10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 1: The Importance of Stories in Our Lives by Bill Vossler
Even ancient humans needed stories, to say, for instance, “I outsmarted lion! Over there! Don't go!“ Down the ages stories have enriched, inspired, educated, and entertained us through many different methods, gestures, mime, oral, written, and visual, in fiction, nonfiction, and drama. The presentation by Bill Vossler will delineate the uses and types of stories, using historical examples, as well as those from his own Germans from Russia ethnic background.
This is a Soup Sunday, where soup and bread will be served following the service.
10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 8: "We Are Not A Punchline!" by Rev. Karen Hutt (rescheduled from December 1)
How serious are you about your faith? How would someone know you are a Unitarian Universalist without you telling them? How does the history of your Fellowship guide your present choices as a congregation?
10:30 am, Sunday, March 15: “The Social Justice work of ASAMBLEA DE DERECHOS CIVILES in our Community” by Patty Keeling and Ma Elena Gutierrez
ASAMBLEA DE DERECHOS CIVILES, as an organization of faith, takes social responsibility in establishing a structure of power with cultural discipline and just conscience of our Latino community, that can influence the political process in accordance with our values, principles and interests.
10:30 am, Sunday, March 22: "The Seven UU Principles: A Response in Jazz and Poetry"
Pianist Larry McDonough and Saxophonist and poet Richard Terrill will draw from familiar texts and original works to shed new light on the basis for UU spirituality.
10:30am, Sunday March 29: "Faithful Giving - Sharing for our Future"
Maya Angelou said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver”. This lay-led service is about generosity as a spiritual practice; how faithful giving can transform the giver. One of our deepest spiritual practices is the giving of time, talent, and treasure in support of our most deeply held values. Please join us as we reflect how our UU principles impact our "faithful giving". Presented by SCUUF members: Ralph Carr, Doug Polley, Charlotte Stephens, Dave Mitchell, and Lisa Bershok.
Find us at https://www.uufstcloud.org/ and on Facebook at “Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Cloud”
President’s Corner
by Ozzie Meyers
I have been in contact with our two potential consultants for our Capital Campaign to see if they could offer a modified version of their original plans since those were beyond our budgetary means. Each has sent me such plans which I have shared with the Board. Karina Pierson is located in Duluth, MN, attended our Fellowship some years ago, and worked in St. Cloud; thus, she has some familiarity with our community and the social and economic dynamics in the St. Cloud region. The other consultant, Rachel Maxwell, is a UU Minister and her proposal extends beyond fundraising to a review of the Fellowship as an organization from Constitution to practice. The Board will continue our consideration at our next meeting.
The Board voted in support of establishing an Ad Hoc Committee to organize a 60th Anniversary in 2021 of the Fellowship formation in 1961. Therefore, I am seeking volunteers for this Committee. Please let me know if you would be willing to be a part of it.
I have been in consultation with the Building Options’ Committee and have asked them to have our Fellowship Building, adjacent house, and all of our property assessed since the assessment we currently have is from years ago.
Finally, this year’s Annual Meeting will be on May 15th; as in the past, the meeting will be held following our traditional social and dinner. Details will be forthcoming.
SCUUF Book Club
By Marcia Neely
The SCUUF Book Club will meet on Saturday, March 28, from 10-11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. We will be discussing The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. All who have read the book are welcome to attend.
Building Bridges - using dialogue and hospitality
by Charlotte Stephens
The Greater St Cloud Faith Leaders group meets monthly to work together to tear down walls and build communities of acceptance and peace. As SCUUF's representative at the meetings, I encourage your involvement in community activities organized and supported by the group. See posters on the Community Bulletin Board in the foyer for more information about these events:
Saturday, February 29. 2:30pm - 4:45pm. Dine and Dialogue: Creating a Better Minnesota @ St Cloud Library. The Faith Leaders group is working toward co-sponsoring these events which are hosted by Hudda Ibrahim. This month's description: "Join community leaders in a discussion about how our American values transcend religion and race. Enjoy tea and snacks while listening to a lively discussion about how our diversity makes us a stronger community."
