Rev. Patricia Hart & Joe Solomon, with Rowan Van Ness
"Doing Right Things (Anyway)"
Joe Solomon has been an activist for quite a while… in Vermont, working against climate change; in West Virginia, protesting “mountaintop removal” strip mining, advocating for refugees, for the unhoused, and especially for people living with addiction. Many of us long to change the world; Joe walks right in to look for a good way to make change happen. Come hear his stories of struggle and success, and join the conversation about what it might mean for this congregation.
Joe and Rev. Tricia will be available for conversation during in-person coffee hour after the service in the Memorial Garden, and during Zoom coffee hour starting at 11:15 a.m.
To make our Meeting House as safe as possible, we ask that everyone who is 5 and older be vaccinated, and those 2 and older wear a mask while inside. Seating in the Sanctuary has been adjusted for safe distancing, and the ventilation system can accommodate at least 100 people.
All are welcome to Outdoor Coffee Hour at 11 a.m., and Zoom Coffee Hour at 11:15 a.m. at this link: bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Report on the Annual Meeting
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
On Monday, June 6, we held our Annual Meeting on Zoom. We had over 100 people at the meeting, including 98 voting members. Rev. Tricia brought us together with a moment of meditation, and our Board President, Hope Baker-Carr, opened the meeting. We used a new, hopefully easier, way to vote in a Zoom meeting. After all the motions were moved, seconded, and discussed, members clicked on a link to a ballot and voted on all the motions at one time. While Christina tallied the votes, Rev. Tricia spoke to the participants on several topics. And then the results were announced to everyone and the meeting was adjourned. Here are the results:
Motion 4: Approve the slate of candidates for the Ministerial Search Committee - Passed - 98 Yes
Motion 5: Approve to adopt the 8th Principle - Passed - 96 Yes, 1 No, 1 Abstain
We are now, officially, an 8th Principle Congregation! Thank you to everyone who helped make this meeting run smoothly and to all the members who attended.
Volunteer Opportunity at
June 17 Racial Justice Picnic
Zoe Hart, Racial Justice Team
Our partner, the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, is hosting a picnic on the First UU Meeting House grounds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, June 17. The picnic is a kickoff for the Alliance's Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery from the Vermont constitution, as well as a kickoff for the Juneteenth weekend (more details below). We are looking for a few volunteers to help our VRJA friends with some set-up of tables and chairs before the picnic, and putting those same tables and chairs away after the picnic. Bob Furrer will be there to oversee the operation. We need three volunteers from 9:30 to 11 a.m. to help with set-up, and three volunteers from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to help with clean-up. And of course, stay for the picnic!
All are welcome at the picnic, but if you're able to help out, please email [email protected] and let us know if you can help with set-up, clean-up, or both.
VRJA & VIA Community Cookout &
Campaign Launch: Abolish Slavery VT
Join us for two great events to launch the Abolish Slavery VT campaign on this year's Juneteenth weekend. First, on Friday, June 17, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the lawn of First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, come to a free Community Cookout. There will be food, music, remarks by the directors of Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and Vermont Interfaith Action; lawn signs, stickers, and T-shirts available. Free-will donations gratefully accepted. Register online to receive a complimentary meal (please pick up your food by 12:30 p.m.).
Second, on Sunday, June 19, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., join us for a Virtual Prayer Breakfast on Zoom. Register online for the link.
You can make a difference - and some income to boot!
We have been having a glorious time reuniting with children these last months. Outdoor childcare and activities in the Memorial Garden resume in August 2022. Assembling a staff is crucial to our success, and we invite you to consider joining us. The work is generally Sunday mornings 9:30-11:30, with occasional auxiliary functions with a very flexible schedule and tailored to your availability. Our needs are for both YOUTH providers (ages 14+) and Adults. Competitive hourly wage, lots of fun, and the joy of the outdoors (at least till snow falls). Please contact [email protected] to learn more.
What's Happening This Week in the Garden?
Nancy Knox, Garden Team Chair
Great things are happening in the UU Memorial Garden! Several of you asked me at the picnic on Sunday, "What's that tree?," referring to the one with feathery white flowers at the Elmwood Ave. end of the garden. It's a "fringe tree," a.k.a. Chionanthus virginicus. It's native to North America and is in the olive family. The beautiful blue Baptisia is flowering next to the fringe tree. Also in the garden this week, notice the stunning purple iris along the south side fence! Do check out the two pink-flowered rhododendrons, one in the northeast corner and the other along the south side. You can see most of these from outside the fence, or if you go in for an event under the tent. Interested in helping maintain the gardens? Contact Nancy Knox at [email protected].
Updating Your Group's Zoom & In-Person Meeting Schedules
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
June is here, so it's time to update our event calendars, Zoom reservations, and facility schedule. Most recurring meetings have been scheduled only through June 30, the end of the 2021-22 congregational year.
Whether your FUUSB group meets on Zoom or in-person, please email [email protected] by June 20 to confirm your meeting schedule for the "new year" that begins July 1. Even if you meet using a personal Zoom account, or meet off-site, we want to make sure all FUUSB group meetings are on our congregational calendar.
For new meeting reservations:
If you would like to schedule a new Zoom meeting, please submit this online Zoom Meeting Request Form.
To request space for in-person meetings at FUUSB, please submit this Space Use Request Form.
Both forms can also be found on our website, uusociety.org, on the Space Use page (under About UU) or the Forms page (under Members).