The Service Auction Catalog is Here!
The Service Auction catalog will be distributed at FUS this Sunday, and it will be sent out in the U.S. postal mail this week!
Review it carefully and prepare to bid, bid, bid!
For more information on the March 14 Service Auction click here.
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Oxygen for the Spirit!
Join us at 10:30 a.m. for Assembly on March 8 when The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons speaks on "Oxygen for the Spirit: Why Art Is Indispensable."
We are fortunate to enjoy an ever-changing variety of visual artwork in our foyer gallery, but this is more than incidental eye-candy. Authentic art, and the intelligent appreciation of it, is a spiritual practice, essential to our full humanity as individuals and as cultures. The current display in the gallery takes its theme from a new translation of traditional religious texts, and Georgette Sosin will join us in exploring the connections among art, truth, and faith. A special collection in support of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee will take place at this Assembly.
A Gallery Talk with Georgette Sosin follows Assembly at 11:45 a.m.
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Updates
and Reminders
The Alliance meets on March 4 for a presentation of "Health Care and Drug Prices in Minnesota," lunch and a short business meeting. Click here and scroll to page 12 for more information.
Submissions for the April edition of The First Unitarian newsletter due March 7. Click here to send your submission.
Women's Awareness Group meeting, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck and discussion on poetry. Click here and scroll to page 10 for more information.
The FUS Community Chorus meets the first and third Wednesdays each month at 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. All are welcome!
Ceremony for Grieving and Healing
Sunday March 15.
FUS holds a special, short service for those who are grieving from noon to about 12:15 the third Sunday of each month in the Sir Isaac Newton Room (#107). For more information click here.
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For Your Information
Remember that you can forward The Unitarian FLASH to a friend at any time. Simply scroll to the bottom of each edition of The Unitarian FLASH and click on the link called "forward email." Forwarding The Unitarian 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 The Unitarian FLASH you'd like them to see with just a quick click!
Donation Options
FUS is pleased to offer congregation members the convenient option of making donations right on our website. Families are making an increasing number of payments and donations online. If this donation method appeals to you, we encourage you to visit the FUS website, locate the link to our donation page and follow the simple process for setting up both regular offerings and one-time gifts. 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.
FUS News
The Unitarian FLASH features only a selection of stories events at FUS. For more details and other stories visit the FUS website and view recent The First Unitarian newsletters. Electronic Versions of The First Unitarian Newsletter are available at the FUS website. 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.
Flower Sponsorship
Fresh flowers enhance the Sunday morning experience for all of us and are a lovely way to honor a loved one, a special day, an event, or a remembrance. To provide flowers, please stop at the FUS office to fill in a flower sponsorship form or click here.
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FUS Email Contacts
Phone: 612-377-6608
Fax: 612-377-2151 | |
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Greetings from Mount Curve!
Get ready for another amazing FUS Music Sunday this  Sunday March 1. See the article below for more information about this fabulous performance by the FUS Chorus and Orchestra. Also, the adult education series focusing on poverty begins this Thursday March 5, and Sunday March 8 is full of engaging programming for your enjoyment and education. View the March edition of The First Unitarian newsletter to learn more. We look forward to seeing you on Mount Curve! |
Music As Color
Messiaen and Stravinsky
Music Sunday, March 1
This Sunday the FUS Chorus and Orchestra are presenting some of the most amazing repertoire ever written. In "The Symphony of Psalms," the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky decided to write a work where the choral and instrumental ensembles were in his own words "on an equal footing." The orchestra that plays with the choir includes five trumpets, four horns, three trombones, two pianos and, if this keeps going, a partridge in a pear-tree! Seriously, Stravinsky's extraordinary use of orchestral color and rhythmic complexity make this work very compelling! For more on Stravinksy, click here.
