Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth 
April 2008 Newsletter
Vision: We will be a beacon of progressive religion in our region, inspiring positive change in the world.
Mission: Caring for one another, growing spiritually, and working for justice.
Sunday Services and Religious Education for April 2008
All services during April will be held at 10:30am 835 W. College Street
- Sunday, April 6: "From the Inside Out" – with guest minister Reverend Keith Kron and Reverend Sally Hamlin
Join us in this service to celebrate UUCD's commitment as a Welcoming Congregation. Reverend Kron is from our Unitarian Universalist Association's Office of GLBT Concerns and is visiting as part of the Opening Our Doors, Opening Our Hearts Conference. - Sunday, April 13: "The Refugee Crisis in Africa" -guest speaker, Mr. Haji Dokhanchi, UMD faculty member will update us about the current refugee crisis in Africa, and inform us about how we can get involved in raising awareness about this crisis.
- Sunday, April 20: "Poetry and Music" - with UUCD's own Choir Director Cyndi Gritzmacher, Craig Hunter, and Strings Attached. Today marks the Jewish Holy Day of Passover. Bring your favorite poems and join in a congregational sharing of music and the spoken word.
- Sunday, April 27: "Your Place or Mine?" with guest speakers Jerry Hembd and Brita Rekve.
An Earth Day opportunity to explore sustainability and place. Talkback after the service
Circle Worship
Come together for a quiet moment in your busy week. Circle Worship is a time of reflective readings, a cappella singing, meditation, personal reflection and sharing. Circle Worship will be offered twice a month at the College Street building. Suzanne Wasilczuk facilitates this worshipful experience.
- Wednesday, April 16th, 5:30-6:15pm – Humor as Healing. When is laughter sacred?
- Wednesday, April 30th, 5:30-6:15pm – The Birds Return. Hooray for new life, new light, the return of the feathered people.
During the coming months we will explore/embrace various topics through music, poetry and sharing – enrichment for heart and soul. Other dates to save: Wednesday, May 21. Come anchor your week in a centering space. For more information call Suzanne.
From our Interim Minister, Reverend Sally Hamlin
Greetings, dear UUCD members and friends,
As I write this message to you in mid-March to make the newsletter deadline, there is much good news about and much activity afoot at College Street, now that the Certificate of Occupancy has been granted.
By the time you receive this newsletter, we will have already celebrated Easter Sunday in the new sanctuary, seated in the new chairs, overlooking the rock outcropping through the windows behind the pulpit, noting birds and tree branches, perhaps a curious deer or two……new memories already made, symbols that dreams can come true.
And this coming weekend, you are hosting the annual interfaith "Opening Our Doors, Opening Our Hearts" conference, modeling religious leadership as you welcome the LGBT community and its family and friends in Duluth into this sanctuary. What a wonderful symbol this can be to you that this is the first public activity you are hosting, as you use your faith home to welcome those of us who have been marginalized for our sexual orientation or gender identity. How right this feels!
Your new congregational home is stunningly, breathtakingly, beautiful. It is truly awesome (the ‘old' awesome, as in ‘inspiring awe') - and will stand for many years as the literal manifestation of your vision for your congregation to be a beacon for progressive religion in Duluth. 
I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am for you that you have finally arrived at this place on your long journey to create a religious home. You have all worked very hard to make this building a reality, giving much of your time and talents and treasures to make your dream a reality. It is your complete and utter devotion to one another, to this congregation and to our faith tradition- Unitarian Universalism- that has made all this possible.
Here is a question for you: how many of you have taken the time lately to contemplate all that this symbolizes for you personally, the significance of belonging to this community? How can a building inspire your spiritual or religious journey? Or perhaps it was the other way around- perhaps your spiritual or religious journey has inspired this commitment. What does it feel like to have made such a commitment to one another and to the future of Unitarian Universalism in Duluth?
I know some of you may have felt over the past few years as though you have given of both money and time, until it hurts. Yes, I can understand that. There is pain involved in deciding to go in one direction over another, and in dedicating yourselves to this vision for the future, you obviously have had to sacrifice to make this dream a reality.
However, I would wager a bet- here I go again, betting!- that many more of you than not, have given way past the point of feeling that it hurts; that instead, you have stretched so far in your giving, that you have reached the point of "giving till it feels good" instead.
I hope lots of you are feeling like you have given until it feels good, because you surely deserve to! UUCD will be a place where you can continue to give until it feels good for years to come, as you move along the path to the future.
And, I hope many others of you, some of you perhaps having been ‘visitors' or ‘friends' for years now, and others of you newer to Unitarian Universalism and to UUCD, will be inspired by the current members' commitment and vision, to join UUCD as a member next month on New Member Sunday, May 4th. This ceremony will include special words and ritual to welcome you into this congregation, including placing your signature along with all the others for over one hundred years. And, to further prepare you for joining this amazing congregation, we will host our first ever Path to Membership class, on Saturday, May 3rd from 9am to 1pm. This will give you an opportunity to get to know other new members better, to share your journey, and to have a chance to meet with me about your call to Unitarian Universalism. The Membership Committee will provide childcare and end with a sumptuous luncheon.
AND, if you are a parent and considering membership, or are already a member and have babies or children who have never been officially welcomed into this congregation, please note that on the following Sunday, May 11th (Mother's Day) we are planning the very beautiful Baby and Child Dedication Ceremony as part of that service. [A little history: Unitarians and Universalists stepped away from infant and adult baptism many decades age, not subscribing to the notions of original sin or salvation through baptism. Over time, we have developed and incorporated this stirring ceremony of each congregation's commitment to its babies and children, as we agree together to participate in the love and nurturing of our youngsters, together, as a faith community.]
