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UUCM Friday Update | 2.14.2020
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In the Interim
Each week, the interim ministry team will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme, the state of the church, or the state of the world. This week's post is offered by Rev. Terri Burnor.
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During story time in worship a few weeks ago, Jennifer Swick, our wonderful acting director of family ministries, taught us box breathing (or square breathing). This is a fantastic practice for children and adults because it really helps to calm down heightened anxiety, nervousness, over excitement, or meltdowns right there in the moment. And it’s so easy —just breathe and count. We can all do that!
As a refresher or for those who weren’t at church that day, here’s how it works. Exhale all the way out to get started. Then inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of four, exhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of four. Repeat as many times as you like, being mindful of any dizziness or shortness of breath. You can change the count number and even add hand motions, like Jennifer showed us (I bet she’ll give you a personal tutorial if you ask!). If you like visual queues, here’s a fun video with puffer fish to help keep count.
I love body-based practices, especially breath work. As Resma Menakem teaches us, “when you can settle your body, you are more likely to be calm, alert and fully present, no matter what is going on around you. A settled body enables you to harmonize and connect with other bodies around you, while encouraging those bodies to settle as well.” >>
Read the rest of Rev. Terri's message on UUCM Happenings.
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WORSHIP: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
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A Resilient Faith + New Member Ceremony
10:00 AM
Worship Leader: Arif Mamdani
Worship Associate: Stefanie Bell-Egge
Synopsis: Unitarian Universalism is (knock on wood) surviving, and in some places even thriving at a time when other faith communities are experiencing decline. What makes this tradition resilient and adaptive as it faces the winds of change, and what might this mean for UUCM?
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* * *
Multigenerational Worship Service
Childcare available for children from birth-Kindergarten age
No RE classes this week. Families are invited to stay together through the service. As always, all are welcome and child sounds are accepted with joy. Childcare is available downstairs for children from birth to Kindergarten age. We hope your whole family will join us for worship as is comfortable for you.
After the Service
Feeling shy? Overwhelmed? Can’t hear or stand up easily? New here? If coffee hour is too much for any reason, consider joining the quieter version — come to the front of the sanctuary and chat quietly with a few people!
Red and Teal Cup Greeters
Find the colorful coffee cups after the service each Sunday!
Those holding RED coffee cups are especially available to orient newcomers, answer questions and offer helpful resources. Folks holding TEAL coffee cups know all about social justice work at UUCM and would love to connect with you.
February's Social Generosity Recipient:
Hope House is a six-bed, short-term emergency shelter for youth ages 14 –19 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Located in Excelsior, Hope House is the only youth shelter west of Hwy 100. Skyler Seets, a UUCM youth, recently lead a drive at Minnetonka High School in support of Hope House. Learn more on UUCM Happenings.
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Note: All cash placed in the Sunday collection, as well as checks to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line, will go towards the Social Generosity cause for the current month. Donate by PayPal or credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also use the basket to make other contributions to UUCM. Simply make your check out to "UUCM" with instructions in the memo line.
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WORK OF THE CHURCH: THIS WEEK
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Today
Happy Valentine's Day!
This Sunday
11:15 AM – *NEW* North Wall Artist Meet and Greet: Drew Hammond (Sanctuary)
Monday, February 17
11:00 AM – Monday Morning Book Club (Community Room)
Wednesday, February 19
7:00 PM – Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Thursday, February 20
6:30 PM – Worship Arts/Music Ministry Meeting
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Sunday, February 23
10:00 AM – Worship Service: The Sound of Resilience - Music as foundational to strength within ourselves and our communities
Synopsis: This service will explore the vital role music plays in defining our personal and communal resilience. From lullabies to anthems, we turn to music again and again as a way to connect, heal, celebrate, grieve, resist and empower. It is the soundtrack of our most private and public moments, putting into relief that which cannot be expressed through words alone. Join us as we share music and stories to strengthen us all.
Worship Leader: Kelly Bertenshaw
Worship Associate: Laurie Moser
Tuesday, February 25
6:30 PM – CYRE Team Meeting *Note date change for February
Wednesday, February 26
7:00 PM – Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Friday, February 28
6:30 PM – UUCM Game Night (Community Room)
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Sign up for an upcoming UUCM Gathering event
Sunday, March 1, 11:30am – 1:00pm (with lunch)
Saturday March 7, 9:00am – 10:30am (with breakfast snacks)
Sunday, March 8, 11:30am – 1:00pm (with lunch)
Sunday, March 15, 11:30am – 1:00pm (with lunch)
Monday, March 16, 6:00pm – 7:30pm (with dinner)
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NEW Calling All Guitarists!
UUCM is putting together a guitar orchestra for the worship service on Sunday, March 29th. We'll play a number of songs that the congregation can sing along with as well as a piece or two of our own to build a lively and communal music-making experience! And this is not limited to just guitars - if you play an instrument that has frets and strings, including banjo, ukulele, bass, mandolin, and more, you are more than welcome to participate. The majority of the music will be read off of chord charts, but all ages and experience levels are welcome; even if you only know a handful of notes or chords, we'll make sure to find a place for you! The time commitment will be the Sunday of the service, March 29th from 9 to 11 AM as well as the Saturday before, March 28th, from 2 to 4 PM. If you are interested, please email Paul at musicdirector@uucmtka.org by Sunday, February 29th to sign up.
