As the trees grow more bare, I am mindful of the ways that shelter, that sanctuary, changes. In the summer, the leaves protect us from the heat and light of the sun. A shady and beautiful blessing, the leaves are sanctuary. In winter, however, with the leaves gone, what protects us from the cruel sun? … Continue reading October 31, 2018 Minister’s Message
We wanted to make you aware of the financial assistance available from the Iva Laughlin Fund for members of your congregation. The Fund has made a number of grants in the past year. Mrs. Iva Giles Laughlin, who died in January 1904, was an active and inspirational Universalist laywoman who lived in Chicago. She made … Continue reading Financial Assistance for Elderly Unitarian Universalist Laypeople
We wanted to update everyone on the focus your Edjucation and Justice (EdJ) committee has chosen for this church year. Along with all of you, the Board and our minister, Rev. Rita, we will be elevating and evaluating the social justice initiatives of our congregational life, both historically and currently. What do we mean by … Continue reading EdJ UPDATE: A YEAR OF CELEBRATING AND TAKING STOCK
October 24, 2018 “Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.”—Joseph Campbell I do a fair amount of weight training. It has been part of my normal physical activity since January 2015. In my everyday life, I alternate between weightlifting and sitting in front of a computer or a book. I … Continue reading October 24, 2018 Minister’s Message
Since 2006 UUFM has been an open and Welcoming Congregation. Using publicity funds from their Education and Justice budget, the EdJ committee has signed up UUFM to be part of an online marketing campaign organized by MyOutSpirit and GLAAD to celebrate LGBTQ-affirming spiritual communities from Oct. 18-21. This turns GLADD’s Spirit Day (Oct. 18) into a week-long celebration of … Continue reading Spirit Day 2018
Stewardship Notes: Table Conversations On Sunday,October 7, 2018 we had 8 table conversations around the questions “What do we do together?” and “What do we do well together?” One table was heavily populated by children, who had plenty to say for themselves. And the results are in. I have lumped the responses in categories of … Continue reading Table Conversations – “What do we do together?” and “What do we do well together?”
Notes on the Start-Up Workshop Last Friday and Saturday, Rev. Phil Lund (Congregational Life Consultant for the MidAmerica Region of the UUA) came down to Mankato to help us get off on the right foot with our new minister. Friday evening was a congregational potluck, with a discussion of our hopes and visions for … Continue reading Start-up Workshop
Congratulations, One and All, from MUUSJA! Our Fellowship has been selected as the recipient of the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance’s 2018 Beacon of Justice Award! The award honors a congregation that has made significant efforts to embody our Unitarian Universalist values through justice-making within its own walls and in deep partnership with movements for … Continue reading We Received the 2018 Beacon of Justice Award!
Message from Reverend Rita Well, dear friends, I’ve spent a good first week unpacking and acclimating. After celebrating our wedding anniversary together, my husband has returned to Buffalo, and so I grow used to a long-distance relationship. Not trusting my sense of direction, the GPS has taken me on many different routes between my new … Continue reading August 8, 2018 Minister’s Message
