Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

April 5 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Warren Baker, Worship Associate

"Practice Resurrection"



In this multi-gen Easter service, we will explore the practice of resurrection through the Christian story of Jesus, the poet Wendell Berry, and the children’s story of Rabbity-ness, well-known by this congregation. After the service, there is an egg hunt. Erika Reif and Rev. Karen are 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 in the Community Room.

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

Mo Singletary, Family Programs Assistant

Families will remain together in the Sanctuary for multigenerational worship. There will be opportunities for movement and playful, creative participation; Faith Development staff will be leading crafts at the back of the room during the sermon. The nursery is open for infants and toddlers.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior MInister

Here is the text of Rev. Karen's sermon from March 29, A Great Need: A Passover Sermon. It includes a link to the video montage of Berlin resisters during the Nazi era. Here is the link to the livestream recording. Don't forget to check out the Time for All Ages midrash on the Red Sea choosing the side of liberation.

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

Egg Hunt this Sunday!

Mo Singletary, Family Programs Assistant

Our annual egg hunt for children of any age is happening in the Memorial Garden (rain or shine!) after the multigenerational service. Whether they are Faith Development regulars or visitors from out of town -- all kids who want to take part in the fun are welcome, and we have methods for making sure every child has a chance to find some eggs!

Egg Donations: If you’re able, we invite families (or anyone who wants to contribute) to bring 8-12 filled eggs per child. Any child who wants, can participate in the hunt regardless of whether they brought eggs. On Easter morning, there will be labeled baskets at both entrances for egg drop off. Please bring your filled eggs by 9:45 so that our youth volunteers can get them hidden on time. Eggs should be filled with small non-food items – think stickers, pocket change, seashells, seed paper, tattoos, mini origami, balloons, friendship bracelets, pretty rocks, or other fun trinkets and treasures. Reused and upcycled items are especially welcome!

April Date with Death Club

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior MInister

Our next Date with Death Club is scheduled for April 25th, 10-12:45. Registration opened today. Click here to register.

Online Input-Gathering Sessions

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior MInister

Mark your calendar and plan to attend one of these online input sessions: https://zoom.us/j/96566061293

Everyone welcome at the Authentic Selves Exhibit in the Arc Gallery April 12-24!

Elizabeth Allen, Radical Welcome Team

The Radical Welcome team invites everyone to the "Authentic Selves" exhibit in the Arc Gallery [second floor] from April 12 through 24. 

Including photos of fourteen trans or nonbinary people and their families, "Authentic Selves" also has statements from interviews conducted with the trans or nonbinary people and their family members. The images of happy trans and nonbinary people and their accepting families inspire joy and offer visible reminders of the power of love and community.

Whether you have questions about trans and nonbinary identities or are looking to deepen allyship or are queer, trans, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming yourself, this exhibit has something for you. We've got free resource lists, a volunteer [at certain times] to talk to about thoughts or feelings that the exhibit brings up, a reflection book where you can share your response to the exhibit, and, of course, pictures of happy people!

Come to the official exhibit opening on Sunday, April 12, after services, from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM.

Exhibit is also available to view on April 12, 9-10 AM, and April 19, 9-10 AM and 11:30 AM-1:30 PM.

P.S. And if you knew Jyll Allen, this exhibit is dedicated to them.

Donate to the FUUSB Spring Auction!

PLEASE DONATE BY APRIL 10

Avery Hamill, Auction Team

The auction is now accepting donations for our upcoming spring auction! Please consider what you can donate to help us raise as much as we can for our community. Check out the website here and donate. And make sure to save the date for our in-person auction happening on May 2nd, starting at 5 pm at the meeting house. 

Online bidding begins on April 17th. 

Questions? Send us an email: springauction@uusociety.org 

Dig Into the Muck:

Coffee, Conversation, & Earth Wisdom

Gail Beck, Earth Teacher Project

Please join us on Sunday, 4/12, at 11:30 AM for a soulful exploration of our "Earth Teacher," mud. We will gather to find the connection between humus and humility, creating fertile soil for new growth.

The Details:

- When: Sunday, April 12, at 11:30 AM

- Where: First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington

- Format: A musical meditation titled "No Mud, No Lotus," followed by shared readings of poetry and prose.

- Reflections: We will discuss works by Parker Palmer, Mary Oliver, Marge Piercy, and Kurt Vonnegut regarding the fertile conditions of spring.

- Sharing: The session includes time for quiet contemplation and journaling prompts focused on personal and collective resilience.

- Hospitality: Midday snacks will be provided; please feel free to bring your own cup of coffee.

Materials:

For a digital copy of the readings, please email gailbeckvt@gmail.com. Hard copies are also available to the right of the office door.

Whether you are seeking quiet communion or a deep dive into the "work of the world," there is a warm spot waiting for you.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Mark your Calendars for the Annual Elmore Campout!

Mo Singletary, Family Programs Assistant

Elmore State Park, June 19-21

One of First UU’s most-loved multigenerational gatherings is coming up this June! Join other UU friends & families at Elmore State Park for a weekend of play, eating, and community. We’ll kick things off with a Friday evening potluck, gather for a campfire sing on Saturday, and finish with a Sunday morning worship. In between, there will be plenty of time to fellowship, relax, hike, swim, paddle, play games, make s’mores, and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. All activities are optional; just come and share in loads of fun! 

This is an event for all ages! We already have 8 households signed up, several being families with children and space is limited with only 5 campsites remaining. If you’re thinking about joining, now is a great time to sign up so we can make sure everyone has a spot!

You can sign up here, or reach out to Chip Patullo at sunergy.vt@gmail.com with any questions.

Workshop: Making Home Without Walls: Lessons from Jewish Antizionism 

Palestine Solidarity Team

For as long as Zionism has existed, there have been robust movements of Jewish people making the case that it was the wrong direction for our people. In this workshop, we will dive deep into these histories, to learn lessons for how we might grapple with the troubling directions that Israel has taken in our time. We will explore contradictions that were present in Zionism from its origins, draw insight from Jewish movements of the past about other paths toward Jewish safety, and consider how we might make use of those lessons for responding to Israeli aggression, antisemitism, and fascism today. The Palestinian Solidarity Team is cosponsoring this workshop with Jewish Voice for Peace VT/NH chapter. We invite you to register for this hybrid workshop on Sunday, April 12, 2:00-5:00 PM: Making Home Without Walls: Lessons from Jewish Antizionism. It will be held both in person at First UU and online. 

What is Antisemitism? From Right-Wing Weaponization to Collective Liberation

Palestine Solidarity Team

When are accusations of antisemitism pointing to a genuine problem we all need to take seriously, and when are they inflating Jewish fears to shield Israel from legitimate criticism? In this workshop, we will learn how to sort one from the other. We will trace the origins of the idea that criticism of Israel is antisemitic, and we'll learn how this idea poses dangers for Jews and non-Jews alike. We will build an analysis of antisemitism that moves us away from ethnonationalism, and toward liberation for all instead. Join Jewish Voice for Peace of Vermont & New Hampshire as we work to re-connect real struggles for Jewish safety with the struggle for everyone's safety and freedom.

The Palestinian Solidarity Team of First UU is cosponsoring this event with JVP. We invite you to register for this hybrid workshop on Sunday, April 26, 2:00 - 4:30PM, (Hybrid) What is Antisemitism? From Right-Wing Weaponization to Collective Liberation. It will be held both in person at First UU and online.  

Spring Graduation Homestay Launch

Homestay Team

The Homestay Team announces our Spring Graduation Homestay is launched. Please share the site far and wide among friends and family! Questions: homestay@uusociety.org

Click here or the button below for access.