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Making Your Year End List… A Note from our Director of Finance and Operations

We are grateful for the generous support from all who have contributed to the Fellowship thus far in 2022 with time, talent, and financial resources. Thank you for all you do and all you give.
As we approach the end of the calendar year, I would like to remind those of you who have not yet made your monthly, quarterly, or annual operating contribution to the Fellowship and are financially able, that there is still time to make a contribution for the 2022 tax year. So go ahead, send your contribution to the Fellowship today and check that box off your list!
Your contributions to our operating budget, endowment, and our Fellowship special collections and fundraisers, support the continuance of our flourishing, loving, and welcoming community. Your donations make a difference by helping the Fellowship...
● Offer creative worship services and programs in online, in-person, and hybrid formats
● Offer community and care to those in need
● Provide a fair compensation and benefit package to our staff
● Ensure that our facility stays functional, clean, and welcoming
● Support the UUA and the wider UU community
How can you give? Here are some of the ways to make a financial contribution to the Fellowship:
● Sign up for the Fellowship’s automatic monthly electronic funds transfer (EFT) option. This is the most cost-effective and easiest way for you to give to the Fellowship. Electronic fund transfers are generally safer since they do not require as many human touchpoints along the way and are not subject to the various types of check fraud and scams.
    ~ You select either the 5th of the month, the 20th of the month, or both depending on what works best for your financial situation.
    ~ Once the EFT authorization form is completed and submitted the rest is done - no checks to write, no stamps to buy! Your contribution will continue automatically until you notify us to cancel it.
    ~ The Fellowship also benefits from reduced processing cost and a steady and more predictable cash flow.
    ~ Join the almost 200 members and friends taking advantage of this time-saving, money-saving, and more secure option.
    ~ Contact Phyllis@fvuuf.org, to request an electronic form or call 920-731-0849 to be sent a paper EFT authorization form to complete.
● Send a check payable to Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (FVUUF) to 2600 E Philip Lane, Appleton WI, 54915.
    ~ This can be a check written by you or sent from your bank’s online bill payer system.
    ~ You will incur the cost of checks and mailing if written by you or a fee from your bank if applicable.
    ~ Though it may seem convenient to “drop off” your check in the Fellowship mailbox, please remember by law, a mailbox is intended only for receipt of postage-paid U.S. mail.
● Use one of our electronic options to GIVE via credit or debit card.
    ~ Click on the link above or go to www.fvuuf.org and select the Giving button to learn more about the options - online, mobile, or text to give.
    ~ A fee of 2.75% of the amount donated + .45 per transaction is incurred by the Fellowship. However, the donor has the option to offset these fees as part of their donation.
● Make a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA, if you qualify.
    ~ This can fulfill the IRS annual minimum distribution requirement for your retirement funds.
    ~ There can be a tax advantage for you. The funds would need to be disbursed directly to the Fellowship. Consult your investment broker or tax advisor for guidance on this option.
● Donate shares of stock to the Fellowship.
    ~ Stocks donated to the Fellowship will be liquidated as soon as administratively possible.
    ~ There can be a tax advantage to donating shares directly to the Fellowship versus selling them yourself. You will need to consult your tax advisor for guidance on the best option for your personal financial situation.
    ~ There may be more cost to the Fellowship since the value of stocks can fluctuate and there are brokerage fees that the Fellowship will incur.
    ~ Contact Phyllis, Phyllis@fvuuf.org, or call 920-731-0849 for more information.
We invite you to choose the method of giving that is easiest for you and most beneficial to the Fellowship.
What else should you know? Other important things to consider and final dates for your 2022 contribution:
● The Fellowship’s bylaws require a financial contribution to the operating fund in the previous two years for continued membership. This requirement can be waived by a minister and all are welcome at the Fellowship regardless of financial contribution. Membership ensures your right to vote on all Fellowship business at our annual meeting.
● Contributions via check received in the mail postmarked December 31, 2022 will be credited to tax year 2022. Any contributions received after that time will be credited to tax year 2023. 
● Contributions initiated and processed through our online giving platform on or before December 30, 2022 (please note this differs from mailed contributions due to processing time) will be credited to tax year 2022. Any contributions received after that time will be credited to tax year 2023.
● All contributions without a designation, and not made from a will or bequest will be assumed to be for the operating fund. However, a gift clearly marked “operating” will take the guesswork out of it on our end.
● All references to the tax deductibility of your donations made above are based on general tax knowledge. Since everyone’s circumstances are different you should consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility for your specific financial circumstances.
Contribution statements were recently sent detailing your giving from July 1, 2022 – November 21, 2022. This is the beginning of the Fellowship’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 – June 30. These statements are not intended to be a statement of your calendar year giving.
If you have questions about your current 2022-2023 giving or your calendar year giving, please contact me via email, at Phyllis@fvuuf.org, or leave a message at the Fellowship office, 920.731.0849, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Wishing you all the best of the holiday season and thank you for your generous support! - Phyllis Schmitt

Acorn Society

During 2022 we’ve enjoyed the beauty of the acorn fabric art displayed in our lobby next to a sign listing the people who are members of our Acorn Society (those who have donated to our endowment or remembered the endowment in their estate plans). Several current members of the Acorn Society shared a statement about why they chose to support the Fellowship’s endowment. These are displayed in the Fellowship Hall next to the door closest to the sanctuary and on our website HERE
These displays are part of our effort to encourage more people to learn about the Fellowship’s endowment and to consider joining their friends in the Acorn Society. We are very happy to announce that 10 people have made the decision, or have let us know, that they support our endowment! Thank you to each of those folks.
Though the “22 for 22” program will be ending soon, our endowment and opportunities to support it continue. Funds donated to the Fellowship endowment are never spent. Instead, they help build the principal of the account whose interest we can use to support and strengthen the mission of the Fellowship, now and in the future. Learn more about our endowment on our website, HERE.
Those of us who are currently part of this Fellowship sit in the shade of trees planted by those who were here before us. The endowment is our opportunity to share the love and connection of this community with future generations. With questions, or to join us, please contact endowment@fvuuf.org.  