SIGN UP! UUCM Gatherings: Looking Ahead to Next Year
Join us to talk about the future of UUCM! We want everyone to attend one of the 90 minute gatherings in March to connect with others in the congregation and to discuss future plans for UUCM with the Board and the Ministers. You will also receive more information about the Stewardship Campaign. Food and drink will be served, and child care will be provided. Gatherings are scheduled at varied times on March 1, 7, 8, 15, and 16. So that we can plan appropriately, please sign up online at bit.ly/uucmgather2020 or use the paper signup sheets in the Community Room at church.
Puppets and Dress-up Clothes Wanted
If you have any puppets or dress-up clothes (robes, hats, necklaces, ties, vests, scarves, sport coats, purses, uniforms/career clothing) we're looking for these items to use in RE. Just drop them off in Basswood (downstairs) at your convenience. (Tops only, please- no pants/shorts). Contact Jennifer at dre@uucmtka.org with any questions.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
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New Minister: Board Update Week 5
We have been hearing some questions about our process for selecting a new minister so we decided to address a couple of them in this Board Update, and we’ll keep progressing through the Developmental Goals and many other aspects of our minister selection process in future Board Updates.
The Board Updates have focused on Developmental Goals. Are there other qualities/attributes/skill sets which the Board is looking for in a new minister? Yes, of course! Not only do we want to see in a minister alignment with the developmental goals but also (and these are in no particular order) excellence in sermons, CEO skills, people skills, pastoral care, spiritual leadership, alignment of their values with our values, and more. In future Board Updates, we will share more about our selection criteria. >>
Read the rest of this week's board update on UUCM Happenings.
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NEW North Wall Artist: Drew Hammond
In celebration of Black History Month the North Wall Art Space features the work of Drew Hammond. His work in acrylic on canvas and expressive collages focuses on expressing the people in the African American dispersion. Drew will be at UUCM following the worship service *THIS SUNDAY* February 16 for a meet and greet. If you have questions or wish to purchase any of the works, please contact Christy Dachelet at czdachelet@comcast.net.
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NEW January 26 service available online
This service features amazing talks and performances from our guest musician, Namoli Brennet and Nik Martinson's wonderful solo! Visit uucmtka.org and scroll to the bottom of our Worship page to listen to sermons, guest speakers and musical performances from past UUCM services. New uploads are added regularly - check back often.
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NEW A Rockin' Coming of Age Retreat
Last weekend, 9 (of 11) seventh and eighth grade Coming of Age students gathered for an overnight retreat at camp Tanadoona in Excelsior. Six Mentors joined in for the afternoon of mixer games, sledding, 9 Square and deep conversations about faith. Many thanks to the co-leaders of the event: Julia Antonsen, Jeff Greenwood and Marie Calabria. And thanks to the youth- a truly remarkable (and fun!) group of young people.
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NEW UUCM Game Night
Friday, February 28 in the Community Room
Calling all friends and members of UUCM to our next UUCM Game Night, where we get to spend a couple hours together to have fun playing games with each other. Those of any age, families of all sizes, single people, ALL are welcome. Bring a game (board, card, etc.) to play and a snack to share. Contact Amy Schneider at schneideramy18@gmail.com with any questions.
Phishing Scam Targeting Local Churches
If you receive an email or text message that appears to be from a UUCM minister or church member asking you for money or to purchase gift cards, please be sure to always speak with the alleged sender directly (call or speak to them in person) BEFORE giving money or purchasing gift cards of any kind. Learn more on UUCM Happenings and feel free to reach out to Rev. Meg, Rev. Terri or Arif with any questions.
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The weekly submission deadline for Friday Update and order of service announcements is Thursday by 5:00 PM. Please visit UUCM Happenings for content and submission details. |
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- MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF UUCM SHARE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
HAPPENING IN OUR WIDER COMMUNITY -
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NEW One Voice Mixed Chorus, presents
Bayard Rustin: The Man Behind the Dream
Saturday, February 22 – two performances at 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm
The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul 55105
Join One Voice, Minnesota’s LGBTA Mixed Chorus, in honoring the life and work of gay, African American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin with The Man Behind the Dream, a commissioned work that tells the story of Rustin’s early years growing up as a Quaker, singer, athlete and activist who became a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. Join us for a concert that will leave audiences uplifted and inspired!
Tickets on sale now at www.OneVoiceMN.com/Tix. Use promo code FAITH for 10% off ticket prices! Special discount prices available for youth groups.
Bring a Blanket for Bridging
On Saturday February 22nd from 9am-11am an Original Mattress Factory in your area will be hosting a Bring a Blanket for Bridging Event. The first 20 people at each location donating a blanket will receive a secret prize envelope containing something fun! All blankets will be given to Bridging, a Minnesota non-profit, which empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household goods as they pursue stable housing. Click here to learn more.
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In the Community
You are welcome to share events that are important to you and align with our values. Please visit UUCM Happenings for content and submission details.
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Church Closure Policy for Inclement Weather
In the very rare event of a need to cancel Sunday services because of inclement weather, you can find out whether church is open by:
- Watching for an email message from UUCM announcing the cancellation/church closure.
- Looking at the UUCM website after 8:30 AM on Sunday. A special alert will be posted if church is cancelled.
- Calling the main church phone at (952) 473-5900 after 8:30 AM on Sunday. A special voicemail recording will be available if church is cancelled.
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