Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth 
December 2007 Newsletter
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Sunday Services and Religious Education for December 2007
Sunday Services and Religious Education for December 2007 Will be held at Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, 2310 East 4th Street in Duluth (except Dec 24). Please look carefully at service times. We thank our friends at Pilgrim UCC for their hospitality during our transition time. Childcare will be provided.
- Sunday, December 2: 4pm, Pilgrim UCC Sanctuary. "Our Helping Hands" Reverend Sally Hamlin, Interim Minister. When you look at your hands, what do you see?(Congregational Hearing immediately following in the Parlor)
- Sunday, December 9: 4pm, Pilgrim UCC Sanctuary "On International Human Rights Day." Sue Dailey and Hal Bertilson (Congregational Hearing immediately following in the Parlor)
- Sunday, December 16: 4pm, Pilgrim UCC- downstairs in the Social Hall. Winter Solstice- Women's Moon Group and Reverend Sally Hamlin (Congregational Meeting: Vote on Budget; the Bake and Craft Fair in Salter Hall)
- Sunday, December 23: Christmas EVE EVE Family Service 4pm, Pilgrim UCC- Sanctuary. Annual Stories of the Season and Carols Service. 8VA, Strings Attached, Young UU Singers, and Adult Choir Soup and Bread Supper immediately following in Social Hall
- Monday, December 24- Christmas Eve Service: 9:30pm, Service at our Unitarian Ancestral Home: 1802 East 1st Street. Contemplative Service of Inspirational Readings and Heavenly Music
- Sunday, December 30 4pm, Pilgrim UCC- Sanctuary. Poetry Service with Craig Hunter. Bring poems to share that help inform you on your spiritual journey.
*****************SPECIAL NOTICE*****************
All submissions for the January 2008 newsletter must be received by December 12.
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From our Interim Minister, Reverend Sally Hamlin
December UUCD Newsletter Column
Season's Greetings to you!
I try to walk regularly in my neighborhood. My walks are part of my spiritual practice, as well as a way to get exercise. Living near Leif Erikson Park, the rose garden, and the Lakewalk are blessings in my life. The fact that I can see tiny slivers of the lake through the two back windows of my apartment- with the fallen leaves it is even more visible- is a spectacular bonus of my life here in Duluth. In the night I get up and push the blinds aside and, if the moon is out, watch the way its glow on the moving water makes its ripples and shimmer appear as a silver jeweled mesh.
The connection I feel to nature, how it enlivens the sense I have of my own animal nature, reminds me of the temporariness of our lives. It makes sense to feel acutely how close death is in the late fall, and sometimes I feel sad about this reality of life.
But then something will happen to provide another perspective on the eventuality of death. I might catch a glimpse of the calico cat in the window of the old mansion on Superior as she preens herself in the sunlight. Or one last patch of purple and gold pansies will boldly wave from a garden now fallow. And I remember we all can begin again.
And I am inspired by you, the people who make the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth come alive. You are the ones that make this a congregation. It is not your building- although the new one will be so beautiful. It is you, coming together Sunday after Sunday to worship together. Coming together week after week to meet and plan and talk through challenging budgets, talking across differences and through your differences, coming together to share who you are with one another.
This time without a building has been challenging for you. I can see some occasional signs of weariness and fatigue around the edges. You have been holding it all together for a long time now. You have been holding one another, supporting one another with the promise of what lies ahead, and usually this is enough. But when one of you flags, another comes along with a kind word of support or a good joke to bolster you. When one of you expresses doubt, another comes along to repaint the vision that started all this fantastic work. When one of you, out of frustration lets slip a less than kind thought, another reminds you of the covenant you have made to right relations, to direct address, and an apology soon follows.
You already are doing the work of making UUCD the life-giving presence it is. You walk the talk, you do what you say you are going to do, you make promises and you keep them. And you find a way to laugh, at yourselves and at your bold plans. You keep the beacon of hope alive and shining before you. And these are remarkable things to do in this crazy, crazy world.
