E-nnouncements
E-nnouncements for May 18, 2012...
WHAT’S INSIDE:
DON’T FORGET: There will be NO 8:30 a.m. service on Sunday, May 20!
Join us for the Annual Religious Education Service at 9:45 or 11:15 a.m.,
and remember the ANNUAL MEETINGat 12:30 p.m. on May 20
PART-TIME JOB OPENING AT FIRST CHURCH…
FIRST CHURCH IS SEEKING A YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR! GREAT JOB FOR THE RIGHT PERSON — PASS IT ON! First Church is seeking to hire an exceptionally organized person who is passionate about youth work to serve in this permanent, 15 hour per week position beginning in August, 2012. Information about this exciting job opportunity is on the church website at www.uumilwaukee.org Please note that applications will only be accepted in electronic form, and should be sent to beryl
uumilwaukee [dot] org. Please contact beryluumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: YPC) (Beryl Aschenberg), our Director of Religious Education, if you have any questions about the position or the application process. Don’t delay — apply today! Applications are due by June 3.
NEXT DOOR FOUNDATION WALK: Due to a lack of sign-ups, The Family and Friends Committee will not have a team for the Next Door Foundation's Annual Walk for Children. We would still like to encourage you to attend the two-mile walk this Saturday May 19 at 10:00 a.m. on your own or with your families. Their website is www.nextdoormil.org for more information.
COMING ON SUNDAY, MAY 20…
SERVICES: Sunday at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. ONLY this week!
RE SUNDAY: Learning and Living Religion
9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m ONLY
Intergenerational Service (Childcare available for children ages 6 and under)
Come celebrate our children and youth as we end the church year with recognition of milestones and memories. Five of our high school seniors will be presenting their “Senior Statements” (some at each of the two services); we’ll help transition our K5 grads to the next stage; we’ll jubilantly celebrate our RE volunteers; and there will be plenty of music, laughter, and tears in this joyful, yet poignant, service. Please join us!
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given of the Annual Meeting of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee on
Sunday, May 20, 2012
12:30 p.m. • in the Sanctuary
Members are eligible to vote if they signed the Membership Book 60 days prior to the meeting date and have made a financial pledge or contribution of record in the past year. A list of voting members is posted on the bulletin board in the walkway. In addition to the election of members to the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee, we’ll hear about the strategic plan, the McLaughlin bequest, and the leadership enhancement project (LEAP). The 2011-12 Annual Report will also be distributed, and the business of the society will be conducted. Please show your support of the church and its work by your attendance at this important once-a-year event. The Family and Friends Committee plans to offer activities and healthy snacks for children (infants through 10 years old) during the meeting. Please sign up at the RE Table so that adequate care can be arranged for your child. A reception will follow.
BOTH OF OUR SERVICES THIS SUNDAY are “Intergenerational” and meant to be accessible to both children and non-children. People of all ages are heartily welcome! Parents — should your child need to keep their hands busy, feel free to ask an usher for a little something from our Kid Baskets — we have etch a sketches, coloring pages, and more!
CANDIDATE BIOS: To read the brief biographies of nominees for the Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee, follow this LINK. These people will stand for election at the congregation’s annual meeting on May 20.
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE: At the April 19 BBBC, 80 attendees heard an overview and participated in small group discussions about our updated strategic plan draft. We have a shared future, and your involvement is important in the process of creating an updated plan. If you haven’t already read the draft, you’re invited to do so and then, if you wish, provide a comment on it. You can do so via the “Updated Strategic Plan draft” link on the church website home page to both view the plan and leave a comment. Or pick up a paper copy at church (they’re available in the corridor) and drop off your comment at the church office; just label it ATTN: Updated Strategic Plan Draft Comment.
SHARE THE PLATE: The Friends of Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) was selected by the RE youth as our Share the Plate recipient for May. Friends of MADACC supports MADACC, which rescues nearly 13,000 stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated and injured animals each year. Non-pledged cash in the collection plate will be split between Friends of MADACC and our church. Parents/guardians: talk with your children about how their small contributions may help a lost or abandoned pet. Look for the children’s golden collection box at the Social Justice Table.
