Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

December 8 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Betsey Ferries, Worship Associate

"Presence of Hope (or Not)"

Hope. Hope with feathers. Hope holding an axe. Hope as a muscle. Hopeful. Hopeless. Hopium. We’ll explore many flavors of hope and whether hope is a good thing or not. Rev. Karen is in the pulpit.

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

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

Families will begin the morning together in the Sanctuary. Following Time for All Ages, children, preK through 9th grade, will be sung out and escorted to their exploration Groups. The nursery is open throughout the service for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

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

This Shirt Makes You Come Alive

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Not only does this shirt (t-shirt or sweatshirt - you choose) make you come alive, your purchase of it raises money for FUUSB and spreads our UU Values far and wide. Plus, it's so dang delightful!

Click here or the video below to learn more!

Click here to contribute to FUUSB's "Fill the Gap" Fund.

Join Us for the FUUSB

First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse!

This Friday, December 6, 7 – 9 p.m.

Come gather round, friends, on this Friday night

The solstice is coming, let’s welcome it right

May the songs that we sing, and the poems that are told

Soften our hearts, and fend off the cold

What: Our monthly FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse.

Share a song, spoken words, or other talent, or just

come and listen.

Who: Everyone! All ages! Invite friends and family

Where: The Sanctuary, First UU Society of Burlington

When: Friday, December 6, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Sign-up for the open-mic starting at 6:30 p.m.

Cost: Free!

Questions? email Todd Schlossberg

Kim Watkin, Board Member

It's finally here! We will be celebrating the 89th Annual Holiday Bazaar this coming Saturday, Dec. 7th. Please find your way to the Community Room from 9am to 2pm. The Luncheon in the Parlor will be 11am to 1pm. ( $10 for homemade soup, sandwich, dessert, and beverage) 

 As Worship Associate Warren Baker said, "It's one stop shopping and lunch"!

You can still help us get ready by bringing in your "Box for the Bazaar"--household goods, jewelry, toys, books. Our Drop Off Dates and times are: Wed. Dec. 4th ( 10am to 2pm), Thurs. Dec 5th ( 10am to 7pm), and Fri. Dec. 6th ( 10am to 7pm). Pre Paid Wreath Pick Up at the same times on Thursday and Friday and at the Bazaar itself. 

If you would like to help us on Saturday, just email Kim Watkin and she will find you a way to be involved! 

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 - 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)!

Candle Lighters/Ushers Needed

for 4pm & 6pm Christmas Eve Services

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

It's not too late to volunteer as a Candelighter/Usher for one of our magical Christmas Eve services!

We are still seeking volunteers (ages 12 and older) for the

4 p.m. & 6 p.m services.

Note: Volunteer sign-ups for the 8 p.m. service are FULL.

Volunteers must be willing to arrive 45 minutes early for orientation. Duties include handing out orders of service, assisting with the collection, and functioning as candle lighters.

Come take part in this annual holiday event!

Candlelighters/Ushers will hand out candles as people come into the Sanctuary, pass the baskets during the collection, and light the candles during Silent Night.

Click here to join the Christmas Eve Candle Lighter Crew!

Questions? Contact Töve.

Pageant Sign-Ups

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

It's that time of year again...sign up now for a role in the cast or crew for this year's Christmas Nativity pageant. This 4 p.m., family-centered service on Christmas Eve will yet be “No-Rehearsal" again as in years past, meaning anyone who walks in on Christmas Eve can play a part. But we need to assign some of the major roles and know we have a crew ahead of time.

Click here to claim your part now!

Navigating Difficult Conversations at the Holidays & Beyond Workshop

Healthy Congregation Team

Would you like to explore how you show up in difficult conversations? Come to this workshop where we will examine our mind and body responses to conflict, as well as learning some basic communication skills. The goal is to plant some seeds to grow confidence and gain insight about learning how to stand in the light of your own truth while holding space for another to feel heard and be seen. 

Workshop date: 12/8/24 

11:30am-1:30pm in the Parlors

Soup will be served. Childcare is available.

Space is limited. Click here to register!

This workshop is presented by Barbara Shaw-Dorso, coordinator of the conflict assistance program at the Burlington Community Justice Center.

Offered by the Healthy Congregation Team. Contact Nancy Hellen with questions.

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.

Pickup for 2024 Holiday Wreaths

Sarah Forbes, Member

Preferred pickup dates: 

11-1pm- Wednesday 12/4, Thursday 12/5 or Friday 12/6.

-Wreaths can also be picked up on 12/7 during the Bazaar or 12/8 after the Sunday Service in the Community Room.

Questions? Contact Sarah Forbes 802-578-6119, or Nina 802-383-8192 with fundraiser or web questions. Thank you!

The Season of Giving

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

(Written by Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance)

As we're coming to the end of the calendar year, many of you are thinking about making charitable contributions. As you are making your decisions around charitable donations, please remember FUUSB. Here are several options to think about:

1. Pay your Pledge - If you made a financial pledge to FUUSB for this fiscal year, please check to make sure that your pledge payment is completed or at least up to date. It's very easy to think that your payments are being charged to your credit card or being taken out of your bank account, only to find out that they are not. So check on Realm, or contact Töve.
2. Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA - Making a direct transfer from an IRA allows a member age 70½ or over to avoid a tax hit on the annual required minimum distribution. In this case, the charitable contribution must go directly to the Society, not the taxpayer first. This option requires some advance planning, so individuals considering it should consult with their tax or financial advisor.
3. Donations of stock Donating your appreciated stock is a great way to make your gift to First UU – paying your pledge or as an additional gift. To do so, or if you have questions, email generosity@uusociety.org.  It’s helpful if you let us know the company and number of shares you would like to donate.
4. Give to a FUUSB Fund Account - The Society has many opportunities to contribute in special ways: Sunday Morning Breakfast, Socially Responsible Santa, Fill the Gap, Share the Plate, the Discretionary Fund, and JUMP. Go to the Helping Our Community page on the website to find out more about these special funds.



Generosity is a spiritual practice for many during the December holidays. Every gift, no matter the amount, is greatly appreciated. You can give online, by texting "Steeple" to 73256, by mailing a check to the Society, or by dropping a check in the basket on Sunday morning. If you are giving online, click on the Fund drop-down menu for a listing of all our special funds. If you are giving by check, please write the name of the fund in the memo line of the check. Please contact Töve with any questions.

Click here to register for this upcoming month's Earth Teacher Session on Dec. 12th.

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.