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Changing your life… one survey at a time
By Samantha Zinth, Governing Board President
One of the primary functions of the Governing Board is to set the long-term vision for the Fellowship. We do this as part of our ongoing, five-year planning cycle. We are currently in year three of that cycle, in which we start monitoring our progress toward our big picture goals.
In a Policy Governance model, the Board refers to these goals as “ends statements.” Earlier this year, we adopted a new set of ends statements, which will guide the work of the Fellowship through 2023. (Click here to read the current ends statements on our website.)
These ends statements help clarify how we will deliver on our mission of “Welcoming Everyone, Growing in Mind & Spirit, and Leading in Social Justice.” They define our goals for actual, tangible community transformation. But how will we know if we’re making any meaningful progress?
That’s where you come in.
This February, the Governing Board will send a Congregational Survey asking for feedback on how the Fellowship impacted your life in 2018. The 52-question survey will take about 20 minutes, and anyone who completes the survey can enter themselves into a drawing for a $25 gift card.
The information you provide is of critical importance to the Governing Board and the Executive Team. We will use the results to evaluate our progress on the ends, and identify areas that will require additional time and resources in the year(s) ahead.
The Fellowship exists to change lives, and our ends statements define for whom and in what ways. Please keep an eye out for the survey in mid-February, and share openly and honestly about your experiences over the past year. We greatly appreciate your feedback, and welcome your unique perspectives as we consider our impact within, among and beyond our walls.
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December 23 (4:00 pm) The Return of the Light by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Join us for an afternoon service for all ages of darkness, light, and a story from neo-pagan lore to remind us of the power of nighttime and the hope for the returning sun. There will be a special collection for the Greater Good program. December 24 (4:00, 7:00, and 9:00 pm) Heavenly Peace by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy, Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg, and Rev. Jim Coakley This evening we will re-tell the Nativity story, focusing on the earthly message of hope for a world transformed to peace. We'll also honor the 200th anniversary of the classic carol, Silent Night, as we celebrate with our annual candle-lighting tradition. 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm are family friendly, and 9:00 pm is adult-focused and will include a Transylvanian Christian communion. There will be a special collection for the Shared Sanctuary Ministry Team. Christmas Eve: Calling all children and animals!
At the 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm Christmas Eve services, we will have interactive opportunities for all children to participate. One part will involve the children bringing forward their stuffed animal to warm the baby in the manger. If you have a stuffed animal that you want to bring, please bring it with you that evening! You will be able to take it home at the end. There will be extras available if you choose not to bring one, or in case you forget.
Our 9:00 pm service is a traditional adult service, without stuffed animals. We will, however, be celebrating Christian communion at that service in the spirit of our Transylvanian partner church. There will be regular and gluten-free bread options as well as grape juice for those who don't drink wine. -------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 30 (9:00 and 10:45 am) Would You Harbor Me?
What does it mean to harbor someone? Is it as simple as giving home or shelter or is it much deeper than that? Having an open heart and love for the other that needs a roof over their heads? In this service of four voices, we, Fellowship members Heather Westley and Katie Reiser, director of congregational life, Marie Luna, and leader of the Winnebago Worship Group of Friends (Quaker), Marijke van Roojin, will share their perspectives on different ways we all may harbor someone in our lives. There will be a special collection for Unidos por un Futuro Mejor, our local Shared Sanctuary partner organization, and Annunciation House, based in El Paso, Texas
January 6 (9:00 and 10:45 am) Turning of the Year by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg There will be a special collection for the Ministerial Discretionary Fund.
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At last weekend’s services, we collected $678.85 for UU Church of the Larger Fellowship Prison Ministry. If you missed the opportunity to contribute, please drop off or mail a check payable to Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship with UU CLF Prison Ministry noted in the memo field, no later than Friday, December 28, 2018. Thank you for your support!
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Christmas In Tornillo Local Vigil
Marie Luna, director of congregational life, and Marijke van Roojin, a leader of the Winnebago Worship Group of Friends (Quaker) are travelling to Tornillo, Texas next week to witness and protest the children’s internment camp on the border. There are almost 3000 children held there. Fellowship member Katie Reiser is leading a local vigil at Houdini Plaza that all are urged to attend. Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg, Fellowship Associate Minister, and Rev. Steve Savides, Senior Pastor at First Congregation UCC church, will open the vigil at noon on Christmas Eve and Rev. Jim Coakley, Fellowship Sabbatical Minister, will lead a closing starting at 11:00 am on Christmas Day. Join the public Facebook page HERE to learn more about this outrage. Marie and Marijke will also post to this page throughout their travels.
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Greater Good
The children and youth have spoken! The 2018 Greater Good winner is Pillars (pillarsinc.org)! Pillars will use the money raised to expand case management services. This will allow them to help more clients break down barriers to secure affordable housing. Please turn in your contribution by December 24th. Make your checks out to the Fellowship with "Greater Good" on the memo line.
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Movie Connection Saturday
December 29, 4:30 pm
Join us as we watch Wonder. From IMDb: "Based on the New York Times bestseller, this movie tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time." Popcorn will be served. Bring a blanket, pillow and non peanut snacks and get comfy.
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Update from the Green Sanctuary JAM. In 2019 our team will be promoting Meatless Mondays as a way to improve the health of the planet. Those interested in participating will have an opportunity to sign up staring at the services on December 30th. Be watching for more information coming soon.
