| September 14 Assembly: "Earth Matters"
Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons
Upper Assembly Hall, 10:30 a.m.
Our congregation has chosen for this year's program theme "Earth Matters; greening our lives, keeping our planet; finding our place in a sustainable universe." Paradoxically, the global human community has never before been so close either to ecological ruin and self-annihilation, or to solving the ancient dilemmas of hunger, disease, and ignorance for all the world's people. As a humanist, I see our evolution toward rationality and compassion as an achievement, not a falling away from some original perfection. Thus, while I have great concerns, I also have great hope for what the future could bring. How can we embrace the very real possibilities of a better world? |
| Take Action
Each month, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is implementing robust action campaigns that aim to engage congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists (UUs). The monthly actions focus on accomplishing concrete objectives that reflect our faith values. September's Action of the Month is the Tents of Hope for Darfur. |
Got CDs?
RE is collecting CDs that you want to get rid of to use in an art project. Please bring in your gently used old CDs and put them in Director of Religious Education, Jan Devor's mailbox in the office. Thank you! |
Hospitality Training
For all who have agreed to help out on Sunday morning by ushering, greeting or serving coffee, we are going to hold a training after Soup Lunch on September 21 at noon in the Chalice Room. Please feel free to bring your lunch with you into this meeting. We will go over general procedures, then break out by task to get hands on training. Optional building tour to follow. Child care is available.
If you are not signed up for hospitality but are interested, please join us to see if this is right for you! Feel free to contact our membership director, Teresa West, for more information.
Thank you so much for agreeing to usher, greet, and serve coffee this program year! We need all your energy and smiling faces to make FUS the warm and welcoming place it is on Sunday mornings. |
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Register for Retreat to the Woods
The annual Retreat is coming October 10-12! We'll return to the Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement, which has the benefit of having cabins and a full dining hall. The Retreat is FUS's annual escape-to-nature weekend, where we enjoy the time together in a natural setting from just about a half-hour from home. Costs are very reasonable, with cabins costing $45 FOR THE WEEKEND for adults, and children at $25 (scholarships are available). Tenting sites are also available, at a $10 discount per person. Register in the Lower Assembly Hall during Social Hour following the service. |
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Updates
and Reminders
NEW! FUS Community Chorus: Join FUS members and friends for the first meeting of this exciting new group. Wednesday, September 17 at 6:15 p.m. in the Upper Assembly Hall.
Book Chat: Join in discussing a book the third Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall. September 21, our book will be Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. All welcome whether you've read the book or not-Afghani tea to be served.
Child Dedications: Please contact Jan Devor or Kendyl Gibbons if you would like your child(ren) dedicated on September 28.
Pearson Social Concerns Grant: Applications are due September 30.
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! 
Hello and welcome to fall! Join us this Sunday, September 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall for the Social Action forum on Habitat for Humanity's response to the sub-prime mortgage crisis, and the start of the FUS Sunday School program year during the Assembly at 10:30 a.m. in the Upper Assembly Hall. On your way through the Gallery to attend the ever-popular annual intergenerational Harvest Moon Dance on Saturday, September 27, or any of the other great events coming up at FUS, take time to view the new exhibit in the Gallery, "Demonstrations of Patriotism" by FUS member Terri Stark. |
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Social Action Forum
Sunday, September 14, 9:30 a.m. in the Lower  Assembly Hall. Kwame Owusu-Acheampong, Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Intake Counselor with Habitat For Humanity will be speaking about Habitat's response to the sub-prime mortgage crisis, especially in north Minneapolis. This will be a good opportunity to learn about other services performed by Habitat, besides home building. The Forum begins at 9:30 a.m., but please come early to see the slide show of photos from this summer's week-long build in Brooklyn Park. |
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Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox and
UN International Day of Peace
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Assembly 10:30 a.m.
Luncheon 11:45 a.m.
Everyone:
* Bring canned and dry goods for the Sabathani Food Shelf collection. Share the bounty of the harvest season with those in need. Some of you:
* Bring flowers or fresh produce from your garden. Help provide a festive procession and display of autumn's splendor for the Assembly.
* Bring a favorite apple dessert to share at the luncheon.  Luncheon Volunteers Needed: * Cooks * Servers * Set-up hosts * Clean-up hosts Please contact Audrey if you are able to bring items for the procession, an apple dessert, or help with the luncheon. -OR- Sign-up at the "Ask Me" table in the Lower Assembly Hall during social hour.
