112 Main Street Derby Line, VT 05830
1uuderbyline@gmail.com
(802) 873-3563
Sunday Service 10:00 am
Sunday Services (All services begin at 10:30am)
February 5, 2023
“Repent, for the Groundhog Is Near!”
In-person at FUP, 10:30am
Speaker-Rev. Susan-Lynn Johns
Musician-Janice Luce
Zoom available (STJ link)
Repentance is definitely not a word that’s bandied about in Unitarian Universalist circles! It’s right up there on a dusty shelf with worship, prayer, religion, God, and Jesus. Susan-Lynn has dealt with most of the other semi-forbidden words in past sermons, but she’s never tackled repentance before - probably because it’s tied to another verboten word, sin. Yet ignoring the concept of repentance and the rich possibilities that concept can bring, is not unlike cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face. You’ll have to show up to find out how the groundhog figures into it!
February 12, 2023
“International Darwin Day”
Zoomed service from STJ (STJ link)
Speaker-Rev. Susan-Lynn Johns
Musician-Janice Luce
Join us as we celebrate the birthday of one of the world’s most controversial figures, Charles Darwin. The Darwin family had a lifetime involvement with the Church of England, and various dissenting establishments - including Unitarianism. Darwin actually went up to Cambridge in 1828 with the aim of becoming a clergyman. Yet, while he had a “distant prospect of a very quiet parsonage” in his future, he was drawn to the study of nature and left Cambridge in 1831 for a remarkable five-year voyage that changed the study of biology forever. The voyage transformed him from a talented but mediocre schoolboy into a remarkable scientist.
February 19, 2023
A Restorative Circle
In person only at FUP, 10:30am
Led by RoseAnna Cyr & April Caspari
April Caspari and RoseAnna Cyr will facilitate a discussion circle for all to participate in. The circle discussion held in January was an opportunity to learn more about each other as a congregation. This restorative circle aims to continue our work in the First Principle, the inherent worth and dignity of all beings.
Alternatively on February 19:
“Living the Fifth in Political Chaos”
Zoomed service from STJ (STJ link)
Speaker-Rev. Susan-Lynn Johns
Musician-Janice Luce
The Fifth Principle: We affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. By the time this service rolls around, there will assuredly be more political chaos in this country than there is at the end of January. Since the last Presidential election, attitudes and values run the gamut from honorable to slimy. The loss of civility and the ability of members of different parties to work together have reached an all-time low while mud-slinging and outright lying have reached an all-time high. Liberals can’t understand conservatives and vice versa. Fear runs rampant in our country—and throughout the world—as Fascist ideas gain ground. Although it might seem at first glance that being members and friends of a liberal religion might mean that we are all political liberals, it is a known fact that, while their numbers may be smaller, there are a good many conservatives in Unitarian Universalist pews. It’s amazing how well we work together within our congregations. Wouldn’t it be nice if that could happen on a national scale?
In order to fully engage in the democratic process, we should do our best to come to some understanding of all sides of issues and to trust in the development of the individual conscience of those holding opposing views. Yet is this possible in the polarized society in which we live? Other Principles will probably be touched upon as we plumb the depths of cognitive dissonance to see if we can be as open minded as we think we are.
February 26, 2023
"The Constitution:
What do you know? What don't you know? What do you want to know?"
In-person service at FUP, 10:30am
Zoom available (FUP link)
Speaker-Frank Davis
Musician-Janice Luce
“Why a US Constitution? The reasons and results in 1787.” On February 26, with the help of Frank Davis, retired career educator who has taught Civics at all levels from kindergarten to college, we will delve into ways we citizens implement our UU Fifth principle: “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.”
Frank hopes this will be an introduction to a free civics series for the public, offered here at our church, featuring nine more discussions to examine, specifically, how the Constitution and government impacts us as citizens. Follow-up discussions will be held weekly in our hall at a time/day determined by interested participants, and offered to the public at large.
Please join us after the services
to enjoy some socializing,
along with our wonderful potlucks!
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.