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Wellspring Wednesday
January 9, 6:30-8:00 pm
Lunar Lessons: The Science and Mythology of the Moon with Heather Westley
This program is for the skeptic and mystic alike. We will demonstrate why we only see the light half of the moon, which then results in the moon phases. We will also talk about how agriculture, tides and menstruation are connected to the moon cycles. Then we will dive into the moon’s mysteries, its impact on culture, and our personal experiences. Heather Westley discovered she was a pagan more than 20 years ago. After coming to the Fellowship in 2004 and discovering that Unitarian Universalism and Paganism had compatible theology, she began sharing earth centered spirituality with the community. She enjoys studying Druidry and Astrology and The Four Elements. She follows the sun and moon cycles through ritual and reflection. Sign up for childcare by contacting Cyndi at cyndi@fvuuf.org or at the Sign Up Spot at the Fellowship.
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The Fellowship Men's Group will hold our Annual Retreat at Camp Helen Brachman west of Waupaca January 18 - 20, 2019. The retreat is a chance to connect more deeply with other men. Whether sharing through discussions on a chosen topic, through relaxing by the fireplace, or through hiking and cross-country skiing, this is a highlight of the year for many of us. Please contact John Duffin if you are interested in attending, and he will add your name to the list. Further information will be forthcoming from our planning group. (If you are not on the Men's Group email list, please contact John Duffin japple51@gmail.com to be added to the retreat mailing list.)
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Compassionate Integrity Training
Kate Trnka has recently become trained in this extensive program and is offering it here for the first time. CIT is a training program that cultivates basic human values as skills for the purpose of increasing individual, social and environmental flourishing. By covering a range of skills from self-regulation and self-compassion to compassion for others and engaging in systems, CIT focuses on and builds toward compassionate integrity: The ability to live one’s life in accordance with one’s values with a recognition of common humanity, our basic orientation to kindness and reciprocity. Foundational Concepts and Self-Cultivation: Saturdays from 1:00 – 3:00 pm on 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9. Six additional weeks optional and determined by group. Contact Kate with questions and to register at 920.378.3999. Registration deadline 1/12/19.
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The Fellowship is seeking a part time Facilities Maintenance Technician to join our team. Do you have basic knowledge of carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and a general mechanical aptitude? Responsibilities include but not limited to; repair of electrical & plumbing fixtures, flooring, painting, preventative building maintenance, working with outside vendors, non-routine indoor and outdoor building cleaning and grounds maintenance, assisting with event set up, and other tasks as assigned. Please click HERE for a more detailed job description. High school diploma or equivalent, along with 2-3 years building maintenance experience required. Related degree from a technical college preferred, but not required. Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license.
Position is approximately 10 hours per week. Schedule is flexible, with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. To apply email your resume, cover letter and references to, employment@fvuuf.org, Attn: Phyllis Schmitt, Business Administrator, with Facilities Maintenance Technician in the subject line. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2019, with an anticipated start date of early February, 2019. Members and friends of the Fellowship will be considered, but will not be given preference.
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No Spiritual Connection Saturday in December – New format coming in January 2019
For the month of December, our Spiritual Connection Saturday program (previously scheduled for December 8 and 22) will take a pause, and re-start in January with a different, more relaxed format. This program is new this year, so we’re trying different things to see what works best! Soup Saturday (1st Saturday) and Justice Saturday (3rd Saturday) will continue in December and into 2019. The 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month will start again in January with a pizza dinner, including gluten-free, and time for deep conversation about various topics of spiritual and ethical importance. There will still be chalice lighting and extinguishing, and time for joys and concerns, but the format will no longer include music or ancestor information. Come give it a try in January!
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A year end note from our Business Administrator: If you have not yet made your monthly, quarterly, or annual contribution to the Fellowship, it is not too late to make a contribution for the 2018 tax year. The office will be closed for general business from December 25, 2018 through January 1, 2019. However, I will be in the office and available Wednesday December 26 - Friday, December 28 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to receive your contribution payments. All contributions received in the office by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2018, through the collection basket on Sunday December 30, 2018, or received in the mail postmarked December 31, 2018 will be credited to tax year 2018. Any contributions received after that time will be credited to tax year 2019. If you have any questions about your current 2018-2019 pledge, please contact me at the Fellowship office, 920.731.0849, or phyllis@fvuuf.org. Thank you for your generous support! -Phyllis Schmitt
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|  | Save the Date: Birthday Party Bash
Saturday, February 2nd at 4:30 pm
Celebrating everyone’s birthday! | |
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Community Office Hours
Join Rev. Christina for her bimonthly Community Office Hours at local coffee shops throughout the Fox Valley! This year Rev. Christina will have two each month, once on a Wednesday afternoon from 2-4:00 pm and once on a Thursday morning from 8-10:00 am. No RSVP needed, come for part of the time or stay the entire time! Topics of conversation will depend on who joins us; there is no agenda. Come enjoy coffee and conversation!
January – Tempest Coffee Collective
181 South Riverheath Way #1100, Appleton
9th – 2-4:00pm
17th – 8-10:00am
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Click the image for our mailing address and staff email addresses. | |
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| Click here for the current financial report. Click here for the current Governing Board meeting agenda.
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Thank you for reading The Weekly Scroll, and pardon any typos.
Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg, Associate Minister (On sabbatical until 12/24)
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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. Jim at jim@fvuuf.org. To be added to the Joys and Concerns email list, contact Cyndi Polakowski at cyndi@fvuuf.org.
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Movie Connection Saturday - December 29. Click HERE for more information. | |
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Weekly Calendar Thursday, December 20 6:30pm Spill it Sister 7:00pm UU Book Club
Saturday, December 22
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha Sunday, December 23
4:00pm Worship Service 6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Monday, December 24
9:00am Goddess Group 4:00, 7:00, and 9:00pm Worship Services
Tuesday, December 25 Office Closed
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Book Club Books UU Book Club
December: My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
January: The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
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