Sunday, August 30, 1 pm

"The Mystery of the Slightly Sentient Chalice"

Katie Johnson

In Person: UCCNB, 1000 Long Lake Road

Online: Merging Waters Zoom Room

Join us Sunday to share what you find meaningful, joyful, or simply helpful in these times. Is there a poem or reflection that you return to for inspiration? Have you read something recently that is tickling your brain with a new perspective? If so, please bring a two- or three-minute excerpt to read during the service, or share a brief part of your own story. 

If you have something you'd like to share, or would like additional information or guidance, please contact Katie Johnson (katiejanej@comcast.net, or text at 651-253-8163). It’s helpful for planning the order and timing of the service if you can let us know in advance. If you don't manage advance notice, please check in with Katie when you arrive on Sunday.

We build the connections of community by sharing what’s meaningful to us. Looking forward to being with you this Sunday!

Rev. Krista's Office Hours

Through August Rev. Krista will be available for in person or Zoom meetings by appointment then resuming office hours in September.

Minnesota Truth Council: Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation Parris

Governor Walz has established the Minnesota Truth Council to create a comprehensive public record of the impacts of these operations on Minnesota. he Council will convene at least four public meetings and produce a final report with findings and recommendations to:

• Prevent the recurrence of unlawful or harmful conduct by federal agents.
• Document the harms and abuses experienced by Minnesota residents, businesses, schools, childcare providers, and local communities.
• Document how Minnesotans came together, supported one another, and persevered during Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS.

The Council will issue a preliminary report by October 31, 2026, followed by a final report on December 1, 2026, delivered to the Governor, legislative leaders, and Minnesota’s congressional delegation.

The MN Truth Council would like to hear your story about how these operations impacted you, or people you know. You can share a story on their website, help organize a space for others to share their stories, attend a public hearing of the Council (meeting information is on the website, below).

You can submit your story anonymously.

See https://mn.gov/governor/about-gov/councils/truth-council/ for more information.



Please help build the record so that the truth cannot be suppressed or denied.

Saturday, September 12, 11 AM – 4 PM

Kordiak Park

1845 49th Ave NE Columbia Heights, MN 55421

Volunteers Needed!

Columbia Heights Pride is just a month away. Merging Waters has booth space again this year. Please volunteer for a couple of hours to help out with set up, staffing the booth, or clean up on Saturday, September 11.

Water Communion, Sunday September 13

Smitten Kitten Community Work, Sunday, September 20

UCCNB Block Party, Sunday, September 20

Service on Congregational Teams, Sunday, September 27

Merging Waters Fall Festival

Sunday, October 4, 1:00 -4:00 pm

Come and bring your family and friends! Merging Waters is going to celebrate fall and our community on Sunday, October 4. We'll have a short Sunday service outside with food and refreshments to follow. There will be a petting zoo, balloon art, pumpkin decorating, and of course donuts and cider. It will be a fun time to relax and enjoy fall together. There will be more information in the coming weeks, but mark your calendars now!

July/August Share the Plate Partner

Family Tree Clinic

Family Tree Clinic in Minneapolis has been at the forefront of accessible sexual and reproductive health care and education for over 50 years. They provide a complete range of sexual health testing—and provide hormone care for trans persons. They offer weekly drop-in programming for LGBTQ+ teens and adults as well as making healthy sexuality presentations in schools and community settings across the Metro area. As a community clinic their services are on a sliding fee scale while aiming to provide the best care for uninsured, under-insured, working poor, high-risk, and vulnerable populations. www.familytreeclinic.org

NOTE: July & August are typically our lightest months for attendance and thus our smallest special offerings of the year, so this year we’re picking one recipient to receive the combined special offerings for both months.

Merging Waters Women's Book Group

September 5, 9:30am

Online: Our Zoom Room

- Book selected: Non-Fiction- To Speak for the Trees: My Life's Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest , by Diana Beresford-Kroeger

The Merging Waters Women's Book Group is a gathering of female (identifying as female/feminine, LGBTQ+ inclusive)) members and friends who meet the first Saturday of each month to discuss books written by female identified authors. The group alternates between fiction and non-fiction works recommended by one or more of the group members.  Contact Pat Ferrian (ferri004@gmail.com) to be added to the email list.

Meetings are held online via ZOOM, 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Unless otherwise noted, use the “Our Zoom Room” (Yellow Button) on the mergingwatersuu.org home page. 

Merging Waters Sunday Evening Book Group

September 13, 7pm

Sig & Marti’s

(The Residences at St Anthony Assisted Living)

Treats: Marilyn

Book Selected: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Published in 2022, 368 pages. 

A charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

The Merging Waters Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MWUUC) Sunday Evening Book Club meets the second Sunday of each month except in August.  Contact Pat Ferrian (ferri004@gmail.com) to be added to the email list or for questions.