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November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 1
The
November 2015
The Newsletter of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee A Unitarian Universalist Congregation ∙ Est. 1842
NOVEMBER SERVICES
TWO SERVICES & RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday, November 1 “Dia De Los Muertos” Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Elaine Beth Peresluha Music: Tristan Strelitzer, Choral Director Dia De Los Muertos, Samhain, Hallowmas, Hallows Eve, Halloween, All Soul’s Day are all culturally unique ways of recognizing those we have lost, and the ways that we are able to hold up our lamps to light them on their way. Today we kindle our lamps, honor our departed and say one more good bye to those we have loved and lost. We will be creating an altar of remembrance so bring a small and meaningful memento. REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK! Sunday, November 8 “For Those Who Have Served” Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Elaine Beth Peresluha Music: Alissa Rhode, Lead Music Director In the meditation book, “365 Tao: Daily Meditations,” the Veteran’s Day reading recognizes that the greatest sorrow is to be a veteran, witness to the atrocities of humanity. Today we honor the sacrifices our veterans have made for all of us. We can never say “thank you” too many times to our vet-erans who have served this nation. Today we honor the sacrifices and cour-age of those who have given much. Sunday, November 15 “Being Mortal” Speaker: The Rev. Dena McPhetres Music: Alissa Rhode, Lead Music Director
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In the Middle November. The harvest is gathered. The fields are prepared to rest in waiting for a new year of seeds. We are seeing the last of the pumpkins, corn stalks, apples for picking and cider for sipping. The light has receded into shorter days, longer nights and cooler, crisp air. The sun sleeps in later than most of us. It is the dark that greets us when we rise. The days of "doing" have moved into the days of "being" as the end of the year comes around again in the wheel of life. As the days grow shorter, and the nights get longer, the natural rhythms of nature invite us to feel time, to savor that invisible, odorless commodity so scarce in amount and precious in value. Our forbearers snuggled in, hunkered down and laid up supplies in root cel-lars to wait out winter’s cold and dark. Fall reminds us of the eternal cycle of life, the seasons of our years and the limits of our days as the sum total of our given hours slip away. Resist the headlong tumble into the holiday sea-son of festivities and doing what con-tradicts the inward call of the season. In Sunday services, in programming and in small groups, we will offer you the opportunity to nurture your spirits. Slow down, give thanks, and turn your
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1342 North Astor Street ∙ Milwaukee, WI 53202 Telephone: 414 273-5257 ∙ Fax: 414 273-5254 ∙ E-Mail: [email protected] ∙ Website: www.uumilwaukee.org
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 2
heart and your mind inward. Follow the light into darkness to discover its se-cret, that sometimes, being is more precious than doing.
Much metta, Elaine
IN THE MIDDLE (Continued from page 1)
Share Your Thoughts on Our …
“UU Question of the Month”
People of all ages are invited to contrib-ute their thoughtful responses to a
monthly question posted on our bulletin board in the main church hallway. This
month’s question was a suggestions from a child in our RE Program:
How do you express
gratitude in your life?
FINDING YOUR INTERIM SENIOR MINISTER
Elaine’s Office Hours: Monday: Day Off Tuesday: 12:30–8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday: writing/research day She also makes appointments to see people at other times. You may reach her at: Office phone: 414-273-5257 Ext. 201 Email: [email protected] Cell phone: 207-271-0204
DENA’S DIGRESSIONS Practicing gratitude as a way to grow my spirit is not hard to do around here at church! I am grateful for so much and so many. Each child that bounces across the threshold to bring joy and wonder and spontaneity. Each teenager sleepily yet devotedly attending youth group, bringing thoughtful questions and the courage to be who they truly are. Each adult, whether strong or careful in step, moving across the threshold to discover, share, inspire and care for one another in this holy space. It is we who make holy this time and space together. It is up to us and no one else to care for each another as we grow and explore, discover and inspire, challenge and question, and even find an answer or two now and then. I am so grateful for the caring and compassionate team of Pastoral Care Associates who served faithfully the past three years as a listening pres-ence to those members going through difficult life transitions. Thank you to Barb Rasman, Mark Miller, Alexis Fielek, Amy Wilbourne, Ben Campbell, Laurie Petersen, Meredith Watts, Ann Dee Allen and Pete Neuwald. I am so grateful to the new team of PCAs who were commissioned at the October 25 Sunday services and began serving in their new ministry shortly thereafter. You can see their photos on the wall as you enter the Leenhouts Common Room. We are truly blessed to have these indi-viduals who dare to walk into troubling waters, bring their calm pres-ence, give their listening ears and comforting spirit to the congregation. If you or a church member you know might benefit from the caring presence of a Pastoral Care Associate, please let us know. Contact PCA Coordinator Pete Neuwald at [email protected] or call 414-630-4554.
Yours, Dena
INVITATION TO BRING ITEMS FOR DIA DE LOS
MUERTOS COMMUNITY ALTAR ON NOVEMBER 1
This is the second year our congrega-tion will create a community altar for our own beloved dead. We invite mem-bers, friends, and visitors to contribute to a temporary altar. We welcome pic-tures or objects in memory of human and non-human sentient beings (beloved pets, for example) who were important to us during their life. Chil-dren and youth are encouraged to bring in photos or symbolic items to share as well.
