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March 2008 Newsletter

Services

Sunday, March 2: "Storytelling" with Elizabeth Nordell

Local Storyteller, Elizabeth Nordell will share stories about friendship, love, forgiveness and renewal.

Sunday, March 9: "Naming the Sacred: God, Nature and Other Words We Choose to Worship"
Reverend Sally Hamlin, Interim Minister, preaching.

For some of us, the use of the traditional names for the divine are familiar and comforting.  For others, the same words annoy and irritate. What can we learn from this?

Sunday, March 16: "Youth Service" "Music As a Universal Language"

Join UUCD's Youth as they lead us in worship through music and words.  This is a special service- not to be missed!

Sunday, March 23: "What Saves Us?" Reverend Sally Hamlin, Interim Minister, preaching.

Easter Sunday comes early this year.  In the Christian liturgical year this holy day brings into conversation the challenges of resurrection from the dead.  Let's explore together what gifts we can find in the message of this day.

Sunday, March 30: "The In Between Times" Reverend Janne Eller-Isaacs, preaching.

Anthropologist Victor Turner introduced the term liminal in describing the reality that is created in ritual.  In liminal time, many things are possible that weren't before and won't be again.  Liminal time is the world between worlds.  Any congregation experiencing interim ministry has some sense of liminal time.  Janne will explore the opportunities and challenges facing congregations during the interim period. At the conclusion of the service, Janne will outline the search process for the congregation.

Bio:  Janne Eller-Isaacs is co-minister of Unity Church-Unitarian of St. Paul.  She and her husband, Rob have served that congregation since fall of 2000.  Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, they served the congregation in Oakland, California.  She and her husband love living in Minnesota except in late February.  They co-own a small north woods cabin near Cass Lake and they have attended caucuses for the last few elections. Janne is passionate about Unitarian Universalism and is involved in a variety of denominational efforts and events, including working as Ministerial Settlement Representative for the Prairie Star District.

Circle Worship – Wednesdays, March 12 and 26 – 5:30-6:15pm – Social Hall at College Street Suzanne Wasilczuk, facilitator

Circle Worship is a time of reflective readings, a cappella singing, meditation, personal reflection and sharing.   Come anchor your week in a centering space. Please see more detail about Circle Worship in the enclosed Spring 2008 Adult Enrichment and Religious Education Programs listings.

From our Interim Minister, Reverend Sally Hamlin

Photo of SallyI have been visiting other congregations lately as a pre-candidate, one of the steps involved in the ministerial search process.   After months and months of preparation on the part of the congregation's search team, and months and months on the part of each minister in search, these weekends with one another are the first face-to-face encounter for each party. 

By the time this meeting finally occurs, mountains of paperwork in the form of profiles and binders and brochures have already been exchanged.  Though we seem to already ‘know' one another in intimate ways as a result of our vast electronic capacities that only a generation ago would have seemed impossible, it is not until we meet together that we really begin the knowing process with one another.

Until we share physical space together, can hear the timber of one another's voices with their unique cadences and inflections, see and experience one another's sense of humor, can hear what inspires and defeats another, we remain apart in some deep sense I find difficult to explain.  Though, obviously, I believe we can inspire and be inspired, move and be moved by the written word, something happens when we are belly- to-belly with other human beings that cannot occur on paper.

I think this must not be unlike internet dating and matchmaking programs, where one can seem to have much in common and even imagine falling in love and having children and a mortgage with another person, before you ever meet. However, what happens when you are in physical proximity to one another can dash even the most modest dreams, if the ‘spark' between you does not exist upon meeting.  More than a few hopes have disintegrated within minutes of meeting, I imagine.  

This is similar to what I believe happens when I write a sermon.  Though I may spend hours and hours crafting and writing and re-writing until I am about to drive myself crazy with the stretch towards perfection, it is not until I am face to face with the congregation for which it was written, hearing my words come into sound and space, watching your faces, hearing responses, listening to your quiet thoughtful reception or the disquieting murmurs of the disgruntled, that I know if I have done anything worth the time invested….until then, who knows?  Until then, it remains just words on paper.  It is in relationship with you that sermons have a hope of coming alive with meaning.

Being in physical proximity with one another in our struggle to build the beloved community is where we are stretched as human beings to do the work involved in such a goal.  What happens when we show up, belly-to-belly, face-to-face, and engage in the serious and joyful and often challenging work of staying together through the process involved is exactly what can make a difference in any congregation.  We may not always think alike- and we do not have to- to love alike (thanks Francis David!).  We often may disagree with one another on issues and strategies, but unless we try to listen, unless we commit to stay in the conversation, trusting one another and believing in best intentions, even as we stumble and make mistakes as we will inevitably do, we will miss out on that most precious gift: seeing and feeling and touching the spark of one another's soul. 

