Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

June 16 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Warren Baker, Worship Associate

"Dandelions Aren't Forever...And Neither Are We"

Chosen last November, this month’s Earth Teacher is the dandelion. Yet, it couldn’t have been a better choice because the dandelion gives us so much to reflect upon when it comes to impermanence and the courage to accept change, and even embrace it. This spring has given our congregation the opportunity to practice getting used to change because of all the staff transitions! This includes a special goodbye to our Director of Music at this Sunday service. The choir will be singing. There may be some surprises. Rev. Karen is in the pulpit.

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.

Summer Childcare for All Ages

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

During summer services, starting this Sunday, June 16, childcare providers will be expecting children of all ages who prefer to engage in free play during the worship service. You can sign your children into their care before the service begins or escort them to the childcare site at any point during the service. Please return to sign them out promptly after worship. Summer childcare may happen in the Nursery on the lower level or in the Memorial Garden outside. Please check with a Welcome Ambassador when you arrive for the location.

Looking Back to Sunday

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

Last Sunday we celebrated Flower Festival, a beloved UU ritual celebrating our many forms of diversity. Encouraged to bring a flower (or provided with one by our wonderful Flower Ambassadors) each person went home with a different flower that was specifically selected for them by another congregant.

In the spirit of blooming and change, we dedicated two children and held a bridging ceremony for a graduating senior.

We also gave a heartfelt farewell to Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

Minister's Message - Summer 2024

Click here or the image below for details & descriptions for Summer Services at FUUSB.

Christina Away

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

Christina will be away from the office until July 1st. She will be attending AUUA Professional Days, an AUUA Board Retreat in Chicago, General Assembly in her living room, and then will be taking a week of vacation. She will be checking her email regularly during this time, but will be holding off on responding to anything but urgent issues.  

Summer at FUUSB: While Rev. Karen's Gone, What if I Have a Pastoral Emergency?

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Rev. Karen will be on vacation and study leave from June 24 - August 1. This is a time she will use both to rest and have fun (vacation) and a time she will be able to explore & learn without the distractions that come from day-to-day work life (study leave). If a congregant experiences a pastoral emergency while she is away, reach out to Christina Fulton, our Director of Operations & Finance - you can email her at xina@uusociety.org or leave a voice message at 802-862-5630, x22. She'll help figure out the next steps, including whether it makes sense for her to reach out to Rev. Karen.

Open Mic Coffeehouse This Friday!

Todd Schlossberg, Member

Join Us Friday, June 14, for Music, Poetry & Fellowship

at This Month’s FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse!

Lake levels drop, reveal long-immersed beaches

We savor the taste of those first Jersey peaches

This day, we’re convinced, indeed none too soon

May the sunshine evince: At last, it is June! 

Throw open the windows, hear through the screen

Kids jumping next door, on their trampoline  

And don’t feel surprised, ‘cause winter was long

If you feel compelled, to break out in song!

Join us, dear friends, on this Friday night

For music, and poems, and smiles so bright

Sign up, if you're psyched, for the open mic

Or sit back and listen, if that’s what you'd like 

All ages are welcome, all talents are relished

It's a sweet scene (we wouldn’t embellish)

Truth be told, there’s not much, that you must do

Apart from one thing: that is, to bring you!

What: Our Monthly FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse

Who: Everyone! Friends and family welcome

Where: The Sanctuary

When: Friday, June 15, 7 – 9 pm.  

Open Mic sign-ups start at 6:30 pm. 

Questions? Todd Schlossberg: greenmountainlaw@gmail.com

Annual Meeting Recap

Rodney Lowe, Board President

Thank you to all the people who Zoomed into the Annual Meeting on Monday evening. All of the materials are on the FUUSB website for those of you who could not make it to the meeting.

The meeting was opened with a chalice lighting by Jeanne Parsley, one of the elders in our community.

We began with reports from the President of the Board of Trustees (Rodney Lowe) and Rev Karen. 