Sunday, March 22. 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Building a Welcoming Community: Models of Hospitality. First United Methodist Church, 1107 South Pine Cone Rd, Sartell, is hosting and cosponsoring this interfaith community event which will focus on how hospitality is being extended to immigrants through faith communities and faith-based organizations in Minnesota with examples provided from representatives of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim organizations.
Meditation Schedule for March
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, March 7, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
This time we'll explore the Loving Kindness Meditation, a powerful practice that can help deepen our connection with ourselves and with others.
Facilitated by Lucinda Hudson
Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Saturday, March 21, at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
This meditation will be a continuation of the theme: Holding Life in Two Hands. There will be a guided meditation on Self-Compassion and Gratitude with shared readings to support our practice together.
Facilitated by Dani Jakubowski
Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
CRE Events Coming Up
This month was exciting for CRE! We gathered for UU Family Night February 22nd and had a lot of fun playing charades, board games, and eating delicious food.
Our fellowship has also welcomed a few new families into our midst! We are really excited to get to know these folks better and hopefully gain some new members. Please make them feel as welcome as you can when you see young kids and parents you don’t recognize!
We are looking forward to our spring presentation April 19th and our next CRE meeting which will likely also be that morning.
If you’d like to stay in touch with the CRE schedule, when we are meeting, or would like to be involved with teaching a class, please contact Melissa at woods.melissa11@gmail.com.
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.
Sharing for Our Future
from your Budget and Finance Committee
We know that each of you values our Fellowship because we see every week how you share your time, talent, and dollars to ensure that our community remains vibrant and full of warmth. Now is the time for everyone to make a financial pledge to sustain our Fellowship through the coming fiscal year which starts July 1. Our Pledge Drive theme this year is "Sharing for Our Future." We hope this theme reminds you of what the Fellowship means to you and encourages you to be generous in your support. On Sunday March 29 all members and those who contributed in recent years will receive envelopes containing a pledge card and information. As you choose your level of giving, consider how your gift is an expression of how important the Fellowship community is to you. The pledge card has a place to indicate a yearly or monthly amount since some of you prefer to make a yearly pledge and others like to make monthly payments. Other payment schedules are acceptable too. The next fiscal year starts July 1, 2020, and the time to make your pledge is between March 29 and April 19. On Sundays during these weeks, Budget and Finance Committee members will be available to answer questions, and we invite you to share the things that make our Fellowship special to you.
Anyone not receiving a pledge card on March 29 or the following week may request one by contacting treasurer Josh Meehl. (See contact information at the end of this newsletter.) We thank you for committing to "Sharing for Our Future."
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 contact any member of the committee:
Linda Saupe (Chairperson), Marge Bates, Hanni Epp, Doug Polley, Chris Smith, Charlotte Stephens, and Ron Syme.
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.
A meeting event/room reservation button to submit a form for room requests can be found below the calendar on the website. Please reach out to Jessica Beierman at calendar@uufstcloud.org if you have any questions.
To check on renting the Fellowship for outside groups, contact Charlotte Stephens at 251-8677 or charlow@cloudnet.com.
Sunday, March 1
12:15-1:30 pm - Caring Committee Meeting—Small Meeting Room
Monday, March 2
5:30-7 pm - Human Rights Commission WG on Housing & Homelessness - Small Meeting Room
Saturday, March 7
9:30am – 1pm - Meditation—Sanctuary, followed by potluck snacks in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, March 8
9-10:15 am - Budget and Finance Committee Meeting—CRE Room
9-10 am - Program Committee Meeting—Small Meeting Room
Thursday, March 12
5-6:30 pm - Communications Committee Meeting – Small Meeting Room
Sunday, March 15
8:45-10 am - Board Meeting—Small Meeting Room
Saturday, March 21
1:30-5 pm Meditation—Sanctuary, followed by potluck snacks in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, March 22
9-10 am - Budget and Finance Committee Meeting— Small Meeting Room
12:15-1:30 pm – Dismantling White Supremacy Team meeting – Small Meeting Room
Saturday, March 28
10-11 am – SCUUF book club meeting – Fellowship Hall