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Minnesota Valley Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship
A liberal religious congregation in the Minneapolis area If the Menu on the Left Hasn't Appeared |
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| MEETINGS, CLASSES,
and EVENTS Home | Calendar Updated September 2 2010 |
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Adult
Education
Classes/Workshops/Discussions
Congregation-Wide Meetings/Events |
Regular Schedule During the Year |
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(Regularly meets first Saturday of the month We have great programs planned through June, and we welcome both new and returning members. Please join us! Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets second Thursday of the month) In September Women’s Book Group will be discussing The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I f you have ever wondered why some people are successful and others with apparently similar talent are not, this is the book for you. According to Gladwell, the lives of outliers – those people whose achievements fall outside normal experience – follow a peculiar and unexpected logic. It matters where and when you were born, and so does your family, your culture, or your class. An interesting, non-fiction book, that will make us think about success in a different way. Monica Williams will lead the discussion. All are welcome even if you have never been there before. Book List for 2010-2011 July 8 - Homer and Langley by E. L. Doctorow August 12 – The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks September 9 – Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell October 14 – Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese November 11 – Haunted Ground by Erin December 9 – Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein January 13 – Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay February 10 – The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Steig Larson March 10 – Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz April 14 – Olive Ketteridge by Elia Strout May 12 – The Help by Kathryn Stockett Top of Page To Calendar |
Past Reading Lists: 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 |
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(Regularly meets the second Thursday of the month) The Men's Group will resume in October 2010. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets third Saturday of the month) The Bridge Group meets the third Saturday afternoon of each month for a few hours of bridge. We would welcome new players, beginners to expert! If you are interested, please contact Barbara Hanson Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets on the third Tuesday of the month) The Evening Book Group has chosen its next few selections. We will discuss The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution and the Birth of America by Steven Johnson on September 21. New List On October 26th (Please note the change from our regular third Tuesday), the choice is American Pastoral by Philip Roth On November 16th, The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Graham On December 21st, The Falling Man by Don Delillo On January 18th, America’s Constitution: A Biography by Akhil Reed Amar On February 15th, White Tiger by Aravind Adiga On March 15th, Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism by Susan Jacoby Please note that we have had to change the date of the October meeting to the fourth Tuesday. The only requirement to join is that you have read, or attempted to read, the monthly selection. Feel free to join us for any or all months. We welcome newcomers! Questions? Call Joyce McMartin at 952-942-7143 or email at joyce.mcmartin@earthlink.net. Past Selections:
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Selections We've Read in the Past |
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(Meets monthly on the third Saturday of the month.) The movie will be INVICTUS. The IMDB gives the following brief synopsis: Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. All are invited and welcome to attend, discussion follows the movie. Question contact John Peloquin John17780@charter.net or 952 200 1846. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets 2nd Friday of the month) The Men's Poker Group is a low-stakes poker group that is currently welcoming men who would like to be called to substitute or who have a large enough group (5) to form a second table. Top of Page To Calendar |
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No meeting in July or August. (Regularly meets 4th Saturday of the month) Sewers, knitters, crafters, bring your projects and yourselves. We are a "loose knit" group of UUs who love to sew and knit, No agenda, just fun.. We all work on our individual projects and help each other. With a few hundred years of combined experience, we get all the stitching problems figured out. Come to learn: yes, we can teach you how to sew and
knit.
Come
to be inspired: and finish any projects you have lying about.