With this in mind, I want to invite you into discussion with me about how you feel and think about one of UUCD's weekly worship rituals: Candles of Joys and Concerns. I want to invite you to consider another way of taking care of one another that will reshape this important ritual in a new way.  I know this may be something you think is impossible to do! I know you may not like even considering any change in Joys and Concerns.  Yet I want to know what you think, and I want to invite you to try something new.  And I am asking for your trust and engagement in dialogue about this change over the next month or so.  I want to find a way to include and expand the essence of what Joys and Concerns is all about, and to continue to incorporate your care for one another in a worshipful way. I have a few ideas, but I want to hear from you. Write me an email: sallyhamlin@hotmail.com and let me know what you think about Joys and Concerns as it currently happens.  Or drop me a note to tell me your thoughts.  Or talk to me in coffee hour.  I really want to know what you want to see in this part of worship where we hold one another in our thoughts and prayers. 

Let's see what we can continue to create together in this, our beloved community, face-to-face. See you on Sunday!

Sally

Making View of building from woodsIt Home!

To:  The incomparable UUCD

Isn't it exciting all the visitors we're experiencing?  It makes me wonder what will happen when we can actually occupy our new building. The Membership Committee is doing remarkable work toward Radical Hospitality, and they need each and every one of us to support their efforts.

Alison Lutterman is heading up our Building Dedication and Grand Opening weekend of May 16th.   There will be the dedication on Friday night, an Open House for the region on Saturday, and a congregational celebration on Sunday.  Alison wants many to be involved in this major event including our youth.  It's going to be quite the celebration. 

You are encouraged to be watchful of changes of venue for meeting times and places because it is very, very likely we will get our Certificate of Occupancy this month.   A new Announcement board will be in place in the gathering room each Sunday morning to provide you with up-to-date information.  

The Kitchen Pot is boiling but needs more ingredients (read $$$). Have you sent your donation in already?   Just write "kitchen" in the memo field of your check and mail it to the office before March 30th so we can get cookin.

Seven people showed up for the introductory tour of how to care for our new interiorscape.  A new garden club is forming and all green thumbs are invited to join.  See the invitation elsewhere in this newsletter. Actually, you don't even need a green thumb to join this garden club. All you need is a desire to build community and nurture our beautiful interiorscape.

Chris Edwardson and Richard Fryberger have been coordinating the College Street painting crew with each volunteer given the name of a famous painter.  We owe these painters our heartfelt thank yous.  And while we're at it, please give Chris an extra big thank you for donating his labor toward constructing our chancel riser and another thank you to Julie McDonnell for acquiring donated labor for the installation of the carpet in the elevator.  

A large gang of us are going to Omaha, Nebraska in April to the Prairie Star District Annual Conference.  Come on along.  Call Barb Kelly if you want more information.  We're looking to train leaders and this conference is an excellent way to move into a UUCD leadership position.  

It won't be long now.   Okay, so I'm excited!

In service,
Ann Fryberger
President, Board of Trustees

Mark your calendars: Grand Opening Weekend:

  • May 16 Building Dedication with Rev. Bill Sinkford speaking
  • May 17 Open House events
  • May 18 Back to the Future and BeyondService on Sunday morning

A few pots to cook in

kitchenShort-term fundraising to finish and furnish our kitchen

It is with deep gratitude that we announce the generous giving of our community members with pledges and gifts totaling $55,760 as of February 16, 2008.  It is a healthy start to the approximately $88,000 we anticipate needing to finish and furnish our basic kitchen.

Your support has enabled the UUCD Kitchen Kabinet to move forward in securing bids for the construction and search for good value as they purchase quality items for our kitchen.

Look for the article in our bulletin announcing the "Kitchen Dinners" that Geiger and David Yount are hosting, with the $25.00 fee going entirely to the kitchen fund.  It's a great way to support our building and get to know some wonderful UUs.  While the official fundraising effort will end March 1, your financial support will be sincerely appreciated as we move forward to complete a functional kitchen.

Checks may be sent to UUCD at 145 West Winona Street, Duluth, MN 55803 or dropped in the plate at church.  Please mention "Kitchen Funds" on the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity!

Under Construction

Building to grow logoA column to answer questions about our new church building

Did someone mention something about a garden?
Well as a matter of fact we did!  The garden entry has been installed, the water feature is flowing and it is quite beautiful!  The sound of the water moving is soothing to the ear and the greenery is easy on the eyes.  Talk about making first impressions!Pete's room

Talking about being impressive!
Thanks to the incredible generosity and follow-through by the individuals and families who have been fulfilling their building appeal pledges, we have been able to reduce our ZFF promissory note by $625,000!  A resounding thank you to everyone who has made this possible!

Elevator news
By the time you are reading this article, we should have had our elevator inspection and hopefully will be able to have it fully functioning.  Cross your fingers.

Library / Heritage room
The fireplace has been installed and the rest of the drywall taping is being completed.  Julie McDonnell has generously offered to donate special wall finishing material from her Eco Friendly business for the library / heritage room.  We want to give a big thank you to Julie for this gift. 

