Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

Sunday, March 31 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Mary Beth McNulty, Worship Associate

“All We Cannot See: A Multigenerational Easter Service”

The story of Rabbity-ness returns to FUUSB, re-told to help us explore the questions that the Easter story raises: Does the empty tomb mean that Jesus has risen? Can we recognize what is right before our own eyes? Can we acknowledge that which cannot be seen or proven? When our longing and despair overwhelm us, what can we trust? 

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

Sunday, March 31

Children will spend most of the morning in the Sanctuary with their families during this special multigenerational worship service. They will be invited forward to help act out the story and then led downstairs for some "bunny games" during the sermon, only to return before the final hymn with a triumphant parade. If toddlers wish to join us, they'll need to bring a parent along. The Nursery will not be staffed.

Egg Hunt!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday, March 31, 11:25 a.m. (or about 20 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 welcome, 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. The hunt will happen rain or shine (or snow)!

Volunteers needed: We need volunteer egg-hiders to hide the eggs at 9:30 on 3/31. Please email [email protected] if you are available to help. 

Egg Donations: We are returning to the tradition of asking each family that plans to come to bring 8-12 stuffed eggs per child, and have them here before 9:30 on the 31st. (Contact Erika if you wish to drop them off during the week.) 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!

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



Here is the website for the Time for All Ages story, White Flour by David LaMotte.

Here is the text for Rev. Karen’s sermon. "Fierce Love as Resisting Fascism."

Here is the link to The Last Repair Shop, which Rev. Karen "prescribed" as medicine if you are doubting good in the world.

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

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



Last Sunday (3/24), Rev. Karen preached about resisting fascism. In follow-up, this Saturday morning (3/30), in the Parlors, there will be a screening of the powerful lecture by UU minister and current UUA Deputy Director of Ministries and Faith Development, Rev. Dr. Cecilia Kingman, titled "My Little Pony Was Right: Reflections of Fascisms Without and Within." This lecture was given as the 202nd Berry Street Lecture, a public lecture given as part of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association.

Are you concerned about the rise of authoritarianism in our midst? Do you want to connect and organize with other UUs about this? Come spend Saturday morning, bring your friends, and let's see what happens when we gather together, rather than stay scared in our isolation...

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

We are still trying to wind up our 2024/2025 Stewardship Campaign. Board members have been making calls and sending emails, and today I sent out emails to some of the members who haven't yet turned in their pledge. We are so close to our goal, I can just see it! So if you haven't yet completed a pledge card, please do so as soon as possible, or just send me an email at [email protected] with your pledge amount. We hope to wrap up this campaign in the next week. Thank you everyone for your generous pledges! 

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Our next Earth Teacher reflection session is almost here! Monday night from 7 - 8:15 p.m., please join us online to explore how mud and muck can be our Earth Teacher, at least for April. Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

April 7: Four Things to Know about Our Sunday Service

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



Summary: eclipse t-shirt; congregational photo; documentary filmmakers; guest worship leader

• If you have one, please wear your eclipse t-shirt or sweatshirt.

• After the service, we will be taking our first-in–over-a-decade congregational photo. Thank you to congregant James Buck, who has agreed to wrangle us into this opportunity. The weather will help us decide that morning if it will be in the sanctuary or outside on our front steps. Please come!  

• During the service, we will have filmmakers from Armadillo Collective in the house. They are making a film about eclipse activities in Burlington. In the sanctuary, we will designate sitting space for those who want to be confident to not be included in the filming. Rev. Karen will approve any footage that gets edited into the final film.

• The service will have a cosmic connection theme, led by popular UU musician, Matt Meyer. It’s a multigenerational service - great for all ages. Matt is a wonderful storyteller. Hope you will make it part of your eclipse weekend activities.

Eclipse Homestay Project Update

Susan Ogden, Eclipse Team

FUUSB FOLX:

We have only one homestay available!

https://fundraiser.support/eclipse

Questions? Email [email protected]

FUUSB in Vermont Public TV Special

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Feel free to watch the whole thing (25 minutes), but if your time is short, you can watch the FUUSB related content starting at 14:42 for about 3 minutes.

Staffing Changes...so many changes!

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

I wanted to check in with you all about the status of our staff changes. As you are already aware, Darrell Fields has taken the position of Custodian. He will continue to do occasional Caretaker shirts, but mostly will be working as our Custodian.

Mary's last day is Thursday, March 28. We will all miss Mary so much; she has truly held this place together for the past 7 years. The staff was able to share a lovely goodbye breakfast with Mary this week. We wish Mary all the best in whatever new adventure she has planned. Mary's email will have an auto-response beginning 3/28, that will help you figure out who to email in the interim. But if you are in question, you can always send an email to [email protected] and I'll point you in the right direction. I have been busy interviewing candidates for the Administrative Assistant position, and I hope to have some news very soon. Mary has agreed to help with some training once our new person begins.  

Blake is still working here until mid-May, so we don't need to say goodbye to him just yet. I posted the Facilities Manager position just this afternoon and feel confident that we will find a wonderfully qualified candidate soon.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns during this time of many transitions.

Memorial Service for Debby Bergh

The memorial service for FUUSB member Debby Bergh will be held at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne on Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m.

Richard Kemp Center Sankofa Trip to D.C.

Zoe Hart, Kathie Walsh, & the Racial Justice Team

Please join your Racial Justice Team and Rev. Karen in supporting the Richard Kemp Center and their second annual trip for Black youth to Washington, D.C. and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in April. Take a minute to view this video invitation from Rev. Karen.

And then, please donate as you are able: Donate to Sankofa '24 ~ Richard Kemp Center Trip to NMAAHC. You can learn more about the trip at 2023 Richard Kemp Center Trip to NMAAHC.