10:30 a.m. Sunday, February 2
“Honoring our LGBTQ+Community” by Jesus Luccero
Jesus, a faith organizer from Outfront.org, will discuss the national climate towards the LGBTQ+ community and why in these times of banning conversion therapy it is more important than ever to support that community.
This is a Soup Sunday, where soup and bread will be served following the service.
10:30 a.m. Sunday, February 9
“Let’s Be Real” by UU Minister Sara Smalley
To live with integrity means to choose courage over comfort, authenticity over images and complexity over simple answers. It means having a deep understanding that justice work is soul work. On this day we will explore with Sara how integrity is at the heart of the spiritual journey.
10:30 a.m. Sunday, February 16
“LOVE!” by the SCUUF Music Group and Friends
Join the SCUUF Music Group as they share both in music and through stories on the topic of LOVE and Valentine’s Day. They welcome others to join in the presentations. Please contact Jane Ellison if you have a talent to offer. Children are most welcome to participate in the program and are encouraged to come to this service.
10:30 a.m. Sunday, February 23
Being the Wave by Myo-O Habernmas-Scher, Zen Buddhist Priest
In Buddhist teachings the freedom of emptiness is mentioned a great deal, which may sound confounding. The actual experience of the waves of the ocean is not confounding. How do we swim in the ocean and understand the waves? We will investigate this living practice together.
Find us at https://www.uufstcloud.org/ and on Facebook at “Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Cloud”
President’s Corner
by Ozzie Meyers
When I was in Graduate School, working on my dissertation, my director would often say to me when I was feeling discouraged by my slow progress: “Yard by Yard, Life is Hard; Inch by Inch, Life’s a Cinch.” It’s a cliché, I know, but I do think incremental steps toward accomplishing a major undertaking is one way to keep our spirits up and to feel some progress. So, with that prelude, I will update you on the “inch by inch” steps that are being taken on our seeking out assistance with organizing our Capital Campaign. I have met with both the Budget & Finance Committee and the Board to go over the two proposals we currently have from: 1) Rachel Maxwell, recommended by the Regional UUA office and 2) Katrina Lynn Pierson, whom some of you might remember as Katrina Pierson; she is located in Duluth, MN. Both their proposals offer several phases but are too expensive for us to afford. So, I have re-contacted both to ask if each could provide a modified option, more suitable to our budget and congregational size. I will let you know their responses, along with the review by both the Board and the Budget & Finance Committee in the March newsletter. And, finally, I have sent out a letter to 22 UU Congregations in the Mid-west Region to ask for information on how they may have conducted a Capital Campaign and how they have attracted new members. I have begun receiving replies and will be sharing them with the Board at our February meeting; I suspect we may be able to forward helpful suggestions to Committee Chairs.
I met with the Communications’ Committee and the Board to address our immediate need for having our newsletter published. At this point, Jessica Beierman has agreed to edit our newsletter on a trial basis, starting in March. The Board is still considering whether or not to hire someone to cover the other parts of the work that Kerri had been hired to do.
In this election year, the UUA reminds us that charitable organizations, including churches, have some restrictions on election activities. Check the UU Bulletin Board in the Sanctuary for information provided by the UUA to help UU congregations ‘engage in prophetic, nonpartisan work in support of our values in 2020.”
SCUUF Book Club
By Marcia Neely
Our rescheduled book club meeting to discuss Overstory by Powers is scheduled for Saturday, February 1 from 10-11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Please join us if you have read this powerful book.
Meditation Schedule for February
Meditation is the practice of focusing one’s attention with intention and is used in many ways. For example, it can be used to be more in the present moment--aware and mindful of thoughts, words and actions. It can be used for growth and healing as with the loving kindness and self-compassion practices. Meditation can be used to build inner resources in a variety of ways.
Saturday, February 1, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
This meditation is about maintaining equanimity in our environment of change, chaos and suffering.
Facilitated by Norma Taylor
Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Saturday, February 22, at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The inspiration for this meditation will be the labyrinth, an ancient pattern found in many different cultures of the world. We'll have an opportunity to walk the labyrinth, as a form of meditation in motion. Facilitated by Lucinda, Carol, and Gail
Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Interest Questionnaire
From the Communications Committee
Due date is Feb. 1. To access the questionnaire online, you may use this link: https://www.uufstcloud.org/questionnaire
You may also go to our website (www.uufstcloud.org) and look under “How to Get Involved.”
We hope you value our Fellowship enough to volunteer and contribute!
Facing the Inevitable
from the Caring Committee
Death will come for each of us whether or not we prepare, but it's a gift to those we love if we learn about options and have a plan. The Fellowship's Caring Committee is considering offering an opportunity for members to learn about and talk about what's involved in planning a memorial service and choosing arrangements that are meaningful to you. This can help you prepare for your own or a family member's service prior to needing it. On Sundays in February, you can sign up to express interest in this topic. If there's enough interest, the Caring Committee will schedule a time for discussion.
CRE Events Coming Up
Thank you to everyone who supported our holiday fundraiser for St. Jude’s children’s hospital. Our SCUUF children raised $144 to send from selling their crafts.
