Remember to contribute to the Greening Investments Fund described in the May Newsletter (those investments are not seen as part of an annual pledge, but are fully tax deductible). If all of us can contribute at least half of our upcoming Federal Rebate to the GREENING FUND (an energy upgrade effort) beginning in May of this year, we will raise over $100,000! Checks to FUS, with Greening Fund on the memo line, will do the job. Click here and scroll to page 7 to view the May Newsletter text on the Greening Investments Fund.
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Updates
and Reminders
Religious Education Volunteer Opportunity
Teachers are needed for Kindergarten and First Grade. Contact Jan Devor for more information. Religious Education Registration Forms Are Due NOW. Please complete RE registration forms. They are available in the FUS office or by clicking here.
Habitat for Humanity
Sign-up during Social Hour to participate in the UU Habitat for Humanity build this June or contact Carol Koepp.
RE Carnival
The RE Carnival will be held on Sunday, June 1 in the Chalice Room where there will be more fun and games than ever!
Parking at FUS
The Vineland Parking Ramp attached to Walker Art Center is available for FUS parking on Sundays. The cost is $1, and coupons for $1 are available in the FUS Office. Simply park your car in the ramp, remembering to bring your ticket with you as you leave the parking facility; come to FUS and stop by the office to pick up a coupon.
Electronic Versions of The First Unitarian Newsletter are available at the FUS website at www.firstunitariansociety.org. They are posted there each month. If you would like to stop receiving the printed version via postal mail and access the electronic version instead, simply contact the FUS Office with that request: 612-377-6608, or send an email request by clicking here.
Visitors Orientation
If you are interested in learning more about the Society, contact Teresa West, Membership Director at 612-377-6608 ext. 104 or by clicking here. |
FUS Email Contacts
Phone: 612-377-6608
Fax: 612-377-2151 | |
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Greetings from Mount Curve! 
Come to the Cabaret my friend!
This Saturday night, May 31, at 7:00 p.m. is the FUS Cabaret. Come and enjoy a fun-filled evening of entertainment featuring our home-grown FUS talent! There will be solo and ensemble performances in a wide range of musical styles. Light snacks, wine and soft drinks will be served and childcare is available ($3 per family). Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. See you there! |
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Assessment of Our Shared Ministry
from Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons's June Newsletter column.
"Ministry is one of those professions in which either you have no boss but yourself (or, as the orthodox might say, God), or else you have 500 bosses - however many members are in the congregation. Of course, each of those bosses has his or her own idea about appropriate priorities and use of time; what constitute the essential tasks of ministry, and what should be left on the table at the end of the day when time runs out. I try to operate by the maxim of one of my seminary professors, who taught us that the production of positive feedback is not the central goal of ministry - and yet feedback of some sort is essential to both productive work and personal growth.
On the one hand, there is no lack of both appreciation and advice offered to me on a personal level, and I am grateful for all of it. Many people, both members of the FUS and outsiders, take the time to let me know when something I do particularly touches them - or, less often, annoys them - and this is important information for me to hear. But it is, by definition, anecdotal. And sooner or later there is also a need for a somewhat more structured process, by which the institution can elicit the congregation's response to a series of specific questions, and assess my contribution to our shared ministry.
The members of the Ministerial Relations Committee and I have been working to create a questionnaire that will help us in that assessment process. Thanks to the technical expertise of Shelley Shreffler, it can be found at the on-line site Survey Monkey, specifically at: FUS Ministerial Relations Cmte Survey.
Look for a preliminary report in the September newsletter. And let me reiterate what I know many people have already heard me say about anonymous feedback, which is that it is better than no feedback at all, but not a lot. I take much more seriously those comments which come with a name attached, so if you want us to be able to let you know what is being done about some concern that you express, or if you want your enthusiasm to really hit home, please take the option of signing your name to the survey when you fill it out.
