From our Interim Minister, Reverend Sally Hamlin

Dear UUCDers
How can it be possible that our time together has come to an end?
What a year it has been!  Could one more thing have been squeezed in? 
I don’t know of many congregations which have so successfully navigated all the changes you have this year: the departure of your long standing minister, the sale of Winona Street, and the construction and move into your extraordinary new building, the culmination of many dreams over many years. You should feel very proud.
            And you will soon be welcoming your next interim minister into your congregation. Reverend Gail Marriner will be returning to Minnesota, her home state, to serve you as you progress on your path towards calling your next minister.  You have made great progress in your interim journey.  With the excellent leadership of the Ministerial Transition Team, you have been well led through some of the first steps of accomplishing all that is to be done during this time of change.
            It is our challenge as human beings, to find the time to actually ‘be’, not to be human ‘doings’, doing things all the time.  Our challenge is to be present to each moment, fully aware of the gifts each moment brings to us.  When we can bring our attention fully to these moments, actually experience the fullness of it, we find that each moment is sacred.
            As I prepare to leave you, I am surrounded by so many boxes of stuff: household items, boxes and boxes of books, office supplies, clothes, I wonder what it would be like to go back to the days of my early twenties when all I owned fit into a backpack? It was a time of great freedom in my life, as I was an activist on the move, living in different activist communities, collective households, engaging in acts of civil disobedience, practicing non-attachment. I worked in organic orchards in Michigan, on horse farms in upstate New York, was a nanny for a time; did day labor in California, worked in soup kitchens, slept on many floors- too many to count. 
            Well, I know I am too old to do much of that anymore, especially the sleeping on the floor part.  And I no longer want to live the vagabond life.  It no longer suits me.  But, while I recall with tenderness the gifts of those times, I acknowledge that I am at a different stage in my life now, and that I am ready to settle down again after five years of moving back and forth across the country.  I am longing for a home of my own, much like you have recognized how important it is to have a congregational home, so I too recognize how I need to feel settled for a while.
It is part of our UU minister’s suggested guidelines that as a minister departs a ministry that contact with the congregants she has left come to an end for a period of one year.  The reasons for this guideline are good ones.  It is important for contact be limited between the departing minister and her congregation in order that the congregation have an unfettered opportunity to meet and greet, and engage with the incoming minister.  I want you to know I fully support this guideline, and, difficult as it may seem to be, will be honoring it, in order to allow Reverend Gail the optimum opportunity to come into the fold of this congregation without any further engagement by me with you, my dear ones.
One good thing is that in one year’s time, the next General Assembly will be in Salt Lake City, UT, and then the year after that, will be right in your own stomping grounds: Minneapolis.
So, let’s make a plan, shall we?  Let’s say we meet in 2010 in the cities, and have a true toast to our collective history! I cannot wait to find out how your blessed community continues to unfold.
Until then my friends, may the road rise up to meet you, and may your journey be blessed. 
In faith, and with much gratitude,
Sally.  

Board Report                                      

Your Board of Trustees met on May 27, 2008. The following business items were discussed and some motions were enacted:

