In Focus
Join FUS Members and Friends on Sunday, 11/4 at 10:30 a.m. for Assembly.
Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons will preach on "Wisdom of the Tender Heart."
The tradition of Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) calls upon us to confront the reality of death as a constant companion in the course of our everyday lives, and urges us to remain in relationship with the community of the dead whose memories continue to influence us. In a culture that demands constant emotional fortitude and resilience, how can we learn to cherish what loss, grief, and memory have to teach us? The FUS Chorus and Orchestra will enrich our reflections with another superb musical requiem, "Lux Aeterna" by Morton Lauridsen.
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Reminders
Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 4!
REMEMBER
to
FALL BACK! |
FUS Email Contacts
Phone: 612-377-6608
Fax: 612-377-2151 | |
Greetings from Mount Curve! 
Welcome to November! We have a very exciting month of programs and events planned here at FUS, kicking-off with a Day of the Dead celebration in the form of a requiem concert, "Lux Aeterna" by Morton Lauridsen performed by the FUS Chorus and Orchestra, during the November 4 Assembly at 10:30 a.m.
Check out all of the upcoming events and mark your calendars -- we look forward to seeing you here! |
Racial Justice
It is still the case that the most frequently asked question I receive as I travel the country is how we can become more racially and culturally diverse. My response, always, is that the objective of finding a few more dark faces to make our white members feel better about themselves is not spiritually grounded. Nor will it be successful.
---- UUA President William Sinkford
GA 2005, Fort Worth
For more information on the UUA's stance on Racial Justice click here.
Join us for the following events offered at FUS this month addressing the theme of racial justice.
1. Kelli Clement will speak on "Achieving Racial  Justice" on Wednesday, November 7 at 11:00 a.m. at The Alliance meeting in the Dietrich Room. Lunch will follow at 12:00 for $7 per plate. If you're interested in attending the meeting contact Olive Sarkinen at 763-544-6168.
2. UU Racial Justice Focus Weekend with the Rev. Dr. Bill Gardiner
* "Workshop on Whiteness: White Allies for Racial Justice: Learn Skills, Gain Understanding," Saturday, November 17, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Chalice Room.
* "Wilderness Journey: Power, Privilege, Trust Accountability & Identity," Sunday, November 18, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall.
* "On the Journey Toward Wholeness," Sunday, November 18, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. for the FUS Sunday Assembly in the Upper Assembly Hall.
* Open roundtable discussion following the Sunday Assembly, November 18, 11:45 a.m. Light lunch available. Fee inquiries and RSVP to Jo Haberman at jojane@juno.com.
For details on these events and Bill Gardiner click here. |
Music Notes
"... We know that in order to do justice to our message of freedom and reason in religion, FUS must embrace many different kinds of musical preferences, and be committed to excellence in several types of musical expression. This principle has always been understood; the question before us now is whether we are making the best possible use of our finite resources in attaining that goal."
- Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons
A Music Consultation for FUS
"...the FUS board has engaged the service of a UUA  music consultant, to help determine how our congregation can make best use of music as a vital component of our ministry. Stefan Jonasson, the UUA's liaison to large congregations, recommended this process after his visit here last fall, and the UUA is helping to fund our music consultation. Mark Slegers, our consultant, is a well respected UU musician, who currently serves as music director at the Portland, Oregon UU church, which boasts a diverse, dynamic music program."
A Survey and A Forum
Click here to download a copy of the FUS Music Survey to complete, sign and return to the FUS office. These forms will be forwarded to "... Mr. Slegers in advance of his site visit at the end of November, to help him formulate his questions and recommendations. While he is here, he will meet with various groups and individuals to get a sense of their vision for the place of music in our congregation. In addition, everyone is invited to an all-congregation forum on Friday, November 30, for a public discussion of music as part of our life together."
To read Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons' entire column addressing the music consultation, among other topics, click here and see page 1 and page 4.
