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July 20 Assembly: Put Your Values to Work!
Join us for the 5th annual Community Service Sunday! This is a special Sunday, where we have a brief (15-minute) service, and then go into the greater community to perform in a variety of service-based projects. We then come back together for a lunch and sharing time. For the first time we're inviting the neighborhood to join us!
This year's events include:
* Making sandwiches at the Simpson Shelter
* Clean 7 pools/Lowry Park
* Sewing project (specifics to be announced)
* Publicizing the Northside FLOW Art Crawl in Uptown coffee shops, etc.
* Pulling weeds at the Agape Playground
* Preparing mailings for a non-profit
* Clean up FUS-sponsored section of Midtown Greenway
* Kids service program: Making cookies to share with older members.
Lunch begins at 12:30, with each group sharing their results at 1:00.
We look forward to seeing you Sunday!
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Four Dimensions of Congregational Life
An Excerpt from The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons's July newsletter column
While summer at last begins to unfold its warmer days and more relaxed pace, the FUS staff and leadership are hard at work planning for an exciting new program year. The Strategic Planning committee has brought together committee chairs and representatives of many groups within the Society to identify a theme for the year, and to coordinate events and activities around the four dimensions of our congregational life: Outreach, Inreach, Service, and Education. For those who haven't been reminded of them lately, here is what those dimensions mean to me:
Outreach is any activity that increases awareness or improves the reputation of Unitarian Universalism, Humanism, or FUS among the larger public.
Inreach is any activity that cultivates healthy connections among the members of FUS.
Service is any activity that makes life less hard for identifiable persons, either within or outside FUS.
Education is any activity that moves people, inside or outside FUS, toward spiritual maturity.
The theme that we will all be working with for the coming year is:
Earth Matters --
Greening our lives,
Keeping our planet,
Finding our place in a sustainable universe
[to view Kendyl's column in its entirety click here and scroll to pages 1 and 2.] |
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Updates
and Reminders
Forward to a Friend
Remember that you can forward the Unitarian FLASH to a friend at any time. Simply scroll to the bottom of each edition of the FLASH and click on the link called "forward email." Forwarding the FLASH will not add the recipient to any email lists, or allow entry of any spam into their inbox, but it will allow you to share the information in the FLASH you'd like them to see with just a quick click!
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! 
July and early August is a great time to bask in the sun and celebrate the joys of summer: picnics and cook-outs, camp fires, swimming, hiking, biking, boating, reading and learning, and generally enjoying the slower pace of life. Seize some of this reflective time to keep up-to-date on plans for the coming program year, and enjoying the community of folks here at FUS. And be sure to join us this Sunday, July 20, at 10:30 a.m. for our annual Community Service Sunday, when we put our values into action for the bulk of our morning Assembly time! |
An Opportunity to Help
The Social Action Committee is collecting items for Avenues For Homeless Youth throughout the summer. These items will be put into bags made on Community Service Sunday and given to residents at Avenues.
Items on the wish list include:
·Boxers shorts (L, XL, XXL)
·Tampons
·Hair binders, picks and brushes
·Towels
·Bus passes/tokens in $10 increments
·Styling gel
·Conditioner and shampoo
·Deodorant (M and F)
They also need computer desks/workstations (in good condition) for their computer lab. To learn more about Avenues, go to: www.avenuesforyouth.org. |
Strategic Planning Committee Update
 The FUS Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) has been conducting planning sessions focused on the 2008/2009 program year. Their purpose is to coordinate programs for the next program year and ensure that programs are consistent with our strategic priorities and resources. The meetings are part of an effort to create a more robust planning process in which all stakeholders are represented and in which program ideas will be vetted. The participants have been dubbed the FUS Leadership Team (LT). The LT consists of the Board of Trustees, the minister, representatives of the various committees, the SPC and program and administrative staff.
The LT held its second meeting on May 29. During that session the team:
·Worked on 1) developing a 2008/2009 program year theme that could excite, energize and engage a cross-section of the congregation and 2) building a calendar of upcoming program year events.
·Settled on an environment stewardship theme that Kendyl has crafted into this working concept: Earth Matters: greening our lives, keeping our planet, finding our place in a sustainable universe.
·Began the process of reviewing the calendar for opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and constraints on calendar and volunteer resources.
·Reflected on how our programs might align with our theme and the dimensions of inreach, outreach, service and education.
Next steps:
·The LT will complete its review of the program calendar on Saturday, September 6, from 9:30 AM to 1 PM. Members that would like to contribute program ideas should speak with committee chairs and other LT members.
·LT is creating a web accessible calendar tool that the program committees can use over the Summer as they think about their plans for the Fall and Winter, how they can align with our theme, and how they might mesh cross-functionally with other committees.
·The LT expects that LT members will seize opportunities to discuss their ideas with other program teams over the summer. LT is also working on creating an e-mail list serve to facilitate communication among the LT.
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All Members Receive $100 Credit
 With the advent of our new fiscal year on July 1, the policy for building rental has changed to offer members more benefits. The old guidelines had six classifications of users, each with a separate rental rate. Many of the smaller spaces, such as the popular Heritage Room, carried a rental fee whether the users were members or outside groups.
The new policy does away with the six classifications and instead offers every Society member a $100 credit that can be applied for any rental option throughout the fiscal year. In addition, members and their families continue to have free use of the building for weddings and memorial services.
For example, the Chalice Room rents for $30 per hour with an initial two-hour minimum. A member wishing to rent the Chalice Room for a private event can apply their credit to cover the usual fee. Members may also offer their credits to an outside organization that they want to sponsor for space usage.