Other items!
bathroomThe RE/Community space is getting pretty close to being finished to the degree we can with our current funding.  Note that at this time it is being left as a large open space with plans for movable dividers and other finishing items to be added at a later date.  It is just a great space!  Drinking fountains are installed and functional in the hallway.  The restrooms are on their way to completion.  Speakers have been hung in the sanctuary.  We are having a heck of a good time putting up and taking down chairs in the social hall area while we wait for completion of the sanctuary so we can unpack our sanctuary chairs.  We can hardly wait!

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.

You're invited to Dinner!

David and Geiger Yount are hosting a series of dinners for fun, fellowship, and support for the Kitchen Pot.  They provide the food and drink. You donate $25 per person - 100% to the Kitchen $Pot. Please email geigman@aol.com to get a place at the table.  Newcomers, especially, are invited; this is a good way to get to know people. Dates in March:  Fridays 7th and 28th.   To be determined: 14th, 15th, or 16th.  Don't be shy!  Step forward for a great evening of food and fellowship.

UUCD Garden Club

In memory of Pete Hurlbutand with heartfelt gratitude  to the Alan H. Zeppa Family Foundation for its philanthropic spirit, we pledge good care of "Pete's Room."

Our beautiful interiorscape to be enjoyed for decades by all who enter our new home was designed by McRae Anderson of McCaren Designs, an internationally recognized interiorscape designer.  This garden was designed to be low maintenance which doesn't mean no maintenance.  It will bring joy if we keep it clean and healthy.  There will also be a need this spring to begin to design the front and side exteriorscape around the building.

Several people have expressed an interest in joining the now forming UUCD Garden Club.  The more the merrier, and there is a lot of fun to be had and friendships to make working side by side on such rewarding work.

If you want to join or if you are interested in learning more about the UUCD Garden Club, please come to the formation meeting at College Street on Saturday, March 8th at 9:00 a.m.   A Continental Breakfast will be served – RSVP @ ann@thefrybergers.net.

Board Report

Your Board of Trustees met on January 22, 2008 and worked through the following items:

  • We accepted the minutes of the December 16, 2007 Congregational meeting and the December 18, 2007 board meeting.
  • We received information about building dedication events.
  • We reviewed the revised signage for the front of the College Street building.
  • We received a thank you letter from Citizens Federation NE for helping them acquire a $7,000 grant from the Unitarian Universalist Fund for a Just Society and were recognized for such in the Greater Minnesota Health Care Coalition HealthLinks publication.
  • We reviewed award certificate showing UUCD as an Honor Congregation as a Fair Share Congregation.
  • We reallocated the 2007 operating budget surplus to 2008 Staffing for Growth Bridge, reinstated YRUU as a passthrough, and reallocated $1630 fundraising budget surplus to Special Program Fund.
  • We discussed a copyright policy and agreed to abide by the law rather than write our own policy.
  • We scheduled the winter board retreat for February 23, 2008
  • We reflected on the new congregational goals and how they are being disseminated to the congregation.
  • We discussed the goal of Leadership, the need to fill three board seats, and the April Prairie Star District Annual Conference in Omaha as an important leadership development opportunity.
  • We authorized the purchase of a new large capacity printer now that the Gestetner has passed on.
  • We appointed the search committee for the next Interim Minister search.
  • We reviewed some College Street building requests and approved the expenditure of additional funds only as needed to finish already committed items.
  • We voted to end the current Kitchen fundraising campaign as of February 29, 2008.
  • We volunteered for various board volunteer opportunities.

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.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING 

Rev. Phil Lund,  Lifespan Program Director of the Prairie Star District will offer a four hour training on Youth Leadership 

  • When: Saturday, April 19th 12:30-4:30
  • Where: The Religious Education "GREAT ROOM" 

for more information please contact Carol Turner at cgeot1@gmail.com 
UUCD can provide childcare, if needed

Congregations in Transition

Interim Minister Transition Team – Activity Update

Have you been on the UUCD web-site recently? If so, you've seen the new link to the Interim Minister Transition Team pages. You can find notes from events held in the past, such as the sessions held in January after the service on two Sundays, and information about the activities the team is planning. (http://www.uuduluth.org/imtransition)

Our objective is to keep the conversation going so as many members and friends as possible can take part in making our transition from interim to settled minister successful.

By the time you read this, the Board will have participated in a session designed to help us "come to terms with our history," the first developmental task of the interim ministry period. Next, on March 11th, the Program Council will engage in the same exercise. In April, there will be two opportunities for you, as members or friends of the congregation to participate. This is your opportunity to express your opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of our history.

Congregational Sessions:

  • Sunday, April 20th at noon, after the service, with soup and bread; and childcare
  • Saturday, April 26th, at 10:00 am, with coffee and muffins; and childcare

Please make your reservations with Kathy Stinnett so we will have adequate food and a childcare provider if needed for both of the sessions.