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NEXT STEP IN THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEW SENIOR MINISTER: COMPILING THE CONGREGATIONAL RECORD
From Lianna Bishop Many of you (279, to be exact!) completed the search committee’s congregational survey and approximately 44 of you attended the town hall meetings. The members of your Senior Minister Search Committee are now in the process of completing interviews with our staff and our ministers. Now what? You’ve heard us talk a lot about compiling information for First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee’s Congregational Rec-ord. All of the information we’ve collected—and much more—will be distilled into the Congregational Record. The Congregational Record plays an incredibly important role in the search process. It includes an honest descrip-
tion of our congregation, the surrounding community and the attributes we most value in a minister. It includes in-formation about stewardship, religious education, history of our congregation, the role of music, committees, lay
leadership and more. The Congregational Record will be posted online through the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and potential candidates will read the document to decide whether
they’re interested in applying to become our next senior minister. Thank you for your thoughtful input that has helped us compile this important document. An executive summary of the survey results will be availa-ble on the website in November.
From Dawn Blackmore The Church of the Larger Fellowship's Prison Ministry is the November recipient. The Church of the Larger Fellow-ship, or CLF, is a Unitarian Universalist con-gregation without walls. It can be found on the internet at questformeaning.org. CLF is made up of about 3,500 members from all over the world, and more than 10% of CLF's membership are people who are in-carcerated. The prison ministry provides UU spiritual support for prisoners through
monthly reading packets of UU books, correspondence courses and a letter-writing match with a non-incarcerated UU. Cash collected in the plate will be shared 50/50 be-tween Church of the Larger Fellowship and FUS. To donate
only to Church of the Larger Fellowship, please write a check directly to Church of the Larger Fellowship, or CLF, with "Prison Ministry" written in the memo line, and we will mail it for you. Parents and guardians, please talk with your children about how even small donations help.
SHARE THE PLATE: NOVEMBER RECIPIENT IS CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP’s PRISON MINISTRY
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION For Children and Youth
By Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education
RE-Flections “Give us thankful hearts … in this the season of Thanks-giving. Let us seize the day and the opportunity and strive for that greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities, and let us ever remember that true gratitude and appreciation shows itself neither in independence nor satisfaction – but passes the gift joyfully on in larger and better form.”
—W.E.B. DuBois To measure life by its possibilities, and to pass the grati-tude joyfully on – wise advice, and a good goal as we lift up our blessings and acknowledge those blessings in dis-guise. This month at church, children and adults alike will have many opportunities to reflect on gratitude and to consider participating in passing on their blessings to oth-ers. I hope that you will consider our “Giving Tree” as an opportunity to give back to the Milwaukee community. You will find it at the RE table through much of Novem-ber. More information is available elsewhere in the Chan-ticleer. Singer Carrie Newcomber shared her poem “Three Grati-tudes” on an episode of the NPR show “On Being.” She wrote,
Every night before I go to sleep I say out loud Three things that I'm grateful for, All the significant, insignificant Extraordinary, ordinary stuff of my life. It's a small practice and humble, And yet, I find I sleep better Holding what lightens and softens my life Ever so briefly at the end of the day.
I have kept a gratitude journal myself off and on for many years, turning to it most often in the winter months when the cold gray days seem to color my heart. I challenge myself to find and name five things each day for which to
be grateful. You might be amazed at the difference this practice makes as you (or your child!) shift to a lens of thanksgiving. Just Google the words “Gratitude Journal Benefits” and you will find both scientific evidence and personal testimony that sings the praises of mindful recognition of the good things in one’s life. As we head into Thanksgiving, I invite you to consider your own bless-ings, and to consider gratitude as a memory of the heart. Blessings, Beryl Aschenberg, DRE [email protected] 414-273-5257 ext. 204
FIRST SUNDAYS: AN R.E. TRADITION! The first Sunday of each month is a time for our young people in K5-eighth grades to get to know each other in multi-age community, and work on developing their faith as UUs in ways outside their normal class curriculum. We’ll have older kids and younger kids exploring how to be together as they deepen their understanding to our faith and “big ideas” such as community, kindness, appre-ciation and justice. Parents, I encourage you to make First Sunday a priority for your family! Here’s what is in store for this month:
November 1: Día de los Muertos In rural central Mexico, there is an old tradition to honor loved ones who have passed on this holiday (translated as "Day of the Dead.") Altars dedicated to the loved one—with pictures, food offerings, colorful paper flowers and marigolds—are created to wel-come the spirits of the dead back to earth for a short time. We will welcome guests Antonieta Avila and Paco Martorell, who will invite children to explore their cultural celebration through sto-ry, slides, discussion and sharing. Parents, please help your children find a photo or symbol in memory of a deceased loved one (human or animal) that can be placed on our community altar. Cherished items should be la-beled to insure safe return the following week!
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BLACK LIVES MATTER IN FIRST CHURCH’S
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM From Jen Twente and Rollie Hanson, Children’s RE Com-mittee
Can UU help us?
Please join us for an organizational meeting on Tuesday, November 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The Children’s Religious Education Committee is working on exciting initiatives to bring awareness of racism and oppression issues to children, youth and families. Since last spring, we’ve held more than 10 hours of focus-group conversations, collecting ideas and recommenda-tions from members of the church community and be-yond. Now it is time to move forward! Our plans include: Offering parent education and resources for talking
to children about race and oppression. Offering awareness training to all RE teachers and
class assistants. Offering K5-eighth grade “First Sundays” with a lens
of anti-racism/anti-oppression/multiculturalism. Bringing in knowledgeable, talented people of color
from the Milwaukee community as guests for RE programming and possibly Sunday Services.
Presenting a “Black Lives Matter” introductory RE program for two Sundays in January for K5-twelfth grade children and youth.
We are seeking: People with special skills (teachers, social workers,
etc.) with an interest in the subject to serve on one of three task forces: Curriculum Development, RE Volunteer Training or Parent Education.
