| Daylight Savings Time Ends!
Remember to set your clocks back an hour Saturday night, November 1 and join us for a fabulous Music Sunday on November 2! |
|
Kendyl on the Elections
"In these days of political and economic turmoil preceding a very fraught election, I want to suggest once again that safety is not what democracy or freedom is about, and it never has been."
"Democracy is about being challenged by other possibilities; it's about being made uncomfortable by new information and alternative views."
"Our forebears believed that they were given the task of building god's kingdom of justice and love on earth; we, their heirs, have no such sense of divine commission, but all the more awareness that if a world of kinship and compassion is to be realized, it will be through such human wisdom and commitment as we are able offer one another. In that sacred duty, and in that ultimate confidence, may we gladly and proudly exercise the right of free people to cast our vote."
Click here to view The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons's column about the elections in its entirety. |
| Movie Chat
Sunday, November 16, 9:30 a.m. Lower Assembly Hall
Join us for a lively discussion of the current movie, Religulous. This documentary follows political humorist and author Bill Maher as he travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. Known for his analytical skills, wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey. All welcome, whether you've seen the film or not. |
Local Social Action Opportunities
Get Out the Vote!
Looking for a way to be involved on election day? Help on Election Day! The PEACE Foundation is organizing nonpartisan Get-Out-The-Vote on November 4 as part of our effort to get 500 new Northside voters to the polls this year. Contact Michelle Martin, 612-521-4405. We will be running the activities that day out of our office at 1119 W. Broadway (above the Cookie Cart) between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. You're welcome to join anytime. Mentors Needed! Four hours of your time a month can change a life forever! You are invited to participate in in-depth mento training to help ex-offenders returning to the community. Training November 8, 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Get more info on the SAC table in the Lower Assembly Hall or contact Hillary Freeman at 612-721-8687 ext. 332. Social Action Committee Meeting
November 9, noon - 1:30 p.m., Heritage Room. Look for the agenda on the SAC table that day. Sign a Postcard!
On November 16, there will be a table in the Lower Assembly Hall during social hour to sign a postcard supporting Nicollet Square, a housing development for young adults who are transitioning out of foster care or homelessness. If you are a resident of HENNEPIN COUNTY, please consider signing a postcard to support service funding which will provide staffing for this innovative housing development. Nicollet Square is being jointly developed by Plymouth and Westminster churches in collaboration with Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation. Click here for a detailed listing of local social action opportunities gathered by our new Social Action Coordinator, Carol Koepp. |
UU Action
For October's Action of the Month, The UUA invites you to join UUs across the nation to Publish for Peace with Iran. Visit the Publish for Peace Campaign Headquarters for tips, resources, and background information. |
|
Who Deserves an Award?
Each year PSD honors the exceptional volunteers who keep UUism alive and well on the prairie. This year it could be someone from your congregation. To nominate someone, check out the award criteria and print out nomination forms which are available at Awards on the PSD Web site.
Who in your congregation deserves to be honored? |
|
Updates
and Reminders
Soup Lunch: Join us for a soup lunch immediately following assembly November 9 in the Lower Assembly Hall. Proceeds will benefit FUS's Summer Social Justice Program.
FUS Orientation Session: Learn more about FUS at this 2:00 p.m. meeting on November 9. For more information contact Teresa West.
Connections Breakfast:
For parents in grades 4-7, please come to the Connections Breakfast on November 16 in the Dietrich room from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Childcare is available. This light breakfast will be a great chance to meet with others in your child's class and to talk about the goals of the RE program.
UNICEF boxes can be returned to Jan Devor's office anytime after the Halloween collection. Thanks for Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF!
Through Sunday, November 23, view a watercolor exhibition by Sidney Rice and Tam Swallen.
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 | |
|
Greetings from Mount Curve!
How do you honor the Day of the Dead? FUS will  honor the Day of the Dead with a performance by the FUS Chorus and Orchestra of Karl Jenkins's "Requiem" with a taiko drummer from Mu Performing Arts on Sunday, November 2. There will also be Day of the Dead activities for Religious Education classes. Keep our ancestors in mind as you cast your vote on November 4 and as you participate in the upcoming forums and assemblies and other great programs offered at FUS in the next few weeks. |
|
Social Action Listservs
Join the following NEW FUS Social Action Committee  sponsored listservs to stay up-to-date on social action opportunities.
1) Social Action Alert Listserv
This Alert Listserv features social justice events, speakers and important legislation that UUs may be interested in supporting. Postings will be filtered through the Social Justice Coordinator and will not be interactive: announcements only; no replies. Send postings to: SAC@firstunitariansociety.org. All FUS members/friends are encouraged to participate in this Listserv.
2) Social Action Talk Listserv
So you heard there is a good speaker coming to the U; a book reading at Barnes and Noble; you have a good video that you'd like to share and discuss. You can let others know about these possibilities by posting them on this Listserv. No committee business, but a good way to talk about books, articles, movies, current events, etc., relevant to social justice issues. All FUS member/friends are encouraged to participate in this Listserv.
|
|
New Food Shelf Donation Box
Thanks to the design and building skills of Caidin  Riley and to the creativity of the senior high youth group under the supervision of Tim Barger, we have a new collection spot for our donations to food shelves. We will be collecting all year, with special attention given to the needs of food shelves in December. Look for the box in the Lower Assembly Hall, just to the left of the display case. Since it has wheels, you might even see it rolled out into the Upper Assembly Hall on occasion. |
Now What? Using this Moment to Build a Movement
In early November we will elect a new President of the United States! No matter who wins, change will come. Get ready. Add your UU voice and values to this pivotal moment in history and help create the world we want to see. MUUSJA invites you to a day of insight, learning, meaningful conversation and our development as leaders.
