This Sunday, March 25
9:30 a.m. FORUM:
"Amending the State Constitution"
Leader: Diggitt McLaughlin. UUs are being reminded right and left to vote NO on this November's proposed constitutional amendments concerning marriage equality and voter ID. What's going on here? Why are voters everywhere being faced with changes to state constitutions, and what (if anything) should we do about it?
10:30 a.m. ASSEMBLY: "Building a House of Obligation on a Foundation of Choice"
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons. As the Baby Boom generation moves inevitably into its later years, we may be able to begin to reflect on the values that have characterized it, and how these have shaped our culture. The sociologist David Brooks poses an interesting challenge not only to Boomers, but to our liberal faith, when he asks whether it is possible to be held accountable to something that we have freely chosen to give our loyalty to in the first place.
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
PSD 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. 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 $10,000. 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! 
Tomorrow is the Service Auction! Be sure to join us for this fun and fabulous event. Read on for more information and to see this year's catalog. Sign up now to be a member of our new online community: the FUS Exchange! Click here to view the FUS calendar, and scroll through the dates to see descriptions of upcoming Sunday programs.
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2012 Swing Into Spring Service Auction
The 2012 Service Auction on Saturday, March 24 is almost here! Tickets for the auction will be on sale at the door. 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 with Ashley or BJ. Contact Ashley or BJ at asiljenberg@gmail.com if you have questions.
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Service Auction Proceeds 
FUS Social Justice priorities are big winners at this year's Service Auction. Sharing the proceeds are:
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FUS Exchange
You are invited to join an exciting new program: the FUS Exchange. The Exchange is a means of communicating with all other list members through a single email. Other congregations have found such lists to be very effective in fostering community through the sharing of ideas, questions, needs and interests. Much of the staff and lay leadership have committed to participate. You may participate as much or as little as you like, receive each group message or a daily digest. To read the group policy and access a link for subscribing just click HERE.
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Eat 'n Meets Begin Wednesdays, March 28- May 9 Join us for a delicious dinner and wonderful conversation, followed by stimulating programming. Child care is provided. Click here to learn more.
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Lobby Day
We at the Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA, which we affectionately say as "moose-jaw") encourage UUs to join the OutFront Lobby Day rally at noon on March 29. As organizers and advocates, as a public voice for our UU values, it is so important for us to continue to believe, as we have for over ten years now, in the power of faithful voices working collectively for social change. We can proudly and lovingly claim our liberal religious imperative to create a just, sustainable, and peaceful world. Click here to help move Minnesota Forward. If you are interested in carpooling to the rally, contact Carol.
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Free DVDs
FREE - "House Party Marriage Equality" DVDs are available in the FUS office. These DVDs were prepared to help people who want to have a conversation with their friends and family about why marriage is important to ALL. Discussion guides are also available with each DVD. They are produced by East Metro Marriage Equaility. For more info click here.
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 Adult Education Class
Join Kendyl for seven stimulating discussions of how Humanism as a philosophical tradition and life perspective has evolved over the course of time. We'll begin with ancient Greece and its precursors, move through the Renaissance and Enlightenment, with a brief side trip to China and India. Then we'll consider the development of Humanism in the U.S., its current institutional incarnations, and its future possibilities. This is a fascinating narrative, which is interwoven with, but not identical to, the history of Unitarianism and Universalism. The class meets Thursday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30, beginning on March 29. Sign up sheet is available at the Ask Me table at social hour on Sunday, or e-mail Kendyl to let her know you want to participate.
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 Humanist Poetry Group Friday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. FUS Library
"Resilience" is our theme this month as we continue to explore human experience through poetry. We will read and discuss poems that speak to those qualities of character, determination and courage. Enjoy the poems provided and bring a favorite of your own on "resilience" if you'd like to add to the mix. (But please bring a few copies to share to enhance the discussion.) The group is facilitated by Audrey Kingstrom and is a collaboration with the Humanists of MN. |
Passport Reminder
Time is running out. Please turn in your completed Passports to Social Justice at the Social Justice table or in the FUS office by April 1! Thank you.
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The Alliance Meets
The April 4 luncheon meeting program will be a discussion of Environmental Issues by Dr. Christopher Wells who is at the Environmental Studies/Climate Action Planning Department at Macalaster College. This program begins at 11:00 a.m. and is followed by lunch at noon, catered by the Wedge, and a brief business meeting. Luncheon tickets for $8 go on sale at 10:45 a.m.
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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 innovative programs 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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Energy Tour
On March 18 FUS hosted nearly 50 visitors for an event publicized by the Metro Clean Energy Resource Team and Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light to learn about our recent energy conservation success. Attendees, included representatives of at least 12 different congregations, showing up on beautiful Sunday afternoon to learn about low and no-cost measures that may apply in their buildings. Look for coverage in the SouthWest Journal and perhaps elsewhere.
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New Website
Join the Spiritual Expedition with the new website from the Church of the Larger Fellowship: Quest For Meaning.
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Humanistic Passover Seder Celebration
Or Emet, Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, will host a Passover Seder on Saturday, April 7, 2012 5:00-8:00 p.m. at First Unitarian Society. Everyone contributes to the potluck buffet and non-members pay a small fee. Reservations are required by April 1. Click HERE for further information.
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