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Bring-a-Friend Sunday Fun Day! September 21
Bring-a-Friend! Join us for services this Sunday, Sept. 21, at 9:00 am or 11:00 am and invite a friend to join you! Most people find our Fellowship because they were invited by a friend. It will be a low-key, welcoming, and informative Sunday with a Middle Hour at 10:10 am with folks from our membership team offering a Newcomer 101 Q&A.
Fun Day! After the second service, from 12:15-2:00 pm, we will have Fun Day! This year's Fun Day will include lunch, ice cream Sundaes, face painting, games, balloon animals, and more, along with an Information & Activity Fair for Fellowship groups to promote their programs.
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Rooted in Love: 2025-26 Guiding Theme
This year, we are learning from the natural world and those spiritualities that tune in to the sacred cycles of our earth. We are settling in as a community, finding our strength deep down in our roots, drawing sustenance from the earth, from those who came before us, and those who surround us. We are firm in our foundation even as the winds of the world batter around us. Guided by our shared values, we seek to grow our interdependence, generosity, justice, pluralism, equity and transformation but we remain rooted in love, together.
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Sunday, September 21
• 9:00 am Central Time in-person
informal coffeehouse-style service with conversation
• 11:00 am Central Time in-person & livestream traditional service with sermon
The Same River Twice
by Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave
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Music Ministry
Hello friends, old and new! Our music programs are kicking off, and we hope you'll join us! If you have questions or want to see the schedule of rehearsals, you can look at our Music Ministry page HERE or contact Tam Masters at tam@fvuuf.org - they'll point you in the right direction. If you want to be involved, let us know, HERE.
On September 21st, we will have our first Joyful Noise Choir rehearsal (10:10 am) and performance (during the 11 am service). Tam Masters will be leading this multi-generational, low-rehearsal choir once a month. This is a great chance to come sing, dance, and clap your hands, even if you don't consider yourself a musician. All ages are welcome.
For information about our Music Ministries and the upcoming schedule, click the button:
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Middle Hour
Learning, Connection & Fun for All Ages on Sunday Mornings.
This Sunday:
- “Newcomer 101” with folks from our Membership Team– Come learn in an informal Q&A session about what the Fellowship and Unitarian Universalism is all about.
Click the button to see what's coming up:
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Fox Cities Marathon this Sunday
This Sunday, September 21, over 4,000 athletes participating in the Community First Fox Cities Marathon will be passing through the Fox Cities! The races start at 7:00 am at 1478 Midway Road in Menasha and will finish at Riverside Park in Neenah. We’re excited to be celebrating 34 years of this great event in the Fox Cities!
It may take longer to get to services this Sunday. Please be cautious of runners and walkers in the road while driving.
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| | Religious Exploration - Children & Youth
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Made By Our Teens, For Our Teens! BATs is Back!
Join us on Sept. 24, for our very first gathering of the year! Being A Teen is your space to be yourself, unwind, and connect. If you’re in grades 8 through 12 (ages 14 and up), join us twice a month on Wednesday nights to be yourself, build friendships, relax, and if you’re into it, dive into the big stuff.
In true UU style, we’ll also jump into activities that build community and make a difference through social justice and service projects. Join us in a safe and welcoming space where you can be yourself, build friendships, and discover what it means to live with meaning and purpose.
• When: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 pm starting on Sept. 24
• Where: Brown Room
• Who: Teens ages 14–18
• 2nd Wednesday: Social and community-building focus. Teens can relax, play games, watch movies, enjoy snacks, and simply be together in a safe and welcoming space.
• 4th Wednesday: A space for deeper conversations about life’s big questions. Teens will reflect on what life means, what matters most, and the questions that inspire thoughtful reflection.
Please register your teen using the link in the article directly below. Contact Kim Hartman at kim@fvuuf.org with questions.
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A New Year of Discovery Awaits! Our 2025-2026 Religious Exploration Program Year Has Begun
We’re excited for a year filled with curiosity, fun, friendship, and meaningful exploration. Together, we’ll engage in lessons and activities that nurture personal and spiritual growth, spark big questions, and encourage our young people to live into our UU values. It’s going to be a year of discovery, connection, and growth, and we can’t wait to begin!
There is a place for every young seeker to connect and grow. Click here for information about each of our programs, including nursery, children’s Sunday Religious Exploration, and our teen programs: Crossing Paths, Being a Teen, and Our Whole Lives.
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RE Parents: Help Us Keep Our Kids Safe
Your help makes a big difference in creating a safe and caring environment for all our children and youth. We want each young person to feel free to choose where they feel most at home during services — whether that’s in the sanctuary with you, or in an RE classroom.