YANKS’ MAY LUNCH CANCELED ON MAY 20: Our monthly lunch this Sunday is canceled due to the Annual Meet-ing at church. Next month we will start our summer cook-outs at a nearby park.
YANKS GOING HIKING ON SUNDAY, MAY 27. The YANKS group will be picnicking and hiking on May 27 at Harrington Beach. We will meet after the third service to carpool to the park. Please bring your lunch, comfortable shoes, and appropriate clothing for the weather; if it is nice enough, we might go swimming. This event is open to all. We hope you will join us!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS…
2012-2013 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASS REGISTRATION BEGINS TODAY! Our RE program provides a foun-dation for our children to grow as thoughtful compassionate human beings who look both inward and to the larger world view. Exciting things are happening in RE… Keep the momentum! Please register your child(ren) early so that we can staff for growth!
RE CLASS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SEPTEMBER-JUNE: Become a beloved teacher! The Children’s RE Commit-tee invites you to spread your passion for Unitarian Universalism by teaching or assisting in one of our children’s Sunday school classes beginning in September for the next church year. Our children are eager to hear from you. Please don’t assume that someone else will do this vital work if you won’t. If you have volunteered in the past, or if you have never volunteered before, please take the time this next year to help out. Show our children that we support them at First Church! Visit the RE Table today for more information, or contact our DRE, Beryl Aschenberg at beryluumilwaukee [dot] org.
WE HAVE PRESENTS FOR YOU! If you taught or assisted in a classroom last year, please be sure to pick up your gift at the RE Table today.
NEED A BABY FIX? GET ONE WITHOUT DIAPERS! Volunteer in our nursery and our paid staff takes care of the diaper duty- you just get to cuddle. We are seeking several people to help out at the all three RE Sessions next year … just once per month! Please sign up at the RE Table. If you like them a little older, our Early Childhood class has room for you at the 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. sessions!
LOOKING FOR A SHORTER COMMITEMENT? We could still use three more volunteers to assist in our combined elementary “RE Summer Fun!” activities, just once a month during June-September 2. Visit the RE Table for more info.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTED: If you love our UU kids, then you might want to consider serving on either the Children’s Religious Education Committee or Family and Friends Committee. Please contact DRE Beryl Aschenberg for job descriptions or other information. Retreats will be held this summer!
DESSERT AUCTION HIGH FIVE! Thanks both to bakers and bidders who pushed the proceeds of our annual dessert auction to a total of $1,231.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
HELP MAKE SUNDAYS HAPPEN! The Nominating Committee invites you to join the legions of wonderful volunteers who make the church run on Sundays. With your help for a mere hour or two per month, you can make a huge contribution to our community—and you’ll meet some fun people and learn more about the church while you’re doing it. Follow this link for more details about volunteering this summer and autumn.
CATHEDRAL CENTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY. The Economic Justice Committee has an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in volunteering at the Women and Children’s Cathedral Center Homeless Shelter. Two dates are available – Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June17. Volunteers will provide and prepare a light meal for the women and children plus assist with playtime activities. Please join us on either date from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sign up sheets for volunteers/ food items to bring are located at the Social Justice Table. For more information, please contact Judy Springer at judy [dot] springersbcglobal [dot] net. Thank you!
FOURTH FRIDAY FILMS COORDINATOR NEEDED: Call it what you want — would you like to see the social justice film series continue at church? If so, act NOW. We’re looking for a new coordinator, as well as workers, since there will be a turnover this year. If you want this group (an Action Group of the Social Justice Council) to carry on, welcome aboard! Feel free to contact Terry Wiggins, our current coordinator, at terrywkcnet [dot] com.
UU AT PRIDEFEST. PrideFest is June 8-10, and we need your help to let fest attendees know that we are here and wel-coming. All are invited to participate. Please sign up for a short shift at our outreach table at this site: http://tinyurl.com/7evtzl2. All materials and most likely your entrance ticket will be provided. For any questions, contact Scot Henry at ForwardScotgmail [dot] com or 414-367-9177. Thank you!
