Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

March 23 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston- Senior Minister

Geoff Duke- Worship Associate

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James Buck, Christine Hallquist, Kameron McConnell- Guest Speakers

"Joy & Visibility of our Transgender Selves"

TRANS JOY GROWS ALL JOY! In celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31), this service will highlight our transgender selves, loved ones, neighbors, human family members. We’ll hear from three FUUSB members: James Buck, Christine Hallquist, and Kameron McConnell, as well as a few others, including Rev. Karen and other allies bringing love and respect. There will be beautiful music to keep us company and keep us grounded.

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 will begin the morning together in the Sanctuary. Following the Time for All Ages, children and youth, preK through 6th grade, will be sung out and escorted to their UU Values Exploration Groups.

Youth 7th grade and up will be invited to stay in the Sanctuary for this special service.

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.

Pledge Sunday Update

Kameron McConnell, Stewardship Team

The pledges have been tallied and with 122 pledges in, we are $285,000 toward our goal of $480,000. Thank you to all who have pledged.

The Stewardship Team team will be reaching out to those who haven't pledged yet. Last year, 240 pledges were received and it's our goal to increase that number this year. Even a small pledge helps us reach our goal.

And remember, every year, everyone pledges! Pledges are crucial for ensuring FUUSB's continued success in caring for each other and our community, so please continue to give as you are able and make your pledge today.

Lost & Found Spring Cleaning

March 23rd

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

Puffer jackets, lost mittens, old Yeti's, oh my! If the accumulation of these items in FUUSB's Lost & Found is any indication, it's been a long, cold winter! With warmer temperatures on the horizon, it's time to give the Lost & Found a good spring cleaning.

Therefore, after the service on Sunday March 23rd, EVERY ITEM in the Lost & Found will be either donated or discarded. This includes hanging items, electronics, and many other odds & ends.

Claim your missing items while you can and help us create room for our spring jackets and umbrellas!

In the Gallery

Carol MacDonald, Member

Carol MacDonald has installed a collection of monoprints and limited edition prints in the second floor gallery of the UU. In this series the birds play around with the idea of civil discourse by participating in conversations and interactions in response to the polarizing political climate that we are living in. Come take a look and let me know what you think! All prints are for sale and I will donate 50% of all sales to the UU. There is a price list on the table. The work will be up until the last week in April.

Interested in joining a Group at First UU?

Here is a LINK to the FUUSB web page that explains the types of circles we offer at FUUSB.

You can also try a monthly Theme Circle in March - there is one Wed. 3/19 6-8pm. The Theme for this month is "Trust". You can view The Path guide for March here.

Explore the website and/or reach out to Gail Beck or Susan Ogden with any questions at ThemeCircles@uusociety.org

Learning To Be White

Jana Porter, Racial Justice Team

On Sunday, March 23, our very own Tricia Knoll will be reading from her book of poems “How I Learned To Be White” at 11:30 am in the Parlors. You will not want to miss this opportunity to hear about Tricia’s journey to understand and acknowledge her own whiteness and its impact on her life. Sponsored by the Racial Justice Team. See You There!

Can't attend in person? The reading will be accessible remotely via zoom through the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/92652806102?pwd=7FYblCq4CCUE2945P5923a7WmaLwhK.1#success

UUA General Assembly!

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

I've registered . . .have you? Please consider participating in General Assembly, June 18 - 22, in Baltimore, Maryland.  I already know of several members who are planning to attend. If you're planning to attend, comment below to encourage others to come too.  Registration fees go up on March 30, so now is the time to register!!!  To find out more about GA (General Assembly) check out their website at uua.org/ga There is financial assistance available through the UUA and a little bit available through FUUSB. Contact Christina xina@uusociety.org if you have questions.

FUUSB Spring Auction

Spring Auction Team

Donate here to contribute an item, experience, or skill.

Click here to take a peek at the auction catalogue!

If you have any questions reach out to erin.as.kelley@gmail.com or averyhamill283@gmail.com

Emma's Revolution at FUUSB

Click here or the image below for tickets to Emma's Revolution at FUUSB on Saturday March 29th at 7pm.

Minute of Us

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

"A gesture ~ even small ~ can give courage for the more that has become necessary."

Choose Democracy is inviting all of us to take a moment every Wednesday at 12:53

You can do this on your own. Set an alert/alarm so that you can be intentional of about marking 12:53. You can text "minute" to 51905 and it will text you a reminder.

Why 12:53?

This is when the January 6th protestors, now pardoned, first crossed the police barricades and when the three richest people in the world — Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg — all were seated for Donald Trump’s inauguration.

You can do this by joining this congregational Zoom link at 12:50. At 12:53, we will observe a Moment of Silence for five minutes for those hurt and suffering due to the current administration and the damage they are causing to this country and around the globe.

Rev. Karen welcomes a few more people who can commit to holding this Wednesday space so that we might be able to communally participate each week as it comes. If that is you, please email her.

Silver Bay

Valerie Wood-Lewis, Member

Shake off the winter blues by imagining all the fun you'll have this fall at the UU Weekend at Silver Bay. This eagerly awaited highlight of the fall season will take place from October 10 to 12, 2025 (with an option of extending your stay until October 13th.)

Picture beautiful fall colors, campfires, floating in a kayak or canoe, thought-provoking workshops, hanging out with new and old friends, hiking, spiritual renewal, music and so much more.... Those who extend their stay can also enjoy a late afternoon lake cruise with music and refreshments.

Join the nearly 80 people who have already registered! The 2025 registration form and the schedule of events from the 2024 weekend are available on the Albany UU web site at https://albanyuu.org/blog/uu-silver-bay-weekend-2025/ 

Completed forms received by June 2, 2025 qualify for an “early bird” discount. Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth. 

Several FUUSB members have signed up already!  

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.