There is a blockbuster movie that many are seeing, dressing up for, and finding surprisingly fun, provocative, and even moving. Yes, using Barbie The Movie (co-created by Greta Gerwig, who was raised UU) as our jumping-off point, we’ll explore one of the fundamental aspects of Unitarian Universalism: the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. What does it mean to be a spiritual seeker within Unitarian Universalism? Come dressed in hot pink, warm pink, cold pink, or no pink at all. See the movie before or after or not all. Let’s have some fun as we explore this serious topic.
Please join us for Sunday morning worship at 10 a.m., which will be held outdoors at the First UU Society each week through September 3. The service will also be live-streamed. The livestream link and order of service will be shared at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.
Summer Garden Childcare will be available in the Memorial Garden. Following the service, all are welcome to Outdoor Coffee Hour.
There will be chairs, but please bring a portable chair if you can. We are expecting a larger attendance on upcoming Sundays!
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.
In the event of inclement weather, Sunday services, childcare, and coffee hour will move indoors.
Sometimes Rev. Karen posts the text of her sermons on her blog. Here is a link to this past Sunday's sermon, Love at the Center of All. Thank you to Sarah Russell for making a video of the embodied values. And here is a link to the Call to Worship, "This Love." Below is this past Sunday's Stone Ritual's fleeting representation of our community at a moment in time.
Here is a brief message (under 2 minutes) from Rev. Karen about Water Ingathering on September 10.
Organizing Food for Ingathering Sunday
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Our Ingathering Worship Service is going to be on Sunday, September 10! In addition to having a Water Communion that day, it's also the day of the Pride Parade! Ingathering is the start of a new Congregational Year, and always a reason to celebrate. We would love to have some food available after the service, both to celebrate being together again AND so that folks marching in the Pride Parade can do so with some food in their bellies.
I am looking for a couple of people who would be willing to organize this event. It's a pretty easy volunteer job that involves advertising the need for people to bring in finger foods that day and organizing set-up and clean-up.
If you would love to help out with this fun and celebratory event, please contact Christina by emailing her at [email protected].
Water for Ingathering Sunday
Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister
Even in a time of transition here at FUUSB, some things stay the same. We will be celebrating our Ingathering on Sunday, September 10th.
As part of that service, we will gather waters together, brought by YOU, from wherever you would like - your home faucet, travels near or far. So this is a reminder: be sure to gather water sometime between now and then.
Save the Date: Burlington Pride 2023 - Sept. 10
Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries
Burlington Pride is happening on Ingathering Sunday this year, September 10. We are connecting with high school youth and people of all ages from other UU congregations' groups around the region to march in the parade together after services and potentially more! Be in touch with Rowan ([email protected]) to get involved or keep an eye out for more details.
Jeffrey Jarrad, Racial Justice Team
Looking for something fun, different, and informative? Our partner organization, the VT Racial Justice Alliance/Richard Kemp Center is hosting the 5th Annual Commemoration of “First African Landing Day.” This free and exciting gathering will take place on Saturday, August 26 at the Intervale Center, 180 Intervale Road, Burlington. There will be food, music, dancing, speakers, exhibits, a youth “Home Base” and a 50 Year tribute to Hip Hop! The legendary Bobby Hackney will be on the main stage, and the Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Wanda Heading Grant. The Traveling Exhibit "1619: Arrival of the First Africans" will be available at the Richard Kemp Center, 372 N. Winooski Avenue, Burlington.
Get FREE tickets to Vermont First African Landing Day HERE. Donations gladly accepted.
Come on out for the celebration and to support our partner organization!
- The FUUSB Racial Justice Team
Register For Faith Development
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
It's that time of year again! If you have children or youth who plan to take part in Faith Development programs at First UU this year, please take a moment to click on the link below and register them. From infants in the Nursery to high school youth, registration helps us plan and provides us with important contact information.
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Help us to offer a rich and inviting set of programs for children and youth this year, by becoming a Faith Development Guide or Helper!
You do not need to have all of the answers; in fact, serving in this way can help adults on their own faith journeys. Consider modeling lifelong learning and spiritual development by caring for our community, seeking truth, and acting for justice, with our younger UUs.
There are opportunities both big and small! Fill out this quick form to indicate interest, and see a list of ways to help, including some that do not involve supervising kids and do not need to happen during the service on Sunday morning. Please reach out to Erika Reif with any questions!
