 One Service & Religious Education for Children & Youth
at 10:00 am through September 4
Childcare available during services for babies and toddlers (6 months+ to 3 years old)
June 5 - Is There an Artificial God? A Naturalist's Guide to Life, the Universe & Everything
In a speech given to scientists in Cambridge, England in 1998... Douglas Adams addresses the question "Where does the Idea of God Come From?" He describes the "Four Ages of Sand" through which science has impacted our perspective of the world and how we, as humans fit into this blue boat we call home. I found Douglas's speech entertaining, full of brilliant observations and amusing insights. I will present a shortened interpretation.
Greg Wimmer, Worship Leader
Mark Brutinel, Worship Associate
Jane Foote, guitar & vocals; Carl Stephenson, guitar; Connie Schuelka, piano
June 12 - Flower Sunday (a Multi-Generation Service)
We'll tell the story and see the sights of UUism's Flower Communion. In honoring graduates & retirees, we'll mark the commencement of professional lives and the movement beyond those lives. We'll feel the spirit and say our thanks for our past year's life of shared ministry. Please bring blooms (home-grown or store-bought) to fill our appreciation bouquet.
Fritz Hudson, Amy Nelson, Kate Thompson-Jewell, Ramona Barr, Jody Tharp, Sarah Rothwell, Worship Leaders
Walden Hill Vocal Ensemble - Joe Mish, conductor; Connie Schuelka, piano
Post-Service: Annual Church Membership Meeting (11:15 am)
June 19 - The Perfect Parent
While we know the "perfect parent" is a fantasy, there are real-life qualities that create a nurturing environment. With a special nod to fathers and father figures, we will explore those characteristics through story and personal memories.
Rev. Char Tarashanti, Worship Leader
Ann Hutton, Worship Associate
WHVE Men's Chorus, Joe Mish, Conductor; Connie Schuelka, piano
June 26 - Ties That Bind
Bob Ortiz asks "What kind of friend are we"? He talks about the different types of friends & what he thinks constitutes a "True Friend".
Bob Ortiz, Worship Leader
Linda Blouin, Worship Associate
Kathryn Horntvedt, piano
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Summer Rituals
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Rev. Fritz Hudson
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(June, 2016)
"Springtime's clouds have turned the star-wheel, summer is upon us." These are the words for our turning now, in "Chant for the Seasons," #73 in our hymnal.
At the opposite swing of the star-wheel, toward winter, we are well aware of our spirituality. Rituals a-plenty offer themselves, moving from feast to feast (Thanksgiving to Christmas) - and from nosh to nosh along the way. We gather 'round fires; we sing special songs. We exchange gifts; we send cards. And what does it serve? - to affirm love, to strengthen our bonds to one another, both personally and in community. But how is our spirit called at this summer turning, and what does it serve?
A tempting ritual for this season might be imaged in Henry David Thoreau's June of 1846. That turn toward summer found Henry building his one-room house at the edge of Walden Pond. He took up occupancy on July 4 - Independence Day.
The spirit of these days is well drawn:
- toward renewing direct relationships with the elements of our cosmos (air, earth, water, sun & stars)
- toward feeling our place more sensuously as but one species in the web of life.
We stretch the bonds of human community: to find ourselves as individuals; to form spaces where the ends of our finer filaments and those offered by all existence can perhaps intertwine. Our rituals of exploration and recreation serve identity, integrity. We practice self-reliance - even self-denial - to strengthen our mastery of self-culture over self-indulgence.
Another deeply-rooted summer ritual, though, might also serve our spirits - if held in mind at least (I can't really support its practice.)
This season - perhaps at a full moon, perhaps at the height of the buffalo herd population - is the traditional time of the Lakota Sioux Sun Dance. Its ritual requires self-denial (in fasting), and self-extension (in dancing through whole days into exhaustion - round and round a tall cottonwood.) Outside eyes would say it calls its strongest devotees to self-mutilation.
- Young men cut slits in their chests to pass wooden pegs under their flesh.
-They tie the pegs to long ropes stretching to the top of the cottonwood tree.
- Their dance, pulling on those ties, ends in hurling themselves finally outward, so as to tear the pegs through their flesh.
It hurts just to think it. And so - in the sun of this season, in the exaltation of independence and personal power - I would have this ritual's tension in our minds. I would have us know still our tie to a common center, and the pain and the scar that comes should we presume to break fully free. Spirits, I encourage you - stretch, separate, vacate, disperse. 'Tis the season. Make you yet stronger selves.
But, lest you forget the larger circuit of life, from time to time touch your chest, above your heart. And know how the star-wheel still turns.
phone: 402-617-3055
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Dear First UU Members & Friends,
As promised when we announced Ryan Shriver's departure as our Director of Religious Education, we have "moved with care" towards finding his successor. Familiarizing myself with our church's delegation of authority on staffing has required some research and consultation. I appreciate your patience with the time required.
