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Rev. Christina Away for Health
Dear Fellowship Community, You may or may not be aware that I have experienced a lot of illness in the last few months. I have had a series of infections including strep throat, three times, which once caused me to miss a Sunday service in March. I am having a tonsillectomy next Wednesday and then will be taking additional time away to fully recover my voice, and my health. I will be here leading services this Sunday for Easter. Then I am planning to take three weeks off starting Monday, April 22 (using my accrued sick days and some vacation time) until Tuesday, May 14. It is hard for me to admit I need this time away, but I want to model what I would want for any of you-- recognition of our humanity, and loving care for ourselves in body, mind, and spirit. I am planning to be fully away-- I will not be responding to email, and would prefer to not receive visitors or anything at my home. I appreciate you holding me in your hearts and your thoughts or prayers for healing. I look forward to returning in a much better physical state! With the full support of our Governing Board and the wise counsel of our Healthy Congregation Team, I worked with the Fellowship staff to create a work plan that will minimize disruption to worship services and the life of our congregation. We are confident that smooth functioning will be able to continue in my absence. If you have any questions or concerns, you may approach anyone on staff, with Cyndi Polakowski as the point person for most administrative and logistical matters and Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg being available for ministry-related subjects.
With love and gratitude,
-Rev. Christina Rev. Christina Leone-Tracey, Senior Minister
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2019-2020 Pledge Shortfall… Action Needed! As reported previously we are 20% away from our pledge goal in our 2019-2020 stewardship campaign, which equates to a significant shortfall from our proposed budget. In the weeks since pledge results and reminders have been reported we were expecting pledges from members who have not yet pledged for 2019- 2020, but that has not happened. Rev. Christina will be discussing what this means to the 2019-2020 Fellowship budget and programs in more detail this Sunday, April 21. We are asking everyone who has not yet turned in a pledge to do so immediately. We are also asking those who have already submitted a pledge to review your 2019-2020 pledge and increase your pledge if you are able. Generosity ministry team representatives will be available this Sunday, April 21, to answer questions about your current pledge amount and will have pledge forms available for you to complete. Alternatively you can also click HERE for an online pledge form, or contact Phyllis Schmitt, Business Administrator, at phyllis@fvuuf.org or 920.731.0849 with questions about your pledge. We are grateful for every pledge and trust that Fellowship members and friends will rally to help us Keep Moving Forward Together!
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Upcoming Services Sunday 9:00 and 10:45 am
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April 21 Leaders and Followers by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
The Easter story is one of tragedy and celebration, but it's also a story of leaders and followers. What does it mean to be a powerful follower? How can we help raise leaders as allies? And what the heck does Easter have to do with it? Come find out. April 28 Earth Day with the Green Sanctuary Team
Join us for an interactive service filled with ways to celebrate, honor, and help our planet Earth. This all-ages service is sure to be fun and meaningful.
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Come to P.I.T.! (Pizza, Ice cream and Talk) – Middle and High School Youth Welcome!
Stay connected, have meaningful conversation around important topics and eat. This event runs from 6:30-8:30 pm. Please RSVP your pizza preferences to Kim Hartman at kim@fvuuf.org. Adults are also needed to give perspective on these discussions. Contact Kim if you are interested in helping. 4/24 - business ethics vs morality and 5/22 - mental health
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Bridging Service
May 12, 2019, 9:00 and 10:45 am
Our annual bridging service includes a special ceremony to ritualize graduating high school seniors’ transition to adulthood. Children, youth and young adults (18-35 years of age) will have special roles. Bridging youth will share about where they are in their spiritual journeys, giving each of us a chance to reflect on whatever stage of life we might currently occupy.
Please contact Kim Hartman at kim@fvuuf.org by April 28 if your child plans to participate in the Bridging ceremony.
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Annual Community Good Friday Service
Noon, Friday, April 19, First Congregational UCC Appleton at 724 South E. River St., Appleton Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy will be participating for the second year in the annual ecumenical Good Friday service. This year she will be offering a reflection on the message of Good Friday from the perspective of considering the pain of the world. Several congregations come together each year for this day of reflection, song, and lament, exploring the themes of this somber Christian holy day through the lens of modern social justice. It is held at different congregations each year at noon to allow people to come on their lunch break. Come join us!
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Flower Pot Essential Needs Drive
The Shared Sanctuary Ministry Team and Essentials: Food and Shelter for All Justice Action Ministry are once again partnering with Unidos por un Futuru Mejor, a local immigrants rights and education group. For one more week, we have flower pots set up in the Fellowship Hall with blooming paper “flowers." The flowers request gift cards for specific retailers to help immigrant families purchase essential personal supplies. Buy gift card(s) with a $10 or more value at Aldi, Woodman's, Kwik Trip, Festival Foods, Pick n Save, Target, Big Lots, Walmart, Dollar General, or Family Dollar. Donated gift cards are due at the Fellowship by April 28. Contact Marie Luna, director of congregational life, at marie@fvuuf.org with questions.
