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UUCD Newsletter, August 2008

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 August 2008

All services during August will be held at 10:30am, 835 W. College Street. Nursery care is provided during the service for children up to 6 years old.

Sunday, August 3: "To Dwell Together" - Rev. Gail Marriner

This is our new Interim Minister’s first service with UUCD! She will talk about the idea of refocusing our vision as we define our community in our new home after many years of journey.

Sunday, August 10: "Jazz and Spirituality, Part 2"- Greg Kehl Moore

This service is a follow-up to last summer’s program exploring the links between jazz music and the spiritual realm, this time with an emphasis on vocal jazz. Vocalist Tanya Moore will be featured.

Greg is an associate professor and directs the jazz program at UW-Superior. Tanya teaches voice at the UW-Superior Conservatory and is the incoming UUCD Youth Program coordinator.

Sunday, August 17: "Music as an Element of Worship"- Karen Bauman

Join  Karen Bauman in an exploration of music as an element of worship. Since the earliest times of human existence music has played a role in ritual and worship.  Modern day religion relies on music for sharing messages of hope, love, grief, solidarity and joy.  Be ready to help with making part of this service happen!

Karen Bauman is UUCD's  Music Programming Administrator. She is a Registered Music Therapist and has been involved in church music of many varieties for about 35 years.

Sunday, August 24: "Peacemaking" – Hal Bertilson

The Theory and Practice of Social Action. All are welcome to stay and participate in a "talk-back" session in the Greatroom after the service.

Sunday, August 31: Interfaith Pride Breakfast Buffet!  9:30am in our Social Hall

Suggested donation $5 Interfaith Pride Service – Rev. Gail Marriner and Karen Bauman

Rise & Shine You are invited: Pride Breakfast Sunday, August 31st 9:30 a.m. Suggested Donation - $5

From our Interim Minister

In medias res* 

Gail in study with books unpackedDo you remember Mary Poppins?  Do you remember the job description sent up the chimney to the four winds? Do you remember how she floats in clasping her parrot handled umbrella and her magic carpet bag? Do you remember how she takes the children on unexpected adventures into chalk drawings and to tea parties held on the ceiling? And do you remember what she tells the children when they ask if she will stay forever? She says, "I’ll stay until the wind changes…"

Well, Mary Poppins is my role model when it comes to interim ministry. Ok, so the job description was sent out electronically rather than floating up the chimney and it was for a parish minister, not a nanny.  And I drove into town at the beginning of June in a Honda Odyssey, with two kids, a dog, a husband and a moving van full of stuff, rather than arriving by umbrella. And my luggage isn’t magical. We will have some wonderful adventures, though. Together we will  explore what it means to be a progressive, program size, Unitarian Universalist  congregation, in a new ecologically sensitive building, high above the shores of Lake Superior .

You have had a long journey. You have navigated many transitions. You are not the congregation you were a decade ago or even two years ago. Our task together,  is to look at who you have been, discover who you are now, and discern who you are becoming. When we discover this and when you are feeling more confident and comfortable with your new self and ready to go forward, the wind will have changed and it will be time for me to leave.

In the meantime, my family and I have moved into a house on Hartley Road and we have fallen in love with Duluth. I’m a Minnesota girl from way back – I grew up in Rochester and my folks still have a lake place over on the Whitefish chain — so this feels like coming home. I’m really glad to be here, and I’m looking forward to meeting you!

Blessings, 
Gail

*a literary term meaning to begin a story in the middle of the action

Join A Team To Help Plan The 2009 Psd Conference In Duluth

"Our Blue Boat Home: Living the Seventh Tradition" has been selected as the name for our Prairie Star District Conference here in Duluth April 3-5, 2009.  It will take 50-70 volunteers to make this happen, with everyone working in their very best specialty.  Are you an organizer?  A friendly face? A strategist?  A good speaker?  We need everyone!  The Core Committee has identified teams—some of them already have team leaders—and some important ones are listed below.  Please call one of the FUN folks listed to indicate your interest or just to say you’re on board the Blue Boat Home!

Teams in search of volunteers so far (there may be more) are:

  • Registration
  • Bookstore
  • Worship and Ceremonies
  • Hospitality
  • Visual Arts
  • And more!!!