Please check for more details about becoming a member elsewhere in this newsletter. You can contact Molly Benson, chair of Membership Committee, or me via email sallyhamlin@hotmail.com or by phone, if you have any questions about membership or about the baby and child dedication. In order for us to properly prepare for these two events, it is very important that we know ahead of time if you are planning to join or participate; we don't want to overlook you in any way!
There is much to look forward to over the next few weeks and months. I am so happy to be the minister who accompanies you on this part of UUCD's journey to the future. May we all continue to know the joy involved in giving until it feels good- and may it be our prayer for the world.
See you on Sunday!
Sally
Notice Of Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth will be held at approximately 7:30 p.m. on May 2, 2008 following a celebration. The meeting will be held in the Social Hall at 835 W. College Street, Duluth, MN.
The agenda will be limited to discussion of the election of three board members and by-law amendments.
According to the bylaws, any person who is 14 years of age or older, is in accord with the aims and purposes of the church, has signed the membership book, and made an identifiable contribution within the previous twelve months shall have the right to vote at business meetings. A member qualified to vote may vote in person or by written proxy delivered to the secretary or her/his designee stating the name of the member who can vote for the member in absentia.
Malcolm McCutcheon, Secretary, Board of Trustees
Making It Home!
To: The incomparable UUCD
On Tuesday, March 11, 2008 our architect and general foreman met with the building inspector, the Fire Marshall, and electrical, mechanical, plumbing and HVAC inspectors resulting in a verbal and temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Two days later I appeared at City Hall to pick up the actual document which is framed and at the building for viewing. We have six items to complete after the spring thaw and before June 12, 2008 for our final Certificate of Occupancy. The task force is now developing the final "punch list" toward our Certificate of Completion which releases our architect/contractor.
This has been quite a ride. For two and a half years the College Street Project Task Force has met almost every Monday evening and because of changing life situations we have had three chairs; John Evans, Alisa DeRider and finally Warren High. We have been blessed with the philanthropy of The Alan Zeppa Family Foundation and we conducted a highly successful Building Fund Appeal. Regardless, we have a mortgage to pay off as soon as possible. It took some time for the task force to understand the implications of a "design/build" architect/contractor. Steve Erban gave us fits from time to time, but we have an incredible building worth considerably more than its cost. Site development, an underground garage and a green roof were the major factors for budget deficit. We regretfully harvested a beautiful white pine whose lumber has been saved for our use and we lost two vernal ponds. Bunter Knowles and Chris Edwardson developed a new pond. Our Owner's Rep Chris Edwardson provided invaluable oversight during the entire construction phase. The City of Duluth Engineering Department made getting a sewer quite the smelly ordeal. We struggled thru the negotiating process to sell Winona to the Muslims who shared their building with us for six months. Pilgrim Congregational gave us free rent for Sunday services for three months. Over the past three months several hearty souls showed up every Saturday to convert the construction site to a Sunday sanctuary. Coming to services on Sundays since January allowed us to enjoy the progress, especially the planting of the interior garden. Since January a few members arrived daily to clean and paint. Both Chris Edwardson and Dick Fryberger deserve special recognition for having saved us thousands of dollars in donated labor hours in these final months of construction. We are soliciting funds to build our professionally designed commercial kitchen with construction beginning late March. Our average Sunday service adult attendance at Winona was in the 80s. We are now setting 150 chairs in the social hall and by the time you read this our carpet, 200 comfortable chairs and a theatrical quality sound system will be up and running in our sanctuary. We have moved in our used furniture and look forward to our Dedication and Grand Opening on May 16-18.
We Made It Home! CONGRATULATIONS!
In service & faith,
Ann Fryberger
President, Board of Trustees
Grand Opening Weekend
- MAY 16 Building Dedication with Rev. Bill Sinkford speaking
- MAY 17 Open House events
- MAY 18 Back to the Future and Beyond
- Service on Sunday morning
A few pots to cook in: Kitchen update
Thanks to the generous support spurred by the Kitchen Pot campaign, work has begun on finishing the kitchen. Under the leadership of Christian Edwardson Construction and the approval of the Kitchen Kabinet, the first contracts have been approved – electrical installations, purchase of sheetrock and fiber reinforced wall panels, and mechanical plans for the exhaust systems.
The first focus must be the actual kitchen construction: wiring, plumbing, floors, walls. Then comes equipment. We have purchased a commercial dishwasher (that will need stainless counters for functioning), a refrigerator and a gently used commercial range. The Kitchen Kabinet carefully and regularly reviews the priority of items so that we may have at least a minimally functional kitchen at reasonable cost in the near future.
The funds contributed and pledged to date will cover most of the parts of Phase I construction ($60,000). An additional $20,000 - $30,000 should get us through Phase II – and then comes the kitchen pots, utensils and other similar items. While we work now to get a kitchen we can use we will continue to seek ways to get the kitchen we need and want.
From The Treasurer: Money Talks, Chapter 1
Do We Talk Too Much About Money?
I've heard some people say that about UUCD. I think what they usually mean is that we ask for money too often, and that the leadership whines about UUCD not having enough money.
I agree with them.
But I am convinced we don't talk enough about things like how our congregation uses and should us its (=your) money, how our congregation raises money, or how all of our personal spending reflects our values.
And we definitely don't talk enough about how a congregation that needs to be a mixed-income community attracts and keeps people with modest incomes and/or burdensome financial responsibilities, as well as people whose financial situation is more comfortable.
"I wonder if I can still afford to be a member here," I heard a longtime member express recently. It may have been said partly in jest, but I think it expressed a real concern to many. Indeed it is a critical question: how can we deal with the tension between our growing financial needs and the need to affirm –in everything we do – the inherent worth and dignity of all?
