 |
|
|
Having trouble viewing this message? Scroll to the bottom & click the link to view this email online. The newsletter is long and may get clipped. Please scroll down to the bottom and check for a "view entire message" notice to make sure you see all of the content.
| |
Bring-a-Friend (and a dessert!) Sunday -- This Weekend!
This Sunday, May 3, is BRING-A-FRIEND SUNDAY! Our services will be especially newcomer-friendly, and we will have a Middle Hour "Newcomer Q&A" session hosted by our Membership Team. We also welcome anyone to bring a dessert to share for coffee hour after both services as a sweet welcome to newcomers.
| |
|  | We're Almost There — Taking Flight Together!
When geese migrate, no single bird leads the whole journey. And together they go farther than any one of them could make it alone. That's exactly what's happening right now at the Fellowship!
Two-thirds of our households have already shared their annual giving commitments for 2026–2027, and we are so grateful. Together, you've committed over $630,000 to our 2026-2027 operating budget — that's 90% of our $700,000 goal. What a powerful flock we are!
We're so close to completing our V formation and taking flight together. If we haven't heard from you yet (either with a giving commitment form or an ongoing EFT), someone will be reaching out in the coming weeks — not to pressure you, but just to connect, share a little about what's ahead, and hear what the Fellowship means to you.
| |
| | |
Taking Flight Together Raffle!
The most coveted porch goose in town (and her basket of her chocolate treats) will have new homes this week! Thanks to everyone who turned in their annual giving commitment forms and entered our raffles. Congratulations to Yvonne Kortendick, who won our porch goose, and Karon Sandberg, who won our basket of chocolate! If you missed out on this raffle, we can't wait to see what we'll be raffling off next spring for our annual giving campaign!
| |
Sunday, May 3
• 9:00 am Central Time in-person
informal coffeehouse-style service with conversation
• 11:00 am Central Time in-person & livestream traditional service with sermon
Did You Invent Unitarian Universalism, Too?
Bring a Friend Sunday
by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
• Watch past sermons on our YouTube channel.
• Services details HERE
• See our website HERE for information about religious exploration programs for children and youth.
• Share the Plate: In May, we share the plate with Wisconsin Unitarian Universalist State Action Network (WUUSAN).
| |
Music Ministry
Hello friends, old and new! Our music programs are rolling, and we hope you'll join us! If you have questions or want to see the schedule of rehearsals, you can look at our Music Ministry page HERE or contact Tam Masters at tam@fvuuf.org - they'll point you in the right direction. If you want to be involved, let us know, HERE.
- May 10 - Fellowship Choir Rehearsal (10:10 am) and offering (11:00 am)
- May 17 - Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal (10:10 am) and offering (11:00 am)
For information about our Music Ministries and the upcoming schedule, click the button:
| |
Middle Hour
Learning, Connection & Fun for All Ages at 10:10 am on Sunday Mornings.
Sunday, May 3:
- Newcomer Q&A – Join folks from our Membership Team for an informal information and Q&A session for anyone who is new to the Fellowship or still feels that way.
- “Community in Bloom” May service theme – Join this Sunday’s lay worship leader to discuss the theme of the month and our earth teacher, sunflowers, and how you too can be inspired by these ideas and symbols. You will also have the opportunity to add to your home altar.
| |
|
Dungeons & UU's & Dragons (new small group)
Do you play tabletop role-playing games or have you ever wanted to try? You may have seen games like Dungeons & Dragons featured on popular streaming offerings such as Critical Role. The new group we're calling "Dungeons & UU's & Dragons" (pronounced "dude") will be an all-ages gathering meant to build community by playing tabletop games together. Gamers of all experience levels are welcome to join. Sitting down and rolling some dice is a fun and chaotic way to build connections and meet new people.
We will be holding a Q&A session on May 3rd at 12:00 pm. Please stop by to talk games with us and share your contact information so we can keep you informed about when the group will begin meeting. Please contact Jerrry Behrendt (jbehrendt@gmail.com) or Tyson Behrendt (tysonbehrendt@gmail.com) if you have questions.
| |
Senior Wonders
Senior Wonders will meet Tuesday, May 5, at noon at Telulah Park, weather permitting. If not, we go to the Fellowship. May is such a beautiful, happy month. We can share some of that with or without lunch if you care to bring yours. Please contact Janet Hughes at janet.ahma@yahoo.com with questions.
| |
| | Religious Exploration - Children & Youth
| |
BATs Bake Sale - May 17
The BATs youth at the Fellowship are hosting a bake sale to raise money for new toys in the nursery! Come enjoy a delicious selection of homemade treats, including vegan and gluten-free options, so there’s something for everyone. Every purchase helps create a fun and welcoming space for the little ones—stop by, grab a treat, and support a great cause! Please contact Angie Miller at starlight54302@yahoo.com with questions.
| |
Summer 2026 Religious Exploration for Kids
Our Summer Religious Exploration (RE) program for current Pre-K through 5th grade children begins on May 24! Throughout the summer, children will explore our faith’s values, build friendships, and enjoy hands-on lessons and fun activities each Sunday.
