Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

Sunday, February 18 at 10 a.m.

Worship Leaders: Judy Brook & Friends

“Poetry That Calls Us to Rise: African American Poets & Their Work”

In celebration of Black History Month, our service will focus on works by African American poets. This lay-led service with the participation of multiple readers will include classic poems from well-known Black poets, and poems from poets newer on the scene.  

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, February 18

Children start in the sanctuary with parents and caregivers this week. 6th-8th graders will explore the February theme of Justice & Equity, Undercover Kindness Agents will train for their next mission (2nd-5th grades), and Spirit Play (PreK-2nd) will wonder about the week's story and continue their cardboard creations! Nursery care is also available.

Here is a link to the text of Rev. Karen's sermon, "Stacked Perspective: Unpacking the Boxes of Justice & Equity." And here is a link to the reading, an excerpt from Isabel Wilkerson's Caste: The Origins of our Discontents.

The Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center is hosting an event with Isabel Wilkerson in April. Click here for more information. 

Here is a video about this month's shared offering recipient: BLUU Northside Housing Cooperative Initiative.

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

Here's the link to share about Vermont with Rev. Karen.

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

Member Diane Kyser shared her stewardship testimonial on Sunday! Be on the lookout for a letter in the mail (yes, real mail, like in an envelope with a stamp and everything) from us, inviting you to discern your upcoming pledge.  

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

You can read more about Stewardship on our website, and find a button to complete a pledge card online. We will be asking members to complete a paper pledge card and bring it to the front of the Sanctuary on Sunday, March 3, but you can also complete a pledge card online if you wish to.

Eclipse Fun Facts & Homestay Project

Susan Ogden, Eclipse Team

Solar Eclipse Impact—FUN FACTS for April 8!

Nature responds to the eclipse. As totality nears:

• Shadows look different
• Any breeze will dissipate
• Birds will stop chirping
• During a total solar eclipse, some animals tend to act confused or prepare for sleep.
• A 10°–15° F drop in temperature is not unusual.
• After a total solar eclipse, it takes about an hour before total daylight is restored.

Please share the link to the FUUSB Eclipse Homestay Fundraiser with all your friends and family members! https://fundraiser.support/eclipse

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

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/

Medical Leave (Take 2)

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

My medical procedure has been rescheduled, which will require me to take four weeks away from First UU. My leave begins on February 14 and I expect to return on March 17. While we have planned fewer special events than we might have otherwise, our normal programming should not be interrupted. During my absence you can direct questions about Faith Development programs to Rowan Van Ness, our Director of Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries. 

Meal Train Opportunity!

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

Our amazing Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Erika, is having some surgery and will be out for about a month. This may sound familiar because she was scheduled for surgery in November, but it was rescheduled at the last minute. So we are asking folks to sign up on Meal Train to help out with some meals for Erika and Max while she is recovering. Thank you so very much!

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

February's Earth Teacher is ROCKS/STONES. This Earth Teacher may pop up at different times and in different places in our shared congregational life. On your own, you can use this month's packet to explore this Earth Teacher and deepen your relationship with this part of the Natural World. On some weeks, the eNews will include an Earth Teacher Project invitation, such as this, which is a poem that didn't make it into the packet:

Interested in Having a Meditation Group

at FUUSB?

Herb Schroeder

Join us on March 3 at 11:30 a.m. 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 11:30 on March 3 to begin exploring the possibilities. Rev. Karen plans to join us for this meeting.

Annual FUU Campout!

Elmore State Park, June 14-16 

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

For more than 20 years, members of First UU have gathered at this beautiful state park in mid-June to commune with nature and each other! This loosely planned weekend will include a Friday night potluck dinner, group campfires, sing-alongs, and an informal closing circle worship. Climbing the mountain and the firetower are optional but inspiring activities! There will be children; there will be youth, there will be adults, younger and older. If you like camping and UU fellowship, please consider joining us! (If sleeping in a tent is not on your to-do list, we welcome day trippers for the Friday potluck or Saturday beach and mountain fun!)

We may need to reserve more campsites, so please register now if you plan to stay overnight! Please follow this link for more information and to register!

Are You Interested in Participating in GA?

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

If you are interested in participating in UUA GA (General Assembly) in June, you need to register soon! Registration fees increase on March 15, so don't hesitate. GA is online this year, so you can participate from your very own living room. Go to uua.org/ga to get all the information you need. FUUSB gets 8 delegates (people who vote at business meetings) at GA. If you think this might interest you, please send your name to Christina at [email protected]. For more information about being a delegate, go to uua.org/ga/congregations/delegates. FUUSB delegates will be determined prior to the beginning of GA.

If you need help paying for your registration, please contact Christina at [email protected] for information on financial assistance from FUUSB. 

Taste of Silver Bay:

Midwinter Retreat Follow-Up

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

What a grand success! We had about 60 people in attendance at 15 workshops, transforming the building into a grand space of play, reflection, and connection. Many people said they felt happy as the day wrapped up. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who led workshops, helped set up, popped popcorn, led music, and helped clean up. If you attended, keep your eyes out for an evaluation!

Silver Bay Registration Is Open!

Valerie Wood-Lewis

UU Weekend at Silver Bay on Lake George, the eagerly awaited highlight of the fall season, will be held over Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend from October 11-13 (with an option of an extended stay until 10/14). For the first time, attendees will have the choice of staying 2 or 3 nights while enjoying stimulating workshops, campfires, hikes, live music, cozy conversations by the fireplace, archery, tennis, kayaking and more. At least a dozen folks from FUUSB are already registered! See Valerie Wood-Lewis or Rita and Adam Bortz to learn more.

The registration form and a sample schedule of events from the 2023 weekend are available on the Albany UU website at albanyuu.org/blog/silver-bay-weekend-2024

Completed forms received by June 2 qualify for an “early bird” discount. Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis when the completed registration form and deposit are received. Scholarships are available - see Rowan or Erika!

In Memoriam

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that Debby Bergh died Tuesday night. A member of FUUSB since 1995, Debby announced at the end of December that she decided to go into hospice. Since that time, she had the chance to have joy-filled visits and intentional goodbyes. Her last weeks, days, and hours were spent with family who kept her good company as the end neared and arrived. Plans for her memorial service are still in process - They will be shared with the congregation once they have been confirmed.

Climate Change Webinar

Mark Kuprych

February 22, 5 p.m. EST

Join FUUSB Board member Mark Kuprych for an online webinar entitled: "Worried About Climate Change and Our Future? Take Action!" by Dr. Sara Via, Professor and Climate Extension Specialist. 

UU-affiliated group IRAS (Institute on Religion in an Age of Science) presents climate specialist Dr. Sara Via in a 40-minute webinar to explore practical, science-based things we can do to make a positive difference and feel better about climate impacts.

Info and free registration here: iras.org/webinar-series.html