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In the Interim: 10/11/2019

meg-rileyMy 23 year old, Jie, recently visited Minnesota from Western Massachusetts, the Pioneer Valley area if you know it.  “Why do you live here?” Jie asked.  “It’s so ugly, and boring, and flat!”

I replied, “I don’t know why, but this just feels like home to me.  I belong here.”

Jie persisted, “But it is so much more beautiful where I live!”

I’m out visiting Jie now, after a UU conference in Connecticut, and I can’t disagree.  The trees are ablaze in reds and golds, there are mountains with streams and rivers tumbling down them, and I absolutely love the stone walls that are frequently seen around New England fields.  It’s absolutely beautiful.  I love it.  It’s much more dramatic and wild than Minnesota.  And…  It doesn’t feel like home.  Though I love to visit, I don’t feel a sense of belonging there. Continue reading →

Featured by adminuucm

From the Board: October 2019

The theme for October is “belonging” – an affinity for a place or situation.  Both intuition and research show that people need to feel a sense of social connectedness, and that belonging comes with feeling that one is an accepted member of a group.

Considering that humans evolved for tens of thousands of years living in small tribes, it is not surprising that belongingness and social connectedness are an integral part of the normal human psyche.  Tribe membership increased a human’s chances of survival from starvation, predation, and violence by neighboring tribes. Selection pressures for connectedness and belongingness were probably intense.

Abraham Maslow’s influential theory on the hierarchy of needs identified our physiological needs for food, water, and warmth as superseding our psychological needs.  But subsequent research has shown just how fundamental our need for social connection and belonging are, and how important the fulfillment is to healthy human psychology and functioning. Continue reading →

by adminuucm

The UUCM Auction: An Annual Tradition

AuctionLogo2019NEW DETAILS We are now accepting donations for the UUCM Auction.  If you have an item, event, or experience you would like to share, you can use this online form. Donations are due by Monday October 28. To see previous catalogs for inspiration, check out the catalogs below:
2015 Catalog
2016 Catalog
2017 Catalog

The Auction is held each year to create a fun, community-building event for our members and friends, and to raise money for the UUCM General Fund. The 2019 edition of the Annual UUCM Auction, “Photo Safari”, is scheduled for Saturday evening, November 2, 2019. The doors open at 5:00 pm, the Silent Auction starts at 5:30pm and the Live Auction begins at about 7:00pm.

The Auction is one of the premier events on the UUCM Social Calendar, and our largest fundraiser. Last year we raised over $22,000 for the church.

Come join us as we celebrate and raise funds to help our church meet the needs of our community. All are welcome, and food, drink, music, and childcare will be provided 

So, what is the Auction all about? Continue reading →

by adminuucm

UUCM Monthly Game Night – Starting in November!

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Join us for a night of fun and connection!

Starting November 22, we’ll be meeting at UUCM
on the 4th Friday of each month, 6:30-8:30pm

Families, singles, kids, adults, everyone is welcome!

Bring a favorite game and a snack to share.

Questions? Feel free to contact:
Amy Schneider: schneideramy18@gmail.com
Patty Heim: patty@heimdall.org
Lindsay Schostag: ljschostag@gmail.com

by adminuucm

Interfaith Outreach: 10/13/19

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Donate winter gear before Oct. 15

Please donate quality, ready-to-wear winter coats, hats, boots, gloves, etc. for local families before Oct. 15. These items will be distributed the following week to help prepare families for the Minnesota winter. We estimate over 500 kids and adults will be served. Warm hats and mittens are especially needed! As you go through your closets, spread the word to co-workers and friends, and bring your donations to Resale Select at 1605 County Road 101 N in Plymouth. Donations are accepted Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thank you!

Holiday Gift Program sponsors and volunteers needed!

Through the generosity of the community, Interfaith Outreach’s Holiday Gift Program matches 500 Interfaith Outreach families of varying sizes with sponsors who provide gifts or financial support for gifts in December. Can you help make the holidays a little brighter for our neighbors? Visit iocp.org/holidaygift to learn more, become a sponsor or volunteer:

  • BECOME A SPONSOR – Sponsor registration is officially open – you will be matched with a family or individual by early November so we can provide you with their wish list. Or, make a financial donation and we’ll do the shopping for you! Learn more and sign up at iocp.org/holidaygift.
  • VOLUNTEER – Holiday Gift Program is 100% volunteer-led. Can you volunteer to help with family registration in October – November and distribution in December? View shifts and sign up at iocp.org/holidaygift. Thank you!

Continue reading →

by adminuucm

UUCM Men’s Workshop 2019

How Do the Arts Help Us on Our Life Journey?

Come, join us to explore this topic at the UUCM Men’s Workshop for 2019

When: Saturday morning, November 23rd, 2019. 8:30 AM coffee, interactive presentations from 9 AM to  12 Noon.
Who: Open to all those over 18 who identify as men
Where: At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka
Registration: A suggested registration of $10 will be collected at the event.

Bring your stories; share how the arts help guide your journey.  

Helping us explore this topic will be two experienced practitioners and teachers in the creative arts. Continue reading →