Sunday, December 17 at 10 a.m.

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Geoff Duke, Worship Associate

Multigenerational Solstice Celebration

At this time of the year there are many traditions that note the darkness and its light. This Sunday, a few days before its actual date on the calendar, we will celebrate the Winter Solstice at this multigenerational Sunday service.

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.

Congregational Check-In Meeting on Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

After this Sunday's service, we are holding a check-in for folks who would like to process the November 25 shooting in Burlington and our congregation's relationship to that event. It will be at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlors. Rev. Karen, Christina, and Rodney (Board President) will be present to share information, respond to questions, and help us come together as we make meaning in the midst of a very challenging set of circumstances. We are in the midst of an unfolding story - how we talk about it, how we come together - is meaningful and can help us build resilience as a congregation and community.

Here are links to the text of last Sunday's "This I Believe" Reflections: by Judy Brook, and by Molly Moerdyk.

Eclipse Homestay Fundraiser

Susan Ogden, Eclipse Team

A once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event will occur on

April 8, 2024 in Burlington.

Will you donate a spare room for one of the 100,000 eclipse-enthusiast-visitors whom we expect to arrive to witness the total solar eclipse?

For more information please see: uusociety.org/2024-total-solar-eclipse-page

Please fill out the donation form:

https://tinyurl.com/EclipseUUHomes

Contact us with questions: [email protected]

Socially Responsible Santa

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

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.  

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

From the Immigration Justice Team

Mary Andrews

Urgent Request from the Immigration Justice Team: 

Please join the IJT in asking our Senators to resist harmful changes to U.S. immigration law.

We believe that the right to apply for asylum is a basic human right that must be defended. We strongly oppose harmful changes in immigration law in exchange for emergency aid to Israel and Ukraine.

Trade-offs being discussed in Senate negotiations are troubling, possibly including regressive changes in immigration law and policies at the expense of people seeking refuge in the U.S. The White House may accept harmful changes to get funding for Ukraine. Senators need to hear from us this week.

Please refer to UUSJ’s no-frills call document (a Google doc), which includes sample scripts and telephone numbers. 

Earth Teacher Project

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Looking for a spiritual practice that connects you with the Natural World and with others in the congregation? Beginning in January, we are rolling out the Earth Teacher Project. Each month will have its own "Earth Teacher" with a packet of content to help focus you on deepening your relationship with that aspect of the Natural World. Think of it as a modern-day version of our Unitarian Universalist ancestors, the Transcendentalists, who declared that divinity could be found in Nature. The packets will be emailed out alongside the monthly Soul Matters "The Path." Use the Earth Teacher packet on your own, with a circle of friends, or join our monthly online reflection session (sign up in Realm). The first one starts January 1 at 11 a.m. (a great way to start the new year!) Register here for the Jan. 1 session.

Here is the text of Rev. Karen's Earth Teacher Project Introduction from the Sunday service on Dec. 10.

Video announcement about the Earth Teacher Project:

Candlelighters/Ushers Needed for 4 pm Christmas Eve Service

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

We still need Candlelighters/Ushers for the 4 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Thank you to all who have signed up already.

Candlelighters/Ushers will hand out candles as people come into the Sanctuary, pass the baskets during the collection, and light the candles during Silent Night. Please find a full job description and sign up at: https://signup.com/go/iYyNXGn. Or contact Christina at [email protected] if you have any questions.

FUUSB Christmas Eve Services & Holiday Schedule

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 candlelighting.

6 p.m. & 8 p.m. – Service of Lessons & Carols  

"Pray for Peace, People Everywhere"

With the FUUSB Choir and candlelighting.

Join us in the Sanctuary at 6 or 8 p.m. The 6 p.m. service will also be livestreamed. The link will be shared on our website at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.

We will not have a morning service on Dec. 24.