We need more "money talk" in our congregation about these issues. I will try to promote such talk in the next few months with newsletter articles. Next month I'll say more about that longtime member's quote.
Paul Borrmann
UUCD Garden Club
In memory of Pete Hurlbut and with gratitude for the Zeppa Family Foundation.
The UU Garden Club met for the first time on March 8th to begin planning the oversight of our beautiful Interiorscape garden. What a great get together and what enthusiasm for this beautiful space that creates a peaceful, meditative transition from the outside to the interior sanctuary. The indoor garden also provides the much needed moisture balance for the woodwork in our building and helps to clean the air.
The care of the garden will be a learning experience. Some of the dead fall you will notice is from stress common to all new plantings. Pests, such as fungus gnats and other critters, are also expected. We will learn to deal with these without the use of pesticides. We will also be involved in developing our outdoor garden beds along the building and will coordinate with the Green Sanctuary Committee on the planning and over-sight of both our indoor and outdoor green space.
We are asking that no outside potted plants be brought into the building for at least a year until we have a handle on what our garden needs and how to handle new plants. We will work with the Worship committee and staff to assure that any cut flowers are thoroughly inspected and pest-free before they enter.
If you would like to become involved, please contact Cindy Graham at cgraham109@hotmail.com or Jo Thompson at woodfarm@wildblue.net. Our meetings are tentatively planned for the last Sunday of each month at 9:30 (UUCD, room TBA). All are welcome.
Simple Living Group
Sunday, April 13. Picnic Pot Luck and discussion: "What are you doing as an individual in preparation for the coming disasters" 12:30 at UUCD (Room to be announced).
Last month we discussed concerns over the challenging times ahead due to oil depletion and climate change. We will continue that discussion on April 13 as we share what we as individuals are doing or can do.
Let's have this discussion over a potluck lunch so bring an item to share. Since we don't have kitchen facilities, please bring something that doesn't need to be heated or refrigerated. And, do bring your own dinnerware and utensils. Please contact Duane Madison on what items to bring for the potluck. All are welcome. Contacts: Duane Madison or Jo Thompson.
Board Report
Your Board of Trustees met on February 26, 2008 and worked through the following items:
- We accepted minutes of January 22 Congregational Meeting and February 22 board retreat.
- We moved to search for a two year Interim Minister
- We moved to raise funds to build a kitchen
- We voted to have UUCD ordain Suzanne Wasilczuk in the fall of 2008
- We moved to accept Craig Hunter's autographed JFKL Profiles in Courage book toward kitchen
- We discussed a proposed Art Fair next winter lead by Ron Benson
- We set the annual meeting date at May 2, 2008
- We granted Destri Irwin $337 from Special Program Fund to attend PSD conference
- We moved to adopt a Building Use Policy
- We tabled for redraft a Fund Raising Policy
- We discussed College Street issues; Certificate of Occupancy expected March 7, final payments on contracts held until punch list completed, Task Force I wind down, Task Force II ramp up
- We received progress report of Dedication and Grand Opening events.
- We discussed what we will call our new building
- We established policy for Sunday Hospitality, Highlights and Board Welcome
- We discussed Alan Zeppa's use of the building for a Sierra Club meeting
Board of Trustees 2008
Please bring issues, compliments and complaints to any of the Board members. We welcome your input. Feel free to contact board members with questions, concerns, or compliments.
- President: Ann Fryberger ann@thefrybergers.net
- Vice-President: Dan Burrows dburrows@d.umn.edu
- Secretary: Malcolm McCutcheon mmccutch@chartermi.net
- Treasurer: Paul Borrmann kdonn@cpinternet.com
- Administration Trustee: Alison Lutterman alutterman@duluthmn.gov
- Membership Trustee: Kathy Heltzer kheltzer@charter.net
- Outreach Trustee: Paul Eckhardt paulxdoug@charter.net
- Worship, Religious Education and the Arts Trustee: Tara Richter tararichte@gmail.com
- Planning Trustee: Larissa Schmitt larissa.schmitt@gmail.com
Ministry Transition Team
An Opportunity To Share Your Views at UUCD 835 College St.
- Sunday, April 20, Noon
- Saturday, April 26, 10 Am.
Members and friends of our Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth community are urged to participate in one of the two conversations scheduled for discussion of our recent, and not so recent, past as a congregation. Child care will be provided and light refreshments will be served. We need you to call the church office, 724-0308, to indicate your plan to attend and the age and number of children that will be present. Please call by Thursday, April 17, so that we can be well prepared.
These meetings are sponsored by your Ministry Transition Team, the group selected to help move the congregation through the process of transitioning to a new settled ministry. Step One is to have an understanding of our history and how this can help move us to the future. We will use a process called Appreciative Inquiry. It provides a means of forming congregational conversations that name our strengths and successes as well as those unresolved negative or uncomfortable things of the past. We will try to focus on how things might have been less divisive or painful rather than just complaining. Questions may include: What are some events, rituals, or activities that have had strong meaning for you; Are there events or incidents that you would like to revisit for what can be learned – or for closure; Are there events from our history that we want to keep visible for future generations?
The Board of Trustees, Program Council and staff have already had similar meetings. A special, slightly different session, is planned for newcomers on April 13th.
So, you might ask, "What's the point?" There is more than the classic statement that those who don't understand the past are doomed to repeat it. Understanding where and what we have been can help us define how and where we want to be. Your participation in this process is vital to our future – and yours.
If you're considering membership at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, just read on!
