Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
A liberal religious congregation in the Minneapolis area
If the Menu on the Left Hasn't Appeared
A liberal religious congregation in the Minneapolis area
If the Menu on the Left Hasn't Appeared
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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 |
| MEETINGS, CLASSES, and EVENTS Home | Calendar Updated May 9 2008 |
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Classes/Workshops/Discussions
Congregation-Wide Meetings/Events |
Regular Schedule During the Year
Fundraisers |
Occur on Varying Schedules
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(Regularly meets first Saturday of the month) Our program for the day is called An Older Woman Looking Back and features our resident poet Marilyn Boe sharing some of her delightful poetry. Most of the poems featured will be ones Marilyn has never shared at MVUUF. She will also have copies of her books available for anyone who is interested. If you’re not on our contact list and wish to attend, please contact Nancy Buckman by Thursday, May 1. Our meeting runs from 10:30-1:00 and includes a short business meeting, the program from 11:15 to 12:15, and lunch. There’s plenty of time built into the schedule for visiting, so this is a good opportunity to get better acquainted with the other women of the Fellowship. New people are always welcome. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets second Thursday of the month) Reading List for 2007-2008 Our selection for the month is a nonfiction book, The River Of Doubt, Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey, by Candice Millard The River of Doubt is a black uncharted tributary of the Amazon that snakes through one of the most treacherous jungles in the world. After his humiliating defeat in 1912, Theodore Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find, the first descent of an unmapped rapid-choked tributary of the Amazon. With his son, Kermit, and with Brazil's most famous explorer, Roosevelt accomplishes a feat so great, many, at that time, refused to believe it. This gripping tale will be discussed with LaGretta Dean as our facilitator. New readers always welcome. All women are welcome to join us.
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Past Reading Lists: 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 |
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Sunday, June 8, 2008, 5:30 PM Hiking at Louisville Swamp with Fran Bohlke Meet at 1653 Boulder Pt Shakopee 55379 Pho 83 Restaurant, 7:00 PM 1141 Canterbury Rd, Shakopee, MN (952)233-1801 (Regularly meets the second Sunday of the month - no outings May, July and August) Who: All women over 18 years, including moms, singles, newly and oldly wed’s, MVUUF members, staff, non-members, and female guests irrespective of religion/beliefs, political views, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, or anything else you can think of are welcome! Why: The LFN Group is an informal women’s group whose purpose is to give the opportunity to get a break from routine, socialize, explore various sites and cultures, laugh and have fun! What: Outings will include restaurant dining and optional field trips paid at individual’s expense. Babysitting Assistance: Can’t find a babysitter for LFN? We’ll help. Just let us know and we will find a way for you to have a break! Transportation: Ladies will meet at destination. Carpooling is an option, too. Just let us know if you are willing to drive or if you would prefer to ride. Questions?: Contact Denise Vogt or Lamia Jano Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets the second Thursday of the month) Our speaker will be Ed Lotterman, a thoughtful and respected local economist.who teaches Economics at Augsburg College. He is a columnist for the St Paul Pioneer Press, has appeared on MPR's Midday , and is currently giving public lectures in economics. Ed will be speaking and taking questions on current economic events. You can find out more about Ed, his lectures and read some of his columns at Real World Economics . We will serve dinner at 6:30. If you would like to hear Ed but do not wish to eat come at 7:15.Both men and women are welcome and invited to attend. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets third Saturday of the month) The Bridge Group is always interested in adding new players. It's not necessary to attend every meeting, just whenever you can. If you're interested in joining us, or learning bridge, please contact Barbara Hanson. Top of Page To Calendar |
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We'll discuss The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch The Evening Book Group meets even in the summer! . No obligation is necessary. Just read ,or attempt to read, the monthly selection and come ready to talk about it. Everyone is welcome.Come once or come every month. Questions? Call Joyce McMartin Current and Future Selections:
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Selections We've Read in the Past |
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Do you need a ride to the airport? Well then, you are in luck because there is a whole list of people at MVUUF who are happy to give you a ride. It’s called the MVUUF Airport Chauffeur Service, and all you have to do is call one of the people on the list below and ask. Don’t worry if you think your schedule is too early or too late, that the weather is too bad, or that you have too much stuff to haul. If they can’t meet your needs they’ll just tell you and possibly suggest someone who can, but they really do want you to call. This is a free service, but many people choose to make donations to MVUUF for the amount they would otherwise have had to pay to get to their destination. In fact, since the service was started a few years ago, more than $4,000 in donations has been received from grateful travelers. It’s a great way to get to know your fellow MVUUF members, enjoy friendly service, and help out the Fellowship. You may even want to call the church office to volunteer as a driver yourself. Volunteer Drivers