The Ministry Transition Team

  • Judy Blanck
  • Barb Lund
  • Kathy Heltzer
  • Jan Magree
  • Ruth McCutcheon
  • Bob Seitz
  • Jim Seitz
  • Marree Seitz
  • Sally Hamlin

Peace and Justice Event

The Peace and Justice Committee is meeting at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 1, 2008.  We'll meet at the home of Sue Dailey.  4864 1st Avenue North in Duluth. We'll show the half-hour film about racism in Duluth:  Bringing the Truth to Light: A Community Forum on Racism Today.  This film was produced by the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Board and WDSE in 2006.  All are welcome to join us for snacks and discussion.  Call Sue at for more information.

Religious Education

Greetings UU Families and Fabulous Volunteers, 

I have a request for those of you who have generously agreed to volunteer your time to teach Sunday School this year: In lieu of teaching this year, might you commit to 6 Sundays for the 08'-09' program year?   We can have curriculum and materials ready-to-go in our beautiful, green home.

For the remainder of this programming year, in lieu of regular classes, we will be doing a variety of whole group community building activities which will include exploring spirituality through art.

  • March 2nd: You don't want to miss local storyteller, Elizabeth Nordell, sharing the traditional Ukranian tale, Rechenka's Eggs, about friendship and forgiveness.
  • March 9th: Thanks to the fine curriculum designed by local art instructor, Liz Vandersteen, March selections will also includes exploring Ojibwe spirituality through the work of Norval Morriseau, whose art reflects the myths and legends of the Anishinaabe people.  His work was also influenced by Christian themes.
  • March 16th: Youth Service – Come see our fabulous teenagers as they show us the ways Music is a universal language.
  • March 23rd:  Easter morning, children will learn about the religious history and symbolism (from Pagan to Christian) and make their own Ukranian eggs with bees wax kistkas and brilliant dyes.
  • March 30th: We will be learning about the symbolic significance of the chalice in Unitarian Universalism and creating beautiful representations of our own chalices.

As always, I welcome your ideas and feedback. Thank you for your support and flexibility!

Carol Turner Director of Religious Education, cgeot1@gmail.com

Just In – A Special Note

Rebecca Hinds, assistant youth group leader last year, has accepted a position as Director of Religious Education for another UU congregation, the First Parish of Portland, ME. (She is the daughter of Joan and Fletcher Hinds.)

Opening Our Doors Opening Our Hearts Update

Friday April 4 OVation In Concert: at UUCD on College St. 7:30 pm $15 suggested, This GLBT vocal octet will send your spirit soaring with wonderful music from many genres. A fund raiser for Opening Our Doors Reserve your seat today – phone UUCD at 724-0308

Saturday April 5 is the 8th Annual Opening Our Doors Opening Our Hearts - An Interfaith conference seeking GLBT faith equality in all denominations with keynote speaker UUA Office of GLBT concerns and Welcoming Congregation author Reverend Keith Kron plus Laramie Project, break-out sessions with many equality minded faith leaders and a wonderful gourmet dinner (live music and candlelight, too). 1 pm – 8 pm $20 suggested at UUCD on College St.

Want to join in volunteering for the event?  We'd love to enlist your help!  Contact Karen Bauman or Julie Morgan

Come and make history as UUCD opens the College Street doors to the public for the FIRST TIME!

Music Notes

"When I open my eyes I must sigh, for what I see is contrary to my religion, and I must despise the world which does not know that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy"  Ludwig van Beethoven

And what musical revelations there were throughout our February services!  We are fortunate to have such devoted musicians in the UUCD community.  Thanks and much appreciation for Sunday morning musical uplift goes out to  the Choir, Strings Attached and  composer/guitarist Dan Burrows with choir director Cyndi Gritzmacher, soloist Tanya Moore with accompanist Greg Moore, vocal octet 8 VA with accompanist Molly Benson and music programming administrator Karen Bauman.   We are truly more than the sum of our parts when we express SO much spirit through Music… If YOU want to try out any music group just contact choir director Cyndi Gritzmacher or music programming administrator Karen Bauman to get started!

There is a lot coming up during March so be sure to tack this rehearsal schedule up in a highly noticeable location!  Yes, there is even a little bit of April showing!!!

March Rehearsal Schedule

  • Wed March 5   8 VA 6pm–7pm, Duluth Cong. Choir   7pm–8:30pm Duluth Cong. (3833 E. Superior St)
  • Sun  March 9 Choir 9:30am UUCD at College St 8 VA  11:45am UUCD at College St
  • Wed March 19 8 VA 6pm–7pm UUCD at College St Choir  7pm–8:30pm  UUCD at College St
  • Sun  March 23 Choir 9:30am UUCD at College St. Choir 12:30pm UUCD at College St (Subway sandwiches then Laramie Project rehearsal)
  • Wed April 2 8 VA 6pm UUCD at College St Choir 7pm UUCD at College St (Laramie Project dress rehearsal)
  • Sat April 5 Choir  9:30am UUCD at College St (Laramie Project run-through). Choir 12:30pm UUCD at College St. (Laramie Project Performance). 8VA 7pm UUCD at College St.  (Opening Our Doors Closing Service)

Laramie Project rehearsals subject to change with notification!!!

