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UU La Crosse
A Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
June, 2019
Monthly Newsletter
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Newsletter changes:
To reduce confusion and duplication of information across UU La Crosse publications, the Communications Team has decided to run longer articles in the Monthly newsletter, with the Weekly e-news running more time sensitive events and information. Further information can be found through links to
UU La Crosse Announcements page and to
UU La Crosse Monthly & Weekly Newsletters.
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Reverend Taves returns in August
Rev. Taves is on her study break for June and July. Her column will return to this spot in the newsletter in August.
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From the Board President
This year went by in a flash. Time flies when you are having fun and getting things done. And so many fresh, new things happened. Lots of first-time accomplishments and brand-new faces. It’s impressive. With our teams as our lifeblood, our hard-working staff the heart, and every wonderful guest, visitor, member, and friend as the body of our fellowship, the sky's the limit. As the representative of your Board of Directors, I want to share a few achievements in summary:
This year we had 3 broad goals:
1 Support a stewardship team and make improvements in the annual drive
The results include
a. a record annual drive with more funds raised from more people than ever before.
b. a first ever Stewardship Dinner, and a connection with our members, friends and guests while they were giving generously
2 Support a fellowship-wide visioning process
The results include
A. Many meetings and discussions within our fellowship and inclusive of the larger community to help us address who we are and why we are here.
B. Preparations for the final visioning statement to be further developed over the summer and forthcoming this Fall for a fellowship vote
3 Supporting improvements to our staff & lay leadership
The results include
A. Strength & Support team work & recommendations for our new program council and board to work on monthly
B. Additional clarity of roles and responsibilities along with more regular evaluation and get-togethers with staff, both 1:1 and in groups, to ensure shared success
All of this happened because of the incredible support from all of you. We are a small but mighty group capable of amazing things. I am so grateful for our congregation and for the future we forge together each and every year!
Our Board also has set the goals for 2019-2020 with our Minister, in response to the needs we have heard from you and from Teams. They are:
1) Supporting connections for our guests, friends and returning visitors
2) Continue integrating the Touchstones Program with spiritual deepening, service, and fellowship;
3) Grow the public presence as a spiritual leader in the La Crosse community.
4) Develop adult programming and leadership development programming as needed.
5) Provide support to the Fellowship as we develop a plan for Ministry into the future
6) Provide support and resources to help the Fellowship develop a vision and apply it to our goals
7) Support the Annual Pledge Drive and ongoing stewardship initiatives.
Together, Ministry has become a critical part of our Fellowship. I look forward to another incredible year of success as well as a positive outlook for Ministry's future here!
Jacob Sciammas,
608-519-2518
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Sunday Services
Sunday, June 9
– "Stories and Tools for the Healing Heart"
Diana Ensign
Join Diana Ensign for compassionate stories and heartfelt wisdom for handling loss. Her new book, "HEART GUIDE: True Stories of Grief and Healing" is a 2018 Independent Publisher Book Award Gold Medal Winner. Dianna is an author and speaker focusing on healing, radical compassion and mindfulness.
Diana J. Ensign, JD, is an award-winning author and speaker. Her recent book, "HEART GUIDE: True Stories of Grief and Healing," shares intimate and poignant guidance for those grieving the death of a loved one. HEART GUIDE is a 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal Winner. Diana's prior book, "TRAVELING SPIRIT: Daily Tools for Your Life's Journey," provides spiritual tools for dealing with life's challenges. Diana is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator on healing, radical compassion, and mindfulness. She also writes the "Spirituality for Daily Living" blog. Visit her website:
www.dianaensign.com
Sunday, June 16
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"Breaking from the Busy-ness to Find Transcendence"
Rita Koch-Thometz
"How are you?" people ask. "Oh, so busy," many of us reply with a tone of exhaustion. Sometimes we wear this "busy" status as a badge of honor, an outward sign that must mean what we are doing is productive and positive and a measure of our self-worth. Borrowing from a 2016 presentation by Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Midland, TX as well as some additional sources, we'll delve into a few of the labels we place on ourselves as well as their weight on our self-perception, and we'll examine this in relation to our First and Seventh Principles.
Sunday, June 23
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2018 UUA General Assembly Ware lecture by Brittany Packnett
Brittany Packnett is a leader at the intersection of culture and justice. Cited by President Barack Obama as a leader whose “voice is going to be making a difference for years to come,” Brittany is an unapologetic educator, organizer, writer, and speaker. Known as @MsPackyetti on social media, Brittany has become a sought-after voice in the work of social change and empowerment. A former teacher, policy expert, and nonprofit executive director, Brittany has committed her life and career to justice. She currently plays many roles, all focused on freedom.
Recently, Brittany launched Love + Power, a hub created to inspire, empower, and outfit everyday people to seismically shift society. Brittany was an appointed member of the Ferguson Commission and President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Today, she continues to advocate for urgent systemic change at critical decision making tables and through national and international media.
Sunday, June 30,
Joint Service with Unitarian Universalist Society of Menomonie
at The Mable Tainter Center for the Arts, 10 a.m. with luncheon to follow at UUM.
See below.
Sunday, July 7
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No Service
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Notes from Jen, Connections Coordinator
Special feature: introducing our newest Members, Annake and Soren Ramsey!
Happy almost Summer! May was a very good month to be in the Driftless region. My family and I took advantage of the sunshine and hiked, biked and observed nature.