In the face of the criticism that liberal religion unfairly receives, you have chosen to say you believe in the healing power of a committed community.
In the face of those that say building a spiritual community where hearts and minds will prosper cannot be done, you have said that you believe and dream that there is much one dedicated and loving group of individuals can do to make the world a better place.
In the face of our consumer culture that calls you foolish for building a church where all are welcome, not just those who think as you do, you stand ready, bold and brave, ready to respond with the message that you believe in the power of love.
What radicals you are! You are my kind of ‘peeps'.
And yet there is more to be done. Now there is another group formed to help you with the work of Interim Ministry. The members of the Ministry Transition Team have stepped forward to lead you in the work of calling your next minister. This is not the Ministry Search Committee that will come later. Rather, this is the team which will teach themselves and then you about the processes of ministry selection, and the congregational work that must be done for this process to go smoothly. Your previous minister, Karen Gustafson, was here for twenty-one years. Most of you joined this congregation when Karen was here. Therefore there is very little ‘institutional knowledge' of the steps involved in the ministry search process. There will be a learning curve for you as a congregation as you move forward together in this next big step. The Ministry Transition Team will lead you in this process.
I invite you to participate in this new learning, and fully engage it, with all the zest you already bring to UUCD. Your commitment to create what you dream for the world, that which will live beyond your own lifetime, will be what carries UUCD into the future.
In the coming season of darkening days and winter quiet, family reunions, and hearty meals, take some time to sit and ponder the mystery of the darkness, of having to let go of the things that no longer serve you. Begin to welcome in the slow promised turn of nature, the return of the light. And just as the moonlight that shimmers over the night waters is only reflected sunlight, may you also be a reflection of all that glows brightly in the world, beacon of hope.
May Love's Light return to us all.
See you in church!
From Our President of the Board
The incomparable UUCD,
As I contemplate how to communicate with you where we stand as a faith community late in 2007, I am reminded of an old 60s song that goes something like, "What condition is your condition in?" My contemplation also brings to mind an old saying my mother often said when I asked when something was going to happen. She used to say, "It won't be long now said the monkey when he got his tail cut off." Well, I suppose it won't be long before we can leave the gracious halls of Pilgrim and enter into our new abode.
Much work has been happening in preparation for our next steps as a congregation once we move into College Street. Ahead of us is the pleasantry of inviting people to UUCD to Nurture Their Spirit and Help Heal the World. The race is on….
In early November the board, after working with the Program Council and a Prairie Star District consultant, set one major goal for UUCD - Nurture Congregational Growth. We defined four major areas for our congregation to concentrate on: 1) Create Vibrant Ministry
2) Nurture Radical Hospitality, 3) Increase Leadership, and 4) Develop Covenants. More on this elsewhere. Get on your mark….
Nine UUCDers went to Hanska, Minnesota in early November to learn about the UUA's Radical Hospitality initiative. Nine of us came home ready to train the entire congregation in Radical Hospitality. Get set….
It won't be long now before we are in our new building so we can Nurture the Spirit, Help Heal the World, and GO!
Vote December 16
AN EXTEMELY IMPORTANT CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & VOTE is coming up on December 16, 2007. To prepare you for the vote, you will be inundated with information (including several articles in this newsletter) so you can make informed decisions. First, we will vote on our 2008 Operating Budget. Second, we will vote on an assignment of our Winona Contract for Deed and also on a mortgage on our College Street property. The following is a very brief summary of the condition our College Street condition is in. Our building cost through Phase I (occupancy) is estimated to come in close to $3,800,000. We will vote on an up to $2,000,000 mortgage at 0% interest until 9/1/10. If we all pay our pledges and all funds come through as projected we may owe approximately $420,000 on 9/1/10 when our mortgage begins to accrue interest. This mortgage can be reduced substantially or eliminated entirely before 9/1/10 if we dedicate ourselves to such a goal. Watch your mailbox for a package of information detailing many aspects of the history and financing of our new home so you can prepare for the vote. Come to the hearings. PLEASE don't miss the vote.