Come
to chat: the conversations are sparkling. Top of Page To Calendar |
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The Annual Meeting is held each May. The purpose of the Meeting is to
The 2008 meeting minutes were not approved last year, so this year we will ask you to look over two years of minutes and notify our Board Secretary, David Olson, with any corrections as soon as possible so that we may have corrected minutes for a quick vote that day. In order to be “green” we will be projecting the agenda and items up for a vote on a screen at the meeting. No paper copies will be available. Please review your electronic copies ahead of time. Paper copies will be provided by the Office for those without email. If you have any questions please see any Board member for clarification. If you have trouble opening any documents, please contact Kathy Park at knpark@comcast.net for help. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Usually meets on the third Sunday of the month.) Do Animals have Rights? Our question will be “Do Animals have Rights? There is no assigned or recommended reading; there are numerous sources on the internet. All are invited and welcome to attend. Questions contact John Peloquin John17780@charter.net, 952 200 1846, 952 892 5011. Top of Page To Calendar |
Sunday Morning Discussion and Learning |
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In Members' Homes Have you tried our Circle Suppers? If you are new to the Fellowship – or feel a bit out of touch – or would just like to be in the company of fellow UUs, give it a try. Where else can you enjoy a five course meal by contributing just one item?? Sign up sheet for the events are in the lower foyer. Try it, you'll like it! Top of Page To Calendar |
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Sunday, September 26, 2010 Introduction to Uunitarian Universalism and History Sunday, October 24, 2010 Getting to Know One Another Sunday, November 21, 2010 Nuts & Bolts Of Membership Join us if you are interested in membership or you are already a member and are interested in the topic. Top of Page To Calendar |
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New members are welcomed to the Fellowship during Ingatherings. This ceremony gives the members of the Fellowship the opportunity to acknowledge publicly and welcome new members. Top of Page To Calendar |
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MVUUF children and youth from first to twelfth grade work together to raise money for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) with this luncheon. Cost is $6 a person or $15 for a family. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Secret Friends is an annual event where adults and children get to know one another. All adults and children (age 5 and older) in the Fellowship are encouraged to sign up. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 9 AM to NOON. We need parents to help with pricing and organizing the children's toys, games, etc. You will also share some of your time doing child care. There is a sign-up sheet downstairs. Questions? See Leslie Swenson, Sale Volunteer Coordinator All You Need to Know About the 2010 MVUUF Rummage Sale When: Thursday, August 5, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday, August 6, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday, August 7, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Set Up: July 26 - August 4 Clean Up: Saturday, August 7, 11:00 AM Donating: Donating: Items can be dropped off during set up July 26 - 30 and on Tuesday, June 8 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Thursday, June 10 from 10:00 - 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 23 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Wednesday, July 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Tuesday, July 20 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Items of greatest need: Your salable stuff and your TIME! Leslie Swenson will be organizing volunteers for this sale. In addition to setting up, working the sale and cleaning up, you can also volunteer to feed the workers. Think you item is valuable? Let us know! We often list more valuable items on ebay to get top dollar! Please help us by washing, dusting or cleaning your donations. Large items are welcome, but please be willing to pick them up if they don’t sell. * Please donate CLEAN, working items. Furniture and exercise equipment often sells well, but because it’s so costly to dispose of, unsold, large items will have to go back to the original owner to save MVUUF from disposal costs. You are welcome to make a poster with photos of large items that you’d like to sell. Need ideas? Here are some items that sell well:
We can NOT accept the following items:
Karen Olson, 952-888-6527, luvzcatz@comcast.net or Janet Stevens, 952-888-6577, jastevens1@comcast.net Top of Page To Calendar |
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Birnamwood Golf Course. 12424 Parkwood Drive in Burnsville Summer golf is not just for our founding members. Anyone who has driven by a course and heard a whisper of “UU, UU, Ui.” Is destined to join the MVUUF golfers at Birmanwood golf course in Burnsville summer Sunday’s at 8:00 a.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with yourself, your spouse, or your child, not to mention connecting with your inner par. All members, families, or friends and skill levels are welcome. The award winning Birnamwood golf course s located at . Cost is $13.25 a round, $107 for a 10 round pass, and $204 for a 20 round pass. Riding cart is $10.50. Chat with one of our golf ambassadors, designated by the golf token on their nametag, to find out more of this summer activity and then sign up. Contact Darrell or Kathy Eager with any questions. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Moir Park, 10320 Morgan Ave. South in Bloomington - MAP Join your fellow MVUUF members, families and friends for a fun day at Moir Park. Top of Page To Calendar |
Directions to Moir Park |
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(Regularly meets second Saturday of the month) We will not be playing Scrabble in June, July aand August. We will resume playing Scrabble on September 11 and would love to have you come. We have two Scrabble games (which were donated by Phyllis Fairman and Jane Sterhn) and one of our best players, Karen Wolf, usually brings her game, so we could accommodate 12 players comfortably. Usually we have about half that number, or less. So please come and try us out. Some of us are relaxed players and some are more serious aboiut it. You could choose your own niche. