From Rev. Leah
Most of the time when we talk about events and groups at the Fellowship, we are quick to explain that they’re open to everyone. The more the merrier, I often tell folks. We’re a spiritual community, so a wide welcome is just as it should be. 
But we also offer more specialized opportunities, tailored specifically for certain identities, life stages, or experiences. Our Senior Social gathers our elders. Our Men’s Group welcomes all who identify as male. Even book clubs (which are open to anyone) target lovers of reading. Grab a congregational life guide from the Welcome Table to get plugged into these and other offerings. Or send me or congregational life coordinator Marie a quick email (leah@fvuuf.org and marie@fvuuf.org, respectively).
If you have personally faced cancer, or are currently doing so, I want to make sure you know about the cancer support group we’ve been offering this year. This special resource is led by Fellowship members Mara Proft and Dawn Spangenberg, and next meets on April 7th at 3:00 pm at the Fellowship. Let me turn it over to them so they can introduce themselves and tell you more about this small group.
As cancer survivors, we (Mara Proft and Dawn Spangenberg) would like to welcome other cancer survivors and those who are recently diagnosed to our support group. Our purpose is to provide a safe place to talk about our experiences, emotions, and thoughts without judgment from others. It is a place where each person is valued for one’s individual journey. Our focus is moving forward in a positive way through sharing of spiritual and mind/body information/practices that have helped us. Another focus is spiritual growth through finding one’s passions, living in the present, and viewing the whole person. It is a place to support those going through a difficult time now or in the past. We meet the first Saturday of the month at 3:00 pm. Please contact Mara Proft at maraproft@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Thanks to each of you for making the Fellowship a place where our welcome is not only wide, but also deep. After all, we each sometimes need unique forms of depth, based on who we are and what life brings to our door. Our many threads weave a thick, warm cloth. May it cover all who seek it!
Love,
Rev. Leah

Upcoming Services
Sundays 9:00 & 10:45 am 
April 1
Expect the Unexpected by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
This Easter falls on April Fool's Day, so let's contemplate the power of "the unexpected," and how we can use the surprising messages of Easter in our own lives.
Religious Education Reminder
All students in grades Pre-K through those in high school Breakfast Club will gather in the Anthony room on Easter Sunday to decorate Easter Eggs in the tradition of our partner church in Deva, Romania.

April 8 
Pesach, Pottery and Perfectionism
by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg
The Jewish festival of Pesach, or the Passover, just ended but the themes of bondage and liberation are with us all year, Jewish or otherwise. The ancient story that gets told this time of year is about enslavement by an evil king. As modern people, which forces, habits or ideas force us to serve them in everyday life? Come to hear about one of Rev. Leah’s evil oppressors (spoiler alert: it’s in the service title) and how she tries to get free from it! You’ll have a chance to contribute to a special collection for Harbor House and enjoy the Schiller-Riggers’ family performance of the all ages story.
Community Ecumenical Good Friday Service
Friday, March 30, 12:10 pm
Memorial Presbyterian Church (803 E. College Ave., Appleton)
This Friday, Rev. Christina will be participating as one of the leaders of a community ecumenical Good Friday worship service. This service, hosted by Christian clergy from the Appleton area, will contemplate the despair at the crucifixion of Christ, and will explore the ways in which hopelessness --in poverty, racism, domestic violence, and war-- might eventually turn to hope and peace.
Upcoming Programs
UU Night Out
Join us at The Source Public House on April 3 at 6:00 pm for great conversation, lots of laughs, and amazing food. If you haven't tried The Source, you are in for a treat! Small menu, all ingredients are locally sourced--high quality ingredients leads to high quality, delicious food. My favorite restaurant; this is home away from home for Cindy! The Source is located a couple miles from the Fellowship, 890 Lake Park Road. Join the Facebook group by friending Cindy Darling and asking to join UU Night Out. Or send Cindy an email to get added to the reservation: kitsudarling@gmail.com. Feel free to call or text with questions: 920.205.9635. See everyone on April 3!
Fellowship Passover Seder
Join us for a community Passover Seder at the Fellowship on Saturday, April 7 at 5:00 pm. A traditionally Jewish celebration open to people of all ages and religious backgrounds, this festive evening of music, worship, fellowship, and feasting will celebrate freedom, spring, and the story of the Exodus through an interactive service and shared meal. This year's special collection will be be taken to support Harbor House, a local domestic violence shelter. Contact Cyndi Polakowski at cyndi@fvuuf.org or sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship entry lobby by Wednesday, April 4 at noon. Contact Jaclyn Kottman at jaclyn.f.kottman@gmail.com for more information.