And don’t forget — you don’t have to be a parent to volunteer in Religious Education!
More information about those great volunteer opportunities under “Religious Education”
COMING SOON!
THE SENIOR MINISTER’S COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY will hold one of its regular meetings with Drew on Tuesday, May 22. The committee functions as a sounding board, feedback mechanism, support and planning group for the senior minister. If you have comments or concerns, complaints or compliments you would like the committee and/or the minister to consider, please speak to a committee member or to Drew. Please be advised that, following the Unitarian Universalist Association guidelines, the ethic of this committee is such that comments shared with Drew by the committee are done with the member’s knowledge and permission, knowing that their name will be given. Those on the committee are co-chairs Miriam Reading and Frank Evans, Lynda Lambert, and Gordie Mueller.
POETRY GROUP: We’ll read selected poetry by nineteenth-century poet Christina Rossetti and parts of her major work, “Goblin Market,” a mysterious, sensual long poem that made her famous. Sister of Dante Rossetti, also a poet and painter who founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Christiana is known for her constant effort to “turn raw loss into renunciation.” Please join us on June 5, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Published poet and First Church member Barbara Collignon will lead us in the discussion and writing of poetry.
SIGN UP TODAY!
JOIN OUR FLOWER COMMUNION SINGERS! Sing together with First Church families and friends at the 9:45 & 11:15 June 3 Flower Communion services! We will rehearse in the Young Room on Sunday, May 20 from 10:40 - 11:10, and in the Sanctuary on Sunday, May 27 from 10:45-11:05. Anyone who can strum G and D7 chords is welcome to bring their instrument and play along! To sign up, email alissarhodeearthlink [dot] net, with “Flower Communion Singers” in the subject line.
CHALICE CIRCLE PROGRAM LOOKING FOR FACILITATORS! Could you be one of them? Chalice Circles are small groups that meet twice a month for conversations of meaning and depth. We need additional facilitators to lead new groups that will begin in the fall. We will provide training. Applications are available at http://www.uumilwaukee.org/content/chalice-circle-facilitator-application and at the Member Services Table during Coffee Hour on Sunday.
ADULT EDUCATION…
Register today for our final class of the church year! And remember, payment is required at the time of registration. You may mail us your registration if you do not have cash or check with you on Sunday. You can find expanded details about all of the upcoming ARE classes by visiting http://www.uumilwaukee.org/Current_Adult_RE_Classes.
LIVING AND TEACHING IN CHINA
Tuesday, May 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Angela Sorby; Cost: $10 members; $15 non-members
Angela Sorby will share her experience of traveling with her young family to live and work in China in 2011. She will speak to three areas: 1. University teaching and academic freedom in China; 2. Her family life while there; and 3. Good opportunities for people interested in short term teaching or travel in China. Two articles written by Ms. Sorby on her experience were published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, and will be available for optional advance reading. Angela Sorby is an Associate Professor of English at Marquette University.
Please do not delay if you are planning to take a class: register today! Classes that have not reached the minimum registration WILL be canceled! We do not accept walk-ins.
SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS…
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION to be a Share the Plate recipient! The nomination deadline is May 20. Through this important practice of community outreach, we share half the non-pledge income in our offering plate with non-profit organizations that serve the needs of our local community. You can find nomination forms at the Social Justice table and submit them to the Share the Plate mailbox in the First Church office, or find a nomination form online.
FOURTH FRIDAY FILM: On May 25, “Queen of the Sun.” It’s been called “The feel-good advocacy movie of the year,” also “A honey of a documentary about beekeepers… If you’re looking forward to this spring’s blooms, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the little dynamos that pollinate them.” Bees pollinate most of our food crops and we must ensure pollination for future generations. 6:30 p.m. snacks & socializing, 7:00 p.m. film starts. Donation suggested, pay what you can. The REEL Social Justice Series.
