112 Main Street Derby Line, VT 05830
1uuderbyline@gmail.com
(802) 873-3563
Sunday Service 10:00 am
October 3, 2021 (Zoom and in-person at the church)
Title– Your Chance to Tell Us!
Topic: The Sunday Services Committee would like to please everyone! Every Sunday? Not possible, because among us are fans of different service formats, different numbers of hymns and different speaking styles. We attend church for different reasons and want to focus on different concerns. But could we please all of you some of the time? That’s the purpose of this discussion—don’t miss it!
Discussion Leader(s): Kathy Ketchum (and members of the Sunday Services Committee)
October 10, 2021
Worship Speaker– Owen Tatum
Title– Local Food: a foothold in troubling times?
Bio - Much of the first half of Owen’s story took place here in Derby Line where as a kid he rode his bike a lot and ran around in the woods on Beech Street with his brother, Steven, and their friends. In the second half, Owen went to school in Poultney, Vermont, where he made new friends, studied some philosophy, and began exploring an interest in small-scale farming, dabbling in sustainable agriculture classes and working on a student-run farm at Green Mountain College. In the years since college he has been working on a few different diversified animal-vegetable farms between Vermont and Western Massachusetts, making many new friends along the way. Now Owen is returning home, hopefully will make more new friends, and in the meantime he is experimenting with his own farming ideas on his family’s land to start a diversified vegetable farming project here in Derby.
Synopsis - Owen will discuss local food and farming as a practical outlet for affecting meaningful change, touching on themes that underlie popular understandings of the local food movement including purposeful and satisfying work, stewardship, and belonging in place and community. Owen will also share some of his own farming-related reflections, stories, and aspirations for future farming endeavors here in Derby. To wrap things up: time for reflection and anything people want to share - ideas, stories, questions, fears, worries and (or) hopes for the future.
October 17, 2021
Worship Speaker-Gabriella Brand
Service Associate-Nicole Gratton
Title– Rome Fell, the Barn Burned, the Tsunami came…….but Life Goes On
Bio-Gabriella Brand is a teacher, writer, linguist, and lay minister. She lives in Connecticut with her husband the Rev. Douglas Peary. Gabriella has spoken to various congregations in the U.S. India, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Topic–All institutions and all human beings are in a constant state of flux. Our cells divide, our governments topple, our communities feel wobbly, but life goes on. How does anything ever get reimagined or re-built? Gabriella Brand will lead us across the centuries and around the globe to examine the ways in which the human spirit prevails.
October 24, 2021
Worship Speaker-Michelle Rutman
Service Associate-Kathy Ketchum
Title–Assisting Asylum Seekers
Bio– Michelle is the President of NEKASAN, and was one of the founders. She is a member of the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of St. Johnsbury, and is a co-moderator of her congregation.
Topic–Join us for a service led by Michelle Rutman to explore the ways a new nonprofit organization called ‘The Northeast Kingdom Asylum Seekers Assistance Network’ (NEKASAN) is involved in the important work of helping Asylum Seekers coming to the US, after fleeing persecution in their home
country. NEKASAN has been meeting the needs of Asylum Seekers within a Supportive Community by providing assistance for Guests, Sponsors, and Hosts, since June 2020. What are the experiences and needs of Seekers and how could our congregation add to the ripples of care?
October 31, 2021 - 4:00pm service ( Zoom and in-person at the church)
Worship Speaker– The Reverend Susan-Lynn Johns
Title– Toss Ye Torches Whilst Ye May
Bio-The Rev. Susan-Lynn Johns served First Parish as pulpit supply and lay minister for around 15 years. She was ordained out of this congregation in January 2016 and shortly thereafter was called to be full-time minister by the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of St. Johnsbury. Originally from South Carolina, she has lived in the Northeast Kingdom for 20 years and cherishes Vermont in more ways than she could ever have imagined.
Topic-October 31, the Wiccan New Year, is a time for honoring our ancestors—friends, family, pets, even ideas and concepts we've lost but might still learn from. Please bring a photo or memento of someone you have lost for whom you'd like to light a candle. I will have special candles to light during the ceremony, but you might also want to light one at home.
Title– Your Chance to Tell Us!
Topic: The Sunday Services Committee would like to please everyone! Every Sunday? Not possible, because among us are fans of different service formats, different numbers of hymns and different speaking styles. We attend church for different reasons and want to focus on different concerns. But could we please all of you some of the time? That’s the purpose of this discussion—don’t miss it!
Discussion Leader(s): Kathy Ketchum (and members of the Sunday Services Committee)
October 10, 2021
Worship Speaker– Owen Tatum
Title– Local Food: a foothold in troubling times?
