The Unitarian FLASH

 

News and Information for Members and Friends

In This Issue
The First Unitarian
New Exhibit on View
Sign Up Sunday
Adult Learning & Growth Opportunities
Suburban Hosts Needed
Help with Lunch
Bring Your Appetites
Pearson Awards
Art History in the Middle East
Moving Planet - Moving Faith
Freethinkers Convention

This Sunday,

September 11                 

9:30 a.m. FORUM: Imbedded With Peacemakers

Luke Wilcox from the Iraqi American Reconciliation Project presenting on his five weeks "Imbedded With Peacemakers" in Iraq.

 

10:30 a.m. ASSEMBLY: "Sailing on the Tides of History"

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons. As we gather for our customary reunion and beginning of the program year, we recognize not only the end of this particular summer, but also the passing of a decade since the attacks of 9/11 2001. That fateful day remains etched in the collective memory of our nation, as well as the personal experience of all who lived through it. Bring water from your summer to help fill the fountain, whether from travels or from the local creek or from watering your tomatoes, and we will consider together the role of water as a symbol of our universal human connectedness. This service will include a special collection for the organization Water for Peace, which helps to supply safe drinking water to children in Iraqi schools.    

 

Child Care and Religious Education

The nursery and the preschool room are open and staffed at 9:30 a.m. on September 11. Children K-6 will attend the assembly. Religious Explorers classes begin September 18. 


Click
here to view descriptions of upcoming Sunday programs.
 

Quick Links  
 



FUS Email Contacts


  
Religious Education


  
Unitarian FLASH Editor

Phone: 612-377-6608

Fax: 612-377-2151

reminder

 

Reminders
   

Awareness Groups Meet The September meeting of the Women's Awareness Group will be held on Monday, September 12 at the  home of Pat Jordan.  Jean Toll is the co-host. FUS women are invited to join us for a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m., followed by a "check-in" and an open forum as we plan for the coming year.  Please call Pat or Jean to RSVP and for directions. The Men's Awareness meets at 7:00 p.m. on September 12 in the Library at FUS. 

 

Sponsorships

YOU can sponsor flowers or refreshments for a Sunday morning service. Click HERE to learn more! 

 

Email Addresses

All FUS email addresses now end with "@firstunitarian.org" NOT "@firstunitariansociety.org". Please update your addresses so your email will get delivered. 

 

Retreat to the Woods

October 7-9, 2011 - mark your calendars!  

 

Pledges for FY 2011-12 

We are three months in to the new fiscal year. If you wish to increase your current pledge, please stop by the office and fill in a new pledge form. Pledges roll forward from year to year unless you notify the office of any changes. Thank you!  

 

Financial Information

FUS financial reports are available from Will Hegeman in the FUS office.

  

Greetings from Mount Curve!           FUS collage

 
Join us for Ingathering Sunday, September 11. Bring water from your adventures this summer for the Water Celebration and commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, view Iraqi art and support the Water for Peace project. Learn more below.      

Click here to view the FUS calendar, and scroll through the dates to see descriptions of upcoming Sunday programs.

 

picnic

The First Unitarian

Autumn 2011
A quarterly publication of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis

Click here to read (and print, if you prefer) the latest edition.

 

New Exhibit on Viewwoman on boat

September 11-October 16

The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project presents a collection of paintings by contemporary Iraqi

artists living and working in the Euphrates river valley in southern Iraq. The paintings contain symbols, styles and references to both the history and present life in Iraq. The range of color and subject matter personalize artists working in the heart of conflict. Unlike media generated images of a war-torn country, these paintings make apparent the desire to uphold the tradition of art created in the cradle of civilization. Proceeds from the sale of these artworks are shared by the artists with the Muslim Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, a sister organization of IARP.  

An opening reception with culturally appropriate desserts will follow the September 23 Eat 'n Meet dinner.    

