THE WEEK AHEAD
Sunday, 2/10, 10am "Terrible at Surrender" – Rev. Krista Taves
Monday, 2/11, 5:30pm – Real Talk, Real Time – Java Vino
Tuesday, 2/12, 6:30pm – Uncapped Conversations – Java Vino
THE MONTH AHEAD
Sunday, 2/17, 10am " Letting Go When You're Little" Rev. Krista Taves, Delena Leon and RE Youth
Sunday, 2/17, 12pm Intergenerational Winter Fun Day Myrick Park Center
Sunday, 2/24, 10am "Risking Joy" – Eric Severson
Most of us like to be in control. We prefer that life be explainable and logical and that things can be assigned to a place and stay there. But life isn’t usually like that. How do we get over being terrible at surrender so that we can be present to life?
Winter Weather Statement
In the event that Sunday services may be canceled due to bad weather (e.g., snowstorm, heavy rain), please check our web site,  www.uulacrosse.org , for any such notification after 8:00AM on Sunday morning. A notification email also may go out, so watch your email inbox. Regardless of any official decision, please consider your local weather conditions and use common sense if you venture out in bad weather.
Special Collection
It is an act of grace toward those suffering short-term or long-term homelessness that our community has created The La Crosse Warming Center, our February Special Collection. Providing a safe and warm place for homeless adults during the winter months, they accommodate up to 40 guests nightly, who may shower and wash their clothes. Hundreds of volunteers, including at least one from our Fellowship, make the Warming Center possible. As late January has brought us Arctic temperatures, it’s a good time to reflect on what this means for residents of our community who do not have a home.

To help by providing needed financial support to this vital effort, you may place cash in the unmarked envelopes in the collection basket, or write a check to “Catholic Charities” with “Warming Center” on the memo line.
Past Sermon Recordings
Past sermons are available for listening online via our SoundCloud page.
Visit the link below to catch up on Sunday Services from the UUF of La Crosse

Real Talk, Real Time: Young Adult Discussion Group
February 11th, 5:30 pm at Java Vino

Join us for the first meeting of Real Talk, Real Time, a new young adult discussion group from UU La Crosse. We will be meeting at JavaVino – there's time to order food and drinks at 5:30 with discussion to start around 6pm. Anyone aged 18-35 is welcome to engage in self-exploration through guided discussion. The theme for the month is “Surrender & Letting Go.”

RSVP to Giorgia at youngadult@uulacrosse.org & check out the Facebook Event for more info.
Uncapped Conversations: Surrendering into Hope
February 12th, 6:30 pm at Java Vino

Once a month we gather together just to talk about the theme of the month and how it applies to our lives. We meet at 6:30, make our orders and start the conversation around 6:45. There is a focusing reading and some guided questions to help us stay on track, but it’s our lives and our stories that make this a wonderful evening of sharing and connection. All are welcome.

RSVP Rev. Krista Taves if you plan to come so that we have enough room for all who wish to attend revkristataves@gmail.com Facebook Event
Empowerment Group – UU La Crosse Conference Room
Saturday, February 16th, 10am

In a hate-filled political environment where denial of rights is rampant, it’s easy for progressives to become disheartened, depressed, and/or angry. Starting on Saturday, February 16, 10:00-11:30 in our conference room, I will facilitate a meeting to do two things: 1) name the feelings; 2) identify personal actions to build and sustain energy and a sense of empowerment. Contact Ron Malzer at ronsaturday@gmail.com for more information.  
Intergenerational Winter Fun Day
February 17th, 12pm-2:30pm at Myrick Park Center
We'll have a potluck and a lot of choices for indoor and outdoor fun. Bring your sleds, cross country skis, snowshoes, favorite board or card games, or knitting and crafts.

The Roots and Routes Covenant Group will be sponsoring this fun afternoon for all ages in our Fellowship. For more information, contact Marilyn at mbhuck1@me.com or check out the Facebook Event
La Crosse Jail to Start Weekday Mindfulness Meditations

The La Crosse Jail is committed to providing spiritual programming for a diverse population. Rev. Taves has offered to provide a Mindfulness Meditation during her week in La Crosse. Jail policy requires that there always be two people present in all services provided to the residents. If you would consider joining Rev. Taves to either help facilitate a mindfulness meditation or simply accompany her, email revkristataves@gmail.com
UU 101 – Conference Room
Sunday, February 24 at 11:35

If you are wondering if you could get some more information about UU La Crosse, or perhaps you would like to learn a bit more about Unitarian Universalist beliefs. Come to UU 101. Sunday February 24, after the service. Bring your coffee to the conference room. Starting about 11:35, we will spend an hour talking with you and telling you a bit more about us. Questions? Contact Ingrid iiverson@uwlax.edu or see the Facebook Event
UU Guilt-Free Craft Group




Join our Facebook group for updates and information
Notes from the Board

Below is a summary of the budget that Teams reviewed, and the Board approved, for 2019. In this coming year, we plan on moving the Budget schedule for review and approval earlier to try for more Fellowship-wide involvement. Please don’t hesitate to ask a board or finance team member for more detail:

Expected Income includes $130,698 in pledges, $35,000 from the Hanifl grant and $4,000 from the Wilkinson grant, for a total of $169,698. Recommended expenses by Finance Team were $176,863 so we applied $7,165 of carryover funds from 2018. We will set aside $31,750.78 for 2020 to cover the cost of ½ time ministry when the Hanifl Grant will be unlikely. The draft budget proposed several months ago by Teams was reduced to arrive at the $176,863 amount (a $5,064 decrease). Special thanks to the Finance Team for all their hard work and dedication to our solid finances!

