As anti-queer bills, laws, and policies are on the rise across the country, this affirming service will reach into the heart of Unitarian Universalism to seek guidance, hope, and inspiration. (Content warning: this sermon contains a discussion on queer-youth suicide. Please take good care.)- Verdis LeVar Robinson
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Verdis LeVar Robinson (he/him or they) has recently served as Ministerial Coordinator of Worship Arts Production and Adult Lifespan Spiritual Exploration at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, VT, under the leadership of Rev. Joan Javier-Duval. He also served as a ministerial intern there and has recently received preliminary fellowship as a minister with the Unitarian Universalist Association. He will be ordained this December in Rochester, NY, at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, where he will serve as an Assistant Minister starting this month.
A Unitarian Universalist since 2008, Verdis serves the denomination as the General Assembly Coordinator for Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM). In Vermont, his community ministry is serving as the Artistic Director of the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir.
Verdis comes to ministry from a career in higher education, working as the National Director for The Democracy Commitment, the Director for Community College Engagement at Campus Compact, and an Associate of the Kettering Foundation specializing in deliberative democracy in community colleges and interfaith institutions. Prior to leading community college civic engagement nationally, Verdis was a tenured Assistant Professor of History and African American Studies at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY for ten years.
With a B.M. in Voice Performance from Boston University, a B.S. cum laude and M.A. in History from SUNY College at Brockport, and an M.A. in African-American Studies from SUNY University at Buffalo, Verdis received his Master of Divinity from Chicago’s Meadville Lombard Theological School this past May.
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, either outside in front of the Meeting House or in the Community Room, depending on weather.
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.
Summer Sundays for Children & Youth
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
In the summer we take a break from formal programming for children and youth. People of all ages are welcome to take part in worship at First UU; for those who need them, we offer coloring/activity pages, fidget toys, and stuffies in stations at the front and back of the Sanctuary.
During the lay-led services in July, the Nursery on the lower level will be open for kids of any age. We will have three staff members so that we can spread into the Library, allowing older children to play board games or read in that area. Children can be dropped off anytime after 9:45, but parents should accompany them and sign them in. We assume that children entering fourth grade and above are able to sign themselves out after the service to rejoin their families; if this is not acceptable please let staff know at drop-off. Parents should sign out younger children before heading to Coffee Hour.
UUA General Assembly Videos Available
General Assembly (GA) 2023 took place online and in Pittsburgh, PA, June 21-25. GA is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.
Videos of some of this year’s GA events are available online, including the General Sessions, Service of the Living Tradition, Synergy Bridging Worship, and Sunday Morning Worship.
Click here for the General Assembly 2023 Public Video webpage, where you can find links to all the available videos: uua.org/ga/off-site/2023.
Monday, July 17 – Sunday, July 23 – FUUSB July Break
Offices closed; Sunday worship and coffee hour will not be held on July 23.
Sundays, July 30 – September 3
Outdoor & Live-streamed Worship Services, 10 a.m.
Summer Garden Childcare
Outdoor Coffee Hour
Will move indoors in the event of inclement weather
Monday, September 4 – Labor Day
Offices closed for the holiday
FUUSB Member Featured on Vermont Public
If you missed Sylvia Holden's radio interview on June 23, it is still available! You can find an audio recording and transcript of "A conversation with a 93-year-old Burlington resident about daily rhythms and staying hopeful" on the Vermont Public website at this link.
From VIA: Thank You for Your Help!
We at Vermont Interfaith Action cannot thank you enough for responding to our request to contact lawmakers to end the evictions and extend the emergency housing program for our precariously housed neighbors. Our leaders and friends all over the state took the time to call the Governor's office and to email and talk to their legislators. The voices of people of faith in the public square created the change we wanted to see! Community organizing works! Thank you!