• Minutes of the meeting were approved
• The list of committees providing written reports was reviewed. The College Street Task Force Phase I will be replaced by Phase II. The Transition Council is no longer meeting, and it will not be listed.
• The Annual Meeting minutes were accepted and the minutes of the April Board meeting were approved.
• A discussion was held regarding the Zeppa Family Foundation intentions for the two for one match. More information will be sought from the Foundation and will be reported at a future Board meeting.
• A "Highlights" policy was was approved. It states:
•   The ”Highlights” will be read by the Board Trustee (only) at the start of the Board welcome.
•   The “Highlights” must be about UUCD related events only.
•   The “Highlights” should be brief, concise, and to the point.
•   Each "Highlight" can be no more than 2 sentences, with no run-on sentences.
•   The “Highlights” should address events occurring within 1 month and/or address location changes for events that day.
• The total "Highlights" portion of the Board Welcome should be kept under 2 minutes.
• “Highlights” can be shortened or rejected by the Board Trustee doing the Board Welcome.
• An exception to this policy is the required announcements to conduct business such as announcing an Annual Meeting and the Agenda for same.
• Tara Richter will work on a form that can be used for "Highlights".
• The first quarter Operating Budget was reviewed.
• Income is running a bit behind, and expenses are running ahead. This is not uncommon this time of year
• About half the $18,000 needed in new pledges has been promised
• Cash contributions are running ahead
• The Finance Council is working on a long range plan
• The Board will complete a performance review report for Rev Sally Hamlin. The Committee on the Ministry will also do a review form.
• Plans are moving ahead to hire a Youth Director for Fall 2008
• Rev Gale Marriner will be in Duluth in early June. Her contract starts on August 1
• A fund for Suzanne Wazilczuk will be created for donations for her ordination
• The annual Program Council / Board retreat agenda for June was discussed
• The Ministry Transition Team will be invited to the June retreat as well
• General Assembly is in Ft Lauderdale, Florida this year. Hal Bertilson will represent UUCD.
• A request was made to renew the Sam's Club membership. The Board asked for more information before proceeding.
• The rental policy was discussed after some complaints regarding costs. This will be an ongoing discussion as we learn more about rentals in this area in this new building
• A grant request for $1000 was funded for UUCD to study a larger fast growing congregation. White Bear Unitarian has agreed to be the focus of our study of growth in UU congregations.
• UUCD may co-sponser and host an event featuring delegates from the Vaxjo Sweden on July 30.

Board Welcome schedule is:

• June 1 Allison Lutterman
• June 8 Jim Lund
• June 15 Tara Richter
• June 22 Larissa Schmitt
• June 29 Paul Borrmann

The Board agreed to meet on Wednesday instead of Tuesday in June and July (June 25 is next). The meeting adjourned around 9PM

Please feel free to contact your Board members with suggestions or questions. The Board members going off of the Board as of May 31 are Paul Eckhardt, Ann Fryberger, and Mac McCutcheon. The new Board members  are Jim Lund, Carol Michealson, and Gloria Walters.

Dan Burrows, President

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.

Board Members:
President: Dan Burrows: dburrows@d.umn.edu
Larissa Schmitt: larissa.schmitt@gmail.com
Paul Borrmann: kdonn@cpinternet.com 
Alison Lutterman: alutterman@duluthmn.gov
Jim Lund 525-0308 jlund@lakenet.com
Tara Richter: tararichte@gmail.com
Carol Michealson: cmicheal@d.umn.edu
Gloria Walters: dansing52@yahoo.com
Kathy Heltzer: kheltzer@charter.net 

From the Treasurer  Money Talks - Part 4

The Devil Is Here
In the details, of course. Here are some details of our current financial reality.

The Building

Assuming all existing pledges are fully paid and by the September 1, 2009 due date, we will face a debt of about $700,000 for the work that has been completed. The Zeppa Family Foundation (ZFF) has agreed to carry this debt interest-free until September 1, 2010. We will seek to finance whatever debt then remains with no-interest or low-interest loans from members, thereby paying the ZFF in full and avoiding major interest charges.

More construction is needed to finish the building. The College Street Project Task Force II is now assessing and prioritizing needs. We have no money left, and any payments we receive on existing pledges are committed to reducing that ZFF debt to get it to the $700,000 figure.

This summer we will send letters to many of those for whom we have no record of a Building Fund gift, asking if a pledge or gift is now possible. But we will certainly need to conduct another general Building Fund Appeal next summer to reduce or erase our debt. Meanwhile, funds to help finish the building will be generated by community-wide fundraising events, which our outgoing President, Ann Fryberger, will enthusiastically coordinate.

