 |
|
|
Having trouble viewing this message? Scroll to the bottom & click the link to view this email online.
| |
Happy Fall Ya’ll – Governing Board Fall Connection
The past few months have been productive for the Governing Board. We welcomed our newest elected members, assigned our strategic planning goals for completion, and sought out new opportunities for the congregation’s financial and spiritual health.
We are looking forward to the future of the spiritual growth and health of the Fellowship by supporting the proposed co-ministry model that Rev. Christina and Rev. Hannah have brought forth to share ministry and leverage their strengths in re-organizing their portfolios. All of this leads to the culmination of Rev. Hannah being called as a co-minister alongside Rev. Christina on November 17th, 2024. There will be one 10 AM single service and an 11 AM meeting with childcare provided. Mark your calendars to be in attendance in-person or via Zoom, ballots must be counted the day of the meeting. More details will be forthcoming.
Our financial future is imperative, and we are excited for our collaboration with consultant Josh Kilgas, who has a long-standing positive reputation in local fundraising and capital financial assessment. He will work alongside the X-Team and our Generosity & Engagement Ministries to further understand and assess our ability to sustain and improve our financial future. We look forward to Josh’s recommendations and how each of us can be part of the solution.
Lastly, the Board is working diligently in ensuring efforts towards meeting the goals of the Strategic Plan are making progress. We developed a strategic plan monitoring process and continue to explore how to assess our work on an ongoing, quarterly, yearly, and triennial basis. One area you will hear much about in the coming months is the Triennial Evaluation we will complete in a 360-assessment of the ministry. Stay tuned!
In spiritual leadership,
The Fellowship Governing Board:
Dana Johnson-President, Justin Fisher- Vice President, Erin Vandenlangenberg- Secretary, Patrick Mitchell-Treasurer, Beth Belmore, Beth De Stasio, Brian Murton, Chris Wales and Marti Wheeler-Members at Large
| |
Sunday, November 1711:15 am Central Time
There is a Congregational vote on the proposal to call Rev. Hannah as our co-minister, immediately following our one 10:00 am service.
Please plan to attend and cast your vote on this momentous occasion! Our bylaws require a quorum of 25% of our eligible voting members for this special Call meeting.
In Person attendance is encouraged if you are able but there will also be an option to participate via Zoom. Watch your email inbox for a meeting notice with more details about the meeting, including registering or absentee voting, coming in the first couple days of November.
Have Questions about what this call/co-ministry vote means to the future of our Fellowship please see the options for in-person and Zoom meetings for small group conversations in the Ministry Call & Co-Ministry section later in this newsletter.
| |
Sunday, October 139:00 am Central Time in-person
informal coffeehouse-style service with conversation
11:00 am Central Time in-person & livestream
traditional service with sermon
Our Values Take Flight: Learnings from a Weekend at Camp with Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Click HERE for Worship Service Zoom Information & the Order of Service
• Visit fvuuf.org/middlehour/ to learn more about middle hour.
• 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 October we share the plate between RCI REACH: Resources Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health and the UU Disaster Relief Fund.
| |
10:10 AM Middle Hour
Middle Hour offering this Sunday:
• Newcomer Fireside Chat with Generosity & Engagement Ministries
• “Non-Judgement Day” Mindfulness Session with Linda Gardner, Jeanna Owens & Cindy Darling from Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Click HERE for future Middle Hour offerings.
| |
Indigenous People’s Day Program
The Green Sanctuary Team welcomes interested Fellowship members to join a discussion during Middle Hour on Sunday, October 20. The worship service that Sunday is honoring Indigenous Peoples Day by focusing on land stewardship and related values woven into the cultures of Indigenous tribes. The Green Sanctuary Team has been studying and learning about this in recent years. Mainstream American society has not prioritized the conservation of land, water, air, other species, and all-natural resources—but Native Americans have been doing so for thousands of years. We have much to learn from their cultures and beliefs, including respect for the interrelatedness of all existence. READ MORE
| |
Pop-Up Choir This Sunday!
This Sunday, October 13, all are invited to be a part of our POP-UP CHOIR at the 11:00 AM service. Please meet in the Sanctuary (up by the piano) at 10:20 AM. We'll be singing "The JETPIG Song", words by Rev. Christina and music by Dr. Steve Sieck.
Please come as you are - you don't need to prepare anything! Music will be provided.
Thanks! Hope to see you Sunday morning!
| |
|
| | Ministry Call & Co-Ministry
| |
Small Group Conversations on Co-Ministry: Sign-Up Now!
As you may have heard, a proposal has been offered to move in the direction of a shared ministry between Rev. Christina and Rev. Hannah. To help the congregation decide whether or not such a shared ministry is good for the Fellowship, the Ministerial Call Discernment Team has prepared several opportunities to ask questions, get to know Rev. Hannah and her family better, and engage in dialogue as a community.
