Hello! Not only is it a fresh new year but I am freshly returned from my sabbatical. Receiving six whole months of unscheduled time—fully mine for the purposes of relaxation, rest, discernment, and creative development—was a precious gift. I wish everyone could have some version of a sabbatical, even as I know that’s a far cry from our present day reality. I am grateful to each and every member and friend of the Fellowship for allowing me this wonderful time. I especially thank Rev. Christina, Rev. Jim, and the staff.
 
It was such a pleasure to have a little more breathing room in my schedule, especially after the whirlwind of transition that’s been swirling pretty nonstop at the Fellowship these past few years. I still kept a schedule, of course—in the pottery studio, doing a brief consulting ministry at our congregation in Manitowoc, at a beginner’s course on glass blowing, and writing and photographing a collection of haiku about being a foster family. (Besides, no one with four kids ever really has that much down time.)
 
Now that my sabbatical is over, I’m doing my best to hit the ground running, catch up with those I have not seen for a while, and get to know those who have joined the community during the time I’ve been away. All the children have grown so much! Babies I no longer recognize are now running around on sturdy toddler legs.
 
I’m trying to reintegrate myself without deflating the sprit of spaciousness and peace I cherished so much about my sabbatical. Coming back, I want to bring that spirit of calm and slow with me to the Fellowship each time I enter this beloved building, even amid the hustle and bustle of a vibrant congregation. I look forward to sharing more about what I learned and did at the service on February 24th. Until then, as always, let me know if you’d like to connect.
 
With love and deep appreciation,
Rev. Leah
Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg
Associate Minister 
Upcoming Services
Sunday 9:00 and 10:45 am
January 13
The Power of Curiosity by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
We will kick off a six-part sermon series on Courage this week with the first of six words that begin with the letter "C"- Curiosity. Come explore how curiosity, wonder, and openness to experiences can spur on courage in the face of fear. 
January 20
The Power of Clarity by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
This, the second of our "Six C's of Courage" series will be an all-ages service focused on Clarity-- acknowledging reality without hiding from it-- and honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s commitment to fighting injustice by first refusing to become accustomed to it.

At last weekend’s services, we collected $1,045.69 for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. If you missed the opportunity to contribute and still wish to send a contribution for this fund please drop off or mail a check payable to Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship with Minster’s Discretionary Fund noted in the memo field, no later than Friday January 18, 2019. Thank you for your support! 
Upcoming Programs

Connection Saturdays
2nd and 4th Saturdays: Deeper Connection
Come for a new, more informal format. We will order pizza shortly after the 4:30 start-time (gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options available), and spend the afternoon in conversation. The discussion will be inspired by our theme of the month, and will strive for depth and meaning. There will also be an opportunity for lighting candles of joys and concern in this small-group format. 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. 

UU People of Color Small Group
We recognize that as a majority-white congregation, it can often feel isolating for People of Color 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 at the Fellowship, other times we meet at various locations in the Fox Valley to have dinner and support PoC/LGBTQ/disabled-bodied owned (and PoC/LGBTQ/disabled-friendly) businesses. PoC of all ages, especially teens, are more than welcome to join us! Email UUPOC@gmail.com for more details.
Summer 2019 Vacation Idea: Bayside UU Family Camp! 
Considering something new and different to do next summer? Well, you are in luck! Representatives from Bayside UU Family Camp will be here between services this Sunday, January 13 to share what they love about this weeklong summer camp that offers something for families of all configurations and generations. Among other things, Bayside includes daily adult workshops and worship services (attendance optional), quality child care, and youth programming, with intergenerational activities and vespers each evening. Bayside 2019 is July 7-13 at Pilgrim Center on Green Lake, WI. The camp has been described as a Unitarian village; a safe, warm, and nurturing place for "raising" the child in all of us. Come to coffee hour on January 13 to learn more! Check out the website HERE.
Winter Art Theme: “Our Beloved Art”
In our continuing efforts to include more people in the decorating of the Fellowship Hall, we have chosen the theme of Our Beloved Art for the next show.  Everyone is welcome to bring in art that speaks to your soul, fills you with joy or has a special meaning to you. It doesn’t have to be original or even done by anyone you know. It just has to be a piece you love. Since we don’t have space available for 3D art that requires a shelf or table, we can only accept pieces that are ready to hang on the wall. Make sure your name is on the back of the piece with a title for it if you have one. Please bring in your art on Sunday, January 13 and remove any pieces that you currently have on display at that time. Thanks for beautifying our Fellowship Hall with meaningful art.