Sunday, December 4

9:00 & 10:45 am CT In Person and Livestream
"Pay Attention, Be Amazed, Tell About It", Mary Oliver Poetry Service with Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy & Fellowship Friends

Click HERE for Worship Service Zoom Information and the Order of Service
  • Watch clips of our services on our Youtube channel.
  • Holiday Upcoming Services HERE
  • See the religious education section below for details about Sunday RE classes. See our website HERE for information about all our religious education classes for children and youth.
  • Share the Plate: The December Share the Plate organization is the ESTHER! Learn about Share the Plate on our website HERE. Learn about ESTHER HERE.
December – Finding the Miraculous
In December we often tell religious stories of miracles: burning lights, defeated armies, bright stars, babies, and heavenly hosts of angels. What would “miracles” look like in our world today, and what would it take to find them? In our services this month, we embrace a stance of wonder, as we find the miraculous in the midst of the ordinary.

Religious Education - Children and Youth

Youth fUUn Night!

Young people of the Fellowship from the ages of 12 and above are invited to gather for an evening of fun, food, and friendship. We will enjoy three hours of solid fun with the young people from Rev. Jim Coakley’s congregations of Green Bay, Fond du Lac, and Stevens Point. Our goal is to be with other young people who “get” us, make new friends, strengthen “old” friendships, and just plain be together!
Featured activities for the night are…
•  Nightmare Before Christmas (Pillows and blankets for movie watching are welcome)
•  D and D/Game Room (Bring your favorite game or two!)
•  Craftapalooza! (What will you make? You are only limited by your imagination!)
For extroverts and introverts alike, there will be something fun for everyone!
What: Youth fUUn Night
When: December 3, 4:30-7:30 pm
Where: Fellowship - Religious Education wing
Why: Because everybody can use a little more fun and friendship in their lives
We can’t wait to see you there!

Thanksgiving pie thank you!

Our BATs youth thank you for supporting their UU Heritage trip to Chicago by purchasing their handmade Thanksgiving pies! They were excited to bake them for you and had a fun time together on baking day. We hope you were able to enjoy your pies with loving family and friends.

Religious Education Program Year Information

Sunday Religious Education programs are offered at 10:45 am September through May. Summer options are different.

Sunday Programs

Sunday School classes meet at 10:45 am only

Nursery (9:00 and 10:45 am): Ages 6 months–3 years
Children will be supervised in a safe and nurturing environment that encourages creativity and sharing.
Pre-K through First Grade: Ages 4-7
Students are introduced to the rituals and classroom structure of religious education. These include chalice lighting, joys and concerns, and UU values. Our goal is to build an environment of safety and curiosity that begins the path to individual UU and spiritual development.
2nd through 5th Grade: Ages 7-11
Students in this group will gather for the chalice lighting and sharing of joys and concerns before being introduced to a lesson based on our monthly themes. After the lesson introduction, they will continue their exploration of the topic by choosing one of two (or more) activities to participate in via breakout rooms.
Crossing Paths - Grades 6-8: Ages 11-13
This course leads students through an exploration of various contemporary religions. Each unit culminates in a visit to local houses of worship alongside of non-UU members of our community, and to experience different expressions of faith.
Register Here

Notes & News

Soup Saturday

Saturday, December 3, 5:00-6:30 pm
Join us at the Fellowship for an evening of soup, bread, friends, and conversation. We will need people to bring soup (including vegetarian and vegan), bread, maybe dessert... and to come hungry. Please direct questions to Angie or Matt (angiebaby826@yahoo.com or matthew_demers@yahoo.com). If you’d like to bring a game to share, feel free! It’s a low-key evening of fun. Hope to see y'all there!

Senior Wonders

Senior Wonders will meet Tuesday, Dec. 6 (our new 1st Tuesday schedule) at 12:00 pm at the Fellowship. Please bring your lunch and join in the fun before the holiday mad rush.

Justice Action Ministry

Essentials Mitten Wreath Holiday Giving 2022

Essentials: Food and Shelter for All JAM and Immigration Justice will be partnering this holiday season to support Pillars Homeless Shelters and the immigrant community. The Mitten Wreath will be in the Fellowship Hall Sundays, December 4 and December 11. All unwrapped gifts must be dropped off at the Fellowship and financial donations made no later than Tuesday, December 13.
The Mitten Wreath will have items from the Pillars Wish List for personal care items and shelter supplies. Monetary donations can be made by bringing cash or a check to our table on a Sunday morning or by visiting fvuuf.org/give and designating your gift to “Mitten Wreath”. Monetary donations will be used to help support Pillars residents and the immigrant community this holiday season.
Click the image to read the Justice Hub

Justice Hub

Check out our Fellowship’s Justice Hub for the most up-to-date information about how to get involved in social justice in our community! 
This week:
•  Resources from the UUA on their justice ministries
•  A vigil for victims of gun violence on December 6th
•  And more!

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