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| Educating Our Young People, Educating Ourselves
by Kim Hartman, Director of Religious Education In what can seem for some to be days that bring only dark and despairing news, my favorite story this past week was the one that announced the Boy Scout’s reversal on its’ transgender stance. On Monday, the group announced that they will begin accepting members based on the gender listed on their application, not on the gender assigned to them at birth. As many of us celebrate this remarkable event, we can also reflect on how we strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ youth of the Fellowship. I sometimes feel that this is an often overlooked group even among welcoming UU’s, as many of these young people are still seeking to understand and define who they are, and may not have the tools, support, confidence or understanding that would render them more visible. Additionally, it may be a surprise to some (it was to me) to learn that even today, “the UUA still has closeted lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ministers serving congregations and members in our congregations. People who are bisexual, queer, and/or transgender are more closeted in our congregations than those who are gay or lesbian.” (click here for reference) As a congregation, it is very important for us to be mindful that we are not making assumptions when it comes to the identity of anyone, especially our youth. In the fall of 2015 the Youth Inclusion and Safety Guidelines were released by the UUA to provide guidance and to serve as a resource for congregations. Embracing these new guidelines at the Fellowship means that we need to pay attention to the types of curriculums that we adopt, the language that we use, and the unspoken ways that we can send negative or non-inclusive messages to our youth. We need to be ever mindful to move towards a non-binary mindset as we educate and engage with our young people. As part of this effort, we are currently reviewing our own educational practices, and making adjustments and changes as needed in order to better reflect our Welcoming Congregation commitment. This is a learning curve for many of us. However, we can educate ourselves. The UUA ’s website is a wonderful place to begin. From the Social Justice page click on the LGBTQ Welcome and Equality page. From here you can choose links more specific to the topic that you are interested in. My current favorite is Identity 101, as it offers straightforward and practical information that one can put into practice immediately. It is an honor to work with the multitude of identities that our young people here at the Fellowship claim, whether these identities are publicly known or privately kept. As witnessed through the newly adopted stance by the Boy Scouts on transgender members, it looks to me as if there is some brightness on the horizon, and this feels wonderful!
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Upcoming Services Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. February 5 Who Are You? by Rev. Kathleen Rolenz
When we greet one another, we often ask "how are you?" but what we really want to know is "WHO" are you. How do you identify yourself? We're told, on the one hand, that identity is a fact that we're born with, on the other hand, we know that identity is endlessly open to revision, adaptation, and transformation. At the deepest level of interaction, we want to know another and be truly known. This service will seek to answer the question: "Tell Me a Story about a Time When You Knew Exactly Who You Were."
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| Hijab Sunday - Some members of the Social Justice Core Team and those attending Beloved Conversations on Race & Ethnicity participated in the kick off event of "World Hijab Day." The purpose of this is to stand in solidarity with Muslim women in our community. If you identify as female and wish to participate, you are invited to come to the Fellowship this Sunday with your head covered (i.e., wearing a longish scarf over your head and hair.) I will be leading the service wearing a hijab. Some members of the local mosque may also be attending the service to hand out an extra hijab and to help any women who wish to wear one. Regardless if you choose to wear a hijab or not this Sunday, come ready to reflect on questions of identity and the nature of your truest self. - Thanks! See you at the Fellowship. Kathleen Rolenz
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| February 12 Hearts, Guide Us by Brian Mason
To find delight in the world is a risk. Left to their own devices the assaults of the world can whittle away at our passions and dreams, wreaking havoc on our hearts and hopes. Messages of great divide and upheaval rock us each night, especially so in this time of transition and unknowing. Acquiescing to such messages is tempting, but we can gather together as the beloved community in an act of resistance: let us risk to dream the world anew. Brian Mason recently completed a ministerial internship at the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis. He is currently the Resident Chaplain at Saint Louis University Hospital & Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
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| Coming Soon
Below is a list of events happening soon!
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| Upcoming Programs, Activities & Events
Mark Your Calendars for these upcoming events.
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| It's Cabaret Time!
Saturday, February 4
Doors open - 6:30 p.m. Showtime - 7:15 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment, fun and frolic by your favorite Fellowship folks.
Drinks and snacks are included for just $10. Tickets sold at the door.
Come and join the fun!
Contact: Mary Gerlach (gerlachmz@new.rr.com)
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| Appleton Wellspring Wednesday
February 8 - 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Poetry is Not Only Dream and Vision”
with Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg Audre Lorde says that “poetry is not only dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.” What do you make of poetry? Is it relevant to you at all? Do you read it? Write it? Or slightly fear it even as you’re drawn by its pull? Rev. Leah considers poetry one of the important resources that can help us live spiritually grounded lives. She’ll share some idea about how you might be able to incorporate poetry into your spiritual practice and she’ll collect your experiences and stories about poetry for the Sunday services on February 19th. If you have a favorite poem, feel free to bring it and we’ll make time to hear a few. Sign up here. Wellspring Childcare and Special Event Policy
Children must be registered at least one week in advance for childcare for events such as Wellspring, all-congregation meetings, etc. A minimum of four children must be registered in order for childcare to be provided.
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| New Women's Small Group Forming:
Embracing Our Sisters
I have been privileged to enjoy the strong support and love of an outside women's group for the last 25 years. The death of our founding member last year, Mary Kay Kamps, inspired us to want to create a larger support group to honor Mary Kay's "Gurl Power/Wize Women" life work. The initial plan will be to meet monthly for 2 hours from 7:00-9:00 p.m. We would take turns with programming a part of the time, with additional time for sharing, asking for input and figuring out how best to help each other as we walk through this life's journey. The first meeting will be on February 10. We will plan additional dates at that meeting. Contact Kate Hancock-Cooke at 920-202-0204 or rugbykate@new.rr.com with questions or suggestions.
