What a wonderful, noisy coffee hour we had in the Fellowship Hall this past Sunday. Deep conversations across generations, lots of laughter, families with children, chatting about Indigenous Peoples Day weekend events, social action to encourage voter turnout, healthy snacks. It was like the before times at our best of times—vital and vibrant, committed to … Continue reading October 12, 2022
A lot of good news came out of our Stewardship Workshop Weekend. Participants (and maybe you, too?) feel great gratitude for the community and the values they find at UUFM. And at the same time, participants (and maybe you, too?) feel a sense of loss for what is changed and perhaps can never be changed … Continue reading October 5, 2022
Look at these amazing carrots! They grew in our UUFM Organic Garden, tended by the Rossow Strasser family, Linda Ganske, and Mae Gagnon (let me know if I am missing anyone). Yes, they are crooked. And yes, they seem to be holding each other in an embrace. According to the Farmer Grows website https://farmergrows.com/why-do-carrots-split-when-growing/ , … Continue reading September 28, 2022
Minister’s Message We all need a circle of care, a circle of belonging. These words of Starhawk make this claim so beautifully: Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up … Continue reading September 21, 2022
Minister’s Message The Soul Matters theme of the month is “Belonging,” and this beautiful poem by Jan Richardson reminds us that belonging can be a double-edged sword. You hardly knew how hungry you were to be gathered in, to receive the welcome that invited you to enter entirely… You began to breathe again… You learned … Continue reading September 14, 2022
Dear Ones, The happy day is upon us! We gather in from our far-flung places and lives to become once more a congregation celebrating our past, present, and future through our traditional Water Communion, as well as a party and picnic designed to welcome all. I look forward to seeing you on September 11 at … Continue reading September 7, 2022
Rev. Rita is out of the office and away from regular Fellowship business from August 27 through September 5. She returns to duties on September 6. If you need assistance, contact Shelly Storm, Communications and Office Administrator at uumankato@gmail.com and 507-388-5022 or Board President Bob Finley at finbob@charter.net and 507-380-1869. Even when Rev. Rita is … Continue reading August 31, 2022
I am preparing for the new program year, even as I am relishing these last few weeks before we begin again in love. And “relish” is just the right word, for this season holds much to delight the eye and the palate. Saturday morning Farmers’ Market is a feast (and not only for the friends … Continue reading August 24, 2022
Dear Ones, Cicadas have always been for me the ultimate sound of summer. I learned recently that the buzz we generally hear is comprised of the mating calls of three different species. A simple and familiar thing more complex than at first thought. Like the end of summer itself—bittersweet that family time and road trips … Continue reading August 17, 2022 Minister’s Message
Dear Ones, In just one month and one day, the 2022-2023 program year begins anew at UUFM. Though COVID lingers, and its effects continue to devastate vulnerable populations and individual families, we begin to return more securely to in-person gatherings. Many of us have reason to feel fortunate in this time, our families spared or … Continue reading August 10, 2022 Minister’s Message