Essentials: Food and Shelter for All JAM
If families and individuals in our community struggling with a lack of adequate food and shelter stir compassion in your heart, consider joining Essentials: Food and Shelter for All JAM. Join us at our next monthly meeting: 6:30 pm Monday, January 14 at Copper Rock 210 W. College Ave., Appleton. We work to address obstacles that stand in the way of people being able to meet these essential needs themselves by: exploring the root causes, engaging Fellowship members and friends in providing meals through the E2F (Empty to Full) meal pan collection and serving meals at Pillars Adult & Family Shelter and Pillars Adult Shelter, and more. For additional information contact Angie Miller starlight54302@yahoo.com or 920.810.7968.
Green Sanctuary Jam
The Fellowship Meatless Monday campaign for 2019 is underway. As a way to reduce your impact on the planet, The Green Sanctuary JAM team is encouraging members to give up meat for at least one meal a week in 2019. Those interested are invited to learn more and consider signing up in the Fellowship Hall after service or sign up by contacting meatless.fvuuf@gmail.com. Recipes and helpful tips will be provided throughout the year. 
The Fellowship Men's Group will hold our Annual Retreat at Camp Helen Brachman west of Waupaca January 18 - 20, 2019.  The retreat is a chance to connect more deeply with other men. Whether sharing through discussions on a chosen topic, through relaxing by the fireplace, or through hiking and cross-country skiing, this is a highlight of the year for many of us.
Please contact John Duffin if you are interested in attending, and he will add your name to the list. Further information will be forthcoming from our planning group. (If you are not on the Men's Group email list, please contact John Duffin japple51@gmail.com to be added to the retreat mailing list.)
Compassionate Integrity Training
Kate Trnka has recently become trained in this extensive program and is offering it here for the first time. CIT is a training program that cultivates basic human values as skills for the purpose of increasing individual, social and environmental flourishing. By covering a range of skills from self-regulation and self-compassion to compassion for others and engaging in systems, CIT focuses on and builds toward compassionate integrity: The ability to live one’s life in accordance with one’s values with a recognition of common humanity, our basic orientation to kindness and reciprocity.
Foundational Concepts and Self-Cultivation: Saturdays from 1:00 – 3:00 pm on 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9. Six additional weeks optional and determined by group. Contact Kate with questions and to register at 920.378.3999. Registration deadline 1/12/19.
Come to P.I.T.! (Pizza, Ice cream and Talk) – Middle and High School Youth Welcome!
January 23, 6:30-8:20 pm
Stay connected, have meaningful conversation around important topics and eat. Please RSVP your pizza preferences to Theresa Spoehr at cmtheresa@gmail.com.
Adults are also needed to give perspective on these discussions. Contact Theresa or director of religious education, Kim Hartmann, at kim@fvuuf.org if you are interested in helping.  1/23 - sexuality and gender and 2/27 - climate change
Raffle 2018-2019: Dinner for Two, Anywhere in the World!
We invite all Fellowship members and friends to participate by selling tickets. Our goal is 2,000 tickets sold. Ask your neighbors, friends, family and co-workers to buy a ticket to help support the wonderful ministries and programs of the Fellowship.
Total prize is $6,000*. This includes airfare for two on a commercial airline, hotel, and other transportation costs as arranged through Heart of the Valley Travel (Appleton) or Kiwi Travel (Appleton), with the travel related portion of the prize to be a minimum of $3,000. Remaining prize value will be given in the form of a check to pay for dinner and other travel expenses. *See terms and conditions HERE. Raffle tickets cost $20 each. 
We are selling tickets at Sunday services from now until February 10, 2019 or daily in the Fellowship office from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.   
February 2nd – Social Saturday BIRTHDAY BASH!
Join us for our regular Social Connection Saturday on February 2 at 4:30. There will be soup and bread with vegan and gluten free options, and a special BIRTHDAY BASH hosted by our Multigenerational Ministry Team. There will be cake, and a chance to mingle with people of all ages whose birthdays are near yours. There will be optional games and activities, and the evening will end with a dance featuring DJ Afrekete (Amy Ongiri) spinning tunes from several generations.  
CABARET 2019!
Saturday, February 16 will be our annual Cabaret. Plan on an evening of music, humor, and assorted performances by our own Fellowship members and friends, complete with munchies and drinks for only $10 per person. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall to help make it happen. We need food and drink suppliers, set up and take down help, kitchen servers, performers, and of course, audience members. The doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7:15 pm. See you there! Contact Beth Wilde, Cabaret Chair (bethlwilde@gmail.com) with questions. 