I'm now pleased to announce that:
- The Board has authorized me to form a Search Team as my partners in filling the position.
The Team's members are
Tara Friedman, (Chair of the RE Council)
and Erika Beetcher, Board Member Liaison to the RE Council.
- I have conferred with the RE Council on our approach to filling the position.
- I have conferred with several RE leaders to better understand our leadership needs and our current resources.
On this basis, Tara, Erika and I have made two significant decisions:
1. On August 1, we will open our search for a DRE or Acting DRE.
- We will post the position description & application requirements in the church newsletter and in other community and regional UU outlets.
- We will welcome applications from both within and beyond our church community.
- We expect the application deadline to be Sunday, August 21.
- We will conduct interviews with the most promising candidates.
- We hope to present a candidate for congregational engagement and response sometime in September.
- We hope our selected candidate can then begin service by October 1
2. For the interim (June 1-October 1), we have reached agreement with two current RE leaders to undertake the staff position of "Summer Co-Directors of Religious Education."
The Summer DREs will hold a shared staff position requiring 20 hours work per week.
Their primary responsibilities will be:
a. to work with the RE Council
- to develop and oversee summer Sunday children's activities
- to select curricula for fall children's & youth programs;
- to recruit, train & support volunteer leaders for both summer and fall children's & youth programs
b. to team with the Minister, Co-Music Directors, and Worship Associates to:
- develop "introduction for all ages" segments of Sunday worship services
- to plan & conduct multi-generational worship services
c to supervise the Childcare Coordinator & Summer Sunday Leader
d. to provide administrative support for the Chalice Camp program
We are VERY pleased to announce that our Summer Co-Directors of Religious Education are Kate Thompson Jewell & Ramona Barr. Beyond their Summer DRE work, Kate & Ramona will also serve us as volunteer Co-Directors of our Summer Chalice Camp (July 18- 22).
We had the great pleasure of presenting Kate and Ramona in their new staff role as part of our Worship on Sunday, May 22. All are invited to help us say "Welcome Aboard!"
Your "Minister for Now"
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Stewardship & JumpStarter Update
Rob Harveland, Treasurer
With the conclusion of our Stewardship & JumpStarter campaigns, the Board has approved a 2016/2017 balanced budget as discussed at Program Council and recommended by the Finance Committee. The details of the balanced budget will be available at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation (June 12, 11:15 am). In the meantime, here's how we were able to fund almost everything we stretched to accomplish and also reached a balanced budget:
- No JumpStarter money was used for our annual program budget. All JumpStarter donations are in the "major maintenance and replacement fund".
- A $36,000 CD matured last month. Instead of re-investing it at a very low rate of return, Finance used it to pay off the final year of our church mortgage. That removed $24,738 from our annual expenses. Because we no longer have a mortgage payment, $9,000 of what would have gone to principal payment is going into major maintenance. $10,000 of the principal payment has been dedicated to the ministerial search process for this year. After the search is complete, that $10,000 will also go into major maintenance.
- The church is now back to contributing as a UUA Fair Share congregation!
- We have corrected Jody's job classification to be a Co-Congregational Administrator and adjusted her salary accordingly.
- We have increased the hours for the DRE from 27 to 30 hours/week.
- We have set aside $5,000 in an insurance fund to help cover any increases in health insurance needed for a settled minister.
- Worship committee increased their budgets for guest speakers and musicians.
- Social Justice committee increased their budget for visiting workshop leaders.
- Staff professional expenses were increased but at a lesser amount then originally proposed.
When the Reverend Peter Morales was here, he told us to be proud of our 150 year history, but reminded us that we should be smug for only about 1 week: after that, it's time to move forward with the work of our church. Let's feel smug about our balanced budget - but only for a week.
Thank you to everyone in the congregation for your contributions to keep the church moving forward.
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Shared Plate Recipient - Sunday, June 12, 2016
Project Legacy
Project Legacy works to meet the needs of youth of color in Rochester who struggle with the lack of resources (housing, food, clothes, pro-social activities and college assistance). This assistance will enable them to reach their full potential and help to end the cycle of generational poverty. This year, eight members of Project Legacy earned a GED, high school diploma or a college degree.
Your donation to the shared plate will be matched through the generosity of a member of our church.
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Religious Education News:
2016 Coming of Age Class Social Justice Project Donation Results
The 2016 C.O.A. class would like to thank the congregation for the tremendous response to their Social Justice causes and to their faith statements!
They especially want to thank the children who shared their savings from their piggy banks. Your donations will make a difference to these great organizations and to the people and animals they help. Your continued support of these young adults in this sacred community is a beautiful thing. What a fabulous way to wrap up the year-long class!