JOIN MICAH/COMMUNITY JUSTICE Anti-Racism Criminal Justice Group: About ten of us met this Spring around the WISDOM/MICAH effort to reduce mass incarceration in Wisconsin. The “11 x 15” campaign aims to reduce prison population from 22,000 to 11,000 by 2015. We will meet again in May — if you missed the first meeting and have an interest in communities and criminal justice contact Pete Koneazny (pkoneazny@lasmilwaukee/414-331-1029) to be notified of next meeting and opportunities for involvement.
SOCIAL JUSTICE E-MAIL LIST: To keep abreast of what’s happening in social justice at First Church, join the Social Justice Yahoo Group E-mail list. You can join on-line at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fusmscc/join, or sign up at the Social Justice Table in the Common Room during Coffee Hour. The Yahoo Group is where the committees and action groups post their actions, meetings and events you might be interested in. Church members and friends are also welcome to post messages that they think would be relevant to others.
COMING ON SUNDAY, MAY 27…
SERVICES: Sundays at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:15 a.m.
While the music varies, all three services are essentially the same.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
• Child care only (infant through 6 years old) at 8:30 a.m.
• Nursery-Seventh Grade Sunday School at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m.
• Teen Programming at 9:30 a.m.
MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY: “The Changing Reputation of War,” The Reverend Drew Kennedy, speaking. “As we have sometimes done in the past, today we will observe Memorial Day, honoring all those who have died for our country in war in a simple ceremony of remembrance and praise, so veterans are especially encouraged to attend. Then I want to shift to the fact that some provocative and intriguing research has come to light in recent years that credibly suggests that the institution of war may be in prominent decline. Now that, to me, is good news that needs to be applauded. And encouraged. So, please park your bikes, put down your gardening tools for an hour or two, and join us as we honor our veterans and reflect together on the changing reputation of war.” —Drew
DENOMINATIONAL AFFAIRS
PRIDEFEST: In no time at all the summer festival season will be upon us! The Southeastern Wisconsin Unitarian Uni-versalist Churches (SEWUUC) is sponsoring a booth at the 25th anniversary of PrideFest from June 8-10 at the Summerfest grounds. Lots of members from our SEWUUC churches have signed up to staff the booth for short shifts. Do join us — go to http://tinyurl.com/7evtzl2 and pick a time that's still available and help in showing what welcoming congregations we are!
CHALICE LIGHTERS: Members from UU churches from all across the MidWest District participate in small ways to make a big impact for worthy projects in growing congregations. Watch for more information on how you, too, can "set fire to" in the best way possible!
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: If you've decided to attend General Assembly in Phoenix at the end of June, do let Lois Wesener know (loisw99hotmail [dot] com) as soon as possible. For more information about this important GA, go to www.uua.org.
LET'S GO TO THE BREWER GAME! SEWUUC is a part of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and you can join the interfaith community for the third annual Interfaith Day at Miller Park with an exciting 7:10 p.m. Brewers-Cardinals game on Tuesday, July 17. Buy your $11.50 tickets today (a discount of $4.50) through the Interfaith Conference and identify that you want to sit with FUS members. The deadline for ordering t-shirts is June 15. Go to www.interfaithconference.org or let Dianna Dentino know you're interested in attending.
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE…
DEADLINES: The deadline for announcements for the Order of Service and the e-nnouncements is Thursday at 9:00 a.m. — PLEASE remember to keep announcements brief — 75 words or so! Send your articles or announcements to officeuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Announcements%2FChanticleer) (Sharon). Looking ahead, the next Chanticleer deadline (for the June issue) is Monday, May 21 at 9:00 a.m.
NO MORE SPOKEN ANNOUNCEMENTS, SO… Here are more ways to advertise your church program or event: Send the church office details in about 75 words and we’ll add it to printed and e-nnouncements. Have more to say? Send that along (about 150 words), and we’ll link the e-nnouncement to an electronic page! We can add your program to our Facebook page, too (420 character limit). And remember, our newsletter, the Chanticleer, is published monthly. Send copy to officeuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Announcements) (Sharon Murphy)!
Our administrative offices are staffed Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., but individual staff members have varying hours.
Please contact them directly to set up an appointment, as staff members are rarely available for drop-in appointments.