Or, if you prefer visuals:

Projected 2019 Income
Projected 2019 Operating Budget
Notes from the Board Cont.

Here are some professional development opportunities & UUA meeting attendance opportunities that the Board supports every year and is encouraging folks to learn about and indicate if they are interested.

Limited conference registration (budgeted amount in parenthesis) and $1000 in total travel expense coverage is available to distribute among all opportunities as needed/requested. Preference is given to staff and members in current standing (both youth and adults!) - especially those demonstrating future leadership potential.

1.  Midwest Leadership School  ($2000): In person; July 14-20, 2019 - Decorah, IA
2.  UUA General Assembly  ($1330): Online & in-person opportunities; June 19-23, 2019 .... -Spokane, WA
3.  Mid-America Region Assembly  ($330):  In-person; April 5-7, 2019 - St Louis, MO

Please let Jacob jacobuuf@gmail.com or another Board Member know by February 17th and thanks for helping spread the word!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
2019 Winter Ballroom Dance Classes
with UU Members Dave Ford & Melinda Knutson

Dancing is not just for movie stars! Learning to dance is an investment in joy that can last a lifetime. If you enjoy music, you can learn to dance. The focus of these lessons is to learn the basic steps for each dance so that you can enjoy attending a dance event. Beginner Lessons. No experience necessary.  Please register as a lead/follow partnership for even numbers.

FOXTROT & TANGO
Thursdays, March 7 - 28, 2019; 6:30-8 pm
Location: Halfway Creek Park West Shelter – 400 Walnut Dr., Holmen, WI
Sponsored by: Holmen Parks and Recreation
To register: Call 608-526-2152
Black History Month: Spike Lee Film Series
Winona State University, Science Laboratory Center 120

In celebration of Black History Month 2019, Winona State University's Film Studies Program is collaborating with the Office of Inclusion and Diversity on this film series featuring director Spike Lee. Spike Lee burst onto the filmmaking scene in the late 1980s with films that were provocative, funny, innovative, insightful, and challenging. His classic  Do the Right Thing , regarded as one of the very best films of the 20th century, celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer. His most recent film, BlacKkKlansman , returns to some of the same themes and methods—and acclaim—of his earliest work. Attendance for these and all films in the series is free and open to the public. Each program will provide context for the film's content and avenues for further discussion. All films take place in Science Laboratory Center 120 (400 Winona St.) at 7 pm. Facebook Event Page
UPCOMING SERVICES
Sunday, February 17, 10am – " Letting Go When You're Little"
Rev. Krista Taves, Delena Leon and Our Children
Powerlessness is a regular experience of childhood, with adults around them continuously setting the limits and boundaries. How do children understand this ongoing letting go and what can adults learn from their experience?

Sunday, February 24, 10am – "Risking Joy" Eric Severson
The cold and gloom of winter are nearly gone. Springtime beckons, promises renewal, and invites us to risk joy again. How might we release our fear and dispair, celebrate our survival, and dare to open ourselves again to the winds of a new world? Unitarian Universalism can guide us.

Sunday, March 3, 10am – Habitat for Humanity & Housing Equity Kahya Fox
Kahya Fox is the Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity La Crosse area. Working extensively with low-income families, Kahya has a very strong commitment and understanding of the issues faces by individuals in poverty. With an extensive background in public relations, Kahya brings a strong voice to housing programs. She is also a certified Housing Counselor, Housing Quality Standards Inspector, and HOME Certified Specialist.
Caregiver is Here to Help!

The caregiver can offer support to those in need by sending a card, making an announcement during Joys and Concerns, and/or publicizing your status and needs via the weekly emails. Let us know the level of care you desire.
You may reach the caregiver at caregiver@uulacrosse.org or leave a message at 608.796.9993 (attn: Caregiver)
Notes from the Office

New Office Hours:

Emmy will be available for drop-ins or appointments Thursdays from 10am 1pm. As usual, email Emmy at officeadmin@uulacrosse.org if you would like to meet outside of office hours or need assistance otherwise.
Deadlines for Newsletters & Announcements:

Weekly E-news: Giorgia at  brennan.giorgiauu@gmail.com  by 12pm Mondays

Monthly Newsletter: Janis at  jollyjanis22@gmail.com  by 23rd of the month

RE Information: Delena at delena@uulacrosse.org

Order of Service: Emmy at  officeadmin@uulacrosse.org  by 12pm Mondays

All other announcements: Emmy at  officeadmin@uulacrosse.org