| September 28 Assembly: "What's Different about a Humanist Parent?"
Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons
Upper Assembly Hall, 10:30 a.m.
Raising children is a challenging process, that shapes the parent as much as it shapes the child. It is a path of self-discovery as well as watching another human personality unfold. Religious traditions have often put forth advice or models for the ways in which families should function, while humanists assert that people should be free to choose the ways of life and love that fit best for them. Yet I would submit that there are specific values around parenting that are distinctive to a humanist ethical system, and we who claim that identity ought to know them, practice them, and advocate for them. We will celebrate the dedication of children and families at this assembly; see Jan Devor for details to participate. The assembly will be followed by a sermon discussion; childcare is provided. |
| Fire Drill
Please read the Fire Drill Procedures on pages 6 and 7 of the October edition of The First Unitarian newsletter and imagine for a moment how they will apply to your personal situation, so that you will be able to participate in the drill effectively. |
Social Service Project
NEW! ALL YEAR SOCIAL SERVICE PROJECT for the elementary grades. This year all classes will be involved in the Pennies for Peace drive. You will see kids in social hour every week collecting pocket change for this effort. The cause is the one that Greg Mortensen wrote about in his book Three Cups Of Tea. All the money will go toward building schools, especially for girls, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Building on the premise that knowledge is necessary for peace, these schools are the foundations for peace and hope in the region. For more information contact Director of Religious Education, Jan Devor. Thank you! |
Fall FUS Orientation Sessions
Fall New Member orientation dates are Sunday October 26 and November 9 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dietrich Room. New Member Sunday is November 23.
We will be holding orientations for visitors who would like to know more about FUS, Unitarian Universalism, and our community. You do not need to RSVP, just show up. New Member Sunday will follow these meetings for those who would like to join our Society. We will also have two more orientation sessions scheduled in 2009, in February and May. If you know of visitors who may be interested in joining, please let them know and direct them to Teresa West, Membership Coordinator, for more information. |
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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
Harvest Dance:
Saturday, September 27. 6:30 p.m. to deck the hall, 7:00 p.m. for dancing. FREE! All are welcome. Yummy desserts served.
Parents Please Note:
There will be Sunday School on Retreat to the Woods weekend in classes where teachers are available. This will be on an individual basis. Right now, there is no Senior High, COA, Second Grade or Sixth Grade since teachers will be at the Retreat.
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! 
Got your dancing shoes on? Well get 'em out and join us on Saturday night, September 27, at the Harvest Moon Dance at 6:30 p.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall! (All the cool humanists will be there.) If you can't make that event, at least be sure to join us for Eat 'N' Meet dinners and programs beginning Wednesday, October 1. And of course, the don't miss the great line-up of Forum and Assembly programs (see pages 2-3 of the October edition of The First Unitarian newsletter) on Sunday mornings. Read on to learn more. |
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Eat 'N' Meet
Eat 'N' Meet is a delicious program for the heart, mind and body. What more could you need?
Join us on these Wednesday evenings this fall at 5:45 p.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall for some yummy eats and fabulous company. Then, if you are so moved-and can still move after your sumptuous feast-at 7:00 p.m. move upstairs to the Dietrich Room for the evening's free program. Attend one, or attend them all. Bring a friend-or more! All are welcome!
Essential Facts:
* A vegetarian option is always served at each dinner.
* Suggested donations rates for Eat' N' Meet dinners are: adults $7, children $5, with a maximum of $15 per family.
* Childcare is provided free on-site.
* The programs are free and open to all.
Here's a taste of what's cooking at
Eat' N' Meet this fall.
October 1
Menu: Pasta bar
Program: Creating community: How the intentional practice of intimacy promotes health in our life, this congregation, and our society. Kendyl Gibbons
October 8 Menu: Locally grown chicken and vegetables Program: Discussion of the book Waging Peace, by Scott Ritter. According to Ritter, "The anti-war movement in America is losing its struggle in the name of peace and justice." Using his own experiences in the military, Ritter makes suggestions about how to get back on track, and wage peace. Come to discuss Ritter's ideas. If you don't have a copy of the book, you can purchase one in the FUS bookstore. Organized by Adele Hansen.
October 15
Menu: Vegan
Program: The Explosion of Autism: One Family's Story Terry Burke.
Eat great food. Meet great people. |
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Reverse Trick or Treat?
Order your individual kit by October 13!
