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Healing Our Histories: Night of Broken Glass by Rev. Leah
Healing Our Histories is an especially timely theme for me. Every November, when it gets seriously chilly and the leaves abandon the trees, my mind turns to Edith. Edith is an important part of my personal history, and she also represents an important part of global, human history.
She was a member of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, in New Jersey, where I served as intern minister in 2008-09. Even though she is no longer alive and I therefore can’t ask her permission, I am using her real name here. I know she would approve.
November 9th and 10th marks the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 turning point in Nazi anti-Jewish policy that would culminate in the Holocaust (the systematic, state-sponsored mass murder of European Jews). Edith survived Kristallnacht, which means Night of Broken Glass. She was 16 years of age when she and her husband watched their synagogue burn to the ground as glass shattered all around them.
Kristallnacht was a series of Nazi-staged pogroms—violent, state sanctioned, anti-Jewish riots— in Germany and Austria. Rioters burned or destroyed 267 synagogues, including Edith’s; vandalized or looted 7,500 Jewish businesses; killed at least 91 Jewish people; and targeted Jewish cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and homes. Police and fire brigades stood aside.
Edith was profoundly damaged by the countless horrors she witnessed and endured. She once told me she never emotionally left the concentration camp in which she was held and where her mother died. And yet she loved life. She fought like hell to move past her trauma enough to enjoy the parts of existence she was able to embrace.
At one of our final visits, when she knew she was nearing death, she told me that her last, lingering fear was that when Holocaust survivors were gone, people wouldn’t remember or care about the great wrong that had happened. In the moment, I murmured something trite and naive about how forgetting would be impossible. I wish I had said to her then what I can write here now, which is that I will not forget. I could have said that I will offer her spirit healing by remembering and caring about this history, and that I will never consider it healed. I want to tell her that I will consider it my own story, and I will share about it in Edith’s honor.
The above image is a still from a US Holocaust Memorial Museum documentary. It shows residents in Graz, Austria watching as the Jewish cemetery’s ceremonial hall burns. If you would like to learn more about Kristallnacht, click HERE.
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Upcoming Services
Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45 am
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November 10
Stories That Harm, Stories That Heal
by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
November is a month full of stories and histories, particularly about our nation. We will explore together the ways Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Election Day have the power both for harm and (if we allow the stories to change) also healing.
DIAPER COLLECTION THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday we will be dedicating two babies into our Fellowship community! As we welcome and embrace these children, we will be starting a tradition of collecting for children’s supplies to donate to those in need beyond our walls, on Child Dedication Sundays. This Sunday, please bring new, unopened diapers or baby wipes, and we will deliver our collection to LEAVEN next week. (In the future, donations of supplies might vary and/or go to other organizations).
November 17
The Gift Of Memory by Rev. Karon Sandberg
As we approach Thanksgiving, now is a good time to consider talking to your families about your end-of-life wishes. This annual service focuses on the beautiful, healing, and loving gift that sharing our wishes can be, if we let it. This time, we'll explore the power of planning ahead for your memorial service. It need not be morbid! It can be a fun and powerful experience.
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| Religious Education
RE registration form HERE
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This Sunday is Greater Good voting day! The children of the Fellowship have two great organizations to choose from…
• The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee works to help promote human rights by helping asylum seekers live safely in their home countries or to relocate to the United States.
• BABES, Inc. helps children by providing safe no-cost respite care, educational support and services, and counseling to young families.
Information about both organizations can be found here: UUSC and BABES
We look forward to seeing your child in the voting booth on Sunday!
*The Greater Good is a movement to re-focus on the core values of the Christmas season and engage in social action with the children and youth of the Fellowship by reducing the materialism of the holiday season. The program’s ideals begin with core beliefs of the holiday season, such as generosity, celebration, renewal, and community, to create a new tradition of social justice. Participants add up all their holiday spending, divide that amount in half, and donate that half to a program chosen by the Fellowship's children and youth.
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We all have times of triumph, and times of tragedy and stress. No one is excluded from the challenges in life, and Chris has found meditation and mindfulness to be very helpful. Therapy Of Sound is a program Chris put together to give people the opportunity to take time out to relax to sound recordings that are meditative and fun, and include sounds of ambient noises and textures as well as some avant-garde sounds. His goal is to perform a sound journey that will be entertaining, create curiosity, and provide relaxation all in one event. The sound journey will last for 20 minutes and then we will come together to talk about our experiences. All are welcome, including children. You may sit on a chair, on provided cushions, or bring a blanket to lay on the floor. Contact Chris for more information.
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Pop-Up Choir returns! Please join us this Sunday, November 10 to sing "Rise" by Arienne Abela. Meet at 8:15 am to sing in the 9:00 am service, and/or 10:10 to sing in the 10:45 am service. ALL are welcome - any age, vocal range, or experience level.
Click HERE for a video of one performance of the song.
Steve Sieck, Music Director
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New Program for Newcomers starting this Sunday, November 10!
Visitors, newcomers, and new members are invited to participate in the Inquirers Series! The Inquirers Series meets from 10:45-11:45 am on Sunday mornings in the David Room. It is a series of eight conversations that offer a general introduction to our congregation and Unitarian Universalism. The series is ongoing, so you are welcome to participate in the sessions in any order, as you’re able and there is no need to sign up. Contact Marie Luna, director of congregational life, at marie@fvuuf.org with questions.
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Empty to Full (E2F) Pan Project
Thank you to everyone who picked up an E2F pan last Sunday. Remember to bring the filled and frozen pans back to the Fellowship this Sunday, November 10 before either service so they can be delivered to Pillars Adult and Family Homeless Shelter. Questions? Contact Deb Muench at debmuench@icloud.com or 920.422.1852.
