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From the Shared Sanctuary Committee Amidst the human right abuses immigrants in our country are facing including the separation of families, the detention of immigrant children, women, and men in cages, and now the policy of indefinite family detention of asylum seekers, the UUA created the following Social Justice Statement at the 2018 General Assembly. It is a statement of faith and a direct call to action. Please take some time to read and reflect. Read the statement here. It has now been a little more than one year since our congregation voted to declare ourselves a sanctuary congregation. We have had a few inquiries about sanctuary at the Fellowship from immigrant community members facing deportation, however, due to fear of the current administration's approach to immigration, all have declined the offer. Those entering sanctuary at this point in our country's history face a more indefinite stay than ever before. In the cases of sanctuary across the country, we are seeing increasingly fewer resulting in stays of deportation; rather, people are living indefinitely in sanctuary, and fair and humane immigration reform would be the only hope of safely returning to their families, jobs and life here in the United States. Our volunteers and committee have, however, supported our immigrant neighbors in the Fox Valley in other ways, perhaps most significantly through providing support to those heading to immigration check-ins and hearings at the Milwaukee I.C.E. office. Here, committee member Marsha Dawson reflects on her experience working with the Shared Sanctuary Ministry Committee this past year: I was invited to join Fellowship’s SSM team a year ago. The founding members did very impressive work educating and preparing the congregation for the important vote in June 2017. I felt great pride in my Fellowship as we voted overwhelmingly to become a sanctuary church. Although we have not had anyone come into sanctuary, our Fellowship has worked in collaboration with Unidos Por un Futuro Mejor (a local immigrants rights and education organization), the local Quaker worship group and ESTHER to help immigrants in our community with various needs. One of the most moving events for me was participating in a Jericho walk and vigil outside the I.C.E. Office in Milwaukee this past March. I joined with 4 other Fellowship members and 25 other people from various faith communities around the state to walk silently in prayer while a local father who is undocumented was inside the building for a hearing that would determine his future and his family’s too. That hearing went well and the father had hopes of eventually getting a green card. A follow up hearing in early May resulted in him receiving deportation orders for mid July. Nothing about him or his compliance with immigration orders had changed in the time between the two visits. Undocumented immigrants’ futures are decided on a whim by I.C.E. agents and the government. Participating in the Jericho walk, and the events surrounding this person since, reinforces the need to continue the fight for immigration reform. The Shared Sanctuary Ministry Committee is dedicated to continuing to provide support and the commitment of sanctuary for the immigrants in our community. Due to the level of support that will continue to be needed, we encouraged anyone interested to sign up to be a sanctuary volunteer (sign up here). Some of this commitment requires waiting for something that may never happen, but with the increasing volatility and cruelty toward immigrants in our nation, we must work even harder to try to help our immigrant neighbors, especially when the future is uncertain. Sincerely,
Shared Sanctuary Ministry Committee
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Upcoming Services Sunday at 10:00 am
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July 8 Melting Pots and Salad Bowls: Celebrating our Differences
by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Have you ever wondered where the term "Melting Pot" came from, to describe our society here in the United States? In the spirit of 4th of July, and with all that has been happening with our nation's immigration policies, come learn why we are in need of a better, more healing metaphor to celebrate our differences. This Sunday after the service, there will be cards available in the Fellowship Hall to sign for the UU Church of Annapolis, where one of their members (Wendi Winters) was killed this past week in the shooting at the Capital Gazette. Rev. Christina served that congregation for seven years prior to coming here, and our hearts are heavy with hers as we mourn the tragic loss of this fellow Unitarian Universalist. Our staff will arrange to have coffee hour goodies sent to the Annapolis congregation for a coming Sunday to let them know we are with them in spirit.
July 15 Finding Common Ground by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Last week we talked about why honoring our differences is such an important part of our faith. But it's also good to remember how we are the same, and seek to find commonalities even when they might not be obvious.
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Attention High School Youth! Volunteer with the Essentials JAM:
• Monday, July 30th meal for Homeless Connections
• Homeless Connections (400 N. Division Street, Appleton
• 5 Servers—needed between 4:00 and 7:00 pm
Park your vehicle in the lot south of the building and sign in at the front desk. Tasks will include packing lunches, warming up dinner, making coffee, and setting up for dinner for 5:30 to 6 dinner shift and 6 to 6:30 shift. We will clean up after the meal and should finish up about 7:00 pm.
• 3 Dessert providers
Drop off 24 servings of any dessert at the shelter or make arrangements with the lead to bring/drop off dessert. Bring dessert in a disposable container.
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Senior Social will meet Tuesday, July 10 at noon at Tellulah Park by the pavilion. Bring your lunch. Marie Liddell is going to share pictures of her foster bird baby. Everyone welcome. Bring a friend as well.
