Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

April 20 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston- Senior Minister

Geoff Duke- Worship Associate

"Transformation: Everything is Holy Now"

This multi-generational Easter service will focus on one of Unitarian Universalism’s best traits: seeking. A fun way to make the core values of Unitarian Universalism relevant in our lives, we will explore how the Christian story of Jesus can speak of the UU Value of Transformation and the invitation to experience everything as holy now. After the service, our traditional Easter egg hunt will be held in the Memorial Garden.

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

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Youth are meeting to hide eggs at 9:40. Families will remain in the Sanctuary together through most of the worship service, but children (preschool and up) are invited to leave with Faith development volunteers to make paper bag bonnets during the sermon, and then return all together for the final hymn. The egg hunt will begin about 5 minutes after the service. There will not be nursery childcare available this morning.

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 of Rev. Karen's sermon on pluralism, freedom of the pulpit, freedom of the pew.

Yes, that’s our church on the

ACLU’s Bluesky account

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Egg Hunt!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday, April 20, 11:10 a.m. (or about 5 minutes after the service ends) - Memorial Garden

Our annual egg hunt for children of any age (if they still want to take part, they are welcome!) is happening after the multigenerational service. All kids are invited, whether they are Faith Development regulars or visitors from out of town, and we have methods for making sure every child has a chance to find some eggs. Meet outside the memorial garden on the west lawn. The hunt will happen rain or shine!

Egg Donations: We ask each family to bring 8-12 stuffed eggs per child, and have them here before 9:45 so that our youth volunteers can get them hidden. Drop them in baskets in either entryway. Eggs should be stuffed with non-food items, and fillings can be reused or upcycled! Our hunt has always been quirky with items like seashells, pocket change, flower bulbs, and mini origami, and can be a great way to get rid of excess party favors and small plastic toys! 

FUUSB Spring Auction is a HUGE Success!

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

No matter how you measure success, the Spring Auction fit the bill. The Auction Team (featured above: Nina Harrington, Christina Fulton, Eileen Blackwood, Rodney Lowe, Erin Kelley, Avery Hamill, and Courtney Power-Freeman) saw that every last detail was perfect. There was the online auction, there was the in-person auction, there was food, music, good hearted bidding competition, and fun . . .so much FUN! And if all that fun wasn't enough, we surpassed our goal by raising $13,600!!

Thank you to everyone who donated an item, everyone who purchased an item, and everyone who showed up for the fun.

Date/time of service for Ken Swearingen set

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

FUUSB member Ken Swearingen died in January at the age of 98. The date and time of his Celebration of Life service has been set: June 7 at 10am with a simple reception afterward.  Please mark your calendars. You can read Ken's obituary here.

Play Reading this Thursday!

Jana Porter, Racial Justice Team

According to reviewers, Admissions by Joshua Harmon is “Lacerating! Provocative! Outrageous! Entirely Gripping!” “A Super-Charged Comedy!”



Don’t miss a live Reading of the play Admissions by an all-star UU cast on Thursday, April 17, at 7pm in The Parlors. You can also join us remotely on Zoom here.

Solidarity with Immigrants:

Guidance from Migrant Justice

for Burlington Faith Communities

Immigration Justice Team

Are you concerned about cruel actions targeting immigrants in our communities and across the country? Would you like to make your voice heard and act to support immigrants? 

Join our Immigration Justice Team for a discussion on Thursday, April 24. Migrant Justice will suggest actions you can take to aid immigrants in our communities and beyond and will open a discussion for ideas from the attendees. 

When: Thursday, April 24, 6:15 pm

Where: First Unitarian Universalist Society meetinghouse, Parlors, enter through the side door

Open to the community, no registration necessary

Parking available behind the building

Sponsored by Immigration Justice Team, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington 

Palestine/Israel Listening Circle- New Date

Elizabeth Logan, Healthy Congregation Team

Please join us, the Healthy Congregation team, for a facilitated Deep Listening Circle on Palestine/Israel. 

Sunday, May 4 11:30 -1:00 pm 

Join us for an opportunity to deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and our times. We will be sharing authentically and listening deeply to others as they share their perspectives.

There is no cross-talk or discussion.

Please preregister here as there is a limit to the number of participants. 

Any questions contact us at: healthycongregation@uusociety.org

FUUSB Game Night!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Saturday, May 10, 5-8 p.m.

Community Room

Our multigenerational Game Night is back! All ages are invited to play, eat, and be together.

We have lots of games at the ready, but feel free to bring the one you want to play. In the past we've done jigsaw puzzles, Dominoes, Ticket to Ride, Rumikub, Azul, group card games, Pictionary, and more. There are generally several things happening at once. It's okay to come with a group of friends and the intention to play a particular game. You can bring children and play with them or have them play with childcare staff while you try out a game with an older crowd. Make it what you want!

We'll have a "no-stress" potluck; you can wow us with your culinary skills or pick up a loaf of bread and a tub of hummus from the market. The point is to have fun together and not go hungry. We'll have decaf and tea available, plates and utensils.

Come for a little bit or stay the whole time. Come ready to make new friends and reconnect with the old!

April DwDC

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

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 quickly. Open to congregants who are a part of FUUSB, to register, click here.

This month's session on April 26 is Facing Extinction: Processing Eco-Grief.

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. More sessions will begin in August on the 4th Saturday or the month. Registration opens on the first Wednesday of each month.

Learn more & RSVP at www.bit.ly/OrdainRowan.

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.

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.