Join Us for Worship This Sunday!

April 28 at 10 a.m.

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Judy Brook, Worship Associate

“Making the Most of Muck”

Reflecting on the role of suffering in human lives, Rev. Karen will share the story of the time she had to walk through monkey muck. Our Earth Teacher this month is Mud & Muck, so it seems like great timing.

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.

After the service, the Board is holding a Meet the Budget conversation in the Sanctuary to discuss the proposed budget for 2024-25.

Following the service, all are welcome to Coffee Hour outside, weather permitting.

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 28

Children and youth begin the morning in the sanctuary with their families before being "sung out" for a group exploration of Prayer Beads, during which they may make their own strand. Children, preschool or younger, are invited to free play in the Nursery.

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

April 7th Congregational Photo

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Here is the wonderful congregation+ photo taken on Sunday, April 7th. Such joy! Such fun! Thank you to FUUSB congregant, James Buck who took the photo.

Staff Transition

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

With regret, I write to you to let you know that James has informed us that he will be leaving the position of FUUSB Director of Music. His last Sunday with us will be June 16.

James has been a gift to the FUUSB community on multiple levels, serving ably and well as Director of Music, providing leadership and support to the choir and helping us find our musically-spiritual center on Sunday mornings. Through the pandemic, James’ tech know-how made a huge impact on how our congregation stayed connected to each other and our sense of identity. He has given us music from his heart; he has pulled music from our hearts and into our communal spaces. 

Working as our Director of Music is not James’ only job. He has a full-time job, as well as a rich family life. As circumstances have changed on his family front, he now has the ability to let go of this second job and will be able to spend more time with his family, as well as with one of his deep loves: composing music.

James shared this sad news with staff and choir this week. You can read his whole letter to the congregation by clicking here.

We will be putting together a team of staff and lay leaders who will participate in the process of identifying our next Director of Music. If you have questions, feel free to reach out via email. 

~ Rev. Karen

Earth Teacher Reflection Session -

Register Now for May 1st at 7pm

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Since January, each month we have an Earth Teacher and a packet of poetry, quotes, songs, and images (sometimes, jokes, too!) to invite us into a different, more intimate relationship with the Natural World. May's Earth Teacher is the Champlain Watershed. Once a month, we gather online to reflect, journal, and share how we are inspired by each Earth Teacher. May's Reflection Session is on May 1, 7 - 8:15pm.  Please register here.

FUUSB Membership Book Signing

Kim Watkin, Membership Team

April 28th is a Signing Sunday. 

This coming Sunday, April 28th is a Signing Sunday. If you have completed the New UU classes and made a financial contribution, we welcome your signature in our FUUSB Membership Book to become a Member of our First UU Society of Burlington. Just come to the front of the sanctuary after the service and members of the Membership Team will help you sign the Membership Book. 

Any questions: contact Kim Watkin at watkinfam@aol.com

Pre-Recorded Service - May 26th

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

Our May 26th Sunday service will be pre-recorded only due to Marathon Sunday. Please take part in making it happen by video recording yourself near water, saying

“In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.”

These words are from Baba Dioum, a Senegalese environmentalist.

Would you do this? Please hold your camera horizontally and then upload to this folder by May 15.

Installation of Rev. Karen G. Johnston- May 4th

Sarah Forbes, Installation Committee

What is an Installation?

When a congregation calls a Minister, we hold a Service of Installation to celebrate the shared ministry between the congregation and the new minister. It’s a joyful occasion and it will be more joyful with you there!   

Isn’t Rev. Karen already our minister?  

Yes, she is. You can think of it like what happens when we, as a nation, elect a president - there is the vote and then there is the inauguration. We voted to call Rev. Karen in May of last year. Instead of an inauguration, we are holding an Installation, on the same weekend, a year later, as the vote: Saturday, May 4th at 2pm, with a reception to follow.

This is a celebration of FUUSB: Rev. Karen is our 17th Settled Minister. And it is a celebration of our beloved corner of Unitarian Universalism, which means that all of the UU Universe will be celebrating with us, at least in spirit. We will have guest Unitarian Universalist clergy from far and near, including:

Julica Hermann de la Fuente is giving the sermon.

Rev. Jake Morill is giving the Charge to the Leadership.

Rev. Peggy Clark is giving the Charge to the Congregation.

An Installation Team has been working to create the vision for this event. Thank you to Sarah Forbes, Tom Porter, Suzanne Stimik, and Linda Vogler. 

Save the date-Saturday, May 4th, 2pm. Please RSVP if you are planning to come and you haven’t already at https://bit.ly/RevKarenInstallation.

This is an event for all ages - children are most definitely welcome and, in fact, there is a role for them. If you would like child care, advanced registration is requested on the RSVP form.    

Given all that is happening in the world, let’s take this opportunity to celebrate each other, our potential, and moments of joy!

https://youtu.be/UdL-116mOKw

Welcome to the Installation!