Kathy Heltzer  kheltzer@d.umn.edu
Jan Magree jsmagree@cpinternet.com
Marty Sozansky msozansk@d.umn.edu
Tim Stratton tstratto@d.umn.edu

Board Report                                              

Your Board of Trustee met on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 7PM. As is traditional for the June board meeting, a social time was set aside starting at 6PM. This a transitional meeting, the former board members are invited to share dinner with the current board members. We then met at 7PM for the usual board meeting. At this meeting the following things transpired:

  • The consent agenda (basic monthly reports) was accepted.
  • The board accepted the May 27th meeting minutes.
  • The board accepted the June 14 retreat minutes. These will be accepted at the next official congregational meeting likely in December.
  • Board positions were filled as follows:
    • Alison Lutterman will serve as Secretary
    • Tara Richter will serve as the Vice President
    • Jim Lund will server as the Planning Trustee
    • Carol Michealson will serve as the Worship Trustee
    • Larissa Schmitt will serve as the Administrative Trustee
    • Gloria Walters will serve as the Outreach Trustee
    • Dan Burrows will remain as President
    • Paul Borrmann will remain as Treasurer
    • Kathy Heltzer will remain as Membership Trustee
  • The Board reviewed a long range financial plan, and Paul Borrmann will bring more information to the next monthly meeting
  • A subgroup of Larissa, Dan, Tara and Paul was formed to discuss the Board/Program Council retreat outcomes.
  • More information was requested regarding a suggestion we consider shopping at Sam's Club
  • Kathy Stinnett has a list of people who could be contacted during July and August if we need routine ministerial support.
  • The board agreed to consider reading and discussing a book called "Churchworks", possibly starting in September
  • Volunteers of Carol, Jim and Kathy agreed to review the Phase II list of priorities.
  • A grant from the Prairie Star District was awarded to UUCD. UUCD will study the White Bear Unitarian Universalist congregation, which was awarded a "Breakthrough" congregation designation a few years ago. This award is given to congregations that show substantial growth. UUCD will collaborate with White Bear by sending a contingent down to meet with their staff and worship with their congregation. UUCD will then write up what we have learned about growth. The writeup will be shared with other UU congregations, such as those in the Northern Cluster. Gloria volunteered to lead this group and some names were suggested as contacts. Members of the congregation are encouraged to contact Gloria if they are interested in this process. The grant is for $1000.00, which can be used to help cover travel costs.
  • Board Greetings: July 6 – Kathy, 13 – Alison, 20 – Dan, 27 – Gloria

Please feel free to contact your Board members if you have comments, suggestions or questions.

The Board of Trustees received a letter from Cyndi Gritzmacher informing us of her decision to resign as Choir Director effective July 10, 2008. UUCD is grateful for the many years of dedicated service Cyndi gave in this position, and we hope she will continue to be a major asset to the music program here. The Personnel Committee, Staff and Board are working to develop a plan to make the necessary transition.

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.

From the Treasurer  Money Talks

Endowment: Did you know that UUCD has an Endowment Fund? Perhaps not, especially since the Fund's principal has to reach $100,000 before we can begin to draw on its earnings. But the Endowment Fund could be a key to our long-term vitality and continued growth.

Money given to this Fund will not be spent - but the interest and dividends this money earns will be available to help the congregation in any way the congregation chooses. Each year, that money will earn more interest and dividends, so that a one-time gift will provide income to UUCD every year thereafter. It could be used for a building addition, a staff position, an outreach service project like flood relief, or some other project.

Perhaps you are in a position to consider putting UUCD in your will, or making a gift sooner. Many find it beneficial to donate appreciated stocks or other securities, thereby avoiding substantial capital gains taxes while enjoying a tax deduction on the full value of the security. A gift to the Endowment Fund assures that you will be helping Unitarian Universalism beyond your lifetime.

If this is something of interest to you, contact me or the Endowment Committee through the UUCD office.  

Paul Borrmann, Treasurer

Music Notes

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

With a thought about change in the usual place for the monthly music quotation we embrace the closing chapter of Summer as August joins us at UUCD.   There is much potential and promise for transformation within music programming in the coming months and program year.  I hope that you choose to engage in the conversation begun in mid-July about creating a more inclusive music program that better serves all congregants.  As opportunities for sharing your thoughts and feelings become available we’ll keep you informed through Sunday Board of Trustees announcements and perhaps a mailing.  In the mean time remember the phoenix…

During July we were gifted with music from youth musicians Ander Peterson and Max Heisick-Thule, plus Civil War song singing Paul Borrmann along with Music Programming Administrator (MPA) Karen Bauman. 