Help MUUSJA and your congregation build on new themes of justice: Are progressive people of faith ready to lead and govern, not just protest and critique? How do we organize for the rising wave of change? Who will we work with and where might we be in 5, 10, even 20 years?
Beth Zemsky, MAEd, specializes in multicultural organizational development. Beth is U of M adjunct faculty in social movement theory, has been a Bush Leadership Fellow, and was founding Director of the U of M GLBT Programs Office. She recently co-authored the summer featured article for Social Policy. Beth brings energy, insight, 25 years of experience and excellent facilitation to this critical work.
Saturday, November 15, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Unity Church Unitarian, 732 Holly, St Paul, MN 55104.
Coffee and rolls at 8:30 a.m. Registration includes lunch and materials.
Preregister for $20/$10 students & low income. $25 at the door. Contact Marcy Leussler for registration form & details: 612-824-3240; mleussler@hotmail.com . |
The November meeting of the Women's Awareness  Group will be held on Monday, November 10, at the home of Mona Brown. Gretchen Clemence is the cohost. FUS women are invited to join us for a pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by an interesting discussion led by Mona on her three week trip to Bhutan, where in its traditions and culture it appears that the past is present. Please call Mona or Gretchen to RSVP and for directions. |
|
Thanksgiving at FUS?
If you were planning on attending the Thanksgiving  dinner at FUS, please consider being the host of it. No one has yet stepped forward to organize it, and without a host, it will be cancelled. Please contact Teresa West if interested, 612-377-6608 x 104.
| |
|
New Newsletter Deadline
Submissions for The First Unitarian newsletter are  now due during the first week of the preceding month. For example, anything for the December newsletter should be submitted before or during the first seven days of November. This change is intended to better meet production schedule requirements.
Submissions can be emailed to Morgan Rock, or typed submissions can be left in the green "newsletter" folder on Morgan's desk. Submissions may be edited for style, content and to fit the space available. (Any images you submit should be emailed in jpeg format and will be used if possible, and if they can be reproduced well.) Thank for you consideration and timeliness.
Click here and scroll to page 3 for a primer on all FUS publications, their goals, deadlines, and functions.
|
|
Thinking of the Future
Legacy-What does it mean to you? 
On this Thanksgiving weekend we can all turn our thoughts to what we have to be thankful for and what we want for the future of our families, our community, and our country.
The FUS Foundation will host a luncheon and discussion immediately following the Assembly. With Kendyl we'll discuss the creation of our dreams through the use of gifts: our talents, creativity, time, and resources. Please RSVP to Susan Barton or the FUS Office so we can order lunch in advance.
IRA gift options extended by Congress
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 includes a two-year extension of the IRA charitable rollover. Originally enacted as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, this provision permits IRA owners starting at age 70 ½ to make charitable gifts totaling up to $100,000 per year from their IRAs tax-free if made directly to qualified entities such as the First Unitarian Society.
To make a qualified charitable rollover to FUS you should contact your IRA custodian. Ask for the IRA Charitable Rollover transfer forms. And to qualify for a charitable distribution, your IRA custodian must directly transfer the funds to FUS rather than a withdrawal by you for later gifting. Otherwise, the IRA withdrawal will be taxed if you receive it.
Remember: For the transfer to qualify for exclusion in 2008 the distribution must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2008. Click here to visit the UUA's website for forms you can download to make the transfer.
|
|
FUS and Sustainable Coffee
As a part of FUS's efforts at supporting  sustainability, we support fair trade practices. Members and friends may be interested in a recent article in the Star Tribune featuring the source of the coffee FUS serves and sells in the Bookstore.
|
Give Us Your Junk!
The FUS Religious Education program is collecting  the following items, which will be resued. Please bring your donations to Jan Devor's office anytime. Thanks!
*Stonybrook yogurt containers (washed with lids)
*Buttons, large and small, the more unusual the better
*Wine corks
*Childrens' movie videos or DVD that your kids have outgrown
*Woman's costume jewelry pins
*Various types of hats
*Lids to jars of all sizes
|
|
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.
November 5
Menu: Chili
Program: Post-election Discussion by Wendy Jerome Join your fellow bleary-eyed members in a discussion of last night's election results. Wendy Jerome will facilitate our discussion...the joys and sorrows!
November 12 Menu: Minnesota Hot Dish Program: Consumer Choices: How to Make Better Environmental Decisions by Shelley Shreffler
November 19 - Last Eat 'n Meet of the fall! Menu:Holiday preview
Program: The Explosion of Autism: One Family's Story by Terry Burke
Eat great food. Meet great people. |
|
You're Invited
Join us for these great events!
- Music Sunday, A requiem will be performed by
 the FUS Chorus and Orchestra for Day of the Dead at Assembly, Sunday, November 2, 10:30 a.m.
- The Alliance meeting, Wednesday, November 5, 10:45 a.m. lunch tickets sold; 11:00 a.m. program followed by lunch.
- Eat 'n Meet: Wednesday, November 5, 5:45 p.m. chili dinner, followed by 7:00 p.m. program "Post-election Discussion" led by Wendy Jerome.
- November 9: 9:30 a.m. Forum: FUS's Social Justice Program led by the Youth; 10:30 a.m. Assembly: "Of Leadership and Change" by The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons; 11:30 a.m. Soup Lunch; 2:00 p.m. FUS Orientation Session.
- Eat 'n Meet: Wednesday, November 12, 5:45 p.m. Minnesota Hot Dish dinner, followed by 7:00 p.m. program "Teen Homelessness in the Suburbs" led by Carol Keopp.
- For an updated list of events at FUS visit the calendar.
| |
|
|
|