Sharing the program is Olivier Messiaen's "Les Offrandes Oubliees" (The Forgotten Offerings), composed in 1930 when Messiaen was 22. As he said, the piece is "written in three parts uninterrupted: 1) a lament of strings, cut by mauve and gray wailings; 2) 'race to the abyss' at almost 'mechanized' speed with strong and flexional ending accents, whistling of harmonies in glissando and incisive calls on trumpets; 3) long and slow phrase of violins over a blanket of pianissimo chords with reds, gold, blues (like a faraway stain-glass window) in the light of muted solo chords." The middle section represents the forgetting of God (Love); the outer sections are the divine offerings. Messiaen's music was influenced by Nature, bird-calls, plain-chant, his Catholic faith, Hindu rhythms, and Asian music. To learn more about Olivier Messiaen, click here.
Special Announcement
Music Sunday also will include a special announcement regarding FUS Orchestra conductor Dr. Gabriela Diaz-Alatriste and her work with the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico City. |
"I gave at the office." Well, that is one response to answer larger community needs. But is that enough?
Is a handout really useful? How about a hand up? As a thoughtful, rational faith community, what is the best way to approach the issue of poverty? Lobby for tax credits? Provide child development programming? Encourage education?
Join the Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons and FUS member  Peter d'Ascoli for a four-week discussion series about poverty on Thursday evenings (7:00-9:00 p.m.) in March (5, 12, 19, and 26) for a deeper understanding of what seem to be the most appropriate tactics. We will be reading sections of the book Ending Poverty in America: How to Restore the American Dream. Buy the book in the FUS Bookstore. Sign up for the Adult Education series at the "Ask Me" table in the Lower Assembly Hall following Sunday assemblies and mark your calendar for Thursdays in March.
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The Choral Readers Are Back! 
Just in time to help celebrate the Spring Equinox at the Assembly on March 22. Come join us on Saturday mornings in March to rehearse poetry for this event. March 7, 14 and 21 at 10:00 a.m.-noon. Contact Audrey if you are interested or have questions. For more information on the Spring Equinox Celebration click here or view the announcement in The First Unitarian newsletter by clicking here and scrolling to page 11.
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March Book Chat
Sunday March 15, 9:30 a.m., Lower Assembly Hall. American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare, by Jason DeParle. In this definitive work, two-time Pulitzer finalist Jason DeParle cuts between the mean streets of Milwaukee and the corridors of Washington to produce a masterpiece of literary journalism. All are welcome, whether you've read the book or not. Join us in discussing this courageous book! Copies are available in the FUS Bookstore.
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Decide How Our Values Speak to Allocating Scarce Medical Resources
Dietrich Room, March 8, 11:45 a.m., right after our  Assembly, come help us decide.
The State Department of Health asks us to tell them how we would make some life-and-death decisions. In the midst of an anticipated pandemic from a new strain of influenza A, who should get the very limited supply of medical equipment, supplies, and expertise? Bill Weir will lead our short session to try to arrive at our best judgment, to be reported to Minnesota Department of Health by March 13. To review the 75-page MDH report and, if you wish, make an individual comment, click here. Bill will also have 10 copies to loan to those who care to review it in advance of our deliberations in the Dietrich Room.
FUS Social Action Committee members will participate and, when we conclude (by 12:30 p.m.), convene SAC's monthly meeting. Light refreshments will be served.
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UUSC Membership Sunday is March 8
Join us at 9:30 a.m. on March 8 for our FORUM:  "Strategic Compassion: Unitarian Universalists Bringing Hope and Change"
Leader: Chris Bremer, UUSC Regional Coordinator
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is our human rights organization. UUSC's focus areas are Civil Liberties, Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, and Rights in Humanitarian Crises. In each of these areas, UUSC works to advance human rights and social justice through strategic partnerships with local grass roots organizations in the U.S. and across the globe. UUSC programs create hope and change for oppressed people and provide educational opportunities for those seeking to bring about constructive and lasting change. Come and hear about some of the current work being done by UUSC. FUS will collect new/renewing membership checks for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). Please MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO UUSC (not FUS, as we usually do for monthly social justice collections). Membership is $40 for individuals, $75 for couples, $20 for seniors, and $10 for youth. Donations of any size are also welcome. Membership donations of $100 or more are eligible to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, N.Y.! UUSC relies entirely on memberships and contributions, primarily from members of UU congregations. It receives no funds from the UUA and maintains its responsiveness and independence by not accepting U.S. government funds. Thank you in advance for your support of UUSC.
