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Services & Religious Education for Children & Youth
at 9:00 and 11:00 am
Childcare available during services for babies and toddlers
(6 months+ to 3 years old)
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Rev. Fritz Hudson
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An interviewer once said to mythologist Joseph Campbell, "You've changed the definition of myth from the search for meaning to the experience of meaning."
"Experience of life," Campbell corrected him.
How do myths function in our experience of life?
Rev. Fritz Hudson, Worship Leader
Anne Black-Sinak, Worship Associate
Nirmala Rajasekar, venna (classical Indian strings)
Connie Schuelka, organ/piano
Unitarian Universalist military chaplains have rarely numbered more than two. Now there are 10 in active service and 7 more in training. Can a faith covenanted to promote the rights of conscience and a world of peace be expressed, with integrity, through military service?
Rev. Fritz Hudson, Worship Leader
Mark Brutinel, Worship Associate
Heidi Shriver, vocalist
Connie Schuelka, organ/piano
When beckoned into intimate intercourse with an unknown divine, how can we respond?
Rev. Fritz Hudson, Worship Leader
A
nn Hutton, Worship Associate
Walden Hill Vocal Ensemble
Walden Hill Children's Choir
Joe Mish, conductor, Connie Schuelka, organ/piano
Shared Plate: Family Promise (Interfaith Housing Network)
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Letting Go
(November 2016)
My walk through our neighborhood had me looking up at trees today - encouraging the last few that still clung to its leaves: "You can do it. Just let go."
Each year I've cheered a reluctant Linden tree in our yard in this way. I wasn't only eager to begin my raking, before the really cold weather came. I also knew that once its leaves had browned, their final falling would assure me of the tree's deep vitality. New buds, if forming there, would be pushing the leaves to fall. The leaves, in their letting go, would be making room for life anew.
It's a metaphor, of course. Our new growth, in any form, begins only once lives, past use, are shed. Encouragement, to us, may begin with a question in our inner ear: What must I let go, let fall, let die, now, to give room for deeper vitality?
Letting go is in what's going on all around us. How might we join in, in spirit?
phone: 402-617-3055
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News From Religious Education...
This year we will offer classes at the K-1st grade level and 4th-6th grade level.
K-1st Grade
Supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies and families.
Following a Parent Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the 8 sessions engage children with stories, songs and activities and include a weekly homework project for parents and children to do together. Promotes dialogue between parent and child.
4th-6th Grade
8-session program for learning about and discussing the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision making. Each session includes a homework activity for parents and children to complete together.
Register your child HERE. There will be a Parent Meeting for each class offered in November and the classes will be held over the winter and early spring months. The parents and facilitators will decide which days and times work best.
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Update on our JumpStarter Building & Maintenance Fund
The JumpStarter Fund kicked off with the goal of raising $150,000 in honor of the church's 150th anniversary. Our building is aging and in an effort to be proactive, we need to build up funds for improvements and repairs.
Since the campaign was introduced last fall and during the last pledge drive, the donations to the JumpStarter Fund total $76,164. The amount currently pledged through 2018 is $159,363.
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New Sanctuary Furnaces 2015 |
From the funds received thus far, these priority one projects have been completed or are nearing completion:
- furnaces in Sanctuary replaced Dec. 2015: $8770
- roof inspection and maintenance to extend life/warranty completed summer 2016: $5975
- handrails renewed/ refurbished in Aug. 2016: $3094
- Sanctuary, Hearth Room, Nursery, Commons audio/visual upgrade: projector/camera & screen installed; audio board & speakers installed; work nearing completion in Oct. 2016: $65,000
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| Roof Repair Summer 2016 |
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As funds are received, we hope to work on the following projects that were outlined in the JumpStarter brochure that everyone received with their pledge information:
- update church management software (research & assessment is in process)
- save for future roof replacement over next 10 years
- concrete repair/mudjacking
- continue to improve accessibility (Sanctuary to stage, kitchen, bathrooms)
- repair/replace cement block wall to furnace room
- reseal and repaint lines in parking lot
- improve window efficiency by replacing weatherstripping
- continue to improve energy efficiency by making improvements to lighting throughout building
- consider a kitchen remodel
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Corroded handrail bases |
If you are interested in making a donation or pledge to the JumpStarter Fund, and have not yet done so, please contact Connie Schuelka (Congregational Co-Administrator) or Linda Thompson (Finance Committee Chair).
If you are ready to make another installment on your JumpStarter pledge, be sure that your check is specified for the JumpStarter Fund, as this is separate from your regular pledge.
Thanks to all of you who have made these improvements a reality!
Finance Committee
Gail Bishop, Nathan Harff, Rob Harveland, Dave Siljenberg, Linda Thompson
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Sunday Visitor Chats
If you're new to Un
itarian Universalism, we invite you to attend our Sunday Visitor Chat, a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. We will show a 10 minute video introduction to Unitarian Universalism, through the words, music and stories of UUs throughout the country. After that we will answer some of your questions and provide an introduction to our church. Childcare is available in the Nursery, if you wish. You are also welcome to bring your children into the class with you. No sign up is needed, just join us after the service!
- November 20 or December 18
- 10:10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
- Meet in the Hearth Room (off the main lobby, room with piano)
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Shared Plate Recipient - Sunday, November 20
Our Social Justice Council has
selected
Family Promise
to be the recipient of the November Shared Plate.
