Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

September 28 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Geoff Duke & Mark Power-Freeman, Worship Associate

"We Are All Bound Together"

On this Sunday, we mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, one of our African American religious ancestors. We will explore her contributions to progress toward justice, alongside more modern Black Unitarian Universalist women/femmes whose presence and power make our faith movement more whole. We are also conducting the joyful child dedication ceremony. Rev. Karen is in the pulpit.

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 on the Lawn.

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

Families will begin the morning together in the Sanctuary. After the Time For All Ages, children and youth will be escorted to Chalice Choice Activities on the lower level. Care for infants and toddlers is available in the Nursery throughout the service.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Here is the text of Rev. Karen's sermon, Here Comes the Sun-Day.

As part of the Sun-Day resources, there is a new documentary available on YouTube, called The Light Won't Dim. Just a half hour long, it details the importance of access to solar power in Puerto Rico, in Colorado, and elsewhere and includes interviews with Bill McKibben and Senator Bernie Sanders.

More information about "balcony solar" in this VT Digger article that came out 4 days before her sermon. It provides more information about the status of portable, sometimes called "plug-and-play" solar, in Vermont.

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

FUUSB Celebration of Life Services

Susan Alden

There will be a memorial service for FUUSB Member Susan Alden on Saturday, September 27 at 2 p.m. in the Meeting House Sanctuary.

Ginger Hobbs

A celebration of life will be held for Ginger Hobbs, FUUSB Member, in the Sanctuary and livestreamed Sunday, September 28 at 2 p.m.

To view her obituary in Seven Days Magazine click here.

Last call for items in Lost & Found!

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

Reminder: after the service this Sunday, EVERY ITEM in the Lost & Found will be either donated or discarded. This includes hanging items, electronics, and anything on the shelf above the coat rack.

Thank you for helping us keep the Meetinghouse clean!

Young Adult Group Kick-Off Event

this Sunday!

Avery Hamill, Member



Calling all young adults to join us at the young adult kick-off event! Sept. 28th, right after the service in the Susan B. Anthony room at FUUSB! Join us to create community and think about other events we would love to see happen at FUUSB this coming church year. Can't make it on the 28th? Stay tuned for other ways to be involved in the YA community at FUUSB. 

No Kings Day - Oct. 18th

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

A message from Side with Love: The Unitarian Universalist Association has signed on as an official partner of the No Kings National Day of Mobilization on Saturday, October 18. Building on the momentum from the first No Kings protests in June, we are mobilizing for another mass day of resistance, resilience, and action. Our commitment to building a multiracial democracy shows up in how we resist the abduction and deportation of our immigrant community members; how we resist voter suppression in the legislature and at the ballot box; how we celebrate our LGBTQ+ kin and communities - and on October 18, shows up in how we collectively cry out No Kings! 

Date with Death Club this Saturday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Meeting on the 4th Saturday of most months, there will be a new session of Date with Death Club September - May (not December). Registration is required for each session and opens the 1st Wednesday of the month.  Click here to register.

Come to the First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse Dessert Potluck!

Todd Schlossberg, Member

Next Friday, October 3rd

Potluck dessert and open-mic

sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m.

Open mic 7-9 p.m.

Join us in The Parlors, for another intimate listening-room experience. 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.

Join Us for FUUSB Game Night!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Saturday, October 10, 5-8 p.m.

Community Room

Our multigenerational Game Night is back! All ages are invited to play, eat, and be together.

We have lots of games at the ready, but feel free to bring the one you want to play. In the past we've done jigsaw puzzles, Dominoes, Ticket to Ride, Rumikub, Azul, group card games, Pictionary, and more. There are generally several things happening at once. It's okay to come with a group of friends and the intention to play a particular game. You can bring children and play with them or have them play with childcare staff while you try out a game with an older crowd. Make it what you want!

We'll have a "no-stress" potluck; you can wow us with your culinary skills or pick up a loaf of bread and a tub of hummus from the market. The point is to have fun together and not go hungry. We'll have decaf and tea available, plates and utensils.

Come for a little bit or stay the whole time. Come ready to make new friends and reconnect with the old!

Fall Circles Forming at First UU

Chalice & Theme Circles



Dear Friends,

If you are looking to deepen your connection with others and explore meaningful discussion, consider joining a circle at First UU!

We offer small groups designed to foster community, personal growth, and spiritual exploration. To learn more about the different types of circles available, please visit the FUUSB LINK.

Theme Circles

Theme Circles meet throughout the calendar year to investigate the monthly theme from the "The Path".

"The Path" is a publication (available to everyone in the congregation) which includes readings, thought-provoking questions and additional resources for engagement with the month's theme.

When do Theme Circles meet this year?

• The Third Tuesday of every month, 2-3:30pm in person at First UU: Oct 21, Nov 18 and Dec 16

• The Third Wednesday of every month, 6-7:30pm ON ZOOM: Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17

• The Third Thursday of every month, 6-7:30pm in person at First UU: Oct 16, Nov 20, Dec 18

Please contact Themecircles@uusociety.org if you have any questions or want to register. All groups are still open for registration.

There is still space in the Wednesday evening ZOOM Theme Circle!

Gail Beck, Member

In October we will be discussing "Cultivating Compassion".

Join our group and be part of the discussion.

Is compassion just niceness and thoughtful feelings or is it about something deeper: an impulse that drives us to action?

Chalice Circles

Chalice Circles meet twice a month, providing an opportunity for personal growth over time as members embark on a shared spiritual journey,

FUUSB currently offers three groups that are seeking new members. Click below to see the list. Email ChaliceCircles@uusociety.org for more information.

Bugs Are In The Air

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

Fall is nearly upon us, and so are the bugs: flu, COVID, etc. So here is my friendly reminder. If you can, get your flu shot and COVID vaccine. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home and take care of yourself. You can watch Sunday worship from home on our YouTube channel, and most meetings can easily accommodate moving to Zoom or having one person join via Zoom. And there's masking! Yes, masking is still a thing.   We welcome anyone coming to the Meeting House to wear a mask. Keeping our bugs to ourselves is just one of the many ways we take care of each other.  

Member Parking Tags 25-26

Töve Johnson, Administrative Assistant

Each September, FUUSB members may renew or purchase parking tags, which allow you to park along the oval driveway next to the Meeting House for non-FUUSB business (shopping, etc.) for up to 3 hours. Parking guidelines can be found here. 

A yearly tag costs $45. We can sell or renew up to 50 parking tags this year. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

*If you need assistance or are unable to complete the online form, contact Töve at tove@uusociety.org or 862-5630 ext. 25.

For parking questions, please contact Devin at devin@uusociety.org or (802) 862-5630, ext. 23.

FUUSB Home Stay Program Needs Your Help!

Homestay Team

UU 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 with all proceeds supporting FUUSB.

We have many different guest spaces available to reserve online.

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.