The following people were elected unanimously:

The following member approved by the Nominating Team and nominated to the Board of Trustees for their first term:

• Kim Watkin - Trustee at large (3 year term, expiring in 2027)

The following members currently on the Board of Trustees and approved by the Nominating Team are renewing for a second term:

• Peter Clavelle - Trustee at large (3 year term, expiring in 2027)
• Kathy Stamper – Trustee at large (3 year term, expiring in 2027)

The following members have been nominated by the Nominating Team to be Officers:

• Brian Haas - Treasurer (2 year term, expiring in 2026)

Five nominees to serve on the Nominating Team:

• Nina Dahlstedt (1 year term, expiring in 2025)
• Mark Power Freeman (1 year term, expiring in 2025) 
• Sara Gold (2 year term, expiring in 2026)
• Marilyn Brill (3 year term, expiring in 2027)
• Bill Barbot (3 year term, expiring in 2027)

Two nominee to serve on the Endowment Fund Team:

• Jason Cadwell (5 year term, expiring in 2029) 
• Diana Kyser (2 year term, expiring in 2026) 

The Budget as presented was accepted unanimously

Jeb Spaulding made presentation on behalf of the Legacy Society.

FUUSB Delegates to the UUA General Assembly were recognized.

We ended with a prayer from Rev Karen and the chalice was extinguished by Raya Lele, one of our most recent members.

A link to the full unapproved minutes will be published separately by the Secretary. 

Realm Tutorial Session

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Thank you to Zoe and Geoff, as well as Christina, for holding a tutorial to help people grow their skills and comfort using Realm, our primary way of communicating with each other.

Hopefully there will be mores sessions scheduled. Keep an eye out!

Late Spring Auction - Thank You!

Rodney Lowe, Board President

Thank you to everyone who made a donation to the auction.

Thank you to everyone who made a bid at the auction, even if you weren’t fortunate enough to win.

Thank you to everyone who helped with running it.

The last tally in Auctria shows that we raised a little over $8,000. Thank you all.

UUA Virtual Hymnal Project -

a way you can participate

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

The UUA is in the process of creating a virtual hymnal which they will roll out in June, 2025. You have a chance to participate now!  Click this link to participate in the survey (by July 1) seeking your favorite public domain hymns that they will then use in their beta testing phase.

Racial Justice Team Update- General Assembly News & FUUSB Group June 19th

Racial Justice Team

The Racial Justice Team would like to share news about UU activities related to Palestinian solidarity. Please view this UUA General Assembly 2024 Proposed Action of Immediate Witness: Solidarity with Palestinians. We invite members of the congregation to sign the resolution as individuals. Some congregations are endorsing it too. (An action of immediate witness (AIW) is intended for immediate consideration, as opposed to a long-term study action.) Click here to view the AIW.

This proposed AIW has been developed by a collective of Unitarian Universalists including leaders and/or members of the following groups: Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM), UU Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education, Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME), and UU Peace Ministry Network. 

More information about events, activities, and histories for UU's from UUA, Side of Love, and others click here.

For FUUSB delegates to UUA General Assembly, please learn about this year's Actions of Immediate Witness and their process here.

A group of FUUSB members has formed to discuss actions and activities for FUUSB. We agreed to meet online on Wednesday, June 19th, 11:30 am. Contact Caitlin.Waddick@gmail.com for more information. 

Campout & Potluck this Weekend!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Friday June 14-Sunday June 16



60ish happy campers expected and we still have one tent site available! 

Do you like the sound of UU fellowship in the great outdoors, but are not inspired to sleep in a tent? Why not come for a daytrip on Saturday or join us for the potluck on Friday evening at 6:30 (I hear Rev. Karen will be there!)  

Contact Erika Reif for more information (erika@uusociety.org).

June 23rd - Parents Circle Families Forum

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Please plan to attend this special interfaith event which we have the honor of hosting. Sunday, June 23 just after our Sunday service.

Juneteenth Invitation from our

Episcopal Neighbors

Juneteenth Vigil and Public Witness against Racism at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Sunday, June 16 at noon. We will be reading aloud from important works about Juneteenth, the Emancipation Proclamation, and readings relevant to racial equity in our community, state and country. We will be outside of the cathedral at Battery Street and Pearl Street. Please bring a chair if you wish to sit. Rain or shine, vigil will last approximately 30-45 minutes. Signs for racial justice and healing are welcome.

Join Us in Celebrating the Retirement of

VIA Executive Director Debbie Ingram!

Vermont Interfaith Action

When: Thursday, June 27th 5:30 to 7:30PM

Where: First Congregational Church of Burlington

Bring a potluck dish to share, be prepared to dance and eat Ben-n-Jerry's ice cream as we celebrate Debbie's 17 years of hard work and service to VIA.

If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute to the Rev. Debbie Ingram Legacy Fund, an endowment fund created to help future generations of organizers continue the work of VIA's longest serving Executive Director, feel free to donate here.