In closing, we are blessed to be able to celebrate this year's Christmas Eve service at 1802 E 1st Street; our home for a Hundred Years. How fitting it is to celebrate our past and our future together as we prepare to enter our new home for the Next Hundred Years.
In faith, in love, and wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday.
Ann Fryberger,
President, Board of Trustees, UUCD
Board Report
Your Board of Trustees met on October 23, 2007 and worked through the following items:
- We reviewed the operating and capital financial reports through the third quarter 2007.
- We received a report on the current status of the 2008 Annual Canvass.
- We received Suzanne Wasilczuk offer of service and request for ordination.
- We authorized the initial drafting of a music copyright policy.
- We lifted the spending moratorium on the College Street Project after receiving a good faith estimate that total project cost would not exceed the amount presented to the congregation in 12/11/06.
- We learned that Richard Fryberger has agreed to serve as chair of Buildings & Grounds
- We learned that Ann Fryberger, Geiger Yount, Warren High, Chris Edwardson, Bev Harries, Mary Melander, and Julie McDonnell will be the College Street Project Phase II task force. We also learned that all the Phase I Finishing team will serve as consultants on an as needed basis to the Phase II task force.
- We learned that Jim Seitz, Judy Blanck,, Kathy Heltzer, Barbara Lund, Robert & Marree Seitz, Susan Gibbs, Ruth McCutcheon and Jan Magree have all agreed to serve as our Transition Team in search of our new settled minister.
- We requested a personnel committee's six month review of the new Congregational Administrator's position to ascertain how the new Staffing For Growth position is progressing.
- We agreed to remove our sign on Woodland Ave now that the Winona building has sold to the Minnesota Education Trust (Islamic Center Twin Ports).
Your Board of Trustees met on November 11, 2007 and developed the following:
GOAL: NURTURE CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH
- Create Vibrant Ministry
- Nurture Radical Hospitality
- Increase Leadership
- Develop Covenants.
UUA – Unitarian Universalism. Nurture Your Spirit, Help Heal The World
NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
A business meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth (formerly known as the First Unitarian Church of Duluth) will be held on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at approximately 5:00 p.m. in the downstairs social hall at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 E 4th Street, Duluth, MN 55812.
The agenda will be limited to voting on items of business as follows;
- Vote #1 – Proposed Operating Budget for January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
- Vote #2 – Assignment of the Winona Street Contract for Deed from the Minnesota Education Trust to the Zeppa Family Foundation
- Vote #3 – Granting a mortgage up to $2 million on the College Street property to the Zeppa Family Foundation.
According to the bylaws, any person who is 14 years of age or older, is in accord with the aims and purposes of the congregation, has signed the membership book, and made an identifiable contribution within the previous twelve months as of December 1, 2007 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 of the board or her/his designee stating the name of the member who can vote for the member in absentia.
Important Additional Information
Proxy forms are available from board members and in the outer office at Winona from now until the vote on December 16, 2007. If you cannot attend the vote please complete a proxy form and give it to the person who will attend the vote on your behalf. It is your responsibility to advise the person voting for you as to your voting preference on each issue.
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Two items of business to be voted on are considered real estate encumbrances and our by-laws require a vote of membership to convey real estate. Further, our by-laws require a larger than usual quorum to convey real estate thus a minimum of 69 members (33%) must attend the December 16, 2007 Congregational Vote (or provide a proxy). Without this larger quorum (through attendance or proxy) we will be unable to convey the necessary real estate documents to the Zeppa Family Foundation which could easily delay our completion and occupancy of the College Street property. In other words, it is extremely important that each member either attend or provide their proxy before the vote.
The third item of business to be voted on, our 2008 Operating Budget (including Staffing For Growth) is no less important for us to consider as we prepare for our future together as a beacon of progressive religion in our region.
