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đłď¸âđ Pride Volunteers Needed! đłď¸âđ
We have a bunch of *volunteer shifts* that need to be filled for Fox Valley Pride (this Saturday 6/21 at Jones Park in Appleton)
Volunteering involves sitting at a table in the shade and talking to people about the Fellowship.
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Essentials Meal at Pillars Adult Shelter
Are you looking for a way to share your gifts? We have the opportunity to prepare and serve a meal at Pillars Adult Shelter located at 1928 W. College Avenue, Appleton, on Monday, June 30. Servers are needed from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We also need items for the meal and those items must be dropped off at the shelter by 5:00 pm. Please sign up HERE. If you have questions, contact Angie Miller at starlight54302@yahoo.com. Thank you!
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Sunday, June 22
10:00 am Central Time in-person & livestream traditional service with sermon
UUA General Assembly Sunday Service
Join us as we tune in, live, to the General Assembly Sunday Service, which will be in Baltimore, Maryland. This is the largest gathering of UUs from around the country and the world, and it is a joy to take part in the worship service together, even from afar. Details from the UUAÂ HERE. Please note that this service will run until approximately 11:30 am.
â˘Â Watch past sermons on our YouTube channel.
â˘Â Services details HERE
â˘Â See our website HERE for information about our Sunday religious exploration classes for children and youth.
â˘Â Share the Plate: In June we share the plate with Fellowship Justice Action Ministry Teams (JAMs): Essentials, Gender Justice, Green Sanctuary, UU the Vote, and ESTHER.
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Summer 2025 Coffee & Conversation
June 1 through August 24
For those folks who appreciate the informal âSunday Coffeehouse Service,â weâll be offering a 9:00 am Coffee and Conversation opportunity, led by volunteer facilitators, which will include prompts given by the ministers to help guide the conversation and tie in with the focus of the 10:00 am service.
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| | Fiscal Year End - June 30
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Act Now - Fiscal Year End is June 30!
This fiscal year giving is trending down from previous projections. While there is much uncertainty in the world right now which may be affecting giving patterns, we also know people that sometimes people just need a reminder.
We need your help! If you are an annual giver and have not yet made your gift to the Fellowship operating fund for this fiscal year, are a new member who hasnât yet started giving, or if you give consistently and are secure in your financial position and can give a little extra, we encourage you to send your contributions before June 30. You can send your contribution in a few ways:
- A check - this can be a check written by you or processed through your bankâs online bill payer system, directly from your IRA, or Donor Advised Fund. Checks should be made payable to FVUUF, with operating in the memo, and mailed to 2600 E Philip Lane, Appleton, WI 54915, or put it in an envelope and drop it in the collection basket on Sunday or in the drop box (envelopes are on the side of the drop box) located next to the office wing. Checks dated and postmarked on or before June 30 will be allocated to the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
- Our online payment portal for payments via debit or credit card. Go to https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZD59/home and select current fiscal year operating. Contributions processed by June 29 will be included in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
- Call your broker to transfer stock directly to the Fellowship. If you are new to making stock donations to the Fellowship, please call or email Phyllis@fvuuf.org to receive our brokerage information. Please initiate any stock transfers with your broker on or before June 23 to be received and processed by the Fellowship in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Please contact me via phone 920.731.0849, or email phyllis@fvuuf.org if you have questions about your current giving or wish to set up ongoing monthly contributions via the Fellowshipâs Electronic Fund Transfer option. Completion of an EFT Authorization form is required. These monthly contributions are processed in batch on the 5th and 20th of the month directly by the Fellowship through our financial institution and are different from any contributions processed through the online payment portal.
Thank you for your support of the Fellowshipâs mission to welcome seekers, build loving community, and act courageously for justice.
Phyllis Schmitt â Director of Finance and Operations
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| | Religious Exploration - Children & Youth
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RE Fun Facts!
1. Out of 40+ incredible volunteers, only TWO have a teaching background!
The rest? They're tech wizards, lawyers, musicians, healthcare heroes, retirees, students, office prosâyou name it! What unites them? A passion for spreading liberal religious education and growing in community.
2. Most volunteers start by simply observing a class or two.
They begin as classroom assistants, offering a helping hand while discovering if itâs the right fit.
3. Itâs easy! Lessons are provided.
Our teachers donât worry about creating lesson plansâour Soul Matters curriculum provides engaging weekly lessons that are easy to follow and flexible to your style. You're never aloneâwe support each other every step of the way.
4. Spending 45 minutes 1 time per month can change your life.
Many volunteers say their once-a-month, 45-minute commitment has deepened their spiritual journey, connection to Unitarian Universalism, and social circle.
Want to explore your faith while making a difference? Reach out to Kim Hartman or Jill Williams to learn more. You just might discover how meaningfulâand funâvolunteering can be!
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Summer Religious Exploration for Kids
Our summer religious exploration classes for current kindergartners-5th grade children have begun. Children will learn about our faithâs values and make friends through participating in our hands-on lessons and fun activities. If your child(ren) participated last summer, they may remember the fun activities planned for each Sunday.
