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Counting on you
By Samantha Zinth, Governing Board President As you may have heard, we are facing a significant budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. Pledges for 2019-20 were due on Sunday, March 17. As of Sunday, April 21, we are still $100,000 short of our goal. We need to distribute materials for the Annual Meeting by mid-May, so we are running out of time to create a responsible budget. Unfortunately, if we cannot generate $100,000 in new or increased pledge income by Sunday, May 5, we will need to present a budget for 2019-20 with substantial cuts. At our current pledge levels, we will not be able to hire the (much-needed) building maintenance position or a part-time intern minister. We will make cuts to all program funds (such as religious education, music and social justice). We will not be able to pay our national and regional UUA dues. We will have to eliminate cost-of-living increases for our dedicated and hard-working staff. And we may be forced to cut the compensation of our ministers up to 10 percent. As your board president and a fellow member, I do not want to see that happen. We have faced budget shortfalls before. In the past, we have come up with creative solutions to bridge the gap (a matching gift challenge, Dinner Anywhere raffle, etc.). But this model isn't sustainable, and quite frankly, this year's shortfall is too significant. We don't want to temporarily fill the gap only to find ourselves in the same position again next year. Instead, we ask that you mindfully consider your current pledge, and if necessary, submit an updated pledge form by Sunday, May 5. We don't share this message out of guilt or shame. The reality is that many of you have already increased your pledge over last year. You are giving as generously as your budget allows, and we thank you. If you have not yet turned in your pledge form, we ask you to do so as soon as possible. If your situation allows you to re-evaluate your pledge, we would gladly welcome any increases. Remember, a pledge isn't a gift now, but a promise to pay later. Whatever you pledge, we ask you to make a good faith commitment that is sustainable, that this community can count on, and may even grow over time. I recognize the impulse to think “my pledge won’t make a difference” or “someone else will take care of it.” But the reality is that every dollar counts, and our beloved community is counting on YOU to help address this shortfall. I am hopeful that we can find a way forward, together. If you have any questions or concerns about the 2019-20 budget, I invite you to email the Governing Board at fvuufboard@fvuuf.org, or attend our next board meeting on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:00 PM at the Fellowship. There will also be a budget listening session on Thursday, May 23 at 6:00 PM, in which you can preview the budget prior to the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 2.
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Upcoming Services Sunday 9:00 and 10:45 am
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April 28 Earth Day with the Green Sanctuary Team
Join us for an interactive service filled with ways to celebrate, honor, and help our planet Earth. This all-ages service is sure to be fun and meaningful. May 5 Going Deeper by Denise Cawley
How do we approach controversial topics as we carry out our Unitarian Universalist values? Consider diving deeper and challenge your understanding of your values and your theology. Denise Cawley is Unitarian Universalist seminarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. She provides spiritual and emotional care chaplaincy at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Denise has been a pivotal player in diversity, inclusion, marriage equality and voting rights. Denise serves as the intern minister at Bradford Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Kenosha.
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2019-2020 Pledge Shortfall… Action Needed!
As some of you know our 2019-2020 stewardship campaign came in significantly lower than we had hoped. Rev. Christina shared this news with the Fellowship last Sunday, and you will be receiving a letter with more details in the mail soon. Many of you immediately responded to this news by turning in a pledge form or submitting a revised form to update and increase your pledge. Thank you! If you have not yet turned in a pledge form, we need you to do it immediately. If you have already turned in your pledge form, and not thought about it since this new was shared, we ask that you mindfully re-evaluate it, and if appropriate, submit an updated pledge from by Sunday, May 5th. Remember, a pledge isn't a gift now, but a promise to pay later. Whatever you pledge, we ask you to make a good faith commitment that you expect to be able to sustain or even grow over time. Thank you for considering this, and for all the ways that so many of us make this place possible.
Generosity ministry team representatives will be available this Sunday, April 28, and next Sunday May 5, to answer questions about your current pledge amount and will have pledge forms available for you to complete. Alternatively you can click HERE for an online pledge form, or contact Phyllis Schmitt, Business Administrator, at phyllis@fvuuf.org or 920.731.0849 with questions about your pledge. We are grateful for every pledge and trust that Fellowship members and friends will rally to help us Keep Moving Forward Together!
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Bridging Service
May 12, 2019, 9:00 and 10:45 am
Our annual bridging service includes a special ceremony to ritualize graduating high school seniors’ transition to adulthood. Children, youth and young adults (18-35 years of age) will have special roles. Bridging youth will share about where they are in their spiritual journeys, giving each of us a chance to reflect on whatever stage of life we might currently occupy.
Please contact Kim Hartman at kim@fvuuf.org by April 28 if your child plans to participate in the Bridging ceremony.
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How well do you know your African American civil rights leaders and cultural icons?
Find out on Sunday, April 28 before and after services at the Racial Justice JAM display featuring silhouettes of well-know Black leaders. Name them and submit your list-- there is a prize waiting for someone who can name them all. In case of a tie, names will be drawn for the winner.
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Green Sanctuary “Idea Tree”
Come join the Green Sanctuary team in the Fellowship Hall between services on April 28th to help us prioritize project ideas for the program year. The Green Sanctuary has accumulated over 40 possible ideas we could pursue with the Fellowship. Since we can’t do everything all at once, we need the Fellowship's help prioritizing these project ideas. This tells us what you think are the most worthwhile projects and which ones you will support. There might be prizes!
