UU La Crosse
A Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

November, 2018
Monthly Newsletter
November Letter from Rev. Taves
 “Some of my most precious moments of insight have been those in which I have seen clearly that gratitude is the only possible response.”  Sylvia Boorstein

For several years in my early 30s, I regularly attended Al Anon meetings. Al Anon is a 12 step program for family and friends of alcoholics. The program helps us understand the impact of alcoholism on our lives. We shift from seeing ourselves as victims of addiction and instead as empowered human beings. We start to undo the controlling behaviors we use to protect ourselves and learn to make stronger choices for our well being. As in many 12 step programs, you hear a lot of very sad stories. People often come broken and desperate.  When I was new in Al Anon, we were at a meeting with many sad stories being told. To my surprise, the facilitator decided that in light of the sadness in the room, it was time for a gratitude meeting. I was confused. But as we spoke, the mood shifted and each of us was compelled to find something for which to be grateful. This act of gratitude lifted us out of that victim mindset that is so compelling in rough moments. 

I think about that meeting when I scan the newspaper headlines now. It is hard sometimes to feel hope. Most recently, the Trump Administration has announced that it is considering defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth. This will enable it to roll back transgender protections gained in recent years. 

This is breaking my heart. Transgender people experience the highest rate of bullying and suicide of any demographic in this country. This government is going to make it easier to hurt transgender people - legally, culturally, socially, politically, economically - and get away with it. 

What would it look like to respond to this heartbreak with a gratitude meeting?

In the 1990s, I was a community organizer in Toronto. I helped found one of the first queer women’s organizations to be fully welcoming of transgender women When we decided to be trans inclusive, I saw myself as “giving” inclusion to trans women. “They” were receiving something from me. I didn’t think there really was anything in it for me as a woman because I was already complete as a woman. In retrospect, I still saw myself as the norm and trans women as less “woman” than me. 

Then I met “Sally” and I really liked her. We began tentatively exploring friendship. One evening, she offered to tell me her transition story, which covered many years.  I didn’t realize at the time what an act of trust it was to share this with me. 

I also didn’t realize how much I would change by really listening. There were things she shared about what it meant to occupy her body that made me feel differently inside my own. Her fierce conviction to claim her gender helped me to appreciate ways that I had never claimed mine, even though I am cisgender and was born in a biologically female body. I became more fully woman because Sally trusted me with her story and her window into the world. I also came to understand that Sally had always been a complete woman, as complete as me.

My friendship with Sally led to a fierce conviction that I would advocate for an expansive understanding of gender, unchained from biology and yet so often informed through it.  I will always be thankful to Sally for her part in my own journey.

My deepest hope is that the door which has been opened will be very hard to close. We are facing significant roll backs in lgbtq rights, and transgender people are experiencing the harshest consequences of these roll backs. And, we also know that many hearts have opened and will keep opening. Sally opened mine, and I didn’t think my heart needed to open more than it already was.

Responding to heartbreak with gratitude doesn’t mean minimizing the suffering or turning our backs on it. Anchoring in gratitude in the face of heartbreak gives us the strength to renew our convictions and to keep moving forward in love. 

Yours in spirit,
Rev. Krista.  


Office Hours

Rev. Taves comes from St. Louis to spend 8 days a month with us. She arrives late on November 10 th and is available to meet from Sunday November 11 th through Sunday November 18 th. If you would like to meet with Rev. Taves, please reach out to her directly at revkristataves@gmail.com or text her directly at 417-343-8657. She would love to hear from you.
Uncapped Conversations:
"Gratitude – The Memory of the Heart.” Rev. Krista Taves
Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 p.m. Java Vino 2311 State Street, La Crosse WI 

All are welcome to join this open small group where we focus on a monthly theme and use it to understand and strengthen ourselves for living. We meet at 6:30 p.m., order drinks and food, and begin our session at 6:45 pm. Space can be limited, so please RSVP Rev. Krista Taves at revkristataves@gmail.com.


Pathways – An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism
with Rev. Krista Taves. November 17, 1-4 p.m.

