Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

March 9 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnson, Senior Minister

Mary Beth McNulty, Worship Associate

"Amplify Good: Celebration Sunday"

Time to tell your Do Good stories - what did you do with the Reverse Offering cash you received at our January 26 service? There will be a chance for you to tell your stories and all of us to reflect on what it means to have Generosity as one of our Shared Values. This is also Celebration Sunday, where we welcome all Members and Friends to declare your commitment to sustaining the congregation through an annual pledge. The UU House Band will accompany us as we dance, strut, stroll, or walk our pledges in sealed envelopes to contribute them as part of the greater whole. Will last year’s disco ball make a return? Come and find out!

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.

Don't forget to turn those clocks forward!

Töve Johnson, Program Assistant

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. this Sunday, March 9. Remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night.

Children & Youth This Sunday

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Families will begin the morning together in the Sanctuary. Following the Time for All Ages, children and youth, preK through 12th grade, will be sung out and escorted to their UU Values Exploration Groups. The nursery is open throughout the service for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Following the service, 7th-12th graders are invited to stay for the first All-Yuuth lunch in the Dix Room downstairs, featuring pizza and games!

Looking Back to Sunday

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

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

Here is the text to Rev. Karen's sermon, All Flourishing is Mutual. Here is the poem she used for the Call to Worship, "The Way It Is" by William Stafford.

Getting Ready for March 9th- Amplify Good Pledge Sunday

Kim Watkin, Stewardship Team

Thank you to Raya Lee, Louis deRosset, Jana Porter, Heidi Duke, and Geoff Duke for your inspiring testimonials for the Stewardship Campaign as we get ready for our Amplify Good Pledge Sunday on March 9th here at the First UU! (See Heidi and Geoff's video below from this past Sunday, March 2nd)

Be ready to participate in our Amplify Good Pledge Sunday  service --singing and dancing encouraged! But, remember we turn the clocks FORWARD next Sunday, March 9th, so don't be late to the festivies! 

If you can't attend next Sunday, we would appreciate your efforts to submit your pledge online (see below) or you can email Christina Fulton at xina@uusociety.org with your pledge amount.

On Sunday we heard an inspiring testimonial from Heidi Duke and Geoff Duke. If you missed it, click here, or the video above, and find out why they give.

All-YUUTH Lunch- March 9th

Sunday March 9th

11:15am - 12:30pm

Dix Room

Are you the parent of a teenager who is:

• Wondering where their place is at First UU?
• Or one who has been involved with our programs in the past but is just too busy for a regular commitment?
• Or one who is already showing up for services or Faith Development programming?

We're inviting all youth in 7th-12th grades to join us after the service on Sunday March 9th for pizza and games! 

Please pass this on to the young people in your life!

These periodic lunches will begin as a point of connection for all of the youth of our congregation. They may end up being the start of something more or just free lunch and a whole lot of fun!

The latest Minister's Message

Here's the latest Minister's Message from Rev. Karen.

Connecting with Rev. Karen on social media

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Here is our semi-irregular reminder that you can subscribe to Rev. Karen's blog, Awake & Witness. Click here and sign up in the upper right corner. She often posts her sermons there.

In addition, Rev. Karen continues to have a presence on Facebook. She accepts friend requests with congregants, but doesn't initiate them. You can find her at Revkaren g Johnston.

Date with Death Club - March session

Date with Death Club is a monthly, adult faith development offering, facilitated by Rev. Karen (who is also the author of the curriculum). Participants are required to register - slots fill up quick. Open to congregants who are a part of FUUSB, to register, click here.

This month's session on March 29 is What to Do with a Dead Body?

Each session stands on its own - it's okay if you did not attend a previous DwDC session. Sessions will run on the last Sunday of each month through the end of June and then again in the fall. Registration opens on the first Wednesday of each month.

Join Us for Music, Spoken Word, and Fellowship at our Friday March 7

FUUSB Open Mic Coffeehouse

Coffehouse Team

March’s lion crouched down, with no lamb in sight

We patiently await the return of the light

And while at times we can’t feel the glow of the sun

Let’s share our own warmth, music, and fun

Join us at the UU this Friday night

To share music, and poems, and smiles so bright

We’ll play music, tell stories, laugh and sing 

At our monthly open mic coffeehouse thing

All ages are welcome, all talents are relished

It's a pretty sweet scene, don’t think I embellish

There’s really not much, that you must do

Just one thing's important, and that is to bring you!

What: Our Monthly FUUSB Open Mic Coffeehouse

Who: Everyone! Friends and family welcome.

Where: First UU Society of Burlington

When: Friday, March 7, 7-9 pm Open mic sign-up starts at 6:30 pm

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

Questions? Email Todd Schlossberg:greenmountainlaw@gmail.com

Tickets Now On Sale!

Click here or the image below for tickets to Emma's Revolution at FUUSB on Saturday March 29th at 7pm.

Overdose Prevention Center Q & A

Martha Molpus, Radical Welcoming Team

What do you want to know about Burlington's new Overdose Prevention Center? We'll be gathering with Ed Baker, our expert on the subject, after the service on March 9th for a Question and Answer session at 11:30 in the Susan B Anthony Room. Please bring your questions! Light refreshments served. All are welcome.