Under Construction
A column to answer questions about our new church building
Making Progress
The sewer will be in and serviceable by the first half of December and we will be making great progress towards completing the internal plumbing. The dirt "maneuvering" is completed around the outside of the building with just the landscaping left to do. The drive-way has been paved and the parking area has an opening left for potential porous pavers to be installed next spring.
Environmentally Friendly Building
We just wanted to let everyone know of a couple of environmentally friendly (green) product decisions we've made recently concerning our building – with a fantastic amount of help from the Finishing Sub-Group and the Green Sanctuary Committee.
> Bathroom tile > Sanctuary and gathering space carpet tiles > Paint > Sealer for wood beams and doors
Financial
The budget for Phase I of the building project has been finalized. We will have a functional and occupy-able building ready for us to move into that is within the Board maximum allowance. A tremendous feat, no doubt.
College Street Project Task Force
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.
Elevator Speeches
What do you say if someone asks you "What's a Unitarian Universalist?" UUA President William G. Sinkford has suggested working on a short answer that you could give if you were asked this question, for example, in an elevator going from the sixth floor to the lobby. He says, "Put a name to what calls you, and to what you find yourself called to do in response. Practice telling it to others. We have Good News for a world that badly needs it."
Folks on our Membership Steering Committee have been sharing "elevator speeches" with each other. Here's one from Barbara Kelly: "This Unitarian Universalist congregation opens my mind to new ideas, nurtures my spirit and surrounds me with love and support. I feel true joy here!"
Do you have an elevator speech? If you are willing to share it, please send it to pschwarz@css.edu
CARING CORNER
Congratulations! You are doing a GREAT job of keeping us notified of any needs that come up in our community--and you are doing a GREAT job of helping with those needs! Let's keep our community strong as we wait to gather in our own dear building.
Be sure to let us know when something noteworthy and GOOD happens—such as Brian Barber illustrating two children's books (see below) or a new baby (see below). We must celebrate the positives even as we deal with the difficult--so be sure to pass good news on to us as well!
Thanks for caring
Julie Morgan and Warren High
JOYS AND CONCERNS
- Condolences go to April Gerard, Gary Larson and family. April's mother, Joan Bisbee Woolsey Gerard, died on October 17 in Grand Marais after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Joan was committed to social justice, community values and activism, and she and April's father introduced April to Uuism early on.
- Cher Obst is back to work after Oct. 31 surgery for thyroid cancer! She reports she is feeling VERY good and happy to return to work. Enough of this being sick!
- John Langdon is continuing with chemo treatments for his lymphoma. He is doing well and appreciates company. He is in room 248 at Lakeshore Lutheran (4002 London Rd).
- Beth Travis Betts reports that she is on a roll—feeling pretty darned good and looking forward to her last round of chemo on December 4th. Hopefully all indicators will be good at that point and she and Tom can return to a more normal life.
- Hal Leppink is recovering from knee replacement surgery--at Lakeshore Lutheran—room 225. He is feeling fine and doing very well.
- Lud Solem, old time member of our church died on November 14 at the respectable age of 102. Back in the day, Lud was active on the Building and Grounds Committee and member of the Second Extended Family. In religion & politics--he was a liberal through and through.
- Bob Hart is residing at Bayshore Health Center (1601 St. Louis Avenue) on Park Point. He graciously welcomes visitors. Late afternoon is the best!
- Congratulations to Brian Barber, illustrator of two children's books: My Favorite Sounds A – Z and My Favorite Places A-Z. The author is Peggy Snow. There will be a reception at Pizza Luce on Thurs, December 13 from 7-9. Brian's art will be on display there until Jan. 8. There will be book signing at Northern Lights Books and Gifts on December 15 from noon to 1:00 and at The Bookstore at Fitger's on Friday, December 16 from noon to 2:00. The books are available at Northern Lights, Fitger's and Tinderbox.
- Best wishes to Paul Borrmann as he recovers from November 14 neck surgery. He was home the next day and up and about. Says he feels fine!