Many thanks for brightening our Sunday mornings!

Look for Dr. Greg Moore speaking and music-making Aug. 10th as spiritual aspects of jazz are explored. Aug. 17th  MPA Karen Bauman will offer some ideas about the power of music in worship through words and sound.

It may be that as you are perusing this fine publication the aforementioned MPA is in a choral repertoire session with several hundred other UU music professionals or taking notes at a copyright issues workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network 25th Annual Conference. From August 5th through 10th UU music professionals from all over the nation will converge in Boston for workshops, professional development, networking, and inspiration.  Expect plenty of new ideas and UU specific choral music coming back to Duluth from Boston! 

Did you know that UUCD hosts the Interfaith Pride Breakfast and Worship this year?  Sunday August 31st we will welcome folks from many faith traditions into our new home and to that end an Interfaith Pride Choir will be formed with two rehearsals Weds. Aug. 20th  7 pm and Sunday Aug. 24th at 11:30 or so.  The group will learn one choral selection that will be offered during the Interfaith Pride Worship service.

YOU are welcome to join in this short term singing opportunity!

Please phone MPA Karen Bauman (prior to 8 pm) with questions about this or  any other music programming interests.                                                                

Covenant Groups

Need to recharge your spiritual batteries? Consider joining a covenant group

Covenant groups are small groups of six to eight people who meet regularly to share, explore spiritual wisdom, develop friendships and to come closer to the UU community.  In addition to sharing personal thoughts around a selected topic, an important focus is on the intentional and spiritual practice of listening.  Each person will have an opportunity to be heard. Groups will be forming in the fall.  Look for information and sign-up sheets in your order of service inserts later this summer.

We are hoping to add one or two weekday groups that meet during the day and one or two groups that meet in the evening.  We’re considering special or focus-type groups such as new members, new mothers, young mothers, dealing with aging parents, and issues of loss and grief. 

If you are interested in joining and/or becoming a facilitator, please contact Diana Moore or Bev Harries.  We are taking sign-ups beginning in September for groups to begin the week of October 7.

Is It A Kitchen Yet?

The kitchen is getting very close to being "mostly" functional. The Kitchen Kabinet has been committed to not spending more money than we have in hand. And we are very cautious about making sure all current bills are paid before we state what we have "in hand".

While we wait to determine just what funds are still in our account, we do know what needs to be done next. We need to have the custom stainless tables on either side of the dishwasher, the necessary plumbing fixtures for those and some storage carts and shelves. The expected cost of these items is $6500 to $7000. It is possible that we have nearly that much money available but we won’t order them until we know for sure. (Any of you who have done home construction projects know how those "surprise" costs can appear.)

When we have the functioning dishwasher and the places to store items, we will begin moving items to the kitchen and pantry and will be ready to welcome potlucks, special events and rentals.

Watch for an urgent plea from the Kitchen Kabinet if we are short of the necessary funds. We really want to have the kitchen functioning well by early September.

Religious Education News

WANTED:  Religious Education Steering Committee

We are gearing up for an exciting programming year.  I am looking for interested individuals who are willing to meet periodically through out the year to add their valuable input in shaping our Religious Education Programming. Please contact Carol Turner if you are interested in helping to shape our RE programming. We are always open to your ideas as we shape our new College Street home.

Starting in September, we will be intermingling popular whole-group activities such as celebrating Yom Kippur, Ramadan, Winter Solstice and Christmas with age-specific classroom lessons through out the
programming year.  We are using three user-friendly curricula all designed by UU educators.  They are as follows:

  • Pre-K/K/1st: Super Heroes of the Bible
  • 2nd/3rd:   UU Super Heroes
  • 4th/5th/6th: Traditions with a Wink

Two of the most important underlying themes of all of these curricula is building UU identity and building community.

Our 7th and 8th graders are encouraged to participate in a new Coming of Age (COA) program that will be offered on Sunday Mornings.  The goal is to help our kids as they journey from childhood to adulthood.