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People of Color Small Group
We recognize that as a majority-white congregation, it can often feel isolating for People of Color/Brown & Black folx who love our theology but might not identify with some other aspects of the community. Join the UU People of Color (UU PoC) small group once a month or more as we gather to have fun and discuss topics that we can identify with. This is a great way to meet and connect with people and avoid isolation.
We usually meet every second Sunday of the month. PoC/Brown & Black folx of all ages are more than welcome to join us! We also encourage young people to get involved. Email UUPOC@hotmail.com for more details and for meeting time and location.
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Flower Pot Essential Needs Drive - Last Call
The Shared Sanctuary Ministry Team and Essentials: Food and Shelter for All Justice Action Ministry are once again partnering with Unidos por un Futuru Mejor, a local immigrants rights and education group. For one more week, we have flower pots set up in the Fellowship Hall with blooming paper “flowers." The flowers request gift cards for specific retailers to help immigrant families purchase essential personal supplies. Buy gift card(s) with a $10 or more value at Aldi, Woodman's, Kwik Trip, Festival Foods, Pick n Save, Target, Big Lots, Walmart, Dollar General, or Family Dollar. Donated gift cards are due at the Fellowship by April 28. Contact Marie Luna, director of congregational life, at marie@fvuuf.org with questions.
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UU Men's Group Hike
Our group organizes several outdoor adventures each year. Our next adventure is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th. "Glaciers and Glens" includes a couple of hour-long hikes at county parks in Brown County. Highlights include a waterfall, dolomite rock bridge, ancient oaks, and a river valley formed in a single day during the last ice age. These early-season hikes include soggy, muddy ground and slippery rocks. This adventure is rain-or-shine and includes a late lunch in Denmark, WI. Gathering on the east side of the Fox Cities 9:00 am, returning by 3:00 pm. All who identify as men and their buddies are invited to join us. Each of our adventures includes first time participants - we are a welcoming community. Spend a day with others - make friends for life. Respond with interest or questions to Mark Walker at mercianbike1975@gmail.com.
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UU Night Out
UU Night Out is an adults-only social group with no agenda--just great conversation and yummy food. Fellowship friends and members are all welcome. We meet every other month at GingeRootz in Appleton where they offer culinary choices to fit any lifestyle at a convenient location. The next UU Night Out is Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 pm. Come make a new friend, get to know someone better, or just enjoy some good food. UU Night Out is always a good time. Contact Cindy Darling to be added to the reservation. Friend her on Facebook and join the group. Call or text 920-205-9635 or email her at CindyD@MauRealty.com.
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Pathways to Renewal
Thursday, May 9th; 6:00-8:00 pm As in all aspects of our lives, from time to time, we experience points of transition in congregational life. For instance, as we learn and grow our interests may change in the type of adult enrichment we participate in, or our desire and ability to be more involved in social justice or service work may change. Inevitably, roles and identities change as well. Adult volunteers with children in the religious education program may find themselves wondering where they fit into the community once their children age out of the program. Some may simply be looking for ways to change things up bit by meeting new people and trying new things. Join Jenny Bush, Cindy Darling and Heather Maass of the Engagement Team, and director of congregational life, Marie Luna, to the first annual Pathways to Renewal class, a program helping you see where you are on the spectrum and where you might want to be, along with an opportunity to renew your faith and yourself. Please RSVP by May 1st to Marie Luna at marie@fvuuf.org if you plan to attend.
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Partner Churches Plant Sale is coming! From 8:00 am until 12:30 pm on Sunday, May 19th, the Partner Churches Committee will be selling herbs, wildflowers, perennial plants, veggie seedlings, house plants, and fresh flowers. We’ll set up in the parking lot and provide plant and planting tips as well as information about our Partner Churches activities! Don’t miss this fun event and the opportunity to take home great plants at very affordable prices! On Wednesday, May 15th, we will have a Pot(ting) Party from 2:00 pm until 5-6:00 pm. We’ll enjoy a pot luck dinner after spending the afternoon potting up perennials. This is a fun afternoon of working together and all plant and people lovers are invited to join us. You are encouraged to bring your extra perennial clumps, veggie seedlings, herbs, and houseplants to the party for repotting, bring them to the sale on Sunday, or let us know when we can pick them up if you are unable to attend. The Pot Party will be at the home of Tony and Jane Salsich. If you would like to contribute plants for the sale or work at the sale, please contact Vickie Milde (vicmilde@hotmail.com), Tina Main, (velo.biker@gmail.com), or sign up at our display in the Fellowship Hall.
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General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. GA will be held from June 19-23 in Spokane, WA. For more information, especially for those who might be considering attending for the first time, check out https://www.uua.org/ga. If you plan to attend GA and would like to be a delegate, please contact Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg at leah@fvuuf.org for delegate information.
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Upcoming Child Dedication Ceremony Date
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 the lead minister indicated below. June 9th (with Rev. Leah), 10:00 am service – sign up by May 20.
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Click the image for our mailing address and staff email addresses. | |
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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 Calendar Saturday, April 27
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha 10:00am Spanish Charla Sunday, April 28
9:00 &10:45am Worship Service 10:00am U-Youth Choir 2:00pm Belly Dance Group
6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Monday, April 29
9:00am Goddess Group Tuesday, April 30 6:30pm Tuesday Night Meditation Wednesday, May 1 5:30pm Fellowship Choir
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Book Club Books UU Book Club May: Educated by Tara Westover
June: Last Boat out of Shanghai by Helen Zia
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