Volume 14, Number 9 – March 2013
We Are a Welcoming Congregation
Upcoming Services
March 10 - 10 am Richard Olson
March 24 - 10 am Rev. Dr. Bobbi Groth
April 7- 10 am Rev. Denise Tracy
April 21 - 10 am Rev. Dr. Bobbie Groth
Events
March 16 - 7:00 pm Singer/songwriter Jim Scott at NUUF
March 24 - after service New members ceremony and potluck brunch
March 24 - after the brunch The Common Read book group. Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness
March 25 - 6:30 pm Middle Eastern Books and Films discussion group
Adult R.E.
March 3 - 10 am Why Evil Exists:
1. The Nature and Origins of Evil
2. Enuma Elish--Evil as Cosmic Battle
March 17 - 10 am 3. Greece--Tragedy and The Peloponnesian War
4. Greek Philosophy--Human Evil and Malice
NO ADULT RE MARCH 31
April 14 - 10 am 5. The Hebrew Bible--Human Rivalry with God
6. The Hebrew Bible--Wisdom and the Fear of God
April 28 - 10 am 7. Christian Scripture--Apocalypse and Original Sin
8. The Inevitability of Evil--Irenaeus
Message from the President
Thank you Laurie!
As you all know, Laurie Figueroa had to step down as President of the Fellowship so that she could spend more time caring for her husband. I know that I speak for everyone in the Fellowship in extending our thanks to Laurie for her leadership and dedicated efforts over the past year. Laurie managed the work with seeming ease, in spite of the extraordinary demands on her at home. I know that Laurie will continue to help as she can. She has been a wonderful mentor to me; I’d like to send her my special thanks!
According to our by-laws, the purpose of NUUF shall be “the enjoyment and practice of religion founded upon devotion to individual freedom of belief, and to foster liberal religious living through worship, study, service, and fellowship.” It is through the extraordinary efforts of the members of the Fellowship that we are fulfilling this ambitious goal. I am amazed by the work that you all do - without fanfare or complaint. You serve on (our many) committees; greet us on Sundays; provide sustenance at coffee hour; keep the grounds and building in good shape; manage the finances; provide lovely music and find thoughtful speakers; organize events; speak out for social justice; and, make this place a better community. You are incredible people. I am honored to be a part of this institution and to be able to help out in a small way to keep this house going.
-—John Viste
Musician Jim Scott Brings a Musical Celebration of the Earth to
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship March 16
Acclaimed acoustic guitarist Jim Scott will perform an evening of his songs of peace and the environment on Saturday, March 16, at 7:00 PM at the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 8625 Peggy’s Lane in Woodruff. Suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Jim has 3 songs in our hymnal, including “Gather the Spirit.” Please bring a snack or dessert to share. We will provide coffee; other beverages are BYO. Please contact Tom for further information.
With insight and more than a little humor, Scott makes his case for harmony in the world with a jazz/ world folk music styling and some great guitar technique in accompaniment. Known to many as the voice on the Winter Consort’s “Common Ground,” Scott’s musical output runs from lyrical songs, and instrumentals, to choral compositions. He has performed in the company of luminaries of the jazz and folk worlds. Pete Seeger said of Jim’s guitar virtuosity “(Jim is) some kind of a magician.” Paul Winter said of his long time collaborator “His music sings of the life spirit.”
His most recent project has been compiling “The Earth and Spirit Songbook,” an anthology of songs of earth and peace and he has added many of these songs to his concert repertoire. From this widely varied background, Scott considers himself a contemporary folk artist in the sense that folk music represents people with a positive and hopeful spirit. “Folk follows a long tradition of social commentary,” Scott said. “It’s the voice of the people. That’s what I like to think I’m representing.” His musical, “The Tree and Me,” has been staged at colleges in New York and Michigan. He also performs for kids and has written songs with elementary school classes. His “Big and Little Stuff - Songs for Kids” marks his 5th recording of original songs released on CD. He’s taught at numerous colleges, including Oberlin College in Ohio, and conducted workshops throughout the country. Scott recently fulfilled a long-time dream by sharing the stage with Pete Seeger. “ My messages are of ecology and social conscience, but also of optimism,” Scott said. “I believe in the power of song and self-expression for change.”