The information that we generate will be helpful not only to me and to the MRC, but also to the board, the strategic planning committee, and perhaps other staff and committee functions as well, as we move forward into the coming program year. Thank you for offering your input, and thanks to everyone who participated in making the past year's program so rich and vibrant here at FUS! There are exciting plans in the works for the sequence of summer assemblies, and I look forward to our coming together again in September. Have a splendid summer, and join us on Sundays in the Lower Assembly Hall whenever you can!"
Kendyl Gibbons
Senior Minister
612-377-6608 ext. 118
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Summer Assemblies at FUS
Summer is the time of year at FUS when we meet in the considerably cooler Lower Assembly Hall. We still meet each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., and all summer we will enjoy stimulating Assemblies presented and/or coordinated by FUS members. Below are a few of the upcoming offerings. To view the complete listing of Summer Assemblies click here and scroll to pages 6-7.
FUS Summer Program for Children
Childcare for infants - preschoolers is available. Chalice Camp is open to all children who come to the service and meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Chalice Room. For kids entering 6 - 8 grades, Gabe Aderhold is offering an FUS film club.
6/8/08 ASSEMBLY: "Is Harry Potter a Humanist"
Coordinator: Steven Protzman, Summer Assemblies Ministerial Coordinator
In the series of seven books about the young wizard Harry Potter and his adventures, I believe there is a lot of useful theology for Humanists, including the central question of what it means to be an orphan. This service will explore various aspects of being human and a Humanist today as seen through the lenses of author JK Rowling's magic spectacles.
6/15/08 ASSEMBLY: "Unitarian Universalists in Community: The General Assembly"
Coordinator: Polly Peterson, Who's Been There
The UUA General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists across the United States. We will hear from people who have attended in the past and send off those who are attending this month in Ft Lauderdale. And, we will look forward to 2010 when the Twin Cities will host thousands of UUs for that year's GA. Join us to see how FUS fits into the greater community of Unitarian Universalists.
6/22/08 ASSEMBLY: "Seeing the Connection"
Coordinator: Nasser Pooladian, Glass Artist
During this service, we will hear several members of FUS talk about how their art, often produced in isolation, connects them to a larger community.
6/29/08 ASSEMBLY: "The Care and Nourishment of Civil Society"
Coordinator: Heather Martens, President, Citizens for a Safer Minnesota
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court will hand down a decision that could change the basis of laws governing guns in this country. How to deal with the threat, or use, of deadly force is a challenge for any civil society. What will the Supreme Court decision mean? How might it change the way in which we care for our civil society and live out the values of democracy, peace, liberty and justice?
7/6/08 ASSEMBLY: "Native Americans in Minnesota"
Coordinator: John Nordquist
Guests from the Minneapolis Native American Center will visit the society in this, the sesquicentennial year in Minnesota. |
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FUS at PRIDE Festival
 Sign up to host the FUS booth at the Pride Festival June 28 & 29.
Come be a part of this exciting festival in our neighborhood. It will be held June 28 and 29 at Loring Park. Did you know that one of our own members, Matt Stark, has been named the Grand Marshal for the Festival this year? Click here for an article on Dr. Stark. We are looking forward to reaching out to our GLBT neighbors to share our values and heritage of humanism.
We are currently looking for volunteers to staff the booth in two hour increments, and also with set-up and take down. Please stop by the Ask Me table in the Lower Assembly Hall to sign up for a shift. Or contact Teresa West by clicking here , or 612-377-6608 x 104.