Noteworthy News
Greetings from your Healthy Congregation Team!  
We have a new way for members to share their feedback, including thoughts, satisfactions, and concerns about the Fellowship. We have had no incidents that triggered this step, this is simply grounded in our initiative to make our processes open and transparent.  
Any feedback you want to give to us and to the Executive Team, which include both ministers and the business administrator, can be submitted online, HERE, or by paper copy available on the large bulletin board in the Fellowship lobby. Anonymous feedback will not be addressed. When feedback is received, one of the HCT members will let you know promptly that we’ve received it and will follow up appropriately.  
Urgent concerns can always be taken directly to our ministers or communicated to them with a phone call or email. More information will come in an all Fellowship email soon, or stop by the Connections Corner this Sunday after services to talk with us!
Changes to UU Night Out
UU Night Out will meet in March, May, July, September, November and January on the first Tuesday at 6:00 pm at GingeRootz (2920 N Ballard Rd, Appleton). Please contact Cindy Darling by phone, text, or email to be added to the event. Or ask to join the Facebook group. Please note: this is an adults-only dinner gathering. 920.205.9635 or CindyD@MauRealty.com
Acoustic Jam Update
The January 18 Acoustic Jam has been cancelled. Please join us at our next gathering on February 15. Acoustic Jam is open to musicians and singers of all ages and abilities, from the professional and serious hobbyist to the beginner. Although the music played is largely folk, we also play oldies, bluegrass, and Americana, among other styles. Your voice is an instrument too! Contact Debbie Wagner at wagneda@yahoo.com.
The Fellowship is seeking a part time Facilities Maintenance Technician to join our team.
Do you have basic knowledge of carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and a general mechanical aptitude? Responsibilities include but not limited to; repair of electrical & plumbing fixtures, flooring, painting, preventative building maintenance, working with outside vendors, non-routine indoor and outdoor building cleaning and grounds maintenance, assisting with event set up, and other tasks as assigned. Please click HERE for a more detailed job description.
High school diploma or equivalent, along with 2-3 years building maintenance experience required. Related degree from a technical college preferred, but not required. Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license.
Position is approximately 10 hours per week. Schedule is flexible, with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
To apply email your resume, cover letter and references to, employment@fvuuf.org, Attn: Phyllis Schmitt, Business Administrator, with Facilities Maintenance Technician in the subject line. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2019, with an anticipated start date of early February, 2019. Members and friends of the Fellowship will be considered, but will not be given preference.
Community Office Hours
Join Rev. Christina for her bimonthly Community Office Hours at local coffee shops throughout the Fox Valley! This year Rev. Christina will have two each month, once on a Wednesday afternoon from 2-4:00 pm and once on a Thursday morning from 8-10:00 am. No RSVP needed, come for part of the time or stay the entire time! Topics of conversation will depend on who joins us; there is no agenda. Come enjoy coffee and conversation!
January – Tempest Coffee Collective
181 South Riverheath Way #1100, Appleton
17th – 8-10:00am
Contact Us
Click the image for our mailing address and staff email addresses.
Click here for the current financial report.
Click here for the current Governing Board meeting agenda.
Thank you for reading The Weekly Scroll, and pardon any typos.
Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg, Associate Minister
Phyllis Schmitt, Business Administrator
Kim Hartman, Director of Religious Education
Marie Luna, Director of Congregational Life
Steve Sieck, Music Director
Eve Rosera, Religious Education Assistant
Cyndi Polakowski, Secretary
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.
Deeper Connection Saturday - January 12. Click HERE for more information.

Weekly Calendar  

Saturday, January 12
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha
4:30pm Deeper Connection Saturday

7:00pm UU Dance Group
Sunday, January 13
9:00 &10:45am Worship Service
10:00am U-Youth Choir
10:45am Breakfast Club
6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Monday, January 14
9:00am Goddess Group
Tuesday, January 15
6:00pm Governing Board Meeting
6:30pm Tuesday Night Meditation
7:00pm Men's Group
Wednesday, January 16
5:30pm Fellowship Choir
Thursday, January 17
6:30pm Spill it Sister
7:00pm UU Book Club
Book Club Books
First Thursday Book Club 
January: Daughters of the Dragon by William Andrews
February: Facts and Fears by James Clapper
UU Book Club    
January: The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
February: American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee
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