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June 22 Order of Service and Bulletin
To view the June 22 Order of Service and Bulletin online, click below.
Summer Worship Schedule, one service at 10:00AM.
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A 'Thank You' From Augsburg Fairview
Academy....
Click Below To Watch the Video!
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Thanks to the (125) church members who attended the Annual Meeting on a beautiful June day. This year the meeting followed three congregational budget hearings in April and May, where the cuts in staff and programming required to create a balanced budget were explained in detail. Following informative presentations by Treasurer Paul Robinson and Rev. Justin Schroeder, the budget that was recommended to the congregation by the Board of Trustees passed by a vote of 115 to 4.
During the budget discussion church member Allen Steinhauer asked to make a motion to amend the budget. Board President Dave Bach responded that if the motion to approve the budget failed, amendments would be entertained at that time, a determination confirmed by the parliamentarian. Since the budget motion passed by a wide margin, no amendments were offered.
The Board has since determined that various interpretations of Robert's Rules exist on what parliamentary procedure should be used when a motion is presented to members by a duly authorized body of the membership such as the Board or Nominating Committee. The Board is committed to clarifying this issue prior to the next Annual Meeting, and will share with the members the procedures that will be followed in future meetings. We apologize to Allan and any other church members who disagree with the procedure used. We also note that that the budget preparation process was in accordance with the governance policies: it was developed by staff, discussed at 2 Board meetings and at 3 congregational hearings before it was overwhelmingly passed by the members at the annual meeting. Again, we are sorry for the confusion around the process, and we will work to ensure that these issues are clarified before the next congregational meeting.
Following the budget vote, members also elected new Trustees Eric Cooperstein and Richard Spratt, Foundation Board members Charmagne Campbell-Patton and Julie Gottesleben; Nominating Committee member Greg Hoelzer; GA delegates Bill Elwood, Ralph Wyman and Kim Lund; and Board officers President David Bach, Vice President Karin Wille, Secretary Pam Vincent, and Treasurer Dick Niemiec. We also said thank you and goodbye to departing Board members Paul Robinson and Dan Berg, Foundation Board members Shelle Baker and Molly Darsow, and outgoing Nominating Committee member Julie Howard. Contact information for all leaders will be available shortly on the church web site.
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Pledge Statistics
For the 2014-2015 Pledge Drive:
Total pledge units: 596
totaling $1,101,912
Percentage of people who've submitted their pledge: 66%
Number of People who aspire to give at the sustainer level: 61
(As of June 19, 2014)
To read Rev. Justin's letter to the congregation about the 2014-2015 Pledge Drive and budget, click here. |
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Sign Up for Habitat Build Days
It's time to BUILD 'The House That Love Built'...and we need volunteers! Build days started in May and extend throughout the summer. We are also looking for volunteers to help with lunches.
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Installed Windows and Shingled Roof House that Love Built |
Rental Team Formation
Our congregation has a clear Strategic Plan with specific goals and objectives. However, it will take more dollars than our current pledging and donations bring in to accomplish them. So, Minister Justin Schroeder and the Board of Trustees are looking at additional sources of revenue to support our ministry. A Rental Team is being assembled to help staff identify viable rental options for the 2015-'16 fiscal year. The goal is a suitable long-term tenant. The team will start in the fall. If you have experience in rentals, property management, or simply a passion to help us find a suitable tenant, please contact First Universalist member Ann Kay: [email protected].
Thank you!
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Let us keep you in our thoughts and prayers. If you are experiencing a life transition, loss or grief or if you are celebrating a great joy, this church community wants to be there with you.
If you would like to be included in our Cycle of Life in worship, please contact Sandy Dinanni at [email protected]
If you would like ministerial support, please contact Rev. Jen Crow at [email protected]
If you would like to give or receive support in the form of meals, rides, or one-on-one support, please be in touch with Rev. Jen ( [email protected]) or Kathy Coskran ( [email protected]) or Kathy Urberg ( [email protected]), co-chairs of our Congregational Care Team.
In faith,
Rev. Jen Crow
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* Lake Harriet service at the Bandshell at 10am
* Annual Church Picnic at 11am.
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Volunteer at Twin Cities LGBT Pride!
June 28 and 29, 2014
Join us on June 28 or June 29: Sign up for a slot and help make UUs visible! The Unitarian Universalist Pride booth represents congregations across the state, gives us the opportunity to share information about our faith, congregations and fellowships, and our social justice work. Training materials provided.
March in the Pride Parade June 29: This year's UU Pride Parade contingent will have drummers, a large rainbow dragon (that needs 4-6 people to operate), and folks singing as they walk downtown Minneapolis toward Loring Park. We plan to meet at the Hiawatha light rail station and then travel together to the parade, which begins at 11:00 a.m.
Contact [email protected] to participate.
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Investing in Our
Community
Last summer the "Community Investment Team" was formed and charged with the following:
- To develop strategies for and carry out the church's community investment/give away the offering plate efforts
- To engage the congregation in submitting Sunday offering recipient nominations
The team received 24 recipient nominations from the congregation. Throughout the year, the Community Investment Team led the congregation in giving money to WaterLegacy, Augsburg Fairview Academy, Women's Environmental Institute, Reclaim, MN Indian Women's Resource Center, Simpson Shelter and Breaking Free. Thank you for your generosity. The offering plate donations support the work of organizations that put our faith in action.
This summer we will continue to give to organizations nominated by the congregation, including MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change and Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance.
Would you like to participate in the planning and organization of offering plate donation? The Community Investment Team is looking for several new members. Please contact Reverend Justin Schroeder ([email protected]) if you would like to apply to become a member of the team. This is a meaningful and rewarding way to participate in the church community.
Thank You,
Bryan Noice, Umesh Berry
and Molly Darsow
Community Investment Team
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Seeking TV Donations!
If you're upgrading your television, please consider donating your old TV to church! We are seeking TV monitors for use in our classrooms; they will be mounted and equipped with inexpensive Roku devices so classes can easily access online resources. Your generosity will enable us to incorporate more music and short videos that inspire deeper exploration of Religious Education lessons.
In order to meet our needs, donated TVs must be flat screens with integrated speakers and an HDMI input. If you have it, mounting hardware is appreciated, too. Please deliver your donation to the church office, and leave your name and address for Brad so he can provide a letter documenting receipt for use in tax preparation. Thank you!
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Dancing, Great Gatherings, and Fun-Raising, Oh My!
(It's time to plan another fun party)
Were you a part of the Great Gathering party at church last February? Did you dance your heart out to the Jazz Band or the DJ that played that night? Did you sign up for a mini-Great Gathering event, and connect with other members of the church? It was a wonderful party and the take away was clear: let's do more fun events that build and strengthen our community.
Although summer has just rolled in, it's time to start planning for the next Great Gathering party. Will you be a part of the planning team? We know there will be food, dancing, and music. But what else might we do with this fun-raising (and fund-raising) party? That's where you come in! Are you interested in joining the planning team, meeting new friends, and putting together the party of the year? If so, please contact Kim Lund, at [email protected]. She's helping with the initial coordination and organizing of the Party Planning Team.
Thank you!
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Do you love working outside doing yard and garden work?
With all the recent rain, the church grounds are in need of some loving attention. If you're interested in working with a team, doing pruning, weed pulling, and trimming, please let us know! We're planning to meet several times a month, but it's flexible. In addition to having our church grounds look nice, this is also about being a good neighbor. Please email Ginny at:
[email protected] to indicate your interest.
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First Universalist Church
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