- This from Louise Levy: Greetings from Birmingham, England! When we return in January we will be three instead of two. My husband Morris and I are awaiting the birth of our first child, due 23 November. My mother, Geiger Yount, arrived on the 16th to stay for three weeks and help us out. I am excited to bring this new baby to the new church. I feel very good knowing that there is an entire village community of elders, aunts and uncles, and cousins to befriend this wee one as it grows up. With love, Louise Levy (and Morris and Geiger)
- Congratulations to Bri Evans and Shelly Gibson on the birth of their son, Graydon Winter. Big sisters Morgan and Elizabeth couldn't wait to welcome him home!
- Late breaking news!!! Baby girl Astrid Wolfe Levy has joined Louise Levy and family as of November 25. All is well with baby and family. Welcome Astrid!
Music Notes
"Music is well said to be the speech of angels." Thomas Carlyle
Sunday service music during November offered angelic moments for many in attendance and we give sincere thanks to the musicians who helped to make such moments happen!
They are: The Choir with director Cyndi Gritzmacher, narrator Bill Gritzmacher, acoustic group Strings Attached, guitarist Dan Burrows and pianist Karen Bauman.
There is always room for YOU in our music making lineup! The Choir and the acoustic group Strings Attached both have open invitations for anyone wishing to make music in a group. Contact choir director Cyndi Gritzmacher to learn more. If you'd rather offer an individual selection as Prelude or Offertory contact Music Programming Administrator Karen Bauman (prior to 8 pm). You'll be glad you did!
DECEMBER REHEARSAL SCHEDULE (all rehearsals held at Pilgrim)
- Sun Dec 2: Young UU Singers: 3 pm -Sunroom
- Wed Dec 5: 8 VA -6–7 pm, Sanctuary. Adult Choir 7–8:30 pm Sanctuary
- Sun Dec 9: Adult Choir 3 pm, Sanctuary
- Wed Dec 12: 8 VA, 5:30 pm Sanctuary
- Sun Dec 16: Strings Attached, 3 pm Social Hall
- Wed Dec 19: Young UU Singers. 6 – 7 pm, Parlor. 8 VA, 6 – 7 pm, Sanctuary. Adult Choir 7 – 8:30 pm Sanctuary
- Sun Dec 23: 8 VA, 2:30 pm, Sanctuary. Young UU Singers, 2:45 pm, Sanctuary. Adult Choir 3:15 pm, Sanctuary
HOLIDAY EVENT
On Wednesday, December 19, 7pm, members of our UUCD youth will participate in East High School's "A'Cappella a la Carte." You are all invited to join them for an evening of holiday music and desserts at Sommers Hall, St. Scholastica.
Religious Education News
Greetings UU Families,
I had a wonderful question posed to me by four year old Lily St. George this past week, "Why do we come to Sunday school?" she asked. My response was, "Sunday school is where you will hear stories that you probably won't hear any other place...and we can usually learn something from these stories to make us better people." I don't know if my answer was to her satisfaction, but I sure hope it was.
That being said, our youngest of UUers are learning stories about Biblical Heroes this year. They are also being taught that ANYONE can be a hero by choosing to help others. They learned the traditional biblical tale of "Moses in the Bulrushes" and that Moses was saved by the courage,
wisdom and heroic deeds of his mother and sister. Our second and third graders are studying Unitarian Universalist Heroes, They learned about King John Sigismund, the Unitarian king of Transylvania, who, over 500 years ago, promised religious freedom to all of his people. This past week, they studied the life and values of Henry David Thoreau.
Our fourth, fifth and sixth graders are learning the history, traditions and fundamentals of UUism. They will be learning about a wide variety of themes from understanding mistakes and forgiveness to the meaning of "heresy" and how people have died for their beliefs.
Students will be learning about two 16th century Unitarian forefathers and one foremother that (through their heroic deeds) paved the way for religious freedom: Spain's Michael Servetus, Poland's Katherine Vogel, and Francis David, whose eloquent arguments convinced King John
Sigismund to support religious freedom.