Our Coming of Age Program will involve monthly meetings with mentors from our UU community and writing and sharing a personal theology statement toward the end of the year.  I have heard that these are very powerful. We are adapting the COA program developed by the UU Fellowship in Lansing, Michigan.

YRUU news

Tanya Moore has been hired as our Youth Program Coordinator and will be working with our 9th through 12th graders. Tanya has years of experience working with youth and has some terrific programming ideas to infuse into our Wednesday night youth group. Her enthusiasm is contagious!

We also have on board Jenna Warmuth.  Jenna's official title is Community Action Consultant.  Jenna will be working several hours each month researching and creating opportunities for our youth (and other congregants) to get involved in social action and service in the
region.

Caring Corner

Hey!  We are growing! 

It seems as if new people are showing up every week.  It is getting harder and harder to know everyone and so it will take a real effort for us to be connected to each other.  One way to do that is to use the Joys and Concerns.  This column can help others to know how you are doing and will give the beloved community an opportunity to celebrate or morn with you.  If you have a joy or concern that you would like to have noted in the September newsletter please contact Julie or Warren before August 17th.  Please don’t assume we know.  We don’t!

Joys And Concerns

  • Congratulations to Will Rhodes and Gina Temple Rhodes who recently welcomed their wonderful baby son, Kelton Cedar Rhodes, born April 30.
  • Condolences to Susan Alexander, Vince Senski and family, on the death of Susan’s father, James Blaine Alexander.  James died at the VA hospital in Milwaukee after a lengthy illness on April 11th.
  • Hurray for John Langdon, who is generally recovered from his chemo and radiation treatments for lymphoma!  He reports that it is "wonderful to be home" and he is happy to be able to work outside.   John sends thanks to those who have made the trek up to see him.  As he is not driving, he’s somewhat house-bound and welcomes visitors!  (Please call first.)
  • A note from David Backstrand:  "Hopefully by the time you read this I will be home after two months at Chris Jensen.  The chemo is going very, very well.  I’ve some life in me yet!"
  • Best wishes to Pat Stoddard as she continues to recover from the effects of the deer tick borne disease, prevalent in our region, ana plasmosis (formerly known as ehrlichiosis).  Pat wants you all to know that this disease starts out with flu-like symptoms:  intestinal upset, high fever, body aches and weakness, but can also attack heart, liver, electrolytes, platelets, mental processes and mobility.  Without prompt treatment ana plasmosis can be fatal.   Avoid ticks by spraying clothing with an insecticide containing at least 25% DEET.
  • Congratulations to Marree Seitz who, as of this writing, has only two chemo treatments left!!!  She is very anxious to get this piece finished and move on with plans for a fun, active Autumn.
  • Congratulations to Tina Welsh, recently retired Executive Director of the Women’s Health Center.  Tina was a pioneer in the area of reproductive rights for women.  She was instrumental in the creation of the Building for Women, a founding mother of PAVSA along with many, many other accomplishments.  What’s next???  Check with Tina!  You go girl!.

UUCD Family Fun Night

Save the Dates:

  • Every Wednesday evening in July & August, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
  • All are invited: babies, children, teens, young adults, boomers and grands [This is a time for the young and the old and everyone in between to play together and grow our UUCD family]
  • The Fryberger’s patio & pool: 3399 Riley Rd., Duluth
  • Potluck Dinner (5:30 p.m.), Swimming, Outdoor Games, Conversation
  • Please bring a guest and their family, your own plates, cups, utensils, beverages, games, towels, insect repellent, sun screen, etc.  If you want or need it; bring it. Frybergers will provide water. No reservations required

Just come and have fun as we build family

Drum Circle

The monthly drum circle will be resuming at UUCD.  This is an "in-the-moment" drum circle.  It is not a drum class nor do we attempt to play any ethnic specific rhythms.  What we do is play off each other.  This circle starts at 7:00 PM on the first Friday of the month and goes until 9:00 PM. Please try to arrive before 6:50.  If you don't have a drum, we generally have an extra.  Call Bruce Holmen confirmation of dates.

