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A Note from Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg, Associate Minister
Dear Ones, This week I return refreshed from a week of professional development at a UU Ministers Association continuing education program in Florida, followed by some study leave at home. While I’m pleased to report that I got a lot done (research for a sermon next month; a draft of promotional material about the Fellowship’s pastoral programming; connection with a mentee who’s in the ministerial formation process), one of the highlights of my time away from congregational life was when I suddenly realized that, for one rare and beautiful afternoon, I was actually all alone in my house. No kids. No spouse. No friends. No Fellowship folk. Just me, the cat, and the fish. Extrovert though I am, I basked in the precious solitude. The spirit I brought to my tasks that day was especially exuberant simply for having the gift of alone time. Yet what about those times when our solitude is not willing? Loneliness is sometimes defined as unwilling solitude, and it’s a concept I’m getting ready to preach about on February 25th. What has your own life taught you about loneliness? Shoot me an email at leah@fvuuf.org and let me know what you think. I promise I will not include your reflection in the service unless I explicitly ask and receive your permission to do so. I do have to admit that in my first few moments of realizing I was alone last week, I was a little scared. I lead such a busy and full life that I found myself out of the practice of keeping my own company! If this resonates for you, or if being alone-yet-not-lonely is a skill you’d like to hone, check out this great short video about the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7X7sZzSXYs It was nice to have some time away and now it’s nice to be back. See you soon!
Love,
Rev. Leah
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Upcoming Services Sundays 9:00 & 10:45 am
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February 18 Fellowship of Our Dreams with Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Join us for a fun and meaningful all-ages service! Using the story of the Big Orange Splot, we will explore our individual and collective visions for the future of the Fellowship, and what happens when our intentions and dreams get foiled by others! There will be an exciting surprise... Don't miss it! February 25 Gather Yourself by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg
All signs point to loneliness as an increasing problem in contemporary US society. Lately it’s even been heralded as a public health epidemic. Neuroscience, psychology, and political analysis offer clues as to how we might understand, treat and prevent chronic loneliness. This service will explore resources from a variety of sources, as well as consider the spiritual task of persevering in times when solitude feels unwilling. Join us especially if you need a reminder that there are ways of gathering yourself and moving out of a state of loneliness!
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We will have our first-ever Ostara Pageant for services on Sunday, March 25. Calling all drama-inclined youth who want to participate! Ostara is a neo-pagan festival of springtime and new life, and this myth is where the “Easter Bunny” comes from! We need, at minimum, the following speaking-roles to be filled for each service: Narrator, Goddess Ostara, Child, Bird, Bunny. More speaking parts can be created if there is interest, and we are hoping to have a “chorus” of woodland creatures and flowers without lines, for our younger kids. Participants with a speaking role must commit to attending rehearsal from 9:00 am to noon on Saturday, March 24 for practice and costume-making.
Non-speaking “chorus” members can attend that rehearsal, or, they can come at 8:00 am on Sunday, March 25, for a drop-in practice, if they have their own mask or costume made at home. Please contact Kim Hartman, Director of Religious Education, at kim@fvuuf.org with questions and if you are interested in participating.
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Sharing Circles - TODAY!
We Unitarian Universalists pride ourselves on being radically inclusive: welcoming of people without regard to their age, sexual or gender identity, ethnicity, religious background or theological disposition. At the Fellowship, we are working to put that inclusiveness to the test. Are we really welcoming of all people? Are we meeting the needs, both spiritually and socially, of all who come through are doors? Are we open to new ideas? The Fellowship staff is hosting an initial series of three sharing circles. These circles will be for people who self-define as Christian/Theist, LGBTQ+, and/or Parents & Caregivers, with more groups to come next program year. You will be invited to share your experiences at the Fellowship with the staff and with each other. Together we will explore how we can live closer to our Mission and Vision Statements Thursday, February 15 from 6:30-8:00 pm: Parents and Caregivers
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Cabaret, the Fellowship's annual variety spectacular, is set to kick off another amazing evening of performances! Come and join us on Saturday, February 17 for a lineup full of awesome acts including music, comedy, and who knows what else! There might even be some Raging Grannies... It's guaranteed to be a night of fun, laughter, and talented folks from the UU and beyond. Light snacks and beverages are included in the price of admission - just $10 at the door! Doors open at 6:30 pm. Come early to reserve your seat! The show will start at 7:15 pm and generally runs 2-3 hours with an intermission at the halfway point. Hope to see you there! Your faithful Cabar-istas, Mary Gerlach, Julie Martin & Beth Wilde
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Fellowship House Parties There is still time to sign up to attend a house party! Did you know that when the Fellowship was smaller, we would do one on one meetings with all members every year? Many wish we had more opportunities to get to know each other in smaller group settings, and so we are inviting you to attend a house party to meet others and share how the Fellowship has made an impact in your life, and hear other’s stories. We have amazing hosts who are opening up their homes for some fun! Sign up here.