Our traditional MITTEN TREE KICK OFF will begin DECEMBER 2ND.
Children are encouraged to bring mittens, scarves and hats to adorn on our "Mitten Tree." Items will be donated to families in need.
YRUU News
Special thanks to Tom Starkey and Kathy Zimmerman for sharing the film, "ONE" An exploration of Spirituality, with our youth and other members of our congregation. Twenty-seven folks showed up to view the film and discuss some of the "BIG QUESTIONS" of spirituality: Why are we here? What happens after we die. Does God exist? It was a safe forum for dialog and discussion.
YAC NEWS
Julie O Leary and Robin Downs have generously agreed to co-chair the Youth Adult Committee. Five youth too, have agreed to take the time to serve on YAC; Owen Downs, Clara Goellner, Lee Weintraub, Ander Peterson and Amanda Shoberg. Thank you all!
Green Corner
Plans for our new home on College Street: As we contemplate moving into our new building on College Street, the Green Sanctuary Committee is looking not only to the building itself, but also to how we use the total site, both indoors and outdoors, as a sanctuary. At Winona Street and at 1802 E. 1st St., the "grounds" were a part of our property which we were obligated to maintain (mowing, snowplowing, etc.) but which had little if any program utility. At College Street the situation is quite different. Not only do we have a building that we can be proud of, but we have an outdoor sanctuary that can supplement our programs.
Many people have complimented the new pond on the west side of the property, which was designed and implemented
primarily by Bunter Knowles of the Green Sanctuary Committee, with help from other members. More can be done to make this a place where we can contemplate the "interconnected web of all existence of which we are a part." But the College Street site has considerable potential in other areas as well. Some people are interested in establishing a memorial garden by which we can remember and honor our members who are no longer living. We need to choose an appropriate location and set it aside for further development. Other possibilities are nature trails which highlight the "interconnected web" of plants, animals, and geology of the site; gardens for food, flowers, and wildlife; and our greenroof, which offers a magnificent view of a portion of our ecoregion. How can we make the greenroof more accessible for our programs?
In order to flesh out this vision, the Green Sanctuary Committee is considering a mini-retreat for late winter or early spring, with an adult enrichment course and an Earth Day celebration in April to focus on developing a "sense of place." We invite feedback and participation from anyone who would like to help us develop this vision.
THINK 'COVENANT GROUPS'
When the holidays are over, the company is gone, and the dark and cold are still with us, it's a great time to get together with a few other interesting people and share the stories of our lives and the yearnings of our hearts.
In January we will be starting new Covenant Groups and reorganizing ongoing groups. Daytime and evening times will be available. Watch for sign-up information after Christmas. A member of the morning group describes their time together as: "connection, reflection, seeking together." What a wonderful way to reconnect after this time of disruption and transition.
UU PRETTY GOOD BOOK CLUB
The UU pretty good book club is open to everyone, not just members. Bring a friend! If you enjoy reading good books and discussing them, why don't you join us. Meetings are usually the third Tuesdays of the month. Watch for possible changes in location monthly.
DECEMBER SELECTION - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Tuesday, December 18 at 7:15, at Marty Sozansky's house, 2932 E. Superior St., Duluth. An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons, it tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.
JANUARY SELECTION -- Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 7:15 at UUCD, College Street, Library. The Woman Warrior is a pungent, bitter, but beautifully written memoir of growing up Chinese American in Stockton, California. Maxine Hong Kingston (China Men) instills the dire lessons of her mother's mesmerizing "talk-story" tales of a China where girls are worthless, tradition is exalted and only a strong, wily woman can scratch her way upward. The author's America is a landscape of confounding white "ghosts"—the policeman ghost, the social worker ghost--with equally rigid, but very different rules. Like the woman warrior of the title, Kingston carries the crimes against her family carved into her back by her parents in testimony to and defiance of the pain.
