Sunday, December 3 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Betsy Ferries, Worship Associate

"Do Not Be Alone"

This has been a heartbreaking week in our community and in our congregation. It does little good to be in isolation. We cannot change the past but we can shape how we move into the future. Let us borrow brave from each other, let us lend it when we have extra. Let us find our way through these heart-wrenching times together. 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, masks are strongly encouraged. 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

Sunday, December 3

Families will begin in the Sanctuary together. After the Reflection for All Ages children, preschool through 8th grade, and their guides will be sung out for their group explorations! If your children are not yet registered, please escort them and fill out a new family form with their group guides. The Nursery will be open throughout the service for infants and toddlers. 

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

If you would like a Stone Ritual Kit, here's what to do: fill out this form and let us know if 

• you (or someone you designate) will pick up a kit at the Meeting House
• you would like us to get the kit to you (either by in-person delivery or USPS)

We will set a few out on Sundays for those who can pick them up then. Supplies are limited; we cannot guarantee how fast these kits will be claimed but we do want to get them out to folks who would like one.

Video - Introducing Stone Ritual Kits:

We were so pleased to have back in our pulpit as guest preacher, Rev. Jane Dwinell. Some expressed interest in being able to read the text of the sermon; she has kindly passed it on to us. You can access it by clicking here.

Here is the video link for last Sunday's service:

November 26, 2023 FUUSB Worship Service

Open-Mic Coffeehouse

Todd Schlossberg

Join Us for the Return of the FUUSB First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse!

Friday, December 1, 7 – 9 p.m. 

Though it’s not yet dropped down to twenty below

We’ve already seen our first coatings of snow

Come and take shelter from the late autumn storms

Sweet music and poems will help keep you warm 

What: The Monthly FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse

No potluck supper, but hot beverages will be served

Who: Everyone! All ages! Bring friends and family

Where: The Sanctuary, First UU Society of Burlington

When: Friday, December 1, 7 – 9 p.m. 

Sign-up for the open-mic starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Cost: Free!

Questions? Email Todd Schlossberg here.

2024 Total Solar Eclipse Project

Susan Ogden, Eclipse Team

Happy Giving Season and thanks so much to our Eclipse Homestay donors! We are more than halfway to our goal. 

Please contact the Eclipse Team: [email protected]

Or go directly to: https://tinyurl.com/EclipseUUHomes

2023 FUUSB Fundraiser:

Holiday Wreaths & Greens for Your Home!

Sarah Forbes

There are many places you can get your holiday greens from. Please support the FUUSB and order a beautiful, custom-decorated, premium quality wreath or swag for your home or for a gift. Wreaths are handmade in the Northeast Kingdom and measure about 24” across. Swags are handmade, decorated with natural materials and a bow and are about 18"-24” long.

Pick-up is Saturday, Dec. 2 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), or Sunday, Dec. 3 in the Community Room (11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.).

Sign up online through the FUUSB Fundraiser link: 

Auctria.events/Wreaths2023

FUUSB Fundraiser: Memorial Greens & Wreaths

Sarah Forbes

Remember a loved one this year with a memorial wreath or greens which will decorate our Meeting House and Sanctuary during December.

Sign up online through the FUUSB Fundraiser link: Auctria.events/Wreaths2023

2023 Holiday Bazaar News

Kim Watkin

It's getting closer! One last Sunday Coffee Hour (12/3) to sign up to volunteer for shifts at the Holiday Bazaar! OR email Kim Watkin here if you are interested in helping on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - any time is helpful. 

We will be collecting items* for the Dec. 9 Holiday Bazaar in the days before the event.  

Donation Drop-Off dates include: 

• Wednesday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

* YES to: kitchen and household items, holiday decorations, toys, books, jewelry, homemade food items

* NO to: bedding, clothing, textbooks, large appliances and furniture, baby items, stuffed animals

Also, we welcome crafters to participate in our Holiday Bazaar by offering affordable creations to delight us, with proceeds shared with FUUSB. There's limited space, so email Martha Molpus here soon.  