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Sunday Assembly Recordings Now Available on the FUS Website
Have you ever missed a Sunday assembly and wished that the event had been recorded or heard a wonderful FUS musical performance or sermon and wished you could hear it again? Well, wish no longer. Instead, simply go to the FUS website and click on "News & Events," which is in the horizontal menu bar across the top of the page. Then click on "Audio Playlists." (Or Click here.) From there, find the event on the list you are interested in, and click. After a few moments, Windows Media Player or iTunes should open and begin playing your recording. By clicking on "New MP3 Files" at the top of the page, you can download your own copy of the recording in MP3 format by right clicking on the item in the list that you want. Happy listening! | |
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Friday, June 20
6:30 p.m. - twilight
Lower Assembly Hall, Patio, and Lawn
$5 adults, $2 youth - advance tickets
$7 adults, $3 youth - at the door
Enjoy a potluck supper, music, poetry and a mummers' play. Relax or dance to the swing music of Universal Jazz from First Universalist. There will be activities for the kids with childcare available for the youngest upon request. The evening will close with storytelling around a campfire.
Burgers, brats and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Please bring a pasta, fruit or green salad OR dessert to share - and your own wine or beer, if desired.
Tickets are available at FUS during coffee hour on Sundays, or you may send checks to the FUS office (marked "Summer Solstice tickets" on envelope) and your tickets will be held at the door.
If you have questions, please email Audrey by
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Greetings!
Do you love to be warmly greeted?
So do I! We would love to channel your welcoming personality and hospitable demeanor to help us volunteer, serve coffee and espresso, and usher on Sunday mornings. Grab a friend, your partner or spouse, your children, or sign up as an individual and we will partner you with others to be our welcoming face to members and visitors on Sunday morning. We are looking for Summer assistance and for the coming program year starting in September. This is a great way to meet others in this community, especially if you are introverted, as it is a reason to talk to others! We will be offering a training session this Fall to go over the basics. Please stop by the Ask Me Table to sign up, or contact me by clicking here or call 612-377-6608 x 104. Thanks for volunteering!
Teresa West, Membership Coordinator
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Women's Awareness Group  The June meeting of the Women's Awareness Group will be held on Monday, June 9, at the home of Mibs Pearson; Jan Sigmund is the cohost. FUS women are invited to come at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck supper, followed by a lively discussion as we explore the topic: Mothers and Daughters - Reflections and Memories. Please call Mibs or Jan to RSVP and for directions. |
Social Action Highlights The Social Action Committee calls our attention to the following event.
Peace Island Conference: September 2-3
Hope in a Time of Crisis - A Solutions-driven Conference
At the time of the September 2008 Republican National Convention, Peace Island will convene this two-day conference at Concordia University, St. Paul, to promote and celebrate peace, justice, harmony, nonviolence, care of the earth, and a vision for a better world. Nationally known speakers have been invited to participate in panels and discussions relating to their field of expertise. Plenary sessions each day will be followed by breakout sessions where all attendees will contribute to the discussion and the solutions. Entertainment, films, and other discussions and presentations will be offered in between the sessions. And, a large gathering/break room "The Commons" will be available for organizations to have tables to display their information. Registration: $50 for the two days - EARLY BIRD: $45 if received by June 1. Official Sponsor: The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (MAP). For more information, see the flyers posted on the FUS bulletin boards and the conference website. |
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Book/Movie Discussion Forums Coming in the Fall
On the third Sundays of each month next year, Forum time (9:30 -10:15 a.m.) will be devoted to Book and Movie Discussion. This will be an opportunity to share thoughts on a wide variety of books and movies with the FUS community. If you have a book or movie suggestion and would be willing to lead a discussion, please contact Sue Tincher by clicking here. |
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You're Invited
Join us for these great events! 
- FUS Cabaret: Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m.
- Religious Education Carnival: Sunday morning, June 1 at 9:30 a.m.
- Forum: "Immigrant Rights" presented by The Minnesota Rights Action Coalition, Sunday, June 1 at 9:30 a.m.
- Assembly: "Bread for the Journey," Sunday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m., Upper Assembly Hall, Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons speaking.
- Women's Awareness Group, Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. Contact Mibs Pearson or Jan Sigmund for information.
- Metro area UU Habitat for Humanity build June 16-20. Sign-up at the Social Action table during social hour.
- Summer Solstice Celebration: June 20, 6:30 p.m.
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