For information on the UN International Day of Peace, click here. |
Join us for the annual intergenerational Harvest Moon Dance Saturday, September 27.  Social hour and hall decorating: 6:30-7:00 p.m. Dancing: 7:00-9:00 p.m. There will be fun country dancing with music and instructions by David Leussler AND a wonderful dessert bar! Sponsored jointly by the Alliance and the RE Committee. | |
Exciting, Time-limited, Volunteer Opportunities brought to your attention by the FUS Social Action Committee
Here are some exciting opportunities for learning more about social justice issues in the greater community. Join other FUS members at these events.
* September 25 - Attend the monthly forum at the PEACE Foundation, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Food,
conversation and information, free, kid-friendly. 1119 W. Broadway. Topic: Don't
Shoot... I Want to Live. Call 952-893-2383
for more info.
* September 27 - Tour North Minneapolis by bus,
10.00 a.m. - noon. Tour guide, Don Samuels.
It highlights the assets and challenges of the
community. Space limited. Call 952-893-2383
for information and to reserve a space.
Voter Registration Opportunities:
* September 27 - Join Election Day Community Coalition in underrepresented 5th Ward of Mpls.
Goal: 15-30 UU volunteers. True Love Church,
1525 Glenwood Ave.
* October 2 - Help with voter registration at Agape
Child Development Center, 1915 W. Broadway.
Join other FUSers; On-the-job training if needed.
Call 952-893-2383 for more info or to sign up.
* October 4 - Join UUs from Across the Metro at Macedonia Baptist Church, 3801 1st Ave. South, Mpls.
More information is available at the Social Action Table each Sunday morning during social hour in the Lower Assembly Hall. |
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Connections Breakfast for Nursery and Preschool Parents
It is fun to get to know the other parents of the children in the nursery and preschool rooms, so come to a Connection Breakfast in the Dietrich room on September 21, at 9:30 a.m. There will be a light breakfast served, the nursery and preschool rooms will be open for childcare, and parents can meet with other parents. The RE Committee will share what is planned for our little ones this year. It's a way to begin the year with fun. Don't miss it! |
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UU Parenting Resources
Confident parenting in turbulent times
 Take Back Your Kids by William Doherty gives parents the insights to parent confidently. He covers such topics as "Expecting Respect," "Why Anger Free Parenting Does Not Work," and "Resisting the Peer Cultures of Children and Parents." Bill is a respected family therapist and local UU! He gives us lots to think about in a small, easy to read book. We have the book and I would be willing to lend it out. One bit of advice Bill gives is to unplug your child from the media, and the First Unitarian Society can help you with that on the night of September 27. Come to the Harvest Moon Dance here at church. It will be a fun night of decorating the Lower Assembly, dancing, eating and having fun. All ages will love this and we encourage you to invite friends. Come at 6:30 and begin decorating with dancing from 7:00 until 9:00. The Alliance will be serving yummy desserts!
- Jan Devor, FUS Director of Religious Education |
Women's Retreat
FUS member Dianne Rowse is offering "Rhythms of Earth and Body - a Women's Equinox Retreat," Saturday, September 20, 9:00-4:30, at Lowry Nature Center. Reservations required by September 16. See Three Rivers Park District or call 763-559-6700 for more information. |
White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church presents "At Thoreau's Doorstep" on Saturday, September 20, 7:30 p.m. Music and musings on Henry David Thoreau. Hosted by storyteller and pianist Dan Chouinard with singer-songwriter Peter Mayer and soprano Maria Jette. All proceeds support our congregation's social action focus on poverty and economic justice. General admission $25. For tickets and information call 651-426-2369. |
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You're Invited
Join us for these great events!
- Social Action Forum, September 14, 9:30 a.m. Lower Assembly Hall
- Sunday School starts, September 14, 10:30 a.m. Upper Assembly Hall
- Assembly: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons speaks on "Earth Matters," September 14, 10:30 a.m. Upper Assembly Hall
- FUS Community Chorus Rehearsal, 6:15 p.m., September 17
- Connections Breakfast, September 21, 9:30 a.m. Dietrich Room
- Book Chat Forum, September 21, 9:30 a.m. Lower Assembly Hall
- Assembly and Luncheon: Autumnal Equinox and UN International Day of Peace assembly followed by a soup lunch, September 21, 10:30 a.m. Upper and Lower Assembly Halls
- Hospitality Training, September 21, noon. Chalice Room.
- Harvest Moon Dance, September 27, 6:30 p.m.
- Retreat to the Woods, October 10-12, Baker Near Wilderness Settlement
- For an updated list of events at FUS visit the calendar.
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