UU La Crosse

A Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

July, 2019 Monthly Newsletter

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.

From the Board President

President’s Report—July 2019

Ron Malzer

Welcome to Fellowship Year 2019-2020! This is a time of excitement and activity for UU La Crosse, and I hope that you are planning both to play an active part in one or more of our activities, and to reap the benefits of being part of this community that nurtures us, and inspires us to make the world a better place.

As of June, I’ve stepped up from the position of Board Vice-President to Board President. I’m fortunate to be following a long line of strong leaders of this congregation. Over too many years to count, Past President Ingrid Iverson pulled this congregation forward, taking on an in incredible load. Our most recent President, Jacob Sciammas, brought us to new places as to what we do and how we do it, particularly as part of our growth initiative. We have become an increasing presence in the community, while intensifying how we connect with each other.

We have half-time ministry that strongly addresses multiple needs of ours in difficult times for our world, including consulting with us on organizational development.

Rev. Krista likes to remind us that four pillars uphold a congregation: Sunday services, religious education, social justice, and member services. All four are going strong at this point. We have excellent services, planned by Amanda Strosahl and the Sunday Service & Music Team, almost every Sunday: two minister-led, and two led by members or guests most months. Quality music that uplifts us is part of who we are—we are lucky to have Rita Thometz and Dr. Carol Rhodes leading and supporting our wonderful choir.

Religious Education (RE) is now headed by a permanent Director, Delena Leon, moving up from the Acting post she had the past year; we are now also seeking a paid RE teacher to work with her (let me or someone know if you have leads!). Our social justice team has not just a new leader—David Boen—but also a new name: “Social and Environmental Justice Team.” And Member Services, under the leadership of Kathy Schnitzius and the energy of Connections Coordinators Jen Miller and Donna Bauer, have added a new vitality to us. 

Finally, the Fellowship wouldn’t hold together without the incredible work done by Office Administrator Emmy Carlson and AV Tech & Office Assistant Giorgia Brennan.

Over the next six months, we need to have a key decision to make about where we are heading with professional ministry. I pledge to you that conversations will happen, many, many times, to make sure that we as a congregation decide well at this key decision point.

Here’s to a good year ahead!-- Ron

Visioning work nears completion

The Visioning Team has been actively collecting and collating large amounts of data.  We have spent countless hours at our 15 organizational meetings, 12 listening sessions (the remaining two are to be completed by the end of June), interviews with 14 Community Collaborators, and much independent work and synthesis. We are nearing the draft of a vision statement. 

 

There were several themes that came across in the listening sessions:

1) Feels welcoming, engaging, enthusiastic, connected, safe, dynamic, and relaxed

2) More diversity in attendees (age/economics/LGBTQ/ethnicity/education/spiritual beliefs)

3) Community activism/belief into action

4) Proudly known in community for our gifts and message

5) Multigenerational and challenging Religious Education and small group

6) Engage with Community Partners

7) Professional leadership

8) Flexible physical space

Role of Minister: being cared for, leadership, focus, continuity, connection with community. May not want Minister to preach every Sunday, but be available for other needs, for example pastoral care.

We have also met with 14 Community Collaborators to ask for their opinion of who we are and what they need us to be in the community.  Their responses indicate that the UU Fellowship is mostly known for our community activism (11 of 14 responses) for issues ranging from race relations, to sexuality, to empowerment. Our group is viewed as educated, empowered, open to all, non-doctrinal, and free to act as a community or issue convener and spokesperson for various causes by about half of the interviewed groups. While this is somewhat encouraging, at least one third of those interviewed do not know what we really stand for or could use more information about us. However, there is some consolation to hear from at least two groups that we are “small but mighty.”

There was much consensus on what the community needs us to be. Eleven of the 14 groups indicated that we should do more partnering and collaboration, including interfaith collaboration, with existing groups and that we be a voice for and with the marginalized in our community. Also 6 of 14 saw a need for social justice outreach and five requested a need for support, whether by monetary donations, volunteerism or cross-promotion of events and causes. Three of the groups recognized us as a place for individuals who are spiritual but not religious (the Nones) to congregate.

Volunteer at Kane Street Garden

Get your gardening groove on by volunteering at Kane Street Gardens, the UU Special Collection for this summer. Located on the corner of Kane and St. Cloud streets in North La Crosse, the garden provides produce for the Hunger Task Force.

Summer volunteer hours,now 'til October 15th

Monday    8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Tuesday    8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Wednesday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Thursday   8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Friday     8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Saturday    8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Sunday     Closed

What they need help with is whatever is going on that day, such as weeding, planting and transplanting, pruning, watering, mulching, harvesting, and cleanup. You do not need to make an appointment; just show up within the scheduled times listed above. Also, if you are volunteering on a harvest day you can get first choice at whatever is being harvested. Here is the schedule for harvest:

 

Monday 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Thursday 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am – Noon

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.

Summer Update for Collection Basket Aiding Those in the La Crosse Area

Here’s a list of items which are most needed at this time for folks experiencing home insecurity in our community:

Men’s T-shirts

Socks for women and men

Motel-sized hygiene items

New underwear for women and men

These items are needed for New Horizons’ Boutique (free items for clients):

Full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner

Full-sized tubes of toothpaste

Razors and deodorant

Toilet paper and cleaning supplies

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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