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In the Interim: 10/12/18

terri-burnorYou built this sanctuary, this new home for your church, your people, and the people to come. Yes, it is a physical place, which some have found and more will find. It is a building highly visible from the highway, with a distinctive and modern architecture, located in the heart of the western suburbs.

But church is more than an address. Sanctuary is more than a place. Some say it is “the love between us.” How has that been true for you?

It has been true for your interim ministry team as we experience the commitment, love and care that flow within and beyond this community. How has it been true for you? How has sanctuary, as the love between, shown up and restored you?

Think back to when you first visited UUCM, when you decided to come regularly, become a member, when you said yes and gave of your time and talents. Consider those moments when you were burdened by grief or heartache, when you were stretched into new understandings, when you were filled with joy or felt most at ease. Recall those memories when you’ve been able to “come and rest” or “be filled and go” through the sanctuaries of silence, beauty, trust, acceptance, wholeness.

Whether we’re at UUCM or out in the world, may we remember that sanctuary isn’t confined to a place. It comes from the love we give, share, foster and grow. As Rumi wrote: remember, the entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you.

—Terri

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. Meg, Terri and Arif will alternate writing this “In the Interim” post. We encourage your comments.

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Chapel: Sunday, 10/14 at 9:30 am

On Sunday, October 14, the chapel (downstairs) will be open starting at 9:30am. This will be a silent meditative and prayerful space. All are welcome. There will be no speaking; only silence and being with others. Lisa Meyers will be present to serve as a chaplain for any who need support.

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Submit Photos for All Souls Service

In our October 28 worship service, we will be honoring beloved ones, human or animal, who have died. It will be a multi-generational service, so photos of pets are particularly welcome. We will share these images in a slideshow.

Please email photos of your loved ones to Allison, the UUCM office administrator. Use “All Souls Day” as the subject line. In the email, include the name(s) of the deceased and the UUCM person(s) to whom they are connected. If you only have photo prints, bring them to church during office hours and Allison can scan them for you.

You are welcome to submit multiple photos. Also, if your heart is touched by grief, regardless of when your loved one died, we would like to honor them in this service.

Please submit all photos by Sunday, October 21.

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From the Board: October 2018

Sanctuary – safety, security, comfort, refuge from the turbulence in our lives. Churches are one of the places that humans, through the ages, have sought sanctuary.  They can offer hope, acceptance and love to those who enter them.  When we feel safe and accepted, we can begin to feel empowered to start looking outside our place of sanctuary and towards the challenges in the greater world.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka is one of those places I seek sanctuary in my life. I come here to get recharged and revitalized each week. Not only do I find comfort and refuge from the turbulence in my life, it has given me the strength and knowledge to address the injustices I see in the world. To be truthful, it can be very exhausting to always confront injustice when I encounter it, so I choose my battles.

It’s important for each of us to reflect on how well we are creating a sanctuary that invites others in, because if we do that well think of what we as a community can do outside our walls.

Here at UUCM we are fortunate to have a team, or “Troika” as they like to refer to themselves for a short time.  The Reverend Meg Riley, Reverend Terri Burnor and Arif Mamdani each are bringing skills to help us together create the Beloved Community we are longing for.  They will challenge us. They will teach us. They will enlighten us. They will help us together create that sense of sanctuary where others are welcomed in and where we feel empowered to bring our voices out into the world.

Mike Elliott
Board of Trustees

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Wood Slab Sculptures Installed

 

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A new “slab art” installation has been installed in the back of the sanctuary with the help of Daniel Carlson and Bob Dachelet. Two more smaller slabs have been installed in the chapel downstairs. Daniel is a woodwork craftsman/artist that is well known for his wood work projects at homes in the area. He lives in Wayzata and has been coming to UUCM since July. He took the slabs of wood salvaged from the trees cut down on our building site to his workshop and crafted this work of art. Installation was quite the challenge given the industrial strength concrete wall but all worked out thanks to Daniel’s expertise and just the right tools!

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Upcoming Men’s Workshop: Exploring Hot Topics

Come join the men of our community for a facilitated, male-oriented conversation from 8:30 AM to  12:00 PM on Saturday, November 17 at UUCM. We’ll explore topics such as our transition from boys to men, exploring “male privilege”, how do we define “other” and some of the many opportunities and challenges facing us as men today.