The Operations

After many years in which our minister's salary was at or below the minimum recommended by our Unitarian Universalist Association, we just raised it to the middle of the recommended range in order to attract the experienced interim minister we just hired. With benefits, this will add $9,000 (which was not in the budget) to our 2008 expenses, and about $19,000 more for the 2009 budget. Another unbudgeted expense this year was a new copier (the old one died). We had budgeted some reserve funds, but may still have to either cut spending or increase revenue.

To address this, we will also send requests this summer to those of you who have made an identifiable contribution this year but not made a 2008 pledge, asking if a pledge might be possible for the balance of this year. As I have said before in this column, we know that some of you cannot do so. But don't be offended if we ask - there are others who can. And if we can be assured of enough additional revenue in this way, we can eliminate the threat of spending cuts later in the year.

But the key to our long-term success is this fall's Pledge canvass for the 2008 operating budget. We will need about $285,000 (about $23,000 more than this year's approved budget), but will need to raise much more of it than we have in the past by the pledges. In 2007 and 2008, we generated over $100,000 in special "Bridge" pledges (including a generous match from the ZFF); most of that will have been received and used by the end of this year. So instead of budgeting about $185,000 in pledge income, we will need to budget about $240,000 from pledges. Some of this increase will come through expected growth in the number of pledging units, but we'll also need an increase in the average pledge to avoid a shortfall. 80% of our spending is for staff - there would not be much else we could cut.

The Summary

I say we have financial challenges, but we are not even close to a crisis. This congregation has responded brilliantly to the challenges of the last two years, and I am confident we will continue to do so.

Paul Borrmann, Treasurer

Music Notes

“All music is important
if it comes from the heart.”
Carlos Santana

      I write this set of notes the morning following 8 VA (our vocal octet) performing May Love Be Your Guide by Unitarian Universalist composer Cliff Hardin at the Clayton-Jackson-McGhie graveside tree planting in Park Hill cemetery. We joined about 30 community members along with a lynching instigator’s great grandson Warren Reed and an Elmer Jackson cousin Virginia Huston to remember and honor the lynching victims.  In my conversing with Warren I was not surprised to learn that he and his life partner are Unitarian Universalists.  They first began attending the Seattle congregation where Robert Fulghum preached the Sunday following 9/11 and realized that they needed the hope and healing Unitarian Universalism offers everyone who walks through the door.
      8 VA offered a very special and hope filled music experience at the graveside through May Love Be Your Guide and brought a beauty to the event unlike any other.   We hope to offer this selection during a Sunday service in the near future so that those of you not present at Park Hill cemetery last evening can hear it as well and take heart in its message…
     There were some awesome music messaging going on during June!  Our congregation would not be the same if not for the generous sharing of our many music volunteers and appreciation goes out to vocalist Tanya Moore with accompanist Greg Moore, the Choir with choir director Cyndi Gritzmacher, vocal octet 8 VA with music programming administrator Karen Bauman, pianist Molly Benson, page turner Cal Benson, and violinist Barbara Kelly.
     When you are ready to share your gift of music with us please contact one of our music staff for conversation, rehearsal, encouragement or whatever it may be that you need!
Our choir director is Cyndi Gritzmacher
Our music programming administrator is Karen Bauman

July Rehearsal Schedule

Wednesday July 16 : Choir 7 pm, Sanctuary                                                                   

Simple Living Group

The discussion topic for our  next meeting on July 13, 12:30 (at UUCD) will focus on buying and eating locally. 

The Simple Living Group meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 12:30.  Contacts:  Duane Madison (525-5645) or Jo Thompson (525-5854).

Especially For Newcomers!

All newcomers are invited and encouraged to attend an hour-long Newcomers' Information Session in the Religious Education Great Room immediately following the Sunday service on July 13.  This will be an opportunity to meet other newcomers and to learn more about our amazing denomination and association.  You'll receive a Newcomers' Packet chock full of good stuff; and there will be munchies and child care.  Contact the UUCD Office (724-0308 or uucduluth@gmail.com)) or Molly Benson (calbenmn@gmail.com) for more information. 

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.