Pledge Payments & the New Year!
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
It's a new fiscal year, and that requires some updates to your pledge payments. Please log into your Realm account to make sure the following things are correct:
Automatic payments are scheduled - Sometimes when people schedule automatic pledge payments, they give it an End Date of June 30. If you did that, you will need to schedule new payments for this year.
Automatic payments are for the correct amount - If you changed the amount of your pledge during the stewardship campaign last spring, you will need to change the amount of your automatic pledge payment in Realm. This does not happen automatically; you must log in and do it yourself.
Automatic payments are for the current pledge year - If you had automatic payments scheduled last year and you want to just keep it going, you need to make sure that those payments are being credited to the new 2023/2024 pledge year. I did try to update these, but you should log into Realm to make sure.
Set up automatic payments - If you don't already have automatic payments, but would like to, now is the time to do it!
If you have any questions or concerns about updating your automatic giving, please contact Christina at [email protected].
Striving for Balance: Hospitality & Safety on Our Beloved Grounds
Kathy Stamper, FUUSB Board of Trustees
The beloved green space on which our meeting house sits once belonged to the Abenaki (pronounced ah-BEN-ah-kee) people. It is ours to borrow, to nurture, to protect, and to share with our community. As we strive to be a welcoming and supportive community resource, it is important to consider the safety and emotional well-being of all who use this space, including our dedicated staff, members, tenants, neighbors and guests.
Several FUUSB board members walked our property with Blake, our new Facilities Manager, on a hot July afternoon. Blake is a skilled and caring individual committed to tending to the maintenance and preservation needs of our meeting house and its grounds. Stories emerged of Blake and other staff encountering used syringes and other human refuse from guests on our property who experience substance use disorder, mental health challenges and/or houselessness. Our staff, Narcan in hand, are frequently put in the uncomfortable position of having to ask individuals actively using drugs on our property to leave... (Please click here to continue reading.)
March to End Fossil Fuels
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
September 17, 1-4 p.m., New York City
We can no longer ignore climate change as its effects are now a part of our daily reality. The greatest antidote to hopelessness in the face of such calamity is coming together and taking action. In 2014, many members of this congregation, including small children, elders, and everyone in between, traveled together for the Climate March and were made closer and stronger as a community by that shared experience.
Several individuals and families from FUUSB have already signed on to travel together to NYC for the march. Buses will leave Burlington in the very early morning and return by midnight. Please reach out for more information if you would like to join! (There is capacity for us to supervise high school aged youth who wish to come without a parent.) [email protected]
New Emerging Adult Group & Young Adult Connections
Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries
This fall, we are starting a new "Emerging Adult Group" for young adults roughly 18-24ish, in the earlier stages of adulthood, which will likely meet monthly on Sundays after services. We are also hoping to connect young adults (roughly 18-39ish) who are interested in connecting with others in this age range for chalice circles, social events, etc. Get connected with our Young Adult Messenger. Please be in touch with Rowan ([email protected]) if you are interested in getting connected to either/both of these groups!
Child Dedication - October 1
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
As Unitarian Universalists we do not baptize or christen children, but we do hold Child Dedication Ceremonies, a ritual of welcome and love, inviting all present during the service to support the child and their family in the journey of growing up and exploring in faith. The pandemic stalled what was once a twice annual ritual which we hope to restart this fall. While we traditionally dedicate babies, there is no age limit.
If you would like to have your child dedicated at First UU on October 1, 2023, or to find out more, contact Erika, [email protected].
Silver Bay UU Conference - Oct. 13-15
Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to get together with a couple hundred Unitarian Universalists of all ages from around the region? You could participate in activities ranging from summer camp activities like archery and boating, to poetry discussions and lectures by guest speakers, tarot readings and temporary tattoos, camp fires, and more! (See draft schedule.) Director of Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries, Rowan Van Ness, is hoping to bring a group of families with young kids, elders, young adults, youth, and YOU to join in the fun this year. The conference is at Silver Bay Conference and Retreat Center. Registration is $275 for adults, $167 for youth (ages 13-17), $116 for children (6-12), and free for those under 6, and includes lodging, meals, snacks, and activities. Financial assistance available. Accommodations are limited, so please be in touch with Rowan ([email protected]) ASAP if you might possibly be remotely interested in joining our group or coordinating our Burlington contingent!