For information about the concert, call Tom at 715-385-2407 or visit www.nuuf.com.
Adult R.E. “Why Evil Exists”
All programs begin at 10:00 am on the Sunday indicated. A lecture will be viewed with brief discussion following:
March 3 1. The Nature and Origins of Evil
2. Enuma Elish–Evil as Cosmic Battle
March 17 3. Greece–Tragedy and The Peloponnesian War
4. Greek Philosophy–Human Evil and Malice
NO ADULT RE MARCH 31
April 14 5. The Hebrew Bible–Human Rivalry with God
6. The Hebrew Bible–Wisdom and the Fear of God
April 28 7. Christian Scripture–Apocalypse and Original Sin
8. The Inevitability of Evil–Irenaeus
May 12 9. Creation, Evil, and the Fall–Augustine
10. Rabbinic Judaism–The Evil Impulse
May 26 11. Islam–Iblis the Failed, Once-Glorious Being
12. On Self-Deception in Evil–Scholasticism
Volunteer Opportunity
As you may or may not have noticed, this newsletter is arriving a week behind schedule. I’ve been compiling the newsletter since December of 2010, and apparently I’ve lost a lot of steam. As always, I’ve over-committed my time. It would be great if somebody else wants to take it over. Please let me know. Pat 715-356-9130 bickner@gmx.com.
Mardi Gras Party Raised a Nice Chunk of Change!
The “Second Annual Mardi Gras in Minocqua” fundraiser sponsored by the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Norwood Pines raised $1361.00 for the Food Pantry. Barb Logan, Board member of the Fellowship, presented the money raised to Chris Clough and Linda Kozisek.
Music for the event was provided by the Old Orleans Dixie 6. Norwood Pines provided a free Mardi Gras buffet and the attendees generously contributed $1361.00.
Chris Clough (l) and Linda Kozisek (r) of the Lakeland Area Food Pantry receive a check from Barb Logan
NATH Fundraiser
On February 2, 5 NUUF members (Ron Reupert, the Van Raaltes and the Sommerfeld) attended the 2nd Anniversary Fund Raiser dinner for Frederick Place. An enjoyable and worthwhile evening was had by all. Both of the past 2 years, NATH has served 100 residents; they have finished in the black both years; they have about 9 months operating expenses ahead. Some of the former residents are now volunteers at Frederick Place, including one who works on enhancing the web site. We hope that more of you will join us at next year’s dinner.
Common Read book group’s first meeting March 24
We’re reading The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness, by Michelle Alexander. Discussion will follow the new member dinner on Sunday, March 24, so probably around 12:30, and will probably meet for 30-45 minutes. For more information contact Rich Uspel.
Milestones
Tom & Elinore Sommerfeld 03-02
Jan Anderson 03-02
Tony Zoars 03-09
Iris Linder 03-10
Ed Semon 03-11
Dick Fields 03-12
Nancy Junkermann 03-12
Sally Back 03-12
Charles Reed 03-13
Kayla Norris 03-19
John Viste & Elaine Strite 03-21
Connie Downey 03-22
Lara Tenório 03-23
Sally O'Brien 03-24
Dan Rondello 03-24
Terry Hoyt 03-27
Pat Bickner 03-29
Sophia Figueroa 03-29
Marti Hall 03/31
NUUF and NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
P.O. Box 1881
Woodruff, WI 54568-1881
John Viste, President
The NUUSLetter is published monthly.
Next Deadline: March 27, 2013 Please send submissions to Pat Bickner at bickner@gmx.com. Please put “NUUSletter” in the subject line.
For distribution of announcements between newsletters or email/address corrections, contact Candy Sorensen at sorencan@yahoo.com.