Sunday, December 31 at 10 a.m. - Recorded service

"Seeds for the New Year"

Premiering on YouTube at 10 a.m. What seeds are you planting for the new year? How are you weaving your magic into your relationships with others? How can we center beauty and goodness and love in all that’s ahead? These questions are at the heart of this pre-recorded Sunday service offered by the UUA’s WorshipWeb and Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, with an introduction from our own Rev. Karen. The Meeting House is in use for Highlight and we will not be gathering in person.

Find the video link on our YouTube channel at 10 a.m. or visit our Live-Streamed Worship page.

Holiday Break - The FUUSB offices will be closed for a holiday break from December 25 through January 1.

eNews - There will be no eNews on December 27. Weekly issues resume on January 3.

Best wishes for this holiday season and the new year!

Memorial Wreaths & Greens - Thank You

Sarah Forbes

Thank you to all who have remembered friends and loved ones this holiday season with wreaths and greens for our Sanctuary and Meeting House. Our space looks beautiful and peaceful.

Memorial Wreaths & Greens List

Start the New Year with Presence

Jeff Byam

The Eckhart Tolle Chalice Circle is accepting new members. Our virtual meetings are from 3 to 5 p.m. every other Sunday. Please email Jeff Byam here if you have any questions or would like to join. 

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.

Are You Sick? Please, Stay Home.

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's to monitor our symptoms and stay home when we are sick. If you haven't been to the Meeting House lately, you may be surprised to know that we've had nearly 200 people in the building on Sundays. Our congregation is filled with people who are at varying risks of catching COVID and/or the flu. So we ask that you follow this advice from the CDC.

1. If you have any of the common Flu Symptoms or the common COVID Symptoms, please stay home.  
2. If you have been exposed to COVID but have no symptoms, please stay masked in the building.
3. If you have tested positive for COVID, please isolate.

Remember, staying home doesn't mean you will miss the Worship Service; you can always watch the live-streamed service. And meetings can be held via Zoom, by scheduling a Zoom link with Mary. 

While at the Meeting House, masks are strongly encouraged. They can be found in the wall dispensers at both entrances.

Thank you!

Online Joys, Sorrows, & Gratitudes Form

If you would like to share a joy, sorrow, or gratitude, we invite you to fill out our online Joys, Sorrows, & Gratitudes Form, available at this link and in each week's eNews.

Joys, sorrows, and gratitudes are shared in Sunday worship services as much as possible. Since our live-streamed services are available publicly on the FUUSB YouTube channel, we will not read full names or personal details.

In Memoriam

Harriet Long, member of FUUSB since 1968, died peacefully on Monday, December 11, in Burlington at the age of 92. Her family grieves her death while expressing thanks for her long and full life. A mother, grandmother, wife, and teacher, Harriet was active in our Religious Education program and Care Network. Plans for a memorial service are still in process. Condolence cards can be sent to her husband, Jack Long, in care of her son, Dale Long at 6 Clover Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.

VIA Achieved Results in Social Justice

Thank you for your congregation's support of Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) during 2023. If you'd like to see what we were able to achieve with your help, please take a look at the document on VIA's website (click on "VIA 2023_General and Corrections Summaries"). For more info contact [email protected] or (802) 651-8889.

VIA's Virtual Holiday Party

Whether you celebrate Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, Festivus or something else, this is the time of year to have a good party! And especially after a tough twelve months, we deserve to relax, laugh with each other, and play a few games to unwind. So please join us:

Thursday, December 14, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Attire: Ugly Sweater Casual :)

Be prepared to participate in:

• Community Organizing Trivia Contest
• Celebration of Faith in Action National Network's 50th Anniversary
• Recipes for Ending Political Polarization (bring your best ideas for Peace Punch, Keg of Human Kindness, and other creative solutions...)

Raffle for prizes! Win all kinds of fun stuff! We're still securing the prizes, but based on past events, they will be things like Darn Tough Socks, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Sommerville Pottery, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and Vermont products like baked goods, maple syrup, and cheese.

Cost: $10 gets you admission and one raffle ticket -- or --

$25 gets you admission and six raffle tickets

Click here to get your tickets now!

Questions? Contact [email protected].