We are excited to have you visit and would love to get to know you better. Click this Visitor Info Form Link to tell us about yourself. 

10:30 am - Sunday, October 18, 2026

Challenges and Joys of Unitarian Universalist Ministry

Retired UU Ministers, Karen Gustafson, Carol Hepokoski and Suzanne Wasilczuk

will join Amy G. S. A. Brooks for a shared presentation on the experience and intricacies

of Unitarian Universalist ministry.

Please stay after the service for the Opportunity Fair. Also, there might be cake.

ZOOM: To join on your computer or smartphone click here to start Zoom or enter Meeting ID: 966 3267 0535 then passcode: 712244. To join via your phone only: dial 1-646-568-7788 and enter Meeting ID 966 3267 0535, then passcode 712244. If you are from another region, find your local number. If you would like to access the folder with the “Order of Service” document, please click this link and navigate to the current week.

Transcripts of several past reflections are available in this linked Google drive for anyone who missed part or all of the service, or who would like to revisit the topic.

To support our congregation's mission, please contribute to the operating fund and Woven Basket via Give. The Woven Basket recipient for October is American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO). Funds contributed will support a food program providing breakfast and snacks to children and elders who live in AICHO's Gimaajii supportive housing. 

9:30 am - Forum

What's the Next Chapter in UUCD's Ministry?

At this board forum we’ll look ahead to the congregational meeting scheduled for October 25 when we will vote on offering a settled call to Amy. We’ll talk about the details of the vote and have a

conversation about our financial landscape. We’ll dig into changing trends for UU ministers and what that may mean for us in this exciting new chapter in our congregation.

To join the Forum presentation on your computer or smartphone, click here. You can also type in the following info to join: Zoom Meeting ID 985 3565 2576 Passcode 123 or to join by phone call 1-646-568-7788 then enter ID 985 3565 2576 (no passcode needed).

Previous forums can be viewed here.

Religious Exploration News

Opportunities for all ages and stages

to grow in spirit, connection, faith, and justice-seeking

Don't Forget Your Marshmallow Stick! 

Thank you, thank you, to all who attended our multigenerational Campfire Questions service on October 11th! It was heartwarming to see all of your bright faces "Gather Round" your campsites to rock on, stick to it, and light it up!

We may have extinguished our campfires, but "not the light of truth, the warmth of love, or the fire of commitment." Please carry a torch out there, so you may share our UU light wherever you go! And don't forget your marshmallow stick! 

There are still a few campfire kits left in the RE Office if you need s'more. 

Read the October newsletter or check our online calendar.

Submissions for the November newsletter are due by noon on Saturday, October 17. Please email articles in Word or Google Doc format (no PDF’s please) to Beth at office@uuduluth.org. Thanks!

To submit information for future issues of The Connect: click this link. Please email connect@uuduluth.org if you have any questions about submitting to the Connect or have artwork to include.

Minister's Office Hours

Amy’s office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Please feel free to request a meeting time using Calendly, or stop by. Other times are available by request.

New Music Director!

UUCD are happy to announce that we have hired Charlotte Dike as our new Music Director. Charlotte brings a wealth of skills and experience to the position and we look forward to her leadership. You can contact Charlotte by emailing music@uuduluth.org. Choir members, please watch your inboxes for information about rehearsals.

Praised artist Alison Aune exhibits at UUCD 

Effective October 8th, highly praised artist Alison Aune will exhibit at UUCD. Alison's multi-textured vibrant work can be viewed in the Sanctuary and throughout the building. Alison's passion for art can be explored during the upcoming months with special presentations and a reception. We warmly invite you to experience her talents.

Board of Trustees Recommendation on Contract to Call

Upon review of the Contract to Call report an in-depth meeting with the Contract to Call Task Force, and reflective deliberation, the Board of Trustees recommends that the congregation call Amy G. S. A. Brooks to settled ministry at UUCD.  

We invite every member to spend time with the report, to consult with one another in community, and to enter into your own individual thoughtful discernment as we prepare for the congregational vote on October 25.

As always, we are here if you would like to discuss any part of the report or the process together. Contact one of our Trustees: Laure Charleux, Meredith Cornett , Kathleen Culhane, Blanch Ebert , Claudia Faith, Sarah Guritz, or Heidi Levine.

Report on the UUCD Board of Trustees meeting of 22 September 2026.

As you can imagine, this was a meeting during which a number of significant issues were discussed and votes taken. Matthew Johnson, our UUA MidAmerica representative attended the meeting and offered information and ideas. Please see the report.

Our Contract-to-Call Process Culminates October 25

On Sunday, October 25, at UUCD, during a Congregational Meeting after the service, we will be asking ourselves whether to offer Amy G.S.A. Brooks a position as settled minister. 

In preparation, during many small group meetings we have asked deep questions of one another about who we are and what we want for our future together. The Summary Report of the Contract-to-Call Task Force is available to all members, in hard-copy and electronic formats.

The Contract-to-Call Task Force and the Board of Trustees strongly urge you to read this report prior to our Congregational Meeting. Hard copies are available at UUCD. Here is the hyperlink to the report:Contract to Call Summary report

Next steps for our congregation in this process:

(1) Ask questions at the informational meeting during the Forum on Sunday, October 18, at UUCD, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

(2) Participate in the Congregational meeting on Sunday, October 25, after the service. Our bylaws tell us that a congregational meeting is required to vote on extending a settled call to a minister. This meeting is called for the sole purpose of voting on the decision whether to invite Amy into settled ministry at UUCD. 

Minister Response to Contract to Call Report

Our minister, Amy G. S. A. Brooks, has written a document with her response to the report from the Contract to Call Taskforce. It can be accessed here.

