| Remember to Vote for the Golden Oldie
Remember to turn in your ballot indicating which "Golden Oldie" sermon you'd like to hear Kendyl preach on December 28. |
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Updates
and Reminders
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.
Gallery
Through Sunday, November 23, view a watercolor exhibition by Sidney Rice and Tam Swallen. Beginning on November 30 view a photography exhibit by Mike Lanning.
Deadline for Submissions
Submissions to The First Unitarian newsletter are due by December 7. Email them to Morgan Rock.
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!
Are you busy preparing to dress the turkey or  packing your suitcase to visit relatives and friends? Any way you approach it Thanksgiving can be a busy time, and also a good cue to remember to pause and reflect on the people and things for which we are grateful. There is much to appreciate here at FUS in November, especially honoring our new members joining November 23, and the membership anniversaries of others. And be sure to join us for the lecture "Using the Media to Achieve Social Change" by media and communications consultant and an organizer for the Twin Cities Media Alliance, Nancy Doyle Brown on November 18. |
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Local Social Action Opportunities
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.
Using the Media to Achieve Social Change
November 18 - 7:00 - Dietrich Room - First Unitarian  Society. Nancy Doyle Brown, a media and communications consultant and an organizer for the Twin Cities Media Alliance will address such questions as: How is our media serving our democracy? What reform would be helpful . . . And how do we get it? What alternative media exists? How can we work more effectively with media? The event is free but there will be an opportunity to donate to the Twin Cities Media Alliance. The Alliance was formed in 2005 with the goal of improving the quality, diversity and accountability of local media.
Taxi to the Dark Side - a film
November 21 - 7:00 p.m. - Dietrich Room - First Unitarian Society. Using the torture and death in 2002 of an innocent Afghan taxi driver as the touchstone, this film examines changes after 9/11 in U.S. policy toward suspects in the war on terror. Soldiers, their attorneys, one released detainee, U.S. Attorney John Yoo, news footage and photos tell a story of abuse at Bagram Air Base, Abu Ghraib, and Guantanamo Bay. From Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Gonzalez came unwritten orders to use any means necessary. The CIA and soldiers with little training used sleep deprivation, sexual assault, stress positions, waterboarding, dogs and other terror tactics to seek information from detainees. Many speakers lament the loss of American ideals in pursuit of security. Discussion will follow. There will be an opportunity to donate to National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT).
Volunteer Job Opening
The Social Action Committee is looking for one, two, three or more good people, or families, to coordinate the delivery of donated food. Delivery will be necessary periodically, when the collection box is filled. You will be lavishly paid with appreciations from our congregation and from the receiving food shelves. Benefits include knowing that you are a vital link between our members and the clients using the food shelves. To apply email Carol Koepp or talk with any member of the Social Action Committee.
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Join the FUS Orchestra!
The First Unitarian Society Orchestra is a standing volunteer organization (chamber size) that has been sponsored by FUS for more than 50 years. It is composed of members and non-members of the Society. In addition to its friendly environment, FUSO stands out from other groups of its kind by always striving for artistic excellence. FUSO boasts an innovative range of programming, including Latin-American composers such as Silvestre Revueltas, Hector Villa-Lobs, and Juventino Rosas, 20th and 21st century music, which this calendar year includes works by Igor Stravinsky, Karl Jenkins, Olivier Messiaen, and Leticia Armijo, eclectic styles that have included classical, folk, and film music, and even rap. Yes, we performed a cantata that included a rap singer! If you are looking for something different, this may be the right opportunity for you.
* Oboe and bassoon openings at this time. |
UU Parenting Resources
"To Claus or Not to Claus" is a section in the book Parenting Beyond Belief. Have you as a non-Christian believer had a hard time with the Christmas concept? Perhaps reading this chapter would help to give you some ideas about relating to this upcoming holiday. The joy of new beginnings, the giving of gifts from the heart, the closeness of family or friends or family traditions...these are all ways that UUs can make sense of the holiday.
In the religious education program here at First Unitarian Society there will be many ways that the children can tie into the holidays beginning on November 23. The list below will give you some ideas about what we are doing here:
November 23: The Holiday Craft Fair begins for Kindergarten through third grade. This is a special and fun time when the kids can go from classroom to classroom and make holiday gifts to give to others. This is the heart of the meaning of Christmas...MAKE something for someone else to brighten their hearts at this dark time of year. It is truly a wonderful to sight to see the children excited about what they have made and thinking about who they will give it to...made me a UU the first time I came upon this wonderful event!!
Also on this day, the 4-7th graders will begin making wooden toys. This project was brought to us via the streets of Mexico where Nancy Miller found Hanni, a woman who felt that street children should have creative outlets. Nancy wrote a book about the toys and the children which we are using to design our project. The high schoolers will be selling their toys on December 14 for $10.00 each, so if you want a special gift for a child, please put these cats and birds (all with moveable feet or wings!!) on your shopping list.
On November 30 all of the children who come to FUS will be making recycled Christmas ornaments for our FUS Christmas tree! FUN!
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Last Eat 'n Meet of the Fall
Eat 'n Meet is a delicious program for the heart, mind and body. What more could you need?  Join us on Wednesday evening, November 19 at 5:45 p.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall for a "Holiday Preview" meal 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, "The Explosion of Autism: One Family's Story" by Terry Burke. A vegetarian option is available and the suggested donation rates for dinner are: adults $7, children $5, with a maximum of $15 per family. Childcare is provided free on-site. Bring a friend, or more! All are welcome! Eat great food. Meet great people. | |
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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.
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You're Invited
Join us for these great events!
- Forums and Assemblies: Sunday mornings. Click here and scroll to pages 2-3 for program descriptions.
- Sign a postcard: Sunday, November 16
- Eat 'n Meet: Wednesday, November 19, 5:45 p.m. Holiday preview dinner, followed by 7:00 p.m. program "The Explosion of Autism" led Terry Burke.
- Discussion with the Minister: Sunday, November 30, 11:30 a.m.
- For an updated list of events at FUS visit the calendar.
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