Peace & Justice

You may have noticed the tall, square Peace & Justice kiosks that move around the church.  Look for them either in the social hall or near the coat rack.  These kiosks were built by Tom Starkey for us to post information about events of interest to members.  There’s a white board to write down announcements of meetings, etc.  There’s a bulletin board to post flyers and other notices.  There’s a shelf for extra flyers you can take home or petitions to sign.  The kiosks belong to all of us.  Please feel free to add notices, flyers, and petitions as you wish.  Check it out as often as you want.

The Peace and Justice Committee is co-sponsoring a series of activities August 6-9 to remember the nuclear blasts that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.  A panel and discussion will be held at the UUCD sanctuary at 7:00 pm on August 7 on A Community Conversation on the Costs of War.  Watch the kiosk or contact Scot Bol at earthmannow@gmail.com for more information.

The Peace & Justice Committee will meet on August 11 at 7:00 pm to consider the Peacebuilding study/action issue and how UUCD can prepare to vote this winter on what the UUA’s position should be regarding Peace.  All are welcome.

Social Responsibility Council

The Social Responsibility Council is meeting at 7:00 on August 4 in the Board Room.  This group of representatives of the various social justice groups will work to develop ways that the various social justice groups can work together to be an even stronger beacon of progressive religion and positive change.  The committees represented there will share feedback on recent activities as well as plans for the coming months, so we can strengthen one another and coordinate activities.

Contact Sue Dailey at sdaileydul@hotmail.com for more information.

Adult Enrichment

The Prophetic Imperative: Social Gospel in Theory and Practice by Rev. Richard Gilbert (2000).  In this book Gilbert reminds us that James Luther Adams was a sharp critic of the lack of commitment and discipline in liberal religion.  The Gospels were about commitment, change of hearts, and decision, but, he believed, liberals are largely not that.  Liberals are "enfeebled."  Adams urges us to restore the liberal community to its own dynamic and militancy.  What message could be more important in these troubling and dangerous times?  

With this ethical formulation in mind, Gilbert suggests the following six covenants for Unitarian Universalist social responsibility:

  1. "We become human beings by making promises and keeping commitments . . . We are covenanting creatures.
  2. "Our covenant is a covenant with all being, with creative, sustaining, transforming powers, interpreted theistically or humanistically. . . .
  3. "Our covenant is both individual and social.  We are responsible not only for individual behavior, but also for the character of the society and the preservation of nature. . .
  4. "Our covenant is especially directed toward the deprived and the powerless. . .
  5. "Good fortune obligates . . .
  6. "A final dimension of Unitarian Universalist covenant is the need for renewal of the concept of vocation.People are called in whatever they do to be responsible for others, to humanity." Gilbert ends Chapter 5 by quoting Harold Taylor’s report on theological education.  "Among the denominations, the role of the liberal church is to act at the front edge of intellectual, spiritual and social change in the Americna religious community and deliberately engage itself with the elements and forces of contemporary society at the places where these are to be found at their highest tension" (pp. 103-105)

Join us this fall in discussion of The Prophetic Imperative.   We will be meeting at 7:00 PM on every other Thursday in the  RE Greatroom starting September 11 for five weeks.

The Welcoming Congregation News

Our committee is gearing up for this coming fall and would love to have some new faces to assist us in our joyful obligations! Please consider joining us! Your time will not be spent on multitudes of meetings, but instead on fun projects! Send us your e-mail address and we’ll make sure you know when we need some creative support.

Upcoming Events: Mark your calendars now!

  • Pride Weekend – August 29-31.
  • Welcoming Congregation Refresher Classes – Fall 2008.
  • Rainbow Movies – Back by popular demand this Fall.
  • Seven Straight Nights – September 14-20; Straight supporters of GLBT people come together.
  • Prairie Star District Conference – April 2009.

If any of the above sounds interesting, consider joining the welcoming congregation committee!
We’d love to have you join us. Our next meeting will be later this summer. Call Julie M. or Tim D for more information!

UU Pretty Good Book Group

The UU pretty good book group 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 each month in the library at UUCD.

August Book Selection: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Tuesday August 19, 7:15 p.m., library

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan’s last thirty years--from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post--Taliban rebuilding-that puts the violence, fear, hope, and faith of this country in intimate, human terms.  It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives—the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness—are inextricable from the history playing out around them.
Propelled by the same storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship.  It is a striking, heart wrenching novel of an indestructible love—a stunning accomplishment.

