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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
- 2025-2026 Proposed Annual Operating Budget
All were approved!
Thank you for your participation in this essential part of the Fellowship’s democratic governance process!
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Sunday, June 15
10:00 am Central Time in-person & livestream traditional service with sermon
A Letter to My Father by guest preacher Rev. Karon Sandberg
• Watch past sermons on our YouTube channel.
• Upcoming Services HERE
• See our website HERE for information about our Sunday religious exploration classes for children and youth.
• 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 “Sunday Coffeehouse Service,” we’ll 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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A New Fiscal Year is Around the Corner!
Though the official first day of spring was a couple of months ago, the weather is finally catching up and starting to match the calendar. This has us all looking forward to the promise of new beginnings but always starts with all the tasks to cross off your list before summer begins - spring cleaning, landscaping, cleaning out the garage, etc., you get the idea.
The Fellowship is no different. Our annual tasks before summer and the start of the new fiscal year on July 1 include following up on annual giving for the current fiscal year that ends on June 30, 2025. 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 hasn’t 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 bank’s 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 Fellowship’s 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 Fellowship’s mission to welcome seekers, build loving community, and act courageously for justice.
Phyllis Schmitt – Director of Finance and Operations
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| | Religious Exploration - Children & Youth
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Calling All Lifelong Learners and Curious Souls! Join us as an RE Teacher, Assistant, or Childcare Assistant.
Would you like to deepen your spiritual journey while helping shape the next generation of Unitarian Universalists? Volunteering in Religious Education (RE) is a meaningful way to grow in your understanding of our UU values, history, and community—all while spending just 45 minutes a month in joyful connection with our young people.
No teaching experience? No problem! Of our 40+ amazing RE volunteers, only two come from teaching backgrounds. Our team includes folks from all walks of life—IT professionals, healthcare workers, artists, retirees, students, and more. What unites them is a shared commitment to nurturing curiosity, compassion, and community.
Want to learn more? Contact Kim Hartman or Jill Williams to see if RE teaching or assisting is a good fit for you. The gifts you receive may surprise you!
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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 faith’s 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.
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? Here’s how…
Helping as Teacher Assistants in Our Elementary Summer Classes or Nursery
Benefits include…
- Learning by teaching: It’s 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 “Fellowship Family” 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 include…
- 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 don’t 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 year’s workshops and presentations will align with the theme, "Meet the Moment," exploring how Unitarian Universalism can address today’s challenges and opportunities. Learn more and register for GA today at UUA.org/GA.
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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, at 4:00 pm
Smith Park Pavilion
338 Cleveland Street
Menasha, WI 54952
The food will start at 5:00 pm (bringing a blanket or other item to sit on is strongly suggested) The Fellowship will provide meat (and non-meat) main choices. Please bring a side dish. 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!
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The Gathering: Rooted in Love, Rising for Justice
Join The Gathering, Side With Love’s monthly event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others!
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 “Copy to my calendar” to add the event to your calendar and never miss a chance to act courageously for justice in our world.
- June 16, 5:30 - 7 pm "Let's Talk about Affordable Housing", Appleton Public Library. This event is an opportunity to come together, share information, and discuss how we can address the growing need for affordable housing. Whether you're a resident, advocate, housing provider, or simply curious to learn more—your voice matters. Hosted by Fox Cities Housing Authority, Affordable Housing subcommittee.
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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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Flower Celebration Winners
Thank you to everyone who participated in our interactive all-ages Flower Celebration service on June 8.
We invited you to color pages or complete a follow-along sheet throughout the morning. 40 sheets were completed and returned!
A random drawing selected Vivian Panzer as the coloring page winner and for the follow-along sheets, two names were selected-- Dale Llewellyn and Sloane West. Congratulations to our winners, they will be contacted individually about their gift-card prizes!
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Office Hours
- Thursday, June 12 - Office Closed
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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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