  

 

if these walls could talk

 

Sign Up Sundaypeople connecting
On September 18 all FUS small groups - social and work groups, Discovery Groups and committees have the opportunity to shine a light on you
their activities and reach out to enfold newcomers in the action at Sign-Up Sunday during Social Hour after the service. Reserve your "space at the table" on Sign Up Sunday by contacting Barbara Weatherhead.

 

red balloons

Adult Learning & Growth Opportunities

Join us and choose from a variety of adult education programs this fall, from book discussions to classes, interest groups and intentional small groups. Meetings through the week. Sign up September 18  (look for the red balloons on Sign Up Sunday), contact the group leader, or contact Wendy Jerome. Click here to view the opportunities!

 

The Suburban Host Home Programavenues logo

A new community initiative that connects homeless teens with caring adults from their own communities who are willing to provide safe housing and support. To learn more, please join us for an informational session on September 19, 6-8:00 p.m. at Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins, MN. Details about the program and the informational sessions can be found at www.suburbanhosthome.org, info@suburbanhosthome.org, 612-767-4658, or by talking with FUS member Pete Raynor.    

 

Help with Lunchcornucopia 3

Autumnal Equinox Celebration
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Assembly and Luncheon
We will welcome autumn's beauty and abundance, and reflect on how our food choices affect our planet and our future. A festive autumn luncheon will be served following the Assembly. To volunteer to help with the luncheon or for more information, please visit the Seasonal Celebrations table in the Lower Assembly Hall at Sunday social hour on September 11 or 18, or the Seasonal Celebrations web page at the FUS web site by clicking here.

 

Bring Your Appetites

Eat 'n Meet Dinners Fall Season Begins Friday, September 23!

Every Friday evening at 5:45, FUS members and friends gather to share supper, conversation, and various programming offerings, from September 23 through November 17. Discovery Groups, book discussions, films, and other adult religious education opportunities will begin at 7:00, with child care available. Or, make your own plans for symphony or theater performances, but stop by FUS for dinner first. We will begin with seasonal fresh roasted corn, baked chicken, and ethnic Iraqi desserts. Watch the FLASH for future menu surprises. And, you can double your participation by volunteering to help set up or clean up one evening -- it's fast and fun; sign up at any Eat 'n Meet Friday evening. Click here for more information. See you there!

 

working on globe

Pearson Award Applications

Every year, the Foundation of the First Unitarian Society awards modest grants to a number of organizations that best represent the goals and ideals of the Kurt Pearson Social Concerns Fund. Some of the recent recipients include: Ghana Education Fund, Outfront Minnesota, The Dignity Center, and the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Fund. If you or an organization you know is interested, please submit an application. The deadline is September 30, 2011, and awards will be announced during our service on October 16, 2011. Click here for an application form. 

 

iraqi art

Art History in the Middle East

September 23, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Hear a presentation by Adnan Shanti about art history in the Middle East. Click here for more information.

 

Moving Planet - Moving Faith

2:00 p.m. at Cass Gilbert Memorial Park located on the corner of Sherburne Ave and Cedar Street in Saint Paul (one block north of University near the state capitol)

 

Join with millions around the world on September 24th and be part of the moral voice of calling for the care of creation by responding to climate change! Moving Planet - Moving Faith, the interfaith procession of people and Heart of the Beast puppets, will lead into MN350's Moving Planet event on the Minnesota State Capitol Mall with thousands of Minnesotans. Faith communities are essential to our success as we call for the protection of Minnesota's clean energy policies. Wear blue! Click here to learn more.

 

 

woman with book

Freethinkers Convention

Michael Shermer and PZ Myers will be among the speakers at the 2011 Project 42 Freethought Convention in Fargo, ND! The Red River Freethinkers are excited to announce that the 2011 Project 42 Freethought Convention will be on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at the Ramada Suites and Convention Center in Fargo, ND. The website for the convention is http://www.project42convention.org.