September Book Selection: The Speed Of Dark by Elizabeth Moon, Tuesday, September 16, 7:15 pm, Library

Thoughtful, poignant, and unforgettable, The Speed of Dark is a gripping exploration into the world of Lou Arrendale, an autistic man who is offered a chance to try a brand-new experimental "cure" for his condition.  Now Lou must decide if he should submit to a surgery that might completely change the way he views the world…and the very essence of who he is.

  • Review "A beautiful and moving story …Moon is the mother of an autistic teenager and her love is apparent in the story of Lou.  He makes a deep and lasting impact on the reader while showing a different way of looking at the world" the Denver Post
  • Review "Every once in awhile, you come across a book that is both an important literary achievement and a completely and utterly absorbing reading experience – a book with provocative ideas and an equally compelling story.  Such a book is The Speed of Dark." Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

Women's Moon Group Planning Meeting

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Come join the fun as we plan the full and new moon dates and reserve space in UU building for the upcoming program year (September 2008-May 2009). All you have to bring is your brilliant selves and treats will be provided!
  
Questions? Contact Alisa DeRider: aderider@msn.com

Full Moon Trance Dance Ritual

  • Saturday Aug. 16th 6-8:30pm or so
  • Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, 835 W. College St. Duluth
  • Facilitated by ARia Joy
  • Sponsored by the UU Women's Moon Group

Trance Dance is an ancient shamanic form of worship and re-creation experience. Trance Dance's primary focus is on healing and our relationship with spirit.  During this 'inner journey' participants can expect to experience a deeper connection to self, spirit, and nature.  Participants will find answers to seemingly unsolvable problems, see and experience more of what is reality, and may have visionary and ecstatic experiences. Trance Dance is a powerful tool for healing the mind, body, and spirit and is for everyone!  Please wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a bandana or scarf, a blanket, a pillow, and water in a closed container.

Suggested donation is $10-$20 Less if you must and more if you are able. ARia will comp 1 person for free based on truth of situation and need. Contact ARia if you need to be comped.

Reservations are nice but not needed. Reserve with ARia at ariajoy@msn.com or Aria at 612-408-0412 or Susan at spaethsusan@aol.com or 218-626-1660 or 218-391-5314  

To read more about Trance Dance please visit www.ariajoy.com. Since this Trance Dance is on the full moon we will also have a short full moon discussion about its purpose and benefits to us.  ARia Joy is a Transformational Facilitator, Sound Healing Minister, Shamanic Practitioner, Trance Dance Facilitator, Reiki Master. 

Celebrate National Night Out At The Chum Street Fest

Are you looking for a group to join for the National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5?  CHUM would love to have you join their event - an outdoor cook-out with music and a lot of conversation.  Guests of the CHUM Center will barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs, and member congregations with provide the rest of the food (baked beans, potato salad, desserts, beverages).  Jim Hall and his band will provide the music.  The picnic is served from 6 - 7 pm in the parking lot adjacent to the Food Shelf on First Ave. West between First Street and Second Street, and the block is closed off for the event, which lasts until 8 p.m.  This is the one time a year that CHUM guests and staff, members of CHUM congregations, downtown residents and business people, and public officials all get together just to relax and have a good time.

UUCD delegates are asked to bring watermelon to the event (pre-sliced in 1" thick quarters).  If you are planning to go, please call Beth Tamminen (one of the UUCD CHUM delegates) to see if we might carpool and/or share in bringing the watermelon.

Report from General Assembly (GA) 2008

GA 2008 was held in June in Ft. Lauderdale.  Both Sally Hamlin and Suzanne Wasilczuk were honored in the Service of the Living Tradition for achieving preliminary fellowship.  In Bill Sinkford’s President’s report it was noted that he was only one of two religious leaders from the United States invited to "The World Religious Leaders for Peace" in advance of the G8 Summit in Sapporo, Japan.  This reflects the high regard that Unitarian Universalism is held world-wide.  For Bill Sinkford’s speech to the conference see http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/115910.shtml at the UU web page. GA 2009 will be held in Salt Lake City and GA 2010 in Minneapolis.  Plan on attending.  It is a life-changing experience.