New members will be welcomed to our congregation during the worship service on Sunday, May 4. Those who join will be recognized during a brief and joyful ceremony. Becoming a member of UUCD, which will include signing the same book signed by all members since 1887, is a significant symbolic ritual for Unitarian Universalists. As we have no creed, your signature is the symbol of your commitment.
Of course, membership is much more than signing a book. It is about identification and commitment. It signifies that you have taken a stand and made a decision about who you are and who you intend to become, that you are placing yourself in association with others with whom you have common values and life attitudes, and that you have made a personal commitment to share your talents, resources, and energy to support the work (and the play!) of the congregation.
If you'd like to formally enter into membership during this Welcoming New Members Ceremony—or if you have questions, large or small, before making a decision to join—you may contact any of the following: Interim Minister, Sally Hamlin at sallyhamlin@hotmail.com or 724-6084, Congregational Administrator, Kathy Stinnett at uucduluth@gmail.com or 724-0308, or Membership Chair, Molly Benson at calbenmn@chartermi.net It's important that you contact one of the above before Sun., May 4, to
And that's not all! To support your transition into membership, Interim Minister Sally Hamlin is offering a Path to Membership session from 9-1 on Sat., May 3 (the day before the Welcoming Ceremony). This will be a fabulous opportunity to enter into membership on "the right foot," as an informed and engaged new member.
Just one more thing—signing the membership book privately is another meaningful option. If you would prefer that, contact any of the above to arrange it.
Social Responsibility Council
The Board officially recognized the Social Responsibility Council at the February Board meeting. The next meeting date for the Social Responsibility Council is April 7, 2008, 7PM, at College Street. All committees that relate to social justice, adult religious education, outreach, denominational issues, environment, worship, etc. are encouraged to send a representative to the meetings of this new Council. Other people who are interested in the work of this council are also encouraged to attend. The council will meet quarterly, April, July, October, January to do short and longer range planning, enhancing the coordination and communication between the committees that are represented.
This council does not replace the current Program Council structure for any of the committees involved. Rather, this meeting allows time for planning and coordinating efforts regarding social responsibility and related committee issues. The charge is listed below, along with some examples of what kinds of things will be discussed and recommended based on the meetings:
The Social Responsibility Council shall evaluate and recommend action regarding social, political, economic, and environmental issues. The action shall be guided by the Principles of Unitarian Universalism and the Vision and Mission of UUCD. The actions suggested should help channel the energies of the congregation to match well with the needs of the community we live in. The goals of the congregation (or main focus if the goals are not set) and the denominational Study/Action issues should also be considered when reviewing issues.
The Social Responsibility Council reports to the Outreach Trustee.
The following are example items that the Social Responsibility Council could help facilitate and coordinate:
- Brainstorm ways to encourage members to engage in issues. Coordinate and foster communication among social responsibility groups in the congregation.
- Help coordinate fundraising efforts and help facilitate the designation of funds for social responsibility projects and causes.
- Provide visibility for UUCD social responsibility activity in the larger community.
- Coordinate the affiliation of UUCD with Unitarian Universalist Association social justice efforts, initiatives and programs.
- Support UUCD in interfaith social responsibility activities.
- Provide infrastructure to coordinate sponsorship and support to present and new programs.
- Field social responsibility topics and help brainstorm the best venues to present them (Sunday services, forums, life matters, adult enrichment etc) and support the appropriate program areas to help arrange the presentations
- Provide regular communication through the Newsletter. Invite Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUUs) onto this council and coordinate themes and actions with their groups.
Grand Opening Weekend
You are invited to the Grand Opening Weekend of the Duluth UU Congregation's New Building.
• Friday, May 16th Building Dedication: Evening service with national UU President speaking
• Saturday, May 17th Community Open House: Tours, booths, and music 1-4:00*
• Sunday, May 18th Sunday morning service: Ice cream social following
We will be needing LOTS of people to help with the Open House!
Be A Part Of The Puzzle- -"Puzzle Peace"!
"Puzzle PEACE", the Northland Interfaith Youth Choir, has taken their winter break and is ready to SING into SPRING! We have been asked to sing for the Peacemaker Recognition Service on Sunday, April 27 at Marshall School at 2:00 p.m. We will be working on the mini musical "Child of the World" and will sing the title song from that musical, as well as another selection. If you were able to sing at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, you may remember the song!
"Puzzle PEACE" is a family-friendly singing group open to all who would like to sing, ages pre-school to middle school. We rehearse 2-3 times before a scheduled performance, and you are welcome to bring your friends! Call volunteer director, Cyndi Gritzmacher, at (218) 728-9774 for further information or to be put on the mailing list. "Puzzle PEACE"...putting the world together, piece by PEACE!
* Sponsored by the Arrowhead Interfaith Council * www.arrowheadinterfaith.org
Religious Education
Greetings Greetings UU Families:
For Easter Sunday our kids learned about both Pagan and Christian symbolism adorning Ukranian Eggs. Each child made his or her own egg as well.
In April we will be celebrating the Jewish Passover, commemorating the exodus of Jewish slaves from Egypt. We will also be sampling some of the traditional foods associated with Passover.
YRUU News
Please consider signing-up for a four hour Youth Leadership Training on Saturday, April 19th
12:30-4:30pm
Contact Carol Turner for more information
Carol Turner
Director of Religious Education
cgeot1@gmail.com
Green Corner
As we continue moving into our indoor space on College St., it is also time to begin thinking about connecting with and moving into our outdoor sanctuary space. On April 27 (our Earth Day celebration) we will hear from Jerry Hembd and Brita Rekve about developing a sense of place, in their presentation "Your Place or Mine?"