Caring Corner

We have a fine, motorized wheelchair that was donated to us several years ago by long-time member Tyne Niemi's family when she died.  Until recently Rose Tassoni was using it, but she has returned it to us.  It is being offered for sale with proceeds going to the Kitchen Fund.  If you know anyone who might be interested in this wheelchair, please call Geiger Yount.

We have a fine, non-motorized wheelchair that is kept near the entrance should anyone need assistance coming up the ramp.

Caring Committee members have been busy helping.  Some of us have been working on guidelines to clarify what kinds of help the Caring Committee can and cannot provide.  Since you are all on the committee, we thought you would like to see these guidelines. 

Got a care?  Call us:  Julie or Warren
Woops!  If you are not getting Caring Committee emails, please call Julie or email turtlejmm@sytekcom.com

Caring Committee Guidelines

Caring Committee Mission: 

To offer caring, help and support to UUCD members and friends.  It is the Caring Committee's belief that each UUCD member or friend is a de facto member of the Caring Committee; that we agree to care for one another when we covenant to participate in this religious community.

Some "Rules" for Caring Committee Members

  1. When asked to help you can always say no. 
  2. Information about those receiving care must not be shared without permission.  Think confidentiality!

Services the Caring Committee Offers:

  1. Sending cards for various occasions
  2. Phone calls to check in with folks.  Can be on a one-time to regular basis.
  3. Visits to nursing home residents, shut-ins, etc one time or regular basis.
  4. Meals— may be provided on a short time basis

Note:  

  • Check to see if there are dietary/allergy needs
  • Check to see if the family wants to eat alone or with the food bringer.
  1. Medications—The Caring Committee does not oversee or administer medications.*
  2. Transportation—Transportation may be provided on a limited basis.  People in wheelchairs must be able to transfer themselves from the wheel chair to the vehicle and back.
  3. Overnights—The Caring Committee does not arrange or participate in overnights.*

* This is not to say that anyone from our congregation cannot volunteer to help with medication, overnights, etc as a friend.  The Caring Committee cannot participate in nor arrange for these activities to take place.

Joys & Concerns

  • Marree Seitz—Best wishes to Marree who is recovering from a bowel resection surgery on January 17.   She is up and about and back to her regular self.  A word from Marree: "Have that colonoscopy.  Do NOT put it off.  Call NOW!"
  • Betsy Presley—Betsy had knee re-alignment surgery on January 23.  After several weeks at Lakeshore for therapy, she is practicing kicking up her heels at home! 
  • John Langdon—John finally got back home around Christmas time!    He had his last chemo treatment on January 28th.  John's daughter, Maureen, has been here supervising his care since Christmas.  John would love to have you come and visit, but please call first.  Afternoons are best.
  • Bob Hart—Mara reports that Bob welcomes visitors at Bayshore Health Center, 1601 St. Louis Ave. on Park Point.  He is in room 102.  The best time to visit is between 3:00 & 4:30.
  • Mary Melander—Mary had eye surgery on February 11th.  She is home and doing well.  With a little luck, she will be able to get rid of the eye patch.

Prairie Star District Conference April 11 – 13 2008 Omaha Nebraska

Many of you have shown an interest in attending this year's conference.  There was a lot of information about the conference in our last newsletter.  It was suggested that we may be able to hire a bus.  Unfortunately this proved too expensive to be feasible.  I am however trying to coordinate carpooling and match up roommates if needed.  If you are going to the conference please keep me informed of your plans.  You can reach me at 525-1821 or write to me at kellys@cpinternet.com

Online registration is now available at www.psduua.org.  There is a savings of $15 if you register by March 21.  The schedule for the conference as well as details about the workshops and other events are on the website.   So far there are over twenty of us planning to attend.  Join us for this great experience.
Barbara Kelly

Guest at Your Table

This year we raised $335.00 for the "Guest at Your Table" Program. Thank you for all your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, bills, and checks. They all went to several  UUSC charities.

Thank You!

The Denominational Affairs Committee

Leaded Glass Worker Needed

I have in my possession two windows from our old church which contain the original Tiffany glass from the 1910 construction. The sashes contain some broken panes and also 14 unbroken panes which measure 10 inches by six inches plus several pieces of broken glass. The lead came is about 5/8 inches wide.  If there is someone in the congregation, with appropriate skills, who wishes to rework this material, glass and lead came, into a decorative piece to be hung in the new building, please contact me.
Bob Seitz canoebob@duluthmn.com

Spirit Valley Young Mothers

Megan gave birth to a baby girl Sunday, February 17.  The baby's name is Mariyah, and both are doing well.  Megan was pleased to receive a full layette of baby items from the congregation at a baby shower on February 4.  We continue to collect baby layette items, good used clothing for toddlers and items for the mothers.  Two separate donation baskets can be found at UUCD

The Spirit Valley Young Mother's Program is looking for scrapbookers that would be willing to volunteer on the young mom's "scrapbooking" nights. The moms are learning to scrapbook and would like some guidance from seasoned scrappers.

