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Sunday, April 21
"Celebrating Earth Day"
Rev. Laura Smidzik
Joey Hunter, Service Leader
Sunday, April 28
Generosity Joy Jam!
A Celebratory Pledge Sunday
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Sunday, April 14
"Where no man(?) has gone before..."
Chad Snyder
Commissioned Lay Minister
Amy Luedtke, Service Leader
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Name Choice Ballot Update
Save the Date! Spring Events
Lois Roadfeldt Mullin Celebration of Life
April 19
SACA Group Volunteer Opportunity
April 20
Wisdom Dances Earth Day Event
April 22
Spring Fling at Pilgrim House
April 27
Tree Planting Opportunity
May 15
April Special Collection
Lemus Perez Family
April Worship Theme
The Gift of Interdependence
Sunday Evening Book Group
April 14
Women's Book Group
May 4
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Scroll down for the details on
Upcoming Worship Services and
Programs, Events, Announcements.
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Letter from the MSUS President
Katie Johnson
Dear MSUS Congregation,
I enjoy this time of year as I see trees budding out and spring flowers starting to bloom. I hope you are enjoying the gifts of spring, too.
Are happy people more generous, or are generous people more happy? Research shows that generosity and happiness are correlated. I think that you can start with either one and...scroll to the bottom to read the entire article.
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MORE ON
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
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Sunday Service April 21
10:30 am
Fridley Community Center and Zoom
"Celebrating Earth Day"
Rev. Laura Smidzik
Joey Hunter, Service Leader
We honor the interdependent web of all existence which includes the earth and all its inhabitants. This Sunday will be a celebration of nature and how our relationship with it grounds us and gives us great joy. We ask that people attending in person bring a small vessel for planting. We will provide soil and seeds. If you plan to attend on zoom, consider having supplies on hand at home or request through Rev. Laura that one be brought to you in the week following the service.
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Sunday Service April 28
10:30 am
Fridley Community Center and Zoom
Generosity Joy Jam!
A Celebratory Pledge Sunday
Come one, come all to the Generosity Joy Jam! What better way to celebrate our community and spirit of generosity that sustains it? If you would like to perform, please contact Chad at chadasnyder@gmail.com.
You will receive 2024-2025 pledge information in a few weeks. We ask that everyone pledges by or on Generosity Joy Jam Sunday.
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Sunday Service May 5
Rev. Laura Smidzik and Sawyer Olson
10:30 am
Fridley Community Center and Zoom
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MORE ON
PROGRAMS, EVENTS, and ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Name Choice Ballot Update
17 ballots have been received. Many thanks to those who voted early!
Here are the due dates for those who have not yet voted:
- Sunday 4/21: submit your ballot in person at church
- Monday 4/22: mail your ballot by U.S. post
- Friday 4/26: email your ballot, early
Your ballot must be received by us no later than close of business on April 26th to be counted. (no exceptions, due to the impending annual meeting)
Thank you for voting!
Byron Johnson
Janice Sankot
Marie Phillips
Name Choice Task Force
As of 17 April we have received these ballots: ballots as of 17 April.
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Save the Dates!
Spring Events
As we move into the spring here are important dates at MSUS to remember:
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April 28, 10:30 am Generosity Joy Jam! Fridley Community Center and Zoom
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May 14, 7:00 pm, Annual Meeting in person at Pilgrim House and on zoom.
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May 25, 7:00 pm, Spring Concert at Pilgrim House
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June 8, 7:00 pm, Delphi Concert at Pilgrim House
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June 13, 5:30 pm, Gather to march in the Fridley 49ers Parade
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Lois Roadfeldt Mullin Celebration of Life
Friday, April 19, 11:00 am
Pilgrim House and Zoom
Lois Roadfeldt Mullin, a founder of MSUS, died on Sunday, April 7 at the age of 89. Lois was living close to her daughter in a care facility near Minot, MD. A celebration of life for Lois will be held on Friday April 19th at 11:00 am at Pilgrim House and on zoom.
