Volume 18, Number 7 – January 2017
We Are a Welcoming Congregation
We light this chalice for the energy of action.
Dedicated to Paul Braunstein
We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth,
the warmth of love or the energy of action.
These we carry in heart until we are together
UPCOMING SERVICES
REGULAR SERVICES : 10am
January Speakers ….
1/8 Rev. Denise Tracy : “Be The Light."
1/22 Rev. Mary Beth O’Halloran : “On the Street Where You Lived” Most of us do not live as adults in the same geographical environment in which we grew up. In her book Dakota, Kathleen Norris explains how our childhood geography affects our later life. Where are you “at home”?
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION : 10am
Adult RE meets on alternate Sundays from our regular service
1/1, Part lll. The development of Unitarianism in America from 1620 through the death of Theodore Parker, 1860
1/15, Part lV
The development of Universalism from the early German and English pietists, to John Murry, Elhanan Winchester, and Hosea Ballou. It details the unprecedented explosion of Universalist churches across America during the first half of the 19th century and discusses why the movement began its precipitous decline after the death of Hosea Ballou in 1850.
*At 11:00 am, there will be a repeat of Part lll, first presented on January 1.
SAVE THE DATE
Men's Discussion Group : Tuesday, January 10 at 6 pm
If you wish to bring the main dinner course please let Dick Fields know. All members and friends of the Fellowship are welcome.
Women's Discussion Group : Tuesday, January 24 at 10 am
The subject of the discussion will be; “What’s sacred to you?”
COMMUNITY EVENTS
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr, Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 1:30pm
LECIA BROOKS will speak at Nicolet College (Rhinelander)
Ms. Brooks will speak about the struggle for tolerance and understanding in divided rural Wisconsin. She comes to us from the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery Alabama.
Food Pantry : Tuesday . January 10 . 8-11:30 am
This is the next date that UU needs to provide some workers at the Lakeland Food Pantry. Please contact Connie Lefebvre either at the next service or at 715-358-2470 if you can help out. Thank you
Science on Tap . Wednesday, January 4 . 6:30pm .
Creating Stars and Black Holes on Earth
Presented by Cory Forest . UW-Madison Physics Departmen
Minocqua Brewing Company
NUUF Circle Dinners
Once again, Circle Dinners will be planned this year. There was interest and participation of about 22 persons last year. The same format will be followed : Indicate your interest to participate to either Mary Beth O'Halloran or Joan Hauer. Please indicate also if you are willing to host and the maximum number you wish to have at your home. Groups will be organized based on the number of participants.
In turn, the identified groups will be contacted for a willing host and an agreeable date and time established. We will attempt to hold about four during the winter-spring-time. Things seem to fall apart in the summer. The host can determine the main course. Participants should be willing
and able to bring the side dishes and dessert, whatever the host determines. It is not expected that the host is responsible for the entire meal. The goal is fun, fellowship, a chance to get to know someone better.Mary Beth O'Halloran, 715-892-8595, mbohalloran@yahoo.com, Joan Hauer, 715-356-6540, duffyhauer@charter.net
"I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again"
Dear friend Paul, the soul of our Northwoods Universalist
Unitarian Fellowship, has left to live eternally in our hearts. This quote speaks well to Paul's values and leadership. (Thank you Dan and Terry) May we humbly try to live these
words also. The hand Paul held out to me in my darkest days was warm, strong, wise. I owe so much to this kindest of men. Catherine
Ted Rulseh : Here are my thoughts about Paul:
It was unique at my tender age of 64 to have a fishing pal 90+ years old. I enjoyed a couple of outings on the Minocqua Chain with Paul and another friend or two aboard his aging pontoon boat. I had the privilege of hosting Paul a couple of times on Birch Lake, my home water. And on one of those occasions I was able to send him home with three nice walleyes for his next group fish fry. I will miss Paul’s unfailingly cheerful demeanor and his friendliness. He made me feel welcome when I was brand new to the NUUF – it meant a lot. Paul was such a kind soul; it is easy to imagine that he could have been a clergy member, and a great one, if he had chosen that career path. Farewell, my friend. I sure wish we could have shared just one more fishing outing. Catch an angel fish for me.
Jeanine Simon : Sorry about Paul. Thanks for letting us know. It was Paul who put his arm around us when we paid our first visit to the UU's, saying, "Come on for lunch." That's what brought us back and kept us for 20 years. God bless that man and all the rest of you. Love, Jeanine and Ed Semon
Candy Sorenson : Paul was a man who made me proud to belong to the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. When I moved to Woodruff, I was looking for a new spiritual home. He was the first person I met when I visited our Fellowship. He went out of his way to make me feel welcome and comfortable, and he was the reason I returned. Paul was not negative or critical of others. The only exception was when he felt his beloved Irma was not
getting the best care toward the end of her life. Seeing his devotion to her, I remember thinking how wonderful it must be to be loved so totally by a man like Paul. He embraced all with his warm and open arms. I miss Paul and always will. Love, Candy
Randy Wendt : Paul was not just a fisherman of fish, but a fisher of people. He cast his net wide to all with caring and joy. He made people feel welcome in his heart and home. Many die with large bank accounts filled with money and still are poor but Paul died with his bank account filled up of with people that he loved and loved him. Paul always felt like a wealthy man and was filled with gratitude. In my book he certainly was a wealthy man in things that have meaning. He touched the lives of so many and made a big impact on the Lakeland area. Paul used to say he muddled his way through life but I think he certainly did it his way with a purpose and left us with big shoes to fill. I will certainly miss my dear friend Paul. Randy
Cheryl Hanson : Of the myriad memories I have of Paul, three in particular stand out. The first took place on the north end of the Minocqua bridge. Paul had joined those gathered in protest of Governor Scott Walker’s anti-union actions. Irma had recently died and Paul was clearly suffering from her loss; yet there he was, standing next to me in support of workers’ rights. Our conversation was not political. We talked about love and our mutual good fortune of having known a Great Love in our lives—a passionate, all-consuming, soul searing love. I was struck, in that moment, that despite his grief, Paul was simply grateful.
