10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 5th
"Dark of Winter, Flame of Life”
Dr. Karen Erickson is a writer, composer, and professor of French at the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University. In this Fire Ceremony Service, we will reflect on the power and potential of fire to expand our capacity for love, awareness, and the courage to grow in community.
10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 12th
“Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State”
Dr. Christopher P. Lehman is professor of Ethnic Studies at St. Cloud State University and currently serves as chair of the Department of Ethnic, Gender, & Women's Studies. His recent book brings to light the hidden history of Minnesota’s complicity in building slaveholder wealth.
10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 19th
“The Promise and the Practice” Hanni Epp & Lucinda Hudson
This service will offer an opportunity to listen deeply to stories of Black Unitarian Universalists. These stories are a rich and beautiful part of our UU heritage—and a part that has been too often overlooked. We’ll learn about the lives of three amazing women: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Florida Ruffin Ridley, and Hester C. Whitehurst Jeffrey. A special collection to support Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) will be taken. A recommended donation for this work is $10 per congregant. Thank you for your generous donation.
10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 26th
“Spirituality: How Does It Feel to You?”
Ellen Eastby considers herself first and foremost a grandmother. She is active in the UU Church of Underwood and serves as a Celebrant and has attended the UU Seminary, Meadville-Lombard Theological School in Chicago, as a prospective student. Ellen brings meaning to a variety of topics she holds in her heart, always in relation to the UU principles and sources.
President’s Corner
by Ozzie Mayers
This seems like an appropriate time to express my gratitude to all of those who help sustain this fellowship. I continue to be inspired by the level of generosity of time, insights, genuine camaraderie that I have seen this year. We not only thrive because of those who have come before us but also from all of us who lead and show up for meetings, services, events, provide important historical perspectives, and remain steadfast to our UU Principle of “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”
The Board has continued to explore ways for us to provide support for creating our Capital Campaign to fund the renovation of our building. To this end, I have spoken to Katrina Lynn, whom some of you might recall attended the Fellowship some years back. She is now head of a consulting firm, “Generosity By Design,” located in Duluth, MN. She provided me with a sequence of educational resources, including on-site visits. The Board felt it was important for us to have a comparative consultation plan to measure against the one I mentioned in our December newsletter. I am still hoping to meet with the Budget & Finance Committee to hear their recommendations on these two consultation resources. The Board also asked that I gather information from other congregations, similar to ours, to see how they have developed actions for raising money, especially for building needs, as well as how they have addressed increasing their membership and attendance. I am in the process of sending out such letters.
I would like to remind all of us to use the hand-held microphone when speaking from the audience and also to avoid talking while Fellowship members or presenters are speaking. Doing so can make it difficult for others to hear what is being said.
Finally, remember it’s time to consider attending one of the following. If you choose to do so, you can apply for funding from the Board; the amount allotted will depend upon the numbers applying. If you do choose to apply, the Board request that you indicate a willingness to share key aspects of your attendance with the Fellowship; this may take a variety of forms: a written account sent to the Board and/or to the relevant Committee; facilitating a Pizza and Ethics gathering; or sending a suggestion to the Program Committee for a Sunday Service focusing on an aspect you believe is important for the Fellowship to consider. The recent panel on White Supremacy is such an example of this last option.
A. MidAmerica Regional Assembly (April 18, 2020, Rockford, Illinois):
https://www.uua.org/midamerica/ra B. General Assembly (June 24-28, 2020, Providence, Rhode, Island):
https://www.uua.org/ga C. Leadership School (July, 2020, Luther College): https://www.mwls.org/ The following members of the Fellowship have attended one or more of these gatherings and are willing to talk with you about their experiences. Please feel free to contact them: Judy Foster (Leadership and GA), Angie Stevens (Leadership), Marge Bates (Leadership), Sharon Carter (Leadership), and myself (Leadership and GA).
