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Moving Forward, Together
The governing board is grateful for our talented staff, dedicated and generous community members, and our charming building, which make our gatherings and events possible. We are also excited about our engagement and generosity teams gaining more helping hands as they expand to a new Hub-and-Spoke model. We think this will lead to even better program offerings in the future. We have a healthy community, with meaningful engagement and several ways to support each other through small groups and a devoted care team.
Last year, the congregation voted to call Rev. Hannah as a settled minister and committed to what that would mean financially. Unfortunately, we fell $52,633 short of our budgeted contributions last year, and coupled with not enough new contribution commitments for this year's budget, we had to make some difficult decisions by cutting staff hours and spending.
This year we are undertaking a staff assessment, which will help us better align job duties with our community’s needs. We are also refinancing our mortgage, taking out an additional $100,000 to help with growing capital needs and to replenish reserves spent in recent years. The original portion of our building requires additional reinvestment as aging systems and structural elements reach their end of life. Our recent building reserve study estimated that we will need $64,119 for building improvements and major repairs in the near future, and additional funds of between $37,500 - $125,000 per year to fund ongoing replacement needs. Check out our governance page for more information about our Strategic Plan and current financial statements.
We hope you feel welcome and at home in our community. If you are finding these turbulent times in our wider world difficult to stomach, consider taking action by getting involved in the Fellowship’s Justice Action Ministries(JAMs). If you are feeling down or overwhelmed, know that we are here for you. We are not alone when together! Thank you for choosing the Fellowship as your faith community.
With love,
Your Governing Board
Justin Fisher, Gary Crevier, Beth De Stasio, Erin Vandenlangenberg, Jerry Behrendt, Beth Belmore, Ligia Rivera, Christine Wales, and Marti Wheeler
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Digging Deep All Ages Weekend Camp - Last Day to Register
October 18 – 19, 2025
Join us for a weekend of connection, fun, learning and fellowship to “dig deep” into our faith, our relationships, and our practices that put love at the center.
Adult Track 1: Digging Deep in Our Relationships
This track is a Heart 2 Heart retreat for committed couples, guided by trained facilitators using our long-beloved curriculum for anyone seeking to deepen and improve their marriage or committed relationship (open to committed people of any gender or configuration).
Adult Track 2: Digging in to Our UU Faith
This track will be a weekend of learning and connecting to our Unitarian Universalist history, theology, values, and practices. We’ll explore, discuss, play, and reflect on what it means to be a part of this living tradition.
Kids’ Camp: Digging Deep into Spiritual Practices
Calling all kids ages 4-10 for a weekend of fun, connection, play, and practicing many ways to connect with our spirit, our friends and our earth. We will learn from science, nature, the world’s faith traditions, and our own UU values to deepen our spirituality.
Registration deadline is October 2!
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Sunday, October 5
• 9:00 am Central Time in-person
informal coffeehouse-style service with conversation
• 11:00 am Central Time in-person & livestream traditional service with sermon
Prairies, Prayers, and Rooting for Resilience
by Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave
• Watch past sermons on our YouTube channel.
• Services details HERE
• See our website HERE for information about religious exploration programs for children and youth.
• Share the Plate: In October, we share the plate between the Fellowship and Fox Valley Pride.
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Fire Drill
This Sunday at the Fellowship we'll have a fire drill to help us be prepared for how we'd evacuate in case of fire! After both the 9 and 11 am services on Sunday, we'll practice evacuating our building and reuniting parents and kids before coming back inside to enjoy some coffee and cookies like usual. The fire alarm will sound during this process, so if you are sensitive to loud sounds, consider bringing protective headphones. We'll have a couple of pairs available at our sensory support station, too. As a note, our littlest friends in the nursery will pre-evacuate so that they can skip the alarm sounds. If you have questions about the fire drill before Sunday, you can reach out to Rev. Hannah at hannah@fvuuf.org.
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Music Ministry
Hello friends, old and new! Our music programs have kicked off, and we hope you'll join us! If you have questions or want to see the schedule of rehearsals, you can look at our Music Ministry page HERE or contact Tam Masters at tam@fvuuf.org - they'll point you in the right direction. If you want to be involved, let us know, HERE.
