 |
|
|
Having trouble viewing this message? Scroll to the bottom & click the link to view this email online. The newsletter is long and may get clipped, please scroll down to the bottom and check for a "view entire message" notice to make sure you see all of the content.
| |
The Ordination of Stephen Sieck
On Saturday, May 31, at 4:00 pm, we will have a service of Ordination for Steve Sieck, our former music director who served our Fellowship from 2018-2023. Every UU minister is ordained only once in their career, and in our polity, it is the responsibility of the congregation to ordain the clergy. At that service, there will be a sermon by our minister emeritus Rev. Roger Bertschausen, as well as guest speakers and a ritual of laying on of hands to empower Steve with the mantle of ministry.
The service will be in-person at the Fellowship or on Zoom (visit www.fvuuf.org/upcoming-services to find the link as the date approaches), followed by a heavy hors d'ouvres reception.
To RSVP click here: tinyurl.com/OrdainSteve, or to sign up to help provide food or help for the reception, click HERE. We hope to see you there!
| |
U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on Parenting and How We Can Respond: Helping our Fellowship Parents
As we all go through difficult and uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to listening to each other and offering support in ways we can. With this in mind, the UUA’s Lifespan Faith Development team shared some very helpful information in their November article, “U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on Parenting and How We Can Respond.” You can find it HERE. They shared this because of the recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, called “Parents Under Pressure,” which talks about the mental health and well-being of parents today. You can read the full report HERE.
Click HERE for some ways the Lifespan team suggests we can support young families.
| |
Annual Meeting
All Fellowship members and friends are invited to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 8 at 11:15 AM CT in person and via Zoom. As Unitarian Universalists, our values uphold the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. Your voice and your vote are essential to fully living our chosen faith!
Details can be found in the annual meeting notice, agenda, and proposed bylaws updates HERE. Fellowship members, watch your inbox for the annual meeting notice on May 23, which contains speciifc information about voting.
Please join us for an informal Pre-Meeting Q&A on May 29 at 6:00 PM CT in-person or via Zoom (HERE). Members of the Executive Team and Governing Board will be available to answer your questions.
| |
Sunday, May 25
*Corrected Service Time*
- 10:00 am Central Time in-person & livestream traditional service with sermon
We Will Carry Each Other
by Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave
• 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 May we share the plate between the Fellowship and Fox Valley Literacy.
| |
|
Spring has Sprung and 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
| |
| | Religious Exploration - Children & Youth
| |
Childcare Assistance on May 31
We are looking for two caring and responsible individuals to help supervise our youngest members during Steve Sieck’s ordination on Saturday, May 31 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. If you're interested in helping or want to know more, please reach out to Kim Hartman (kim@fvuuf.org) as soon as possible.
| |
Summer Religious Exploration for Kids
SUMMER RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION BEGINS MAY 25
Our summer religious exploration classes for current kindergartners-5th grade children will begin on May 25, 2025. 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?
| |
Mark your calendar - June 1 Bridging Ceremony
On Sunday, June 1, we will welcome our high school seniors to the life of our community as brand-new adults! Don’t miss participating in this important rite of passage for the young people who have grown up in our midst. We will help them celebrate this milestone by enjoying cake after the service.
| |
| | Adult Connection Opportunities
| |
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.
| |
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.
If you are interested in serving as a voting delegate, please contact Rev. Hannah at hannah@fvuuf.org.
| |
The Gathering: Rooted in Love, Rising for Justice
What is The Gathering?
Throughout history, people of faith and conscience have come together to resist injustice and build a better world. Now, it’s our time. The Gathering is a monthly virtual event from Side With Love designed to equip Unitarian Universalists and justice-seekers with the spiritual grounding, political analysis, and collective action needed to rise to the challenges of this moment.
Each month, participants will:
• Strengthen their hearts and spirits through spiritual grounding
• Gain a deeper understanding of the threats to democracy and justice
• Organize with others to block anti-democratic forces and build a just and loving world
Join us every Second Monday of the month at 7:00 pm CT.
| |
 | Click the image to view the Justice Hub
|
|
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 7 - Appleton's Juneteenth celebration hosted by African Heritage, Inc. 1:00 - 4:00 pm at Fox Cities Exhibition Center. Details HERE.
- June 10 - Rights of Nature Film Screening and Community Dialogue, "Does Nature Have Rights", 6:30 pm, Appleton Library, Meeting Room C, hosted by Rights of Nature Wisconsin, ESTHER, and others.
| |
- May 31 - Ordination of Dr. Stephen Sieck (details above)
- June 8 - Annual Meeting, 11:15 am (details above)
- July 27 - Summer Picnic (details coming in June)
| |
 | Sunday, June 8 at 2:30 pm
First Congregational UCC
724 E South River St., Appleton
| |
| | |
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.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
