This Sunday, February 26
9:30 a.m. FORUM:
"Is compassion a muscle? How vegetarianism can promote spiritual growth in the humanist tradition. (Also enjoy free biscuits and gravy!)"
Presenter: Garrett Berg. We often hear about the health, environmental, and animal suffering impacts of eating animals, but many find it difficult to overcome their habits due to a perceived personal sacrifice. The aim of this talk is to present vegetarianism and veganism in the light of promoting personal spiritual growth, both in oneself and in our greater community. The talk will look at vegetarianism through the lens of humanist ideas, and tips will be given on how to live vegetarian or vegan lifestyles. Vegan biscuits and gravy will be served for those attending. The talk will take 20-30 minutes, and will be followed by questions, comments, and group discussion. The following service, lead by Intern Minister Diggitt, will also focus on these issues -- so this discussion will be helpful for those looking to expand their perspectives, as well as their stomachs!
10:30 a.m. ASSEMBLY: "The Vegan Option"
Speaker: Diggitt McLaughlin, Intern Minister. What radical hospitality asks of us.
Click here to view descriptions of upcoming Sunday programs.
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FUS Email Contacts
Religious Education
Unitarian FLASH Editor
Phone: 612-377-6608
Fax: 612-377-2151 |
Reminders
Sermon Audio Files Now you can listen to sermons anytime! MP3 recordings of most sermons are available now on the web site. Enjoy! Check it out here.
FUS Library The catalog of the contents of the FUS Library can be accessed through our web site, or by clicking here. 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. 
FUS is now tweeting on a regular basis. Our handle is @fusminneapolis. Financial Information Current year pledge projections have a shortfall of nearly $20,000. If you haven't increased your pledge in recent years, now would be a wonderful time to ensure FUS remains financially stable. You can submit a revised pledge form to Will in the office weekdays or Sundays. Download the 2011-12 pledge form here. FUS financial reports are available from Will Hegeman in the FUS office.
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Greetings from Mount Curve! 
Yes! A $10,000 grant is available to underwrite an innovative program to increase membership at FUS! Read more below. Be sure to mark your calendar for Music Sunday, March 11. Read more about this special program below. Click here to view the FUS calendar, and scroll through the dates to see descriptions of upcoming Sunday programs.
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$10,000 Membership Grant
The Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board have agreed to provide a cash grant up to $10,000 in 2012 to underwrite an innovative program to increase membership. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with individuals or groups within FUS and/or from outside of the Society. Applications must be received on or before April 15, 2012. Learn more here.
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Acts of Faith
Eboo Patel's memoir Acts of Faith, a Beacon Press book originally published in 2008, has been selected as the 2011-12 Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Common Read. A 2008 speaker at the UUA General Assembly, Patel is founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), an international, nonprofit, youth service leadership organization. Adele Hansen will lead a discussion of this important book at two upcoming forums: February 26 and March 3. The book is available in the FUS Bookstore, the UUA online bookstore and other book retail outlets.
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 Faith Action Vigil Supporting Immigrant Detainees
Interfaith Coalition on Immigration - Sunday, March 4; 2:30 p.m. Ramsey County Adult Detention Center, 425 Grove Street, St. Paul MN. Contact FUS member Wendy Jerome who will lead a group from FUS.
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Alliance Meets March 7
"The Native American Leadership Program" will be discussed by Peggy Flanigan, Director of Training, Wellstone Action, at the Wednesday, March 7 Alliance meeting. The program begins at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch at noon catered by the Wedge, and then a brief business meeting. Luncheon tickets for $8 go on sale at 10:45 a.m. New members are welcomed at any time.
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2012 Swing Into Spring Service Auction
The 2012 Service Auction on Saturday, March 24th is almost here! Tickets for the auction will be on sale in the Lower Assembly Hall after every Sunday assembly and in the office during the week. Check out updates on the event and this year's catalog here. Can't attend this year? Consider sponsoring the event at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold level. You may arrange this at all ticket sales locations and times. Contact Ashley or BJ at asiljenberg@gmail.com if you have questions.
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 A Free Ticket!
Earn a free ticket to the FUS Service Auction, a $15 value. Just complete five activities in the Passport For Social Justice and bring it to the Social Justice table during social hour to have it initialed. Then pick up your ticket at the Service Auction table. |
Migration, Metamorphosis, Miracle
the transformation of the human heart Sunday, March 11 The FUS chorus and Orchestra will honor our Unitarian theme "Standing on the Side of Love," as we present a powerful work on the tragic beating death of Matthew Shepherd, a gay man only wanting what we all want...love. Click here for more information. |
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 Book Group Forming
In an effort to help people implement the Golden Rule (compassion) in their lives Karen Armstrong wrote Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life specifically for book groups. Discussion guide provided. We will meet six times from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. on every other Wednesday beginning March 14. DCEH members will be invited in an effort to make it an interfaith discussion. Co-led by Carol Koepp and Paula Staff, a meditation practitioner & teacher. Books have been ordered by the FUS Bookstore. RSVP to: sac@firstunitarian.org.
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Nonviolence Training March 30, 31 & April 1At Hamline University Includes: social change analysis, community building, interactive exercises, role plays, deep reflection, project planning and practice. $20 for students; $50 for non-students. For more information contact Tenzin Dongag. Register by March 16. |
Spring Equinox Celebration
Sunday, March 18
Welcome the arrival of spring with a morning of festivities!
Join us for coffee, pastries and conversation at 9:30 a.m. in the Dietrich room, followed by a Spring Sing-Along in the Upper Assembly Hall at 10 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., the Assembly, "The Pageant of Spring," will include music, poetry and reflections as we consider the turning of the season as a time of growth and transformation and celebrate the power of nature in our lives.
The Spring Brunch begins in the Lower Assembly Hall at 11:30 a.m. Brunch tickets are for sale at the door. Adults: $7, youth (18 and under) $3. Family maximum is $20.
For more information click here.
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Annual Conference
Join fellow UUs the weekend of April 13-15, 2012 in Bloomington, Minnesota, for the Prairie Star District Annual Conference which will address the challenging theme, "Lessons From War & Peace: Stories of Faith, Hope and Courage." Click here for more information.
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