In the December, 2007 Green Corner, we mentioned that the Green Sanctuary Committee was planning to hold a mini-retreat to solicit input into how we can best use our outdoor sanctuary space to complement our programs. We need to choose and set aside an appropriate location for a memorial garden, where we can remember and honor our members who are no longer living. Other ideas are trails where children and adults can wander and commune with the "interconnected web of which we are a part," gardens for food, flowers and wildlife, and outdoor gathering space for worship services.
Beginning in April, as soon as the ground is dry enough to walk on, the Green Sanctuary Committee plans to host a series of "walkabouts" after the Sunday worship service, so that congregants can begin to get a feel for our land on College Street. Then in early May we will schedule a retreat to brainstorm ideas about the use of our land. We invite feedback and participation from anyone who would like to help us develop this vision.
Welcoming Congregation Committee News!
Hey! We are a great group and we do good things. We are all about equality for GLBTA people. Come join us. Our next meeting is Sunday, April 20, right after church.
Read on to see what we are up to these days:
For the Bible Tells Me So
Does God love gay people? What does the Bible really say?
Your very own Welcoming Congregation Committee is co-sponsoring the premier Duluth showing of the powerful film For the Bible Tells Me So. This award-winning film explores the clash between religion and homosexuality through the lives of five Christian families who struggle to reconcile church teaching with their love for their gay children. One family, the Reitans, live in Eden Prairie, MN, and will lead a discussion following the showing at First Lutheran Church.
Please join us for one of these showings:
- Thursday, March 27, 7 pm, First Lutheran Church, Parish Hall, discussion to follow led by Randi and Phil Reitan.
- Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm College of St. Scholastica, Science Auditorium, discussion to follow led by Fr. William C. Graham, PhD
- Sunday, April 13, 12:30, First United Methodist Church (Copper Top), Social Hall, Discussion led by Rev. David Bard.
Free-will offering to be taken at all showings: Film time 97 minutes
Opening Our Doors, Opening Our Hearts
Our very own Karen Bauman is chair of this wonderful conference which will take place in our building on April 4 & 5. Registration forms are in the newsletter and are available at church. See story elsewhere about this event! Don't miss it!
Lobby Day
Believe in EQUALITY for ALL people—including those who happen to be gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered? Great! Then take the next step. Get involved! Join other UUs and ride the Lobby Day Bus. Leave UMD at 7:15 am (from the circle by Tweed Art Gallery) and return at 5 pm. In St. Paul we will meet with legislators to encourage votes for important legislation such as allowing local governments to decide for themselves to offer partnership benefits. At $20, it is cheaper than driving (and more fun)! Bring a lunch. Enjoy music and speakers at the rally. See you on the bus! Info available at church, or call the office at 724-0308.
Well, the time to host the annual GLBT interfaith equality conference has arrived! - Friday April 5 at 7:30 pm UUCD welcomes the vocal octet from Minneapolis OVation! This great singing group will offer a concert in our new sanctuary as a fund raiser for Opening Our Doors. Bring family and friends for a truly lovely evening! $15 suggested.
- Saturday April 6 12:30 pm – 8 pm UUCD hosts the 8th annual Opening Our Doors Opening Our Hearts inter faith conference with keynote speaker Rev. Keith Kron from the UUA Office of GLBT Concerns and co-author of the Welcoming Congregation Curriculum! Wow! A rare opportunity to engage in conversation about Unitarian Universalist GLBT support and how each of us can help bring the dream of faith equality into reality! $20 suggested fee includes a lovely gourmet dinner complete with live music and linens on the tables! Pre-register if you can to help with determining food quantities. At this point call Kathy Stinnett at 724-0308 to reserve a place for either or both events.
- Unable to attend the conference but want to help? Opening Our Doors is seeking scholarship funds to help low income folks afford the conference. Send your donation check to UUCD (835 W. College St.) with" OOD scholarship" on the memo line.
Julie at 525-3220.
Under Construction
A column to answer questions about our new church building
Certificate of Occupancy is ours!
No, it's not an April Fool's joke! The required inspection has occurred and we have been given a temporary 90-day Certificate of Occupancy (CoO). We will have some additional items to be completed once the outdoors grounds have thawed prior to receiving the complete CoO, but we are ecstatic to be this far. Hooray!!!
What a Bunch of Worker-Bees We Have in This Community
Folks have really stepped up to the plate to help with the innumerable jobs that have needed to be worked on to prepare our College Street home ready for service. It is looking really great thanks to the tireless effort of many, many people in our congregation. What a labor of love this has been. Thank you to all of you!
Elevator news
The elevator is set to be inspected on Tuesday, March 18th. Hopefully, all will be well and our elevator will be ready for use the following Sunday. This is such a wonderful item to have available after all the years without one.
Sanctuary Carpeting and Chairs
By the time you are reading this article, the carpet will have been installed and our sanctuary chairs will be in their place. Can you believe it? Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 was our first service in our new sanctuary. May it be so!
Garage Parking and Card Access
You know we have a great, under-the-building garage that helps to keep the rain waters from merely running off our asphalt into Chester Creek. This garage has made it possible to keep the footprint of the construction as small as possible and still meet the vision that we have for expanding our presence in the community. Very shortly this wonderful space will be free of storage, construction supplies, and other assorted items. Once our garage is ready for full use by our community, we will be using electronic card access and everyone will be instructed in the process for using this system.
Current Parking Request:
Over the next few weeks we are asking that our members consider car-pooling when able and avoid parking on the non-paved surface until the ground thaw is completed and the soil becomes more solid. Our original plan was to use porous pavers in these areas, but due to limited funds, this was not able to be done at this time. In order to protect the edges of the asphalt pavement and prevent deep ruts and erosion of the soil, we will be taping off the areas where parking should not occur until the soil stabilizes. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience this may create.