Suzanne "Zanna" Blouin
Mentor: Jodi Edmonson
C.O.A. Social Justice Project: National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.) = $53.17
Chantelle Feddersen
Mentor: Alisa Walz-Flannigan
C.O.A. Social Justice Project: Mission 21 = $54.62 + $10 Dunn Bros. gift card
Autumn Harff
Mentor: Marge Dalen
C.O.A. Social Justice Project: Save the Tuskers of Ngorongoro, Inc. (Tanzania) = $62.92
Theresa Kallmes
Mentor: Anne Black-Sinak
C.O.A. Social Justice Project: Gift of Life Transplant House = $65.61
Aonghus Kirkpatrick Gillespie
Mentor: Myatt Helmers
C.O.A. Social Justice Project: History Center of Olmsted County (H.C.O.C.) = $37.61 + $50 personal check to H.C.O.C.
Evan Maraganore
Mentor: George Thompson
C.O.A. Social Justice Project SHARED PLATE RECIPIENT (matched): Evan Maraganore's Boy Scout Eagle Scout Project - benches for Community Food Response (C.F.R.) = $863.00
Lilly-Aurora Medorio
Mentor: Kate Thompson-Jewell
C.O.A. Social Justice Project: First Care Pregnancy Center (F.C.P.C.) = $55.64 + $5 Target gift card
Max Milbrandt
Mentor: Kirk Payne
C.O.A. Social Justice Project: Community Food Response (C.F.R.) = $39.60 |
Hawthorne Helps
Sandy MacLaughlin
Our Mission: Hawthorne Helps strives to provide support that affirms personal dignity, welcomes new comers to our community and encourages all students' educational success.
Our Service: Volunteers staff a mini store offering free items that cannot be purchase with SNAP cards.
Exciting news:
1. Check out our new HH handout. Thanks go out to Cathy S. on tech and Missy H. on graphics.
2. A new clipboard in Commons is available if you want to volunteer. Any college students?
3. We will again partner with Tuesday Farmers' Market to offer free produce May-September.
4. Thank you to People's Food Co-Op shoppers who put their wooden nickels in the jar. We received $346.70.
5. The Rochester Muslim Community Circle, a new partner, has collected funds.
6. St. Luke's Episcopal renewed their partnership for a second year.
Barrel Needs for June 2016 include:
deodorant, dish soap, hand soap and especially toothpaste
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Thank You
Dear Congregation of the First UU Church,
Thank you very much for your generous donations to my Eagle Scout Project. These funds will help me pay for the wood and materials that will allow me to create benches for Community Food Response. I am very grateful to this church's generosity, and selflessness. I am proud to call myself a member of this church. With your help I am now able to help out a very valuable organization in Rochester. Thank you so much for your support in my endeavor.
- Evan Maraganore
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the nearly 105,000 women, men and young people that Planned Parenthood Minnesota, N. Dakota, S. Dakota serves each year with clinic services and educational programs, thank you for your gift of $815.15 designated to support our Rochester clinic. ...Thank you for standing for the rights of all people to access the expert, non-judgmental health care and information they want and need.
With gratitude,
Lara Coppock, Manager of Annual Fund |
Happening at First UU
Information about activities, events, classes and more is i
n our Weekly eNews, on the
Events at First UU
page on our website, and is
available on Sunday morning.
Click on either the link or the image to see details for these opportunities.
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Upcoming Newsletters
The deadline is the 3rd Monday of each month, as noted.
| Issue |
Due Date |
| July |
Monday, June 20, 2016
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| August |
Monday, July 18, 2016 |
| September |
Monday, August 15, 2016 |
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Care Coordinators
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May 29-June 11
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Rhonda Lorenz
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June 12-25
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Ann Lien |
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June 26-July 9
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Julie Gilkinson |
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| Our Staff |
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Office Hours
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Contact
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Rev. Fritz Hudson
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Interim Minister |
by appointment |
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Kate Thompson-Jewell & Ramona Barr
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Summer Co-Directors of
Religious Education |
Sundaymornings
Wednesdays |
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| Sarah Rothwell |
Coordinator, Congregational Life |
Wednesday, by appointment |
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Jody Tharp
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Office Administrator |
Monday thru Friday: 9 am-3 pm
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Connie Schuelka
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Records Administrator |
Monday, Wednesday-Friday:
9 am-3pm
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| Joe Mish & Connie Schuelka |
Co-Directors of Music |
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| Molly Dennis |
Childcare Coordinator |
Sunday morning |
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Tom Rud
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Custodian |
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Rev. Dillman Baker Sorrells
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Minister Emerita
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| Our Board |
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Members at Large
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| President |
David Kallmes |
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Erika Beetcher
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| Vice-President |
Jerry Katzmann |
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Charyssa Cobb
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| Secretary |
Ann Hutton |
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Randy Crawford
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| Treasurer |
Rob Harveland |
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Angela Davey
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Eric Eggler
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