Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
A liberal religious congregation  in the Minneapolis area

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CLARA BARTON SISTERHOOD AWARD
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Updated January 26  2008
Ellie Morton || Jane Stehn || Betty Gutmann  || Luella Newstrom  || Bev Schmidt
The Clara Barton Sisterhood is a UUWF program named for and inspired by Universalist Clara Barton who began the work for which she is best known--organizing relief for the victims of war and disaster--when she was over 40.   The Sisterhood is a special category of the UUWF life membership for women aged 80 and over.  It is a way for women's groups, churches and other organizations or individuals to honor women for their comtribution to church and community life.
On Sunday, May 13, 2007 two of our members, Ellie Morton and Jane Stehn, received the Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation Clara Barton Sisterhood Award.   This award is given to women over 80 who have made outstanding contributions to their congregations and to Unitarian Universalism.  MVUUF's Women's Group Chair Barb Gilliand presented the awards and cited some of the reasons the Women's group nominated each of the two women to the Sisterhood.

On Sunday, November 5, Betty Gutmann received the award; on Sunday, April 30, Luella Newstom received the award.
Ellie MortonELLIE MORTON
 Ellie Morton was nominated, in part, for her contributions to Religious Education.  Ellie served as Director of Religious Education at MVUUF for most of the 1980's and at 1st Unitarian Society before that for 11 years.

Over the years, she led several Adult Religious Education courses at MVUUF, as well.  She also made many contributions to Religious Education in the Prairie Star District.  In fact, recognizing all her work on this issue for the district, Prairie Star calls its award for outstanding performance by a Director of Religious Education(DRE) the Ellie Morton Award. 

On the denominational level, Ellie served from 1984-88 as a member of The Independent Study Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).  This committee supervised the study programs of those working toward a Minister of Religious Education degree.  This work is now done by Meadville Lombard and Starr King seminaries. 

In addition, Ellie served at various times as chair of MVUUF, vice-chair, and search committee member.
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Jane StehnJANE STEHN
Jane Stehn was nominated was nominated for her contributions to four different UU congregations-- in Alton, Illinois; Schenectady, NY; and Stony Brook, NY; as well as here in Bloomington.  Many of these contributions have been musical ones.  This graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston has been delighting UU church members with her talents as a piano soloist and accompanist since 1941.  She continues to do so now, at age 90.

Beyond playing the piano and serving on Music committees, she has been secretary to one church's board; at another she was chair of the women's group; and over the years she's served on kitchen, newsletter, and membership committees, as well.
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Betty GutmannBETTY GUTMANN
On Sunday, November. 5, Betty Gutmann was presented with the certificate which declares her membership in the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation’s Clara Barton Sisterhood. 
 
Here are a couple of paragraphs from the letter our Women’s Group sent to UUWF explaining why we wanted to honor Betty with this award:
Betty Gutmann, a life-long Unitarian, is a founding member of our fellowship and its Women’s Group.   In fact, she located the former Baptist church that became our church home in 1975.  Over the years, Betty has held every lay leadership position in the Fellowship with the exception of Treasurer and Music Director.  She twice served as Chair of the Steering Committee, the first time as the first female Chair.   In addition, she has served on ad hoc groups such as our first Ministerial Search Committee and our Building Committee when we completed a major addition. She has served as the Women’s Group Secretary and, later, as Chair.  On top of that, she and her husband have always been strong financial supporters of MVUUF.  

Betty managed to make these major contributions to our fellowship on top of raising four children, working in administrative support for our local VA Hospital’s Research Administration Department, and being very active in the community.  She worked on education issues as a member of a citizens’ finance committee, in the PTA, and as president of the Mothers’ Club at her children’s school.  Her other major community contribution was as an involved member for many years of League of Women Voters.  Through all of this, she has maintained a great sense of humor, which endears her to many at MVUUF.
The members of MVUUF recognize that without the dedicated work of Betty and a few others in the early years of our fellowship, MVUUF would not exist today.  Thank you, Betty, and congratulations.
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Luella NewstromLUELLA NEWSTROM
On Sunday, April 30, 2006, the Women's Group and friends from the MVUUF honored Luella Newstrom by enrolling her in the Clara Barton Sisterhood of the UU Women's Federation (UUWF).  The Rev. Mary Samuels presented Luella with a certificate and a letter from the UUWF recognizing her accomplishments. 

Luella was honored for her many years of active service to the Fellowship and for her years of community leadership.  Luella Newstrom is highly respected and loved for her can-do approach to needs as well as her good cheer.

Luella was one of the founding members of MVUUF.   She was Chair and Vice Chair of the Steering Committee, Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Program Chair, Adult Education Chair, and Long Range Planning Chair.  She conducted oral history interviews, taught RE classes, and worked on fund raising projects.   She initiated the Archive Committee and secured a dedicated chairperson.  MVUUF is proud to claim one of the best archival collections in the district.  Luella  held many positions in the MVUUF Women's Group and organized at least two retreats.

Luella has been a strong supporter and contributor to the UU denominational affairs.  She supported the Clara Barton Camp which serves diabetic children because one of her daughters is diabetic.   She attended General Assemblies and Prairie Star District meetings.
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Beverly SchmidtBeverly SchmidtBEVERLY SCHMIDT
Beverly Schmidt was inducted into the Unitarian Universalist Women’ Federation’s Clara Barton Sisterhood on January 20, 2008. 

From the Unitarian Universalit Women's Federation letter:
You are being honored for your many contributions to MVUUF over your 30-year membership. During that time, your beautiful singing voice and acting skills have thrilled, entertained, and moved us. These performances are something all of our members treasure. In addition, we appreciate that you have been willing to contribute your talents in many of the less noticeable but essential behindthe-scene tasks which strengthen our congregation. These include your excellent work for 14 years as our Archivist, your shepherding of the writing of our 40th Anniversary History Book, your service at various times as secretary of The Steering Committee and of the Women's Group, and your current service at age 80 as a member of our Settled Minister Search Committee.

Perhaps, though, we wish to honor you most because in countless little ways you have made all of us feel welcomed and cared for.

No one is more deserving of this honor than you are, and I am delighted to welcome you to the Clara Barton Sisterhood. On behalf of the UUWF membership and board, I send you congratulations.
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