People with personal connections to people of color who are talented musicians, educators, storytellers, etc. who might bridge the way for an invitation to perform or work with us.
Please e-mail Jen Twente at [email protected] to let us know your interest area, and to RSVP for the meeting. Childcare can be available if requested by November 3.
ALL ABOUT YOUTH…
By Deb Solis, Youth Program Coordinator Gratitude is the heart’s memory. —French proverb Our Pillars and YRUU youth participated in church
lock-ins in October and had a great time sharing thoughts, food and conversation, playing games, bonding, building community and developing their faith together.
Our OWL youth are moving right through their cur-riculum and are bonding very well and seem to have made the connection that this is a big commitment on their part and for their parents too.
On Sunday, November 1, our YRUU youth will be visiting UU Church West in Brookfield’s youth group who have visited our church for the past two years.
The YRUU youth have decided that their annual No-vember fundraiser for the 2016 Mission Trip will be a Pancake Party. (See elsewhere in the Chanticleer for more information.)
Coming in December: December 20 in the Young Room starting at 12:30 p.m. is the annual YRUU Alumni Social so please inform any young adults you know who recently graduated from high school and are now in college or working to stop by church on that day for food and conversation with other YRUU Alumni.
Please note that my church office hours have changed. Sundays:8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Tuesdays: 2:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 11:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Thursdays: 11:30 a.m.--3:00 p.m.
A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A HAPPY CHURCH! Cold and flu season is here. If your child is feeling sick on a given Sunday, we respectfully ask that you not bring your child to church that day. Stay home, and get well soon! To help prevent illness, hand sanitizers are provided in each of the classrooms and are strategically placed throughout the church building. UNICEF UPDATE: This year, we made UNICEF boxes available to anyone who wanted to collect for this wor-thy organization during their trick or treating in neigh-borhoods. Parents, please note that UNICEF collections should be taken to a Coin Star machine to submit dona-tions. There is one located at the Metro Market near church, as well as other area locations.
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EARTH JUSTICE MINISTRY TAKES STOCK OF POPE’S POSITIONS
From Terry Wiggins and Mark Gill “On Care for Our Common Home” (Laudato Sí), the recent encyclical, is the entreaty from Pope Francis for an inclu-sive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. He calls the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embark-ing on a new path. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bish-ops describes it as being “written with both hope and re-solve, looking to our common future with candor and hu-mility”. So many of the words and sentiments in the document parallel Unitarian Universalist principles, and not just the Seventh Principle, “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” For example, in Chapter Four, “Integral Ecology,” Francis says: “Since eve-rything is closely interrelated, and today’s problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis …” According to the position of the Catholic Church, the en-cyclical does not address overpopulation issues in the way UUs might like. Overpopulation is an issue on which many
UUs have strong feelings – and we are not all on the same side of the issue. “Laudato Sí” is available in PDF form on the internet; you can find a link at usccb.org. It is also available in paper-back. The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee has copies available for $15.00. Call them directly at 414-276-9050. At the same time that the Pope’s message is going around the world, local climate activists are coordinating their efforts at home. The Climate Action Round Table (CART) is having its big “roll-out” meeting on the due date of this Chanticleer issue. This Greater Milwaukee group is bring-ing together representatives from the Sierra Club, Citi-zen’s Climate Lobby, League of Conservation Voters, and others. Mark Gill is attending on behalf of the FUSM Earth Justice Ministry, and Terry Wiggins is attending on behalf of the Interfaith Earth Network Southeastern Wisconsin, a program of the Interfaith Conference.
Contact Mark Gill at [email protected] or 414-759-3818 to have questions answered or to sign on!
From Jerry Fredrickson The Common Ground Fall Delegates' Assembly is rapidly approaching. We are looking forward to having you join us! If you have not already signed up to attend, please do so by responding to [email protected] or sign up at the Social Justice Table.
FALL DELEGATES' ASSEMBLY Wednesday, November 4th, 2015
7:00 - 8:30 PM Mt Mary University - Alumnae Dining Hall
Milwaukee Enter parking lot just EAST of school off N 92nd Street
(between Burleigh & Center) - Walk towards Bergstrom
Hall and follow signs down walk and through glass doors. SAVE THE DATE!
This is a great opportunity to find out what we’ve been up to, where we are headed and how YOU can help get us
there.
We will be sitting together as a First Church Delegation.
Your First Church Common Ground Core Team Rod DePue
Mary Ann Fisher Jerry Fredrickson Nancy Pajewski
Cathy Startt Tom Thaney
COMMON GROUND DELEGATES’ ASSEMBLY COMING SOON
SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS
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ESCALATING INEQUALITY UPDATE: SUGGESTED READING, GETTING INVOLVED
From Bruce Wiggins If you are worried about growing inequality in our society, join this action group. We have subgroups learning about and devel-oping actions about various aspects of the problem. Robert Reich Addresses Economic Problems The Economic Inequality group recommends you consider films and books by Robert Reich.
At the First Friday Film in October, attendees viewed his ex-cellent film, “Inequality for All.” It describes how we got where we are, the trends, and prescribes some antidotes. The church owns a copy of the DVD and you can rent it for free. Visit the Social justice Table at Coffee Hour or talk with one of the Esca-lating Inequality group member or co-chairs.
