Location is UUF unless otherwise specified. Some activities are multigenerational and some are mainly for adults. (Times vary.)
June 30, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.: Meditation
This will be a Native American meditation with a focus on having a respect for nature.
Facilitated by Norma Taylor. Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
July 7, Sunday at 10:00 a.m.: Bagels and Ethics: “A Place to Call Home.”
This program provides an update to the status of affordable housing and homelessness in the St. Cloud area and offers suggestions for how you can help. Bagels and other refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee.
July 13, Saturday at Noon: Bev Webb Memorial Service
Join Bev Webb’s family in celebrating her life. Bev was a part of the original founders of the St. Cloud Unitarian Universality Fellowship.
July 14, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.: Meditation
Light meditation using guided imagery. The image of Light has been used in many traditions and in many ways…for example as an image of healing, a spiritual image or an image of goodness and peace. This meditation will focus on the use of this image in our meditation practice. Facilitated by Dani Jakobowski. Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
July 21, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.: “Make a Joyful Noise”
Please join the SCUUF musicians for a musical service.
July 28, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.: Meditation
Hanni will lead us in Part 2 of the Soft Belly Meditation. (You need not have come to Part 1 to attend this session). Facilitated by Hanni Epp. Potluck snacks and conversation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
August 7, Wednesday from 5-7 p.m.: Splash Pad Potluck at River’s Edge Splash Pad
Please bring a potluck item to share for supper and swimsuits to splash at River's Edge Splash Pad. This event is hosted by Children’s Religious Education and everyone is welcome: 1060 Great Oak Dr, Waite Park, MN.
August 11, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.: Walking Meditation at Jo & Denis Weis’ home
This meditation will be a walking meditation on Jo’s Labyrinth. Call 320-339-1545 (Jo’s cell) for directions. There will be a potluck following the meditation. Please bring a dish to share and a beverage. Be sure to bring a chair.
August 18, Sunday from 11a.m.-2 p.m.: Annual PB&J Picnic at Bend in the River Regional Park
We will have fresh, local artisan breads, locally grown fruits made into jellies and jams by local vendors along with freshly ground organic peanut butter. YUM!!! Iced tea and water will be provided or you can bring your own beverage. You may also want to bring lawn chairs, insect repellent, and lawn games. Croquet and bocce ball will be available, and there may be a nature hike for children and adults. This park is south of Rice on the Mississippi River. It's the former home of Ann and Stewart Graves, part of the original group who started our UU Fellowship. Newer amenities in the park include four scenic overlooks, beautiful interpretive signs, and restroom facilities. For directions: go to www.co.benton.mn.us/parks/index.htm Any other info needed, call Julie 320-252-2819. Hosted by Julie K Peters.
August 25th, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.: The Language of Flowers
Ozzie Mayers will lead us in this service. “I am intrigued by how flowers--so common place in our culture--help us dialogue with one another, often opening up richer contexts than human speech”. So, we will share among ourselves the ways particular flowers hold meanings for us as they reveal what a flower conveys about our lives and the lives of others. You are encouraged to bring a flower, a picture of one, or a description that holds meaning to you. Children are encouraged to join us for this sharing and to share what a flower means to them. For refreshments, members of the Fellowship are urged to bring something to share from their gardens or from local Farmers' Markets.
President’s Corner
By Ozzie Mayers
As your new President, I thought it might be helpful for me to explain my leadership style. These attributes are not the only ones I hope to use, but they are the ones I think are most relevant to the UU Fellowship. First and foremost, I lead through consultation; in the case of this Fellowship, that means with the Board, with the Committee Chairs, and with people who have long-standing histories with the Fellowship and have already been invaluable to my preparing for my leadership role. But I also want to invite all of you to provide your own wisdom when the occasion arises. This consultative attribute extends to the history of the Fellowship; we continue to build on the foundation laid by those who came before us; and I want to maintain a respect and gratefulness for this past. And, finally, as President, I serve the Mission and Vision of this Fellowship, not any one person or group.
I want to also let you know that we had a Leadership Retreat on Saturday, June 8, at which Board Members, Committee Chairs, and other Continuity Volunteers assembled for discussion of our future as well as how to improve the work of the Board and Committees. Wendy Schoen and Tom Hergert were able to respond to questions and concerns about the Building Options’ proposal. To that end, the Board is planning to hold a Congregational Meeting in early Fall (see date below) to continue the discussion that began at the Annual Meeting. I had those at the Retreat discuss questions pertaining to their concerns/questions they may have about the major changes (e.g. Building Options, Increasing Membership, Long-Term Plans, Hiring a Staff Assistant) in the coming year. I suggested they do not ignore their emotional responses. I would encourage all of you to ponder this question in preparation for our Congregational meeting in the fall.
I want to extend an appreciation to Pam Peterson, who organized through the help of the Social Justice Committee the Fellowship participation in the Promise Neighborhood’s Race Unity gathering this past Sunday. There were at least fifteen of us from the Fellowship—including a group of our musicians who performed--at this event which brought together not just folks in the Promise Neighborhood areas but from all of the St. Cloud and the surrounding regions. I believe our presence provides concrete evidence of our belief in “The inherent worth and dignity of every person.”