FEBRUARY SELECTION -- Middlemarch by George Eliot, Tuesday, February 18, 2008 in the UUCD Library. Considered to be Eliot's masterpiece, the novel is a complete study of every class of Middlemarch society--from the landed gentry and clergy to the manufacturers and professional men, farmers, and laborers. The focus of the novel is on the thwarted idealism of its two principal characters, Dorothea Brooke and Tertius Lydgate, both of whom marry disastrously.
Guidelines for Newsletter Submissions
The newsletter for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth is produced monthly and released by the first of each month. It is available online at www.uuduluth.org. the deadline for submissions to the january 2008 newsletter is December 12. Priority will be given to items received on time; late submissions may not be included due to space constraints. Submissions should be directed to the Congregational Administrator at uucduluth@gmail.com. If at all possible, please email newsletter submissions (uucduluth@gmail.com) rather than handwriting them or leaving a print copy in the church office. When emailing, please both embed and attach submissions in a .doc (Microsoft Word) format, and write "Newsletter" in the subject heading. Be sure to include a contact name and phone number.
Social Justice News Insert
Distributive Justice
Spirit Valley Young Mothers
It's not too late to donate money for gift cards for the moms for the Holiday Party December 10. The mothers struggle financially most of the time, and trying to buy gifts for the holidays is added stress.
Our gift cards may be the only gift they receive, and it may allow them to buy a gift for their child. Please contact Carol Michealson and make a donation by December 9. Cassandra, the baby born with spina bifida in October, is gaining weight and improving. Her hearing and sight are normal and there appears to be only slight paralysis in one foot. Cassandra received an infant layette from members of UUCD. Thank you for donating many pretty pink sleepers, bibs, receiving blankets, and onesies.
Community Action is teaching the moms daily life skills such as budgeting. It is also providing a three-to-one money match up to $30 per month for a savings account to be used only for education, a business, or buying a home.
More about Spirit Valley and volunteer opportunities will be in the January newsletter.
Adult Enrichment Happenings
The January newsletter will be chock full of interesting, stimulating, and dazzling courses, forums, and discussion groups for winter, starting in mid-January in our new home on College Street. If you are interested in offering an adult enrichment program in spring or next year, please contact a committee member: Hal Bertilson(bertils@uwsuper.edu), Sue Dailey (suedaileydul@hotmail.com) Jim Lund
(jlund@lakenet.com), Carol Michealson, chair (cmicheal@d.umn.edu), Tara Richter (tararichte@gmail.com), and Carol Turner (cgeot1@gmail.com).
*The last discussion of Faith Without Certainty occurred on November 29. There is no discussion in December. We regret the error in the fall program which came out in September.
Guest at Your Table
December's a busy time of year and it's often hard to keep things in perspective. Please remember to feed the "Guest at Your Table" throughout this month and have a happy holiday season, no matter how you choose to celebrate.
The Denominational Affairs Committee
San Marcos House Holiday Outreach
The San Marcos House, which provides long term housing for chronic homelessness and alcoholism, is requesting donations for a holiday party they are hosting on December 19th.
There are currently 70 residents. Requests for monetary donations are encouraged, or you can donate gift certificates to grocery, shoe, or book stores. Personal hygiene items have already been donated, but new socks, coats or other adult clothing would be acceptable. Also, Christmas cookies and other baked goods will be accepted for the event.
If you wish to donate actual, or monetary, gifts, you may contact Amber Hartwig at amberhartwig@hotmail.com. For most of these residents it'll be the only holiday event they will ever have or participate in.
Harvest of Gratitude
Many thanks to the generous UU hearts who gave to the Harvest of Gratitude offering. We collected 90 lb of food and $221.00 to help CHUM feed the hungry.
I M P O R T A N T N O T I C E
FINANCIAL HEARINGS & VOTE
Please make every effort to attend these very important meetings. You don't want to miss this information.