To Calendar |
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(Meets monthly on the third Saturday of the month.) The movie will be Charlie Wilson's War. According to that infallible source, Wikipedia: Charlie Wilson's War is a 2007 Academy Award-nominated biographical drama film based on the true story of Democratic Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson, who conspired with a "bare knuckle attitude" CIA operative named Gust Avrakotos to launch an operation to help the Afghan mujahideen resist and ultimately defeat the Soviet Union's military occupation of the nation. All are invited and welcome to attend. Questions contact John Peloquin. 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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(Regularly meets 2nd and 4th Saturdays) 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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On certain Sundays there will be follow-up discussion with the outside speaker(s) who presented at the service. Occasionally, the minister will host a discussion on the sermon topic following his service . See Schedule of Sunday Services to see which specific Sundays have Fireside Chats. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Sunday, May 18, 2008, 11:45 AM, Sanctuary At the meeting, we will vote for new Board members and a new Nominating Committee for next year. The Fellowship will also approve the budget for next year and hear a status report from the Ministerial Search Committee. Please contact Dave Rosewall, Fellowship Chair, if there are other items that need to be on the agenda. Child care will be available during the meeting. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Usually meets on the third Sunday of the month.) Do We have Free Will? As unbelievable as this might seem the question of Free Will was not completely answered at our last meeting so we will discuss it again. There is no required reading. If you Google search Free Will or Determinism, you will find numerous informative articles on the topic. You need not have attended the last session to attend this one -- all are invited and welcome to attend. Questions - contact John Peloquin. Top of Page To Calendar |
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In Members' Homes Sign up to attend one of the following Circle Supper themes: Current Events or Families with Children. Please sign up on the sheets downstiars. If you can host, please indicate this on the sign up sheet. Top of Page To Calendar |
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We invite and welcome all newcomers and persons interested in learning more about our Fellowship and membership to join us for our Winter Newcomer Orientations. Attending these sessions is a great way to learn about our Fellowship and the UU denomination as well as have an opportunity to interact with other newcomers in a small group setting. Free childcare is provided. If you're interested in attending, please put your name on the sign-up sheets located in the hallway downstairs. If you have questions, don't hesitate to call either Kathy Allen or Mary Ann Dean. Our next In-Gathering Ceremony will be on April 6 during the service. 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. If you are interested in joining and have not yet completed a new member form or have any questions, please either see or call Kathy Allen or Mary Ann Dean or pick up a form at the welcoming table Top of Page To Calendar |
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The UUSC luncheon is an annual fund raising event for the Service Committee. This committee is the social justice group of our national organization. On this Sunday all children and youth grades 1-12 help prepare a luncheon, serve the food and clean up afterwards. Parent help is always welcome especially for the clean up afterwards. We will be done around 1:00 PM. Adults $6.00, Children $3.00, Families $15.00, Children under 3 Free. Mark your calendars so you and your children/youth can participate – it is for a great cause. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Cindy Warren, Mary Koehler, Secret Friends Coordinators
Our Secret Friends program is a long-standing tradition at MVUUF. It is a great way for our adults and youth to get to know each other. Here are the basics: Every week, the children and adults write letters to each other: the adults know who their secret friend is, but the children do not. The program finishes with the Secret Friends Breakfast, where everyone meets their secret friends in person. We encourage all youth to participate - that includes our junior and senior high youth. We also encourage people who do not have young children to be an adult secret friend. It's a great, easy way to get involved in with the youth. At the Secret Friends Breakfast the true names of secret friends will be revealed, and children will be seated with their secret friend for the meal. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Friday November 7, Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, 2008 Thank you to everyone who submitted a completed survey regarding the women’s retreats. We got some great suggestions and ideas, which we hope to incorporate into this year’s event. The overwhelming majority liked the fall retreat dates, but due to lots of scheduling issues we weren’t able to schedule the retreat until later in the fall this year. The dates are November 7, 8 and 9. To keep costs down, we decided to return to Villa Maria. In checking with other retreat centers, we have found that Villa Maria is the least expensive. It also offers quiet meeting rooms, private bedrooms, lovely grounds for walking, a beautiful outside labyrinth and inspiring outside bonfire pit. One of the biggest concerns reflected on the evaluations of last year’s retreat was the food. We spoke to the director at Villa Maria about our disappointment. She was very gracious and very grateful for our feedback and assured us that changes would be made. So...please mark your calendars for November 7-9, 2008 and plan to attend the next MVUUF Women’s Spiritual retreat. More information will be in the June Uni-Sun and in this space. Fliers will be placed in mailboxes at the first service in September. . If you have questions, be sure to see either Anne Peek or Kathy Allen. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Friday, January 18, 2008, 7:30 PM at the Fitzgerald in St. Paul It was suggested that we get a group together to see Prairie Home Companion. I am suggesting that we see a Friday night performance – this is a live performance that is not broadcast, I think the dress rehearsal for the Saturday show. The price is about $20 less and it starts at 7:30 so it’s easier for us working folk to get to. . The show is at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Tickets go on sale for this show (and others starting in January) on Dec. 6th. The price is $21 or $19 for members. If you are interested in attending, please let me know. I do not want any money yet because I can’t order tickets until December 6, and there’s always the possibility that there won’t be seats. I will assume however that you will be going if you tell me you are interested. We can get together before for a quick bit to eat if someone wants to arrange it. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Taya Mahoney, a certified Yoga teacher and member of the Fellowship will again teach it. The cost will be $20.00-$25.00 depending on the number of people who sign up. We need at least 7 people. Mats are available for up to 10 people. Please sign up at the table downstairs downstairs. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Potluck and Sing-Along with Zenith Avenue, 7:00 PM More information to come about this celebration. We are a Peace Site . Top of Page To Calendar |
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Our thanks to volunteers Carolyn Halvorson, Nancy Buckman, Monica Williams, Barb Gilliand, Joan Miller, Marilyn Burt, Harriet Duerre, Kendra Hoffman, Lorry Lundborg, Ruth Keely, John Keely, Luella Newstrom, Karen Schaub, Kathy Eager, Don Park, MaryAnn Dean, Paula Nania, Sonja Johnston, Harri Wisser, Nat Wisser, Barb Amram, Bobbie Gish, Janet Stevens, George Stevens, Becky McPeek, Holly Bruce, Doug Bruce, Lisa Hershberger, Amy Murphy, Joan Mickelson, Lorene Richards, Mary Teas, Eve Webster, Linda Hayen, Linda Dizen, Bev Schmidt, Carmon Herzog, LaGretta Dean, Bill Parrish, Nan Corliss, Bill Stockwell, Lou Kopnick, Barb Bollag, Jean Price, Judyne Hellman, Kathy Allen, Dave Rosewall, Darrell Eager, John Peloquin, Dale Lewellyn, David Olson, Jerry Gilliand, Frank Victorson, Mike Swanson, Denny Kroger and Mark Clary. And our sincere apologies if missed someone. You are all RUMMAGE HEROES! Top of Page To Calendar |
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Please join us for a fun-filled Halloween party for the entire family.. Dress up and come ready to carve pumpkins, play games and venture through our “Haunted House.” Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes! Traditionally the junior and senior high youth stay after religious education classes to decorate and run the haunted house. We will provide pizza for those who can stay and help. This is one of those special events where we could use some volunteers. Talk to Jan Fitzgerald, Director of Religious Education or Paula Nania, chair of the Religious Education Committee if you are interested. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Soon our traditional Sunday Service will becoming to an end. But soon after, our non -traditional Service begins at the Birnamwood Golf Course, in Burnsville. The service will be a little different, but recognizable. First, there will be joys and concerns until 7:55. Next, the offering. At 8:00, you can choose your sermon depending on who you wish to play with. After the service, coffee and discussion at the social picnic tables near the club house. We welcome both sinners and saints. For more information contact either of the saint and sinner duo, Kathy and Darrell Eager. All skill levels welcome! SIgn up downstairs. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Moir Park, 10320 Morgan Ave. South in Bloomington This is our annual year end potluck picnic. Please sign-up downstairs at the counter to bring a main dish, salad or dessert. Drinks, plates, cups and cutlery will be provided. Bring your own lawn chairs if you prefer not to sit at the picnic tables. You can also sign-up to bring and help organize games (softball, catch, soccer, Frisbee toss, etc.). If there is enough interest we will play a softball game at 2:00. There are walking trails in the park and some along the creek so bring your walking shoes and extra shoes and clothes for those who end up walking IN the creek. Top of Page To Calendar |
Directions to Moir Park |
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For 2 years MVUUF has been a member of a community supported agriculture project with May Farm . Once weekly they delivered non-pesticide grown, fresh vegetables from the farm to church. Produce is delivered for 17 weeks from June thru mid October. Our belief in sustainable farming and in supporting farms which provide fresh produce to food shelves is strong. May Farm donates half their shares to food shelves. Even if we do not choose to continue to be a drop site , we can still make a contribution to the farm. Past members of the farm share these thoughts :
