Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

December 7th at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Dan York, Worship Associate

"Joshua Young Still Preaches Here"

You might reasonably think that the reason Rev. Karen serves our congregation was because the Membership voted to call her in May, 2023. You would be right, but that’s not the whole story. In fact, Rev. Karen was called to serve this congregation long before that vote. She considers herself as part of the clergy lineage of one of FUUSB’s 19th century ministers, the Rev. Joshua Young, who officiated the funeral of fiery abolitionist John Brown, and was forced out of the congregation for doing so (or so one of the narratives goes). Hear this award-winning sermon that Rev. Karen guest preached for us in the summer of 2018 on the 166th anniversary of that notorious funeral. The choir is scheduled to sing.

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 that, parents will be sung out to the service already in progress, and children and youth (PreK-12th grade) will split into their Exploration Groups. The nursery is open throughout the service for infants & toddlers.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Here is a link to the reading from Sunday, Choose to Bless the World by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker.

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

90th Annual Holiday Bazaar and Luncheon

Kim Watkin, FUUSB Board Member

It is finally here! We hope you will join us for the 90th Annual Holiday Bazaar! The Bazaar includes attic treasures/household goods, food, toys, books, jewelry, a children’s craft activity room, and handmade crafts/artist tables. 

• When? Saturday, Dec. 6th 
• Time? 9am to 2pm
• Where? Community Room of the First UU

What else? Come for delicious homemade soups, sandwiches, dessert, and beverage at the Holiday Bazaar Luncheon. 

• When? Same day--Sat. Dec. 6th
• Time? 11am to 1pm
• Where? Parlors of the First UU
• Cost? $10

If you have items to donate to the Bazaar, we are accepting the following: kitchen and household items, holiday decorations, toys, books, CD's and DVD's in cases, jewelry, homemade bake sale items (please label ingredients)

We can NOT accept the following: Bedding, fabric items, clothing, textbooks, appliances, furniture, baby items, electronics, stuffed animals, magazines.

Drop Off Dates and Times:

Wed. Dec 3rd 10am to 2pm

Thurs. Dec 4th 10m to 7pm

Fri  Dec 5th 10am to 7pm

Any Questions? email Kim at watkinfam@aol.com.

YUUth Lunch this Sunday

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday December 7th 

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 grade to join us after the service for food, connection, and fun — this time prepared by the youth exploration group that meets during the service! 

Come to the Open-Mic Coffeehouse

& Dessert Potluck!

Friday, December 12

Coffeehouse Team

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

Open mic 7-9 p.m.

This month, we’ll gather on the second Friday, instead of the first. Same good vibes, people, and sound, though. 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! Invite friends and family. With the cold weather, upper respiratory infections are more prevalent--Face masks are welcomed, but not required.

FUUSB Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

Wednesday, 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 - Choosing Hope: 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)!

It's that time of year!

Socially Responsible Santa is Here!

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 moveout 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.  

We hope to make our gifts to recipients by 12/16, so please consider donating soon!

(However, donations will continue to be accepted after this time as well.)

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at eewollensack@gmail.com.

Donations to Socially Responsible Santa can be made by clicking on the button below.

*Correction from 11/26: Töve forgot the button! It has been added below: *

Pageant Roles: Sign up to help make the Christmas Eve magic happen! 

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development



Our no-rehearsal pageant on December 24th at 4pm needs roles for both on stage and behind the scenes. Click here to sign up! 

Attn: Burlington Telecom Email Users

Töve Johnson, Administrative Assistant

Did you know that Burlington Telecom will be retiring its customer's email service starting this December 31st?

This means if you use Burlington Telecom as your email provider (your email is @burlingtontelecom.com, it will no longer be active in the new year. More information from Burlington Telecom about the change can be found here including information on how to set up a new email with a different provider.

If you are a Burlington Telecom user with a new email address, please email tove@uusociety.org so she can keep your records up-to-date. We don't want you to miss out on Realm or any other FUUSB communications (including this nifty newsletter!).

2025 FUUSB Fundraiser-

Holiday & Memorial Wreath Sale!

Sarah Forbes, Member 

Support the FUUSB and order a gorgeous, premium quality wreath with a beautiful bow of your choice for your home or for a gift. Or you can remember a loved one this year by sponsoring a Memorial Wreath or Greens that will decorate our Meeting House sanctuary and outer doors during December.

All wreaths are hand-made in the Northeast Kingdom at the Michaud family farm and measure about 24” across.

Order now online through our Fundraiser link: Auctria.events/FUUSBWreaths

Preferred pickup is Wednesday 12/3, Thursday 12/4 or Friday 12/5 in the Community room, 11am-1pm.

Wreaths will also be available Saturday during the Bazaar or Sunday after service in the Community room.

Questions? Contact:

Sarah Forbes 578-6119 sarahforbesdesign@comcast.net or ninaruth@me.com with fundraiser or web questions

Inclement Weather 

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

It's Vermont in the wintertime and that means it's time for snow, ice, slush, power failures, and so much more! If this lovely winter weather becomes extreme, the Society may choose to cancel Sunday Worship and other Sunday events, close the offices, or cancel meetings and events on other nights of the week. 

If we decide to cancel, we will put a notice on our Website, on our Facebook Page, in our Facebook Group, on Community Messenger on Realm and we will send out an email to the Enews mailing list. So in case of bad weather, these are the places to look for updates. 

If you have a meeting or event scheduled on another day of the week and need to cancel, do your best to send a notice to those who are expected to attend and contact a staff member so that we can put a notice on the door and cancel any Caretaker staff that are scheduled to work.  You can find the full Inclement Weather Protocol on our website. Remember to stay safe; don't travel on dangerous roads.

A Safe Space for Honest UU Dialogue- 12/7

Submitted by Gail Beck, Member

ALL ARE WELCOME!



Do you have honest thoughts and opinions on UU positions you'd like to share and explore in a trusted environment?

Join the Respectful Dialogue on UU Positions group on Sunday, December 7 at 11:30 AM. We are committed to having discussions where we can openly share even our disagreements with certain UU stances, knowing we are heard by fellow UUs in a safe, confidential setting.

This group is facilitated, upholds a shared covenant, and meets regularly. Questions?  Email:  rosanne05403@aol.com