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Oshkosh Wellspring Wednesday
February 21, 5:30-7:30 pm
B'Nai Israel Congregation Social Hall (1121 Algoma Blvd.) Parking is available next to the building and across the street at Read School. Catered dinner starting at 5:30 pm, Chalice lighting and program at 6:15 pm. Religious Education is provided at no charge. Topic: Hinduism by Dr. B.S. Sridhar of the Fox Valley Hindu Community. The program will last until 7:00 pm with a question and answer session following. Please RSVP before Monday February 19 at 9:00 am using this link http://tinyurl.com/okdinner
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Spring Music Social
Saturday, March 10, 4:00 pm
Whatever your skill level, you'll find a supportive, engaged audience at this informal hour-long gathering. Please sign up here to reserve a performance spot (typically 5 minutes or less), or sign up in person at the Music Social table in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Joanne Klinkert (klinkertj@juno.com) if you have questions. Listeners are also very welcome!
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Save the Date for Heart to Heart 2018
Heart to Heart is a weekend retreat for couples to be held September 21 – 23, 2018 (Friday evening – Sunday afternoon) at The Pilgrim Center in Ripon, WI. The retreat is open to all couples committed to each other and their relationship. The retreat is an opportunity to focus on your relationship and to deal with important issues that arise in your day-to-day lives. Heart to Heart is designed to enrich communication and intimacy in your relationship using written personal reflection and private conversation with your partner. Participants are not asked to share with the group.
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The Essentials Action Team is providing the meal at the Warming Shelter on Sunday, March 4 at 5:00 pm. Please sign up to help here. If you have questions, contact Sue Sawyers (ssawyers1@new.rr.com) or Marsha Dawson (mdawson907@gmail.com.
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The Fellowship is participating in the Help for the Homeless hygiene collection which runs February 18 to March 11. Collection bins are located in the Fellowship lobby. Most urgently needed items include cleaning supplies, laundry products, dental products, diapers, soap, shampoo, garbage bags and paper products. A full list of needed items is here. Everything collected will stay in our community and be distributed to people in need here in the Valley. Thank you for helping!
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Need a Ride to Fellowship?
People need help getting to the Fellowship for services or other activities for a variety of reasons- your car may be in the shop, you may not want to drive after dark, you may have a health concern that doesn’t allow you to drive, the list can go on and on. It is important to our ministry that everyone is able to make it to the Fellowship if they want to be here! Please don’t hesitate to ask - your presence is important to everyone! Contact Marie Luna, Congregational Life Coordinator, at marie@fvuuf.org or 920.731.0849 if you need assistance.
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Fellowship Bookstore Highlight
This Is an Uprising: How Nonviolent Revolt Is Shaping the Twenty-First Century by Mark Engler and Paul Engler • “a true masterpiece on the history, logic, ethics, and power of nonviolent action” – Erica Chenoweth
• “a landmark book - the standard and definitive manual on how to conceive and organize nonviolent social movements” – Bill McKibben Mark Engler is an author and journalist, with articles that aim to bring a progressive and internationalist perspective to critical issues facing society, many of which can be found at democracyuprising.org. Paul Engler has worked for more than a decade as an organizer in the immigrant rights, global justice, and labor movements.
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Rev. Christina's Community Office Hours
Most Thursdays (unless otherwise noted), 1-3:00 pm, drop-in, no RSVP required! If you'd like to make an appointment to chat with Rev. Christina aside from these times, contact the Fellowship office. February - 15 (not on the 22nd)
Seth's Coffee - 106 E. Main St., Little Chute March - 1, 8, 22, 29 (not on the 15th)
Shellattes - 330 N. Commercial St., Neenah April - 5, 19, 26 (not on the 12th)
Caramel Crisp & Cafe - 200D City Center, Oshkosh May - 3, 10, 17, 31 (not on the 24th)
Lou's Brew - 233 E. College Ave., Appleton
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Upcoming Child Dedication Ceremony Dates
9:00 and 10:45 a.m. Services
March 25th (with Rev. Christina)
June 10th (with Rev. Leah)
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 one of the ministers.
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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 CalendarThursday, February 15 6:30pm Sharing Circle
7:00pm Fellowship Choir 7:00pm UU Book Club
Friday, February 16
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha Saturday, February 17
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha Cabaret! Doors open 6:30 pm, Showtime 7:15 pm
Sunday, February 18
9:00 & 10:45am Worship Services 10:00am U-Youth Choir 10:45am Breakfast Club
6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha Monday, February 19
9:00am Goddess Group 6:00pm Partner Churches
Tuesday, February 20
6:00pm Governing Board
6:30pm Joyful Mind Zen Sangha 7:00pm Men's Group Thursday, February 22 7:00pm Fellowship Choir
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Book Club Books First Monday Book Club
Contact Chris Wales at kcrark@new.rr.com for the current book. First Thursday Book Club
March: The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
April: Miracles on the Water: The Heroic Survivors of a World War II U-Boat Attack by Tom Nagorski UU Book Club
February: Evicted by Matthew Desmond
March: Motherest by Kristen Iskandrian
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