Donna and I have changed our title to reflect our position in the Fellowship. As Connections Coordinators we are able to address the needs of Friends and Members. We are always available to speak with after service should you want to find out how to become more involved, are interested in membership or just need some help. I can also be reached at jen@uulacrosse.org.
I would like take this opportunity to introduce our newest members, Annake Ramsey and her son Soren. Annake shared her brief biography with me, and with permission, I am reprinting it here.
Introducing the Ramsey Family:
The Ramsey family (Annake, husband Brian, children Olivia, 15 and Soren, 5) moved to La Crosse in January 2018 from a rural Viroqua farm. We live between State and Main, just south of the UWL campus. Moving to La Crosse has been a very positive life change for us; we have been enjoying all of what the area has to offer. Annake has worked at Organic Valley for 12 years as a Program Manager. She enjoys traveling, vegetable gardening, cooking, downhill and cross country skiing and canoeing. She has recently started volunteering at the Hunger Task Force Kane Street garden and has signed up as a volunteer with Parent to Parent of Wisconsin. She also enjoys fly fishing with Brian, an avid fly fisherman and competitive fly caster. Soren currently attends full time therapy at Partners in Excellence in north La Crosse and will begin Kindergarten at Emerson school in the fall. His current interests are many including: microbes, rocks and gems, bees, severe weather, volcanoes, dramatic rescues, firefighters and police officers. He also enjoys poetry and songs. Olivia will be a high school junior in Viroqua and is applying for summer jobs in La Crosse. She enjoys and is available for babysitting (and looking for more La Crosse families to babysit for over the summer). She loves music and plays piano, clarinet in marching band and saxophone in jazz band. She plays softball and loves outdoor activities, including fly fishing with dad.
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Book Group concludes season
The UU book group finished up the season with a rousing discussion of
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. The book is a modern classic family/murder/road trip novel that takes place partially in Minnesota. The group gave it a rating of 4.6 out of 5. The group will hold a planning meeting in August or September to plan the next year's reading.
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Earth Fair goers vote for
environmental values
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We asked Earth Fair goers to vote for the UU value that is most important to them. They were presented with simplified versions of the UU Seven Principles to choose from:
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Every person has worth and dignity
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All people should be treated fairly and kindly.
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We should accept one another and keep on learning together.
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Everyone must be free to search for what is true and right in their life.
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Everyone should have a vote about the things that concern them.
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All working for a peaceful, fair, and free world
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Protecting our planet Earth, the home we share with all living things.
The value with the most votes was:
"Protecting our planet Earth, the home we share with all living things."
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Summer Special Collection is for Kane Street Garden
The Special Collection for June, July, and August will be for the harvesting of "seed money" for our annual congregational project. Between now and June 2020, this congregation will be partnering with the fabulous Kane Street Garden, as part of our initiative on social and environmental justice. Money for supplies money is needed by our Social Justice Team. Place cash in the specially-marked envelopes, or write a check to "UU La Crosse" with the words "Kane Street" on the memo line. Our UU Fellowship is a 501 c(3) organization.
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Program Council meeting summary
The Program Council met May 18
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. The group discussed planning ahead for the budgeting process and leadership development. Each team should have documentation of policy/procedures for successful transition of leadership.Specifics of the procedures were discussed.
Reverend Krista advised that when recruiting leaders, it is more effective to ask directly than to make an announcement.
Cindy Erickson reported that when the Visioning sessions have been completed, the notes will be analyzed for patterns, and the information will be shared with the fellowship. October is the target date for a vote on the new vision statement.
Emmy Carlson reported that the Board has approved the subscription and implementation of ‘Breeze” the new web-based church management software.
The Program Council consists of team leaders, board members and staff.
The next Program Council meeting is August 19
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Sunday Services will continue through the summer
Sunday morning Fellowship will continue through the summer*
Summer is a great time to stay connected to your UU family!
- Bring friends, invite neighbors, remain inspired
- Services will continue to be at 10 AM (NOT 9 AM like last summer)
- Special RE experiences are planned (think Summer Camp!)
- Summer kickoff, June 2 (the one start time exception) meeting at 9AM for the traditional Bird Walk in the marsh
- meet at Myrick Park Eco-Center at 9 AM for a walk in the marsh
- followed by a pancake breakfast on site
- special activities at the Eco-Center for kids or others who prefer not to walk
- Look to the e-bulletin for further service schedule details/content
- Summer will culminate with our service at the Folk Fest at Riverside Park, August 25th (time to be announced)
* Note: no service on:
July 7 (Fourth of July weekend) NO SERVICE
September 1 (Labor Day weekend) NO SERVICE
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Stay Updated with La Crosse's 'Waking Up White'
Regional Learning Collaborative & White Privilege Symposium
Read the book "Waking Up White" by Debby Irving, join in on small
group community conversations and attend guest speaker
events leading up to the 2020
White Privilege Symposium in La Crosse.
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Contacts
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.
She is also at the Fellowship building on Sunday mornings.
Deadlines for Newsletters & Announcements:
Weekly E-news
: Giorgia at
enews@uulacrosse.org by 12pm Mondays
Monthly Newsletter:
Janis at jollyjanis22@gmail.com
by 23rd of the month
Order of Service:
Emmy at officeadmin@uulacrosse.org
u
by 12pm Mondays
All other announcement
s: Emmy at officeadmin@uulacrosse.org.
ccoordinatoru
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