This gathering is open to any male or those who identify as male, and who is over 18. Bring your sons, nephews, your father or any other men you think would benefit from this conversation. Given the importance of these issues in our lives, the need for solid men of conviction in the world today, and the value of the supportive connections that will result, we hope you will consider joining us! Coffee and snacks will be provided. Registration available online and at the door. Please contact Gary Charles with any questions.

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Annual Holiday Play Informational Meeting

Please join us for an informational meeting in the downstairs Chapel on Sunday, October 21 at 11:15 AM regarding this year’s annual Holiday Play directed by Jeffrey Hatcher.  As before, all are welcome, there will be no auditions, roles will be cast based on previous experience and director’s “whim”! This year’s performances will be on Sunday, December 9th at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.  Please contact Steve Levin with questions.

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Interfaith Outreach: 10/14/18

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Great Expectations – Thank You, We’re Amazed!

Thanks to everyone who participated in a very successful Great Expectations campaign. The campaign exceeded its $260,000 goal – thanks to you and a community that once again stepped up to love its kids.

  • YOU RAISED $270,937 to fund early childhood care and education, out-of-school-time learning, extracurricular opportunities, and so much more.
  • YOU SENT 815 kids back to school with backpacks stuffed with brand new school supplies.
  • YOU SHOWED UP FOR KIDS! At the Great Expectations Breakfast in August, many of the 240 attendees signed up to volunteer or found other ways to invest in changing the future for our kids. Learn more at iocp.org/volunteer.

Amazing! From our kids, a kid-felt, heartfelt thank you!

Holiday Gift Program Sponsors Needed! Sign up Today

Each year, 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 around late October so we can provide you with their wish list. Learn more and sign up at iocp.org/holidaygift. This is a great activity to do with your friends, colleagues, neighbors or family!
  • VOLUNTEER – Holiday Gift Program is 100% volunteer-led. Can you volunteer to help with family registration? Volunteers especially needed Oct. 24. View all shifts and sign up at iocp.org/holidaygift. Thank you!

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Social Justice Action Update: 10/14/18

UUCM’s Social Justice Ministry keeps members and friends informed about upcoming social justice events and activities of interest. We encourage you to participate and help build the congregation’s capacity to educate, serve, witness, and advocate for social justice. If you have a social justice event you would like to publicize, contact John Ziegenhagen.

Events

Sunday, October 14

Deep Canvassing
9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Adath Jeshurun, 10500 Hillside Lane West, Minnetonka. Join Jewish Community Action to go door-to-door and have meaningful conversations with voters about immigration that move past the headlines and uncover people’s values and experience.  Training provided. Jackie Smolen and Mary Cotton have participated in the past. Register Today

Tuesday, October 23

Hennepin County Attorney Candidate Forum
6:30-8:15 p.m., North High School, 1500 James Ave N, Mpls. Join the ALCU-MN chapter for a candidate forum co-hosted by Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Jewish Community Action, League of Women Voters Minnesota, League of Women Voters Golden Valley and National Council of Jewish Women-Minnesota. County Attorneys play a critical role in our criminal justice system. Come to this debate to learn more about the two candidates running for office in Hennepin County and their views on important civil liberties issues.

Saturday, October 27

Family Focus: Make A Difference Day.
Since 1992, Make a Difference Day has been held on the 4th Saturday of October. Make a Difference Day is one of the largest single days of service nationwide. Consider doing a family service project on this day. Many good ideas for service projects can be found at Volunteer Match and Doing Good Together.

Saturday, October 27

Ambassador Orientation
10:00-11:30 a.m., 227 Colfax Ave N., Minneapolis. An Ambassador is someone who aids Village Financial Cooperative’s mission by extending their time and expertise to empower Black communities through financial co-operation. Help bring Minnesota’s ONLY Community Development Credit Union to fruition. Come learn about Village Financial Cooperative’s Theory of Change towards creating a cooperative economy, activate your base and utilize your personal skills for Black Economic Liberation and work towards co-creating Minnesota’s ONLY Community Development Credit Union.

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