What is Reverse Trick or Treating and why should you do it? Through Reverse Trick-or-Treating, children and local groups hand out samples of fair trade chocolate to candy-givers, as they go house to house on Halloween night. Each piece of fair trade chocolate that they give out is accompanied by a card that describes the social and environmental costs of corporate chocolate and how buying fair trade chocolate is a delicious and socially conscientious alternative.
You can join the effort this year and be a part of bringing fair trade to over a quarter million homes! Learn more from our friends at Global Exchange, including how to order a FREE Reverse Trick-or-Treating kit. Deadline to request kits for individuals is October 13. For more information visit this page of the Global Exchange website. |
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Sign up for Circle Suppers in October Circle Suppers are events that bring members together to share an evening of good food and lively conversation in the homes of the Circle "hosts."
Each month (from January to April) there is a slightly different Circle. The month's hosts contact the members of their circle to arrange for a date and time for the "supper." The host provides the entree, with the guests bringing an appetizer a vegetable or salad, a dessert, and sometimes a beverage or bread. Generally the Supper is at the home of the host, but the host can also reserve the Dietrich Room (at FUS) for the supper.
Circle Suppers are an opportunity to meet new friends and get to know more FUS members through an evening of stimulating conversation and fun. Sign up in October at the Sign Up table near the Ask ME table. Questions? Talk with Adele Hansen or Barb Watts. | |
A Powerful Film
Surprise - these are NEW PLANS for the October  meeting of the Women's Awareness Group! We will meet on Monday, October 13, at FUS in the Dietrich room. After our pot luck dinner at 6:30 p.m. we will watch the movie, "Iron Jawed Angels." It is a graphic depiction of the ordeal the suffragettes endured while imprisoned because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. They were beaten, kicked and choked, and force fed during a hunger strike. After seeing this film, you will never again take your right to vote for granted. Please call Carol Koepp (952-893-2383) or Martha Hardesty (651-639-0070) to RSVP. We have more space, so invite a friend and bring an extra serving for them. |
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UU Parenting Resources
UU Traditions
It is the beginning of the year in many ways for families since the school schedule kicks in and many activities are started anew. During this time I would encourage you to implement UU traditions into your routine. But what are UU Traditions? Here are some ideas.
1. Light a chalice at meals. Pick one meal a week if that is all you can get together. The children in the FUS RE program say this as they light the chalice: "May we have minds that think, hearts that love, and hands that are ready to serve." Or you could, like the Chalice Lighters in church, pick one Purpose and Principle to read each time you light the Chalice.
2. Participate in social service activities, like  UNICEF. And talk about what family values, and UU values, go along with Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF.
3. I think establishing a bedtime ritual is great. You might think of it this way: name one thing you are happy about, one thing you are sad about, one thing you wish you hadn't done and how to change that, and one that brings you joy. The point is that it doesn't have to be a prayer to God, but should be something like the above that gets at our UU Purposes and Principles.
4. Think about the upcoming holidays and how you are going to celebrate them. What traditions do you have in place or wish you had in place? This is the year to do it! In his upcoming book Raising Free Thinkers, Dale McGowen gives many ideas about special and specific rituals you can do for the holidays. Turn to Meg Cox's book, The Book of New Family Traditions, How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Everyday for some ideas about creating rituals. Or follow this link for some UUA resources. 5. Do a project each fall or spring which honors our mother earth and the 7th Purpose and Principle. Start a green routine in your home. Help clean up an area of your community, or your home! Help an older neighbor get ready for winter. Think about our 7 Purposes and Principles; read them through again and brainstorm on how your family recognizes and works for each one. Something will come to you, I know it. - Jan Devor, FUS Director of Religious Education |
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You're Invited
Join us for these great events! 
- Harvest Moon Dance, September 27, 6:30 p.m.
- Singing Forum, September 28, 9:30 a.m. Lower Assembly Hall.
- Assembly: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons speaks on "What's Different about a Humanist Parent?" September 28, 10:30 a.m. Upper Assembly Hall. Sermon discussion with the minister to follow.
- Wednesday, October 1, The Alliance meeting. 10:45 luncheon tickets on sale; 11:00 program by Debra Magnuson on "understanding Generational Differences"; followed by a lunch catered by The Wedge and a short business meeting.
- Wednesday, October 1, Eat 'N' Meet 5:45 p.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall followed by a free program on "Creating Community" led by The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons.
- Retreat to the Woods, October 10-12, Baker Near Wilderness Settlement.
- Monday, October 13, the Women's Awareness Group hosts a potluck and a screening of the film "Iron Jawed Angels" at FUS.
- For an updated list of events at FUS visit the calendar.
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