We had our most recent CRE meeting on January 12th at 9:30 am. We planned lessons into March and discussed the upcoming CRE presentation April 19th. If you are interested in teaching a lesson or have a suggestion for a children’s book you’d like to see our kids turn into a play, please email Melissa at woods.melissa11@gmail.com.
We have hosted a few family fun nights where our UU families get together for an evening of food and games. This is also an outreach opportunity for new families to experience our fellowship in a casual setting. The next one is planned for Saturday February 22nd at 4 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please spread the word to any families you know who might be interested in attending!
Membership Committee News
By Marge Bates
Thank you for the feedback that I got from last month’s report. The majority of the feedback that I got indicated that things should remain as they are. If you have questions, please let me know. There are some people who have signed up for Sunday Coffee that could use another person to assist. Please check the sign-up sheet in the Sanctuary. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 23 after the service. If you are not sure if you are a member, please let me know. If you have not yet signed the book, you are not a registered member and cannot vote at the Annual Meeting.
Spring Directory Coming Soon - Are You In?
The Communications Committee is preparing to provide an updated Fellowship Directory to be used by members and friends wanting to contact others within the Fellowship. We need your help for the directory to be as accurate and complete as possible. We hope to include all who have been involved in recent months and/or made a pledge of financial support for the current year. We will use information from previous versions plus additions and changes that we are aware of. The directory listing for each household includes NAME of adults, ADDRESS, PHONE (Home and Cell), EMAIL ADDRESS, and FIRST NAMES of children in high school or younger who attend Fellowship programs or activities. If you have new information or if you want to opt out, contact Joel Bershok by Monday March 9th at 303-503-8964 or jebershok@gmail.com. At the end of March, the directory will be sent by email to those who are listed in it, and it will serve as the calling list in the event that we need to call everyone regarding a cancelled Sunday service or other change in schedule.
Treasurer’s Notes
By Joshua Meehl
2019 Tax Deductions: The Internal Revenue Service requires that individuals who want to deduct a charitable contribution of $250 or more have a written acknowledgement from the charitable organization by the time their tax return is filed, or by the due date of the tax return, whichever is earlier.
During January, I provided a letter to those of you who made single donations of $250 or more during 2019. Please contact me if you think you need a letter and you didn’t receive one by the end of January or you have any questions about the letter.
Current Fiscal Year Pledge Payments: We thank all of you who are making periodic payments or have completed payment of your pledge for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2020. If you need to check on your pledge, contact me for an update.
2020 Pledge Drive: Scheduled for March 29-April 19, our annual pledge drive is your chance to say how you plan to support the Fellowship with your financial gifts during the next fiscal year. This year's theme is “Sharing for our Future”. Look for details in future newsletters.
The Caring Committee
The Caring Committee has been formed for the times in each of our lives when we need help from another person. The members of the Caring Committee are available to help members and friends of the St. Cloud UU Fellowship in a variety of ways. Feel free to call any member of the committee.
Linda Saupe 320-250-0340 (Chairperson) Marge Bates 320-267-3590
Hanni Epp 320-217-2471 Doug Polley 320-240-0520 Chris Smith 320-251-1497
Charlotte Stephens 320-251-8677 Ron Syme 320-333-9732
For anyone with emergency needs, a wide range of services is available from agencies and organizations in the community. These can be accessed by calling 211 (or 800-543-7709). A white notebook on the shelf in the foyer also contains information about some emergency services. Information about other community resources may be found on the Community Bulletin Board and in the black notebook on the shelf in the foyer.
Calendar Reminders
AVOID ROOM CONFLICTS: Please check the online calendar on our website for space assignments at www.uufstcloud.org/calendar. To get your UUF event on the calendar and reserve your space, send an email to Jessica Beierman using this email address: UUFcalendar@gmail.com.
To check on renting the Fellowship for outside groups, contact Charlotte Stephens at 251-8677 or charlow@cloudnet.com
Saturday, February 1
10-11:30 am Book Discussion—Fellowship Hall
10:30-11:30 am Meditation--Sanctuary, followed by potluck snacks in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, February 2
12:15-1:30 pm Caring Committee Meeting—Small Meeting Room
Monday, February 3
5:30-7 pm Human Rights Commission Working Group on Housing & Homelessness—Small Meeting Room
Sunday, February 9
9-10:15 am Budget and Finance Committee Meeting—CRE Room
9-10 am Program Committee Meeting—Small Meeting Room
Friday, February 14
5:30-8 pm Q UU Valentines Potluck
Sunday, February 16
8:45-10 am Board Meeting—Small Meeting Room
9-10:15 am Social Justice Committee Meeting—Fellowship Hall
Saturday, February 22
2:30-3:30 pm Meditation—Sanctuary, followed by potluck snacks in the Fellowship Hall
4-8 pm CRE Family Night—Fellowship Hall
Sunday, February 23
9-10 am Dismantling White Supremacy Team Meeting—CRE Room
12-1 pm New Member Orientation—Sanctuary