Newsletter of the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Woodruff, WI
Volume 16, Number 2 –August 2014
We Are a Welcoming Congregation
Upcoming Services
Services are on alternate Sundays at 10 AM
August 10: Judy Goldsmith In Praise of Politics: Now Is the Time for All Good People…
The title is intentionally provocative. My work with Move to Amend, the organization focused on overturning Citizens United via Constitutional amendment, has convinced me that if we can’t get people re-engaged in the political process in a positive and determined way, we have lost our democracy – and that’s not an overstatement. The first challenge here – especially in a church setting – is to convince the audience that it is appropriate (not to mention legal!) for us to be having that discussion…so a part of it, early on, references the national UU website in regard to appropriate political activities for churches to engage in. That might sound dry, but it’s brief and very important – and it starts with drawing a clear distinction between “politics” (the practice of making the policy that governs our lives – not only okay but a citizen’s obligation!) and “partisan” advocacy – an entirely different animal. After that introduction, it goes into the impact that Citizens United has had on our elections and development in policy and what can/should be done about it. This presentation is something of a “barn burner,” and I think, appropriately so. We can’t afford our paralyzing national apathy about what is happening any longer.
August 24: 25th Anniversary Celebration! Come join us for a special day to celebrate a quarter of a century as a Beacon of Liberal Religious Thought in the Northwoods.
Events:
Adult R.E is held on alternative Sundays at 10 AM
NUUF's 25th Anniversary Bash: It's just around the corner. There's dinner and music on Saturday, August 23, beginning at 5 PM. NUUF will provide chicken and vegetarian lasagna. We ask members to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert. We will provide coffee and soft drinks, so bring your own "adult" beverage, if you wish. There's a special service on Sunday, August 24, at 10 AM. Please RSVP for dinner by August 15 to Elinore at 715-385-2407. Home hospitality is available. Sunday, August 10, is the last day to get your photo taken for the photo directory.
Food Distribution: Ruby’s Pantry is a no-qualifications food pantry. Lac du Flambeau is offering a Ruby’s Pantry once a month at the Bingo Hall from 2pm to 5pm. You need to bring $20 cash only (to receive up to $100 worth of food), and a box or laundry basket to carry your groceries. You will fill out a registration form, but no proof of residence or income is needed. All are welcome. The next date is: Monday August 11. 2--5pm. Contact MaryBeth O'Halloran of the Care Committee for more information.
Update from Ed and Jeanine Semon: Ed and I are at the Sarah Chudnow community in an apartment, while he receives therapy for his stroke. Ed is coming along and so am I with large changes. I'm not sure as to our more permanent home and I'm not sure we'll make it up north due to Ed's weakness. Our address is: Sarah Chudnow community, # 320., 10995 N. Market St., Mequon, WI 53092. We appreciate the many caring greetings, and letters. Prayers are important. Much love and thanks, Jeanine
Frederick Place Dinners: We will be providing dinner for Frederick Place residents on August 24-25. If you can help, please contact Diane Reupert.
News from General Assembly: Rich Uspel and Tom Sommerfeld were our delegates and may have their own thoughts to share, but I want to share some ideas as well.
I was shocked to hear that 3 Protestant denominations, the Presbyterians, the Southern Baptists and the Mormons, have lost 25% of their members in just the past 8 years! The number of Jews who identify as religious (vs. cultural) Jews has dropped by 30% in just 8 years! There is a major religious shift happening in the country right now. UU numbers remain basically stable. About 40% of congregations are growing, as are 3 of the regions. But the numbers of children in RE has been declining significantly. So, NUUF holding steady at about 80 members is an accomplishment. A couple of ministers (of course) commented that if we had a minister, our membership would likely really take off.
The largest increase of religious choice in the past 8 years has been "none of the above"--now at some 30% of the population. This group, comprised of many younger people, is referred to as the "nones". Many of these folks may well share our values, but for a variety of reasons want no part of traditional organized religion (or think they don't). So the UUA is exploring other, non-traditional, ways of engaging the "nones". There was much discussion of how we define membership, if someone identifies as UU, but is not a member of a UU church and has maybe never even attended a service. Interesting discussions. Anyway, we are encouraged to reach out to the "nones" via social media. A well designed web site and Facebook page are essential, but actually almost obsolete. We need to be on Twitter, Pinderst, Tumblr, and several other social media platforms I had never even heard of. We should be posting 2-4 times a day, preferably different material on each platform! Oh, my, do I feel out of it. Some members have commented to me that they do not use Facebook and don't understand why I post to it. In fact, our Facebook page is not really aimed at our members, but at the wider community. So, I may explore some of these other platforms, but I don't envision my ever posting 2-4 times a day! It's amazing just how attached some people are to their mobile devises. It's like an addiction.
If you are on Facebook, please "like" us. I have posted pictures from General Assembly. If anyone is interested in expanding our social media presence, please talk to me. Elinore
Closing Thoughts: Submitted by Barbara Logan (don't blame me....)
Clever Words for Clever People
Arbitrator: a cook who leaves Arby's to work at McDonalds
Bernadette: the act of torching a mortgage
Avoidable: what a bullfighter tries to do
Control: a short, ugly inmate
Eclipse: what an English barber does for a living
Heroes: what a man in a boat does
Parasites: what you see from the Eiffel tower
Polarize: when penguins see through
Relief: what trees do in the spring
Rubberneck: what you do to relax your wife
Selfish: what the owner of a seafood store does
Milestones
Nancy and Perry Junkermann 08-01
Cathy Farrell and Tim Kratz 08-01
Elinore Sommerfeld 08-02
Janice Reed 08-04
Susan Knight 08-04
Jim Hall 08-05
Joan Hauer 08-07
Candace Zahn Cain 08-07
Jeanne & Rev. Bob Reed 08-11
Cindy and Jim Rusak 08-12
Jerry Woolpy 08-14
Rev. Robert Reed 08-15
David Foster 08-17
Mary Rusak 08-18
Jack & Joan Hafner 08-18
Jeanne Reed 08-24
Eliot Frost 08-26
Jim and Sue Ferguson 08-28
Dawn McCusker 08-29
Suzy and David Foster 08-31
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NUUF and NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
P.O. Box 1881
Woodruff, WI 54568-1881
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Bob Hanson, President
The NUUSLetter is published monthly. Newsletter Deadline: 27th of the month. Please send submissions to Elinore Sommerfeld at esommerf@aol.com.
For distribution of announcements between newsletters or email/address corrections, contact Candy Sorensen at sorencan@yahoo.com.