- FUS Social Action Committee
For more information contact Social Justice Coordinator, Carol Koepp.
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Photo Directory
FUS has arranged with LifeTouch to issue a new  photo directory. We will be taking photos of all members and friends of the First Unitarian Society on March 24-29 and March 31 and April 1-4. The sitting is free, and all will receive a free 8x10 portrait and a directory, with the option to purchase other photos. We need YOU to sign up for your sitting time. Follow this link to sign up on-line.
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Metro UU Events
There are a number of great events being offered by and for Unitarian Universalists in our area. Click here and scroll to page 13 to learn more.
The Education of Shelby Knox Documentary and Intergenerational Discussion Friday March 6, 7:00-9:30 p.m. at First Universalist Church. A self-described "good southern Baptist girl," becomes an unlikely advocate for comprehensive sex education. Join an intergenerational discussion with youth and parents and UUs from other metro congregations after the film. Refreshments served. FREE event.
AUW Women's Retreat
Rejuvenate mind, body, and soul at the annual AUW Women's spring retreat, "Nurturing Our Spirit Gardens," being held March 27-29 at the Koinonia Retreat Center near Annandale. All women are welcome! This popular weekend offers spiritually focused reflection and ritual, activities ranging from yoga and labyrinth to crafts and dancing, and time for walking in the woods or relaxing in the lounge. Click here for more information and to register online. The registration deadline is March 4.
Register Now for 2009 Prairie Star
District Conference
April 3-5 In Duluth. "Our Blue Boat Home: Living the Seventh Tradition" is the theme of the 2009 Prairie Star District conference of the Unitarian Universalist Association April 3-5 in Duluth. Click here for all information--including facts about youth programming and child care. Early registration ends March 6!
Social Justice Pre-Conference Workshop:
"Successful Strategies for Environmental Justice." Friday April 3, 1:30-4:30 p.m., UU Congregation of Duluth. Panel members will describe successful strategies for educating and forming alliances for local energy sustainability, nationwide environmental issues, and worldwide activism for basic human rights. Breakout sessions will connect participants with one another in Prairie Star's seven-state district to share experiences and develop strategies for organizing to improve environmental policy at all levels. Cost: $5 in addition to PSD Annual Conference registration fee OR $10 if not attending the Annual Conference. For more information click here.
Making Your Summer Plans?
Registration is now open for Camp StarTrail, our new UU summer camp for all ages. Click here for more information. Our Theme Speaker is Rev. Kendyl Gibbons, Senior Minister at First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis. Her topic is "Toward Wisdom: How to Recognize and Become a Spiritual Grown-Up, With or Without God." Costs will be reasonable. Tent and RV camping is available. A variety of housing is available; most spaces are air conditioned. For an affordable vacation this summer, consider Camp StarTrail. You'll be glad you did!
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You're Invited!
Join us for these great events!
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Music Sunday: Sunday March 1 at 10:30 a.m.
- Adult Education Series on Poverty: Thursdays March 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 7:00-9:00 p.m.
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UUSC Membership Sunday: Sunday March 8, 9:30 a.m. forum, 10:30 a.m. collection
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Gallery Talk: Sunday March 8 at 11:45 a.m.
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Applying Our Values Discussion: Sunday March 8 at 11:45 a.m.
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Ceremony for Grieving and Healing: Sunday March 15 at noon.
- March Forums and Assemblies: Sunday mornings. Click here and scroll to pages 2-3 for program descriptions.
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For an updated list of events at FUS visit the calendar.
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