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UU Night Out
Join us on the patio at The Source Public House on July 10 at 6:00 pm (please note it is NOT the first Tuesday). UU Night Out is a no pressure way to make new friends and connect with friends and members of the Fellowship. Everyone is welcome! Contact Cindy Darling to get your name on the reservation today. Email: kitsudarling@gmail.com By phone or text: 920.205.9635. Or send a message and friend her on Facebook (Cindy Darling, Kaukauna, Mau Realty). You can join each month via the FB event.
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UU Men's Group Bike and Hike
Fox Valley UU Men organizes several Bike & Hike adventures each summer and fall. Our next Bike & Hike adventure is scheduled for Saturday, July 14th in Waushara County. "The Bridges of Waushara County" includes two mill pond bridges, an arch stone bridge, and a covered bridge just west of Saxeville. It's 23 miles of conversational-paced biking on smooth paved roads with several stops - followed by a late lunch in Mount Morris. Gathering on the west side of the Fox Cities 8:00 am, returning by 4:00 pm. Men and their buddies or relatives are invited to join us. Each of our adventures includes first time Bike & Hikers - we are a welcoming community. Spend a day with men. Make friends for life. Respond with interest or questions to Mark Walker at mercianbike1975@gmail.com.
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Volunteer Recognition Dinner
Wednesday, July 25th at 5:30 pm
The Fellowship staff would like to thank everyone who helps make this congregation run – whether you pull weeds, serve coffee, teach religious education, are on a committee or any other countless task that happens out of love and commitment to this community. All are welcome to enjoy a spaghetti dinner made by the staff. RSVP to cyndi@fvuuf.org. Please make sure to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
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Free Program: Sunday, July 29, 6-7:30 pm at the Fellowship
Pro-Future Realism: Big Picture Inspiration for Chaotic Times with Rev. Michael Dowd
Given our impact on Earth’s climate, the seas, and other species, we are already in the early stages of what could be called, The Great Reckoning. The good news is that this could also be The Great Homecoming: The prodigal species, after squandering our inheritance, comes home to Reality. An evidence-based “sacred realism” can help us accept what is inevitable, avoid what is futile, and be a blessing to friends, family, and community in an uncertain world. This dynamic, multi-media presentation bridges the gap between head and heart and celebrates the convergence of science, inspiration, and sustainability. Rev. Michael Dowd is bestselling eco-theologian and pro-science, pro-future ‘evangelist’ whose work has been featured in The New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover, and on television nationally. Michael and his science writer, evolutionary educator, and fellow climate activist wife, Connie Barlow, have spoken to some 2,500 groups throughout North America since 2002, including nearly 500 UU churches. Their work has been featured on the cover of the UU WORLD twice, in 1997 and again in 2006. Michael has delivered two TEDx talks and a program at the United Nations. He has written a bridge- building book, Thank God for Evolution, which was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics and atheists, and by religious leaders across the spectrum. He has also conducted an acclaimed online conversation series: The Future Is Calling Us to Greatness. At the 2016 General Assembly, Michael and Connie were honored as “UU Religious Humanists of the Year."
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4th Annual Circle Picnic
Sunday, August 12
12:00 pm-2:30 pm at City Park in Appleton
This family friendly event will include a potluck, games, fun, and fellowship! Please sign up for a dish/item to pass and bring your own items to grill at the sign up spot in the Fellowship lobby. Contact Eric Riggers at eric.riggers@gmail.com or 206.499.9653 with questions.
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Multigenerational UU Camping Trip
Attention nature lovers! The Fellowship camping trip is planned for August 24-26 at Hartman Creek State Park in Waupaca. Both overnight and day visitors are welcome. For more information, please speak to Theresa Spoehr (tdspoehrs@gmail.com) or Anne Sieck (anne.sieck@oshkosh.k12.wi.us or 920.915.9813), pick up an information packet in the Fellowship Hall, or click here.
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UU Partner Churches
This past week at the UU General Assembly in Kansas City, Tony Salsich and Tina Main were honored as being Stewards of Partnership. The award recognizes their dedicated efforts to sustain and grow our International Partnerships with Deva and Banaybanay. They are both richly deserving of this honor! Click here for more details.
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Seeking Nominations for Greater Good for 2018
The Greater Good Committee needs your help! We are looking for nominations for worthy organizations to apply for Greater Good funds this holiday season. Qualifying organizations must serve the poor, exploited, or those in need. The nomination form is available here. Nominated organizations that accept the invitation to present will be awarded with $250 grants to further their work. Contact Anne Sieck (anne.sieck@oshkosh.k12.wi.us) with questions. Nominations are due by July 31.
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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. 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 CalendarSaturday, July 7
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha 3:00pm Cancer Support Group
Sunday, July 8
10:00 am Worship Service 6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha Monday, July 9
9:00am Goddess Group Tuesday, July 10 10:00 am Photography as a Spiritual Practice
6:30pm Joyful Mind Zen Sangha 6:30pm Cancer Support Group Saturday, July 14
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha
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Book Club Books First Monday Book Club
Contact Chris Wales at kcrark@new.rr.com for the current book. UU Book Club
July-August: Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
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