MSUS - Upcoming Events

The Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) brings together UUs and UU congregations to work collectively for social change based on our religious imperative to create a just, sustainable, and peaceful world. We are following in the foot steps of dedicated and visionary UUs like Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Pete Seeger, Margaret Sanger and many others who dedicated themselves to improving life for all people. A link to the current MUUSJA NEWSLETTER is near the bottom of the page.

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This year the choir will be rehearsing Thursday evenings starting at 7:30 PM. Having a committed night for rehearsing helps eliminate the Saturday morning and Monday evening rehearsals we have had to add in to prepare for special music and for concerts. The first choir rehearsal will be September 2 to talk about and look at new music for the first part of the year. There will be refreshments as this will be our "kick-off" for the new year.

Anyone interested in performing with the band or choir contact Bruce at church. We are looking forward to a great musical year at MSUS!

The MSUS Sunday Book Club invites you to our next discussion on September 12 at 7:30 p.m., at the Golden Living Center, located at 5700 East River Road in Fridley. Our discussion host is Peter Treuenfels. We will be discussing Magister Ludi: The Glass Bead Game, by Hermann Hesse. This is Hesse’s last work and magnum opus, which he began writing in 1931, and after publication was refused in Germany, was published in 1943. This book is mentioned in Hesse’s citation for the Nobel Prize for Literature, awarded to Hesse in 1946. Amazon describes the book as an intricate tale of humanity’s eternal quest for enlightenment, and for synthesis of the intellectual and participatory life.

The Club meets once a month, rotating at participant’s houses. We generally alternate contemporary and classic works of fiction and non-fiction. While we sometimes elect a book or two ahead, we often select the book for the next month at a meeting. Come join us!!

Peter Mayer in Concert
First Unitarian Church
Saturday, September 25, 2010
7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15 in advance / $20 at the door
NO phone orders
Mail advance orders to the church with check made payable to
"First Unitarian Church"
and clearly marked for "Peter Mayer Concert"
Pick up mail order tickets at will-call after 6:45 p.m. on 9/25/10.
Email questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Labyrinth Open Walk: Wednesday October 6. Anytime from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Please join us the first Wednesday of each month September thru December for Open Walks.

This month we explore the labyrinth as walking meditation. Why do 6 inlets center the labyrinth? These are called “petals”. A handout and discussion are available using the petals as a way to "pray" about different aspects of life, i.e., a petal could stand for marriage, children, job, physical/spiritual/emotional self. Standing in the petal, reflect on how this aspect is going. How do I feel? What does it need to grow? Finger labyrinths are a great way to experience meditation for those with limited space or mobility (available at Open Walks). As gardens wind down, the air cools and leaves burst into color, come reflect during this harvesting time of Autumn.

Universalist Church of Minneapolis | 3400 Dupont Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55408
phone: 612.825.1701
phone: 612.825.1701

The Membership Committee is sponsoring 4-sessions on getting to know more about UnitarianUniversalism in general, and MSUS in particular. Join us as we take a deeper look at our faith tradition, explore the history of MSUS, and learn at how the Society is structured. We will be meeting the first and third Wednesday of October and November. Please join us in making this part of your fall schedule.

November 17: What we know, what we don’t, how we go forth – Membership Committee.

Have you heard that a group of people have been working the past two years to start a UU Retreat Center 1 hour south of the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Metro area? Rev. Laurie Bushbaum and others, with support from the PSD, have formed a non-profit called The Fields Retreat and Learning Center. You’re invited to come and see the proposed, 34- acre site and its gorgeous buildings in the rolling hills of the Cannon River Valley.

Please join us on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. ALL AGES WELCOME! Bring a picnic, a Frisbee, a friend. We’ll have lemonade and cookies, live music, and some yard games. See the 6,000 sq. ft. main house, the barn that will be renovated into youth and group retreat space, the greenhouses where we will start our organic food and justice ministry, and the lawn reserved for the labyrinth. Come and dream with us about how having our own retreat center might deepen our lives, our congregations, and our service in the world!

For Mapquest directions use this address:15251 Old Children’s Home Road, Welch, Mn.

Workshop applications for the 2011 Prairie Star District Annual Conference are being accepted.

The workshop application deadline is Monday, September 27, 2010.

We are planning a conference that will promote a multigenerational UU experience. Our goal is to include attendees of all ages to foster leadership development and grow our UU community. We are reaching out to include first time conference attendees, young families, children, youth, and adults. Our featured speakers and new conference structure promise to engage us in multigenerational conversations. In addition, there will be resources for new and seasoned leaders, art and musical events, the democratic process of the annual business meeting, awards and a celebration of voices, hearts and minds, young and old together. Workshop sessions are an hour and a quarter long.

Date: April 8-10, 2011
Theme: It Matters What We Believe
Location: Airport Holiday Inn, Des Moines, Iowa
Host: First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons
Judy Lecturer: Rev. Dr. Brian Eslinger

In order to foster a multi-generational community at this year's conference, we are soliciting youth-friendly workshops for the last workshop session on Saturday afternoon. Youth (7th - 12th graders) participating in a weekend conference will return to the hotel in time for this workshop, and will be encouraged to attend! As such, special attention will be paid to workshop applications that focus on issues of interest to middle school and high school students, as we are hoping to engage them as active members of our UU district community. We look forward to your creative and fun ideas!

It is our expectation that workshop presenters will participate fully in the conference, complete the registration materials, and pay the appropriate registration fee. Exhibitors also are expected to pay an exhibit fee based on the hotel contract. Cooperation in this is greatly appreciated as it helps keep the conference affordable for all attendees.