If your child(ren) was registered for RE during the 2025–2026 program year, they are already registered for summer—no need to sign up again until registration opens for the 2026–2027 program year.
If your family is new to RE, we’re excited to welcome you! Please register your child(ren) using THIS LINK. There is no fee for summer participation.
Registration for the 2026–2027 Religious Exploration program year will open in late summer. At that time, all families will need to complete a new registration, and program fees will apply.
We look forward to sparking curiosity and spending meaningful time in community with our young learners this summer. Come join us, won't you!
| |
Return Empty to Full Pans This Sunday, May 3
Please remember to bring full and frozen pan(s) back to the Fellowship on Sunday, May 3. The frozen pans will be taken to Pillars Adult and Family Shelter to be used for their evening meals.
| |
Calling all gardeners!
Partner Churches Plant Sale
Sunday, May 17, 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
The Partner Churches committee will be selling native plants, perennials, ornamentals, houseplants, herbs, vegetable seedlings, and garden accessories in the Fellowship parking area on May 17th, from 8 AM to 12:30 PM. We hope you will be able to join us! Proceeds will benefit our partner churches in Deva, Romania and Banaybanay, Philippines. We will need, and greatly appreciate, your donations of plants and related items, which can be dropped off at the Fellowship between 7:00 and 8:00 am on the day of the sale. For more information, or to volunteer to help with the sale, please contact Vickie Milde at vicmilde@hotmail.com.
| |
 | Click the image to view the Justice Hub
|
|
Justice Hub
Check out the Justice Hub, featuring an easy-to-use calendar! Each event on the calendar includes time, location, and program details to help you learn more about how to get engaged with our wider community.
When you click on an event, at the bottom of the description, you can click “Copy to my calendar” to add the event to your calendar and never miss a chance to act courageously for justice in our world.
- May 1: ESTHER is hosting a bus to Madison to participate in state wide rally for Immigrant Justice. 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Registration and more information HERE.
| |
Check out the Events & News website page for all of our upcoming events:
- May 2 - Soup Saturday
- May 17 - Partner Churches Plant Sale
- May 17 - BATs Bake Sale
- May 24 - Return to one service @ 10:00 am
- May 31 - Fellowship Work Day
- June 7 - Annual Meeting
- August 2 - Fellowship Picnic at Smith Park
| |
New Art Show: "Let Your Light Shine"
We will be hanging our next art show at 1:00 pm on Sunday, May 17. If you would like to help hang it, you are more than welcome to join us. We will be accepting framed, ready to hang art up to that time. Each piece needs to have the title and artist listed on the back. Late submissions will not be accepted. If you need to drop off your art early, please contact the office to make arrangements. This is a great opportunity to let your art talents shine and be part of beautifying the Fellowship Hall. If you currently have art on display, please remove it on the 17th. For more information, contact Mary Gerlach (gerlachmz@gmail.com).
| |
Hug Me! or Don't Touch Me! Stickers Now Available
Each person has their own preferences about touch-- some people love to be patted on the back or given a hug, others really don't want to be touched without consent. Many of us are somewhere in the middle. If you want to make your preference known, stop by the Welcome Table in the entry lobby to add a sticker to your nametag — the green ones say "hug me" and the red ones say "please don't touch." As always, please respect other people's boundaries of body, and spirit.
| |
Care and Support
To submit a Joy or Concern, fill out the form on our website or contact Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy, Co-Minister, at christina@fvuuf.org or 920-731-0849. For pastoral emergencies, call 920-383-1565.
Fellowship members who want to be included on a weekly joys and concerns email list may contact Cyndi at cyndi@fvuuf.org.
| |
Fellowship Office Hours
Fellowship Office Hours:
8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sun., Mon., Tues., Thurs.
Office closed Wed., Fri., Sat.
If you have a group meeting or event that occurs outside of office hours, those will continue as scheduled.
To meet with individual staff members, please contact them directly to schedule an appointment. Contact information can be found at https://fvuuf.org/contact/.
| |
| | UU Summer Camps in Wisconsin
| |
Bayside 2026 will be held June 28 - July 4
Bayside UU Family Camp is a family summer camp held at Wesley Woods Retreat Center in Williams Bay, WI. Click the image for details.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