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Senior Wonders
Senior Wonders will meet at noon on Tuesday, November 12. Bring your lunch and a friend if you like. We'll hear about Connie Swift's trip to China and you may stay for games if you like, as well.
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Wellspring Wednesday
November 13, 6:30 pm
Gods and Goddesses with Heather Westley and Chester Behnke
Chester and Heather will speak about their relationships with gods and goddesses, and how these interactions have connected them to the divine. They will facilitate a ritual of connecting to your inner Oracle.
Sign up for childcare online HERE or at the Sign Up Spot at the Fellowship. We need at least one child signed up 24 hours in advance in order to have childcare.
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Partner Churches Quilting Party!
Happy News!! Zoli, the minister of our Partner Church in Deva, and his wife, Julia, are expecting a baby boy sometime before the end of the year. To help give him a warm welcome, we are planning to make a baby quilt for little Abel, and invite all who would like to be part of its creation to join us. Whether you can give artistic guidance, sewing and quilting advice, would like to contribute fabric, or admire the work as it progresses, we would love to have you join us. We have set aside two evenings to meet at Margaret Alexander's Studio MA, which is located at 910 Westfield Lane, Neenah, WI. Dates are Thursday, November 14, and Thursday, November 21, at 6:00 PM. Please contact Vickie Milde (vicmilde@hotmail.com) or Tina Main (velo.biker@gmail.com) with questions or to let us know that you plan to join us. Many warm thanks!
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Before You Go: End of Life Planning
November 17th, 12:15 pm
An Estate Attorney, Funeral Director, Hospice Chaplin, and Power of Attorney share vital information you want to know NOW. This session is free and educational and will help plan for the future and ease the burden on your family and friends.
Sign up for childcare online HERE or at the Sign Up Spot at the Fellowship. We need at least one child signed up 24 hours in advance in order to have childcare.
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Connect @ Home!
Monday, November 18th with Rev. Jim Coakley
Discussion question – How do you heal history – either personal or societal?
• 12:00 noon at The Fellowship (BYO lunch) or online
• 7:30pm online only
The online portion is a simple Zoom link – To do that, click on the link and you will be prompted to download the software. You may also wish to create an account, but that is not required to participate in a Zoom meeting. You will need a computer or device with a webcam and microphone to participate in a Zoom session. Or you may simply call the number listed below and participate as voice only.
One of our biggest challenges is to provide meaningful ways for you to connect to the Fellowship, to each other, and to the topics we explore. That is particularly hard given the reality of busy schedules, worry about nighttime or winter driving, or needing to get a babysitter. This year we’re offering a way to Connect @ Home! Notice the “@” symbol? It will be a primarily online connection, allowing you the option of connecting from the comfort of home, with a warm drink and your slippers on!
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Rev. Roger Bertschausen was the senior minister of the Fellowship from 1990 until 2015. He guided the Fellowship through years of transitions in staff growth, service schedules and practices, building construction, relocation and expansion. This title is honorary and given for his dedication and care of this Fellowship. We also celebrate the story of 64 years of the Fellowship existing in the Fox Valley and the countless lives we have changed. Snacks, drinks, and unstructured activities for kids will be available.
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Free Seats at the Voices of Men Breakfast!
We still have three free seats available at our Fellowship table for the Voices of Men “Call to Action” breakfast, from 8-9:00am on Thursday, November 21 at the Red Lion Paper Valley hotel in downtown Appleton. This event is a powerful call to action to end toxic masculinity and a culture of violence, particularly against women and trans people. If you’d like to go to this event and sit at the Fellowship’s table, please email Rev. Christina at christina@fvuuf.org ASAP. The first three to claim seats will get them!
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Fellowship History Tidbits
The Fellowship history question from last week was: What was happening in US history when our Fellowship was founded that increased the Dunwiddie’s reluctance to place the first ad? ANSWER: Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy was whipping up unfounded fears of communist spies infilterating in the State Dept., in the film industry, and in the universities. His accusation ruined the careers of many people. Consequently when Mary Jane Dunwiddie worked on the “Joe must Go” campaign, people would donate $5 and ask to have it recorded only as $4.99 so that their names didn’t have to be entered in the record. Sensing that deep fear, the Dunwiddies didn’t feel this Fox Cities area was ripe for starting a liberal congregation.
The history question for next time is: Who is the only remaining member of our first meeting of people from November 1955? Watch for the answer in an upcoming Scroll.
Fellowship History Tibits provided by Dave Gerlach
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Upcoming Child Dedication Ceremony Dates
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 Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy.
Rev. Christina and Rev. Leah will both be officiating at these services.
December 22 4:00 pm Solstice service – sign up by November 22
April 26 9:00 and 10:45 am services Earth Day – sign up by March 27
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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
Anti-racism Learning (for home, or groups)
Characteristics and antidotes of white supremacy culture
November: Quantity Over Quality- click HERE
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, November 7
6:30pm First Thursday Book Club
6:30pm Sound Meditation Event
Saturday, November 9
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha
10:00am Spanish Charla
7:00pm UU Dance Group
Sunday, November 10
9:00 & 10:45am Worship Service
10:00am High School Breakfast Club
10:45am Inquirer's Class
12:15pm Pollinate (BIPoC)
6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Monday, November 11
9:00am Goddess Group
6:00pm Essentials JAM
Tuesday, November 12
12:00pm Senior Wonders
Wednesday, November 13
6:30pm Wellspring Wednesday
Thursday, November 14
6:30pm Spill it Sister
7:30pm Fellowship Choir
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Click the image for our mailing address and staff email addresses or call 920.731.0849.
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