If you’ve checked your child(ren) in at the RE table and they decide to:
· stay with you in the sanctuary, or
· join a sibling in a classroom they’re not registered for...
please take a quick moment to let our teachers know. This simple step helps our teachers keep track of everyone with ease and ensures they don’t worry about any “missing” students. Thank you for helping us make RE a safe, welcoming space for all!
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Digging Deep Camp
October 18 – 19, 2025
Join us for a weekend of connection, fun, learning and fellowship to “dig deep” into our faith, our relationships, and our practices that put love at the center.
Adult Track 1: Digging Deep in Our Relationships
This track is a Heart 2 Heart retreat for committed couples, guided by trained facilitators using our long-beloved curriculum for anyone seeking to deepen and improve their marriage or committed relationship (open to committed people of any gender or configuration).
Adult Track 2: Digging in to Our UU Faith
This track will be a weekend of learning and connecting to our Unitarian Universalist history, theology, values, and practices. We’ll explore, discuss, play, and reflect on what it means to be a part of this living tradition.
Kids’ Camp: Digging Deep into Spiritual Practices
Calling all kids ages 4-10 for a weekend of fun, connection, play, and practicing many ways to connect with our spirit, our friends and our earth. We will learn from science, nature, the world’s faith traditions, and our own UU values to deepen our spirituality.
Registration deadline is October 2!
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| | Adult Connection Opportunity
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Gathering Circle
The Gathering Circle Pagan Small Group is starting up once again after a summer hiatus. We welcome anyone who is pagan, practices an earth-centered spirituality, is interested in learning more, or is merely curious. Our next meeting is September 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Fellowship. Please contact Tuppence Van de Vaarst at tsvdvaarst@gmail.com with questions.
Thank you!
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Live Your UU Values: Assist Essentials in Providing a Meal at Pillars Adult & Family Shelter
Seize the opportunity to help Essentials: Food and Shelter for All in preparing and serving a meal for Pillars Adult and Family Shelter at 400 N Division St., Appleton, on Monday, September 29. Click HERE to select an item and sign up to prepare it for the meal. All items are to be delivered to Pillars Adult and Family Shelter by 5:00 pm on September 29. Also, click on the link to volunteer to be a server from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for that meal. If you have questions or need assistance getting your food to the shelter by 5:00 pm, contact Nan Middleton at (906) 370-0560 or nrmiddleton72@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Fellowship Build Day
To celebrate the construction of Fellowship Members Willow and Brianna Gallagher's new home, we are organizing Fellowship Build Days to strengthen our community and allow us to show Brianna and Willow our love and support. We have selected the following date on the build schedule:
Saturday, October 4 - Paint & Stain (7 needed)
No experience is required. On-the-job training provided. In addition to construction roles, there are opportunities to serve as site hosts or meal providers. If you are interested, please email Angie Demers at AngieD@foxcitieshabitat.org.
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Thank you to everyone who helped on September 9. We look forward to the next build day in October.
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 | Click the image to view the Justice Hub
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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.
- September 24, 5-7:00 pm, Life after Incarceration: Re-entry Simulation, Tarlton Theatre, Register at https://bit.ly/areentrysimulation. Hosted by JOSHUA and ESTHER
- October 11, ESTHER hosts a Cornhole Tournament (social and fundraiser), 3-5 pm at First Congregational UCC, 724 E. South River, Register at esther-foxvalley.org/cornhole Team competition (2 people per team), family-friendly with activities and food.
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Get Ready to Disco at Our Annual Auction – Nov. 8.
Mark your calendars for our Disco-themed Annual Auction on Saturday, November 8th.
- Silent Auction kicks off online Nov. 1st and wraps up at the event.
- Live Auction starts at 6:30 PM (doors open at 5:30 for food, fun & final silent bids)
Enjoy heavy appetizers, great company, and funky vibes.
Don’t miss our biggest fundraiser of the year!
👉 Visit fvuuf.org/auction for full details, donation info, and volunteer sign-ups.
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Your Time is a Great Gift
Highlighting volunteer opportunities at the Fellowship
Religious Exploration Volunteer Opportunities – Lend a Hand!
We have a few behind-the-scenes projects coming up in Religious Exploration, and we’d love your help!
One-Time Projects:
- Sort art supplies into new labeled bins for the craft room
- Organize and label RE Sources books in the Brown Room cabinet
Ongoing Projects:
- Help maintain RE classrooms by cleaning and organizing at the start and end of the program year, as well as before and after the summer session
- Create and maintain an organized RE children’s book library for families to enjoy and access easily
These simple acts of care go a long way in keeping our program organized, welcoming, and ready for the children and youth who learn and grow here. Contact Kim Hartman at kim@fvuuf.org if you can help.
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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.
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