Spirit Valley Young Mothers: The Past and the Future with Tammi Johnson, Director of the Spirit Valley Young Mothers Program, Noon-1:00p.m., March 2 in the Social Hall

Two years ago our UU congregation studied the causes of poverty and chose to help two programs in the Duluth area that help homeless and low-income people: CHUM and the Spirit Valley Young Mothers program administered by the YWCA.  The Young Mothers program specifically assists pregnant women or women with young children who are on their own and often homeless by providing housing and support.  Tammi Johnson and one of the young mothers will tell personal stories of young women whose lives have been turned around by this worthy program.  Tammi will also explain how the Young Mothers program began, its recent expansion, UUCD's involvement, and ways we can increase our involvement.

Contact Carol Michealson for information on how you can get involved, cmicheal@d.umn.edu

Simple Living Group

Sunday, March 9.  "Surviving the Coming Castrophies". 12:30 at UUCD on 835 W College Street, (Room to be announced at a later date)

Background for this discussion will be primarily from the February 20th St. Scholastica Peace and Justice, Energy Futures Series Lecture, "Surviving the Coming Castrophies" by James Kunstler.  We are planning to obtain audio clips from this lecture.  Also, background is available in Kunstler's  book,  "The Long Emergency", where he  presents the challenges of the coming global oil crisis, climate change and other "converging castrophies of the 21st Century".  The Duluth Public Library system owns several copies of this book and paper back editions are available at most bookstores.  Feel free to bring other information/references about this topic to the discussion.  Anyone is welcome.  Contacts:  Duane Madison or Jo Thompson

Hello, B & B Hospitality Hosts,

You may have noticed the announcement in the latest UU newsletter about starting up the Bed and Breakfast fundraiser.  As before, we will be putting out the word to our fellow UU congregations in the state and surrounding areas.  As responses come in, we will get the word out to the B & B network and match up hosts with (paying) guests.

One event coming up quickly is the Opening Our Doors Conference in early April.  Another potential group of paying guests are people who are being trained to become Music Practitioners through Barbara Glick's Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP) which is to take place at varying times during the year. (Please note: the people going through the MHTP training are not necessarily UU's, but would certainly be a gentle, caring group of people.)

I would like to come up with a directory in which each host would describe the accommodations they have to offer.  This directory would not be published, but would be for internal use only so I would have an idea of what might be available within the network.  Again, hosts always have the choice of when/how often they wish to offer their rooms/accommodations. You are under no obligation to take guests at any given time. Hosts can also choose to charge an amount they feel is fair and covers the cost of breakfast you and your guests may choose. (the type and price may be negotiated between you).  Examples might be a full, gourmet breakfast or a simple, Continental-style: (i.e. juice, coffee and rolls/muffins).  Some of you are gourmet cooks and others just want to provide a quick, "grab and go" type breakfast. Guests would need to pay by cash or check.  Hosts may choose to have the guests write checks directly to UUCD or collect the revenue, take out whatever costs were incurred for breakfast and donate the remainder to UUCD to be applied toward your pledge. (In the latter case, each host would need to take care of their own income tax issues.)

Here are some examples of write-ups taken from the publication: UU're Home Bed and Breakfast Directory for Unitarian Universalists and other religious liberals:

Example A:
One large bedroom with king-sized bed (or two twin beds); one small bedroom with a twin-sized bed. Private guest bath.  Full breakfast. Welcoming. No smoking. Suburban location with shaded patio, gardens, overlooking ravine and brook.  $65/room/night; $80/family/night.   Children, pets welcome.

Example B:
One guest bedroom with double bed.  Shared bath if hostess is home. Do-it-yourself breakfast.  Resident cat present.  No guest pets. Sunny, bright in-town location. Walk to restaurants, movies shops, library.  $50/night/room.   Adults only; female guests preferred.

Other possible ideas for the future might include "package" weekends where the hosts provide transportation and accompany guest to a specific event. If you need help with doing a write up or setting a price, let me know and we can brainstorm.

Any questions?  Let me know.

Gloria Walters, Special Events dansing52@yahoo.com

Uu Pretty Good Book Club

The UU pretty good book club is open to everyone, not just members.  If you enjoy reading good books and discussing them, why don't you join us.  Meetings are usually the third Tuesdays of the month in the Library at UUCD on College Street.  Watch for location changes in Order of Service Announcements.

