Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

Sunday, February 25 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Betsy Ferries, Worship Associate

“Making a Home: Reflections on Vermont Thus Far”

With the quintessential-Vermont Town Meeting Day nearly upon us, we’ll hear some literary perspectives on Vermont, as well some reflections from relative newcomer, Rev. Karen. Agree or disagree with her; laugh or cry. Hone your own perspective on this place where we live and which we love. 

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!

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Sunday, February 25, 10 a.m.

Children start in the sanctuary with parents and caregivers this week. Children in K-8th grades will participate in stories, song, and art in the Community Room and the Latimer Room. Nursery care is also available, beginning at 9:45 a.m., for those 5 and under.

Here is the video recording of last Sunday's service.

Eclipse Photo Booth

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Following the service this Sunday, February 25, check out the Eclipse Photo Booth! In the Dix Room downstairs, from 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. Folks can have their photo taken with "Fuusbie the Eclipse-Eating Vermont Cow" and eat the shape of an eclipse into the cookies offered (gluten-free variety available). Don't know who Fuusbie is? No problem: all will be revealed in our Time for All Ages in the Sunday service.

From the Sunday Morning Breakfast Group

Sarah Russell

Come watch a short Ryan Dowd video with us on the 4th Sunday of each month at 11:30, beginning February 25.

The Sunday Morning Breakfast Group would like to share our training with the congregation. We bought a subscription to Ryan Dowd’s training. He wrote the book The Librarian's Guide to Homelessness and produces terrific videos that we have been watching to support interactions with empathy. Please join us to watch a quick video in the Parlors after services on the 4th Sunday of each month at 11:30 a.m. We will also have a short discussion after we watch the video. It should take about half an hour.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

We sent out the stewardship letter - It should have arrived in your mail. If you didn’t get it (yet), feel free to email [email protected] and we’ll send a digital version directly to you - though a digital version did go out this past Monday.

Why do we ask for pledges? We build our budget based in large part on your generosity. Your pledging enables us to be the robust and relevant congregation we are and want to continue to be. It’s like each of us has an acorn, and when we bring all our acorns together, we become the mighty oak we are intended to be.

The budget we are building now will be presented to the congregation and voted on in June.

FUUSB in the News!

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Our eclipse homestay program is getting some local media attention. Here are two interviews aired on Tuesday night this week. Also check out the Seven Days article.

• WCAX.com interview
• MyChamplainValley.com interview
• Seven Days article

Help Spread the Word:

Eclipse Homestay & T-Shirt Fundraiser!

Eclipse Team

The FUUSB Eclipse Team needs help spreading the word about our homestay fundraiser and t-shirt sales. Your sharing on Facebook and Front Porch Forum can be a huge boost.

To share on FB:

There are two FB groups for FUUSB. One is private and one is public. Go to the public page (facebook.com/fuusb) and share the link to the homestay website with your friends and family members.

To share on FPF: 

Please post the following on your local Front Porch Forum in February. Log into frontporchforum.com and click Compose (or sign up if not already on board). See the sample message below. Copy and paste it, or write your own version. Don't worry if other UUs have already posted in your area... people need to hear about this multiple times!

Eclipse 2024 Homestays and T-Shirts

Posting category: Announcement

People will flock to Burlington for the big solar eclipse happening April 8, 2024... and hotels and other lodging are booked up!

If you know an eclipse visitor who can't find a place to stay, share this link to wonderful homestays offered by members of the First UU Society. https://fundraiser.support/eclipse

Proceeds to benefit the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington: uusociety.org

FUUSB supports community relief, justice and equality initiatives. 

Also, celebrate Vermont's role in this special eclipse with a beautiful t-shirt designed by local artist Sarah Rosedahl! https://www.bonfire.com/eclipse-2024/

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

March's Earth Teacher online Reflection Session date has changed (apologies for any inconvenience). It will now be held on Saturday, March 16 at 10 a.m. Register via Realm to attend.

FUUSB First Friday Open-Mic Coffeehouse

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

Friday, March 1, 7–9 p.m. 

Join us dear ones, on next Friday eve 

For songs to be sung, and tales for to weave 

The company of friends, to inspire and delight  

Warm your hands and your heart at our open mic 

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, March 1, 7–9 p.m. 

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

Cost: Free!

Questions? Email Todd Schlossberg here

Interested in Having a Meditation Group

at FUUSB?

Herb Schroeder

Join us on March 3 at 11:45 in the Parlors

Recently, interest has arisen in starting a new general meditation group for people in our congregation. This group would be for anyone who has practiced meditation or is interested in any form of meditation from any tradition. Join us for a conversation about what such a group might look like, how often it would meet, how it would be organized and staffed, and so on. We will meet in the Parlors after the Sunday service at 11:45 a.m. on March 3 to begin exploring the possibilities. Rev. Karen plans to join us for this meeting.

Emerging Adults (18-25)

& Young Adults (18-35)

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Our next gathering is on March 10. Please note that Daylight Saving Time starts that day! Emerging Adults will meet on April 14 and Young Adults will meet again on May 5. If you haven't joined our conversations on the Signal app and would like to, please email [email protected] to get set up.

Youth Group (Ages 14-18)

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Upcoming Youth Group meetings are on March 12 and March 26. Email Rowan if you'd like to join us! All high school youth are welcome to join us for games, deep conversations, and social action. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Online Joys, Sorrows, & Gratitudes Form

If you would like to share a joy, sorrow, or gratitude, we invite you to fill out our online Joys, Sorrows, & Gratitudes Form, available at this link and in each week's eNews.

Joys, sorrows, and gratitudes are shared in Sunday worship services as much as possible. Since our live-streamed services are available publicly on the FUUSB YouTube channel, we will not read full names or personal details.