Read Eating Ethically in the Spring 2007 UUWorld for the perspective of Amy Hassinger of the UU Church of Urbana-Champaign and links to additional information. Top of Page To Calendar |
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5:30 PM, Potluck dinner before the performance 7:00 PM, Performance The choir and others who are interested present an original musical every year written by Sonja Johnston and collaborators. New talents in the congregation are revealed and everyone has lots of fun. The play this year is a melodrama/comedy/slapstick/tragedy/musical extravaganza and its title is The Debut/Farewell Performance by Giovanni Herzogomacaroni starring the MVUUF choir, the women’s chorale, a few young people, and the Executive Board. Donna Kopnick is our stage manager and Darrell and Kathy Eager are our prop/costume/set creators. Watch for some exciting posters (by the Eagers) in the near future advertising this event. Nancy Buckman is organizing the potluck before the performance. Everyone is invited. We ask that you bring either an entrée or salad to share. We will also need volunteers to help with setting up the tables and chairs; help with cleaning the dishes; and, help with putting away the tables and chairs. So we know how many tables to set up, please fill out the sign up sheet downstairs in the hall at the Fellowship. If you can also help, please indicate that. Top of Page To Calendar |
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.You will receive a certificate upon completion of the class. Many automobile insurance companies offer discounts for taking the course. Check with your insurance company. Please sign up downstairs at the Adult Education table. The cost of the class is $10.00 a person. Make check payable to AARP. Bring a brown bag lunch, as the class will continue over the lunch hour. Top of Page To Calendar |
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May 6 Why Mr. Emerson is Your Friend will be a talk and discussion led by the Rev. Roger Jones for the last spring meeting of the course. Roger’s remarks make use of the biography, Emerson: The Mind on Fire by Robert Richardson. A much quicker advance reading would be Emerson’s Divinity School Address or his long essay Self-Reliance, both available online, at the public library and bookstores. . There will be no DVD shown at this program. This is a DVD course taught by Professor Ashton Nichols from Dickinson College on the multiple influences of early Unitarianism on American culture and on the individualistic, diverse belief systems of Unitarian Universalists today. It is a 24 lecture series and goes from 2007-2008 and continues again in the fall of 2008 and ends in 2009. We will watch two lectures at each session. Anyone is welcome to come to all or individual sessions. Two DVDs will be shown at most meetings followed by discussion. This is an opportunity to learn of our UU history and heritage. Top of Page To Calendar |
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This class will follow the Evensong format, not a discussion but primarily a time to slow down, reflect and share stories about the seven "sins" in Roger Housden's book (things like being foolish, not knowing, doing nothing special, and not being perfect). Great opportunity to get to know others in a different way than we can on Sundays. Before the the first session please get the book and read the two introductory sections and chaper one (Generally we will read only one chapter per week).. Please sign up downstairs. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Kathy Allen, Coordinator The Membership Committee and interim minister, Rev. Roger Jones invite all first year members (those members in-gathered last year - 2006-2007) to a "First Year Anniversary" Breakfast in the fellowship hall. Childcare will be provided. Look for your invitation in your mailbox. Sign up sheets are downstairs or you may email Kathy Allen to RSVP. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Everyone is cordially invited to welcome Rev. Roger Jones, Interim Minister. Light refreshments will be served. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Registration Deadline: October 10. The Prairie Star District Heritage and Archives Committee will present this workshop on video production at MVUUF for congregations in this area. Participants will learn how to research and record the history of their own congregations. Featured presenters are experts in UU history and in video production. This is a hands-on program; participants will prepare a 3 minute finished video during the day. Go to Bringing Our History to Life to see a video on why telling our history is important and to see information on the workshop leaders.. Thanks to a grant from the UU Funding Program and the Prairie Star District, the cost is only $25 per person which includes are registration, materials, morning snack, and lunch. To register by mail, fill out the registration form in the brochure available from
Prairie Star District, UUATo register via credit card on the District Web site, go to Prairie Store . Further information: Lowell Hanson, 651 426-8764, ldhanson@comcast.net Top of Page To Calendar |
Bringing Our History to Life |
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The Social Justice Committee is sponsoring this meeting that is open to the public. Program: Prof. Christine M. Smith of United Theological Seminary. A tentative title for her presentation will be Global Immersion Trips: Indulging the Privileged OR Radicalizing Religious Consciousness? Top of Page To Calendar |
