Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

December 22 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Geoff Duke, Worship Associate

"Winter Solstice Celebration"

In the multi-generational Sunday service, using song, music, stillness, storytelling, and art, we’ll explore how to embrace the Night and welcome the Light.

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

Families remain together in the Sanctuary for this multigenerational solstice celebration. The Nursery will not be open.

Looking Back to Sunday

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

Ministers Message- Dec. 17th

Click here or the image below to watch.

Congrats, Geoff!

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Proud of FUUSB's own Geoff Duke, whose meditation was published this morning as part of the UUA's weekly, Braver/Wiser. You can read the brief, delightful text here.

Meet and Greet- January 5, 2025

Sarah Russell, Membership Committee

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 the first Sunday of the month after Church services at 11:30am. 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 first gathering on January 5, 2025 in the Parlors 

Check Out the Meditation Group

in the New Year

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

The weekly meditation group that meets on Tuesdays at 5:15 will be on hiatus for the holidays. We'll start back up on January 7th. Curious? Join us! We're a new affinity group at FUUSB - this past fall, we've usually had 7-9 people, sometimes more, in attendance. Folx are friendly. Most sit in chairs to meditate and there are cushions for the floor, if you'd like that. We look forward to meeting you.

Join us for 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 candle lighting.

• 6pm & 8pm - "Joy Despite the World"- Carols & Lessons with our congregational choir, organist, pianist, and music & stories to make the heart sing, even in the dark of the winter season, even in the midst of chaos in the world. We will light the candles as we sing Silent Night in the dark, then throw open the doors and make bright the light as we sing Joy to the World.

The 6pm service is livestreamed on the First UU’s YouTube channel, so you can attend from anywhere in the world (including your couch at home)!

Still Interested in Volunteering on Christmas Eve? We still have room in our 4 p.m. No-Rehearsal Nativity Pageant!

• There are still two spots for Candlelighter/Ushers. Volunteers must be 12+ yrs and duties include assisting with collection and functioning as candle lighters. Sign-up

Thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer. You are essential to making our Christmas Eve services happen!

Memorial Wreaths & Greens

Sarah Forbes, Member

Have you noticed the beautiful wreaths and greens gracing our Sanctuary and Meetinghouse? They have all been lovingly donated in celebration and honor of loved ones.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated and remembered a loved one this year with a memorial wreath & greens.



2024 Memorial Wreath & Greens List

A Reminder:

Making Space for Bodies that Need Space

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

This past Sunday, did you notice the signs on the pews that have the cut-outs? Here's an image.

This is a gentle reminder that the pews behind the ones that have a cut-out are meant for bodies that are experiencing mobility challenges - use of wheelchair, rollator, walker, crutches. If you sit in the pew behind the open space (the "cut out") and someone who needs it more than you, please thoughtfully and immediately find a different pew and make space for those who need that space. This is yet another way we take care of each other. This is how we live into justice as accessibility.

Socially Responsible Santa

Ellen Wollensack, Member

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.  



For more information, you may contact SRS@uusociety.org.

The Sunday weekly offerings in the month of December will be shared with the SRS fund. Donations to Socially Responsible Santa can also be made by clicking on the button below.

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.