Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

September 29 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Dan York, Worship Associate

"What Future(s) Are We Planning For?"

This whole weekend is the UU Climate Justice Revival, with over 300 UU congregations across the country participating. Our Sunday service is bookended by a Saturday morning climate revival gathering and a climate revival workshop just after the service. We’ll make individual and congregational commitments to the climate and this, our only home. There will be music, including the choir singing! Rev. Karen will be preaching. 

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.

Children & Youth This Sunday

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Families will begin the morning together in the Sanctuary before children and youth are sung out for all-ages climate revival activities. Childcare is available in the Nursery. 

Looking Back to Sunday

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

Poetry from this past Sunday's service:

• "We Look with Uncertainty" by Anne Hillman
• "Detour" by Ruth Feldman
• "Guest House" by Rumi, interpreted by Coleman Barks

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior MInister

Following up to Sunday's Sept. 22nd service and the Waggle Dance Invitation to participate in our robust congregation, here is an online way you can sign up to let us know what opportunities interest you. We will pass on your interest to the relevant teams. Click here for this brief survey.

This Saturday & Sunday:

UU Climate Justice Revival!

Climate Justice Team

On Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, FUUSB will gather our congregation to identify social issues in our community and the ways that those issues intersect with climate justice. 

We will then envision what a flourishing future looks like to us. Are we more connected with our neighbors, a regenerative agricultural economy, and a carbon-free transportation network? Do all members of our community receive respect and the opportunity to thrive? In our final session, we will envision what brings us joy, and what we have to offer. These discussions will lead the congregation into climate actions through the year. 



Please join members of our congregation on this journey: 

• Saturday, Sept. 28th, 9 am to noon, followed by a Potluck Lunch. Bring a dish to share if you can.

• Sunday, Sept. 29th, a 10 am service led by Rev. Karen, followed by the Revival wrap-up from 11:30 am to 1 pm. With snacks! 

*RSVP Optional. Please comment on Realm if you are coming! Or email the Climate Justice Team climatejustice@uusociety.org  with questions.  

•  Vegan Cooking Class: On Saturday the 28th, a family workshop on vegan cooking for the climate.

*By registration only: Click here.

• Potluck Lunch: On Saturday, Sept. 28th: Join us at noon for a potluck lunch. Bring a dish to share, if you can, or just bring yourself.  

Gentle Reminder: FUUSB has a voluntary fragrance-free policy. Please avoid wearing perfumes and fragranced products to our spaces. Some people are sensitized to fragrances and may be harmed by fragrance or other chemicals.

Bazaar Planning- Sept 29th

in Sanctuary After Service

Kim Watkin, Member

So, the buzz you hear is the busy bees getting ready for the Holiday Bazaar planned for Saturday, Dec. 7th.  If you are interested in helping to PLAN this event, we would love to meet with you right after the service on Sunday, Sept. 29th in the Reeb Room. We need people interested in helping with the book sales, luncheon, wreaths, and/or "attic treasures" as part of our annual tradition. Just come and let us know you are interested, and we will find a way for you to be involved! If you can't make the meeting on Sept 29th after the service in the Sanctuary, just email Kim Watkin (watkinfam@aol.com) and she will keep you in the loop.  The Bazaar is a great fundraiser for the FUUSB and depends on a lot of bee-like, hive-making behavior!  

Copy of Sermon-

"Pancakes & Process Theology"

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Several of you have asked for a copy of Rev. Elizabeth Stevens' sermon from September 1, called "Pancakes & Process Theology." She has generously offered to provide the text. Click here to access a pdf of it.

Connecting with Rev. Karen Online

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Here is our semi-regular announcement that you can friend Rev. Karen on Facebook (look for Revkaren G Johnston) - she welcomes friend requests but doesn't initiate them with congregants, because not every congregant necessarily wants to be FB friends.

You can also check out her blog, https://awakeandwitness.net/, where she sometimes posts her sermons. You can subscribe to it to receive the occasional new posts, by filling out the box in the upper right corner.

FUUSB Board Update

Kim Watkin, Board Member

The FUUSB Board of Trustees met this past Tuesday, Sept. 17th We discussed the implications of Christina’s Sabbatical and the ways it will impact our work on the Board as well as the congregation. With Christina’s last participation at a Board meeting until January 2025, we wished her a restful and meaningful time away. Rev Karen’s Minister’s Report included preparations for Christina’s sabbatical and how it will impact the congregation and her ministry. Her report also raised questions about fundraising activities, which the Board plans to address at its October meeting.

The Board also acknowledged the resignation of Mark Kuprych from the FUUSB Board of Trustees. We wish to thank him for his years of service on the Board. Part of the process of engaging in policy-based governance includes the Board’s development of open questions ( large questions about the congregation’s focus) and annual goals.

In preparation for a Board retreat at which we plan to adopt those questions and goals for the upcoming year, the Board is planning some opportunities to hear from our fellow congregants about your ideas for our future goals and vision for our Society’s ministry. Stay tuned for the first of those coming soon. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Oct. 22nd at 4pm in the Parlors (note this is a change from our usual schedule). 

Fiscal Year Ending June 2024

Financial Reports

Christina Fulton, Director of Finance & Operations

The website has been updated with the Fiscal Year Ending June 2024 Financial Reports of the Society. These reports were presented to the Minister, the Finance Team, and the Board at their August meetings. On this page you will find a year-end narrative report, the Balance Sheet, and the Treasurer's Report. If you have any financial questions while I'm away on sabbatical, please contact Brian Haas, our Society's Treasurer.

In Case You Missed It!

To kick off the UU Climate Justice Revival, Rev. Karen led us in a discussion on UU values and climate justice on Sept. 22.

You may wish to watch the video that we watched. The Side With Love campaign released it with 2 other videos on the theme: “Climate at the Intersections.” Each video is 12-18 minutes long. View them here.   https://sidewithlove.org/climate-at-the-intersections 

Plus, watch the Minister's Invitation to the Climate Revival here.

Come Celebrate the Return of the FUUSB

First Friday Open Mic Coffeehouse!

Todd Schlossberg, Member

The students are back, you can tell - there’s no parking!

Leaves tinged with red, hinting autumn is harking

Come join us, dear friends, you must wait no more  

The coffeehouse returns, Friday, October 4! 

What: Our Monthly First Friday FUUSB Open Mic Coffeehouse

Who: Everyone! Friends and family welcome

Where: The Sanctuary, First UU Society of Burlington

When: Fri. Oct. 4, 7-9;00 p.m.; open mic signup begins at 6:30.

Bring: A song, story or poem to perform, yourself

Questions? Todd Schlossberg: greenmountainlaw@gmail.com

Parking Oval

Devin Fallon, Facilities Manager

Töve Johnson, Program 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.

To renew or purchase a tag, here are the steps:

Contact Töve at tove@uusociety.org or 862-5630 ext. 25.

In your message, please provide: your name; car make, model, color, and plate number; parking tag number if possible; and whether you need a new tag.

Pay for your tag ($45 per tag). You can pay online using the Make a Gift button on the Donate page of our website (select “Member Parking Tag” under Fund). Or you can mail a check to FUUSB, 152 Pearl St., Burlington, VT 05401, or drop off a check or cash in a labeled envelope and place it in the FUUSB mailbox by the east entrance. Note "Oval Parking" on the check memo and envelope.

If purchasing a new tag, Töve will mail that to you.

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

We can sell or renew up to 50 parking tags this year. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Thank you!

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.