If your child(ren) is already registered for the 2024-2025 Program Year, summer is included, and there is no need to re-register your child(ren) until the 2025-2026 Program Year.Â
If your family is just joining us, you will need to register your child(ren) for the summer. There is no fee for summer RE. This is the link to the 2025 Summer RE Registration form.
The 2025-2026 Religious Exploration Registration form will be available in late summer. All children attending the new 2025-2026 RE Program Year will need to be re-registered at that time, current fees will apply.
We look forward to engaging curiosity and spending time in community with our young learners this summer! Come join us, won't you?
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Opportunities for Middle and High School Youth: Summer Fellowship Community Engagement
Did you know that summer is a great time for young people to get involved, learn more about their faith, explore deeper ideas about UUism, and feel more connected to our community? Hereâs howâŚ
Helping as Teacher Assistants in Our Elementary Summer Classes or Nursery
Benefits includeâŚ
- Learning by teaching: Itâs a powerful way to understand and remember important ideas about UU values, history, practices, and beliefs.
- Showing how UU values can be lived out through their actions.
- Making new friends and building relationships across different age groups.
- Viewing our âFellowship Familyâ as a community that includes all ages.
- Understanding that volunteering and participation are key parts of how our community works.
Joining and Participating in Services
Benefits includeâŚ
- Showcasing that young people are an important and active part of our community.
- Helping them think critically and reflect on important ideas.
- Fostering a real sense of connection to the sanctuary and our faith. When young people donât feel connected, it can be harder for them to stay involved after high school.
Taking on a Leadership Role During Services
Benefits include everything listed above, plus opportunities to:
- Distribute service programs
- Usher or assist as a greeter
- Help with other roles during the service
Please contact Kim Hartman or Rev. Christina for information about how to get involved with assistant teaching or helping during the service.
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| | Adult Connection Opportunities
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General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), where participants gather to worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy decisions for the Association through a democratic process. This year is a multiplatform event. Many UUs will gather in person in Baltimore, MD and others will join us online on Wednesday, June 18 through Sunday, June 22. This yearâs workshops and presentations will align with the theme, "Meet the Moment," exploring how Unitarian Universalism can address todayâs challenges and opportunities. Learn more and register for GA today at UUA.org/GA, or watch general sessions live -no registration required HERE.
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LGBTQIA+ Support Group (New Small Group)
Sundays starting June 22, 11:30 am
future dates: June 29, July 13 & 27
Contact Karon Sandberg at karonsandberg@att.net with questions.
Are you in need of a safe place to find support during these challenging times? We will offer space to unload fears and stress as well as offer support, and advocacy opportunities while finding connection and joy within this multigenerational community.
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| | All Ages Connection Opportunity
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Summer Picnic
The Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship invites you to a summer picnic:
Sunday, July 27, starting at 4:00 pm
Smith Park Pavilion
338 Cleveland Street
Menasha, WI 54952
The gathering starts at 4:00 pm and the picnic starts at 5:00 pm (a blanket or other item to sit on is strongly suggested).
The Fellowship will provide meat (and non-meat) main dishes. Please bring a side dish. There will be access to refrigeration and running water.**
The event will wrap up a couple of hours later.
Please don't miss this opportunity to connect or reconnect with some Fellowship members! you may find a buddy, a yard game to play, a great conversation, a tasty bite to eat, or all of these. (And maybe even find some good weather too!)
We hope to see you, your family, and some friends there!
**Alcoholic beverages are not to be consumed at Smith Park; glass bottles/containers are not allowed.**
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The Gathering: Rooted in Love, Rising for Justice
Join The Gathering, Side With Loveâs monthly event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others!Â
Join us every Second Monday of the month at 7:00 pm CT.
 Click HERE for more information.
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 | Click the image to view the Justice Hub
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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 âCopy to my calendarâ to add the event to your calendar and never miss a chance to act courageously for justice in our world.
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- July 27 - Summer Picnic (details above)
- September 7 - Water Mingling and Ingathering Service - bring a small vial of water from wherever you visit this summer to share with the gathered community!
- September 14 - Return to 2 Sunday services, 9:00 am Sunday Coffeehouse & 11:00 am Traditional Service. Nursery care at both services and religious exploration at 11:00 am. Middle Hour and Fun & Freinds from 10:10-10:50 am.
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We Need Your Help! Several Fellowship teams and programs need additional volunteer support to make these ministries successful. Check out the new options below and let us know if you are interested or have questions by contacting the person indicated for each opportunity.
- Meal Ministry
- Monday Helpers
- Hospitality Support
- Deep Fun Team
- Adult RE Team
- Membership Team
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The 2025 Annual Meeting Votes Are In!
A total of 94 of the 123 registered voting members attending our annual meeting, in person and virtual on Sunday, June 8, 2025, and 3 members voting via absentee ballots, cast their ballots for:
- Approval of the 2024 annual meeting minutes
- Approval of the Special Call Meeting Minutes 11.17.2024
- 2025 Bylaw Changes
- 5 governing board & 4 leadership development committee candidates
- 2025-2026Â Proposed Annual Operating Budget
All were approved!
Thank you for your participation in this essential part of the Fellowshipâs democratic governance process!
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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.
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