First Unitarian Society
Announcements
Sunday, May 4, 2008
• TODAY: Conversation with Trustees
Noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Chalice Room. Come to discuss the proposed 2008-09 FUS Budget.
• TODAY: Smart Gifting and Estate Planning
Noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Dietrich Room. In these times of financial volatility, the FUS Foundation is offering a timely seminar by tax expert and attorney Robert Collins on ways to protect your assets and develop smart gift planning strategies.
• TODAY: Orientation Sessions for Visitors
We are holding Orientation sessions for visitors to help familiarize them with FUS, Unitarian Universalism, and our activities here. Please join us on TODAY AND May 18, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Dietrich Room at FUS. If you wish to become a member after attending these sessions, New Member Sunday follows on June 1, where part of the ceremony will be introducing you to the congregation and signing the member book. No need to RSVP, just show up. Please let me know if you have questions. Stop by the Minster’s Tea after service, I would love to meet you! Teresa West, Membership Coordinator, 612-377-6608 ext. 104, membership@firstunitariansociety.org.
• THIS WEEK: The Faithful Fools are in the Twin Cities May 3 - 11.
Flyers about their engagements are available in the office and are posted on the FUS bulletin boards.
• FUS Cabaret: Buy Your Tickets in Advance and Save!
The FUS Cabaret is coming soon! Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 31, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall. This will be a fun evening of musical entertainment featuring our home-grown FUS talent. A wide range of musical styles will be featured, including classical, country, pop, folk, show tunes, bluegrass and more! You’ll hear from solo performers, as well as ensembles. And enjoy some great snacks and beverages while you relax and watch the show! Advance tickets will be on sale every Sunday in May during social hour. Advance ticket cost: $5.00/person ($15.00 max. per family). At the door: $7.00/person ($20.00 max per family). Childcare will be available for $3.00 per family. We look forward to seeing you at the FUS Cabaret!
• Correction: Alliance Meeting
The May 7 Alliance meeting program was listed incorrectly in the May Unitarian. The correct program title is “The Zapatista Movement, Chiapas, Mexico” as viewed and experienced by Jan Sigmund, assisted by Ruth Agar and Angie O’Neill. As usual, the program begins at 11 a.m. followed by lunch. The Annual Meeting of The Alliance concludes the meeting that day. Anyone who would like to attend but has not yet RSVP’d may do so by calling Olive Sarkinen today at 763-544-6168.
• Great Garden Clean-up
Finally, we’re getting some warmer spring weather and garden plants are beginning to show green growth. Guess what — it’s garden clean-up time! We hope on either May 10 or May 17 at 9:00 a.m. — depending on weather — will work for a crew of hearty volunteers. Please bring clippers, pruners, rakes, trowels, shovels and your work gloves. We will provide food and beverages for everyone. Please call Joyce Blomquist (651-631-0688) if you can help.
• Flower Communion
Sunday, May 18 is Flower Communion Day. Plan now to bring a flower for this service where you bring a flower and receive a flower.
• Masjid An-Nur Mosque Asking for Help from FUS
The First Unitarian Society supported the work of the Masjid An-Nur Mosque earlier this year by holding a social justice collection to supply their food shelf and by helping with food distribution. Now they are asking for our help with another effort.
They are organizing a bone marrow drive for all races. The first Bone Marrow Drive will be May 24, 2008 at the mosque, 1729 Lyndale Ave.., 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. It will be an info session Spaghetti Dinner and when all can join the registry. A series of drives will be announced.
Volunteers will need to be trained by the National Marrow Donor Program’s Volunteer Ambassador Coordinator. This training will teach the basics of becoming a donor and how to run a drive. There is no cost to the volunteers and lunch or dinner will be provided, depending on training day and time. Trainings will be held at NMPD Coordinating Center (N.E. Mpls.) and Masjid An-Nur mosque. If we have ten or more volunteers it is a possibility that a training session can be held at FUS.
Look for a sign up sheet on the Social Action Table during coffee hour after a Sunday assembly.
• Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Opportunity
FUS members can join members of other metro area Unitarian congregations to work at a habitat For Humanity site, 7707 89th Ave., Brooklyn Park, June 16 - 20. Look for more information, a map and a chance to sign up on the Social Action table during social hour.
• Get Your Updated Membership Directory
Please stop by the Ask Me table or the office to get a new membership directory that includes all our new members and any updates. Sorry, no photo updates at this time!
• Join Us Next Sunday, May 11
Forums are held at 9:30 a.m. in the Lower Assembly Hall and
Assemblies are at 10:30 a.m. in the Upper Assembly Hall.
Special Mother’s Day FORUM: Mother’s Day for Peace Presenter: Social Action Committee “Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have taught them of charity, mercy and patience”, Julia Ward Howe, 1870.
In 1870 abolitionist, suffragette and poet Julia Ward Howe organized a Mothers Day for Peace to promote peace and speak out against war. On May 11, 2008, we will honor the work of mothers and others from FUS who work for peace at our Forum. There will be poetry, songs from the Eclectics, and words of inspiration from our members.
ASSEMBLY: “Songs My Mother Taught Me” Music Sunday A tribute to motherhood. The FUS Chorus and Orchestra will present beautiful music to honor all mothers. Come and join us this morning as we celebrate Mother’s Day with highly spirited gypsy songs and dances!
“Idylle” from Suite Pastorale by Emmanuel Chabrier
Romanian Folk Dances by Bela Bartok
Gypsy Songs by Antonin Dvorak
The Monthly Social Justice Collection gathered today will be directed to social justice scholarships for youth.
• FUS Annual Meeting, Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 p.m.
The FUS Membership’s Annual Meeting will be held on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. Eat ‘N’ Meet Dinner will precede the meeting, starting at 5:45 p.m. Dinner is free to members. Volunteers are needed for set-up and clean-up. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Teresa West or by phone at 612-377-6608 ext. 104.
If you will need child care during the meeting, please contact Jan Devor or by phone at 612-377-6608 ext. 108.
Hope to see you there.
• Coming to a UU Home Near You! - Heritage Suppers
Join a small group at a host’s home to learn about our UU Heritage. Through joint readings, story and discussion people attending will come away with a deeper understanding of our UU history and lots of food — for thought and for your stomach!
Suppers will be two Sundays, Part I on October 19 and Part II on March 29, both from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Please contact Teresa West, Membership Coordinator for more information and to sign up.
• Torture is a Moral Issue
Join many other UUs and people of faith in endorsing the Statement of Conscience available to sign in the Lower Assembly Hall at the Social Justice table - or online at:
Torture is a Moral Issue.
Go to: NRCAT, to learn what more we can do to change our federal government's action on torture.
FUS is a member of NRCAT - the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. For more info, contact Bill Weir, 763-568-7022.
• A GUIDE TO GIVING - AT THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY
To raise your annual pledge or payment for 2008-09, or If you are uncertain about your current pledge, contact Stewardship Chair, Roger Clemence, 612 920-9234; or contact FUS Finance Manager, Bob Calgren, 612 377-6608 ext 112.
To record a new pledge and note the % increase, please fill out a 2008-2009 pledge form, found in the FUS office; or receive a form at the Annual Meeting on May 14th at FUS; or ask Roger Clemence or an office volunteer for a form; then note the rewards you would like to receive; and prepare to receive thanks.
Then
To contribute some (or all) of your Federal Rebate $ to FUS Greening:
Write your check to FUS (Greening Fund in the memo line); and either mail it to FUS or put it in the Sunday collection basket.
Finally, look for your name on the GREEN FOR THE GREENING HONOR ROLL And do accept our thanks!
Your Stewardship Committee:
Roger Clemence, Chris Bubser, Joyce Blomquist, Kay Dawson, Madeline Simon
• RE Registration
Religious Education registration packets for next year has been mailed. Get your children and youth registered so that they can be on the class lists for our great program. Please fill them out right now and return them to Jan Devor’s box in the FUS office.