Reich’s new book is titled, “Saving Capitalism For the Many, Not the Few.” It was released in September. He has written ex-tensively, has blogs, and excellent short videos on his web site http://robertreich.org/ Coalition for Justice The Racial Inequality group is so far working with the Coalition for Justice addressing aspects of the racial disparities in our city, working to improve police-community relations and promote justice following the Dontre Hamilton’s death. It meets regularly. See their Facebook page and ask Mary Devitt for information. Move to Amend The Electoral Inequality group is working with Move to Amend to amend the US Constitution following the outrageous “Citizens United” SCOTUS decision. A constitutional amendment is need-ed to specify that money is not free speech and corporations are not people. Contact Mary Laan for information. Other News The Environmental Inequality group is working with our Earth Justice Ministry. We recently held an Awakening the Dreamer workshop and Breakfast with the Pope to listen to and discuss the Pope’s address to Congress. The E.I. Action Group meets at the church the fourth Sunday of the month after the second service. In November, that will be the 22nd (before Thanksgiving.) Contact co-chairs Nancy Pajew-ski or Bruce Wiggins for more information about the group.
From Sharon DePue Lovers of art, food and drink, be prepared for a night of great fun. When? Spring 2016 — May 15 to be exact — promises to cap a very exciting church year with a brand new event, the first ever Off the Wall Art Auction Ga-la. Please reserve May 15 on your busy cal-endars because you won't want to miss an opportunity to enjoy libations and delicious hors d’oeuvres while perusing a breathtaking array of art offered for sale, all to benefit the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee. Stay tuned for the details on time and place, as well as information on the art that will be offered for sale. For the moment, save May 15 to join your First Church friends for a whole new way to celebrate the arrival of spring.
SAVE THE DATE: OFF THE WALL
ART AUCTION GALA
NEW OFFICE ASSISTANT HIRED From Jean Johnson, Director of Administration I’m happy to announce that after consider-ing several well-qualified applicants, we’ve hired a new Office Assistant Tracy Smith. Tracy has worked as administrative assistant for a finance company and Miller Park, as well as a customer service rep for the Brad-ley Center, and a level 2 data solutions pro-cessor for Quad Graphics. In addition to general admin tasks, Tracy is responsible for scheduling rooms for events and managing our database. She’ll be work-ing Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. She looks forward to assisting church members as well as the staff with administrative needs. Please welcome Tracy to First Church!
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GETTING TOGETHER From the Rev. Dena McPhetres, Asso-
ciate Minister Come visit our Affinity Groups! Stop in, meet new people and make new
friends! If you have an idea for starting a new group, contact Dena at
414 273-5257, ext. 202 or [email protected].
Book Discussion Group
Second Sundays of the month 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Next meeting is November 8 We gather once a month to discuss a
chosen book. This month: “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande, a practic-
ing surgeon, who wrote this personal reflection on how we can better live with age-related frailty, serious ill-
ness and approaching death. Discus-sion led by Mary-Alice Martines. We welcome all readers. For more infor-
mation, contact Chris Linder at [email protected] or 414-368-3643.
Buddhist Study Group: Gathering
Waters Sangha First and third Wednesdays of the
month. 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Next meeting is November 4 We explore Buddhist teachings and ideas, practice meditation, followed by tea, cookies and fellowship. We
are reading “Bravery: The Living Bud-dha Within You,” by Frank Berliner.
All are welcome! For more infor-mation, please call or email Steve or
Jeanne Lowry at 414-791-3053 or [email protected].
Chancel Choir
Next rehearsal is Thursday, Novem-ber 5.
7:15–9:00 p.m.
All singers high school age and up are invited to join our weekly choir rehearsals. For more information, please contact our Choral Director
Tristan Strelitzer at tstre-litzer@gmailcom with your name
and voice type.
The Chronologically Gifted Fourth Sunday potluck.
Next meeting is November 22. 12:30–2:30 p.m.
We foster activities and relation-ships that allow members age 60 and older to live and age well by
offering meaningful, creative, healthy engagement through the
arts, education, relationship build-ing, mutual support and fun! For more information, contact JoAnn
Bachar at [email protected] or 414-272-6191.
The Forties and Fifties UU Network
(FFUUN) FFUUN is a group of First Church
members who are 40- to 50-somethings seeking social connec-tions with others. For information on their activities, please contact Diana Altstadt at 414-688-2200 or
[email protected] or Scot Henry at 414-367-9177 or [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/ffuun.
Pagan Celebrations Group
Pagan rituals honor the natural cy-cle of the earth and celebrate the seasons. For more information,
contact Kathleen Miezio at [email protected] or 414-520
-4192 or Nick Davia at [email protected] or 414-732-
4601.
From the Rev. Dena McPhetres, Associate Minister Come visit our Affinity Groups! Stop in, meet new people and make
new friends! If you have an idea for starting a new group, contact Dena at 414 273-5257, ext. 202 or [email protected].
GETTING
TOGETHER
S.W.A.N.S. Group (Seasoned Women Are Naturally
Social) Join us once a month for lunch after church and other social events. New-
comers are always welcome! For more information about SWANS,
contact Valerie Pogue at [email protected] or 414-916-
3668.
UU Parenting Group Second Sundays of the month.
12:30–2:30 p.m. Next meeting is November 8.
We are a support and social group for all parents of children ages 0-18. We discuss the challenges of raising UU children, focusing on different topics each month, sharing helpful
parenting resources. For more infor-mation contact Stacey Thieme at [email protected] or 414-
732-9985 and Sarah Richards at [email protected] or 845-825-
1931.
WomanSpirit We meet to empower women and
join in spiritual quest through social justice, music, ritual and friendships. For more information, contact Janet
Nortrom, at [email protected] or 964-3764.
Y.A.N.K.S.
