Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

March 1 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Mark Power-Freeman, Worship Associate

"Afterlives?: Letting the Mystery Be"

There is much speculation about what happens after we die, coming from a wide variety of perspectives. Some religions have certainty and specificity about how and what. Others, including Unitarian Universalism, are open to the mystery. Let’s explore the concept of an afterlife using the creative, and sometimes absurd, work of David Eagleman, exploring concepts we inherited from our families or cultural heritages and how that might have shifted over our lifetimes. 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 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

This is a Family Chapel week, meaning families (children and parents/caregivers, youth may come on their own) and Faith Development guides will begin on the lower level with 15-20 minutes of child-centered worship. After that, parents will be sung out to the service already in progress, and children and youth (PreK-12th grade) will remain on the lower level for Chalice Choice Activities. 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 a link to the video recording of last week's service.

Bring the Light, Be the Light:

2/22 Stewardship Testimonial

On Sunday we heard an inspiring testimonial from Ed Baker. If you missed it, click here, or the video below, and find out why he gives.

Submitted by Peter Clavelle, Board of Trustees Member

The FUUSB Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, February 17th. Present were all members of the Board, Rev. Karen, representatives of the Palestinian Solidarity Team (PST), and a congregant. 

Carmela Waddell, on behalf of the PST, made a presentation concerning the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge. The PST requested that the Board endorse the Pledge. Much discussion ensued, including the consideration of a letter from a congregant asking the Board not to endorse the Pledge at this time. While a number of Board members expressed their support of the Pledge, much of the discussion centered on the process of endorsing the Pledge (i.e., should this action be considered by the full congregation at the Annual Meeting?). Also discussed were the roles and responsibilities for proposed action steps. The Board ultimately voted to postpone action until the next meeting to allow for time to research and further consider the Pledge and related action steps.

The Board considered the recommendation of the FUUSB Justice Teams for the distribution of funds to local organizations pursuant to a recently launched initiative called “Five to Thrive”. The Board approved of the recommendation of the Justice Teams Collaboration to award a portion of the proceeds ($12,000) from the pandemic-era Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) to: the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund ($6,000), The Family Room ($3,000), Outright Vermont ($1,500), and the 350 Vermont Solidarity Fund ($1,500). 

The Board received and discussed reports from the Senior Minister and Board President.

The Board revisited the status of efforts to evaluate and facilitate feedback between the Senior Minister and Board in achieving the goals and vision of ministry established for the FUUSB. The importance of collaboration and mutuality in the process were discussed. It was agreed that it might be helpful to review the evaluation instrument used by the Concord NH, UU with whom an exchange has recently taken place.

The next Board Meeting is Tuesday, March 17th at the Meetinghouse from 4-6pm. A Zoom link will be published in Community Messenger on that Tuesday or you can email board@uusociety.org for the link. It was also noted that the in-person Auction takes place on May 2nd and that the FUUSB Annual meeting will be held on June 7th.

It's not too late--pick up your lost coat!

Töve Johnson, Administrative Assistant

This Sunday (3/1) will be the last day to pick up coats from the FUUSB Lost & Found before they are donated. The images below show our current inventory.

Psssst...we still haven't donated the rest of the items (accessories, bags, etc.) in the Lost & Found. This Sunday is your last opportunity to pick these items up, as well.

Interfaith Service - Love the Immigrant - Sunday at 3pm

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior MInister

You and your neighbors are heartily invited to this Sunday afternoon event. Rev. Karen will be participating, as will an array of local clergy from the Greater Burlington area.

March Coffeehouse

From your Coffeehouse Team

Come to the First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse!

Friday, March 6

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 an evening of music and spoken word pieces. Share a song or poem, or come to listen and enjoy the fellowship.

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. With the cold weather, upper respiratory infections are more prevalent; face masks are welcomed, but not required.

3/8 - GLBTQIA+ Meeting

Elizabeth Allen, Member

The GLBTQIA+ group meets Sunday, 3/8, after services, 11:30-12:30 PM, in Whitney Young Jr. Room on second floor. All are welcome to brainstorm future possibilities for group meetings!

2026 Pledge Campaign Events

Susan Ogden, Stewardship

The FUUSB 2026 Pledge Campaign invites you to Bring the Light, Be the Light. And share food, music and dance in a series of events. Please RSVP using the links below! 

DO YOU LIKE TO DANCE?  Send your favorite dance song to include in the playlist for the March 14th dance at the Miller Center! susanogden1@mac.com

Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Training- 3/21

Kim Watkin, Member

The Democracy Project is offering a Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Training led by the Vermont Solidarity Safety Net. on Saturday, March 21st from 9am to 3pm. in the Community Room of the FUUSB. Lunch will be provided. 

This training is open to any Member, Friend, and their guests who are curious about what Nonviolent Civil Disobedience is to those who want to learn the strategic use of this tool in the work of civil resistance. It will be open to 35 participants. We are hoping to collect a sliding scale of $0-$50 to share with the VT Solidarity Safety Net as well as collect a donation for the Sunday Morning Breakfast program. More information will be sent to participants as it gets closer to the event.  

Register here.

Please contact Kim Watkin at watkinfam@aol.com with any questions or if you would like her help to register.  

Interfaith Book Group on Non-Violence Resistance

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior MInister

Burlington houses of worship are working together to offer an interfaith book group to build community and reflect on ways to respond to the current crisis with moral and faith-full clarity. Starting February 24th, folks from congregations of various faith traditions will gather together to read Mark Kurlansky’s book Nonviolence: The History of A Dangerous Idea on Tuesdays at 5:30PM. Go to https://bit.ly/ReadingTogetherBTV (case sensitive) for more information. To sign up to attend, click HERE.

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.  

Annual Elmore Campout!

Elmore State Park, June 19-21, 6:00 p.m.

Mo Singletary, Family Programs Assistant

Mark your calendars now, this cherished annual gathering will be here before we know it! Come join FUUSB friends at Elmore State Park for a weekend of fun and community, with optional hiking, swimming, games, paddling, s'mores & more. This is an event for all ages! We'll kick off the weekend with a Friday evening potluck, have a campfire sing on Saturday, and do a little campsite worship on Sunday morning. In between, there will be plenty of time to relax, connect with each other, and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings! 

Signing up early helps ensure we have enough sites for everyone. You can sign-up here or contact Chip Patullo at sunergy.vt@gmail.com with any questions!