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MVUUF will be one of the venues for a showing and discussion of this Minneapolis-based video. This will make for a very full week of UU history and heresy, as the Transcendentalist series at MVUUF starts Oct. 2 and the Minneapolis Central Library hosts a series of lectures and presentations on Henry David Thoreau Oct. 5 and 6. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington We'll meet at Hyland Park in Bloomington by the Visitor Center by 7:15p.m. We can hike the lighted 2.1 mile Lake Trail or the lighted .6 mile Star trail. The trails are open to hiking until it snows and then they are used for x-country skiing. The lights stay on until 10:00 p.m. There is no charge for parking. For directions to the park go to Three Rivers Park District. Call Karen Schaub by 6:00 p.m. each Wednesday if you plan to hike Top of Page To Calendar |
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Painting: Monday, October 1, 2007 At least 6 helpers are needed to assist Waldo Asp with hoses and ladders plus sardines for lunch. On September 30th in the afternoon we need help covering windows, frames, and doors with paper and tape. The more help we have, the sooner we’ll be done. Sign up downstairs. Talk to Mark Clary, Jerry Gilliand, or George Fairman for more information. Top of Page To Calendar |
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We will leave Saturday morning and go to Camp Friendship and return on Sunday afternoon. All youth in grades seven through twelve are encouraged to participate even if they cannot be there the whole time. Camp Friendship is close enough that we could carpool youth back and forth if necessary. This is an excellent time for the youth to get to know each other better and bond as a group. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Activities Committee would like all who are interested to meet at Hyland Park . in front of the Visitor Center for some hiking, biking, or just playing at the play ground. There are numerous paved bike trails and non-paved hiking trails. A favorite one of mine is the 2.1 mile Lake Trail. For those of you who have kids there is a terrific play ground with many slides and climbing apparatus which will be open until the first hard freeze. Last year it was open until the first of November. The play ground is a few short steps from the Visitors Center. Bring a bag lunch and stay for a picnic. There are numerous tables by the fireplace inside the Visitors Center and also outside near by. There is no charge for parking. For more information and directions to the park, go to Hyland Park or contact Karen Schaub. Sign-up downstairs if you would like to participate in this event. Top of Page To Calendar |
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This event is for all of you who want to spend Thanksgiving Day with MVUUF members and friends who do not have plans Thanksgiving Day. If interested please sign-up downstairs, and let us know what you would like to bring and the number of people in your group. Let us know if you can help out with set up and clean up, and indicate one person or couple to be the contact person for the attendees. For more information contact Karen Schaub at 952-828-9513 Top of Page To Calendar |
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The Music Committee decided to produce a “Family Concert” with music selected with young people in mind. If you would like to participate please let me or Betty Olson, committee chair, know asap. And, yes, you will hear the Orff instruments for the first time at the concert. There will be a free will offering to benefit the Avenues for Homeless Youth which I toured on October. 17 with the Welcoming Congregation Committee. We were all so impressed by the dedication, knowledge, and passion of the directors that we are determined to help them out. Our loyal kitchen staff headed by Nancy Buckman has agreed to serve cookes, bars, hot chocolate, and coffee after the 1 to 1 ¼ hour concert. Top of Page To Calendar |
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The supper has been cancelled. This will be our second concert this year which will be classical. You can look forward to some wonderful music by our many exceptional instrumentalists as well as some vocal/choral pieces. Again, we will collect a free will offering for the Avenues for Homeless Youth, a young people’s shelter in N. Minneapolis. At our Family Concert in November, MVUUF members contributed a total of $739 that was given directly to the shelter. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Soup startsabout 12:00 or shortly after and discussion runs from 12:30 PM until around 2:00 PM Living A Call: Ministers and Congregations Together will be the subject of a three-session book discussion this winter. “Everyone who is concerned about Unitarian Universalism and the future of our congregations must read this book,” says the jacket blurb, and we agree. This is a short collection of essays from some of our denomination’s newest ministers edited by Michael Durall. (Samples: “The Satisfaction Business,” “Finding Soul in the Suburbs,” “Ministry Unleashed!) We will read nine of them that we believe will provoke valuable discussion of current trends in UUism and the implications they have for MVUUF. Please join us to be part of this important conversation during this time of transition. Discussions questions are available to the right. A simple lunch of soup and bread will be provided. Your children are invited to join us for soup. Child care will start at 12:30. . Please register on the signup counter downstairs at church where book copies are available for $10. . Please call us with questions or to offer to help. Top of Page To Calendar |