(Young Adults in Need of Kindred Spirits)
Third Sundays of the month. Meet for lunch after the last service.
Next Lunch is November 15. Events include the monthly lunch,
coffee and conversation gatherings, and sometimes a monthly field trip
or outing! For more information, email [email protected].
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 9
From Alexis Fielek Members of the Board of Trustees welcome your thoughts and concerns at any time. Our pictures are post-ed in the central corridor, we wear yellow name tags, and there is always one “Board Member on Duty” at coffee hour. Our contact information is in the front of the mem-ber directory and website. The September 22 meeting of the board began with a report from Interim Senior Minister Elaine Peresluha. Elaine shared a reminder of the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop scheduled for October 3 with UUA representative Mary Esther Johnson presenting. She was serving as the pulpit guest on Sunday, October 4 and was making herself available after both services to answer any questions for those unable to attend Saturday’s work-shop. The next topic covered was the plan for the celebration of FUSM’s 175th anniversary in August of 2017. A committee co-chaired by Jim Marten and Pete Koneazny will be meeting with key staff and potentially impacted com-mittee leaders to discuss the scope of this plan. Elaine explained that she will be helping the Board of Trustees develop “Ends and Goals,” which is a chance to reflect into the future (normally three years). She also shared that on September 24 and January 20, relational conversation training will be held, and encouraged all board members to attend. Associate Minister Dena McPhetres reported next. She
summarized the history of summer services and drew some conclusions. In the years featured, we have not had fewer than 100 members attending. This makes us a year-round church that serves at least 100 adults every Sun-day, with children’s RE. Dena also updated the group regarding the fact that the Chalice Circle program structure is being reviewed. There is a new Social Justice chairperson (Omega Burkhardt), and Pastoral Care Associate Training is taking place in Oc-tober. The Interim Transition Team joined the board meeting to share the results of their work in drafting four versions of a Mission Statement for First Church. These will be un-veiled on October 11, and the congregation will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite until October 18th. Next, a brief discussion confirmed that all board mem-bers, just like every congregation member, are encour-aged to engage and represent their own individual opin-ions throughout the Senior Minister Search process. Finally, President Dale Skaggs shared an article he sub-mitted for the October Chanticleer, focusing on the fact that we have approved a budget with a deficit of $126K, and that the budget will need to be an ongoing conversa-tion. The next board meeting is at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, No-vember 17. Minutes are posted on the First Church Bulle-tin board in the central corridor and on the church web-site.
SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD
From Stacy Koenen The new First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee mission statement is: Nurture the Spirit Engage the Mind Inspire Action We had a total of 378 votes. Thank you for the wonderful participation. Here are the percentage of votes that each option received.
1. Nurture inspire engage 17% 2. Nurture the spirit engage the mind inspire action 43% 3. Building community with integrity, joy, and service 8% 4. We build community by engaging mind, opening hearts, and inspiring action. 32% The Transition Team and church staff look forward to seeing how this new mission statement will inspire and guide us. Stay tuned: The Rev. Elaine Peresluha will engage us in an interac-tive 3-part worship series that will expand on this newly-chosen mission statement in January.
FIRST CHURCH CONGREGATION CHOOSES MISSION STATEMENT
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MEMBERSHIP MOMENT
By Cheri Taylor, Membership Development Coordinator
Fall is definitely upon us as the weather changes and the coat racks outside of the sanctuary start to actually hold our fall and winter outerwear. Something else that is upon us is the Fall Journey to Membership 4 part series. I had the pleasure of reviewing our materials and working with the staff and Membership Committee to revamp the workshop to make it more interactive and focus-ing on interpersonal connections. I am excited to try the new outline with our fall group and anx-iously await their feedback! The Membership Committee will also host their first New Member Brunch on the Sunday following the final Jour-ney to Membership workshop on November 15. This will be an exciting day as the congrega-tion will officially receive its newest members and a chance to meet and get to know them better. Hopefully you will consider making your-self available to either volunteer or stop in and introduce yourself! What’s in The Stew? The Feast has officially arrived! The Stewardship Committee and Feast for Funds Committee are extremely excited that our first big fundraiser has arrived — 2015 Feast for Funds! The past few weeks have been quite exciting, seeing new hosts step up to the plate with great ideas and returning hosts serving seconds, thirds or even fourths, to connect with fellow members for a great cause. I am sure this will be one of our greatest feasts ever. During this time, we also have our Scrip Sales, which allows you to pre-pay for items, such as household shopping, groceries, clothing, gas, food etc., in which a portion of the profit is do-nated to First Church. The Stewardship Com-mittee will also spend the late part of October and part of November planning out our 2016-2017 Pledge Fund Drive. One of our goals this year is reflecting on the impact First Church has had on our lives as individuals.
SCRIP PROGRAM: FALL 2015 SALE UNDER WAY
In 2010, our church began a fundraiser selling “scrip” – gift cards for local and national retailers that can be used for everyday purchases or gifts. We make 3-16% on each card sold and we hold two sales a year where people can place orders. Our Fall 2015 sale is now under way, so this is a great time to purchase cards that you can give as hol-iday gifts or that you can use to make everyday purchases like coffee, groceries, prescriptions, clothing, and gas. Our most popular cards include Sendik's, Roundy's, CVS, Walgreens, Stone Creek Coffee and Colectivo, and there are hundreds of other cards to choose from. For more information and to download an order form, visit us online (uumilwaukee.org/get-involved/stewardship/scrip-sales/), or visit us in the Common Room after services on November 8. The ordering deadline for Fall 2015 is Tues-day, November 10.