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Interfaith Forums and Dialogue in the Twin Cities
 "At a time of too much war, violence, and hate in our world, we have been given a delightful gift, in that the Muslim sacred month of Ramadan coincides with the Jewish sacred month of Tishrei. Also, in autumn 2007, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Bahai's, Buddhists and Christians all celebrate special holy days or festivals. Both national and local interfaith organizations have chosen to call this important time a Sacred Season of Peace-Making. Religious communities around the world have considered this 'accident' of the calendar as a call to shared fasting, prayer, interfaith hospitality, dialogue and acts of reconciliation -- all parts of a broader struggle for justice, for peace and for non-violence." The Minneapolis Downtown Clergy Interfaith Forums
The following forums are being held on Thursdays in November in the Twin Cities.
November 1: "The Role of Jerusalem in Christianity; Stories of Suffering and Sacrifice" at Hennepin Avenue Methodist
November 8: "The Role of Jerusalem in Islam; Visions of Transfiguration" at Central Lutheran
November 15: "The Role of Jerusalem in Our Day; Hopes for Peace" at Temple Israel
Peace & Violence in Our Religious Traditions: A Twin Cities-Wide Dialogue
The following sessions are being held on Mondays in November in the Twin Cities.
November 5: "Quaker & Baha'i Perspectives" at Masjid Al-Salaam, 1460 Skillman Ave., Maplewood 55109. Presenters: Michael Bischoff, Twin Cities Friends Meeting (St. Paul) and Dr. Roya Majid, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Maple Grove.
November 12: "Continuing the Dialogue: Creating A Culture of Peace" at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul 55116. Facilitators of Creating a Culture of Peace: Joan Haan, M.A., CPCC and Katherine Wojtan, MAIR.
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Money Matters
An Update on Wills
Do you have children? A home? Any other assets? If  you say yes to any of these questions, you need a will. If you have one, have you reviewed or updated it recently? The Foundation of FUS will give you the chance to address your questions about wills on Sunday, November 18 at noon in the Dietrich Room. The session will be led by Bob Collins, FUS member and a leading attorney specializing in wills and taxes. Call Susan Barton at 612-340-1363 for a reservation. Light refreshments will be served.
Use Your IRA to Benefit FUS
If you are age 70.5 or older, current law allows you to make cash gifts this year to FUS totaling up to $100,000 from your traditional IRA without paying income tax on the withdrawal. You could use this opportunity to fulfill a multi-year pledge, make a gift to support building renovations or add to the restricted funds for music and education. But don't delay! This special legislation expires on December 31 and you must act before the end of the year.
For more information on this opportunity click here.
Pledge Form Reminder
If you have not yet done so, please complete a pledge form and return it to the FUS office. You can download a copy of the form by clicking here. |
Connect with Great People
Eat 'N' Meet Events
Eat 'N' meet events are opportunities on Wednesday evenings to eat great food and meet great people.
Dinners are served at 5:45 p.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall. (Suggested donations per meal: Adults $7, Children $3, Maximum $15 per family. A vegetarian option is always available.) Programs are held in the Dietrich Room at 7:00 p.m. and are free.
November 7: Dinner is "It is Fish" and the Program is "Discussion with the Minister," Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons speaking.
November 14: Dinner is "Early Holiday Dinner" and the Program is "The Jesus Seminar: Its Relevance for UUs," led by Gary Blegstad.
A Soup Lunch, is being held on New Member Sunday, November 11, 11:30 a.m., immediately following Assembly in the Lower Assembly Hall.
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Parents of the Littlest Ones
Parents with children in the nursery or the preschool  rooms are invited to an informal breakfast on Sunday, November 18 in the Dietrich Room at 9:30 until 10:15 a.m. There is child care at that time in the nursery and preschool rooms, so you can drop your children off and then spend some time socializing with other parents. It will be an opportunity to meet each other and to hear about some of the programs for our little ones that are coming up. Hope that you can all attend.
-Jan Devor, Director of Religious Education
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An Opportunity to Serve
 "Have we met?" is a perfect line to use when you are a greeter on Sunday morning. This is perfect to use for members you have not yet met, as well as with visitors. You can try out greeting once, or offer to do it on a monthly, on-going basis. You can sign up solo or with a friend. Please contact Steve Chollar to sign up at 651-690-0414 or chollar@mac.com. It's a great way to build community. |
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Did You Know?
During the month of November selected parenting books are on sale in the FUS Bookstore?
And on Sunday, November 18, the Bookstore is offering FREE gift wrapping!
Take advantage of these GREAT BARGAINS!
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