Important Dates for Next Year
First Service: Sunday, September 8, 2019
Congregational Meeting: September 22, 2019
Annual Meeting: May 15, 2020
Leadership Retreat: June 6, 2020
Summer Children’s Religious Education
By Melissa Woods
CRE is looking forward to reconnecting over the summer on the evening of Wednesday, August 7. Join us for a potluck meal and fun in the sun from 5-7 pm at the Waite Park River’s Edge Splash Pad. All are welcome, even those who usually do not participate in CRE.
The next time we meet will also be mid-August (TBD) to begin planning for the new year’s lessons. Please keep an eye on the UUF calendar or email Melissa at woods.melissa11@gmail.com to be added to the CRE emailing list.
Membership Committee News
By Marge Bates
Hope we all enjoy our summer days. Think about if you would like to join a Circle Dinner next year. The sooner we can get this done, the sooner we can start eating. I would like to have it formed up by October. There may be some news in the next Newsletter, but not yet. If anyone would like to help with Membership activities, Sunday coffee, New Member Orientation, or Children’s Dedication please let Marge Bates know in September. Remember to check for summer activities. Have fun!
Building Bridges with Muslim Neighbors
by Charlotte Stephens
Did you hear representatives of the Greater St Cloud Faith Leaders on WJON radio on May 22? This group, where I represent our Fellowship, welcomed the opportunity to express our support for our Muslim brothers and sisters during the holy month of Ramadan. We wanted to help the community learn about this religious time and perhaps see parallels to their own faith.
On Friday, May 24, members of the Faith Leaders group were invited to join our Muslim brothers and sisters for a Community Iftar Dinner at the Islamic Center of St. Cloud. Iftar is the fast- breaking meal observed by Muslims each evening at sunset during the month of Ramadan. The Community Iftar dinner was an opportunity to come together, celebrate and learn from each other.
On Sunday, August 25, the Greater St Cloud Area Faith Leaders are hosting a potluck picnic at Lake George in the late afternoon. This cross cultural, multi-religious opportunity is available for 10 members of the Fellowship to attend along with members of other faith communities. Let me know if you might like to go, so I can recontact you with more details closer to the date. Email charlow@cloudnet.com or call me at 251-8677.
"Building Our Community" - A Pledge Drive Thank You
From the Budget and Finance Committee
On behalf of the Board, we thank all who participated in the Fellowship’s pledge drive for 2019-2020. Fifty-one pledges received by June 15 bring the total amount pledged to $44,924, which is less than the total amount received in pledges during 2018-19.
Every pledge demonstrates your commitment and support for this religious community and contributes to the growth of the whole. This year there are fifteen pledges between $1,000 and $2,000 and five pledges at or above $2,000. Members who made these largest pledges deserve special recognition and we are very grateful to those who are able to provide this level of support.
While thanking all who pledged, we also give a special thanks to those pledges who became new members during 2018-19 and to eleven members who increased their pledged amount by at least 5% over last year. We also offer special thanks to members who indicated that they have included our Fellowship in their will. Legacy gifts demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the life of our congregation. Thanks Again to All Who Pledged!!
Finances during the Summer
Pledge payments may be made during the summer by sending them to SCUUF, PO Box 805, St Cloud MN 56302, giving directly to the treasurer, or by leaving an envelope in the treasurer’s box in the office. If you have not returned your pledge card, please send it now, or contact treasurer Elaine Schrenk. Our constitution states: "A person who supports the purpose of this Fellowship becomes a voting member thirty days after signing the membership book and making a pledge." Voting members also receive the UUA World magazine. In July, outgoing treasurer Elaine Schrenk will work with newly elected treasurer Joshua Meehl on the transition and transfer of the records. We thank Jessica Beierman for her work as bookkeeper in recent years. The proposed budget for 2019-2020, based upon committee requests and with consideration for the total amount pledged, was presented at the May 24 Annual Meeting and will be considered for approval at the next board meeting.
From the Communications Committee
Visibility, credibility, appeal, and membership of the Fellowship all depend on our Communications Committee. Volunteers can participate in a wide range of activities: website maintenance, social media, eBlasts, newsletter/Blog, campaign development, mailing list management, and more. We’re searching for two new members – could it be you?
“If communications are not your top priority, all other priorities are at risk.”—Paul Omodt (nationally recognized communications professional)
St. Cloud UU Fellowship needs a strong Communications Committee. We are seeking those with a background/expertise/interest in communications to serve as a member of the committee. Please contact Judy Foster if you are interested.
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.
Ron Syme 333-9732 (Interim Chairperson)
Hanni Epp 217-2471
Doug Polley 240-0520
Chris Smith 251-1497
Charlotte Stephens 251-8677
Linda Saupe 250-0340 (available after May)
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.
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Calendar Reminders
(AVOID ROOM CONFLICTS: Please check the online calendar on our website for space assignments. 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)
Sunday, June 23
10 a.m.-12 p.m., Budget and Finance Committee Meeting—Small Meeting Room
Sunday, July 21
9-10:30 a.m., Social Justice Committee Meeting—Small Meeting Room
Wednesday, July 24
5-6:30 p.m., Communications Committee Meeting--Small Meeting Room
WELCOMING CONGREGATION: We are a Unitarian Universalist Congregation that seeks to be a spiritual home for people of free faith regardless of race, color, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability.