Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

April 7 at 10 a.m.

Matt Meyer, Guest Worship Leader

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

“Mingle the Starlight with Your Lives”

Our solar system moves in rhythms and cycles that are predictable. But somehow, our lives can feel more complicated to plan for than a thousand celestial bodies flying through space. What does the eclipse remind us about the way we circle each other in community and move in rhythm together? Join us for a special worship service full of story and song, as we reflect together on our place in this magnificent universe with guest Worship Leader, Matt Meyer, and Rev. Karen offering a homily.

Matt has led music and worship for hundreds of services in congregations all over the U.S. and Canada. Matt has a degree in hand drumming from Berklee College of Music and has studied abroad in Cuba, Ghana, and Central America. In addition to music, Matt is also an active community organizer and educator.

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, April 7

Families will stay together in the Sanctuary for this special multigenerational worship service! The Nursery will not be staffed.

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.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister



Gratitude to all who co-created this past Sunday's service! Here is the text of Rev. Karen's sermon. Here are links to the three readings:

"How the Rainbow Works" by Al Young

"Logos" by Mary Oliver

"Sonnets to Orpheus, 29" by Rainer Maria Rilke

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

Here are some photos from the service.

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

LAST CALL! Our Stewardship Campaign has been doing great, but we're still hoping to bring in another 10-20K before finalizing the budget! If you have not yet made your pledge for the 2024/2025 pledge year, we're asking you to please do so right away. It's so easy! Just click on this link and complete the form: PLEDGE NOW! or email Christina at xina@uusociety.org. I will be sending one last email to those of you who haven't yet completed a pledge card. So if you get an email from Christina then pay attention; even if you think you've already made your pledge, we may not have it. Mistakes happen, and we want to make sure that everyone's pledge gets into our system. Thank you all so much! Watch next week for a final report on the amazing success of our campaign!

Hiring - Facilities Manager

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

FUUSB is currently hiring for a Facilities Manager position. This is a full-time position, with a start date in early May. The full job description can be found on our website. It would be great if you can help us out by sharing this ad on your social media or with anyone you know who might be interested.

FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse

Todd Schlossberg

Join us dear ones, this Friday eve,

For songs to be sung, and stories to weave,

The company of friends, inspire and delight,  

Warm your heart ’round the fire, at our open mic

All are welcome at our monthly FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse, this coming Friday, April 5, 7–9 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Share a song, spoken words, or other talent, or just come, listen, and enjoy the fellowship.  

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

All ages. Brings friends and family.

Eclipse Team Update

Susan Ogden, Eclipse Team

We Welcome and Embrace the Eclipse!

Thank you to all our donors! We’ve sold our homestays and are still getting inquiries about rooms. So if you can donate, please contact the Eclipse Team: eclipse@uusociety.org

Click here for eclipse safety information in multiple languages from the State of Vermont.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Care about the Care Network? Come to a quick meeting about how you can help its return! Watch this 2-minute video to learn more.

Climate Justice Team Invitation

Caitlin Waddick

Our next meeting is April 14, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., after the service in the Reeb Room. (It is the room straight ahead when you get down the stairs to the basement.) On that day, Rev. Karen will give a sermon about eco-grief. 

The Climate Justice Team usually meets the third Sunday of the month, in person after the service; so, plan for May 18 and June 15. This month, we will meet a week earlier because we have special plans for an Earth Day service. 

Earth Day is April 22. On April 21, our Earth Day service is titled “Our Soil, Our Selves: Our Common Ground.” We are taking leads from Interfaith Power and Light, which coordinates events for Climate Faith Week. We will show the film Common Ground after the service - Click here for details. Here is a link to more info about this film. (Running time is 87 minutes.) 

The Climate Justice Team welcomes visitors and new members. Show up or contact us at climatejustice@uusociety.org. For more information, visit the team’s Climate Justice Resources page! 

Join the Racial Justice Team Online

Caitlin Waddick

The Racial Justice Team meets regularly on the first Tuesday of every month, online using Zoom: May 7 and June 4. Mark your calendars. We are likely moving to a new time: 6-7:30 p.m. Please join us! Contact us at racialjustice@uusociety.org to get the Zoom link. We start every meeting by welcoming visitors. 

Also, we have a Racial Justice Interest List on Realm for people who don’t want the busyness of our ongoing discussions and want to keep up to date on announcements. And here is our webpage: Racial Justice Team

Help FUUSB Gather Snacks for Elmwood Inn

Brenda Balon

Motivated to help our neighbors and friends who are struggling with food insecurity? We are looking for one additional volunteer to help FUUSB gather snacks for our Elmwood Inn neighbors (those living in the temporary housing some call "pods" built in 2023, where our overflow parking used to reside!). We would like to collect snacks (drinks other than water or seltzer like juice, fresh and/or dried fruit, Pringles chips or other salty snacks, meat sticks, granola bars) once per quarter during or immediately following the service. This role should only take 1-2 hours of your time quarterly, so no more than 10 hours annually. Interested? Please email Brenda here. Many thanks.