Suzanne’s Ordination

Ordination is the ceremonial occasion at which a person is named a minister and given the adjectival modifier “The Reverend.”  In the Unitarian Universalist faith, ordination is the act by which a congregation formally recognizes a person as a minister. 
            Often the ordination occurs at a special congregation, a congregation that has watched a person in her formation process toward the ministry, even if there is no intent for that person to serve that particular church.  UUCD is such a congregation for me.  You’ve followed my progress through seminary, cared for my spouse Tim Stratton, and given me many words of encouragement and support through these past five years.  Thank you!
My formal preparation for and entrance into the Unitarian Universalist ministry has entailed both academic and practical training.
Last June I received an MDiv. from Meadville Lombard Theological School, a Unitarian Universalist seminary in Chicago.  In the summer of 2004 I trained for ten weeks as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and at Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minnesota.  And in the 2005-’06 church year I did a supervised internship at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor in Maine.  During the past year I have preached in Virginia, Minnesota at the Mesabi UU Church, in Woodruff, Wisconsin at the Northwoods UU Fellowship, and at the Duluth congregation. 
Recently the Board of Trustees of this congregation voted to ordain me.  I am pleased, proud and humbled that you should bestow on me this recognition.
My ordination date is set for Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 4:30 pm at the church.  My homiletics (preaching) professor the Rev. Mr. David Bumbaugh will preach my ordination sermon. 

Here is where I need your help. 
An ordination takes a fair amount of planning, and many hands: 
Invitations to be designed and addressed and mailed.  Home hospitality for out-of-town guests.  Decorating the sanctuary.  Set-up and clean-up.  Parking.  Greeting.  Ushering. Printing an order of service.   Marshalling the procession.  A reception afterwards.  
If you can help in any of these capacities, please contact me, Suzanne Wasilczuk, at 525-5811 or suzwas@hotmail.com.  I will organize an initial meeting for some time early in July.

Save the Dates

Every Wednesday evening in July & August: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. UUCD Family Fun Night
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, 525-3818
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

Caring Corner

We want to thank all of you who have signed up for receiving word of members in trouble.  You don't need to answer if you can't help and may immediately delete the message without feeling any qualms. If you haven't given us your contact information we can help you to get it done.

• John Langdon is back home in Knife River and is in good spirits.
• David Backstrand is now in Chris Jensen Nursing Home.  He has begun his treatment schedule and is looking better.  He will need transportation to his chemo sessions.  More later. 
• We welcomed back Pat Stoddard last Sunday and she is improving daily. 
• Susy Swanson is mending well and we await her return.   

Don't be afraid to call us if you need something we can help with.  We are ready and feel we are needed if you sometimes remember us.

Warren High and Julie Morgan (who is out of town for two weeks will be back early July) 

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!

Pooley Bookstore News

We have a lot of good books on our shelves.  Many are the basic U.U. books ordered from our main bookstore in Boston.  We have several copies of A Chosen Faith.  This is a good book to read for learning "the basics" about our beliefs.  Other offerings include a book that Ann Fryberger highly recommends, Where Have All the Leaders Gone? written by Lee Iacocca.  This one will "get 'ya going."  

I will be placing an order soon to refresh our inventory.  Any suggestions?  I listen and try.

Check out our used book table, also.  It's a diverse collection of titles.  We have recently received many books pertaining to Buddhism.  All of the books on this table are donated (by people like you), so keep that in mind when any of you want to share a good read and wish to pass it on.

In our store on wheels there will be a new section.  This is made possible by members of our incredibly talented congregation. This section will feature "our" local poets, writers, and musicians. Hey, you, out there, let me know if you want to be a part of this space.  Quite exciting!    

Also, Scot Bol will be filling in when I am away on occasional Sundays.  He's a new member who likes to "talk books" and what a good way to meet fellow UU members!  So, thank you Scot. 

