Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

February 1 at 10 a.m.

Pagan Gathering

Geoff Duke, Worship Associate

"A Garden of Hope"

On February 1st, many modern Pagans observe Imbolc, a holiday that marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The days have grown noticeably longer, reassuring us that the dark and cold of Winter will give way to verdant Spring. Now is the time to plan our gardens; to select and tend the seeds of those things we want to take root and flourish. Now is the time to make plans to bring about the changes we want to see in our lives and the world.

The Pagan Gathering is an FUUSB affinity group for folks interested in Earth-Centered and Pagan Spirituality. We meet twice a month to learn, share, craft, make magic, and have fun. We welcome all who are interested in learning and exploring with us.

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

Mo Singletary, Family Programs Assistant

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

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

After the service, Reverend Karen shared some of her thoughts and experiences of her trip to Minneapolis. About 90 congregants were in attendance.

Love Notes for our UU Siblings in Minnesota

Kim Watkin, Democracy Project

Come and visit the Democracy Project table at Coffee Hour on Sunday, Feb 1st to write Love Notes for our UU Siblings in Minnesota. We will have materials available for you to use at the table OR feel free to bring a prewritten note/card/drawing to the table and we will make sure to mail it with the rest of the cards/notes. For our youth, this is a wonderful way to share your care with a piece of writing or drawing. It is a simple way for us to show our solidarity with our UU siblings in Minnesota. (We have been asked to pick a specific congregation so we have chosen the St. Cloud UU Fellowship).  

Submitted by Alana Shaw, Board Vice President

The FUUSB Board of Trustees met for its regular monthly business meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

 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. Finance resides in the middle of the two areas, collaborating with governance and ministry. The structure, duties and responsibilities of the finance group (previously known as the Finance Team), have been determined. At this meeting, the Board adopted a resolution to set the duties of officers of the Board, including the Finance Group formation, duties and responsibilities. 

Christina presented the financial reports through the end of December, with no significant issues.

The Board is working with the Nominating Committee to develop and discover leadership interest within the congregation. Job descriptions have been refined and ideas of how to learn about the amazing skills and interests among congregants are being discussed.

The Board agreed to sign a statement by Raise Up Justice VT in support of our partner organization Racial Justice Alliance. They also agreed to support The First Parish Brewster UU’s submission of three proposals to UUA 2026 General Assembly for Ministerial Fellowship Committee policy review, fair compensation during suspension and to clarify suspension authority. This show of support doesn’t involve FUUSB in this matter any further.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th 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.

Celebrating Vibrant Lives

Racial Justice Team

The Racial Justice Team has been working with Rajnii Eddins and the Vibrant Lives project to bring you an afternoon of Celebrating Vibrant Lives. It's an opportunity to build community by hearing people's stories - through spoken word performances from the Black Artists Showcase and through hearing about and supporting Vibrant Lives, an oral history project capturing and lifting up the lives of local Black elders and leaders. 

The event is free. Donations of $15 - $20 or any amount to support Vibrant Lives are welcome. Please join us Sunday, February 8 2 - 4pm at the Meeting House. 

Get your free tickets here!

Unlock the Wisdom of the Earth:

Join Our Stones & Rocks Circle

Gail Beck, Member

“Let us pick up the stones over which we stumble, friends, and build altars.” — Padraig Ó Tuama

Have you ever found yourself walking along a beach or a forest trail and felt called to pocket a small stone? You aren’t alone. Humans have been gathering stones from all over the world for millennia—treating them as talismans, anchors for memory, and symbols of a connection that remains even when things are tangibly gone.

This February, our 2nd Sunday Earth Teacher series invites you to slow down to "geologic speed" and listen to the rhythm of the soul. Whether you are a lifelong rock collector or simply curious about the quiet strength of the earth, come explore the spiritual resilience and ancient music hidden within the stones. Click here to access the Earth Teacher Packet.

Event Details

• When: Sunday, February 8th
• Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Right after Coffee Hour)
• Where: The Parlors
• Who: All are welcome!

What to Expect

Join us for a friendly, spiritual hour of contemplation and connection. We will explore how stones act as "Earth Teachers," offering us lessons in:

• Resilience: How nature endures through pressure and time.
• Stillness: Practicing "Pebble Meditation" to find calm and ground ourselves.
• Connection: Understanding how we are linked to the journey of the Earth through its minerals.

Feel free to bring a favorite stone from your own collection to hold during our time together!

LGBTQIA+ group next meets on 2/8

Elizabeth Allen, LGBTQIA Group

Dig out from under all the snow because it will soon be time for the next LGBTQIA+ group meeting! We will gather next Sunday, February 8, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, after services, in the Whitney Young Jr. Room on the second floor. Join us for pizza from Leonardo's and a zine-making workshop from our own fabulous Katie Hauer. Everyone is welcome, including allies! See you there!

Save the Dates

Susan Ogden, Stewardship

The FUUSB 2026 Pledge Campaign invites you to share food, music and dance in a series of events. Details to come.

Annual Elmore Campout!

Elmore State Park, June 19-21, 6:00 p.m.

Mo Singletary, Family Programs Assistant

I know it’s chilly outside but June will be here before we know it! Come join FUUSB friends of all ages at Elmore State Park for fun and community, with optional hiking, swimming, paddling, and s'mores! This is an event for all ages! We'll potluck Friday evening; have a campfire sing on Saturday, and do a little campsite worship on Sunday morning; in between we'll find many other ways to connect with each other and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings! 

Signing up early helps ensure we have enough sites for everyone.  

Sign-up here or contact Chip Patullo at sunergy.vt@gmail.com with questions!