Here is the link to register to attend our March online Earth Teacher Reflection Session- Thurs. March 13th.

Each month we explore our relationship with an aspect of the Natural World, reminding ourselves that we are a part of it. March's Earth Teacher is Roots. Newcomers are welcome. Second Thursdays, 7 - 8:15pm. Facilitated by Judy Brook and Geoff Duke.

Spring Auction Donations are Open!

Erin Kelley, Spring Auction Team

What is the auction? Every year the society hosts a spring auction to help raise general funds for the mission and ministry of the community via an online ‘silent’ auction (and this year an in person auction on April 12th as well!). The auction is a wonderful fundraiser because not only does it bolster the material resources of our society, it deepens our ‘community capital’ by giving us opportunities to connect with one another more deeply by allowing members to donate experiences and special skills in addition to items. 

Shared in the past has been game nights, boat rides, and special knowledge of Burlington, guided walks, and dinners. Or perhaps you have special skill in IT, public speaking, or something else someone may want to learn. Or maybe you want to help organize ‘pay to play’ gatherings in small groups to get things done stone soup style for different community organizations that align with our mission as suggested on community messenger! 

If you think you can contribute an item, experience, or skill please donate here!

If you have any questions reach out to erin.as.kelley@gmail.com or averyhamill283@gmail.com

Save the Date: Meet the Budget April 28th

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

Please mark your calendars! On the evening of Monday, April 28th, we will be holding a Meet the Budget Zoom Meeting. Christina will walk you through the draft budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year and answer any questions you may have. And then on Sunday, June 8th, we will be having the Annual Meeting in the Sanctuary, following the service. The Annual Meeting will also be on Zoom for those who are unable to attend in person. Please mark your calendars now!!

Minute of Us

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

"A gesture ~ even small ~ can give courage for the more that has become necessary."

Choose Democracy is inviting all of us to take a moment every Wednesday at 12:53

You can do this on your own. Set an alert/alarm so that you can be intentional of about marking 12:53. You can text "minute" to 51905 and it will text you a reminder.

Why 12:53?

This is when the January 6th protestors, now pardoned, first crossed the police barricades and when the three richest people in the world — Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg — all were seated for Donald Trump’s inauguration.

You can do this by joining this congregational Zoom link at 12:50. At 12:53, we will observe a Moment of Silence for five minutes for those hurt and suffering due to the current administration and the damage they are causing to this country and around the globe.

Rev. Karen welcomes a few more people who can commit to holding this Wednesday space so that we might be able to communally participate each week as it comes. If that is you, please email her.

Sure Cure for the Winter Blues

Valerie Wood-Lewis, Member

Shake off the winter blues by imagining all the fun you'll have this fall at the UU Weekend at Silver Bay. This eagerly awaited highlight of the fall season will take place from October 10 to 12, 2025 (with an option of extending your stay until October 13th.)

Picture beautiful fall colors, campfires, floating in a kayak or canoe, thought-provoking workshops, hanging out with new and old friends, hiking, spiritual renewal, music and so much more.... Those who extend their stay can also enjoy a late afternoon lake cruise with music and refreshments.

Join the nearly 80 people who have already registered! The 2025 registration form and the schedule of events from the 2024 weekend are available on the Albany UU web site at https://albanyuu.org/blog/uu-silver-bay-weekend-2025/ 

Completed forms received by June 2, 2025 qualify for an “early bird” discount. Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth. 

Several FUUSB members have signed up already!  

UUA General Assembly: June 18 -22

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.

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

This year GA is going to be in Baltimore, MD and also online, June 18 - 22. It is always exciting to join together with thousands of other UUs, these are our peeps!  

Are you a governance nerd? If so, we're looking for members interested in being a Delegate for our congregation. Delegates attend the business session either in person or online. If you are interested in being a delegate and you are a member of FUUSB, please contact Christina at xina@uusociety.org to get on the list.  

Do you love to sing? Well here is some exciting news! Our friend the Rev. Verdus LeVar Robinson will be this year's GA Choir Director.  Verdis served as the Ministerial Coordinator of Worship Arts Production and Adult Lifespan Spiritual Exploration for the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, Vermont, after serving the congregation as a Ministerial Intern under the guidance of the Rev. Joan Javier-Duval. Since 2022, Rev. Verdis has served central Vermont as the Executive and Artistic Director of the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir sharing the hope, joy, and inspiration of African American gospel music in Vermont. You must register to sing in the choir, and there are a limited number of spots, so do not hesitate.

You must register to attend GA, registration fees vary depending on if you attend in person, online, or only for the business sessions. The UUA has several options for Financial Assistance, including a $100 discount if this is your very first GA. There are other discounts and financial assistance offered, so please check out the Financial Support page for more information. The Society has limited funds to assist with registration, contact Christina at xina@uusociety.org to learn more.

If you are planning/hoping to attend GA and would like to join a FUUSB Realm Group, contact xina@uusociety.org. My hope is that this group will help each other with things like sharing housing, sharing rides, gatherings before and during GA, and reporting back to the congregation about your GA experience.