Sunday, September 17 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Mary Beth McNulty, Worship Associate

“A Thousand Beautiful Things”

In the beginning of a new shared ministry, nearly everything is shiny and beautiful. Over time, a more balanced perspective will emerge, with both shine and tarnish revealing themselves. This service will celebrate perceiving the world with eyes that see beauty with a Beginner’s Mind.

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, either outside in front of the Meeting House or in the Community Room, depending on weather.

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

Sunday, September 17

Families will begin in the Sanctuary together. After the Reflection for All Ages, based on the book The World Needs Beautiful Things by Rachel Berkowitz, children will be invited to leave the Sanctuary with Faith Development staff. We'll head outside together to create impermanent artwork from "beautiful things," natural materials we find on our grounds. Have children and youth dress appropriately for outdoor play. The Nursery will also be open.

Big Blue Trunk & Parent Circle:

September 24, Meeting House Grounds

Images from our Sunday, Sept. 10 worship service -

Water Ingathering & Pride Celebration, & the Pride Parade!

Here is the video link for last Sunday's service:

Sept. 10, 2023 Worship Service

Image credits: Darrell Fields & Rev. Karen

New UU Orientation Sessions

Here is a video conversation with Sara Gold of the Membership Team and Rev. Karen, inviting new folks to attend one of our two New UU Orientation Sessions this fall. Each class is only two sessions. The first one meets in person on Sept. 17 & Oct. 22 and the second meets virtually on Oct. 29 & Nov. 12. For more information and to register, visit uusociety.org/information/orientation-for-newcomers.

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Come to our UU Young Adult Kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Susan B. Anthony Room! Food will be provided. This will be an opportunity to connect with other young adults (roughly 18-35ish) who are interested in connecting with others in this age range for chalice circles, social events, and more. We are also starting a new "Emerging Adult Group" for young adults roughly 18-24ish,which will likely meet monthly on Sundays after services. Please be in touch with Rowan (rowan@uusociety.org) to RSVP, so she can get enough food, or to get connected to either/both of these groups!

YUUth Group

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Our UU Youth Group will be starting up again on Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 6-8 p.m. in the Susan B. Anthony Room! We'll have pizza, get to know each other, and start planning for the year, balancing play, deep sharing, spirituality, and service. All 9th-12th graders (or homeschool equivalent) are welcome. Please be in touch with Rowan (rowan@uusociety.org) if you have any questions! 

Big Blue Trunk & Parent Summit!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday, September 24

10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

The Big Blue Trunk will make yet another appearance on the Meeting House lawn! Mike and his one-of-a-kind crazy games and contraptions will be providing lots of active fun in the Memorial Garden! Fifteen minutes into the worship service, children will be invited outside for supervised play. The Big Blue Trunk and childcare staff will stay on duty until 12:15, allowing time for parents of children and youth to circle up with Erika and Rowan at 11:20 to hear about what we have planned for Faith Development this fall and help us dream up some more! A vibrant program is one we build together, so please come share the gift of your presence!

Special snacks will be provided to hold us over until lunch time.

Meet & Greet Rev. Karen...

With Something Sweet

NEW DATES ADDED. If you tried to sign up for a Meet & Greet with Sweet Treats & Rev. Karen and found all the slots taken, rest assured, more were added. Click here for more information. Including a virtual Meet & Greet option that was added to the calendar. For the virtual one, you will have to "bring" your own dessert, but Rev. Karen will be available via Zoom. Space will be limited to allow for a similar format of getting to know each other.

If you are interested in attending one of these gatherings, please sign up at https://signup.com/go/riZSvFW.

Living Into the 8th Principle

Wed. Sept. 27, 5-7 p.m. OR 

Sat. Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. OR 

Sat. Sept. 30, 2-4 p.m.

Choose one, two, or all three times: it’s up to you!

Can you join me in meeting our King Street neighbors and learning about their public safety concerns, helping them to give voice to their experience through the Safer Together Solution Burlington survey, sponsored by FUUSB’s community partner, Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA)?

Your role:

• come for two hours
• get oriented to the process
• pair up, and
• then go out with the survey (on a tablet or paper version) to homes and businesses.

Every Burlington congregation is being asked to show up.

We love that this gives voice to those most impacted. We love that there is support for this project from the Burlington Police Commission. We love that our BIPOC community partners have encouraged us to do this. We love that we will get to know our own community better and make it safer in the long run.

This is the first stage of a multi-phase project around public safety and cultural change.

Let’s make sure FUUSB is a part of this solution building. Rev. Karen is going to take part and we’re hoping you will, too. Please contact me or to ask questions, email Peggy Owen Sands here.

- Peggy, on behalf of the Racial Justice Team at FUUSB

Faith Development Guides & Helpers Needed!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Help us to offer a rich and inviting set of programs for children and youth this year, by becoming a Faith Development Guide or Helper!

You do not need to have all of the answers; in fact, serving in this way can help adults on their own faith journeys. Consider modeling lifelong learning and spiritual development by caring for our community, seeking truth, and acting for justice, with our younger UUs.

There are opportunities both big and small! Fill out this quick form to indicate interest, and see a list of ways to help, including some that do not involve supervising kids and do not need to happen during the service on Sunday morning. Please reach out to Erika Reif with any questions!

Give Our New Minister Some Help!

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

Rev. Karen has asked me to remind folks to please put your photo in your Realm account. It is a huge help to our new minister (and others) if they can put a face and name together by quickly looking in Realm. It is super easy! Here are the instructions:

Add Your Photo

Share your smile! Add your photo to your profile page.

• Sign in to the Realm website.
• Click your name in the upper-right corner, and select View My Profile.
• Point to the image beside your name and click it.
• Browse to the image you want to use and select it.

Tip: Ideally, the image you choose should be 172 x 172 pixels. If needed, you can use any photo or graphics program to determine and alter the size of your image.

• Adjust the image size using the slider. If your image is larger than 172 x 172 pixels, you can zoom out until it fits in the dashed-line center square. Anything outside of the square is removed. If your image is smaller, you can zoom in but you might lose resolution.
• Click Save. You might need to refresh the page to see your changes.

Gail Beck

Circle Group sign-ups are beginning, and signing up for one is easy!

Currently there are Chalice Circles where the group explores a topic and meets twice a month; Chalice Circles are intended to be a place where one can build long-term bonds. Theme Circles, which center on the theme from The Path newsletter, meet once a month and are a 6-month commitment; the group opens for sign-ups again in the spring.

Here is a link to the list of currently running Circles. There is room for more participants, groups and facilitators. For more information or to sign up, please email ChaliceCircles@uusociety.org or ThemeCircles@uusociety.org.

Eckhart Tolle Chalice Circle

Eckhart Tolle Chalice Circle is accepting new members. Our meetings are from 3 to 5 p.m. every other Sunday online. Please email Jeff Byam here if you have any questions or would like to join. Many blessings!

Our Society Is a Fragrance-Free Zone

Sarah Forbes

In consideration of those who are sensitive to the chemicals in fragrances, our Society has been declared a fragrance-free zone. Please refrain from wearing perfumes or cologne, using fragrant flowers, smelly hand sanitizers and air fresheners. The chemicals in these items can affect anyone at any time, causing incapacitating and even disabling illness.

Who can be affected by these chemicals?

People with: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), migraines, Asthma, pregnant women and developing children, COPD or other breathing disorders, Emphysema, allergies, sinus headaches, Autoimmune Disorders (MS, Lupus and others), ADHD, Autism, respiratory infections or frequent colds, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and formerly healthy people who've been exposed to too many chemicals. Even You!

Thank you for caring for your fellow UU's!