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| Oshkosh Wellspring Wednesday February 15
Celebrating New American Stories
A program of presentation and conversation about immigration from immigrants living in Oshkosh and beyond. Topic: New American Stories - Hmong
Please join us for our third meeting in the Series "New American Stories." This month we feature a panel of Hmong speakers. The Hmong people were American allies in the Vietnam War, risking their lives to fight communism, but were abandoned when Americans retreated. Many faced retribution and hardship for their part in the war. Refugees have resettled in the upper Midwest and are making new lives in the Fox Valley. We will be offering a Hmong-themed meal.
B'nai Israel Congregation Social Hall - 1121 Algoma Blvd.
5:30 p.m. Catered dinner - $7 adults/ $4 children
6:15 p.m. Chalice lighting and program, concurrent children's program available. Please RSVP by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 13. Sign up here or in the lobby at the Fellowship. All Fellowship members and friends are invited to attend. Email Cyndi at cyndi@fvuuf.org to be added to the Oshkosh email list for updates on events in Oshkosh.
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| African American Literature with Amy Abugo Ongiri
3:30 p.m., February 26
In honor of Black History month, join us for a presentation highlighting and exploring some of the important literary contributions made by Black and African American people and communities throughout US history and into the present moment. Adults and older children/youth welcome. RSVP for childcare for younger children (cyndi@fvuuf.org).
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Friday Film Series on Race Related Topics
Beginning the first Friday night in February, the Racial Justice Action Team is hosting a series of films on race related topics. We'll bring the movie and the popcorn, you bring an open mind and a desire to discuss the film afterwards. This event is free and open to the public; in fact we strongly encourage you to bring your friends! February 3, 6:00 p.m. - Crash
February 10, 6:00 p.m. - Fruitvale Station
February 17, 6:00 p.m. - 42
February 24 - 6:00 p.m. - Selma No pre-registration required, just come. However, if we have to cancel the film due to inclement weather, we will send out an all Fellowship email at least two hours in advance of the start time of the film, so be sure to check your email. See you at the movies!
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| The Green Sanctuary team hosts a movie and discussion
February 12th at 1:00 p.m. Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret
A groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it. Join us in the Fellowship Hall to watch the movie and discuss what we learned. Bring your own lunch. Popcorn and juice provided!
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| Let's Build a House
The Essentials Action Team is heading up efforts for our Fellowship to be involved in an interfaith build through Habitat for Humanity this Spring. We will work together with other faith communities to build a house for a family.
There will be opportunities for all skill levels, hammering, dry walling, plastering, painting and more. Share your talents and learn new skills. We will also need meal providers. Come learn how you can be involved at a Brown Bag Lunch program on Sunday, February 26 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Bring your own lunch or enjoy soup and bread provided. If you have questions contact Marsha Dawson at mdawson907@gmail.com.
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| Green Sanctuary Tips Corner
In this section, the Green Sanctuary Task Force shares a green idea for you to implement in your personal lives. These tips will help you “walk the talk” in reference to respecting our environment. If you have a good tip you would like to share, email it to greenfvuuf@gmail.com. Choose Organic in the grocery store.
Buy organic food because you will be eating food without synthetic pesticides, synthetic herbicides and hormones. You are also supporting an industry that doesn’t use petroleum based fertilizers which damage our environment.
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| Neighboring Faiths Field Trip- Come join us!
Our 7th and 8th grade Neighboring Faiths class will visit St. Bernard Catholic Church on February 12, 2017. We will leave from the Fellowship at 9:15 a.m., and attend a Q and A session after the service. All Fellowship children and adults are welcome to attend. Contact Kim Hartman for more information.
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| Marie Luna on Sabbatical for February
Marie Luna, Congregational Life Coordinator, will be gone for the month of February on sabbatical. If you have questions about the Fellowship or membership in the Fellowship, please contact Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg at leah@fvuuf.org. For all other needs, contact Cyndi Polakowski, Fellowship Secretary, at cyndi@fvuuf.org.
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| Senior Minister Voting Guidelines for New Members
Taking the step to join the Fellowship is an important ritual for many people. While much of what we do and offer is open to anyone, voting is only open to members. The Fellowship’s bylaws state that “members are eligible to vote at congregational meetings and hold office after they have been members for a period of eight (8) weeks.” Our last new member joining date before our Senior Minister is voted on will be on March 5th at 9:00 a.m. Please contact Marie Luna, Congregational Life Coordinator, if you are interested in learning more about the process for joining and to sign up to attend that day.
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| Click here for the current financial report.
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| Quick Links
Joys and Concerns
As your faith community, we want to celebrate your joys with you and support you through times of concern. To share a joy or concern with our ministers and/or at services, please click here.
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| Weekly CalendarThursday, February 2
6:30pm First Thursday Book Club
7:00pm Choir Friday, February 3
6:00am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha 6:30pm Racial Justice Film Series
Saturday, February 4
6:30am Joyful Mind Zen Sangha 6:30pm Cabaret!
Sunday, February 5
9:00 & 10:45am Worship Services 10:00am Breakfast Club 10:00am U-Youth Choir
6:00pm Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Monday, February 6
9:00am Goddess Group 6:30pm First Monday Book Club
Tuesday, February 7
6:30pm Joy Mind Zen Sangha 6:00pm Snapshots of UU History Wednesday, February 8 4:00pm Social Justice Core Team 6:30pm Wellspring Wednesday
Thursday, February 9 7:00pm Choir
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Book Club BooksFirst Thursday Book Club
February: The Buffalo Soldier by Chris Bohjalian
March: Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt UU Book Club
February: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
March The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi
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