Thanks for Sharing Our Space
Charlotte Stephens
As liaison to those who rent the Fellowship building, I want to update you regarding the variety of groups that use our building as well as a recent change involving a long term renter. The Tuesday evening yoga class ended on December 17 so there now are no long term renters that need the sanctuary floor clear of chairs. This means that some weeks we can leave the chairs in place rather than stacking them. Listen for announcements on Sunday morning and help if you can.
In addition to our long term renters, the building was used this past year by:
● a piano teacher for piano recitals
● a civic organization for a holiday party
● several community groups for special programs
● an organization offering dental services for low-income children
While providing some rental income, sharing our space is also part of our outreach and community support. To check on renting the Fellowship for outside groups, contact me, Charlotte Stephens at 251-8677 or charlow@cloudnet.com Also contact me about any concerns relating to the rental activities.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Social Justice Committee
You can still donate to the annual “Guest At Your Table” fund drive. Brochures and donation envelopes are on the back table. Please put our SCUUF church number - 5531 - on you check. Doing this will ensure that our congregation will receive credit for your donation.The brochures and envelopes have the correct address.
Membership Committee News
Marge Bates
Well, we have survived the holidays and can now look forward to a new year filled with hope and promise. During the last few months at the Fellowship, the conversations regarding Sunday coffee treats have been getting louder and more frequent. These conversations have been going on for a few years.
We are all grateful for the wonderful treats that are provided, but there is a request that we look for a simpler presentation—think finger foods and no need for trays. Originally, treats were meant as a way to tide us over until we can get to lunch, not for lunch. Some people are not willing or able to provide a spread for 50 people, while some people love to go all out. The Membership Committee knows that not everyone will be happy with a more modest snack and we ask you to please talk to a committee member regarding your feelings. When you bring treats think of simple selections; fruit, veggies, or some cookies. As Unitarians we make our own choices but hopefully this will allow more people to participate. If you are unable to bring treats, you might want to help in some other way, like clean-up, set up, chairs etc. We are preparing for a great second half of the year and look forward to having great conversations around coffee on Sunday morning.
Interest Questionnaire
From the Communications Committee
The SCUUF Executive Board directed our committee to revive the practice of having members and friends fill out an Interest Questionnaire to indicate how you would like to be involved in and contribute to the Fellowship.
There is also a place where you can make suggestions for Sunday programs.
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.”
In addition, we will send out a copy of the questionnaire via email in early January, along with a copy of our organizational chart. Both of those documents will be available in hard copy on Sunday mornings in January.
Due date is Feb. 1, 2020.
We hope you value our Fellowship enough to volunteer and contribute!
Meditation Schedule for January 2020
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, January 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary This meditation practice will focus on holding life's experiences in two hands. We will begin with a meditation of compassion for our suffering and the suffering of others followed by a meditation of gratitude, holding both suffering and gratitude with an open heart.
Facilitated by Dani Jakubowski
Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Thursday, January 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary We will do a winter mountain meditation, adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn. This will be a guided mindfulness meditation, and we will focus on the stillness and reflection in this time of mid-winter.
Facilitated by Gail Falk
Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
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.
NEWSLETTER POLICY
1. Editor. As of August 2019, the SCUUF Administrative Assistant serves as newsletter editor. The editor prepares and distributes the newsletter under the supervision of the Communications Committee. 2. Purpose. The purpose of the newsletter is to report actions of committees, comments of Fellowship leaders such as Board President or Minister, news of Fellowship activities, and noteworthy news about Fellowship members. Authors and editors should keep in mind that the newsletter serves to represent the Fellowship to the public as well as to members and friends. 3. Articles. Authors of articles reporting on committee activities are responsible for accurately reflecting the discussions and decisions of the committee. All articles should be signed by the author(s). The newsletter editor is responsible for correcting mechanical and grammatical errors. Other changes--for example in length, wording, or style--should be made only in consultation with the author. “Letters to the Editor” or opinion pieces will be submitted to the Board and posted on the bulletin board rather than printed in the newsletter. 4. Copyright. No copyrighted material will be included in the newsletter without legal permission. 5. Length. The newsletter will be no more than ten pages, five sheets of paper, printed on both sides, except in unusual circumstances. 6. Frequency. The newsletter will be published every month from September to May inclusive, and once during the three months of summer. 7. Deadline. The deadline for submission of material shall be determined by the editor and appropriately announced in a timely manner. The newsletter should be mailed or emailed no later than the week prior to the first Sunday of the month. 8. Use of Newsletter Email Distribution List. When possible all Fellowship announcements and articles should be submitted to the newsletter editor for the monthly newsletter. The newsletter deadline is usually during the last week of each month and an email reminder is sent to all those in leadership positions and to those who submit regularly. If an important announcement does not make it into the newsletter but needs to be sent to some or all our membership, there are two options: A. The person can email the announcement on their own to those people they feel should know. (Email addresses are in the directory) or B. The announcement can be sent to all the people on the newsletter email distribution list by contacting the newsletter editor. The Communications Committee discourages overuse of the email list, however, and would need to approve the item before it could be sent using the following criteria: 1) Importance 2) Time Sensitivity and 3) Fellowship relevance. 9. The Emergency Notification Plan should be included in each newsletter, November-March.