Family Promise of Greater Rochester
opened its doors fifteen years ago and has grown tremendously in that time. Its mission is "to help homeless families with children under the age of 18 achieve and sustain their independence by providing them with food, shelter, and a caring environment while they are in crisis." Despite the opening of the Gage East apartments, this organization is still needed!
Family Promise is more than the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) that many of us are familiar with as a congregation which provides many volunteers. Besides providing temporary shelter and meals for families at various churches, Family Promise gives them security and assistance as they regroup and work to get back on their feet with dignity. During the day the families have the use of the Family Promise Day Center. There a Family Stabilization Counselor assists the families to find housing, employment and stability. Life skills training classes help them with financing, parenting, rental and legal issues. Even after housing is secured, the Counselor follows the families to help them remain stable.
Family Promise owns another house in NW Rochester that can be utilized as transitional housing by one family at a time, in the shelter program. Currently this house is undergoing major repairs. Family Promise manages 4 more single family homes as transitional housing that belong to Olmsted County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA).
As a church in the network, financial support is also expected. Half of the offering collected on November 20 will be donated to Family Promise. Checks should be made out to First UU Church with "IHN" indicated in the memo line.
Donations to the shared plate will be matched through the generosity of an anonymous member of our congregation.
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Social Justice at 1st UU
by J
ulie Gilkinson, Social Justice Council Chair
Rev. Karen Van Fossan, Minister of the Bismark-Mandan UU Congregation, spoke to the Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) on Oct. 17 about the movement to block the Dakota Access Pipe Line (DAPL).
If you want to help...
Anyone visiting the camp other than to deliver supplies should expect arrest, with all that entails. Also, visitors should be respectful of native traditions and restrictions on photography. Contributions to the legal defense fund can be made at
Sacred Stone Camp
. Karen said getting Obama to order a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a priority and suggests writing to Congress and President Obama.
On Oct. 10, Rochester for Justice (R4J) spoke to the Sierra Club about their supply drop in September. They can be found on Facebook here:
R4J. They also suggested visiting the
Standing Rock webpage and
Unicorn Riot.
Update from MUUSJA Oct. 26...
Showing UUp for Standing Rock: #NoDAPL
In the last several days, the Water Protectors at Standing Rock have
re-issued a nationwide call for supporters to join them at the camps there
. As one Lakota leader
recently put it
,
"We're asking for reinforcements to come stand with us, to pray, and to protect... Of all the times to take action, the time is now."
In response to that call, MUUSJA is sending two delegations to North Dakota in the coming week: one group--led by Terri Burnor--returned on Sunday, October 30; the other--led by Rev. Kelli Clement--will depart on Tuesday, November 1, and return Thursday, November 3. If you are interested in the response by UU members and leaders, go to MUUSJA's website.
Training is being offered to 1st time volunteers and those wanting a refresher.
When:
Sun
day, November 13,
12:00 Noon, with lunch being served at 11:45
Where:
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
2830-18th Ave NW,
Rochester
There will be childcare available in the nursery with 2 adults to watch and care for them. The kids can eat first with their parents at 11:45 and then go to nursery at noon.
RSVP REQUESTED: Please RSVP to Julie Gilkinson (289-2762 or jlgilkinson@gmail.com)
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Annual Service Auction
This is a fun evening that helps support our annual operating budget, as well as the Refugee Settlement Program.
- During the Live Auction, you will be able to "bid" on items that will support the needs of the Refugee Settlement Support Program of Catholic Charities, which our Social Justice Council named as the recipient of this portion of our Auction proceeds this year.
- Refreshments are provided and childcare is available. Parents: please send an email to our Childcare Coordinator, Beth Curtin by Tuesday, Nov. 8 with the number and ages of children who need childcare.
Follow this link to find this donation form online, or email your donation information to Sue Wheeler or Rob Harveland by Friday, November 11.
Donations may be dropped at the church during business hours (9 am - 3 pm, Mon-Fri)
until noon, Friday, November 11
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If you'd like to assist with set-up on Friday afternoon, Nov. 11, help during the Auction, or assist with clean up after the Live Auction, please contact
Linda Thompson, Finance Chair (288-8364).
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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 each month is as noted.
| Issue |
Due Date |
| December |
Monday, November 21 |
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Care Coordinators
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October 30-November 12
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John & Sandy MacLaughlin |
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November 13-26
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Ann Lien |
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| November 27-10 |
Joyce Wood & Diane Closson |
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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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Joyce Rood
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Director of Religious Education |
Sunday mornings
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| Sarah Rothwell |
Coordinator of Congregational Life |
Wednesday, by appointment |
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Jody Tharp
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Co-Congregational Administrator |
Monday thru Friday: 9 am-3 pm
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Connie Schuelka
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Co-Congregational Administrator |
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
9 am-3 pm
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| Joe Mish & Connie Schuelka |
Co-Directors of Music |
by appointment |
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| Beth Curtin |
Childcare Coordinator |
Sunday mornings |
childcare@uurochmn.org |
Tom Rud
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Custodian |
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through church office
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Rev. Dillman Baker Sorrells
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Minister Emerita
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| Our Board Officers |
Members at Large
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Search Committee
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Jerry Katzmann, President
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Charyssa Cobb |
Mary Amundsen
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| Gail Bishop, Vice-President |
Randy Crawford
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Aleta Borrud
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| Ann Hutton, Secretary |
Angela Davey
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Judy Jensen |
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Rob Harveland, Treasurer
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Eric Eggler
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Amy Nelson |
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Greg Turosak
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Dave Siljenberg
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Robin Taylor
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George Thompson
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