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Partner Churches Plant Sale is coming! From 8:00 am until 12:30 pm on Sunday, May 19th, the Partner Churches Committee will be selling herbs, wildflowers, perennial plants, veggie seedlings, house plants, and fresh flowers. We’ll set up in the parking lot and provide plant and planting tips as well as information about our Partner Churches activities! Don’t miss this fun event and the opportunity to take home great plants at very affordable prices! On Wednesday, May 15th, we will have a Pot(ting) Party from 2:00 pm until 5-6:00 pm. We’ll enjoy a pot luck dinner after spending the afternoon potting up perennials. This is a fun afternoon of working together and all plant and people lovers are invited to join us. You are encouraged to bring your extra perennial clumps, veggie seedlings, herbs, and houseplants to the party for repotting, bring them to the sale on Sunday, or let us know when we can pick them up if you are unable to attend. The Pot Party will be at the home of Tony and Jane Salsich. If you would like to contribute plants for the sale or work at the sale, please contact Vickie Milde (vicmilde@hotmail.com), Tina Main, (velo.biker@gmail.com), or sign up at our display in the Fellowship Hall.
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55, Underemployed and Faking Normal by Elizabeth White: New Book Group Opportunity
“For the millions of people in their fifties and sixties who find themselves out of work, unable to find a job, and financially incapable of retiring, here’s a practical plan for getting past any blame or shame, overcoming denial, and finding a path to a new normal.” --Simon and Schuster book description Fellowship member Bridget Kramer is forming a group (max of 6 people) to read and discuss this book. The importance of this topic is great: people who are unemployed or underemployed often hide in the shadows, afraid of the stigma that occurs when we feel alone in this journey. The group will determine when to meet and for how many sessions. Know your story will be kept sacred and we will come away with new tools for resiliency and ideas on how to move forward.
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UU Night Out
UU Night Out is an adults-only social group with no agenda--just great conversation and yummy food. Fellowship friends and members are all welcome. We meet every other month at GingeRootz in Appleton where they offer culinary choices to fit any lifestyle at a convenient location. The next UU Night Out is Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 pm. Come make a new friend, get to know someone better, or just enjoy some good food. UU Night Out is always a good time. Contact Cindy Darling to be added to the reservation. Friend her on Facebook and join the group. Call or text 920-205-9635 or email her at CindyD@MauRealty.com.
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Pathways to Renewal
Thursday, May 9th; 6:00-8:00 pm As in all aspects of our lives, from time to time, we experience points of transition in congregational life. For instance, as we learn and grow our interests may change in the type of adult enrichment we participate in, or our desire and ability to be more involved in social justice or service work may change. Inevitably, roles and identities change as well. Adult volunteers with children in the religious education program may find themselves wondering where they fit into the community once their children age out of the program. Some may simply be looking for ways to change things up bit by meeting new people and trying new things. Join Jenny Bush, Cindy Darling and Heather Maas of the Engagement Team, and director of congregational life, Marie Luna, to the first annual Pathways to Renewal class, a program helping you see where you are on the spectrum and where you might want to be, along with an opportunity to renew your faith and yourself. Please RSVP by May 1st to Marie Luna at marie@fvuuf.org if you plan to attend.
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How well do you know your African American civil rights leaders and cultural icons?
Find out on Sunday, April 28 before and after services at the Racial Justice JAM display featuring silhouettes of well-know Black leaders. Name them and submit your list-- there is a prize waiting for someone who can name them all. In case of a tie, names will be drawn for the winner.
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Driver's Licenses for Undocumented People Teach IN
Join the Fellowship Shared Sanctuary Team and ESTHER's Immigration Task Force for a Driver's License Teach In on April 23rd, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the Fellowship. Voices of Hope Reader's Theater will begin the evening, followed by information and a discussion of driver's licenses for people who are undocumented. A free will donation will be taken for Unidos Por un Futuro Mejor, our local immigrant advocacy organization.
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Volunteers for Pillars Adult and Family Shelter
Please join the Essentials JAM by volunteering to provide a meal to the residents of Pillars Adult and Family Shelter f/k/a Homeless Connections:
• Monday, April 29th evening meal feeding approximately 60 residents
• Pillars Adult and Family Shelter at 400 N. Division Street, Appleton.
• 1 Dessert provider 30 servings. Please drop off dessert at the shelter or make arrangements with the Angie Miller to bring/drop off dessert. Bring dessert in a disposable container.
• 1 Canned Pear provider 30 servings. Please contact Angie Miller to make arrangement to provide canned pears.
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General Assembly
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. GA will be held from June 19-23 in Spokane, WA. For more information, especially for those who might be considering attending for the first time, check out https://www.uua.org/ga. If you plan to attend GA and would like to be a delegate, please contact Cyndi Polakowski at cyndi@fvuuf.org for delegate information.
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Upcoming Child Dedication Ceremony Date
Dedicating a child at the Fellowship is a powerful and precious ritual, designed to welcome your young one into life and into the loving embrace of our community. Any member or committed friend of the Fellowship may request a child dedication by contacting the lead minister indicated below. June 9th (with Rev. Leah), 10:00 am service – sign up by May 20.
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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.
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| 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.
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Weekly Calendar Thursday, April 18 7:00pm UU Book Club Friday, April 19 10:00am Photography as a Spiritual Practice
6:00pm Acoustic Jam Saturday, April 20
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha 10:00am Spanish Charla Sunday, April 21
9:00 &10:45am Worship Service 10:00am U-Youth Choir 10:45am High School Breakfast Club 6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Monday, April 22
9:00am Goddess Group 7:00pm Green Sanctuary Jam
Tuesday, April 23 6:00pm Partner Churches
6:30pm Tuesday Night Meditation 6:30pm Driver's Licenses for Undocumented People Teach In
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Book Club Books UU Book Club
April: The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
May: Educated by Tara Westover
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