Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

May 19 at 10 a.m.

Erika Reif & Rowan Van Ness, Worship Leaders

Betsey Ferries -Worship Associate

"Faith Development Sunday"

Each of us comes to this UU Society carrying with us the gift of a unique perspective, a different understanding of the universe, our own special light; this week the children and youth of this congregation will share theirs! Come, hear stories, reflections, and songs from our youngest congregants and the facilitators and guides who have nurtured them throughout our Faith Development year, in this multigenerational service celebrating pluralism and community!

Infants and toddlers are always welcome in the Sanctuary, but the nursery, on the lower level, is open if needed.

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 outside, weather permitting.

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.

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

Minister's Message

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Every so often, Rev. Karen records a video message for the congregation. Here is one from this week. As you get read to listen, you might want to have a pencil to take notes with - there's a lot of information in here.

https://youtu.be/8onLIt0pfag

Slate Roofing Construction

UU Facilities

Our slate work continues to proceed and we are getting a new and improved slate roof over the sanctuary! They will be moving around to the east side of the building soon and will be occupying several parking spaces on the oval. For those who purchased parking passes for this year, please know that there may be limited space while they are doing their work.

Thanks for your patience.

Saying Goodbye

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

We will be saying goodbye to Blake, our Facilities Manager on Sunday, May 19th. There will be a card available at Coffee Hour for you to sign and send him your good wishes. Blake will still be around for a few weeks to train our incoming Facilities Manager and to ensure a smooth transition. Please watch goodbye cards for James and Rowan which will be available at Coffee Hour in June.  

Spring 2024: Virtual Hymnal update

& sneak peek!

From the UUA

In January Rev. Erika Hewitt and Camille Hatton gathered the curious to learn about how we've designed our virtual hymnal "container" and licensing agreements. Thanks to our participants, we received helpful questions and ideas that the Virtual Hymnal Task Force reviewed.

We now have a set of exciting updates to share with you about our virtual hymnal prototype! We'd like to reveal our working model, show off its bells & whistles, explain its testing phase, and present the financial details that are emerging. Each gathering will also include a poll of your most cherished public domain hymns—information that will be folded into the Beta version of the virtual hymnal.

We invite you to join us in a Zoom webinar space for any or all of our three offerings:

• Thursday, May 30th at 4 pm Eastern / 3 pm Central / 2 pm Mtn / 1 pm Pacific
• Wednesday, June 5th at 7 pm Eastern / 6 pm Central / 5 pm Mtn / 4 pm Pacific
• Monday, June 10th at noon Eastern / 11 am Central / 10 am Mtn / 9 am Pacific

Please note that we ask you to register in advance, and that preregistration includes your agreement to honor basic covenantal principles.

If you can't attend but you want to view the recorded compilation of these sessions, you don't need to register at all. The recording will be available on this page in July 2024.

Climate Justice Meeting

Caitlin Waddick, Climate Justice Team

The Climate Justice Team is meeting every third Sunday after the service. Our next meeting is Sunday May 19, 12:30-1:30 pm, in an upstairs room.



The Climate Justice Team welcomes visitors and new members. Please show up or contact us at climatejustice@uusociety.org.

FUUSB Late Spring Auction

Click to donate your auction item here.

If you have questions you can reach out to: SpringAuction@uusociety.org.

June 2nd Annual Picnic

Kim Watkin, Membership Team

We're getting ready for the Annual Picnic on Sunday, June 2nd. We are in need of people to help set up tables and chairs on the lawn at 9am as well as people to help bring tables and chairs back inside at the end of the picnic. It is a POTLUCK so we will need some help with food too! Click here to access the Sign Up Genius but you can also contact Kim Watkin at watkinfam@aol.com if you have any questions/comments.  

Child Dedication - June 9

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Child Dedications are a joyful covenant between a child’s family and the congregation, recognizing that the raising of a child is a community blessing. Senior Minister, Rev. Karen G. Johnston, and the Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Erika Reif, will be leading such a ceremony for a group of children during the service on June 9. Dedications can happen soon after birth or adoption; they can happen for an infant, a toddler, a preschooler, or an older child.

If you would like to have your child dedicated at First UU on that morning, or to find out more, contact Erika, erika@uusociety.org.

We're Hiring!

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

We're Hiring! FUUSB is currently hiring for two positions.

Caretaker - Caretakers are the folks that welcome people into our building during evening hours, they help set up and take down rental events, they keep an eye on our beautiful property, and close up the building at the end of the day. We have several caretakers on staff, and we are looking for one more to join our team. The hours and days of the week vary, but usually around 5 - 7 hours per week. Send a letter of interest to Christina at xina@uusociety.org.

A/V Assistant - We are looking for two people to work as Audio Visual Assistants. These folks usually work on Sunday mornings, but also may be asked to work at other events that are live streamed, like weddings and memorial services. We will train you to use our A/V equipment working on both the cameras and sound for livestreaming. We need people who are extremely reliable.

Childcare Provider- Adult - Childcare for infants and toddlers in the Society’s nursery on Sunday mornings; and to safely supervise age-appropriate activities for children at other Society events, meetings, and functions as requested by Faith Development Staff.

All of these positions pay well over minimum wage. If you are interested, please email Christina at xina@uusociety.org to learn more about this great opportunity!

Recharge your Spirit at Silver Bay 

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Planning your 2024 activities and travels? Be sure to include UU Weekend at Silver Bay October 11-13, 2024 (with an option of an extended stay until 10/14/24) in your schedule! 

This annual retreat is the perfect way to say goodbye to the summer and enjoy the beauty of a fall weekend. Whether from an armchair discussing topics of interest, standing on the top of a mountain, or drifting in a kayak, this weekend will fill your mind and recharge your spirit before the onset of another winter. 

Children under 6 are free and discounts for older children and youth. Register by June 2, 2024 and receive lowest rates! And remember – your room, all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, programs, activities and entertainment are included in the price.

Many individuals and families from First UU have signed up already! If you register, please also add your name to this spreadsheet, so we can coordinate! Some financial assistance is available for anyone who can't afford the cost; contact erika@uusociety.org

Additional information about Silver Bay and UU weekend, including the registration form and a slide show, at https://albanyuu.org/blog/silver-bay-weekend-2024/

Vermont Interfaith Action

Introductory Organizing Trainings

Debbie Ingram, Vermont Interfaith Action

VIA Staff will be conducting introductory organizing trainings.

Join us for one of three identical half-day trainings, including a light meal, to learn organizing fundamentals so that we can achieve maximum impact on social justice issues.

Each of these will be offered from 4 to 8 pm, with a half-hour break for a soup/salad supper. Attend the one nearest you -- in Brattleboro, Bennington, or Waterbury:

• Tues, May 28, Bennington

Second Congregational Church, 115 Hillside St

•  Thurs, May 30, Waterbury

Waterbury Congregational Church, 8 N. Main St -- this one is

intended for folks from the Burlington area and from

Central Vermont

• Tues, June 4, Brattleboro

St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave

Click here to register (and feel free to invite others).

Childcare will be offered if needed; please mark the appropriate place on the registration form.