If You're Wondering About Becoming a Voting Member of UUCD

New voting members will be welcomed in a joyful ceremony during the regular Sunday service on Nov. 1. Voting membership (according to our bylaws) involves signing the membership book (which has been in use since l887) and contributing financially or by volunteering (often both)!

If you would like to participate or would like more information, contact Amy, Kathy in the UUCD Office, or any Membership Team member—Marj, Tim, Alison, or Molly. There’s also a sign up sheet at the Welcome Canter. We’ll get back to you with more information.

Please know 1) that all who participate in congregational life at UUCD are members in the broad sense, 2) that signing the book privately is also an option, and 3) that there’s a “newcomer class” on zoom on Wed., Oct. 14, from 7-8 (see the next item down). It’s highly recommended!

Budget Thoughts

We just passed a balanced budget in June… why revisit our finances now? Because to balance our budget, UUCD needed dollars from ‘operating reserve’. Operating reserve is a beautiful, generous donation from a single source. Operating reserve dollars do not represent regular income.  

UUCD expenses increased nearly 30% over the last 4 years. Costs like insurance, utilities, and building maintenance contributed. We added a Food & Fellowship staff position last year. In fiscal year 2023 & 2024, our minister position was part time.

Looking ahead, our congregation needs a combination of lower expenses and higher income. The decision about whether to offer our contract minister a full-time settled call is an important part of this financial discussion. At the same time, understanding trends in UUA ministry is also information we need to make informed choices. 

An opportunity to be informed and talk further: October 18 at Forum time. Our mission ‘to care for one another’ includes financial care. 

October is LGBTQ+ History Month

The Affirming and Welcoming Committee welcome LGBTQ+ History Month this month. Help us observe and celebrate our history.

October was chosen as a history month to align with major historical and community events, including:

• National Coming Out Day, on October 11th.
• The anniversaries of the 1979 and 1987 Marches on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
• Remembering the death anniversary of Matthew Shepard on October 12, 1998.
• Spirit Day, third Thursday of October, mentioned earlier this month.
• Ally Week, 9/28-10/2, 2026 which also encourages allies to LGBTQ+ youth and college students, all which occur this month. 

Laundry Love Week



It's that time to collect your dollars this coming Sunday so that they can be turned into quarters for the homeless to get their laundry done. A much appreciated service. 

Care Team News Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!  

Your Care Team has been struggling lately getting folks to sign up to care for our congregation. We are making a few little/big changes in hopes you will see the light, be the light and join us. We will be asking you. Please say yes when we do so.Thank you!

Also, if you are 80 or over, the Care Team would like to send you a birthday card around your special day. We don't dare ask people if they are 80--we got in trouble doing that a few years ago. So 80 or over let us know! Julie ~~  jmorgan4801@gmail.com 218-590-6343

Now from Chum: It's Socktober!! 

Chum's second annual Socktober is here! Chum, in collaboration with the Damiano Center and Union Gospel Mission, is requesting donations of new socks for men, women, and children this month. Socks are one of the most-needed items in shelters and outreach, and we want to support our community with clean, warm socks on their feet, especially as temperatures start to cool. But we need your help!

White cotton socks are best, and there are locations around Duluth where you can drop them off. Or, just place them in our Chum box in the social hall, and we'll take them to Chum! And don't forget to drop off peanut butter (medium-sized jars are best) as we're a "staple supplier" of PB for the Chum Food Shelf! Thanks for all you do!

Community Dinner

Thursday, October 22nd from 5:30 to 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall

Join us as we celebrate fall together at our second Community Dinner of the fall next week Thursday from 5:30 to 7:00. 

GEMS💎 Gathering of Elder Members

Monday, October 26th

UUCD Social Hall from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm

Ann Harrington of Ann Harrington Training & Consulting will be our guest speaker. She will talk about Nonviolent Communication. Learn how to identify needs and values. A light lunch will be provided after the program. Please RSVP to Doug or Mary Lou.

Our Minister's Cancer Journey

We understand that you may have questions and concerns regarding Amy's breast cancer journey. The best source for information is her CaringBridge account. Anything she feels comfortable sharing with the public will be shared there. The account is set to public, however CaringBridge requires users to be signed in to leave comments. You can access her account here: tinyurl.com/caringbridgeforamy.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Candidate Forums on Affordable Housing 

The Affordable Housing Coalition of Duluth is holding two forums at Powless Hall (AICHO) focused on what county and state officials can do to increase affordable housing. On Tuesday Oct. 13, 6-7 pm, candidates for District 1 County Commissioners are featured. On Tuesday Oct. 20, many candidates for the state Senate and House will speak. This is a great opportunity to show your support for housing programs currently under stress due to federal cutbacks that need increased support on the state and county level.  

Party With NO KINGS and Get Out The Vote 

Saturday, October 17th 

Lincoln Park 10am to 2pm

Grant Park Noon to 3pm

Games, Food, Music and Democracy this Saturday. 

Volunteer Opportunity to Teach English as a Second Language

Be an ESL tutor and help someone learn English. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-6:30 pm. Classes will be held at the Building for Women, 32 E. 1st Street, Duluth. Classes begin October 27 and will use curriculum provided by ISD 709. To volunteer, follow these two steps: 1) Fill out a volunteer form online. Check the box on the form that says English Language at the YWCA. 2) Send an email to Caroline Roth at programintern@ywcaduluth.org. Give her your name and contact information and tell her you filled out the Duluth Adult Education Form. Please follow both steps to insure that your form gets proper attention! 

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth

218-724-0308

Board of Trustees