Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

September 7 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Warren Baker, Worship Associate

"They Bring More B.S., We Bring More Joy"

With the growing chaos in the world, one of our responses is to not let them steal our joy. We will use our joy to fuel our resilience for survival and resistance. Our annual multi-generational Water Ingathering to mark the new congregational year, paired with Burlington’s Pride celebration means the service will be full of meaningful and fun ritual, including our glitter blessing to send you out into the world (and hopefully stroll behind the FUUSB banner at the Pride march). Erika will tell the story of Higgins, the Drop with a Dream. We will learn some new songs. We will also bless the choir as they begin a new year of their fabulous music ministry. Bring some water from a place that is meaningful to you - if you forget, we’ll have some for you to use. 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 remain together in the Sanctuary for this multigenerational celebration.

Looking Back to Sunday

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

New Faces! 

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Two new staff members started at FUUSB in August. Please welcome our new Family Programs Assistant, Mia Bisagni and new Childcare Provider, Zina Peete-McChesney! Click on their names to learn more about them.

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. 

Steps to renew or purchase a parking tag:

1. Filll out this form. 
2. Pay for your tag ($45 per tag). 

-You can pay online using the Make a Gift button on 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 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.

Meet and Greet with the Minister

Sunday, September 14th

Ann Guardiola, Membership Committee

Are you feeling new or newish and want to learn more about First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington?

The Membership Committee is offering a session on Sunday, September 14th, after Church services at 11:30. This is an opportunity to meet with our minister Rev Karen G. Johnston and some membership committee members. It will be informal and an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

The audience for this is anyone who feels new or newish and wants to learn more about our society. It is also a good place if you have been away from the Society for a while and want to meet the Minister and ask questions as well.

Put it on your calendar and join us for our gathering:

Sunday, September 14th

11:30AM – 12:30PM

Whitney Young Room

For more information, contact Ann Guardiola at AnnGuardiola17@gmail.com

Date with Death Club is Back at FUUSB!

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.

Fall Theme and Chalice Circles

Forming at First UU

Chalice 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. Deepening our Lives Chalice Circle is seeking new members. We meet the first and third Monday’s of the month at FUUSB. 

For further information, please contact Gail Beck or Susan Ogden at ChaliceCircles@uusociety.org

Rapid Response Training- 9/17

First UU Immigration Justice Team, Camel's Hump Indivisible and Migrant Justice will be hosting a Rapid Response Training on September 17 from 6:30-8PM at FUUSB. The training will cover the context of immigration enforcement in Vermont – including some history and key protections that are in place – as well as a know-your-rights training and a walk-through of how to be part of Migrant Justice's Rapid Response Network. We'll explore some common examples of situations where rapid response is needed and what it looks like to respond to that need. Contact Susan Ogden for more information: susanogden1@mac.com

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.

Growing Our Bravery

Kim Watkin, FUUSB Board Member

Do you want to be part of the conversation about our next steps in Civil Resistance? We hope you will join fellow congregants ( and their guests) in answering the question...what next?  

Join our 3 parts series: Growing Our Bravery.  More information to come but time to mark your calendars. 

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.

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.

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 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 with all proceeds supporting FUUSB.

We have several different guest spaces available to reserve online.

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.