Please note: Emergency Notification Plan
When it is necessary to cancel a Sunday Service due to inclement weather or other unsafe conditions, we will:
1. Send a message to everyone on the email distribution list, and when possible, post on the Fellowship website www.uufstcloud.org and Facebook page. 2. Notify WJON Radio, AM1240, by phone to request that the cancellation be announced on air and on their website: http://wjon.com/ 3. Call individual members who have requested to be contacted by phone. This option is for members who don't have ready access to email, internet, or WJON radio. 4. If unable to accomplish 1 and 2, make phone calls to the entire directory list.
When in doubt about the weather or the event, members should check for an email or radio message of cancellation. Use common sense and stay home if weather or road conditions look bad.
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)
Thu Jan 2, 2020
8 am - 12 pm - CLEANING
Sat Jan 4, 2020
9:30am - 12:30pm - Meditation - Sanctuary (PP)
10am - 1pm - Meditation - Fellowship Hall (PP)
Sun Jan 5, 2020
9am - 10:15am - Q UU Meeting - Small Meeting Room (JF)
10:30am - 11:45am - UUF Sunday Service - Sanctuary
11:45am -12:30pm - UUF Soup & Bread - Fellowship Hall
12:15pm - 1:30pm - Caring Committee meeting - Small Meeting Room
Mon Jan 6, 2020
5:15pm- 7pm - Human Rights Commission Working Group on Housing and Homelessness meeting - Small Meeting Room (LH)
Wed Jan 8, 2020
6:30pm - 9:30 pm (meeting starts at 7:00) Wild Ones Native Plants - Fellowship Hall
Thu Jan 9, 2020
5pm - 6:30pm - Communication Committee meeting - Small Meeting Room (JF)
Sun Jan 12, 2020
9am - 10:15am - Social Justice Committee Meeting - Fellowship Hall (LP)
9am - 10:15pm - Budget and Finance Committee Meeting - CRE Room (MN)
9am - 10am - Program Committee Meeting - Small Meeting Room (LB)
10:30am - 11:45am - UUF Sunday Service - Sanctuary
Wed Jan 15, 2020
8 am - 12 pm - CLEANING
6:30pm - 9:30 pm (meeting starts at 7:00) Central Minnesota Audubon Society - Fellowship Hall
Sat Jan 18, 2020
10am - 11:30am - Book Club - Fellowship Hall (MN)
Sun Jan 19, 2020
8:45am - 10am - Board Meeting - Small Meeting Room (OM)
10:30am - 11:45am - UUF Sunday Service - Sanctuary
Thu Jan 23, 2020
5:30pm - 8pm - Meditation - Sanctuary (PP)
6pm – 8:30pm - Meditation – Fellowship Hall (PP)
Sun Jan 26, 2020
10:30am - 11:45am - UUF Sunday Service - Sanctuary
12:30pm - 1:45pm - Dismantling White Supremacy Committee Meeting - Small Meeting Room (HE)
Wed Jan 29, 2020
8 am - 12 pm - CLEANING