  • March Selection - Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Tuesday, March 18, 7:15 in the Library.  This book is also the community read for March. Book bags are NOT available, but the library has about 50 copies of this book, so reserve a copy soon.  "Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls.
  • April Selection - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.  Tuesday, April 15, 7:15 p.m., Library.  Combining an unerring instinct for telling detail with the broader brushstrokes you need to tackle issues of culture and politics, Patchett creates a remarkably compelling chronicle of a multinational group of the rich and powerful held hostage for months.... Even more compelling are the protective, almost familial affections that arise, the small acts of kindness in what is, inevitably, a tragedy. Brilliant.

For more information, contact Carol Michealson at cmicheal@d.umn.edu.

Adult Enrichment And Religious Education Programs

Once again we are grateful to the many talented, intelligent, caring and interesting UUs who offer study groups, forums, or courses for our enjoyment and our spiritual, intellectual or emotional growth.  Following are spring offerings, which are divided into the two above categories.  Everyone is welcome--member, friend or acquaintance!  All at UUCD on College Street unless otherwise indicated.  Please sign up on the enclosed sign up sheet by filling it out and mailing it to UUCD, 145 W. Winona, Duluth 55803 or by calling or emailing our administrator Kathy Stinnett at 724-0308, (uucduluth@gmail.com).  If you are interested in providing a course, please contact a member of the adult enrichment committee: Carol Michealson (cmicheal@d.umn.edu), Tara Richter (tararichte@gmail.com), Sue Dailey (sdaileydul@hotmail.com, Jim Lund (jlund@lakenet.com), Hal Bertilson (hbertilson@uwsuper.edu), and Carol Turner (cgeot1@gmail.com).

Adult Religious Education and Worship

Circle Worship

Come together for a quiet moment in your busy week.  Circle Worship is a time of reflective readings, a cappella singing, meditation, personal reflection and sharing.  Circle worship will be offered twice a month at the College Street building. Suzanne Wasilczuk will facilitate.

  • Wednesday, March 12th, 5:30-6:15pm – Welcoming.  When do you feel welcomed?  How do you welcome another? 
  • Wednesday, March 26th, 5:30-6:15pm –  Peace.  When do you feel at peace with yourself and the world?   What helps you to move toward peace?

During the coming months we will explore/embrace various topics through music, poetry and sharing – enrichment for heart and soul. Other dates to save: Wednesdays, April 16 & 30, and May 21.    Come anchor your week in a centering space.  For more information call Suzanne.

Adult Enrichment Courses and Workshops

Spirit Valley Young Mothers: The Past and the Future with Tammi Johnson, Director of the Spirit Valley Young Mothers Program, Noon-1:00 p.m., March 2 in the Social Hall

Two years ago our UU congregation studied the causes of poverty and chose to help two programs in the Duluth area that help homeless and low-income people: CHUM and the Spirit Valley Young Mothers program administered by the YWCA.  The Young Mothers program specifically assists pregnant women or women with young children who are on their own and often homeless by providing housing and support.  Tammi Johnson and one of the young mothers will tell personal stories of young women whose lives have been turned around by this worthy program.  Tammi will also explain how the Young Mothers program began, its recent expansion, UUCD’s involvement, and ways we can increase our involvement. 

Caring Community Workshop with Suzanne Wasilczuk, facilitator.

Have you ever wanted to help someone through a rough time but not known what to say or do?   Been too anxious to say or do anything? 

Then come to the Caring Community workshop, “When You Care Enough to Say the Very Best” on Saturday, March 15th, 10 a.m. until noon at the College Street building in the Religious Education Great Room.  We’ll talk about, and practice, self awareness techniques, active listening, and how to formulate and ask spirit-filled questions.  Call Suzanne at for more information.  Light refreshments will be provided. 

A Sense of Place, which is an eight-week course by the Northwest Earth Institute, will be led by Barb Akre of the Green Sanctuary Committee.    Cost of books and materials is $20 payable at the first session.  There may still be time to participate.  Please phone Barb Akre if interested.
We are just beginning to inhabit a building - but also land, which will be a home for our UU community for many generations.  What are our hopes and goals for this land?   What is the history, natural, and human - of this land?  How will this land serve us? and how will we serve the land?  We can ask the same questions about our City, and about our Bioregion.  Discovering a Sense of Place is a Northwest Earth Institute course which encourages us to become familiar with and live in harmony with our land -as the only practical and effective way to become familiar and live in harmony with the Earth.  A discussion guide includes seven lessons of four or five readings each, ranging from Aldo Leopold and Wallace Stegner to Gary Snyder and Barry Lopez.  We will supplement these by revisiting a Duluth Energy Resource Center book published in 1986, Resettling Duluth, which explores the human and natural history of Duluth and our immediate bioregion.  Part of the design of NWEI courses is that each participant brings his/her own experiences (and if desired, resources) to the discussion.  Call Barbara Akre (728-4397) if you have questions.