The second occurred at Paul’s house. I had brought lunch for him and for Terry because I was interviewing them for a newspaper article I was writing for NUUF’s twenty-fifth anniversary. Paul, of course, gave credit for the Fellowship’s founding to Irma. He unabashedly expressed his love for her and for the Fellowship. The word devotion came to mind. “It’s about the people,” he said. “Seeing these new faces in our ‘home’ is thrilling; to me, it’s meant everything.”
The third is the vision of Paul, Terry, and Randy sitting
among friends and family who attended my father’s memorial service. They had traveled three hours to be there, even though they did not know him. I can still picture exactly where they sat as I stood at the podium to pay tribute to my dad, looking out at those gathered, overwhelmed by my profound sense of loss. They showed up. Paul, well into his nineties, showed up. I will never forget that act of kindness. Paul led by example. He was a man who not only felt things deeply; he was willing to express those feelings. There was no guessing with Paul. You knew what mattered to him, where he stood, and where you stood with him. Paul made me want to be a better human being. I can think of no greater legacy. Cheryl
Richard Olson : Paul was always very warm and welcoming to both of us and was a constant presence at our services. He never missed a chance to sing "Believe Me (If All Those Endearing Young Charms)" with Ray at the piano. Ray Kraemer and Richard Olson
Robert Hanson : Memories of Paul Braunstein
My introduction to Paul came at my "New Members" pot luck dinner. He shared a table with several of us and engaged the group with questions about our "religious" background. After I told of my discomfort around various formal religions and my difficulty in explaining that to "believers", Paul laughed and said he would shut them up by stating that he was a "devout Unitarian". I will carry that advice with me forever. Paul knew precisely what he believed, and was never reluctant to tell you. Paul's openness and confidence taught me that evening that I had discovered a place where I
belonged. Although I never met her, I was able to learn of Paul's love for and devotion to Irma. I heard him reminisce
as he read love poems for her with tears flowing. I listened as he would break into songs for her such as "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms", and he knew every word by heart. He repeated often his disdain for the poor care Irma had received at a local rehab facility in spite of his best efforts to improve them. His commitment to her love and care was unsurpassed and an example for us all.
My final conversation with Paul was about a recent article in our UU magazine describing a concept of "older old", a stage he felt he was in. He seemed pleased that I had read it and was able to understand better how he was feeling. And now he's gone. I will miss this wonderful man.
Paul Braunstein wanted life to be rich for those he loved, like in the words below. One day he and I sang these words together. He liked them a lot. And he did always
choose to dance …. CJ
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed
I hop you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hop one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting change
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance…"
Sharon’s Journey continues
From January 7 to approximately March 10, Sharon Reilly will be receiving Proton Therapy at the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center in Warrenville, IL (close to Naperville). Her mailing address during this time will be 333 Oxford Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Commuting daily for her 1 hour treatments, her steady courage will guide her through these next few months. Dear Sharon, we wish you minimal traffic as you navigate your daily commute, good food, new friendships, and lots of sleep for you and KC Kitty Cat.
MILESTONES
If your Birthday or Anniversary is missing, or you see something that needs correcting, please contact Candy. Thanks
Tony & Sherry Zoars 01-01
Barbara and Don Bratcher 01-04
Minetta Koblings 01-05
Sharon VanRaalte 01-07
Bob Feser 01-07
Cindy Rusak 01-09
Jessica Rosenberg 01-09
Melanie Cyra 01-10
Harley & Ruth Erbs 01-12
Kimberly Norris 01-12
Gary Pajonk 01-15
Richard Thieret 01-16
Ed and Jeanine Semon 01-18
Bee Young 01-20
Connie Lefebvre 01-27
Dwight Logan 01-28
Aidan Graf 01-28
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REMINDER
Now that the holidays and family visits are fewer, January might be a slower month for some. Keeping
fresh and interesting events on the calendar is up to all of you. Send your postings on
to me by January 25 for our February NuusLetter at cm@newnorth.net. As always,
write your prose, your announcements and updates (details) into the body of your
email. From there your copy can be transferred correctly to our newsletter. Thank you
everybody. Catherine
For distribution of announcements between newsletters or email/address corrections, contact Candy
Sorensen at sorencan@yahoo.com or Robert Hanson, President, president@nuuf.com
As a friendly reminder, if you know someone who is interested in joining the Northwoods Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship, please contact Candy Sorensen at: sorencan@yahoo.com or
call 715-892-2997. Also take time to "LIKE" us on Facebook.com. Click here on
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for direct access if you already have a
Facebook account. We're posting pictures, reminders about upcoming events and
more.
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, P.O. Box 1881, Woodruff, WI 54568-1881, https://nuuf.com/joomla4