by adminuucm

Resource List for Families

UUCM seeks to support families during this time of staying home. Check out these links and resources for ideas and activities to help your family weather the quarantine, and know that you are not alone. 

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Zentangle Coloring Pages: Generously shared by UU Rev. Cynthia Landrum, on her Facebook page.

Soul Matters Family Resource, Creating Sabbath Space – Week One: “In times of trouble, be extra sure to keep the Sabbath.” In other words, “Be sure to set aside time and a space for worship, rest and connection.” Simply put, that’s what this resource is all about. We (the Soul Matters team) want to help families carve out “sabbath space” in their homes and weekly schedules. We want to honor ancient spiritual wisdom that says worship, rest and connection are a must, not “extras” to be fit as we can. Especially during trying times.

Here are the other weeks, plus a special packet on grief:
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five Continue reading →

by adminuucm

Introducing a New Mid-Week Ministers’ Message

The UUCM interim ministry team will now be sharing a weekly pastoral message on Wednesdays. Rev. Meg, Rev. Terri and Arif will take turns writing or recording a video. This replaces Friday’s “In the Interim” post from the troika. The Friday Update email will continue to go out with events, announcements, news, and board updates. This week’s message is offered by Rev. Terri. 

terri-burnorMy co-worker Marvin (as many of us are calling our pets these days) is a six year old rescue terrier mix who is dog reactive and doesn’t like surprises. The shelter-in-place order has been really hard on him because so many people and dogs are out walking. Marvin is particularly on edge when we head out now because he knows it’s like doggie rush hour all day long.

For the first block and a half of yesterday’s walk, he howled in anticipation. No dog in sight right then, but Marvin just had to let it out. I hear you, little dude, I said, about ready to join him. Some moments call for a howl.

My primary coping mechanism has been to let my sleep habits fall completely apart. I pull frequent all-nighters either sewing or sinking into old, favorite Grey’s Anatomy episodes. My spouse copes by keeping firmly to his regular corporate schedule, including getting up at 4:30 am. Late last night, I helped a parent friend cope by remotely fixing an HDMI connection so she can simultaneously use her laptop for work and stream Disney+ on a non-smart TV for her young child.

We’re all doing the best we can. This cannot be emphasized enough. We’re all doing and being the best we can, and we’re all processing and reacting to the pandemic differently because how can we possibly take in its full magnitude and impact? Continue reading →

by adminuucm

New Minister Board Update: April 3

Funny, how being sequestered in my home disrupts all the routines that used to keep me oriented to the day of week and other orientations. Flash! We have two strong candidates for our developmental minister for next year. The search team has reviewed their ministerial records and we are preparing for initial interviews Thursday and Friday. We have requested that they give us contact info so we can speak directly with people who they have supervised in the past.

Meanwhile: wash hands, check temps and whether you van still smell things, maintain social distance. I wear exam gloves and face mask and carry Lysol wipes when I HAVE to go out.  Stay safe folks, You are precious.

More to follow next week.

—Robert Brooks
President, UUCM Board of Trustees

by adminuucm

(Archive) Changes to Our Zoom Worship

(Archive) The internet can be a wonderful environment for connection. Unfortunately, just like the “real world,” it’s plagued by people who don’t share our commitment to love and justice. Because the pandemic has moved most gatherings online, we’re seeing the rise of “Zoombombing.” These are trolls who try to use Zoom’s features to cause disruption by sharing harmful imagery or messages that are often sexual or racist.

We are striving to offer a meaningful, accessible and safe online worship service for UUCM members, friends and visitors. We already had some prevention settings in place for our Zoom worship. Based on recommendations, we’ve added a few more and will let the community know if others are required:

  • We will now be using a new meeting ID for each weekly worship service. We had previously been using the same ID number. The Zoom link will be shared each week in the Friday Update email and posted on https://uucmtka.org/.
  • When you connect to worship, you will automatically be placed in a waiting room. This will happen whether you join through the app or by phone. One of our greeters will manually admit you into the main Zoom meeting space. Think of this like waiting in the church community room before going into the sanctuary. For those using the Zoom app, it would help greeters if you changed your name to something recognizable (and not your device name). It would also help if folks could arrive early so there’s not a log-jam at the start of worship.

Continue reading →

by adminuucm

Social Generosity Offering: April 2020

April’s offering will support the Minister’s Discretionary Fund at UUCM. The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is a fund that the ministers of the church use to support members of our community who encounter financial hardship and need assistance. Sometimes a little assistance with a bill or car repair can go a long way. If you’re feeling stressed about finances, you are encouraged to reach out to the ministers to see if and how they can help. If in doubt, give them a call. True community is about giving when we can, and also getting help when we need it. Your faith community is here for you.

How to Donate: You can donate online using PayPal or a credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also mail a contribution to UUCM at 2030 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN 55391. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line.