If you are new to Unitarian Universalism, new to the Fellowship, or simply want to refresher, this 3 hour interactive exploration of Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and congregational life is for you. Bring snacks to share. Childcare is available. Please RSVP coordinator@uulacrosse.org by November 15 th.
Caregiver offers support
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. Contact caregiver@uulacrosse.org
Special Collection for November:

 The November Special Collection will be taken for the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area. Founded in 1920 as a grassroots organization supporting the Suffrage Movement advocating for what was then the largely-suppressed right of women to vote, the LWV is now a nonpartisan force composed of both men and women for social reform, and the right of everyone to vote. For more information:  https://www.lwvlacrosse.org/

Please make checks out to "LWV of the La Crosse Area"; this is a 501 c(3) fund.
UU Movie Night
Saturday, Nov. 3 at 4pm

The Pursuit of Happyness

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”  Denis Waitley.   Novembers theme is Gratitude, and we accepted the internet suggestion that our film, The Pursuit of Happyness was a good movie about gratitude. Please join us Saturday, Nov. 3 at 4 pm to watch our hero Will Smith. He stars in this moving tale inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman struggling to build a future for himself and his 5-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Smith). Chris' determination pays off when he lands an unpaid internship in a brutally competitive stockbroker-training program. But without a salary, Chris and his son are evicted from their apartment and are forced to sleep on the streets, in homeless shelters and even behind the locked doors of a metro station bathroom. With self-confidence and the love and trust of his son, Chris Gardner rises above his obstacles.
Great seats, popcorn and wonderful company during movie night, the first Saturday of the month at 4 pm. 
Strong Kick-off of Stewardship from the Teams and Board

We are delighted to report that the congregation is moving into an increased expectation of what we can do! This is reflected in our requested budget for 2019. When the teams dreamt of next year's projects, they thought large - requesting $182,000 in funds.  

Meanwhile, the new Stewardship Team developed its materials and thought asking for $20,000 more than last years budget of $130,000 was reasonable, leading to a total pledge drive goal of $150,000. Most years our pledge drive ask and requested budget line up pretty well. This year they don't as they reflect more growth aspirations. The Board wants to make sure we are all aware that the pledge drive materials say $150,000, and the teams are hoping we can make it to $182,000 as we enter our stewardship campaign.  

To kick things off, the Board of Directors was asked to do something new this year and announce their financial commitment to the Fellowship. We are delighted to report that $20,930 has already been pledged by the Board, representing 14% of the $150K goal for 2019. Board wants to thank you for your generosity and deep commitment to our Fellowship through financial support as a meaningful way for us to lives out our values together.
Sunday Services

November 4:
Voting with Gratitude
Vince Hatt

Both political parties are in a full court press to get their folks out to vote. They plead to our self-interest. If we want to get our way in the nation, we have to vote for our candidates. It is all about win-lose. Many will not vote. They are indifferent. Or they are overwhelmed by the complexity of the issues; they may have heard of gerrymandering but do not understand it. Or they intended to vote later in the day, but something more important to them came up. For our nation to survive the great divisions of today, many more have to vote motivated by gratitude. This is extremely important. The survival of our nation depends upon it.

Vince writes for the Faith Page of the Tribune and is the coordinator of La Crosse interfaith Shoulder to Shoulder network which empowers people of all faiths to work together to end anti-Muslim sentiment by strengthening the voice of tolerance, freedom and peace.

November 11:
When Crisis Calls: Advancing Just Migration for All
Eric Kraemer

Eric Kraemer will be presenting the 2018 UU-UNO Sunday Service on the topic "When Crisis Calls: Advancing Just Migration for All". Members will be asked to reflect on the timely topic of just migration and what we can all do to help achieve it.

Eric Kraemer is a long-time fellowship member [29th year], choir member [tenor], Philosophy Professor at UW-L, UU apologist, and life-long supporter of the United Nations.

November 18:
The Anatomy of Gratitude
Rev. Krista Taves. 

We don’t have a lot of words for gratitude, but there are many different ways it is experienced. Gratitude can fill up, it can empty, it can pool up and overflow, it can sustain. It can bring peace or awe. It can inspire hope, contentment, praise, and anticipation. Join us for a time to center in the ways we live in gratitude towards hope and new life.  

November 25:
No Service - Happy Thanksgiving
November book selection: Simon's Night
The book group will meet on Nov 15, a change from the usual 4th Thursday because of Thanksgiving. 
The November book is Simon's Night by Jon Hassler. 
Here is the summary:

Simon Shea, a retired professor of English at a small Minnesota college, has begun to forget things and is making dangerous errors in living. Thinking he needs to be cared for more closely, he commits himself to a private rest home, and opens a world of the strange, delightful, frightening, and comic, as he attempts to recover from his mistake.