As always, buying and selling books is a spiritual experience, Diana 

Circle Suppers Again at UUCD

“He drew a circle that shut me out--
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!”
"Outwitted" by Edwin Markham (complete poem)
Source: The Best Loved Poems of the American People. Doubleday, 1936. p.67
Two dear U.U. friends from Arizona used to recite this poem as their grace.  Their previous congregation in Illinois created a pendant illustrating this poem as a church fundraiser.  These words came to mind when I volunteered to organize the circle suppers for the coming year. One of my favorite memories of our congregation in the 90’s was meeting such a great cross-section of members and friends at circle suppers.  The friendly chatter of truly interesting people, not to mention the great food (!), was a date on my calendar to which I keenly looked forward. 

To get the ball rolling for the coming year, Judy Blanck, Pat Kearns and I invite you to attend a “hosts supper” on your choice of Saturday, July 26 (adult singles or couples only—home has a cat & dog who will be confined for the evening) or Sunday, July 27 (children welcome—pet-free home).  Those who attend will commit to hosting a supper themselves during the coming months.  We’ll coordinate the schedule and assign the guests for each of the fall dates.  A sign-up for the fall suppers will be posted in the narthex and there’ll be a reminder in the next newsletter, as well.

To sign up please email the following information to me at: littlebitbridges@juno.com

Adult name(s)
Children & ages:
Email address
Phone:
Date preference:
Food you prefer to bring: Appetizer, Entrée, Salad, Bread, Dessert, Beverage

Eighteen guests can be accommodated at each dinner. I’ll contact you with more information in early July.

Cherie Sawinski

RUMMAGE SALE COMMITTEE “DESPARATELY SEEKING SUSAN”

…and Eddy and Mary and Joe and Sophia and Julio and Linda and Tom….and anybody else out there who can pitch in!  

We have BIG holes to fill on the Volunteer Sign-Up Roster for the UUCD Rummage Sale, especially on Friday and Saturday, July 18-19.  We REALLY need a clean-up crew with trucks and station wagons!  For details, check out Newsletter, Order of Service Inserts or Volunteer Bulletin Board in the Social Hall and “Puh-leeze” contact Gloria @ dansing52@yahoo.com ASAP! Thanks! 

Sister Cities:  Opportunity to Connect!

The Green Sanctuary committee is co-sponsoring a delegation from Vaxjo, Sweden who will be in Duluth in late July. The Swedish delegation is coming as part of the Sister Cities program and will be making a presentation at the UUCD building on July 30, 2008 about what they have done with their eco-municipality, how long it took to do it, and more. They received the 2007 award for being “Greenest City in Europe.” See their website at: http://www.vaxjo.se/default.aspx?id=1630  
We have much to learn about becoming a green community. Please join us on July 30th as we welcome delegates from our sister country and learn how we ourselves can live lightly on the earth and move forward in efforts to become a more sustainable community. This event is free and open to the public – please bring a guest!
The presentation by guests from Vaxjo, Sweden will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary and will be followed by refreshments. 

Green Sanctuary

Since the Green Sanctuary Committee will not meet in July, this may be the last Green Corner until September. So here are a few items to consider until then.

Summer book read and discussion

As we noted last month, the Green Sanctuary Committee has chosen its Summer Book Read theme and core selection for 2008. The theme is The World beneath our feet, and we have selected Dirt:The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan as the core reading (available new or used online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble). Participants are encouraged to read and bring other sources on the same theme. Check last month's green corner (available online at the UUCD web site )for some comments about the book selection.

As in previous years, we will meet at Geiger and David Yount's home on London Road (3000 London Road, look for a blaze orange banner on the sign post), by the shore of Lake Superior. At the last committee meeting, we decided to meet on Friday, August 8. The committee will have a short meeting starting at 5:00 (new or interested members welcome), followed by a potluck meal at 6:00. Then, weather permitting, we will go down to the shore for the book discussion.

Update on the pond

The first phase of the pond periphery project is complete. This involved spreading of leaves and topsoil to inhibit weeds, and preparation of a wood-chipped path from the west side of the building to the pond. Work with Leaning Pine Natural Landscapes to install wildflowers and other native plants is in progress. The excess leaves are in a pile near the pond and will need to be turned for composting two or three times this summer by two people each time.

