eNews

June 20, 2024

Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

Join us in building Beloved Community at www.uusociety.org

June 23 at 10 a.m.

Michael Monte, Guest Speaker

Betsey Ferries & Melinda Lee, Worship Associates


"Shelter - A Basic Human Necessity"


The feeling of resting your head somewhere that feels safe at night? One of our UU principles is to recognize the worth and dignity of every human being. As part of that principle, Unitarian Universalists hold that access to affordable, habitable housing is a fundamental right in a just

Society. This Sunday Michael Monte, CEO of Champlain Housing Trust will join us to explain the successes and challenges facing housing needs in our communities. Come join us to learn and be inspired.


Our guest speaker, Michael Monte, has over 40 years of community and economic development experience both at the non-profit and municipal level. 


Plan to stay after the service for a powerful presentation by the Parents Circle, with a live Zoom presentation in our sanctuary by a Palestinian and an Israeli who have lost family to the violence in their homeland and are still committed to peaceful co-existence. This interfaith event is co-sponsored by many local congregations and will begin with a simple hummus & pita lunch. 11:30am - 2pm.


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.

Looking Back to Sunday

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

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister


Here is the text of Rev. Karen's sermon from this past Sunday: "Dandelions Don't Last Forever...and Neither Do We" and here is the text for the Farewell Blessing for James, "May You Be that Prolific."

Summer Childcare for All Ages

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development


During summer services, 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.

Summer Administrative Announcement

Click here or the image below to hear a special message from our Administrative Assistant, Töve Johnson, about what to expect while she is on away on break from June 29th- August 13th.

Summer Announcement

A New UU Book-

Rev. Karen is one of the contributors!

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister


Rev. Karen is thrilled to share the publication of this new book, by Skinner House Press, to which she has contributed two pieces.

Summer Services at FUUSB

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

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.

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.  

We're Hiring!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development


FUUSB is currently hiring a Childcare Coordinator -

Looking for someone who loves young children, having fun, and who is able to supervise other childcare providers. The Childcare Coordinator, works 5 -7 hours/week, and regular Sunday morning availability is needed. Must have experience working with infants and toddlers.   


This position pays well over minimum wage. If you are interested, please email Erika at erika@uusociety.org to learn more about this great opportunity!

RSVP for Parents Circle this Sunday!

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister


This Sunday! Please RSVP for this powerful interfaith event organized by Ohavi Zedek, co-sponsored by multiple local congregations, and hosted by us! It begins with breaking bread together (well, actually, eating hummus & pita outside on the lawn) and then, at noon, coming into the sanctuary for a live Zoom presentation by two members of the Parents Circle, one Israeli, one Palestinian, both of whom have lost a loved one to the violence in their shared homeland, both committed to co-existence without vengeance. Please RSVP right away so organizers can plan the right amount of food.

Racial Justice Team Update- an Action of Immediate Witness at UUA General Assembly

Racial Justice Team


The Racial Justice Team invites you to endorse this UUA General Assembly 2024 Proposed Action of Immediate Witness (AIW): Solidarity with Palestinians. We invite members of the congregation to sign the resolution as individuals. You may also wish to contact our congregational delegates to ask them to vote for this AIW at GA.


Delegates representing FUUSB are FUUSB President Rodney Lowe, Geoff Duke, Woody Fulton, Rosanne Greco, and Peter Newport. Some of the religious professionals associated with FUUSB are also delegates in their professional roles.


Here is the Resolution in its final form.



An easy way to learn more about the issues is via their Frequently Asked Questions.


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. 


Anyone who is interested in UUA General Assembly, you can learn about this year's Actions of Immediate Witness and their process.



A related update from https://uupalestineaction.org/resolution/:


 "Over 325 groups have signed the Apartheid-Free Communities solidarity initiative of the American Friends Service Committee, including four major denominations: Alliance of Baptists, Disciples of Christ, the South Central Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, and the United Church of Christ. Unitarian Universalist signatories include Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism, The Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East. Now is the time for the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations to declare support for this movement.” 

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.

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.

Upcoming Worship Services

In-Person & Live-Streamed Services





June 30 at 10 am

"Bringing General Assembly to Burlington"

Geoff Duke, Worship Associate



July 7 at 10 am

"The Bible in America"

Jeffrey Trumbower, Ph.D, Guest Speaker

Judy Brook, Worship Associate









More details at uusociety.org

Care Network:

Sharing Joys, & Sorrows, & Gratitudes Form

Click here to submit a joy, sorrow, or gratitude.

Weekly Events
Visit uusociety.org for more information!

Sundays - 8 am

Sunday Morning Breakfast

Community Room

Sign up to help: signup.com/go/yAbRpfy


Sundays - 11:10 am

Coffee Hour

Outside, weather permitting.


Mondays - 5:15 pm

UU Meditation Group

Susan B. Anthony Room

Questions? Email meditation@uusociety.org



Wednesdays - 5:15 pm

Love & Justice Vigil

In front of the Meeting House


Quick Links

FUUSB Calendar

FUUSB Website

FUUSB YouTube

Staff Directory

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The Path

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In Case You Missed It 
Visit the publication archives on our website!
How to Get the 
Word Out
Click here for this year's publication information!
Contact Us
First UU Society of Burlington
152 Pearl Street
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 862-5630