Youth Mission Trip 2016 Fundraiser Event:
YRUU Pancake Party Saturday, November 14, 2015 in the
Leenhouts Common Room Two shifts: from 5:30—6:30 p.m. and
7:00—8:00 p.m.
$10 per adult, $5 per child (10 and under) Milk, juice, coffee, pancakes and sausage
(vegetarian links available).
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 11
How To Reach Us
TELEPHONE: (414) 273-5257 FAX: (414) 273-5254
E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.uumilwaukee.org
1342 N. Astor St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
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.
INTERIM SENIOR MINISTER The Rev. Elaine Peresluha
[email protected], ext. 201
ASSOCIATE MINISTER The Rev. Dena McPhetres
[email protected], ext. 202
MINISTER EMERITUS The Rev. Andrew C. Kennedy, D.Min.
STAFF
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION Jean Johnson [email protected], ext. 203 DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Beryl Aschenberg [email protected], ext. 204 MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Cheri Taylor COORDINATOR [email protected], ext. 205 COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Mary Behler [email protected], ext. 208 OFFICE ASSISTANT Tracy Smith [email protected], ext. 207 R.E. ADMIN. ASSISTANT Kari Stenitzer [email protected], ext. 210 YOUTH COORDINATOR Deb Solis [email protected], ext. 209 FACILITIES MANAGER Ed McGraw [email protected], ext. 206 FACILITIES ASSISTANTS Jim Spice and Paul Moriarty LEAD MUSIC DIRECTOR Alissa Rhode [email protected] CHORAL DIRECTOR Tristan Strelitzer [email protected] ARTIST-IN RESIDENCE Jack Forbes Wilson [email protected]
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers:
President: Dale Skaggs Vice President: Sally Lewis Secretary: Scot Henry Treasurer: Tom Briscoe
Members: Julie Bock, Alexis Fielek, Mary Ann Fisher, Pete Koneazny,
Holly Patzer, Don Weimer
New Member Recognition Ceremony “We are all aging from the day we are born,” writes Atul Gawande in my favorite book of the year “Being Mortal.” Both profound and practical, his book helps us think about our finitude, the process of aging, illness and human-centered care. My relationship to my elderly family members has changed since I read this book. I think I am a better companion, pay-ing attention to what brings them life and strength as much as to my con-cerns about their care and safety. Let’s reflect together about what it means to be mortal and how we can be present to our finitude. (By the way, the Book Discussion Group will be talking about this book on No-vember 8.) Sunday, November 22 “For All That Is Our Life…” Speaker: Rev. Dr. Elaine Beth Peresluha Music: Tristan Strelitzer, Choral Director; Alissa Rhode, Lead Music Di-rector Child Dedications Multigenerational Service
… we sing out thanks and praise. This is our Intergenerational Thanksgiv-ing Service. Come to witness and celebrate the dedication of our families’ children, sing out praises for the journey and offer your thanks for all that is our life. Sunday, November 29 “The Sound of Things Falling” Pulpit Guest: Rev. Kent Mayfield Music: Karen Beaumont, Guest Organist Every year before Christmas, the Christian church celebrates the season of Advent, giving voice to the great yearning of the people for fulfillment, for recognition, for a moment of clarity. It is about expecting what is coming, but it is profoundly also about what is already present, existing within us — that wonder ever and always and perpetually awaiting birth in what we do and embody and are. Prior to his retirement, the Rev. Dr. Mayfield was the Executive Minister/Chief Operating Officer of the First Unitarian Society in Madison. These days, he serves as the pastor of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque and is a frequent speaker at the Free Congregation of Sauk County as well as other congregations in the Upper Midwest. He is the Artistic Director of the Rural Musicians Forum which schedules an annual series of concerts in the Taliesin-Spring Green area.
COMING ON SUNDAY (Continued from page 1)
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 12
FEAST FOR FUNDS: LAST CHANCE TO BID
From Jane Peterson It’s your last chance to sign up for Feast for Funds! You have until 1 p.m. November 1 to bid on food, fun and time with friends.
Your 2015 Feast for Funds Catalog with information about all the great food and fun events you can bid on this sea-son is now available. The catalog will remain online (http://uumilwaukee.org/get-involved/groups/feast-for-funds/) and will also be available at the Feast for Funds
table during Sunday Coffee Hours. Successful bidders will receive a mailing the week of Novem-ber 8 with their events and prices. Payment days are No-vember 15 and 22 during Coffee Hours. Maximize your contribution by paying in cash or by check. Although cred-it cards will be accepted, First Church must pay a fee for each credit card transaction. By bidding on these great items, you're helping First Church achieve its mission, and helping members and friends build community. Your efforts are very much ap-preciated!
By Mary Behler, Communications Coordinator Want to help First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee spread its messages just a tad farther and a wee bit wider? You can! If you have a Facebook account, you can help us reach more people than we can on our own.
Make it a part of your weekly — or maybe even daily! — routine to check our Facebook page, find an item that in-terests you that was posted that day, or within the last few days, and share it on your page! All you have to do is click the “share” button below the post. Once you do that, you can select “share now,” which will repost our item exactly as it appeared on the First Church page, or you can select “share…,” which allows you to add your own commentary. If you choose that route, you can simply say
something along the lines of “Check this out!” or “Look what’s going on at my church this month.”
And here’s an insider secret when it comes to Facebook: if you haven’t been seeing our posts show up in your news-feed, it might be because you haven’t engaged with our page lately. Facebook uses a complex algorithm to deter-mine what it thinks should appear in your feed. And even if you’ve “liked” a page, if you haven’t “liked” or “shared” any of our posts in a while, Facebook will start hiding our posts from you! Sneaky of them, isn’t it? So make sure you’re interacting with our page from time to time, and we’ll both win: you’ll see more of our content in your newsfeed, and we’ll reach more people just because you’ve “liked” and “shared” our information!