Barb Akre will attempt to organize a schedule for lightly raking the top of the soil each week. This should disrupt germination of weed seeds that were in the topsoil. However, the soil needs to dry out for a couple of weeks before it can be walked on, due to our recent heavy rains. We hope that by the time you receive this the soil will have dried. Bunter Knowles estimates that it will take two people and two metal rakes one hour each Sunday after the service.

Life in the pond is developing nicely. At the time of this writing (6/17) there was a healthy population of wood frog tadpoles from some egg masses that came from Bunter Knowles' pond. By the time you read this, most of them may have transformed into frogs and made their way into the woods above the pond (or tried to cross College St. into Chester Park), where they will mature for a few years before reaching reproductive age. Meanwhile, we will introduce more each spring. Other life is developing as well, but is more difficult to see. Please, don't introduce anything into the pond without consulting with the Green Sanctuary committee.

Hosting of Sister Cities delegation from Sweden:

The Green Sanctuary Committee has agreed to co-sponsor a delegation from Vaxjo (pronounced Vek sha), Sweden who will be in Duluth in late July. The Swedish delegation is coming as part of the Sister Cities program. They have reserved space at UUCD for a presentation on Wednesday, July 30th about what they have done with their eco-municipality, how long it took to do it, and more. They received the 2007 award for being “Greenest City in Europe.” See elsewhere in this newsletter for more details.

UUCD meeting on site plan for Outdoor Sanctuary:

The committee will host a workshop on October 5, following the service, to develop a site plan for the outdoor sanctuary. A potluck lunch will be available. The intention is to gather input from other UUCD members to see what they would like to have in the outdoor sanctuary, as well as to share our thoughts. At a minimum we will need input on religious education needs and desires, and for a memorial garden. We recognize the importance of making the outdoor sanctuary a child-friendly place, as well as a place where adults (and children) can experience and celebrate nature. Everyone is encouraged to explore our outdoor space this summer, become familiar with it, and come to the Oct. 5 meeting with your ideas. Green Sanctuary committee members will be happy to show you around, if you would like to have a guide. Check with David Yount or Bunter Knowles.

UUCD Garden Club

In memory of Pete Hurlbut and with gratitude for the Zeppa Family Foundation.

How did the Peace Lily get its name?

Peace Lily or Spathiphyllum ‘supreme’ is our garden’s moisture indicator.  Its leaves will be the first to wilt if soil conditions are too dry.  The Peace Lily is also known for its ability to filter toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde from the air.  But how did it get the name Peace Lily?  If anyone knows the answer to this, please email Jo Thompson at woodfarm@wildblue.net.

June was a busy month for the garden club.  Besides our usual indoor maintenance of the garden, we planted an outdoor food garden.  The food garden will need watering and weeding throughout the summer.  We also held our first annual plant sale.  Thanks so much to Traci Eaton for taking this on.  It was a great success.  There were many wonderful donations.  There were a few leftover plants that will have been planted outside by the time you read this.

We’ve also incorporated biological control against the fungus gnats that have failed to win over our admiration.  Thousands, if not millions, of nematodes were applied to the soil to feed on the fly eggs and larvae.  If you are happy about the reduced population of flies, please address your appreciation to Ann Fryberger and David Yount.

We can always use help.  If you would like to become involved, please contact Cindy Graham at cgraham109@hotmail.com or Jo Thompson at woodfarm@wildblue.net.  Our next meeting will be Sunday July 27 at 9:30 (UUCD, library).  All are welcome.

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 at 724-4666 for confirmation of dates.

Volunteer in your area of expertise and interest

Join the 2009 Prairie Star District Conference planning committee

UUCD will be host for the 2009 Prairie Star District Conference scheduled for April 3-5, 2009.  This annual conference is a lively three days of great speakers, workshops, and fellowship with Unitarian Universalists from the Upper Midwest.  We’re responsible for “local arrangements;” the district’s Program Planning Committee is planning the program.  The theme has already been selected: it’s green, just like us!  