College Street Project Task Force Phase II
We will soon be heading into our next phase of the College Street Project. Phase I will be completed when all the items that need to be attended to are completed to the satisfaction of the Phase I Task Force and the architect/builder (Steve Erban) is released with a certificate of completion. The current Task Force is formulating a "punch list" of things that still need to be finished, fixed, or negotiated prior to release. Once Steve Erban is released, College Street Project Task Force Phase I will dissolve and College Street Project Task Force Phase II (CSPTF PII) will take over. Task Force Phase II will be continuing with more of the completion of the interior and exterior of the building and grounds as additional funds become available. Members of the CSPTF PII are: Chris Edwardson chairperson, Warren High, Ann Fryberger, Geiger Yount, Bev Harries, Julie McDonnell, and Carole Stinson. Thanks ahead of time for all the work they will be doing going forward.
College Street Project Task Force Phase I
Members: Lori Bauman, Alisa DeRider, John Evans, Ann Fryberger, Richard Fryberger, Warren High, Dave Stinson, Beth Travis-Betts, Geiger Yount and of course, our very own, Chris Edwardson, Owner's Representation Extraordinaire. Please call us if you have any questions or concerns.
You're invited to Dinner!
We've hosted four kitchen pot dinners, through March 28, with 33 delightful guests. Everyone has indicated that it was a great evening of fellowship and we've added $1,000 to the Kitchen fund. Thank you! April weekends are filled with other activity so we are proposing that the next Kitchen Pot dinner with David and Geiger will be a May Day event on Friday, May 2. I would appreciate calls or email geigman@aol.com now to book your place at the table – everyone welcome, especially newcomers who want to meet and mingle with UUs; repeat guests welcome. You donate $25 per person (more if you choose) - 100% to the Kitchen $Pot.
Music Notes
"For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the soul's own speech." Anonymous
UUCD on College St. is certainly finding heights of expression through music these days and with the ‘Music as a Universal Language' YRUU service Sunday service music in March was full of ‘soul speech'! It is with great appreciation that we thank the many musicians who helped make it happen throughout the month: vocal trio Cins and Hell (Cindy Edwardson, Hella Wartman, Cyndi Gritzmacher), all the YRUU musicians and the Choir with choir director Cyndi Gritzmacher and music programming administrator Karen Bauman.
April Rehearsal Schedule
- Wed April 2:
- 8 VA 6 pm Sanctuary
- Choir (with Laramie cast). 7 pm Sanctuary
- Sat April 5:
- Choir and Laramie. 9:30 am – 2 pm Sanctuary.
- 8 VA 6:30 pm - 8 pm Social Hall
- Wed April 9:
- Choir. 7 pm Sanctuary
- Sun April 13:
- Choir 9:30 am RE Great Room
- Wed April 23:
- Dedication Choir 7 pm - 7:45 pm Sanctuary
- Choir 7:45 pm- 8:30 pm Sanctuary
- Sun April 27:
- Choir 9:30 am. RE Great Room.
- 8 VA 11:45 am Sanctuary
- Dedication Choir 11:45 am RE Great Room
Dedication Choir – What's That?
In the hopes of truly memorable Building Dedication events May 16 and 17 any UUCD singer is cordially invited to join in a temporary DEDICATION CHOIR . We will sing two selections – May 16th and May 17th - Welcome One Welcome All (A. Snyder) on May 17th only - Deep Peace (B. Douglas). Contact choir director Cyndi Gritzmacher with questions!
More People = More Hymnals
UUCD is in need of more hymnals! Singing the Living Tradition ($28) and the teal Singing the Journey (($16) supply require beefing up and we are looking for financial donations to help cover new hymnal costs. Would you add to the new hymnal fund ?
Please put "Hymnal Fund" on the memo line of your generous check and place in the offering any Sunday in April. If you would like to have your very own personal copy of either or both hymnals please SEND a check to the UUCD office with a note stating what you would like. Heartfelt thanks to all of you!
Applause, Applause, Applause
Yes, there are often times during Sunday services when the music being offered is so wonderful that there is an outbreak of well meant applause. As mentioned in previous "Music Notes" within earlier editions of this very publication applause is an ingredient most often found in a concert/ performance environment where musicians offer usually well rehearsed music for the sake of the music. Applause is not only appreciated in this sort of setting but is also expected. Applause is often interpreted as a positive judgment and sign of appreciation of the musicians' skill and of the music composition(s) offered.
Music that is part of worship plays quite a different role than music in a concert hall.
Music is chosen and offered based on the way it can add to the overall worship experience without standing alone as a performance piece. The overall flow of the Sunday service is aided by this current of music. Applause acts as an interrupter to the whole worship experience and can really affect the intent of music by placing a value judgment on the selection and/or presentation of the selection.
Perhaps the next time you feel the effect of a musical selection during worship consider going beyond the judgment factor of applause and let the wonder of the listening experience lead you deeper into the whole worship environment. Consider offering your thanks and appreciative comments to the musicians following the service.
Caring Corner
The Rev. Suzanne Wasilczuk led us through a fine Caring Committee (When you Care enough to Say the Very Best) Workshop on March 15th. We hope to offer more of these informative and helpful workshops in the future. Stay tuned . . .
As we move into our new home and as more folks join us, remember that we must take care of each other. If you know of situations where we can help, please let us know. Thank you
Julie & Warren, Caring Co-Chairs
Joys & Concerns
Congratulations are overdue for Louise Beyea and Bob Cragin who were married on January 18th at Fairlawn mansion in Superior. They are living in Louise's home in Lakeside, with Louise's daughter, Kelsey. Currently they are on their honeymoon in Quito, Ecuador!- Best wishes to David Backstrand who is well on his way to recovery after surgery on February 21. He is home and getting back to his life after a long period of not feeling well.