Bio - Much of the first half of Owen’s story took place here in Derby Line where as a kid he rode his bike a lot and ran around in the woods on Beech Street with his brother, Steven, and their friends. In the second half, Owen went to school in Poultney, Vermont, where he made new friends, studied some philosophy, and began exploring an interest in small-scale farming, dabbling in sustainable agriculture classes and working on a student-run farm at Green Mountain College. In the years since college he has been working on a few different diversified animal-vegetable farms between Vermont and Western Massachusetts, making many new friends along the way. Now Owen is returning home, hopefully will make more new friends, and in the meantime he is experimenting with his own farming ideas on his family’s land to start a diversified vegetable farming project here in Derby.
Synopsis - Owen will discuss local food and farming as a practical outlet for affecting meaningful change, touching on themes that underlie popular understandings of the local food movement including purposeful and satisfying work, stewardship, and belonging in place and community. Owen will also share some of his own farming-related reflections, stories, and aspirations for future farming endeavors here in Derby. To wrap things up: time for reflection and anything people want to share - ideas, stories, questions, fears, worries and (or) hopes for the future.
October 17, 2021
Worship Speaker-Gabriella Brand
Service Associate-Nicole Gratton
Title– Rome Fell, the Barn Burned, the Tsunami came…….but Life Goes On
Bio-Gabriella Brand is a teacher, writer, linguist, and lay minister. She lives in Connecticut with her husband the Rev. Douglas Peary. Gabriella has spoken to various congregations in the U.S. India, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Topic–All institutions and all human beings are in a constant state of flux. Our cells divide, our governments topple, our communities feel wobbly, but life goes on. How does anything ever get reimagined or re-built? Gabriella Brand will lead us across the centuries and around the globe to examine the ways in which the human spirit prevails.
October 24, 2021
Worship Speaker-Michelle Rutman
Service Associate-Kathy Ketchum
Title–Assisting Asylum Seekers
Bio– Michelle is the President of NEKASAN, and was one of the founders. She is a member of the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of St. Johnsbury, and is a co-moderator of her congregation.
Topic–Join us for a service led by Michelle Rutman to explore the ways a new nonprofit organization called ‘The Northeast Kingdom Asylum Seekers Assistance Network’ (NEKASAN) is involved in the important work of helping Asylum Seekers coming to the US, after fleeing persecution in their home
country. NEKASAN has been meeting the needs of Asylum Seekers within a Supportive Community by providing assistance for Guests, Sponsors, and Hosts, since June 2020. What are the experiences and needs of Seekers and how could our congregation add to the ripples of care?
October 31, 2021 - 4:00pm service ( Zoom and in-person at the church)
Worship Speaker– The Reverend Susan-Lynn Johns
Title– Toss Ye Torches Whilst Ye May
Bio-The Rev. Susan-Lynn Johns served First Parish as pulpit supply and lay minister for around 15 years. She was ordained out of this congregation in January 2016 and shortly thereafter was called to be full-time minister by the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of St. Johnsbury. Originally from South Carolina, she has lived in the Northeast Kingdom for 20 years and cherishes Vermont in more ways than she could ever have imagined.
Topic-October 31, the Wiccan New Year, is a time for honoring our ancestors—friends, family, pets, even ideas and concepts we've lost but might still learn from. Please bring a photo or memento of someone you have lost for whom you'd like to light a candle. I will have special candles to light during the ceremony, but you might also want to light one at home.
The congregation of the First Universalist Parish of Derby Line seeks a warm, motivated, organized and creative person to fulfill the role of Religious Educator. The Religious Educator (RE) would serve to care for and work with the children of the parish during Sunday Services, with the possibility of creating additional programming as needed.
There are seven principles which Unitarian-Universalist congregations
affirm and promote:
To be considered for this position, please email a letter of interest,
resume, and three references to: RoseAnna Cyr at roseannacyr@gmail.com.
- We seek an applicant who is warm, social justice minded, creative and
- Applicants must have strong classroom/group management skills, and be able to work with a wide range of ages and child personalities.
- A person who embraces and understands the values of Unitarian
- We seek someone who is child oriented, and understands the needs and behavior's of children at various developmental levels.
- Someone who has clear structure, solid communication skills, and enjoys having fun!
- Someone who honors children's input and ideas in developing and leading programing.
- Occasional engagement with congregation and community during social
- 5 flexible hours a week (9:30am-12pm on Sundays mandatory, additional time for planning)
- Paid training available
- $15-$20 an hour
- The RE would be supervised by the Religious Education Committee.
- Background check mandatory
There are seven principles which Unitarian-Universalist congregations
affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a
To be considered for this position, please email a letter of interest,
resume, and three references to: RoseAnna Cyr at roseannacyr@gmail.com.
Available November 1st, 2021, a two room apartment with private bath and shared kitchen. All utilities, Wi-Fi and parking included for $850/mo. with $250 deposit, excellent references and good credit. Call 802-766-2915 or
email judyatthursdays@surfglobal.net
email judyatthursdays@surfglobal.net
A memorial service for Ellie Gavin will be held on Oct 16, 2021 at 11am at the Northwoods Stewardship Center, inside their big hall, maybe with windows open. Lunch will be provided following the service.
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.
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person