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Wednesdays, October 20, October 27, November 3, 2010, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Adult Education and Social Justice are again combining to bring you and the community the second annual Great Decision Series. This year we are partnering with Bloomington Human Rights Commission to share in the promotion of the series. They are presenting Peace Building and Conflict Resolution on Tuesday, September 21. It is open to the public and more information is on the Adult Religious Education board downstairs. We are starting October 20th with a three-week series. On October 20 Jay Shahidi, originally from Iran and a board member of the American Refugee Committee, will speak about the Persian Gulf. On October 27 Richard Bohr, Professor of History and Director of Asian Studies at the College of Saint Benedict and St. John’s University, will speak about US-China Relations. On November 3 George Welles will speak about Global Crime. Mr. Welles works with the leadership of Fortune 500 companies and senior federal executives on issues relating to national security. The program had excellent feedback when we ran it last year and we are hoping to make it even more successful this year. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Meets every other Thursday through April 1 ) Book discussion continues with Doubt: A History by Jennifer Michael Hecht.. If you can’t make it to these Thursday discussions with David , you can still participate. Go to David's MVUUF blog where he will post the subject for each session ahead of time, and you can comment. Click on the Adult Education tab. If you have trouble finding the blog, get help from Web Coordinator Does one of your resolutions involve deepening your spiritual life? If so, you’re in luck: our next adult religous education class considers the marvelous book called Doubt. Contrary to what the title may indicate, the book is NOT a manual for becoming a fiery skeptic. Instead, Jennifer Michael Hecht argues that religious thinking has been deepened through time by doubters. On that list she includes the Buddha, heretic in the Hindu tradition, and Jesus, a Jewish thinker intent upon softening the image of YAHWEH. Hecht says, Faced with two contradictory truths—that of the human world and that of the universe—religious virtuosos have all suggested some kind of reconciliation. They all say the schism is illusory, either because the universe is really possessed of human attributes and only looks chaotic, uncaring, and without direction, or because our sense of meaning is ridiculous, and we ought to train ourselves away from our willfulness and our struggle to invent, succeed, and sustain. Most prophets, preachers, and seers have made use of both these ideas.For those who can’t make it to our evening discussions, we will be setting up a blog for discussion of the book. Stay tuned. And, go here if you would like to take the “Scale of Doubt Quiz . It’s fun and thought-provoking. This site also includes the “Speaking of Faith” interview with the author of Doubt. Sign up downstairs. Doubt, is now on sale at the book cart. See Nancy Buckman if you are interested in a copy. Top of Page To Calendar |
MVUUF Book Discussion Blog |
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The survey also indicated that a shorter version of the Women’s Retreat might be a good substitute for this year. SO..... what shall we do instead to feed our souls, to connect with what gives us meaning and helps us come alive, to have fun and enjoy the company of other women? Watch your email over the coming weeks (paper copies will also be available) for a short survey about possible women’s gatherings this year. Please take a moment to complete and return, even if all you do is check the box that says “not interested.” We would greatly appreciate your input to help us offer what you most crave, in a way that is easiest for you to participate. Thank you in advance for your thoughts. Please take a moment to complete and return, even if all you do is check the box that says “not interested.” We would greatly appreciate your input to help us offer what you most crave, in a way that is easiest for you to participate. Thank you for your thoughts. Top of Page To Calendar |
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These are the final guided meditation sessions for this church year Sessions will resume in September. No experience is needed and everyone is welcome. Top of Page To Calendar |
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There will be pumpkin carving, costumes, fun and games. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Will resume beginning September 12. First Sundays: Caffeine with the Minister. Second Sundays: Studies in World Scriptures Third Sundays: Religion, Ethics, and Ideas Fourth Sundays: Pathways to Membership Top of Page To Calendar |
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By now you may have heard that our Service Auction netted over $8300! It was due to an impressive combination – we had a great committee, wonderful food, beautiful/fun music, and your participation to make an extra-successful event. Special thanks to auction committee members Karen Olson, Karen Schaub, Don Park, Walt and Jane Stull and Bobbie Gish for many hours of planning and execution. Also big thanks to David McGovern and chief helper Lori Lundborg for the delicious food and Sonja Johnston and the music committee for entertainment. Nancy Buckman and Beth Smith helped in the kitchen along with Ginny Christenson, Mark Proctor and Lynn McPherson. Judith Anderson and Dave Rosewall made great auctioneers and many others helped with set-up, clean-up and final accounting. Plans are in the works for next year’s auction and we’d love to have your ideas and help. Please consider joining us. Top of Page To Calendar |
More Details of the Auction Schedule FINAL Auction Booklet (revised 2/1/2010) Absentee Bidding By Email By Paper |
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The Writing Group will be meeting during the summer. Are you a writer? Would you like to share your writing? If you answered “yes” you might enjoy coming to an informal writing group.. All are welcome. No sign-up needed. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Oak Grove Presbyterian Church at 2200 W. Old Shakopee Road This program is designed to bring Christians (and UUs) and Muslims together for dialogue and a fun time. For more information and to RSVP contact Gail Anderson at the Minnesota Council of Churches, gail.anderson@mnchurches.org, or 612-230-3210. (Stay tuned—on July 17th in Moir Park, Taking Heart will sponsor a cricket event. Don’t know how to play? Here’s your chance to learn.) Top of Page To Calendar |
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Get ready folks for the popular Dads do Breakfast!! . Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets second Saturday of the month) Please join the MVUUF Young Adult group for an Italian dinner (catered by Buca) and wine bar. Food and drink will be provided at the church; all MVUUF friends and members between the ages of 21 and 40 are welcome to participate. Vegetarian offerings will be served. If you would like a Facebook invite please see Jill Carlson for more details at jcarlson27@gmail.com or 952-892-0683. RSVP preferred by September 10th. Watch for information forth coming about a trip in October to the Soap Factory for an intense Halloween experience. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Additional information to come. Top of Page To Calendar |