In October, we will offer cottage meetings for small group conversations on co-ministry and calling Rev. Hannah. Sign-ups are now open in-person (after services) or online (click here):
Cottage Meeting Schedule (Subject to change)
• Saturday, October 19 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at the Fellowship
ADA accessible; Childcare available
• Sunday, October 20 from 2:00-4:00 PM, hosted by Ben & Sam Zinth
2-3 steps required to enter residence (no railing)
• Tuesday, October 22 from 7:00-9:00 PM, online via Zoom
• Wednesday, October 30 from 7:00-9:00 PM, hosted by Tim Watson & Pete Smaby
2-3 steps required to enter residence (no railing)
• Sunday, November 10 from 12:30-2:30 PM at the Fellowship
ADA accessible; Childcare available; Light lunch provided
Other Important Dates
• Sunday, November 10: Rev. Hannah and Rev. Christina will co-preach about trust and shared ministry
• Sunday, November 17: Congregational vote on the proposal to call Rev. Hannah as our co-minister
The ministerial call of Rev. Hannah is an important step in the future of our Fellowship. Please make plans to be a part of it by attending the events outlined above. See you there!
Ministerial Call Discernment Team
Brian Murton, Marti Wheeler, Sam Zinth, Dave Gerlach, and Tim Watson
| |
| | Religious Exploration - Children & Youth
| |
Religious Exploration Program Year
Our 2024-2025 Religious Exploration Program Year has begun. We warmly invite all young curious minds and adventurous spirits to join us in a journey filled with fun and friendship. Together, we will explore our values through enriching lessons and activities that promote spiritual, ethical, and intellectual growth in our students.
We have some new and exciting changes for your kids this year, along with old favorites. One week a month will be spent learning more about other world religions (Hinduism, Paganism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and others). Another week we will learn about our new UU values of Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity (JETPIG). The following weeks will continue with our previous curriculum: Soul Matters. Come Join Us!
Click HERE for information about each of our programs including nursery, children’s Sunday Religious Exploration, and HERE for our teen programs; Crossing Paths, Being a Teen, and Our Whole Lives.
| |
Fellowship Kids- Join us for Fun and Friends During Middle Hour!
• Drop-off Time: 10:05-10:10 am
• Pick-up Time: 10:50-10:55 am
Meet us in the Potter Room (Next to the Anthony/Mural Room) for Fun & Friends, a supervised time for community creation through play, games, and art for our kids ages 4K through 5th grade (approximately ages 4-10).
Older kids are invited to attend coffee hour or one of the adult Middle Hour offerings. Our nursery will be open for our youngest friends, ages 6 months to 4 years.
| |
| | Connect & Commit Spotlight
| |
JBear Photography – Individual and Family Sessions! **NEW DATE**
On October 27, Jerry Behrendt (Fellowship member and photographer) will be offering the opportunity to have your individual, family, or group photos taken at the Fellowship, in plenty of time to print those holiday cards! Jerry is donating his time and asks that you pay for this service by giving back to the Fellowship. You can pay with a check written to FVUUF with “Photos” in the memo line, or pay via our online giving portal, HERE, enter the amount, select Photo from the drop-down list, and follow the prompts. Any amount is welcome, with a suggestion of $100 per session. After the session, Jerry will edit the photos and send you a private link to view and download your photos and print them however you wish. Questions? Contact Rev. Christina (christina@fvuuf.org).
Please consider a suggested payment of $100. A great deal for a professional photo shoot and this will help to get us to our 2024-2025 operating fundraising goal of $25,000! Sign up for a time slot by clicking HERE.
| |
Connect and Commit: Engage, Serve, Give
Communication is vital to the life of The Fellowship. This year, our Generosity & Engagement Ministries (GEM) is focusing on the ways we Connect and Commit: Engage, Serve, Give.
Our goal is that each person will consider their connection and commitment to the Fellowship – How do you want to engage, serve, and give this year?
We need each of you to complete the Connect and Commit form, to let us know your hopes, goals, and intentions for the year. Our goal is to help each person find their place at the Fellowship so that we are all connected in meaningful ways. The information from the form will help us support your purposeful commitment to the Fellowship.
Please click HERE for details and to fill out the form. Paper forms are available in the Fellowship lobby.
| |
Watch for upcoming Connect & Commit opportunities and events.
| |
UU the Vote
Stop by after services this Sunday, October 6, to write or pick up postcards to write at home to help get out the vote.
| |
 | Click the image to view the Justice Hub
|
|
Justice HubCheck 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.
- Sign up HERE for one of ESTHER's 3 part study sessions for Poverty, by America, author Matthew Desmond.
- UU the Vote Reminder: You can find voter information on registration, polling locations, absentee voting, and early voting at: Vote411.org OR www.myvote.wi.gov.
| |
Office Closed
The office will close at noon on Friday, October 11.
| |
UU World Magazine
From UU World: UU World is thrilled to announce the launch of our twice-a-month newsletter that showcases the latest updates from our website.
We named our newsletter Wayfinder because it is intended to help you navigate your journey with Unitarian Universalist Shared Values as an ever-present guide. Wayfinder will bring revelatory, insightful, spiritually nourishing updates right to your email inbox. READ MORE and subscribe to the newsletter for free.
UU World print magazine is free for Fellowship members. Contact Cyndi Polakowski in the office at cyndi@fvuuf.org if you have questions about your subscription. UU World magazine is published twice a year in spring and fall.
| |
Care and SupportTo submit a Joy or Concern, fill out the form on our website or contact Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave, Assistant Minister, at hannah@fvuuf.org or 920-731-0849. For pastoral emergencies call 920-383-1565.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
