and make bright the light as we sing Joy to the World.

The 6pm service is livestreamed on the First UU’s YouTube channel, so you can attend from anywhere in the world (including your couch at home)!

Pageant Sign-Ups

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

It's that time of year again...sign up now for a role in the cast or crew for this year's Christmas Nativity pageant. This 4 p.m., family-centered service on Christmas Eve will yet be “No-Rehearsal" again as in years past, meaning anyone who walks in on Christmas Eve can play a part. But we need to assign some of the major roles and know we have a crew ahead of time.

Click here to claim your part now!

This Shirt Makes You Come Alive

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Not only does this shirt (t-shirt or sweatshirt - you choose) make you come alive, your purchase of it raises money for FUUSB and spreads our UU Values far and wide. Plus, it's so dang delightful!

Click here or the video below to learn more!

Socially Responsible Santa

Ellen Wollensack, Member

Coordinated for many years by FUUSB member Maggi Hayes, this annual program began in 1986 as a project of the Social Responsibility Committee. Working with many community organizations over the years, we have increased the number of families served. While many recipients have purchased traditional gifts, others have used the money for past-due bills, assistive devices, and security deposits on apartments, allowing them to move out of a shelter. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the congregation.

Volunteer elves get referrals from congregation members and friends, community organizations and schools. They deliver cash gifts to families or individuals in need. We believe that by giving a cash gift we are empowering people to decide for themselves what kinds of Christmas gifts they wish to give and receive. This is in keeping with the first principle of Unitarian Universalism: the inherent worth and dignity of every person.  



For more information, you may contact SRS@uusociety.org.

The Sunday weekly offerings in the month of December will be shared with the SRS fund. Donations to Socially Responsible Santa can also be made by clicking on the button below.

Click here to register for this upcoming month's Earth Teacher Session on Dec. 12th.

Each month FUUSB has an Earth Teacher and a packet of materials to help you connect with and make meaning in your life in relationship with that Earth Teacher. Check it out.