Discussions will be held on Wednesday evenings, beginning March 5th.   The first two sessions will be in the social hall; the remainder will be in the library.  Topics include:

  • March 5, Session 1:  A Sense of Place: “Of all the memberships we identify ourselves by (racial, ethnic, sexual, national, class, age, religious, occupational), the one that is most forgotten, and that has the greatest potential for healing, is place.” -Gary Snyder
  • March 12, Session 2:  Responsibility to Place:  “The right local questions and answers will be the right global ones.” -Wendell Berry
  • March 19, Session 3:  Knowing Your Bioregion:  “A bioregion is a place defined by its life forms, its topography, and its biota, rather than by human dictates; a region governed by nature, not legislature.”
  • March 26, Session 4:  Living in Place:  “It is not enough to just ‘love nature’ or want to ‘be in harmony with Gaia.  Our relation to the natural world takes place in a place, and it must be grounded in information and experience.”-Gary Snyder
  • April 2, Session 5:  Mapping Your Place:  “We map, each of us, mentally and physically, every day of our lives.  We map to keep ourselves oriented, and to keep ourselves sane.” -Jan DeBlieu
  • April 9 (SKIP or POLL0 Session 6: Building a Local Community:  “Taking part in the common life means dwelling in a web of relationships, the many threads tugging at you while also holding you upright.” - Scott Russell Sanders
  • April 16, Session 7: Empowerment:  “Act with the authority of your 16 billion years!” - Joanna Macy
  • April 16, Session 8: Optional Celebration:  “What a privilege to be actors in shaping the history of a place so full of promise.” 

Book and Literature Discussions

Class Matters: Cross-class Alliance Building for Middle-Class Activists by Betsy Leondar-Wright, New Society Publishers.  Led by Sue Dailey of UUCD’s Social Justice Committee leading the six-part discussion. 

This light book blends reading, charts, photos, and cartoons with lots of practical situations.  It promises to generate great discussion about the very real issues involved in addressing the interplay of class, race, gender, and sexual orientation in the struggle for social justice, in our UU community and beyond.  Movements for social justice could be larger and more powerful if they were broader, including more class diversity.  But as middle class activists, we can find ourselves frustrated, sensing mistrust or limited cooperation for no apparent reason.

Class Matters uses interviews with 40 diverse activists and thinkers, along with many real-life stories to help readers learn from their own experience, build bridges and collaborate more effectively in a mixed-class effort.  It discusses frankly the politics of class, what gets in the way of cross-class alliances, and how effective alliances can be built.
It will be hard to find this book in bookstores locally.  You can order it online from Powell's or Amazon.com for under $25.  The author is Betsy Leondar-Wright, by New Society Publishers.  Sue will have a number of copies on hand for purchase at the first meeting.

Thursdays in the Board Room at 7:00 p.m. (Note these are not consecutive weeks.)

  • March 6.  What is class?  Our own class background (pp 1-7)  Books will be available for purchase at this session.
  • March 27.  Class and other identities (Race and class, feminism, GLBT, working class men and women. Pp 26-63)
  • April 3.  Cross-class alliances (pp 10-25)
  • April 17. Places we meet and where we get support (pp 64-87)
  • April 24.  Obstacles to cross-class alliances (pp 88-130)
  • May 1.  Building cross-class alliances (pp 131-159)

Feminist Psychology of Men

Hal Bertilson of the UUCD Social Justice Committee will lead this four-part discussion on Wednesdays beginning April 9 and continuing alternate Wednesdays, April 23rd, May 7 and May 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room. 

The book used is by Christopher T. Kilmartin (2007). The Masculine Self. (3rd Edition).  Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY: Sloan Publishing.  There should be used copies of this book available.  It has been out for at least a year.  For even cheaper choices the 2nd Edition covers much of the same material and is organized similarly.  It would just not be as current.

In a time when we are aware that mainline psychology has in the past focused on men with inadequate coverage of women, people of color, and sexual identity, it might be asked what purpose is provided by a psychology of men. What a psychology of men course provides is a gender-aware perspective.  "Men are powerfully affected by the experiences of growing up male, having people respond to them as males, expecting and having others expect certain behaviors based on "masculine gender roles," and having feelings about their masculinities" (Kilmartin, p. 2).  Some of the issues for some, but not all men, include:

  • -Most males are encouraged from an early age to suppress their feelings
  • -Many men have problems establishing and maintaining intimacy
  • -Men have more psychological difficulty than women in adjusting to divorce and separation
  • -Men commit most acts of violence
  • -The average lifespan of a man is significantly shorter than a woman's
  • -Many men seem to have strong feelings of being disappointed with their fathers
  • -The general quality of men's relationships with others is often impoverished
  • -Definitions of masculinity are changing. 

UU Pretty Good Book Club information can be found elsewhere in the newsletter.

Download Adult Enrichment Spring 2008 registration form (as pdf)

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 April 2008 newsletter is March 17. 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.

Contact Helen Mongan-Rallis, UUCD Page Coordinator