Discussion Questions for Living a Call Print Copy of Discussion Questions (pdf) |
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Those who have taken this workshop are now meeting to refine their skills. We are not seeking additional participants, but if someone is interested, send an email to Barb Gilliand. This free 1 ½-hour workshop will introduce you to the methods of Nonviolent Communication (Compassionate Communication) as developed by Marshall Rosenberg. Participants will then decide whether they wish to pursue further free practice sessions. The workshops will be led by Yvette Erasmus, M.Ed., a counselor with the Aslan Institute in Eagan. Nonviolent Communication is central to her work.Yvette’s experiences living in South Africa; teaching in Egypt and Indonesia; and counseling in the UK have resulted in a broad multi-cultural perspective on families, parenting and couples. In her work with individuals, couples, schools and institutions, she holds a strong commitment to helping people embrace peaceful and harmonious lifestyles through compassionate understanding between people with differing needs. Past workshop participants say they learned skills to:
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Kathy Allen is a longtime meditator. She will guide us in a series of relaxing meditation sessions. Sign up downstairs at the counter by the 'Wall'. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Members of the Activities Committee invite all to stay after the service for a soup luncheon. The committee members will be making the soup. Please sign-up if you plan to attend and if you can bring bread or dessert. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Jun Bo restaurant, 7717 Nicollet Ave., Richfield. 612-436-0164 We will meet at the restaurant to celebrate Chinese New Year. We will order Dim Sum or order off the menu. Please sign-up downstairs for this event so we can make reservations. Top of Page To Calendar |
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UPDATE: The Service Auction brought in $5,062 to help pay for new windows in the sanctuary. Ahoy, me hearties. We hope you will be attending the Service Auction in your pirate costume of course, but not mandatory. We will serve wine and ask for a small donation to cover the cost. Lemonade and coffee will be provided. If you can’t be at the auction and see something you would like to bid on just let us know the item you want and the maximum amount you want to spend and we will do your bidding for you. All proceeds will go towards replacing the Sanctuary windows. Please sign up downstairs to bring an appetizer. Child care will be provided, but please let us know who is coming on the sign up sheet downstairs. Top of Page To Calendar |
Service Auction Donation Form  |
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May's Youth Social Event will be a Bonfire at Jill's house in Burnsville. 7-12 grade youth are invited for marshmallow toasting and outdoor games. June 21: June's Youth event will be a Summer Solstice Festival at First Unitarian Society sponsored by Twin Cities Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans. This will be an intergenerational activity on June 21st in the evening. More details to follow. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Focus
the Nation apologized for the problems watching the webcast and verifed
that the problems arose because an unexpected number of people tried to watch. You can
view the archived webcast
which the project director says ".. is a wonderful program with
tremendous amounts of information and participation from our world
leaders on the issue." Thanks to all who attended at MVUUF and
turned a disappointment into a party with a lively discussion of
environmental concerns.Jesse and Betsy Longley kept their pledge to ride their bikes to the presentation (1 degree below zero at the time). MVUUF is taking part in a historic nationwide Focus on Global Warming Solutions for America. We will be showing a live, interactive webcast called THE 2% SOLUTION. Join Stanford University climate scientist, Stephen Schneider, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins and green jobs pioneer, Van Jones and youth climate leaders for a discussion of global warming solutions. Audiences can weigh in with cell phone voting. The goal is 10,000 screenings-and a change in the course of history. Top of Page To Calendar |
Archived Focus the Nation webcast. |
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Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall This book was the first of its kind about lesbians and was written by a British author in 1928. Banned and the subject of a lawsuit against the publisher ( which the publisher won on appeal), the book sold over a million copies between 1928 and 1943, when Hall died. There is not one sex scene in the book, all the more interesting considering its history. We will look at the book in the light of past history and from today's perspective. Copies of the book are on the Welcoming table downstairs. The library also has 5 copies. If you have trouble finding a copy call Donna Kopnick. Please sign up downstairs. Top of Page To Calendar |