The Treasurer is preparing a presentation on our proposed 2008 Operating Budget and the Chair of the Finance Sub-committee of the College Street Project is preparing a presentation for assigning our Winona Street Contract for Deed AND granting a mortgage on our College Street property to the Zeppa Family Foundation. Watch for more information between now and the member vote
on December 16, 2007.
Both hearings and the vote will be held at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 E 4th Street, Duluth, MN
2008 OPERATING BUDGET & COLLEGE STREET PROJECT HEARINGS
- Sunday, December 2nd @ 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary @ Pilgrim
- Sunday, December 9th @ 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary @ Pilgrim
CONGREGATIONAL VOTE
(Attendance or Proxy extremely important! Please read below.)
Sunday, December 16th @ 5:00 p.m. in the Social Hall @ Pilgrim. Our annual Bake & Craft Sale begins immediately following the vote upstairs in Salter Hall @ Pilgrim.
The objective of the hearings is to answer your questions and concerns ahead of the vote. Please make every effort to attend the hearings. If you are unable to attend you may call: Treasurer, Paul Borrmann regarding the 2008 Operating Budget or
Task Force Finance Chair, Ann Fryberger regarding College Street finances and resolutions. Detailed information on all three votes will be available to you via a separate mailing.
If you are unable to attend the December 16th voting meeting, contact Kathy Stinnett or a board member for a proxy form. The proxy form will also be included in your separate mailing. Complete the proxy form and give it to your proxy (the person who will attend the vote on your behalf) ahead of the December 16, 2007 vote. It is your responsibility to advise the person voting for you as to your voting preference on each issue.
The first item of business to be voted on is our 2008 Operating Budget as we prepare for our future together as a beacon of progressive religion in our region.
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Two of the items we will vote on in the Congregational Meeting involve encumbrances on real estate. Our by-laws require a larger than usual quorum to convey real estate. Thus, a minimum of 69 members (33%) must attend the December 16, 2007 Congregational Vote or provide a proxy. Without this larger quorum we will be unable to convey the necessary real estate documents to the Zeppa Family Foundation which will delay our completion and occupancy of the College Street property. In other words, it is extremely important that each member either attend the vote or provide their proxy before the vote.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Uncommon Goods and Goodies Bake and Craft Sale, Sunday, December 16th
Pilgrim Congregational 2310 E. 4th St. Salter Hall. 5:30-7:00 pm after the Solstice Service & Congregational vote! Scrumptious Cookies, Bars, Pies Breads, Specialties Crafts of all kinds!
- Huge Team Effort Needed for the "Uncommon Goods and Goodies" Sale! Due to the our current situation, we are squeezing our Bake and Craft sale around the Solstice Service and the Congregational Vote, so please "bear" with us and "bear" the fruits of your labor as well! Look for the task sign up sheet in your weekly Order of Service and elsewhere in this newsletter. Here's a big "Thank You in advance" for your patience, understanding and flexibility!! Together, we can pull this off!
- Co-Chairs and Committee Members Needed! As we approach a new budget year, we need people to help in the planning and coordinating of fundraising events. Now that we are closer to getting into our new building, we would like to start up where we left off in planning an Awesome Auction, so I will be recruiting for that soon. Please contact me if you are interested in helping out!
Calling all Bountiful Bakers! Creative Crafters! Dedicated Workers! Generous Buyers!
Here we go again! Your help is needed! Newcomers are encouraged to volunteer!
___ Bake cookies, pies, bars, breads (or create your own specialty!)
___ Make crafts of all kinds! (Let your imagination soar!)
___ 3:00-4:00 pm - Help set up: (Most volunteers needed here!)
___ 4:00-5:30pm Just a few people to help during service (the public may be shopping during this time.)
___ Help during main sale: 5:30pm 7:00pm
___ Help clean up: 7:00 pm to ?
Uncommon Goods and Goodies should be brought to Pilgrim Congregational by 3:00 pm, Dec. 16th.
Name: ___________________________ Phone ________________ Email _________________
Please contact Gloria at dansing52@yahoo.com if you have questions, suggestions or fundraising ideas.