Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

May 4 at 10 a.m.

Jon Sallée, Candidate for the UU Ministry & FUUSB Member

Betsy Ferries, Worship Associate

"This Work is Timeless"

Most faith traditions, now or at their root, have understood time as a repeating pattern with unique expressions, rather than the straight line required by progressivism. How can we apply traditional wisdom to progressive faith practice? This service will explore the current moment in relation to that pattern, and how it may inform our unchanging work.

Jon Sallée is a Chaplain Candidate in the Vermont Army National Guard and a Candidate for Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. He has been practicing in Unitarian Universalism for two decades and Buddhism for three, now in the Soto Zen lineage. He is also a public educator and has studied philosophy of education. Jon and his wife, Melissa, live and practice together in Colchester.

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

Families (children and 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 be split up into their Exploration Groups. The nursery is open throughout the service for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



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

Kim Watkin, Board of Trustee Member

The FUUSB Board of Trustees met Tuesday, April 22nd. Devin Fallon, our Facilities Manager, shared data as well as the experiences impacting our Caretakers as they work to keep our property safe. 

Christina shared the 2025-2026 budget that she will be presenting at the April 28th Meet the Budget Zoom event. In May the Board will vote on a final budget to present to the congregation at the Annual Meeting on June 8th. 

The Stewardship Team is wrapping up its campaign hoping to reach out to some members who have given donations in the past but have not formally pledged yet.

Rev. Karen’s Minister’s Report included such work as: support of the Board and Staff in preparation of the Annual Meeting, community engagement with civil rights issues, and providing pastoral care while developing the Pastoral Visiting Team’s internal structure. The Board is continuing to work on its 2025-2026 goals to present at the June 8th Annual Meeting. 

Our next Board Meeting is Tuesday, May 20th 4-6pm at the Meetinghouse. A Zoom link will be published in Community Messenger on that Tuesday or you can email board@uusociety.org for the link.

Join us Marching in Support of Vermont Farmworkers on May 1

Mary Andrews, Immigration Justice Team

Please join the Immigration Justice Team in demanding basic human rights in Hannaford’s dairy supply chain. On May Day, Migrant Justice is holding an all-day picket at the Hannaford in Williston urging customers to support their Milk with Dignity campaign. 

Members of the Immigration Justice Team will be joining other community groups in a march past the offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending at a rally at Hannaford’s. Please join us at 5 pm as we gather at 28 Walnut Street in Williston. Plenty of parking is available there. Wear your Side with Love or other UU shirts!

If you cannot participate from 5-7 pm, please consider joining the picket at Hannaford’s any time during the store hours, from 7 am to 11 pm. It’s time to stand up for immigrant workers and make our voices heard. 

Join Us at the Monthly FUUSB First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse- this Friday, May 2nd!

Todd Schlossberg, Member

Friday, May 2nd.

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

Open mic 7-9 p.m.

This month, we're going back to our roots, returning to The Parlors, for a more intimate listening-room experience, with table and chair seating.

Come share songs or spoken word pieces. PA, Mics, and DI boxes will be set up. Or, just come to enjoy the music, spoken words, and fellowship. If you’re able, bring a dessert dish to share (Hot and cold drinks and paper plates will be provided). All ages and talents are welcome, especially newcomers! Invite friends and family. Face masks welcomed, but are not required.

Faith Development Parent Surveys

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

Calling all parents: Help us strengthen our program by completing a short Faith Development Survey!

This Sunday during Coffee Hour, we will have a table where parents can give feedback on Faith Development programming. We will have paper forms available and a member of the Faith Development Support Team to answer questions.

Silver Bay

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Don’t miss the June 2nd Deadline for Reduced Rates for the UU Weekend at Silver Bay!

Comradery, colorful fall scenery, campfires, kids’ programs, canoeing, and culinary pleasures await you at a coveted setting on Lake George from October 10 to 12, 2025 (with an option of extending your stay until October 13.)

Register by June 2nd for the UU Weekend at Silver Bay to receive the lowest rates. Remember – your room, meals from Friday dinner through Sunday (or Monday) lunch, programs, activities, and entertainment are all included in the price. Children under 6 are free and there are substantial discounts for older children and youth.

Click here for additional information about Silver Bay and UU weekend, including the registration form, the 2024 schedule, and a slide show.

Let us know if you’ll be joining others from FUUSB at Silver Bay by adding yourself to this spreadsheet!

FUUSB Game Night

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Saturday, May 10, 5-8 p.m.

Community Room

Our multigenerational Game Night is back! All ages are invited to play, eat, and be together.

We have lots of games at the ready, but feel free to bring the one you want to play. In the past we've done jigsaw puzzles, Dominoes, Ticket to Ride, Rumikub, Azul, group card games, Pictionary, and more. There are generally several things happening at once. It's okay to come with a group of friends and the intention to play a particular game. You can bring children and play with them or have them play with childcare staff while you try out a game with an older crowd. Make it what you want!

We'll have a "no-stress" potluck; you can wow us with your culinary skills or pick up a loaf of bread and a tub of hummus from the market. The point is to have fun together and not go hungry. We'll have decaf and tea available, plates and utensils.

Come for a little bit or stay the whole time. Come ready to make new friends and reconnect with the old!

Climate Justice Team meets

Sunday, May 18th, at 11:30 am 

Caitlin Waddick, Climate Justice Team

The Climate Justice Team welcomes new members to our upcoming meeting on Sunday, May 18, 2025, after the service, in the Parlors, 11:30 am-12:30 pm.  We have a shared Google Drive, where we keep our Living Agenda and meeting minutes. Please share agenda items, ideas, and questions to: climatejustice@uusociety.org  

A shout out to current members who spoke at the Earth Day Service: MWAH! We invite everyone at FUUSB to take a “before” look at our native plants garden inside our driveway on Clark St. It will flourish this summer. 

Interested in joining a Group at First UU?

Susan Ogden, Member

Dear Friends,

If you are looking to deepen your connection with others and explore meaningful topics, consider joining a circle at First UU!

We offer a variety of circles designed to foster community, personal growth, and spiritual exploration. To learn more about the different types of circles available, please visit the LINK to the FUUSB Circles web page.

For further information or to express your interest, please contact Gail Beck or Susan Ogden at ThemeCircles@uusociety.org.

May’s Theme Circle topic is Imagination!

Learn more & RSVP at www.bit.ly/OrdainRowan.

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.