Congregations and fellowships in the region who’ve hosted the conference before tell us that 50-70 volunteers are needed locally to cover everything from registration to planning Sunday services (in our building) to coordinating exhibit space.  This is a chance for a short-term commitment to help in exactly the way you want to. 

And did we mention fun?  Look up “fun” in the dictionary and see the people listed below!  Then call one of them to volunteer your services for planning food, communications, and more.  We guarantee this will be a great experience.

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

Denominational Affairs and Social Justice

Justice, Equity, and Compassion.  Our second principle, adopted at the 1983 General Assembly, is “justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.” As Unitarian Universalists, in the absence of creedal beliefs, we derive our ethics from personal experience and interaction within the community.  How then do we choose to transform the second principle into practice?

Retired UU Minister, Richard Gilbert (2000), in his book The Prophetic Imperative: Social Gospel in Theory and Practice contends that we are covenanted to address the systemic problems of society.  “Systemic change suggests that social action should be directed at underlying causes of social problems, rather than merely at their symptoms.  Treating symptoms alone, while often necessary, might well be a soporific to cover fundamental injustice, putting the proverbial Band Aid on cancer.  Thus, food kitchens, however laudable, might merely feed the victims of a fundamentally unjust social order instead of rooting out the causes of their hunger.  A systematic approach challenges the underlying premises of the American economy, which produces poverty in the midst of plenty” (p. 8).   We will be discussing this book in a fall adult enrichment program.  Watch for further announcements. 

Hal Bertilson, writing for the Denominational Affairs Committee and the Peace and Justice Committee

Spirit Valley Young Mothers

Spirit Valley Young Mothers Supportive Housing Program (YWCA) is thriving and making wonderful strides in helping young mothers get their feet on the ground and move forward.

This year two young moms graduated from high school and one from college. Last year one graduated from high school and one got her GED and two became college enrollees. 2009 will have four college enrollees.  Fourteen women were in the program in 2007 and eight are in it so far in 2008. UUCD has been a source of support to this program and is inviting the Peace Church community to participate in order to increase the number of volunteers.

The program director at Spirit Valley, Tammi Johnson, is doing a phenomenal job in working with these young women. In order to take some of the load off of Tammi, Laura Kenig has volunteered to coordinate a mentoring program to work directly with the young mothers and the volunteer community starting in the fall. This can be at the Center and/or it can be regular email or phone support. There is a broad range of opportunity for service – this list has been compiled with input from the women at Spirit Valley, staff and volunteers.

Here are some suggestions for one-on-one mentoring topics/activities:

• parenting (the list is endless)
• quilting (we have a specific request for this)
• cooking , sewing , scrap-booking,
• home organization, budgeting (curriculum provided)
• career coaching (career guides/curriculum provided)

Please consider volunteering as a mentor or in any other capacity. One hour a week, two hours twice a month, whatever fits with your schedule.

Volunteer categories: (Need volunteers for all.)

• Child Care – 1 hour on Monday night (Parenting class)
• Child Care – Thursday night starting in Sep (Mentor night)
• Teaching classes
• One-on-one mentoring  - Thursday night starting in Sep. (coordinated by Laura)
• Give rides on weekdays (Tammi needs someone who can make a commitment to a regular time schedule so that the moms can schedule doctor’s appointments, etc.)
• Give rides on weekends and evenings to UU, other congregations, La Leche League meetings and to other parenting support groups.

Please contact Laura Kenig to volunteer as a mentor. laurack@citlink.net
Please contact Tammi Johnson to volunteer for child care and giving rides. 624-5451 ext. 10 tammij@ywcaduluth.org
Carol Michealson will continue to serve as the UUCD liaison between Spirit Valley, Tammi and Laura.

UU Pretty Good Book Club

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.