The Season of Giving

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

As we're coming to the end of the calendar year, many of you are thinking about making charitable contributions. As you are making your decisions around charitable donations, please remember FUUSB. Here are several options to think about:

1. Pay your Pledge - If you made a financial pledge to FUUSB for this fiscal year, please check to make sure that your pledge payment is completed or at least up to date. It's very easy to think that your payments are being charged to your credit card or being taken out of your bank account, only to find out that they are not. So check on Realm, or contact Christina.
2. Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA - Making a direct transfer from an IRA allows a member age 70½ or over to avoid a tax hit on the annual required minimum distribution. In this case, the charitable contribution must go directly to the Society, not the taxpayer first. This option requires some advance planning, so individuals considering it should consult with their tax or financial advisor.
3. Donations of stock allow a member to support causes important to them without affecting personal cash flow. Generally speaking, the most tax-advantaged approach is to donate stock held for more than one year that has appreciated in value. This provides for a larger charitable contribution and avoids tax on the capital gain. For losing stock, sell it first and then donate the cash. Individuals considering it should consult with their tax or financial advisor.
4. Give to a FUUSB Fund Account - The Society has many opportunities to contribute in special ways: Sunday Morning Breakfast, Socially Responsible Santa, the Angel Fund, Fill the Gap, Share the Plate, the Discretionary Fund, and JUMP. Go to the Helping Our Community page on the website to find out more about these special funds.

Generosity is a spiritual practice for many during the December holidays. Every gift, no matter the amount, is greatly appreciated. You can give online, by texting "Steeple" to 73256, by mailing a check to the Society, or by dropping a check in the basket on Sunday morning. If you are giving online, click on the Fund drop-down menu for a listing of all our special funds. If you are giving by check, please write the name of the fund in the memo line of the check. Please contact Christina at [email protected] with any questions.

From the Radical Welcoming Team

Peggy Owen Sands

Awakening to the Emotional Difference Between Feeling Unsafe and Feeling Uncomfortable 

How does feeling unsafe or uncomfortable show up for you? Have you considered the difference between these feelings? 

The Radical Welcoming Team delved into this question to consider how these feelings may affect our interactions and actualizing radical welcoming. This section of an article by Dr. Cheryl Ingram helped us explore our personal experiences with these two feelings.

To feel unsafe means that your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional “being is in harm’s way. Something has happened to you in that moment that made you feel as if you are going to lose something whether material or physical. It means that a harmful action is imminent, or has surfaced that caused you pain or loss.”

“To feel uncomfortable means that you are out of your element and feeling somewhat incompetent, at an experiential disadvantage, and learning something new that makes you rethink everything that you once knew to be true. It’s a time of transformation if you are willing to accept it for the purpose of your own growth.” “When you are in a position of feeling anxious first breathe, do what you need to in order to relax, and then ask yourself the following question:

Am I in immediate danger or being threatened? - If the answer is no, you’re uncomfortable, if it’s a yes, you’re unsafe.”

Try evaluating whether you are feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. How do you respond depending on your answer? We hope you will share your thoughts during coffee hour!

New Art Exhibit in ARC Gallery

I encourage everyone to check out the ARC gallery on the second floor, currently featuring paintings by Jacquelyne Lotz, late wife of member Bill Lotz. Many of these beautiful paintings were done on Star island. Bill has generously offered to donate half of the proceeds of any sales to FUUSB. - Nina Dahlstedt Buss

From Bill Lotz:

In the upstairs gallery we have 16 framed works of art for sale. The artist was Jacquie Lotz who recently died. There are paintings done at Star Island where she taught art for several years at the Conference of the Arts. There are paintings done on canvas and several watercolors on paper. Most are framed but there are also several dozen unframed. Jacquie’s husband Bill will donate 50% of the sales to FUUSB.

Artist's Bio - Jacquelyne A. Lotz

Silver Bay UU Weekend 2024 or Bust!

Valerie Wood-Lewis

Save the Date and Get Excited for the UU Weekend at Silver Bay next October!

After hearing Rita and Adam rave about the UU retreat every fall on Lake George, 16 of us from FUUSB signed up this year, and it was INCREDIBLE! We’d love to tell you a little about it in the hopes that you’ll consider coming next October 11-13 (optional to 14th), 2024! Click here for a glimpse at this year’s info, and stay tuned there for details about next year.

Click here to read more, including the top 10 reasons to register for the Silver Bay UU Retreat!

We would be happy to share our experiences and help you assess whether this is a fit for you. The best prices and room selection are already available, but you can also roll the dice and see what’s left in the fall and sign up then, or anytime in between. The online registration form is not up to date yet, but there are copies of the current form on the downstairs bulletin board. Please email Valerie Wood-Lewis here or call here for more info or with any questions!

Stay tuned to the eNews for a possible mini-retreat at FUUSB this winter to experience a taste of the magic of Silver Bay!