Services at First Universalist Parish
Sunday December 3rd, 2023 - 10:30 am
It's So Easy to Forget
Speaker- Gabriella Brand
Bio- Gabriella Brand is a language teacher, writer, counselor and lay minister in the Unitarian tradition. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee and her writing has appeared in over fifty publications. Currently she serves as Poet Laureate of her small Connecticut city. She spends summers in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and loves coming to Derby Line.
Synopsis- As neuroscientists learn more about the brain, they acknowledge that human memory is both slippery and hard wired. Gabriella Brand speaks of the role memory can play in our daily existence. By consciously forging and cultivating positive memories we can bring greater meaning to our lives and to the lives of others.
Musicians-Ryan Frizzell-trumpet, Aaron Ricker-guitar, and Brian Herring-piano
Sunday December 10th, 2023 - 10:30 am
Three Practices of Wisdom and Wholeness, Lessons from Krista Tippett
Speaker-Nicole Gratton
Synopsis- In her recent Ted Talk, Krista Tippett shared the Three Practices of Wisdom and Wholeness that we can all use, especially in our very hard world. Nicole will share the highlights from Krista's talk and lean heavily into the third practice, "vocare" or the doing of what you are meant to do.
Musicians- Heather Webster and Chris Nicotera
Sunday December 17th, 2023 - 4:00 pm
Solstice Service!
Please note this service is at 4 pm.
Synopsis- It is our annual Solstice Service where we gather together to build warmth and light on the longest and darkest night of the year. Join in the merry-making with song, dance, poems, performance, and words of wisdom. We will close our service singing carols in our circle of candles and enjoy a very hearty potluck dinner together. Please bring a dish to share. This is a multi-generational service.
Musicians-Janice Luce-organ and piano, RoseAnna Cyr and April Caspari-vocals
Our next service will be Sunday January 7th for our first ever Fire Service! Please join us for the start of 2024 at 10:30 am
From all of us at First Universalist Parish-Happy Holidays!
Memorial Poinsettia's
The Legend of the Poinsettia
A legend is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Masses. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy. Pedro said consolingly, I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes.
Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.
As she approached the altar, she remembered Pedro’s kind words: Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes. She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season and thus, the legend of the poinsettia was born.
As Christmas approaches, I find myself filled with sadness thinking of the loss of those that have passed on, and that I have no gift I am able to give them. I think of years past and gifts given and wish they were still here with me. As Poinsettia legend states, "even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable..." I know my greatest gift to those who passed would be to honor them. This Christmas season, as in past years we will be displaying poinsettia's in memory of loved ones (or in honor of someone near and dear) however, this year instead of asking you to bring a poinsettia, we are taking the work out of it for you. We will use the donations to purchase the poinsettia and make memory cards that will be attached to the poinsettia. Every poinsettia purchased will be thoughtfully and beautifully displayed in our church for the entire season. Please consider clicking the link below to purchase a poinsettia in memory (or honor) of your loved one. Each one purchased will also be featured in our next newsletter and on our Solstice service program. Poinsettia's can be purchased until Dec. 15th. Click the button below for more details.
Now pledges and donations can be made easily online!
Click the donate button or scan the QR code below.
Click the donate button or scan the QR code below.
112 Main Street Derby Line, VT 05830
1uuderbyline@gmail.com
(802) 487-0997
Sunday Service 10:30 am
We have an Electric Car Charging Station!
Our fellowship hall is the perfect venue for your meeting place or special occasion
For Reservations, please print and mail, or complete our online application.
For Reservations, please print and mail, or complete our online application.
The mission of First Parish is to sustain a safe home for our spiritual growth and to support each other as we put our beliefs and principles into action.
