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In the Interim: 2/21/20

meg-rileyOne of my go-to books for resilience-building is Pema Chodron’s classic, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times.  I picked it up years ago at a bookstore when it screamed at me, “Here’s the book you need right now!”  Over the years, I have gone back to it and found it a trusty friend.

Chodron is an American Buddhist nun.  Her other books have titles like, The Places That Scare You, Comfortable with Uncertainty, Practicing Peace in Times of War.  All useful books but this first one that I found (though not the first she wrote)  brings me back over and over.

Essentially, the book is full of practices and insight about how to have more compassion for ourselves.  Chodron writes:

“Learning how to be kind to ourselves, learning how to respect ourselves, is important.  The reason it’s important is that, fundamentally, when we look into our own hearts and begin to discover what is confused and what is brilliant, what is bitter and what is sweet, it isn’t just ourselves we’re discovering.  We’re discovering the universe…To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else’s eyes.”

Self-awareness and compassion for ourselves is an essential piece of resilience. Resilience isn’t a badge to earn, a medal to be awarded, a state of being that we claim as our own.  Resilience is a daily practice of centering into our own selves, opening our eyes to those around us, and claiming our own place in the world. Continue reading →

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From the Board: February 2020

Each month, a member of the board will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme and the state of the church. The Soul Matters theme for February is Resilience. This month’s post is offered by Cathy Bujold.

I can vividly recall an August evening about twenty years ago in which I sat on my kitchen floor weeping as my malfunctioning refrigerator ice dispenser dumped all the ice cubes it held onto the floor around me.  Earlier that day, an unknown LOUD alarm sounding in the basement had sent me scurrying to try to find out what it signified and it was still unexplained at that point.  Earlier that week, a car had run off the road into the ditch by my house.  Fortunately, no one was hurt but now I needed a new mailbox.  And earlier that month, my soon-to-be-ex-husband had moved out so I was left with our three daughters – ages 14, 12, and 10 – in a state where I had no other family, and few friends since I was fairly new to Minnesota.

As I picked up the ice cubes from the floor, I can remember a foreboding chill moving up my spine as I wondered “Do I have what it will take to move beyond all this?”  “Do I have enough resilience?” Continue reading →

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Church Closure Policy for Inclement Weather

christmas-2934094_1920In the very rare event of a need to cancel Sunday services because of inclement weather, you can find out whether church is open by:

  1. Watching for an email message from UUCM announcing the cancellation/church closure.
  2. Looking at the UUCM website after 8:30 AM on Sunday. A special alert will be posted if church is cancelled.
  3. Calling the main church phone at (952) 473-5900 after 8:30 AM on Sunday. A special voicemail recording will be available if church is cancelled.
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Camp Unistar registration open!

Did you know there is a UU camp only 3 hours away on Cass Lake, MN? Registration is open for two Youth Weeks in June, a Work Week in June, and 10 Family Weeks throughout the summer. Come experience new and old friends on Star Island where there are no cars, only State Forest lands to explore and enjoy. Camper registration closes on March 7 when all applications received to-date are considered. You can still register after this but may not get in to the week you’d like. Youth entering 7-12th grade especially are encouraged to apply for the Youth Week of their choice by March 7th. Please see http://www.campunistar.org/ for more information. Kathy Stuebner will also be at a table in the Community Room after the services on Feb. 23 and March 1.

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New Minister Board Update: Week 6

This week, we are addressing the question “What can we expect from a developmental minister?”

Developmental ministers have the following in common:

They are very experienced ministers.  They have usually served in multiple locations, positions, and capacities.  They have been successful in a variety of ministries.  They have a strength in one or more areas that is a good fit for the congregational goals, in addition to the normal ministerial functions.

The Board Minister Selection Task Force has been working closely with UUA staff, and our involvement with UUA staff will continue right through the developmental minister’s tenure at UUCM.  This is a shared ministry – both the congregation and the minister are going to be learning and growing through this process.

Keep the questions coming!

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Calling All Artists!

April is Member Art Show time. The North Wall Art Space will feature the work of members and friends of UUCM. Oils, photography, watercolors, fiber art, calligraphy, collage, pastels, mixed media…show us what you do!  Please enter your work on the sign up sheet in the community room. Your framed art work must be dropped off at UUCM before March 28th. For more information contact Christy Dachelet at czdachelet@comcast.net.

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Submit a 2020 caucus resolution to help ensure Minnesota has Homes for All!

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Minnesota’s political parties make safe, affordable homes for all a priority by submitting a caucus resolution. Parties vote on submitted resolutions, and if a resolution is passed, the party considers it for incorporation into their legislative platform.

Submitting a resolution is simple, and it’s a key step in advancing Homes for All’s legislative agenda for 2020 and beyond, helping to ensure that all Minnesotans have a safe and affordable place to call home.

Here’s how you can take action today:

  1. Download the Minnesota Republican or Minnesota DFL resolution form. Find information from other Minnesota political parties here.
  2. Complete the form. Include the following resolution language: “Prioritize solutions to our housing crisis, including:
  • Dramatically expanding resources for affordable homes, rental and homeownership, including protecting public housing and preserving what is affordable today
  • Protecting the rights of renters, balanced with the rights of property owners
  • Preventing displacement and providing stability, with adequate shelter, emergency services, and housing supports for the needs of all Minnesotans.”
  1. Attend the party caucus of your choice for your precinct on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Find your caucus location
  2. Propose your resolution:
    • Stand to be recognized by the chair and say, “I move that this precinct support the following resolution.”
    • Read the resolution.
  3. If the resolution passes, hand the document to the Caucus Chair which will then be forwarded appropriately for consideration at the district and/or state levels.

Check out this article to learn more about how resolutions become part of a party’s political platform. And, read more on the process from the Minnesota DFL and the Minnesota Republican parties. Find information from other Minnesota political parties here.

Contact Sue Fust, co-facilitator of the Social Justice ministry team at UUCM, with any questions.

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Path to Membership Class: Exploring UUCM

Sunday, March 8 from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM in the Oak Room
Childcare is available for this class!
This class is one of two classes offered on the path to membership at UUCM. In this class, we will respond to your questions, explore information and opportunities about our particular church, and discuss how we relate to the wider UU Region and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Visitors and friends who have attended both of these “Exploring UUism” classes are eligible to become members of UUCM. Current members and friends are very welcome to join in the class! Facilitated by Gary Charles, Membership Ministry.