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The Social Justice Leadership Team and I will host a half-hour meeting in the sanctuary to discuss two proposed topics for study and action and to solicit your views and your vote on what MVUUF should tell the Commission on Social Witness of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The two topics are nuclear-weapons proliferation (...and stopping it) and eating practices as ethical matters. I will include links to the summary of the two issues in my email next week, or you can find them at Study Action Issues.. If enough UUA congregations say YES to either one or both of these issues, it (or both of them) will be considered by the delegates of the UUA General Assembly in June 2008. If the GA delegates then vote to adopt one or both, then it (or they) will be sent out to congregations for study and action for two or three years. (Currently we at MVUUF are engaged in several ways with the Peacemaking study and action issue, and Global Warming was an earlier one.) The end result of congregations’ work on these issues will be a UUA Statement of Conscience three years after an issue is selected. Since we UU churches have no House of Bishops, this statement would represent the position of the denomination. But this initial meeting at MVUUF is not about our stance on the issues, only whether we would like them to go before the delegates at GA. MVUUF can vote YES, NO, or ABSTAIN. You may come to the discussion and offer your views on why we should say yes or no, or why we should abstain—it could be you disagree with the possible direction of the issue or disagree with the issue’s being a church matter, or that you don’t feel that you have time to be involved in any discussion, study or action regarding that issue in the coming few years. On the other hand, it could be that you’ve been waiting for the UUs to start wrestling with this issue, and you want to say YES. There is no UUA policy about the process that a church uses to provide its vote at this stage of the process, but it does need to hear from at least 25% of all UU congregations. The Board has authorized the Social Justice team to facilitate this with my help and to cast the MVUUF vote, which is due Feb. 1. This is not a formal congregational vote to take a stand but a step in the process. Hence, we welcome those who are not yet members to the Jan. 20 meeting, but we would expect that anyone who votes YES on either issue would have the intention to participate in the study of and taking action on either of these issues. Top of Page To Calendar |
Study Action Issues.. |
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Rev. Roger will soon lead a weeknight series to invite religious liberals to reflect, write and talk about their personal answers to the big questions involved in creating a theological, spiritual and moral world view. It’s about identity and our individual thoughts about God, the purpose of life, the meaning of death, sources of truth, and other light subjects. We'll prepare and read our answers to these questions:
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Jenny Thomas, a UU from First Universalist, Discussion Leader
Review from Clarksville Online "Uncounted proposes that the election fraud that changed the outcome of the 2004 election led to even greater fraud in 2006 – and now looms as an unbridled threat to the outcome of the 2008 election. This controversial film examines in factual, logical, and startling terms how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the U.S. Noted computer programmers, statisticians, journalists, and experienced election officials provide proof. The film also reviews extensive cases of mechanical errors, lost votes, voters turned away from polls, incomplete ballots and the installation of uncertified software into voting machines reported from across the nation." Top of Page To Calendar |
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This moving documentary tells the story of 5 families and how their churches and religion played a part in their reactions to their children coming out to them as gay or lesbian. A local family from Eden Prairie is featured in the film and this family, the Reitans, will be present for the discussion after. We have outreached to the community with this film- mailing every congregation in Bloomington, some in Richfield, Edina , Burnsville and Savage. Please support this outreach and be part of a very important discussion. We are a Welcoming Congregation to people of all sexual orientations and the issues surrounding acceptance are very real and important to address. Questions call Nan Corliss- 952-835-6832 or speak to anyone on the Welcoming Congregation Committee. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Lots of committees and lots of volunteers keep things going at MVUUF and there are lots of ways to get involved and share your skills. The Program Council is hosting an INVOLVEMENT FAIR. Come and talk to members of the various committees, find out what they do, and how to “put your two cents worth” into the mix. Most committees begin their work in late summer or early fall, planning for the new church year. Some have specific responsibilities and some are wide open and flexible. There’s adult religious education, youth religious education, activities, communications, finance, Sunday services, membership, youth religious education, music – and more. All are eager to recruit new members and new ideas. Join with Program Council members on the 27th and get inspired. It’s a great opportunity to try something new, find a good fit, get involved, and be an important part of the life of MVUUF. Top of Page To Calendar |
Program Council - Who, What |
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Can parents and grandparents cooperate in raising children? Are you in the generation dealing with your parents and your children? Are you a grandparent trying to help your children with their children but unsure how to do it? Would you like to discuss the ups and downs of the relationship between the generations? If so, we are inviting you to a discussion group for parents with children and the grandparent’s role with the grandchildren. We hope by the end of the evening, everyone will gain a better understanding of what it is like to be the parent or the grandparent. Mary Woodward Kritz is a psychologist. The program will be held in the social hall on . Please sign up at the table downstairs and indicate if childcare is needed. Top of Page To Calendar |