Please contact Jan Jolly at 608-709-6036 if you need a copy of the book. 
Afternoon Covenant Group
seeks new members

The Afternoon Covenant Group meets at the Fellowship from 1:00 to 3:00pm on the 1 st  and 3 rd  Wednesdays of the month. We take turns facilitating a meeting and bringing treats. The facilitator chooses any topic that interests them. As coordinator, I send the topic to the members two weeks before the meeting. I also establish a Group Schedule, so everyone knows what dates they are to facilitate and/or bring treats. I hope you will consider joining us. Please contact  dianehaines@acegroup.cc  for further information.
Visioning Team is Welcoming Team Members & Collaborators

One of the Board Goals that was recommended by our Stewardship consultant, Mark Ewert, and has been inspired into action by members and Teams over the past few months, has been to embark on a fellowship visioning process.  
A team led by co-chairs Cindy Erikson & Eric Severson is looking for members and collaborators of diverse backgrounds and skills. Once established, the team will plan and facilitate a variety of input opportunities and activities that will help us identify an affirmative view of our fellowship’s future. 
If you are interested in a role, please contact Eric, Cindy or Jacob.  Most importantly, we should all get ready and excited for this upcoming, inclusive process for our fellowship! It is such a unique opportunity for us, along with our larger community, to dream together; it will be time well spent on identifying what is needed, as well as what we want, in order to best live out our shared UU of La Crosse Fellowship values into the future.
November Social Justice News
Ron Malzer

“ One of the fundamental principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is the use of the democratic process. As an expression of our faith, many Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations engage in voter registration, election reform, and protecting voting rights and democracy.”     
-- UUA web site, October 2018

As I write this, we are one week away from the November 6 th mid-terms. Many of us are already involved in different aspects of the electoral process. Most of us will vote; some already have taken part in early voting.

UU congregations, including ours, do not have a party affiliation, and do not have candidates for office that we endorse. What we have is a set of values that are proclaimed in our Seven Principles. And with so much at stake in the upcoming midterms, we all need to be finding ways to act powerfully on these values and principles.

Action can take many forms. During September and October, as part of our 2018-19 Congregational Project, we partnered with the League of Women Voters and the Driftless Voter Coalition to do four “Everyone Votes” events. Two took place in community venues—the Stein Haus and Pearl Street Brewery; one took place in our Fellowship as “Empowerment Sunday”; and the last was the Rally for Justice at Copeland Park Shelter.

The rally brought in 13 speakers from our community partners, as well as an ACLU organizer from Milwaukee, representing the intersection of justice causes. They spoke on behalf of organizations advocating for women, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, African Americans, the Muslim community, the Hmoob (Hmong) community, and also for environmental justice. Channel 8 News aired a 55-second segment on the rally: News 8000 clip

This is not a time to sit back. We have officeholders and candidates at all levels in our country who continue to demonize and punish people of color, take away or advocate for the taking of basic constitutional rights, or add exponentially to the amount of hateful speech in the electoral process. We have political figures who directly challenge our First Principle-- everyone has inherent worth and dignity-- by explicitly calling access to healthcare a privilege, not a right. We have many officials who question or belittle women who come forward with reports of abuse.

Three things we all can do: 1) Be sure to vote on or before Tuesday Nov. 6 th (in Wisconsin, early voting and same-day one-stop registration are available during business hours at La Crosse City Hall and other municipal clerk’s offices through Friday November 2 nd); 2) Be sure to take your current drivers license or other valid photo ID when you do vote; 3) Election Day registration is allowed: For you or anyone who may be unregistered or unsure of your voting eligibility, go to myvote.wi.org.

We owe it to ourselves to have the loudest possible voice on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6 th. As UUs, we have a duty to vote, to help others to vote, and to proclaim our values in the very challenged but still powerful electoral process.
New basket in the coffee area for collection of items for shelters

Look for the basket on the large table in the coffee area. Our fellowship regularly collects items for local homeless centers and shelters, including New Horizons women and children’s shelter and the Franciscan Hospitality House. Many thanks to Kathy and Mike Schnitzius, who sort the items and take them where they’re most needed.
 
Current needs for New Horizons and the hospitality house: Women’s and men’s underwear  (new, please!);  men’s and women’s socks, especially crew socks; undershirts; long-sleeved T-shirts; hoodies; scrubs; towels ;  deodorant, razors, toothbrushes; and full-size containers of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion.
RE News for November

Now is a great time to pick out preferred dates to teach or to assist with Religious Education.  11/18 is the one date still open for a lead teacher for younger grades, and there are lots of dates open for assistants or someone to be available for projects with older youth. Delena shares the materials with you!  Please let Alysa Remsburg ( remsburga@gmail.com ) know if you'd like to sign up.
Contacts

Office Hours
Sunday mornings and Tuesdays from 2pm- 5pm.

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 coordinator@uulacrosse.org u   by 12pm Mondays

All other announcement s: Emmy at coordinator@uulacrosse.org. ccoordinatoru
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