Welcome Back, Revs. Mara & Tricia!

Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Senior Minister

As the Service of Installation draws nearer, joy is growing.  One of the joys is our chance to welcome back into the sanctuary two ministers who previously served First UU ably and well.  

Rev. Mara Dowdall, who was the previous Settled Senior Minister, served from 2012-2018. She lives locally and has been attending services with her family since earlier this congregational year.  



Rev. Tricia Hart was FUUSB’s most recent minister, serving as the Developmental Senior Minister from 2019-2023. When UU religious professionals leave positions, there is always a professional boundary during which there was to be no contact between that religious professional and the congregation. This creates space for congregations and their new religious professionals to form their own relationship. Rev. Karen is pleased to welcome Rev. Tricia back to FUUSB for the installation and Rev. Tricia is pleased to participate.

We're Hiring!

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

We're Hiring! FUUSB is currently hiring for two positions.

Caretaker - Caretakers are the folks that welcome people into our building during evening hours, they help set up and take down rental events, they keep an eye on our beautiful property, and close up the building at the end of the day. We have several caretakers on staff, and we are looking for one more to join our team. The hours and days of the week vary, but usually around 5 - 7 hours per week. Send a letter of interest to Christina at xina@uusociety.org.

A/V Assistant - We are looking for two people to work as Audio Visual Assistants. These folks usually work on Sunday mornings, but also may be asked to work at other events that are live streamed, like weddings and memorial services. We will train you to use our A/V equipment working on both the cameras and sound for livestreaming. We need people who are extremely reliable.

Both of these positions pay well over minimum wage. If you are interested, please email Christina at xina@uusociety.org to learn more about this great opportunity!

UCCRI-VT Seeks Mentors for

new Vermonter Youth

Monica Sargent, Immigration Justice Team

The Immigration Justice Team (IJT) invites members of the congregation to serve as mentors to new Vermonter youth through the US Committee on Refugees and Immigrants-Vermont's (USCRI-VT) Crossroads Program.

A robust mentorship training program, Crossroads will be delivered on zoom via 6, two hour sessions to be scheduled in May-June. Interested persons will attend a 1 hour orientation to the experience on zoom prior to committing to the training.

At least 10 volunteers are needed to conduct the training.

Multi-generational volunteers with a min. age of 21 are sought. A one year commitment is expected, though relationships often extend beyond that. Weekly contact is desired within a 10-12 hour/month timeframe. Two references, a background check, and submission of one's driving record are required. Volunteers will also meet the youth's parents and receive ongoing support from USCRI-VT.

For more info, contact Program Assistant, Laurie Stavrand, lstavrand@uscrivt.org or 802-578-0886.

The IJT congregational contact is Monica Sargent, sargentmonica05@gmail.com or 802-355-0428.

Think of the difference you could make in the life of a former refugee youth new to Vermont and our area.

Seeking Adult Childcare Provider

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries



Paid Adult Childcare Providers offer childcare for infants and toddlers in the Society’s nursery on Sunday mornings and safely supervise age-appropriate activities for children at other Society events, meetings, and functions as requested by Faith Development Staff. Interested? Please contact rowan@uusociety.org for more information and to apply!

Annual Potlock Picnic Volunteers

Kim Watkin, Membership Team

Sunday, June 2nd, is the date for the Annual Potluck Picnic here at the FUUSB. We are looking for members of the congregation to join an ad hoc planning group for the Annual Potluck Picnic. Email Kim Watkin at watkinfam@aol.com if you are interested in joining this ad hoc planning group for this fun-filled event! 

Child Dedication - June 9

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Child Dedications are a joyful covenant between a child’s family and the congregation, recognizing that the raising of a child is a community blessing. Senior Minister, Rev. Karen G. Johnston, and the Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Erika Reif, will be leading such a ceremony for a group of children during the service on June 9. Dedications can happen soon after birth or adoption; they can happen for an infant, a toddler, a preschooler, or an older child.

If you would like to have your child dedicated at First UU on that morning, or to find out more, contact Erika, erika@uusociety.org.

Isabel Wilkerson Virtual Talk -

April 28th, at 6pm

Thomas Hyde

Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote Warmth of Other Sons and Caste is giving a virtual talk about Caste this Sunday, April 28th at 6:00 PM.

The talk is sponsored by the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center, which has often arranged Martin Luther King Day programs at the First UU Meetinghouse. This one will be at the Hilton Hotel on Battery Street in Burlington.

Wilkerson's books are written with anecdotes interspersed with explanations, which makes them very clear and persuasive. The stories she tells give an instructive picture of the life experiences of people of different races and economic status. They remind us how deeply embedded injustice is in our culture and how it damages people of all classes and races.

More information at: https://vermontbiz.com/event/april/greater-burlington-multicultural-resource-center-welcomes-isabel-wilkerson