MARY’S MUSINGS
John Stano will perform a spe-cial Halloween show Saturday, October 31 from 7:00—9:00 p.m. at The Coffee House on
Chestnut and Pine, 429 N. Pine St., Burlington, WI 53105. http://
www.burlingtoncoffeehouse.com/happenings/. John Stano also performs every Friday in November from 5:30—7:30 p.m. at Groppi's Market/Louie's Coop Bar, 1441 E. Russell Ave., Milwaukee. There is a free wine tasting from 5:00—7:00 p.m.
Bob Porter's South End Blues Band will be playing on No-vember 13 at Mamie's, 3300 W. National Ave., starting at 9:30 p.m. Jack Forbes Wilson will be serving as music director for A Charlie Brown Christmas at First Stage, opening November 27th, and running through January 3rd. For tickets and info, go to www.firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961. If you have any Playtime events to list for December, please email [email protected].
PlayTime
News
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 13
From Alissa Rhode, Lead Music Director You may have noticed some new instructions in your OOS, stating: We invite children and teachers to join in singing verse 1 of the hymn, then proceed to classes as the con-gregation continues to sing you on your way. Each month we will be singing a different hymn for the Children's Recessional, chosen to align with the ministers' monthly theme. With a few weeks of repetition, we hope to provide an intentional opportunity for both children and adults to become more familiar with these hymns, yet still experience the variety that comes with different mu-sic directors at the keyboard. We have endeavored to select hymns with verse 1 lyrics and structure which should be accessible to children and
adults alike, possibly with a new vocabulary word here or there. If you would like to look at any of these hymns with your family, here is the list of monthly recessionals coordinated with the themes for the remainder of the "church year." NOVEMBER (Gratitude) #69 "Give Thanks" DECEMBER (Integrity) #1031 "Filled with Loving Kind-
ness" JANUARY (Love) #95 "There is More Love Some-
where" FEBRUARY (Relationships) #1018 "Come and Go With
Me" MARCH (Courage) #211 "We Are Climbing Jacob's Lad-
der" APRIL (Patience) #168 "One More Step" MAY (Joy) #100 "I've Got Peace Like a River"
From Beryl Aschenberg
Children and Adult Readers Encouraged To Present At Holiday Service
Spring stirs slowly, shuffles, hops; Summer dances close behind. Autumn is a jostling crowd but Winter creeps into your mind.
– Judith Nicholls
This December, Beryl Aschenberg and Jack Wilson are once again creating a sort of “pageant of poetry” with your help. This multi-generational service, held at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on December 20 will consist entirely of sonnets, haiku, limericks, elegies, and of course, songs
which evoke the wonder of winter. Whether it is Shake-speare, Frost, Prelutsky or Silverstein, everyone is invited to submit ideas for “The Poetry of Winter” to Beryl Aschenberg at [email protected]. Deadline for sub-missions is Sunday, November 29. . Please let us know if you would like to read your poem(s) yourself or have them intoned by someone else. Those who are interested in “slamming” someone else’s verses are also invited to contact us. Performance parts available for people ages 5-95 years old! People who don’t read are welcome to memorize and present short poems/haiku, or act in our beloved Puppet Pageant! Mark your calendars: Poems/roles will be assigned in per-son on Sunday, December 6 at 10:15 a.m. Parents are
THE POETRY OF WINTER: SEND US YOUR FAVORITES!
MUSIC NEWS: CHILDREN'S RECESSIONAL HYMNS
From Alexis Fielek Thank you, Bronze Optical! The staff of First Church would like to thank Bronze Optical for the “gift of style!” Starting in January 2016, First Church employees will each receive a credit to be used toward a pair of eyeglasses from Bronze Optical, every other year! Employees who sched-ule eye exams with Dr. Cook at Bronze Optical will receive a $350 discount on the regular retail price of a complete
pair of prescription glasses. Employees who obtain a pre-scription from another doctor will receive a $300 discount on the regular retail price of a complete pair of prescrip-tion glasses. Thank you, Bronze Quinton and Will Fellows, for your gen-
erosity to the staff of First Unitarian
Society of Milwaukee!
BRONZE OPTICAL OFFERS DISCOUNT TO FIRST CHURCH EMPLOYEES
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 14
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Religion Tree Presenter: Kim Beck Wednesday, November 11 6:30-8:00 p.m. Cost: $10 members, $15 non members Minimum 8/ Maximum 20 Imagine a snapshot of every religion known to have ex-isted from the beginning of recorded time until to-day. Believe it or not, this has been recorded in an in-teractive computer model. When the diagram is
viewed from a distance, it appears as a tree. Drawing close, you can observe the trunk and branches evolving from the most primitive forms of religious expression to the twigs and leaves reflecting almost all religious ex-pression today. This is a fascinating tool for viewing how the world's religions converge and diverge in a concisely viewable format. Presenter, Kim Beck, is the director of Arts, Humanities, & Science including the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in the School of Education at UWM. He and his family reside in Thiensville, Wi.
