Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

October 26 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Mark Power-Freeman, Worship Associate

"On Not Waiting to Be the Hummingbird"

What if your relationship with mortality - with the eventuality of your own death - brought curiosity? At least in equal measure as fear, if not more? What amount of autonomy do you wish to exercise at the end of your life? Come hear a version of the story of Lee Hawkins, one of Rev. Karen’s UU heroes, when it comes to facing mortality.

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, anyone is welcome to wear a mask. 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

Most families will begin the morning together in the Sanctuary. After the Time For All Ages, children and youth will be escorted to Chalice Choice Activities on the lower level. Care for infants and toddlers is available in the Nursery throughout the service. 



Please note that 4th/5th OWL will begin in the SBA Room at 10 am sharp, so participants should be dropped off before the service begins.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



Here is the text to the sermon Rev. Karen did not give, called Sing Out Love: A Brief & Incomplete History of our Hymnody. Much of the history shared in this text comes from the research by UU musician and worship leader, Matt Meyer, who led our Sunday service the day before the 2024 eclipse. Matt is returning to First UU on Nov 16th for a multigenerational music service, so mark your calendars!

The video of our Sunday service has been edited, removing the quinceañera portion out of a protective caution for our congregants. Thank you for your understanding. 

Here is a link to the video recording of last week's service.

Fire Drill Recap

FUUSB Staff

Thank you to everyone who participated in our fire drill this past Sunday.

The Burlington Fire Department was very pleased with our attention to closing doors, our calm and prompt exit, and our evacuation routes and assembly points. Special thanks to volunteers for their willingness to jump in and help!

Your cooperation and quick response to safety procedures contributed to a smooth and successful drill. We appreciate your patience and care in these drills as they ensure the safety of our congregation.

Wreath pick-up person needed

Sarah Forbes, Member

FUUSB’s 2025 holiday wreath fundraiser is in the works!

We need someone to pick up the wreaths in the NE Kingdom on December 2nd and deliver them to the UU.

A truck or a large SUV would be ideal to carry the whole order. A standard SUV would also work since there is already one volunteer who can transport 1/2 of our order.

Can you help? Thank you!

Contact Sarah Forbes with questions. Sarahforbesdesign@comcast.net

802-578-6119

Holiday Bazaar Planning Meeting - Oct. 26th

Holiday Bazaar Committee

Are you ready to help plan the Holiday Bazaar? Did you know that it will be the 90th anniversary of this great community building and fundraising opportunity?  Come to our first planning meeting this Sunday, Oct 26th at 9:05am-9:55am in the Parlors. We will find you a way to be involved. Any questions, email Kim at watkinfam@aol.com 

All YUUth Lunch

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday Nov 2nd 

11:30am - 12:45pm

Dix Room

Are you the parent of a teenager who is:

• Wondering where their place is at First UU?
• Or one who has been involved with our programs in the past but is just too busy for a regular commitment?
• Or one who is already showing up for services or Faith Development programming?

Let them know that we're inviting all youth in 8th-12th grades to join us after the service on for food and fun, this time prepared by the youth exploration group that meets during the service! 

Please note that the simultaneous meeting for parents of youth has been postponed until January. Date TBD.

Meet & Greet with the Minister - Nov. 2

Ann Guardiola, Member

Meet and Greet with the Minister

Sunday, November 2nd

11:30 - 12:30

Room: Parlors

Are you feeling new or newish and want to learn more about First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington?

The Membership Committee is offering a session on Sunday, November 2nd, after Church services at 11:30. This is an opportunity to meet with our minister Rev Karen G. Johnston and some membership committee members. It will be informal and an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

The audience for this is anyone who feels new or newish and wants to learn more about our society. It is also a good place if you have been away from the Society for a while and want to meet the Minister and ask questions as well.

Put it on your calendar and join us for our gathering.

For more information, contact Annguardiola17@gmail.com

Climate Justice Team Film Event - Nov. 2

Christine Hallquist, Climate Justice Team

Current actions by the Trump Administration, as well as the loss of traction in the legislature have caused some climate activists to understandably become disheartened.

In response to this, The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (FUUSB) Climate Justice Team is collaborating with Sierra Club of Vermont to inspire Vermonters to refocus our efforts on mitigating the human impacts to climate change.

 As part of that effort, there will be a showing of the film, “Climate Emergency – Feedback Loops” followed up by group discussion on November 2 from 2 to 4pm at the FUUSB meeting house at the top of Church Street (152 Pearl Street). 

While most of us know that fossil fuel emissions from human activity are driving up Earth’s temperature, something else is at work. The warming has set in motion nature’s own feedback loops which are raising temperatures even higher.

The urgent question is: Are we approaching a point of no return, leading to an uninhabitable Earth? We say no. It is never too late to have the vision and will to slow, halt, and reverse this. Come see this provocative one-hour film and join the discussion on what we can do in this current political environment.

Eileen Blackwood, FUUSB Board President

As may recall, the Society has been eligible for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) funds, which were a refund of amounts paid to the federal government based on the Society's decision to retain employees during the pandemic. In July we finally received those funds - a windfall of about $230,000! The Board of Trustees and the Executive Team (Rev. Karen and Christina) have been working on how to take advantage of these one-time funds to strengthen the Society's financial situation, while furthering our vision for ministry. We will present our decisions to the congregation on Sunday, October 26, following the Sunday service (at 11:30). We will meet in the Sanctuary and on Zoom and hope to see you there!

Respectful Dialogue Group

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!! OCTOBER 26th 11:30 in the Whitney Young Jr. Room

Join the Respectful Dialogue on UU Positions group, we intend to have discussions in which we share with other trusted UUs our honest thoughts and opinions on UU positions, in particular those with which we disagree. This group is facilitated, will have a covenant and meet regularly if the group chooses.

Questions?  Email:  rosanne05403@aol.com

Remember: Meditation every Tuesday at 5:15

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Date with Death Club

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

This month's Date with Death Club session is on Saturday, Oct 25 at 10am. The topic is Medical Aid in Dying and we will have a guest speaker. Registration is required - click here to do so.

Each month FUUSB has an Earth Teacher and a packet of materials to help you connect with and make meaning in your life in relationship with that Earth Teacher. Check it out.