A tradition at Michael Servetus Unitarian Society is to include a “Collage of Voices” in our celebration of life services. The collage weaves together a series of memories and stories. They are read without names attached so they flow together without interruption. If you have something to share we would love to hear your stories and reflections about Lois at any stage of her or your life.
When stories contain some detail and specificity they tend to come to life. Feel free to write a sentence or two to create a setting (year/who was involved/what was the circumstance). Also, feel free to share how Lois impacted your life, some distinctive characteristics of Lois, or how you will remember her.
We cannot guarantee that we will use every story or reflection in the service, but we keep all that are sent to us and share them with the family.
Please send your stories and reflections directly to Rev. Laura Smidzik by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 17. You can send it via email to revlaura@msuu.org or text to 763-710-0435.
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Volunteer Opportunity
When: Saturday April 20th 7:30 am till 12:30 pm (+ or -)
Where: SACA (southern Anoka community assistance)
627 38th Ave NE
Columbia Heights, 55421
PLEASE WEAR ANY MSUS, UU, or supportive shirt to our values if able. Not a requirement.
Who: We need a group at minimum of 7, maximum 15, volunteers. Involves walking, pushing a cart, standing, lifting 8 to 10 pounds or if you can, more.
What: Filling orders for SACA delivers. You take a pre labeled banana box on a cart, go through the tables filling their box with elders requests on order sheets. Push the cart to the scale and weigh it. Then grab an empty box and do it all again. Options if you like, are to lift full boxes into stacks, or help volunteer delivery people (that’s what I do) load vehicles on the various routes. These groceries go to 55+ Disabled persons otherwise unable to get to the food shelf. This is a monthly volunteer driven service. There unfortunately is a long waitlist for people to receive this service. You will be a great part of helping feed those most in need. Emily from SACA will be in the warehouse at all times for questions. She is awesome.
How: email Polly at pollybangdrums@gmail.com or tell me in Sunday service. This is an important commitment and SACA can use lots of our help.
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Come watch MSUS Congregant, Mary West at a Wisdom Dances Earth Day Event
Saturday April 27, 9:15 am
Begins at East River Flats
360 E. River Parkway
A one-of-a-kind dance experience with live music traveling along the Mississippi River to bless the beginning of the growing season, honor the water, pray for peace, and spread joy.
Join Wisdom Dances, Mary West, Greg Herriges, and Eye of the Heart Center for Creative Contemplation for a roving dance and music celebration drawing from springtime dance traditions in the Balkans. You can join us at any stop, or for the entire route!
- 9:15 am – Opening celebration begins at East River Flats where we will honor the water that gives us life. 360 E. River Parkway
- 10:15 am – Dowling Community Garden. We will share some dances dedicated to planting, honoring bees, and evoking rain. 3207 South 37th Avenue
- 3rd stop: Wabun Picnic Area (in Minnehaha Regional Park). On this bluff we will dance for peace for all peoples. 4655 46th Avenue South
- Final stop: Hidden Falls. We will return the water to the river in gratitude. Time for some celebration dances! 1313 Hidden Falls Drive
Questions? Contact Mary West at marymargwest@gmail.com
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Save the Date!
Sat April 27, 4 pm
Spring Fling at Pilgrim House
Pilgrim House invites MSUS to a Spring Fling for all ages with live music, food, and fun. There will be refreshments and a lively concert by the Maple Street Ramblers Dixieland Jazz Band.
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Tree Planting Opportunity
May 15, 5:30-8pm
Crosby Farm Regional Park
The Action and Justice Team is planning opportunities for the congregation to participate in several hands on environmental events in the next year. The first event is tree planting at Crosby Farm Regional Park on May 16th from 5:30 - 8:00 pm. This event is coordinated by Great River Greening. Contact Laurie Young if you are interested in signing up for this event.