- October 5 - Fellowship Choir Rehearsal, 10:00 am, perform at 11:00 service
- October 12 - mUUse Rehearsal, 10:00 am, perform at 11:00 am service
For information about our Music Ministries and the upcoming schedule, click the button:
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Middle Hour
Learning, Connection & Fun for All Ages on Sunday Mornings.
This Sunday:
- “Dig Deep” October service theme discussion
Click the button to see what's coming up:
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Get Ready to Disco at Our Annual Auction – Nov. 8.
Mark your calendars for our Disco-themed Annual Auction on Saturday, November 8th.
- Silent Auction kicks off online Nov. 1st and wraps up at the event.
- Live Auction starts at 6:30 PM (doors open at 5:30 for food, fun & final silent bids)
Enjoy heavy appetizers, great company, and funky vibes.
Don’t miss our biggest fundraiser of the year!
👉 Visit fvuuf.org/auction for full details, donation information, and volunteer sign-ups.
Auction Donation Open - Click the Button Below
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| | Religious Exploration - Children & Youth
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Kids Camp Counselors Needed! Seeking Those Who Are Young at Heart!
We are hosting a fall camp for kids on the weekend of October 18 and 19, and are looking for fun-loving adults to join us!
If you would like to help our young people between the ages of 4K-5th grade create community through exploring our UU faith and having fun together, we would love to have you!
Please contact Kim Hartman at kim@fvuuf.org for more information.
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A New Year of Discovery Awaits! Our 2025-2026 Religious Exploration Program Year Has Begun
We’re excited for a year filled with curiosity, fun, friendship, and meaningful exploration. Together, we’ll engage in lessons and activities that nurture personal and spiritual growth, spark big questions, and encourage our young people to live into our UU values. It’s going to be a year of discovery, connection, and growth, and we can’t wait to begin!
There is a place for every young seeker to connect and grow. Click here for information about each of our programs, including nursery, children’s Sunday Religious Exploration, and our teen programs: Crossing Paths, Being a Teen, and Our Whole Lives.
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| | Adult Connection Opportunity
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Senior Wonders
Senior Wonders will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at noon at Telulah Park unless the weather is too bad. Then go to the Fellowship. Bring your own lunch and beverage, and perhaps something uplifting to share. Please contact Janet Hughes at janet.ahma@yahoo.com with questions.
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Fellowship Build Day
To celebrate the construction of Fellowship Members Willow and Brianna Gallagher's new home, we are organizing Fellowship Build Days to strengthen our community and allow us to show Brianna and Willow our love and support. We have selected the following date on the build schedule:
Saturday, October 4 - Paint & Stain (7 needed)
No experience is required. On-the-job training provided. In addition to construction roles, there are opportunities to serve as site hosts or meal providers. If you are interested, please email Angie Demers at AngieD@foxcitieshabitat.org.
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Thank You
The meal at Pillar’s Adult and Family Shelter this past Monday, September 29, was a success! The residents were very appreciative. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to prepare food, serve, and work in the kitchen. The next meal that Essentials: Food and Shelter for All will prepare and serve is Friday, November 7, at the Adult Shelter.
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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.
- Oct. 12 and Oct. 26: LGBTQ+ Support Group, 12:30 - 1:30 pm at the Fellowship
- Hope and Help Together needs: Help a newcomer learn about our driving laws or find other ways to volunteer at Hope and Help Together. HHT Contact: 920-215-1806 or sarah@hopeandhelptogether.com
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Check out the Events & News website page for all of our upcoming events:
- October 4 - Soup Saturday
- October 12 - Tell Me More
- October 26 – Drag Queen Dress-Up Sunday, Story Time, and Event
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New in the Lending Library!
We have some new books in our lending library as well as many of the favorites from past years. Check out a book next time you're at the building. We just ask that you sign it out and return it within a couple of weeks. There are books for kids and adults, and books with a justice focus. Books have also been reorganized and labeled for easier browsing!
New titles include:
- The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide, 7th edition
- Where Two Worlds Touch: The Spirit and Science of Alzheimer's Caregiving
- Try My Jesus, UU Christian daily reflections
- The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimerer
- Protest History of the United States
- Fat & Furious: Igniting Radical Fat Resistance
- ...And more!
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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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