Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

Sunday, January 7 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Erica Baron, Guest Minister

Warren Baker, Worship Associate

“A Community of Solidarity”

Based in Paula Cole Jones’ work on the congregation as a community of communities, we will explore inclusivity through solidarity between the many different small communities that make up the large community, and that connect us to others beyond the congregation. Rev. Erica Baron, our Congregational Life Specialist, will be in the pulpit. Rev. Karen will be leading the prayer.

Rev. Erica Baron has been a congregational consultant with the New England Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association since fall 2019. Previously, she served as a parish minister in Rutland, VT; Bennington, VT; and Kingston, NY. She grew up in Essex, VT and now lives in Malden, MA with her wife and son. 

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, masks are strongly encouraged. In the spirit of caring for each other, please stay home if you have any cold or flu symptoms. Thank you.

UUA Q & A After the Service

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



Sunday, January 7 at 11:30 a.m.

in the Sanctuary

Rev. Erica Baron, the Congregational Life Specialist at the UUA for FUUSB, will be available after the Sunday service for a Question & Answer session with folks who may have questions related to the current state of Unitarian Universalism, or in general.

Children & Youth This Sunday!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday, January 7, 10 a.m.

Community Room

Family Chapel

Attention Parents! For the first time this program year, we will begin our morning together in the Community Room on the lower level with about 15 minutes of child-centered worship, after which parents can head upstairs for the remainder of the service in the Sanctuary, while children break into their exploration groups. 6th-8th graders will explore the January theme of liberating love, Undercover Kindness Agents will train for their next mission (2nd-5th grades), and Spirit Play (PreK-2nd) will wonder about the week's story and continue their cardboard creations! Nursery care is also available.

Nursery Childcare

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Our Nursery/Childcare is open every week on Sunday mornings on the lower level from 9:50-11:20 a.m. Parents and caregivers are welcome to bring infants and toddlers down to the nursery before the service starts or at any point during the service. Have questions? Reach out to Rowan Van Ness.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

January's Earth Teacher is GRAVITY. This Earth Teacher may pop up at different times and in different places in our shared congregational life. On your own, you can use the January packet to explore this Earth Teacher and deepen your relationship with this part of the Natural World. On some weeks, the eNews will include an Earth Teacher Project invitation, such as this:

From now through June, on the 1st or 2nd of each month, we'll host an online Reflection Session - sign up through Realm.

First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse

Join Us for the FUUSB First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse!

This Friday, January 5, 7 – 9 p.m. 

Come gather round, friends, on this Friday night 

To embrace the New Year, and welcome it right 

May the songs that we sing, and the poems that are told  

Soften our hearts, and fend off the cold 

What: The Monthly FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse. Share a song, spoken words, or other talent, or just come and listen.  

Who: Everyone! All ages! Invite friends and family.

Where: The Sanctuary, First UU Society of Burlington

When: Friday, January 5, 7 – 9 p.m. 

Sign up for the open mic starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Cost: Free!

Questions? Email Todd Schlossberg here

Demonstrating Our Values Through Eating

Valerie Wood-Lewis

This popular series is back! We'll use a UU curriculum to explore our daily food choices and their impact on our own lives and on life on Earth. Informative documentaries, fun cooking sessions, and more! Tuesdays in January (1/9-1/30) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Registration is required - Please email Valerie Wood-Lewis here with questions or to register!

Love at the Center - Faith Development Classes

Kindergarten/First Grade OWL

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

We are planning to offer the Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sexuality curriculum for this age group, starting in January, but we need to hear back from families to determine if we have enough interest.

If you have a K/1 child and are interested, please fill out this quick form to let us know. The form introduction offers some scheduling information; please contact Erika with any other questions at [email protected].

A Taste of Silver Bay: Midwinter Retreat at the UU Meeting House

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

All ages are welcome.

Save the date for a midwinter retreat—a chance to find the warmth of community in the cold of winter. Join us for workshops that sample the joys of building connection - from playing games, to gong relaxation meditation, beadmaking, singing, and more! If you're interested in leading an activity or if you'd like to attend, please email Valerie here. This will help us gauge numbers, but come one, come all, and look forward to a fun morning at the Meeting House. If you're hungry for more, you can register for the UU Silver Bay Retreat coming up on October 11-13, 2024! 

Eclipse Homestay Fundraiser

Susan Ogden, Eclipse Team

2024 has arrived and it’s the year of the total solar eclipse: 4/8/24!

We are still accepting donations for the FUUSB Eclipse Homestay Project!

Visit this site to donate: 

https://tinyurl.com/EclipseUUHomes

Or contact a member of the Eclipse Team: [email protected]

Start the New Year with Presence

Jeff Byam

The Eckhart Tolle Chalice Circle is accepting new members. Our virtual meetings are from 3 to 5 p.m. every other Sunday. Please email Jeff Byam here if you have any questions or would like to join. 

Message About FUUSB Member

We have a message about FUUSB member Debby Bergh that we share with her encouragement.  

Debby recently returned from a stay in the hospital after a complication related to an aortic aneurysm. Debby has entered hospice. Her pain is being well-managed and she is very clear and at peace with the decision for no surgery and no further interventions. Her family is tending actively and lovingly to her. Given the nature of her condition, Debby may have days, weeks or months to live.

If you have a story of Debby and her impact on you, on the congregation, or on the wider world, she welcomes cards, but no calls or visits at this time: 74 Crabapple Drive, Shelburne, VT 05482.

~ Rev. Karen

The UUA Is Hiring a CFO

Rev. Evin Carvill Ziemer, Developmental Lead, New England Region UUA

The UUA is hiring a new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (CFO). This is a very important position to the functioning of our Association with a complex set of responsibilities. It requires candidates to have an ability to maintain a "periodic presence” in the Boston office. We are sharing with you, across the whole of New England, because we know that kind of occasional commute is one many people do. We are also sending to all staff and elected leaders because we are hoping you will help be part of the network that finds us a new CFO. Maybe you know a good candidate or perhaps are a good candidate! 

Please share this link with anyone who may be interested and qualified.

For the latest news from the New England Region UUA, check out the January newsletter at this link.