Delegates to GA passed six Actions of Immediate Witness.  These are statements of conscience and action represent the justice views of the delegates at GA 2008.  These are justice positions that Bill Sinkford has conveyed to the U.S. Administration, our Washington Office has conveyed to Congress, and each of us can convey to our Representatives and Senators and others in our social communities. These actions are:

  • Single Payer Health Care.
  • Oppose a U.S. attack on Iran
  • End Present-Day Slavery in the Fields
  • Raise the Federal Minimum Wage to $10 in 2010
  • Extend the Tax Credit for Wind and Solar Power
  • Oppose the Florida and California Marriage Protection Initiatives

A Congregational Study/Action Item (CSAI) on Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice was approved for a four-year study/action.  More will be heard about Actions of Immediate Witness and Congregational Study Action Items at Forums and Services during the forthcoming congregational year. 

For more information about any of these events and resolutions see the UUA web page and/or contact:
Hal Bertilson, hbertils@uwsuper.edu
Denominational Affairs Committee

Denominational Affairs 2009. 

During 2008-2009 we will have an opportunity to consider, discuss, and instruct GA delegates on a number of important denominational issues.   What position do we wish our Association of Congregations to take regarding Peacemaking (Just War Theory, Pacifism, Just Policy, or some other position)?  The Peacemaking Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) has been discussed these past two years and may be up for final vote at the 2009 General Assembly (GA).

"Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice" was approved at GA in Ft. Lauderdale on June 28, 2008 for a four-year study action process.  GA 2009 is also an election year.  We will be voting on the next President of UUA.

Business Calendar

2009 General Assembly, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, Salt Lake City Utah:

  • February 1, 2009: Deadline for congregations to complete the online Annual Certification Form and Congregational Poll to congregations in November 2008
  • February 1, 2009: Deadline for receipt of proposed Business Resolutions and Amendments to ByLaws and Rules
  • February 1, 2009: Deadline for submitting comments on draft Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking
  • March 1, 2009: Tentative Agenda mailed to certified congregations
  • May 7, 2009: GA delegate credentials and absentee voting information mailed to certified congregations
  • May 25, 2009: Final Agenda available to congregations at uua.org
  • June 27, 2009: UUA Election

Consider joining the Denominational Affairs Committee of UUCD and assist in organizing discussions of these denominational issues.  Contact Hal Bertilson, Chair of the Denominational Affairs Committee, at hbertils@uwsuper.edu for more information.  Consider being a delegate to the 2009 General Assembly in Salt Lake City.  Contact Gloria Walters, UUCD Board member, for more information.

Hospice Volunteering!

Do you have a couple hours you could spare weekly? Do you like to "feel needed?" Do you think those that are sick and elderly could use a little more T.L.C. in their lives?

WELL, THEN, I HAVE AN OPENING FOR YOU! Call Marilyn Fifield, St. Luke’s Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 218-249-6105 or email mfifield@slhduluth.com.

LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR CONTACT!

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities Fall 2008 Course Offerings in Duluth, MN 9/8/08 – 12/16/08

CL541 Empowering Lay Leadership
Sept. 19-20, Oct. 17-18, Nov. 14-15, Dec. 12-13
Fridays, 6:00-9:15 p.m. and Saturdays, 9:00-12:15 & 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ
2310 E. 4th Street

An emerging image of church requires us to move beyond our view of members as "volunteers," or satisfaction with "maintaining church programs," and our reliance on "time and talent" forms to invite laity to ministry. Leaders of the church are challenged to re-envision the foundations and practice of sharing the ministry. This course explores a holistic approach to gifts-based ministry and a shared ministry system for today’s congregations.

Instructor: Jean Morris Trumbauer, D.Min. -  Jean Morris Trumbauer is the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at UTS. Her areas of teaching and research include: a systems approach to shared ministry in congregations, gifts-based ministry and gifts discernment, leadership development in congregations, theological reflection, and renewing ministry in the North American context.

TR820 Reimagining the Church
Sept. 12-13, Oct. 10-11, Nov. 7-8, Dec. 5-6
Fridays, 6:00-9:15 p.m. and  Saturdays, 9:00-12:15 & 1:30-3:30 p.m.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Carriage House
1710 E. Superior Street

This is a course that introduces students to the classical as well as various contemporary models of the church. Then these church models will be critiqued in light of the tradition and contemporary challenges that the church is facing. Furthermore, students will engage in reconstructing or re-imagining a church that is not only faithful to the Christian heritage but also responsive to the current context, both globally and locally.

