Nov. 3 “The Practice of Repair”, Randy Dean (Reminder: Reset your clocks. Daylight Savings Ends! )
As a church pastor for 50 years Randy has devoted himself to people he “affectionately calls, ‘spiritual refugees’; those who have left the normal confines of churches and other religious organizations.” Randy has worked extensively in the areas of mental health, community and addiction.
After taking us on a journey of what the practice of repair can look like, he will close with his rendition of What a Wonderful World.The website that best describes his relationship with the International Connection of Ministries is linked below. Bishop Clements is the founder and a dear friend of his. http://84185.stablerack.com/Archbishop-Kirby-Clements
After taking us on a journey of what the practice of repair can look like, he will close with his rendition of What a Wonderful World.
Poetry Group meeting after the service.
Nov. 10 “Closing the Distance”, Thomas R. Smith
Many modern people have felt an alienation from the natural world to which we also belong. Addressing this sense of distance has been the underlying project of our great nature poets from William Wordsworth to Mary Oliver. How can poetry help close the distance between nature and ourselves? Poet and essayist Thomas R. Smith suggests some answers.
Book Club meeting at noon
Nov. 17 Memory Cafe and Among Friends, Bob Emberger, Paula Lugar, Bonnie Jones-Witthuhn
There are three volunteer run organizations in our area that support adults with memory problems. Bob, Paula and Bonnie have first hand knowledge through their work with them. Learn about the valuable support these programs provide and how social connection keeps us all healthier.
Poetry Group meeting after the service
Nov. 24 How do we assure a safe UUSRF congregation?, Paula Lugar and Don Leake
We started this conversation at a forum about our UUSRF Relational Covenant. The covenant covers Spiritual Growth Communicating With Each Other, and Sustaining and Building Community.
It stops short of defining how to deal with a person perceived as a threat to others.
Things have happened in the past. This is about guidance for the future. Let’s define what we want in place to ensure a positive environment for everyone.
Here’s a challenge for you. Prepare for this forum by watching this video: Click Here
The challenge is that few of you ever click on the links in the Dragonfly. This is our community. We need to build it together! Please click on the link and view it before the forum. We’re all in this together.
Book Club meeting at noon
Looking Ahead to December 2024
Dec. 1. “The World Has Need of You”
Richard Terrill and Larry McDonough
Through readings and musical interludes, essayist Richard and pianist Larry will explore the ways that our dependence on each other, and with elements of the physical world, defines our experience. The presentation explores three varieties of interdependence: between two people, between a person and the physical world, and among people in concert. Readings will be drawn from the anthology, The World Has Need of You: Poems for Connection. Featured Music: “As Time Goes By,” “La Marseilles,” You Must Believe in Spring,” and more.
For twenty years Larry and Richard have been presenting services for UU congregations in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
Larry McDonough is a St. Paul jazz pianist, singer and composer. His most recent CDs are Intermodulating Undercurrents: The Music of Bill Evans and Jim Hall, with guitarist Joel Shapira; and Kind of Bill: Marking 40 Years Since the Death of Bill Evans
with the Larry McDonough Quartet. He has performed solo for UU congregations in Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Paris. www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homesteadcom
Essayist, poet, and jazz saxophonist Richard Terrill’s most recent books are Essentially: Essays and What Falls Away Is Always: Poems and Conversations, Holy Cow! Press in Duluth. He is a past winner of a Minnesota Book Award and is Professor Emeritus at Minnesota State, Mankato, where he was a Distinguished Faculty Scholar. www.richardterrill.com.
Poetry Group meets after the service.
Dec. 8 “The Star of Bethlehem” and Seasonal Music, Eileen Korenic and Rachel Knipfer
Eileen is a professor of physics at UWRF who has a particular passion for astronomy. Her talk will explore the possible astronomical explanations for whether there was a real Star of Bethlehem using some Gospel reference as guides to dates. Some possibilities include a comet, nova, planet, and other sky phenomena.
Rachel is a cellist and longtime member of UUSRF. She will fill our souls with some lovely music.
Book Club meeting at noon