Here is a description of the event from their website.
“Join Great River Greening for an evening at Crosby Farm Regional Park. Volunteers will plant 150 bareroot bur oak, white oak, and chokecherry seedlings into newly open areas that have been cleared of invasive buckthorn. Volunteers can expect an easy flat walk from parking to work areas and facilities. This is a family-friendly event. Volunteers of all age: and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, we will provide the training and tools required. There will also be light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring your own reusable water bottle and any additional snacks you may need.”
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April Worship Theme: The Gift of Interdependence
"Interdependence. We honor the interdependent web of all existence.
We covenant to cherish Earth and all beings by creating and nurturing relationships of care and respect. With humility and reverence, we acknowledge our place in the great web of life, and we work to repair harm and damaged relationships."
- from Soul Matters 2023-24 Themes & Article II Connections
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April Special Donation
The Lemus Perez Family
A family from Guatemala that was separated at the border under the Trump administration. The family was reunited and are in the US for three years with the status of humanitarian parole. MSUS in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka are supporting the family by providing groceries, transportation, household items, and winter clothing. We are also connecting them with services to get medical insurance, dental care, and tax preparation assistance.
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MSUS Women's Book Group
May 4, 9:30 am
Online: Our Zoom Room
Book selected: "New and Selected Poems, Volume 2", by Mary Oliver
The MSUS Women's Book Group is a gathering of female (identifying as female/feminine, LGBTQ+ inclusive)) members and friends who meet the first Saturday of each month to discuss books written by female identified authors. The group alternates between fiction and non-fiction works recommended by one or more of the group members. Contact Pat Ferrian (ferri004@gmail.com) to be added to the email list.
Meetings are held online via ZOOM, 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Unless otherwise noted, use the “Our Zoom Room” (Yellow Button) on the msuu.org home page.
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Sunday Evening Book Group
May 19, 7 pm
Doug & Michele’s
Everyone is welcome to arrive early for a garden tour. We’ll be ready for visitors by 5 p.m. and it will be light until at least 8 pm.
Books that could be read for discussion of Artificial Intelligence.
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Letter from the MSUS President
Katie Johnson
Dear MSUS Congregation,
I enjoy this time of year as I see trees budding out and spring flowers starting to bloom. I hope
you are enjoying the gifts of spring, too.
Are happy people more generous, or are generous people more happy? Research shows that generosity and happiness are correlated. I think that you can start with either one and continue on, with generosity leading to joy leading to generosity leading to joy….. Be sure to join us at our April 28 Sunday service for our 3rd Annual Generosity Joy Jam! Let joy feed your generosity and your spirit as we celebrate this community. This is our annual opportunity to decide how we each will stretch our generosity muscles with a pledge of financial support for the upcoming church year.
The MOMS group ends their meetings by joining hands one by one and each of us saying “I take your hand in mine, so that we may do together what I cannot do alone”. Our financial pledges act in the same way, combining to provide financial support together that none of us could provide alone.
I expect everyone is well aware that we are in the midst of voting to determine a possible new name for our congregation. From the vote currently in progress, we’ll end up with a finalist for a new name. Once the finalist is determined, you are definitely going to want to attend our Annual Meeting on Tuesday May 14 to be a part of the momentous vote about formally adopting this proposed name. Just like a vote to sell or buy a building, we need to have 40% of our membership present (in the room at Pilgrim House, or online via Zoom) in order to hold this vote – so we need you there, though I’m sure you don’t want to miss it. The meeting will include the usual business of adopting a budget and voting for new Board members, but we’re paring down the agenda as much as possible to make room for the name choice vote.
Finally, I want to give a heads up that on Sunday, June 23, we’ll be having a farewell service for Rev. Laura, followed by a casual reception. We’re planning to hold the June 23 events at Springbrook Nature Center, more details to come. This farewell will be one week in advance of
Rev. Laura’s last Sunday with us which will be June 30.
May you be well,
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