Instructor: Eleazar S. Fernandez, PhD. – Eleazar Fernandez is a professor of Constructive Theology at UTS. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Eleazar is passionate about retrieving dangerous memories, naming our pains in the present, and articulating our dreams of a new and better tomorrow through ecumenical ministries.

Looking Forward to Spring 2009:

TR515 Making Peace, Transforming Conflict
Instructor: David Bard
Mondays, 6:00-9:15 p.m. (except for March 16 and April 13)
First United Methodist Church
230 E. Skyline Pkwy.

CH261 New Testament Texts in Context
Instructor: Neil Elliott
Feb. 6-7, Feb. 27-28, Mar. 27-28, May 1-2
Fridays, 6:00-9:15 p.m. and  Saturdays, 9:00-12:15 & 1:30-3:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth
835 West College Street

For registration information contact:  Glen Herrington-Hall, Director of Admissions, United Theological Seminary, 3000 Fifth St. NW, New Brighton, MN  55112, 800-937-1316 (ext.117),gherrington hall@unitedseminary.edu or in Duluth, contact Ann Nordgren, Duluth Program Coordinator, 218-525-3136,anordgren@unitedseminary.edu.

Traditional Dances as Spiritual Practice Retreat at Villa Maria Retreat Center, Frontenac. 

August 8-10, 2008.  Led By Emily Jarrett Hughes-this retreat invites you to connect fully with the dance, and to deepen connections with others, the earth, and the sacred Mystery that holds all.  Evening vespers will be danced on the labyrinth.  Contact Jean Lauer, Program Minister at villamariajean@gmail.com or phone 866-244-4582 for more information.

Villa Maria Retreat Center’s 3rd Annual Creative Arts Retreat.  August 14-18, 2008  Tapping the creative arts, the retreat will offer the opportunity to explore, express and embody our wholeness with each of the four elements.  Facilitators are Carolyn Bornhouser, Barb Kobe, Lean Lauer, and Lisa Schlingerman.  Contact Jean Lauer, Program Minister at villamariajean@gmail.com or phone 866-244-4582 for more information.

HOW DO WE THANK YOU?...LET US COUNT THE WAYS!

INCREDIBLE!!  That's the "Word for the Day" to describe the extraordinary LABOR, LAUGHTER and LOVE that went in to the 2008 UUCD RUMMAGE SALE, which, by the time all proceeds, IOUs and pending sales are wrapped up, we will have earned $6000!!  ANOTHER RECORD BREAKER!

For starters, an ENORMOUS "THANK YOU" goes to CHARLIE AND DIANA MOORE for their amazing dedication and patience in accepting and storing items ALL YEAR LONG, renting a tent so we can advertise "Rain or Shine" and offering the use of their yard...a PERFECT location on London Road! (We barely need to advertise... the multitude of drivers passing by see all the cars and just pull over!) YOU ARE AWESOME!

An additional, HUGE "THANK YOU" goes to JILL LAKHAN and CATHY ANDBERG (and I was instructed by my fellow committee members to list myself here, too) for many, many hours of planning, recruiting and taking care of the MYRIAD of DETAILS involved in putting together a rummage sale.

And, last but not least, a HEARTFELT "THANK YOU" goes to the MORE THAN 60 VOLUNTEERS who worked incredibly hard and long hours delivering and setting up tables, sorting, pricing, lifting, tending the cash box, putting up additional tents and hauling away all of the leftover items and trash, much of this in a DELUGE OF RAIN!  And let's not forget the DOZENS of UU HOUSEHOLDS who donated all the wonderful "stuff"!  We couldn't have done it without YOU!!

Just a note of interest:  This year, the remaining items were split between Goodwill, the Duluth Public Library and the Program For Aid To Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) for their Rummage Sale.  (Talk about RE-recycling!)

Be sure and go to the UUCD website photo page to check out the GREAT pictures Jill Lakhan took of all the stalwart, sopping, soggy but still smiling volunteers from set up to tear down!

UU's ROCK!  

Contact Helen Mongan-Rallis, UUCD Page Coordinator