July Book Selection: Morte D’Urban by J. K. Powers

Tuesday July 15, 7:15 p.m., library
The hero of J. F. Powers’s comic masterpiece is Father Urban, a man of the cloth who is also a man of the world.  Charming, with an expansive vision of the spiritual life and a high tolerance for moral ambiguity.  Urban enjoys a national reputation as a speaker on the religious circuit and has big plans for the future.  But then the religious head of his dowdy religious order banishes him to a retreat house in the Minnesota hinterlands.  Father Urban soon bounces back, carrying God’s word with undaunted enthusiasm through the golf courses, fishing lodges and backyard barbecues of his new turf.  Yet even as he triumphs his tribulations mount, and in the end his greatest success proves a setback from which he cannot recover.

First published in 1962, Morte D’Urban has been praised by writers as various as Gore Vidal, William Gass, Mary Gordon, and Philip Ross.  This beautifully observed, often hilarious tale of a most unlikely Knight of Faith is among the finest achievements of an author whose singular vision assures him of a permanent place in American literature.

Please continue to bring your ideas for future reads.  For questions or further information contact Barb Kelly - kellys@cpinternet.com. 

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 Runnera beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Sunsis 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.

UUCD Annual Rummage Sale!

Right Around the Corner! At Charlie & Diana’s Beautiful-Home-By-The-Lake!
4320 London Road
Friday  July 18th: 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday July 19th: 8:00 am-4:00 pm

PLEASE DO…

• Wash all washables!
• Bring infant and children’s clothes, toys, books, games, puzzles
• Donate gardening tools/Home fix-up tools/storage containers
• “Special”/boutique-type items: old/new jewelry, art, antiques, cameras,
• clocks, good lamps, mirrors, paintings, CD’s, books, linens
• Household items – dishes, glassware, pots & pans, furniture, blankets
• Anything you think would be appealing at a sale!

PLEASE DON’T…

• No broken, unwashed, incomplete items
• No adult clothes (Sorry, they just don’t sell well)
• No electronic items, TV’s or computers.  No exercise equipment
• (Unfortunately, we have to pay to haul them away!)

Please Drop off your items for receiving, sorting, pricing at Charlie and Diana’s house (see above address)

• Wednesday: July 16th, 9 am to 8:00 pm
• Thursday: July 17th        10 am to 8:00 pm

Above times don’t work? Can’t wait to get rid of your stuff?  Call Diana and Charlie to arrange a time to drop off your items.
If you know the approximate value of any of your special items, please let the rummage sale committee know.

For people who are unable to lift or haul items, special arrangements may be made to pick them up depending upon volunteer availability.  Call Gloria.

Your help is needed!
The Special Events/Rummage Sale Committee will be recruiting people to help at the set up and sale.  Shifts are approximately 3 hours or whatever you can do!  Please say, “YES!” 

Got stuff? Want to help? Questions? Contact any one of us!

• Jill Lakhan: jillkor@gmail.com  
• Diana/Charlie Moore: cholliedi@aol.com   
• Cathy Andberg: CJBergand17@msn.com                     
• Gloria Walters: dansing52@yahoo.com          
  

Are You Doing For Peace Sake?!!!

A COLLABORATIVE CONCERT FOR PEACE: SUNDAY, JULY 20, 7:00 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth NEW home! 835 College Street, Duluth
EVERYONE WELCOME!!! This concert is deliberately FREE to make it totally accessible to ALL

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to mingle and check out literature tables. GREAT opportunity to listen and reflect on our efforts for PEACE, whether personal, local, global, minute-by-minute –
whatever your effort ... IT ALL MATTERS!!!!!!!!!

Guest musicians include:  

• Singer/songwriter, Rachael Kilgour; guitarist, Dan Burrows;
• Harbor City International School Drumming group;
• 4 Mile Portage (Tom Maloney & Brandy Forsman);
• Puzzle PEACE Interfaith Youth Choir;
• Cins and Hell Trio (Cindy Edwardson, Cyndi Gritzmacher, Hella Wartman)