NURTURE THE SPIRIT - ENGAGE THE MIND - INSPIRE ACTION
From Dale Skaggs, Congregation President We have a new mission statement! It is short, simple to remember, and was the winner by a significant margin of the total of 378 votes cast, a num-ber equal to nearly half the congregation. Congratula-tions on another milestone in our transition, we are on our way into the homestretch of this journey! Much gratitude is due to the members of the Interim Transi-tion Team for their thoughtful and dedicated work on this effort. Thank You! The mission statement votes were counted on October 18, and later that day, your Board of Trustees met to develop statements of desired end results and action goals to achieve those results, all intended to support and grow the congregation’s capacity for realizing its mission. The four major “ends” the board defined are summarized as follows. By the end of 2018, The First Unitarian Society of Mil-waukee will: Be operating on a sustainable financial footing.
Be a more diverse congregation. Have developed a productive and happy relationship
with our new Senior Minister. Have increased our visible engagement with the
wider Milwaukee community. Each of these is supported by multiple action goals in-tended to ensure we achieve those results. The board began its meeting with a ‘check-in’ wherein we each just made a simple statement to answer the question, “Why do you come here to this church?” I think our answers reflect the entire congregation’s prob-able answers to that question. You may come here needing the nurturing spirit of community, craving intel-lectual engagement, bursting with energy for a cause you believe in, or all three! Whatever your reasons, I believe absolutely that whoever you are, whichever of these things you need, or can give, we will make room here for you and for many others.
I’ll see you in church! Dale Skaggs
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 15
PASTORAL CARE ASSOCIATES
PCAs offer a compassionate listening presence for our members during times
of difficult life transitions. If you, or a member you know, might benefit from a PCA visit, please contact our Coordi-
nator Pete Neuwald at [email protected]. Pastoral Care Provid-ers help with hands-on assistance, such as rides to the doctor or a meal when you come home from surgery. Contact our PCP Coordinator, Heather Hansen
at [email protected] to re-quest a PCP or to volunteer.
1111THTH ANNUAL ANNUAL
FAIR TRADE FAIR TRADE
Holiday Bazaar!
From Nick DaVia
Sunday, November 29 9 a.m.—2 p.m.
This year Fair Trade For All will be returning for the 2nd year with a variety of fair trade items from around the
world. This year's charity we are supporting with the bazaar will
be Literacy Services of Wisconsin.
By Ed McGraw, Facilities Manager The time is approaching to decorate our Sanctuary for the holiday season. To help you get in the holiday spirit, please join us Wednesday, December 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for some great fun working together as well as sharing in a little holiday cheer. We’ll be hanging green garlands, red bows, and white lights, and setting up two Christmas trees: the large one in the sanctuary and the Mitten Tree in the Common Room.
Please note: we need some folks who can climb ladders and are interested in learning to make bows from our resident florist, Florence. We also need some folks with strong backs to lift the tree from the sanctuary floor, over the pulpit rail & onto its stand behind the pulpit rail. Please contact me at [email protected] or call me at church at extension 206 to let me know if you’d like to help out. It’s going to be great fun!
From Jessie Moffat Peter Mayer, the national recording artist, writes songs for a small planet—songs about interconnectedness and the human journey; about the beauty and the mystery of the world. He wrote the lyrics for "Blue Boat Home" in our new teal hymnal! Whimsical, humorous, and pro-found, his music breaks the boundaries of “folk” and transcends to a realm beyond the everyday love song, to a place of wonder at the very fact of life itself.
Mayer will perform at Unitarian Universalist Church West, 13001 W. North Avenue, Brookfield WI on Satur-day, November 21st at 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.) Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Purchase advance ticket at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2253197. For more information, email [email protected].
HELP US DECK THE HALLS
UPCOMING CONCERT AT UU WEST
November 2015 The Chanticleer Page 16
FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY 1342 N. ASTOR ST. MILWAUKEE, WI 53202 Address Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID MILWAUKEE, WI
PERMIT NO. 4627
SUNDAY MORNING FORUMS 10:10 a.m. in Max Otto Hall
November 1 “The Challenges of County Government” Patricia Jursik, 8th District County Supervisor Now reduced to part-time status with a diminished budget, the Mil-waukee County Board of Supervisors is being asked to do more with much less. 8th District County Supervisor Patricia Jursik, a strong defender of the Milwaukee County Parks System, will discuss difficult decisions such as the sale of the O'Donnell Park parking structure and whether or not to litigate unjustified pensions. November 8 “How to Say Thank You to a Veteran” Tracy Sperko, Nurse and Veterans Advocate Tracy Sperko, Registered Nurse and veterans advocate has served 10 years in the Navy. As Former Executive Director of Veterans Home-less agency and nurse at the VA in Milwaukee, Tracy will share her experiences with returning Veterans. November 15 “Asset-Based Community Development in Milwaukee” Will Sebern, Executive Director-LBWN (Layton Boulevard West Neighbors)
Will Sebern will characterize three south-side Milwaukee neighbor-hoods: the Silver City, Burnham Park and Layton Park communities. He’ll outline how LBWN is working side-by-side with residents, using asset-based community development to stabilize and revitalize these neighborhoods. Specifically, he will describe LBWN’s approach and achievements in these three areas: 1) Developing Grassroots Leader-ship, 2) Accelerating Home Purchase and Renovation and 3) Sup-porting Small Businesses and Economic Development. November 22 “Saving Our Earth” Deb Metke, President of Milwaukee World Federalist Association Our planet is hurting and there are so few ideas. Forget government and live off the land? Yet that can’t be done with 450 nuclear plants and thousands of nuclear weapons. Our world has gotten perilously small – and sick. Luminaries from Einstein to Cronkite knew unlimited national sovereignty gives countries the “right” to trash our world. They believed a cooperative democratic world federation could save it. We will discuss how to get there without fear of a global dictator. November 29 No Forum – Fair Trade Market Day