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After collecting used clothing, linens and miscellaneous fabric from the last two Fellowship rummage sales, a group of us have put together a quilt, size 58" x 85". We are going to raffle it off during the month of April. All of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. The red squares and the squares within each block were cut from clothing such as shirts, blouses and pajamas left over from the 2006 MVUUF Rummage Sale. The striped strips between the blocks were cut from a long strip of fabric also left over from that Rummage Sale. The backing of the quilt is a twin size sheet from the 2007 Rummage Sale and the denim binding is from a large piece of fabric donated to the quilting project in 2007. The cotton batting between the layers was newly purchased for the quilt. So other than the batting, the quilt was made from recycled materials. The women who sewed on this quilt were: Nancy Buckman, Monica Williams, Becky McPeek, Lorene Richards, Pat Ervin, Joan Miller, Carol Hobart The Winner of the Habitat Quilt Raffle will be drawn at noon at the Social Justice table at the Involvement Fair on April 27. Be sure to buy your raffle tickets by then. All of the proceeds from the raffle will go to Habitat for Humanity. Raffle tickets cost $4 each or 3 for $10. Get 1 free ticket for signing up for a summer Habitat Work Day The quilt is displayed just outside the sanctuary. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) will be holding our next meeting at the Fellowship. This is a fine opportunity to help in the crusade for fair and equitable voting rights across the country. Minnesota is far better than most states as we have paper ballot back-up as well as post-election audits. We still need observers in certain precincts that sometimes attempt to turn away voters and it's alway a great idea to be an election judge. We are attempting to connect with UU's in other states to help them improve the voting process in their state. We need all the help we can get - and hope you can find time to drop in and see what's going on. (There will be coffee and treats!). Hope to see you there. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Enjoy a pancake/crepe breakfast prepared by MVUUF Dads. Tickets will be sold downstairs before and after the service on April 20 and April 27: $3.00 individual or $10 per family. Also if you can help with serving, set-up and/ or clean-up let us know by signing up where the tickets are sold. Dad's, youth, children: This would be a nice treat for all MVUUF Mothers! Top of Page To Calendar |
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Saturday, April 26, 2008, Bush Lake, 8:00 AM, Start at Richardson Nature Center, Sandhya Gupta, Contact, 952-942-6194. Sponsored by the Green Sanctuary Committee Make it a family event. Details to follow. Sign up at the Green Sanctuary table downstairs. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Led by the Rev. Roger Jones and Kelley Hughes, MVUUF member & UU seminarian In the wake of the controversy over words by Barack Obama’s pastor and the candidate’s speech in response, we explore issues of diversity, oppression and justice through a UU lens. We make no political endorsement, but take this opportunity for dialogue on crucial issues. This course provides no answers, but offers history, context, and issues for reflection and speaking from the heart in a safe space. Cost: $20 (check to MVUUF); photocopied readings included. Fee can be waived in case of financial hardship; contact the minister in confidence. Note: This is not a drop-in discussion; all must register in advance and commit to the brief readings and attendance of at least Session I. Contact minister@mnvalley.org or call Roger Jones to sign up by 7:00 PM Monday. First session questions and reading will be emailed or sent to you! Session I, “A More Perfect Union”: Course purpose and covenant; introductions. After having read or heard the Obama speech in advance, we consider meanings of “race” we have developed over time, and meanings we have come to have of “racism.” We listen to one another’s reactions to the speech and our thoughts about the issues of gender, class, race, racism and politics to which it relates, and our hopes and fears regarding race, racism and anti-racist work as individual members and for the church as a whole. Session II: “The Wilderness Journey”: Video documentary on the UUA’s Black Empowerment Controversy, 1968-1970. We speak our personal experience of learning this painful history, which has resonance in crises of other mainline denominations in the same era. We ask: Why did so many people of color leave our Association of Congregations in that era? What was it about this particular controversy that cut so deep and divided UUs? Given this history, what issues are important to keep in mind? Session III: “Race, Class and Us: Diverse, Anti-Oppressive, Neither or Both?” We consider questions based on advance readings, possibly including:
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Dee Maurer, Coordinator We will once again be reserving camp sites at White Water State Park in southern Minnesota. Please sign-up downstairs if you would like to camp and let us know the number of people in your party and the nights you plan to stay. If you are in need of camping equipment please talk with any Activities Committee member about your need. We may be able to borrow equipment. For more information about the park, check out Minnesota State Parks. For questions, please contact Dee Maurer. Top of Page To Calendar |
Activities Committee |