- Condolences go to Diana and Charlie Moore on the death of Diana's mother, Eva Smith. Eva recently moved from her life-long home in Tennessee to Duluth to be near family. She died on February 21 at the age of 84 after a short illness.
- Condolences go to Freda and Keith Carlson on the death of Freda's father Elmer "Pete" Petersen. Pete died in Duluth on March 5th at the age of 79. Pete, an avid reader and inspired cooker of new recipes, was a life-long employee of Chicago Northwestern Railroad.
- Condolences go out to the family of Don Lehtinen, long-time member of UUCD. Don, a World War II veteran, worked for Central Cooperative Wholesale in Superior and was a Mutual Service Insurance Agent for many years as well. Don died on March 14th after a short illness. He was 92.
- Best wishes to Bob Hart who resides at Bayside Health Center (1601 St. Louis Avenue) on Park Point, in room 102. Bob enjoys visitors and the best time to stop by is after 3pm.
- Best wishes to John Langdon who started on a new course of treatment for his lymphoma. With characteristic grace and good humor John quipped, "How lucky I am to be able to sample not just one treatment but two!" John finished chemo in January and has begun radiation. He's getting the works!
- Continued good wishes to Beth and Tom Betts. Tom writes: Beth and I recently went down to Abbot Northwestern for follow-up and to have her chemo port removed. A CT scan was also done. You'll be glad to know that we were told, "everything is perfectly fine". Beth's energy level is back up, way up! I can't keep up. Need help. Send help!
Spirit Valley Young Mothers
GOING SHOPPING? Here's a wish list from the moms of things for themselves and for their babies. Watch for sales and pick up an item or two when you can afford it. A basket has been placed by the Welcome Table for donated items. Committee members will deliver items to the moms. Thank you for all your donations!
- Moms: Shampoo/conditioner, bedding (sheets, pillowcases, blankets), dishes (silverware, plates, cups, glasses, pots, pans, etc.), tampons, razors, nursing pads, breast mild storage containers, non-perishable foods, laundry soap, deodorant, gift cards in small increments to Super One, K-Mart, and Target.
- Babies: Diapers (all sizes from newborn-2T), baby wash/lotion, diaper cream, blankets, crib sheets, and bottles in addition to the Baby Layette items we gather for each newborn.
UU Pretty Good Book Club
The UU pretty good book club is open to everyone, not just members. If you enjoy reading good books and discussing them, why don't you join us. Meetings are usually the third Tuesdays of the month in the Library at UUCD on College Street. Watch for location changes in Order of Service Announcements.
April Selection - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Tuesday, April 15, 7:15 p.m., Library.
Combining an unerring instinct for telling detail with the broader brushstrokes you need to tackle issues of culture and politics, Patchett creates a remarkably compelling chronicle of a multinational group of the rich and powerful held hostage for months.... Even more compelling are the protective, almost familial affections that arise, the small acts of kindness in what is, inevitably, a tragedy. Brilliant.
May Book Selection - Walden: Or Life In The Woods by Henry David Thoreau, Tuesday, May 20, 7:15 p.m., Library
Walden is a series of 18 essays by Thoreau, a Unitarian and Transcendentalist. An important contribution to New England Transcendentalism, the book was a record of Thoreau's experiment in simple living on the northern shore of Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts (1845-57). It is viewed not only as a philosophical treatise on labor, leisure, self-reliance, and individualism, but also as an influential piece of nature writing. It is considered Thoreau's masterwork.
June Book Selection - Ahab's Wife Or, The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund, Tuesday, April 15, 7:15 p.m., Library
Ahab's Wife is a novel on a grand scale that can legitimately be called a masterpiece: beautifully written, filled with humanity and wisdom, rich in historical detail, authentic and evocative. Melville's spirit informs every page of her tour de force. Una Spenser's marriage to Captain Ahab is certainly a crucial element in the narrative of Ahab's Wife, but the story covers vastly more territory. After a spellbinding opening scene, the tale flashes back to Una's childhood in Kentucky; her idyllic adolescence with her aunt and uncle's family at a lighthouse near New Bedford; her adventures disguised as a cabin boy on a whaling ship; her first marriage to a fellow survivor who descends into violent madness; courtship and marriage to Ahab; life as mother and a rich captain's wife in Nantucket; involvement with Frederick Douglass; and a man who is in Nantucket researching his novel about his adventures on her ex-husband's ship. Ahab's Wife is a breathtaking, magnificent, and uplifting story of one woman's spiritual journey, informed by the spirit of the greatest American novel, but taking it beyond tragedy to redemptive triumph.
For more information, contact Carol Michealson at cmicheal@d.umn.edu.
Adult Enrichment And Religious Education Programs
Adult Religious Education and Worship: Circle Worship
Come together for a quiet moment in your busy week. Circle Worship is a time of reflective readings, a cappella singing, meditation, personal reflection and sharing. Circle worship will be offered twice a month at the College Street building. Suzanne Wasilczuk will facilitate. No need to register for this since it is a religious service. Come together for a quiet moment in your busy week. Circle Worship is a time of reflective readings, a cappella singing, meditation, personal reflection and sharing. Circle Worship will be offered twice a month at the College Street building. Suzanne Wasilczuk facilitates this worshipful experience.
- Wednesday, April 16th, 5:30-6:15pm ? Humor as Healing. When is laughter sacred?
- Wednesday, April 30th, 5:30-6:15pm ? The Birds Return. Hooray for new life, new light, the return of the feathered people!
