Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

May 25 at 4 p.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Geoff Duke, Worship Associate

"The Changing Shape of Our Faith: A History Service"

At this is a specially-timed Sunday service, held at 4pm to avoid marathon complications, we mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the American Unitarian Association (AUA), the forerunner of the current UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association). We’ll connect with our history - our faith movement’s and our own congregation’s. Rev. Karen is in the pulpit. While children and youth are welcome in the service, there are no Faith Development offerings at this service.

After the service, at our post-service coffee hour, we will have birthday cake and attendees are invited to a guided exploration of the labyrinth on our grounds (accessibility note: the ground is uneven, involving grass and bricks that mark the labyrinth path).

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.

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



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

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

This past Sunday, our guest speaker's message was pre-recorded. Please fill out this one-question survey from Rev. Karen and the Worship Associates Team by 5/27.

Here is the text to Rev. Karen's brief reflection from this past Sunday.

Check out our YUUth working in the native plants garden!

Latest Minister's Message

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior MInister

Every so often, Rev. Karen records a video message for the congregation. Here is her latest one.

Congrats Reverend Rowan!

Rowan's Ordination Team

We are thrilled to announce the ordination of Reverend Rowan Van Ness into the Unitarian Universalist ministry!

On Saturday May 17, Rev. Rowan was officially ordained at the Keene Unitarian Universalist Church in Keene, New Hampshire. It was a special moment for Rowan and a special moment for the Keene congregation! Members of UU communities in Burlington and Keene collaborated to plan the event, sing in the choir and fill the pews of a small congregation that was thrilled to be hosting their first ordination.

Please join us in congratulating Rowan as she begins this new chapter of spiritual leadership and service!

Signing the Membership Book

Raya Lele, Membership Team

Did you know…. If you’ve taken the New UU classes and made a pledge of financial support to the FUUSB but have never signed the Membership Book you are still not an official member?  The final step of signing the Membership Book is quick and easy but sometimes gets overlooked, so we offer regular opportunities for those who have done everything but “sign on the dotted line” to do just that.  You can arrange to sign the book at any convenient time, but to make it even easier we have a Signing Sunday coming up on June 1.   The Membership Book will be available in the Parlors right after the service for those who are ready to sign.  We hope to see you there!

Annual Congregational Potluck/Picnic

Sarah Russell, Member

One of the traditions which brings us all together is the Annual Potluck/Picnic held near the end of the church year. This year it is on June 8th, right after the Annual Meeting. What makes this so great is that it is potluck so we all bring a dish to share and many people sign up to set-up and clean-up. If you are brand new or have been a member for decades please join us to share a meal and camaraderie with your fellow congregants. As long as we don’t have a downpour (fingers crossed this spring) we will be on the lawn between the Society and Memorial Garden. Rain place is inside the Society.

Please signup here to help out. We look forward to seeing a lot of you.

SEEKING HOMESTAY DONORS!

Homestay Team

We had a very successful Eclipse Homestay program in April, 2024, and now a team is in place to manage an ongoing homestay program for parents and families of students at UVM, Champlain College and Saint Michael’s College. Please Email homestay@uusociety.org and the Homestay Team can provide you with the details of donating a room in your home for one-three nights for Parents’ Weekend in the Fall of 2025; and/or Graduation Weekend in the Spring of 2026. The homestay team manages all reservations and the revenue is donated directly to FUUSB!

Meet and Greet with the Minister

Sunday, June 1st

Ann Guardiola, Membership

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 the first Sunday of the month 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, June 1st

11:30AM – 12:30PM

Whitney Young Room

Climate Justice Team meets

Sunday, June 1st, at 11:30 am 

Caitlin Waddick, Climate Justice Team

The Climate Justice Team welcomes new members to our special meeting on Sunday, June 1, 2025, after the service, 11:30 am-12:30 pm. This meeting will focus specifically on deepening our commitment to the UU Climate Justice Revival, which is a global effort cosponsored by the UUA, Side With Love, UUSC, UUMFE, UUCSJ, UUSJ, and UU the Vote. New visitors and members might review relevant materials before our meeting here. We ask, “What can FUUSB do to create a flourishing society that builds our connections to each other, nourishes people, and that envisions climate justice and collective liberation in Burlington and beyond?” 

As a part of it, we are talking about solidarity economics as it applies to this moment and the recent "Resist and Build" Summit earlier this month.  We resist fascism; we build solidarity. 

Please look to our Realm announcement and join our email group for the meeting location, which is TBD, at the time of this writing. 

Please direct your ideas and questions to: climatejustice@uusociety.org  

Theme & Chalice Circles

Susan Ogden, Member

Are you interested in joining a small circle of UU friends to explore ideas and deepen connection? If so, check out the LINK to the FUUSB Theme and Chalice web page.

The May Theme Circle--Imagination--5/21, 6-8PM. You will be able to engage in deep conversation and listening as you build community. Be sure and check out Chalice Circle on the same link; some meet in person and are still accepting members.

Please email ThemeCircles@uusociety.org for more information.

Deepening Our Lives

Susan Ogden, Member

We are a Chalice Circle meeting the first and third Mondays of each month from 5-6:30 PM, at the meetinghouse. We are a diverse group and we are seeking more members. Our discussion derives from the Path. This month Imagination has guided us.

Contact: ChaliceCircles@uusociety.org

Burlington's Overdose Prevention Center Informational Gathering

Radical Welcoming Committee

Date: 6/1/25

Location: Susan B Anthony Rm

Time: 11:30

Please join your fellow Congregants for an overview and thorough explanation of our city's upcoming Overdose Prevention Center. A brief power point presentation will set the stage for questions and honest discussion of this very important addition to Burlington's system of care for people who use drugs.

Come and learn about this life-saving service and the ways it will lessen common suffering in Burlington. 

Ed Baker and other local figures involved in the development of our Center will be available for a thorough discussion.

Silver Bay

Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

 For more than 20 years, members of First UU have gathered at this beautiful state park in mid-June to commune with nature and each other! This loosely planned weekend will include a Friday night potluck dinner, group campfires, sing-alongs, and an informal closing circle worship. Climbing the mountain and the firetower are optional but inspiring activities! There will be children; there will be youth, there will be adults, younger and older. If you like camping and UU fellowship, please consider joining us! (If sleeping in a tent is not on your to-do list, we welcome day- trippers for the Friday potluck or Saturday beach and mountain fun!)

Please follow this link for more information and to register!

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.