Meeting on the Landscape Planning Process, 7/6

We are people with ideas.  In a congregation-wide series of meetings held last August and September, many of us shared our ideas about what our landscape should look like, the elements it should contain, the purposes it should support and the values it should uphold.  A small group (Joyce Federiuk, Mona Hotchkiss and Ginger Chatfield) has taken the group input and put it into a form that we can more easily consider and prioritize.  

Jill is convening a group meeting on Sunday, July 6 at 4pm at the UUFC to complete this process.  Our goal is to identify our most important priorities so that ultimately, they can be shared with a professional landscape architect to use in creating a master plan for the property.  This will be done in tandem with any building expansion that we may undertake.  

Please plan to attend this meeting if you had interest and input in the prior meetings.  The intention is to vote on the priorities previously identified – rather than add in new elements or lobby for favorite items.  Hope to see you there!

Movie night: “Milk”, the story of Harvey Milk, 7/13

Queerly Beloved July meet up
Sunday July 13, 2025 4:00-7:30 PM, UUFC

Join the Sexuality and Gender Diversity Team for a viewing of the inspiring movie “Milk” starring Sean Penn, telling the story of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk in the 1970s.
Movie will start at 4:00 PM, followed by pizza and a discussion, so plan to stay late! Pizza is provided; if you can bring a drink or snack to share, we welcome it.
This movie is rated R. If you need childcare for small children, please contact the Grandfolks Squad.
All are WELCOME – you don’t have to be gay to enjoy this movie! 🙂
Questions: contact Anya Ballinger

Creative Lament Workshop, 7/7

“Welcoming our sorrow eases the hardened places within us, allowing them to open and freeing us to once more feel our kinship with the living presence around us. This is deep activism, soul activism that actually encourages us to connect with the tears of the world. Grief keeps the heart flexible, fluid, and open to others… Our activism is directly connected to our heart’s ability to respond to the world. A congested heart, one burdened with unexpressed sorrow, cannot stay open to the world, and consequently, cannot be fully available for the healing work so needed at this time.” – Frances Weller, The Wild Edge of Sorrow:

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

WHEN: July 7th @ 6:00-8:00

WHERE: Social Hall

WHAT: Workshop offered by Skyla to explore lamentation — the ancient practice of passionately expressing sorrow through language and art. Participants will engage with a formal structure for writing a personal lament and artistically express their grief in the format of a small zine. No artistic skills are needed, and all supplies will be provided.

This workshop was generously provided to religious professionals around the nation by Rev. JaKaren Bell and the UU College of Social Justice, with the invitation to teach this practice in our home congregations. It is our hope that this spiritual practice will provide spiritual sustenance to fuel your justice work.

All youth and adults are welcome.

Plans for Rev. Jill’s Last Weekend, 7/11–13

Rev. Jill’s official last weekend with the UUFC will be Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13, 2025.

On Friday evening, in the sanctuary, we will have music from a variety of our favorite UUFC musicians, and a light ‘roast’ of Jill.

On Saturday afternoon, we will have a congregational picnic outside on our north lawn.

On Sunday, we will celebrate with Jill as she leads her last service with us.

If you have questions about these events, contact Mark Aron or other members of the Committee on Ministry.

Services in December

Dec. 1 “Be Not Afraid” Rev. Jill McAllister
Dec. 8 “Yes, Joy” Committee on Ministry
Dec. 15 “Wintering” UUFC Choir and Readers
Dec. 16 Blue Holiday Vespers Susan Sanford and Rev. Leslie Chartier
Dec. 20 Winter Solstice Service Rev. Jill McAllister
Dec. 22 “Stories of Christmas” Rev. Jill McAllister
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve -two services Rev. Jill McAllister
Dec. 29 Holiday Brunch and Sharing Rev. Jill McAllister and all