During the coming months we will explore/embrace various topics through music, poetry and sharing ? enrichment for heart and soul. Other dates to save: Wednesday, May 21. Come anchor your week in a centering space. For more information call Suzanne.
Adult Enrichment Courses and Workshops
Book and Literature Discussions
Class Matters: Cross-class Alliance Building for Middle-Class Activists by Betsy Leondar-Wright, New Society Publishers. Led by Sue Dailey of UUCD's Social Justice Committee leading the six-part discussion.
This light book blends reading, charts, photos, and cartoons with lots of practical situations. It promises to generate great discussion about the very real issues involved in addressing the interplay of class, race, gender, and sexual orientation in the struggle for social justice, in our UU community and beyond. Movements for social justice could be larger and more powerful if they were broader, including more class diversity. But as middle class activists, we can find ourselves frustrated, sensing mistrust or limited cooperation for no apparent reason.
Class Matters uses interviews with 40 diverse activists and thinkers, along with many real-life stories to help readers learn from their own experience, build bridges and collaborate more effectively in a mixed-class effort. It discusses frankly the politics of class, what gets in the way of cross-class alliances, and how effective alliances can be built.
It will be hard to find this book in bookstores locally. You can order it online from Powell's or Amazon.com for $15. The author is Betsy Leondar-Wright, by New Society Publishers. Sue will have a number of copies on hand for purchase at the first meeting.
Thursdays in the Board Room at 7:00 p.m. (Note these are not consecutive weeks.) You may still join this discussion even if you have missed the first or second sessions.
- March 27. Class and other identities (Race and class, feminism, GLBT, working class men and women. pp 1-63)
- April 3. Cross-class alliances (pp 10-25)
- April 17. Places we meet and where we get support (pp 64-87)
- April 24. Obstacles to cross-class alliances (pp 88-130)
- May 1. Building cross-class alliances (pp 131-159)
Feminist Psychology of Men Hal Bertilson of the UUCD Social Justice Committee will lead this four-part discussion on Wednesdays beginning April 9 and continuing alternate Wednesdays, April 23rd, May 7 and May 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room. The book used is by Christopher T. Kilmartin (2007). The Masculine Self. (3rd Edition). Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY: Sloan Publishing. There should be used copies of this book available. It has been out for at least a year. For even cheaper choices the 2nd Edition covers much of the same material and is organized similarly. It would just not be as current.
In a time when we are aware that mainline psychology has in the past focused on men with inadequate coverage of women, people of color, and sexual identity, it might be asked what purpose is provided by a psychology of men. What a psychology of men course provides is a gender-aware perspective. "Men are powerfully affected by the experiences of growing up male, having people respond to them as males, expecting and having others expect certain behaviors based on "masculine gender roles," and having feelings about their masculinities" (Kilmartin, p. 2). Some of the issues for some, but not all men, include:
- Most males are encouraged from an early age to suppress their feelings
- Men have more psychological difficulty than women in adjusting to divorce and separation
- Men commit most acts of violence
- The average lifespan of a man is significantly shorter than a woman's
- Many men seem to have strong feelings of being disappointed with their fathers
- The general quality of men's relationships with others is often impoverished
- Definitions of masculinity are changing.
UU Pretty Good Book Club information can be found elsewhere in the newsletter.
For more information, contact Carol Michealson at cmicheal@d.umn.edu.
Roots, Realities and Resistance: Human Rights and Migration Across Borders
- Wednesday, April 23, Peace Church, Fellowship Hall. Pot luck at 5:30. Presentation at 7 pm
Padre Uvi, a parish priest from Oaxaca City, Mexico, will connect the dots between US policy, migration and resistance. As a well respected leader in the religious and human rights community, Padre Uvi will deepen the discussion surrounding immigration; focusing on the root causes and peoples' movements working for justice and dignity.
A discussion will follow.
Sponsored by Just Peace committee of Peace UCC, Witness for Peace, YWCA, and League of Women Voters
Bye bye, bye bye, bye bye, bye bye
We have moved out of the Winona building. if you still have any Winona keys Please return them to Kathy Stinnett in the office as soon as possible
WANTED: for John Langdon's house
We need to buy a USED range (free-standing, electric range with four burners and oven) and a decent, wooden desk with drawers (as opposed to one of those horrible "computer desks"). Also (less important) kitchen chairs with rush seats or other lightweight kitchen/dining chairs. Anyone with such things to sell or who knows of anyone with such things to sell or get rid of, please call Langdon's. THANKS!
Application for College St. Esthetic Idea
Thank you for your interest in contributing to the finishing and decorating of our beautiful new space. Phase II appreciates the enthusiasm and generosity of so many people. We are very interested in hearing everyone's wonderful ideas. However, at this very early stage of our new space we seek your patience.
In the interest of having a coordinated and pleasing esthetic result throughout our new space, attention must be given to an over-all vision for the space before we can begin to add items that fit into and enhance the vision. This over-all vision, once formulated, will be used to evaluate each proposal submitted.
If you have a donation or idea to propose please complete this sheet and send it to the Phase II Team, UUCD, 835 W. College St., Duluth, MN 55811. We will respond as soon as possible. We encourage you to watch the UUCD newsletter and web site for developments.
DESCRIBE THE ITEM OR IDEA IN DETAIL. Provide a rendering, photo, dimensions, etc. if appropriate.
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Donation: YES ? NO ? or Estimated Cost if not Donated $_____________
Signature:__________________Print Name: ___________________ Date: __________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
RESPONSE FROM RECOMMENDING COMMITTEE (when appropriate)
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Chair Signature: _______________________________________ Date: _____________
RESPONSE FROM PHASE II TASK FORCE
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Chair Signature: _______________________________________ Date: _____________