Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

August 31 at 10 a.m.

Sarah Russell, Member and Others

Mary Beth McNulty- Worship Associate

"Meeting the Moment: a Multi-Voice Celebration from General Assembly"

FUUSB had a strong presence at General Assembly in Baltimore this past June. Hear from some of those who attended as they share their experience connected to our wider faith movement. Weather permitting, this service will take place on our front lawn.

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.

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

Indoors or outdoors, children are always welcome in the worship service, but they can also choose to join childcare staff for free play in the Memorial Garden. (Unless it rains and then same thing inside in the community room.) Parents can sign kids in before or during the service.  Youth are welcome to join the garden crowd, either as helpers, or hanging out crafting, playing a board game, or tossing a frisbee.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



Sunday's service included a reading about cellular membranes about which there were many questions. It was an excerpt from the book, Liberated to the Bone: Histories, Bodies, Futures. Here's a link to an extended version of the reading.

As part of the service, we embodied a Ritual for Broken Times, which included pouring water, seed with FUUSB's own homegrown holy water, over broken shards of glass as a gesture of healing for ourselves, each other, the congregation, our communities, our nation, and the world.

You can watch the service here. Here is You can watch the service here. You can read the text of Rev. Karen's sermon here.

2025/2026 Faith Development Registration

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Exploration Groups for Children and Youth are starting in September. Please, help us prepare by registering your children for the 2025/2026 Faith Development year at this link.

Last Call For 4th/5th OWL

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Our Whole Lives, sexuality education, is set to begin in September for children in 4th and 5th grade (or equivalent age.) It is not too late to sign kids up for the group, but it will be soon! Find out more about our program and let us know you are interested by filling out this form. Reach out to erika@uusociety.org with any questions.

First UU offers three levels of the Our Whole Lives, comprehensive sexuality curricula. You can find out more about OWL at this link.

FUUSB Fiscal Year Ending June 2025

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont, has had a financially successful year. The Congregation passed a budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year that had a deficit of $41,780. When all was said and done, we ended the year with a surplus of $9,187. If you want all the details, you can find our Year-End Financial Reports along with Christina's Narrative Report on our website.

Having such a successful financial year requires every single one of us. Thank you to everyone who paid a pledge, gave an extra gift, participated in the Bazaar or the Auction, contributed to Share the Plate, and gave of your time and talent. And thanks to an amazing staff who managed to keep spending well within their allotted budgets. As always, if you have any questions about FUUSB's finances, please contact Christina at xina@uusociety.org. 

Jyll Allen Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life and Reception for longtime FUUSB member, Jyll Allen, will be held at FUUSB and livestreamed this Saturday August 30th at 1pm. To view the livestream, click here.

A member of the congregation for nearly twenty years, Jyll was a powerful voice for social justice both within the congregation and in the wider community. "Born with cerebral palsy, Jyll was a wheelchair user who developed assertive self-advocacy techniques early on and was unafraid to speak up for themselves and their needs."

Water Ingathering is September 7

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

We kick off the new congregational year with our water ingathering ritual - and because it's also Pride in Burlington that day, we'll have a glitter blessing as well. Please remember to bring water that is meaningful to you - it might come from far away, it might come from someone who loves you, it might come from your kitchen tap, or any number of other places. If you forget to bring so - no problem, we've got your back. Here will be some in the sanctuary you can use.

What if you can't attend in person? Click here and fill out the form if you would like to have your name spoken as part of the ritual.

FUUSB Home Stay Program Needs Your Help!

Homestay Team

FUU Folks: Could you help us promote the Homestay Program? Cut and paste the message below and post to your neighborhood Front Porch Forum and your social media. 

Know someone who has a need for housing in Burlington during any of the Parents Weekends at UVM, St. Mike's, or Champlain College? Well, we've got members of our congregation who have guest space for them (or you!) This is a great alternative for guests who would prefer to stay in a friendly home in the community rather than a hotel.

We have several different guest spaces available to reserve online. Link to website.

Return of the Monthly FUUSB First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse & Dessert Potluck!

Coffeehouse Team

Friday, September 5th.

Potluck dessert and open-mic sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m.

Open mic 7-9 p.m.

We’re back, for our first coffeehouse since June. We’ll be returning to The Parlors, for another intimate listening-room experience, with table and chair seating.

Share your songs or spoken word pieces. Original works and creative covers always welcome. Or, just come to enjoy the music, poetry, and fellowship. Amplification and mics provided.

If you’re able, bring a dessert dish to share. Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be provided. All ages and talents are welcome, especially newcomers! Invite friends and family. Face masks welcomed, but are not required.

UUA Monthly Trans Spiritual Care Program

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is launching an online spiritual care program for trans folx - children & youth, parents of trans kids, and trans adults. It's called The Woodlands. It will be monthly and it starts on Sept 7. Learn more about it here.

Film screening (and discount code for tickets) - death with dignity documentary

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Vermont Patient Choices is sponsoring a screening of the 2025 documentary, The Other Side, about Linda Bluestein's successful campaign to open Vermont's Medical Aid in Dying to non-residents. The film is the story of her lawsuit, its success, and then her experience of using Medical Aid in Dying.

Rev. Karen has been in conversation with the filmmakers, Heather Hogan and Carter Oakley, who offered 25 FUUSB congregants a discount on tickets to see the film, which is showing on Friday, Sept 26 at 7pm at Main Street Landing. Get your tickets here. The first 25 people to use this code (UUDISCOUNT) will get a 30% discount on their ticket cost.

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.