Complete information about applying is at http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2011. Online applications are preferred. For those who cannot complete the application online, a link to a printable application may also be found at this website. Applicants submitting a hard copy should use the mailing address on the application. All applications should be submitted by September 27, 2010. The Annual Conference Program Planning Committee will consider all applications and make a final decision shortly after that date. We look forward to receiving your workshop application and hope you will join us in Des Moines.

Sincerely,
The Annual Conference Program Planning Committee

Gina Dugan and Stan Nichol, Co-Chairs
Laura Shennum
Robin Taylor
Mike Schwab

The Eliot & Pickett Houses, the UUA’s bed and breakfast in Boston, is offering a discount for all new reservations made for a minimum three-day stay between May 17, 2010 and September 30, 2010. Discounts apply to new reservations made between April 25, 2010 and September 15, 2010.

The Camp UniStar Newsletter and Brochure are now online at http://www.campunistar.org! View the annual newsletter, with articles about the new camp director, Long Range Planning, Work Week, Bill Holm, UniStar's upcoming anniversary, Volunteer opportunities, and a great recipe for Cheesy Baked Ziti!

Attend Camp UniStar in 2010

Aug. 21-Aug. 28: You, Me, & Us: Intimate Relationships
About 10 spots available

Aug. 28-Sept. 4: Comedy & Humor
20+ spots available

Remaining weeks are full, as of April 20, but cancellations do occur, so please check with the Registrar if interested

See full program descriptions at http://www.campunistar.org/program/

Registration forms and fee information are available at http://www.campunistar.org/registration/

If you have questions about UniStar, please contact the Registrar
Chris Bremer, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 952-926-8542.

Another Option
Camp StarTrail is a multigenerational summer camp experience to explore and celebrate Unitarian Universalism in the beautiful rolling hills of the Platte River Valley. Located 30 minutes west of Omaha, Nebraska, just off I-80, Camp StarTrail 2010: "Seeds of a Spirited Life" will be August 1-6, 2010. See http://www.psduua.org/CampStarTrail2010.

The Labyrinth Circle invites you to enjoy the labyrinth experience at
First Universalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
phone: 612.825.1701
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Labyrinth Resources to Rent
Are you planning a birthday party or a conference? Many beautiful canvas labyrinths from size 7’ to 36’ are available to rent through Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality. Instruments, crystal and brass singing bowls, multicultural fabrics and more are also available. Go to www.wisdomwayscenter.org and click on Labyrinth Resources to Rent to see photos of the many resources.

Labyrinth Designers & How to Find Labyrinths
There are two experienced and gifted labyrinth artist designers in this area, who dot the landscape of schools, prisons, hospitals, parks, churches, and private yards with indoor and outdoor labyrinths. If you wish to have their contact information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Labyrinth Circle has a booklet of MN labyrinths available for $2. As you plan your summer travels consider walking labyrinths wherever you are going. Visit the World Wide Labyrinth Finder at www.thelabyrinthsociety.com and click on Labyrinth Finder.

A Bit of History
As of February 2005, we have a 36 foot Chartres-style labyrinth etched in the floor of the social hall (lower level). It serves as a tool for meditation, reflection, and celebration. The Labyrinth Committee serves First Universalist Church and the larger community with imagination and dignity. Through our open walks, special events, retreats, and rentals, we seek to introduce the labyrinth to newcomers and to enrich the experience of those who use the labyrinth as a spiritual practice. Adults and children alike are welcome to explore the sacred path and reach the still small voice inside the center. We also have a labyrinth fingerboard for those who are unable to walk or prefer a seated meditation.

from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. March 11 - 17, 2011. Experience fabulous temples, meditate in captivating locations, attend a Sunday service at the Unitarian Christian Church in Chennai, visit an ashram in Pondicherry, cruise the backwaters of Kerala, learn about Tanjore painting, enjoy a Kerala cooking demonstration, and watch a Kathakali Dance presentation. Led by Rev. Wayne Walder. See all details at www.nuuc.ca/ Journeys/india2011.htm

Beverly Carr
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Neighbourhood UU Congregation
Toronto, Canada

These words are from Joan Oliver Goldsmith, but the concern is our missing hymnals! Periodically we are missing hymnals from the pews or in the narthex - and wonder if some have made it to your home when you were planning a service? There should be an equal number of gray and teal books, two for each pew, one set at the podium, one set at the piano, and approximately six pairs in the narthex for overflow Sunday attendees.

The blue cart near the copy machine in the Social Hall is the food collection site for SACA (Southern Anoka County Assistance). We periodically make a run to SACA to deliver food donations, personal care and cleaning supplies that you place on the cart. The SACA food shelf has more and more requests for food items, and they appreciate all our donations.

Use the website launched in September, 2009 to:
• Register events in your local community
• Download Standing on the Side of Love (SSL) web buttons and graphics
• Access resources on how to start a SSL team in your community
• Leave a love note about what SSL means to you
• Submit your story about Standing on the Side of Love in your community
• Donate to the campaign

Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area?

The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 31 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends and who are happy to open their home to like-minded people.

You can also become a host and be listed in the directory: see www.UUreHome.com for an application. If you have questions, contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 828-281-3253.

Host listings on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added. The paper edition is published once a year in April. For a copy of the 2010 directory and a year’s access to the website listings, please click on “become a member” to pay by credit card, or send a check for $25 and your e-mail address to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806