Room use by FUS committees is always free. To determine room availability, check the FUS web calendar to see what events have been scheduled in the building on the date you desire. Usually any rooms that have already been reserved will be noted on the schedule.
To make a reservation, email rooms@firstunitariansociety,org, or call the FUS office, 612-377-6608, and leave a message on extension 105. |
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General Assembly Comes to You!
 The annual UUA General Assembly was an exciting event, with many memorable moments this year. Check out this website for over twenty hours of video streaming, including the performance of "Sources; A Unitarian Universalist Cantata" at the Opening Celebration in front of thousands of UUs. The recording process worked well, and the Cantata, with Kendyl's words and inspiring music by Jason Shelton, is also available on DVD in the FUS bookstore. The annual Ware Lecture, this year featuring Van Jones of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offering a passionate call to UU activism for justice, is also a fine recording that is well worth watching. Many other workshops and events are available to watch or listen to as well. Enjoy the energy of GA from the comfort of your computer. |
 The August meeting of the Women's Awareness Group will be held on Monday, August 11, 2008 at the home of Adele Hansen; Martha Hardesty is the cohost. FUS women are invited to join us at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck supper followed by a lively discussion as we explore the topic: "Favorite Places." Please bring a picture or share a memory of your favorite place. Please call Adele or Martha to RSVP and for directions. |
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.
7/20/08 ASSEMBLY: "Community Service Sunday"
Coordinators: Jim Tincher and Andrew Schmidt
This has become a tradition during the summer at FUS. Come dressed for action. There will be a variety of activities available; some in the building and some in the community. All of them will be services to the greater community. Be watching for sign-up sheets on Sundays, where you can indicate your activity preference.
7/27/08 ASSEMBLY: "Off to Camp!"
Coordinator: Steven Protzman, Summer Assemblies Ministerial Coordinator
Gay bible camp that is! Back by popular demand, GLBTQ youth who have participated in The Naming Project's week long summer camps will be our guests for this assembly. They will share their stories and answer some of our questions about the teenage struggle to reconcile sexuality and spirituality and then it's off to camp!
8/3/08 ASSEMBLY: "Our Energy, Our Future, Our Challenge"
Coordinator: Marcy Leussler, FUS Green Team
What are some challenges for people relating to energy,and how can human spirit and resourcefulness meet these challenges?
8/10/08 ASSEMBLY: "Focus on Fall Elections"
Coordinator: Joyce Blomquist, League of Women Voters
For the upcoming fall elections each person's vote is important. We'll look at how the process works and what needs to be changed to make it better. We'll hear from political activists and learn how to influence our leaders. Together we can change the system! |
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Membership Information
Membership Directories
Our membership directory is in constant flux as people's lives change, they move, update their email addresses, add family members, etc. Therefore any directory that is printed is, almost by definition, out of date. However, recent print outs of membership contact information are available in the FUS office and on request for FUS members.
Looking for a Few Good Men & Women
Love to mingle with your fellow UUs? You will be the pefect greeter, usher, coffee host and barrista! Contact me to have my eternal gratitude.
Happy Birthday to Gary Blegstad!
We missed his birthday listing in the July newsletter, and want to recognize him on his July 18th birthday. Many happy returns!
Membership Coordinator |
Get the Word Out 
Ever wonder how to get the word out? You've got an event or information to share with the FUS community. What's the best way to do it? Click here and scroll to page three for a handy reference sheet to help you choose the best communication tool for your content. |
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UU Parenting Resources
Choosing Books for Young Children
 Be sure that the books that you are reading to your young children are multi-racial! As parents we are told the importance of reading to our children. What important modeling it is for our children - you read, they read. But there is another important modeling piece that we as parents could do with books for our children, and that is to read books that have characters that are multicultural. Let us model that there are more than just white children in this world by reading books that tell about the lives, values and struggles of all people. Let us be cognizant when we buy books that we include books that have people of different races and cultures in the stories. Let us expand our children's sensibilities by showing them that we value diversity. Here are some of my favorite paperback multicultural books for elementary children!
No Mirrors in My Nana's House by Ysaye M. Barnwell
Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles
White Socks Only by Evelyn Coleman
Is There Really a Human Race by Jamie Lee Curtis
Black Like Kyra , White Like Me by Judith Vigna
Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
The Other Side by Jacueline Woodson
What if the Zebras Lost There Stripes? by John Reitano
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
WE Are A Rainbow by Nancy Maria Grande Tabor
I am sure that you can find many others. Happy summer reading!
- Jan Devor, FUS Director of Religious Education |
Did You Know? There's help for those in need. FUS is the site for the Wednesday Night Big Book, a program that focuses on the Big Book as a recovery aid within Alcoholics Anonymous. Another resource is the 16 Step Sobriety Group meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Mondays at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Community (Linden Hills), 4401 Upton Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN, 55410, 612-922-4272, www.lakeharrietspiritualcommunity.org. |
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You're Invited
Join us for these great events!
- Summer Assemblies and Chalice Camp 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings through August 31
- Book discussion: The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot by Naomi Wolf. Sunday Mornings 9:30 - 10:20 a.m. throughout July and August in the Dietrich Room. By the July 13 meeting the group will discuss the book through page 80; July 27 through page 105; August 10 through page 141; and on August 24 through page 155.
- Women's Awareness Group, Monday, August 11 at the home of Adele Hansen; at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck supper, followed by a lively discussion of the topic "Favorite Places" (Bring a picture or share a memory of your favorite place.) Call Adele or Martha Hardesty to RSVP and for directions.
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