Appleton Wellspring Wednesday
April 11, 6:30 pm
Taking a lead in Social Justice, last June Fellowship members voted to become a sanctuary church, if needed, for an immigrant facing deportation. Join us on April 11th for Wellspring Wednesday when we will discuss concerns of the local immigrant community. 
We will learn more about our immigrant neighbors and how we can work for change. The evening will be led by Marsha Dawson a member of the Fellowship's Shared Sanctuary Ministry team and ESTHER's immigration task force. Contact Cyndi Polakowski to sign up.
Smiling Dandelion Sangha Annual Retreat
The Smiling Dandelion Sangha would like to announce that registration is open for our annual residential meditation retreat.
We are pleased to welcome back Janice Sheppard and Steven Spiro as dharma teachers on June 8 – 10. The title of this year’s retreat is “The Balancing Point; Being Peace.” The retreat takes place on the UW-Oshkosh campus. Click here for details and registration.
General Assembly Funding Available
If you are planning to attend our Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly (GA) this summer, please let Rev. Christina know! We will need to assign delegates who can vote as representatives of our congregation. Also, if you’re in need of funding assistance, please let Rev. Christina know by April 15. We have a small fund to provide scholarship assistance, and depending on the number of people in need, will disburse those funds accordingly. GA will be held from June 20-24 in Kansas City, MO, an easy day’s drive from Appleton. For more information, especially for those who might be considering attending for the first time, check out the article below.
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Everyone is welcome to attend. Click the image for more information.
Noteworthy News
Welcome to our recent new members!
Doug Middleton
Nancy Middleton
Marci Hoeft
New Member Joining
Taking the step to join the Fellowship is an important ritual for many people. While much of what we do and offer is open to everyone, voting is only open to members. The Fellowship’s bylaws state that “members are eligible to vote at congregational meetings and hold office after they have been members for a period of eight weeks.” Our Annual Meeting will be on June 3rd and the last opportunity to join the Fellowship in order to vote at that meeting will be on April 12th at 6:00 pm. Please contact Marie Luna, Congregational Life Coordinator, if you are interested in learning more about the process for joining or to sign up to attend.
Plants Needed:  The Partner Churches Committee will be holding its annual Plant Sale on May 13 to benefit our partner churches in Transylvania and the Philippines. Donations of vegetable seedlings, herbs, perennials (especially native plants) and houseplants are greatly appreciated. If you are able to contribute any of these, or pots/garden accessories, please contact Vickie Milde (vicmilde@hotmail.com). Thank you.
Justice starts here!

Q&A —
    
  • Do I need to pledge? Yes! Me? Yes! You. Every household, every year, so we have a record.
  • Even if I pay with automatic debit?  Yes. We need a record of your intended commitment so we can budget and be fiscally responsible. The pledge is your promise. Then, you pay, which is your contribution. 
  • Does the Fellowship have other funding sources? Very few. 93% of our income comes from pledges.
  • Can’t I just put money in the basket?  Sure, you can do that! We also need some idea of how much you plan to give this year, so we can responsibly budget.
  • What if I have to change my pledge mid-year? No problem, just call Phyllis, our business administrator. Things change, that’s ok. We understand.  
We need your help in order to continue our mission…please return your 2018-2019 pledge form as soon as possible!
We are grateful to all of you who have submitted your pledge forms. However, there are still many of you that we have not heard from.
Please remember the Fellowship operates on a fiscal year of July - June, and requests pledges from our membership on an annual basis, even those members who are participating through EFT. Pledges help the Fellowship plan ahead, and prepare a viable operating budget; which includes all personnel and administrative costs, program expenses, and building and grounds maintenance. All of which are needed to enable the Fellowship to carry out its’ mission.
Click here for more information and for an online pledge form. You may also find blank pledge forms and envelopes in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact Phyllis Schmitt, Business Administrator, at phyllis@fvuuf.org or 920.731.0849 with questions about your pledge.
Spring/Summer Art Theme
Although we won’t be hanging the next art show until later in April or May, we’d like to let you know the theme will be EMERGENCE. Feel free to get those creative juices flowing. We’ll let you know the specific date later.  -Mary Gerlach, Art Committee
Joyful Mind Zen Sangha Notice
The Tuesday night meditation group will not be meeting April 3 through May 8. Tuesday evening meditation will resume May 15. All are welcome to join the Joyful Mind Zen Sangha sessions on Friday and Saturday mornings at 6:30 am.

Rev. Christina's Community Office Hours
Most Thursdays (unless otherwise noted), 1-3:00 pm, drop-in, no RSVP required! If you'd like to make an appointment to chat with Rev. Christina aside from these times, contact the Fellowship office. 
March - 29
Shellattes - 330 N. Commercial St., Neenah
April - 5, 19, 26 (not on the 12th)
Caramel Crisp & Cafe - 200D City Center, Oshkosh
May - 3, 10, 17, 31 (not on the 24th)
Lou's Brew - 233 E. College Ave., Appleton 

Click here for the current financial report.
Click here for the current Governing Board meeting agenda.
Thank you for reading The Weekly Scroll, and pardon any typos.
Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg, Associate Minister
Phyllis Schmitt, Business Administrator
Kim Hartman, Director of Religious Education
Marie Luna, Congregational Life Coordinator
Jay Thomas, Music Director
Eve Rosera, Religious Education Assistant
Cyndi Polakowski, Secretary
Quick Links
Joys and Concerns
As your faith community, we want to celebrate your joys with you and support you through times of concern.
To share a joy or concern with our ministers and/or at services, please email Rev. Leah at leah@fvuuf.org.
To be added to the Joys and Concerns email list, contact Cyndi Polakowski at cyndi@fvuuf.org.

Weekly Calendar

Friday, March 30
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha
Saturday, March 31
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha
Sunday, April 1
9:00 & 10:45am Worship Services
10:45am Breakfast Club
6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Monday, April 2
9:00am Goddess Group
6:00pm Racial Justice
6:30pm First Monday Book Club
Tuesday, April 3
6:00pm Social Justice Core Team
 Thursday, April 5
6:30pm First Thursday Book Club
7:00pm Fellowship Choir
Book Club Books
First Monday Book Club 
Contact Chris Wales at kcrark@new.rr.com for the current book. 
First Thursday Book Club 
April: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman
UU Book Club  
April: Motherest by Kristen Iskandrian
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