The Herald
We are a welcoming congregation.
Website:www.uuecauclaire.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: “Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Eau Claire” Phone: 715-834-0690
Religious Exploration (RE) Sundays
9:00-9:45 am: Religious Exploration (RE) for children
and adults
10:00-11:00 am: Service (sanctuary)
Everyone starts in the service together
10:20-11:00 am: Children’s Chapel (downstairs)
Children leave the service upstairs and spend the
remainder of the hour in a service specifically designed
for children
11:00-11:30 am: Refreshments and Conversation
Service Sundays
9-9:45 am: Sunday Service Project, Social Hall
10:00 – 11:00 am: Multigenerational Service for children
and adults
11:00-11:30 am: Refreshments and Conversation
(Social Hall, downstairs)
Sunday, January 3, 2016,
10 am
“R and R and You: Finding Your Sabbatical”
Dr. Timothy Young, UUC Member
RE SUNDAY
The Packers can call time out; the Bible says God did
too. Why shouldn’t you? The need to rest, gain
perspective and return ready to tackle the job has been
recognized for centuries. Is there room for this type of
activity, or lack of activity, in our wired world? What would
it take to get there, get what you need, and get back to
your life and work? Let’s discuss the origins of the
sabbatical and where it can take us from here.
Religious Exploration (RE) 9-9:45 am:
Adult RE: Mystery Teachings from the Living Earth: An
Ecology of Spirit (Seekers Room)
Children’s RE: Meet downstairs.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
10 am
“No Empty Promise: The Possibilities of an Empty
Day” Rev. Karen Hering, Guest Speaker RE SUNDAY
“To be empty,” says Thich Nhat Hanh, “is to be
alive.” Why then do so many of us fill our lives to the
brim? And how, with our lives so full, do we welcome
anything new, whether it’s new ideas or new habits, new
friends, or new possibilities – for ourselves and for the
world?
Karen Hering is consulting
literary minister at Unity ChurchUnitarian in St. Paul, MN and
author of Writing to Wake the
Soul: Opening the Sacred
Conversation Within, which won
a Silver Nautilus Award for
books "contributing to spiritual growth, conscious living, .
. . responsible leadership and positive social change."
She offers retreats and workshops in congregations,
Unitarian Universalist
Congregation
421 S. Farwell St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
January 2016
“Sabbath”
retreat centers, and conferences, engaging writing as a
spiritual practice and a tool for healing and social action.
www.karenhering.com
Religious Exploration (RE) 9-9:45 am:
Adult RE: Mystery Teachings from the Living Earth: An
Ecology of Spirit (Seekers Room).
Children’s RE: Meet downstairs.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
10 am
“Growing Up Unitarian Universalist”
Multigenerational Service
SERVICE SUNDAY
Many of us have come to Unitarian Universalism as adults,
having grown up in another religion, or in a family with no
religion. But others were raised in a UU family. What are the
benefits of growing up in a liberal religion? Are there any
challenges? Today we will hear UUC members, Raissa
Schnitzius, Kurt Erickson, and youth member, John Ramlow
share their experiences of growing up UU.
Service Sunday 9-9:45 am:
Empty Bowls painting Multigenerational Service
Project (Social Hall)
Parenting Circle (Seekers Room)
Third Wednesday Dinner & Service
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
6-7:30 pm
Dinner 6-7 pm: sponsored by Cedar Chalice Pagan Circle
Breakfast for Dinner! $5 per person.
Service 7-730: “Singing Together” Come join your voices in
songs from the gray and teal hymnals. Jen Lohmann will
accompany our singing and Tim and Karen Hirsch will lead
the songs. Everybody is welcome. Everybody is a singer.
Come and sing.
Sunday, January 24
10 am
“Gifted with an Acorn, a Peach, and a Kiss”
Rev. Laurie Bushbaum, Guest Speaker
RE SUNDAY
Two adults and two teenagers spend 3 weeks in Europe
and not everything goes as planned. Whether we are on
a once-in-a-lifetime trip or walking around the block,
where do we find the grace? What happens when you
can’t even find the train to get there?
Rev. Laurie Bushbaum has served in
UUism in the Midwest for 32 years, in
both large and small congregations.
She is currently the Interim Minister in
Wausau, WI. Her next big travel goal is
to walk the 400 mile St. Olav’s
Pilgrimage Route in Norway.
Religious Exploration (RE) 9-9:45 am:
Choir 8:30 Sanctuary; Adult RE: Meet & Greet (Seekers
Room); Remember The Sabbath Day, To Keep It Holy (World
Community Room). Children’s RE: Meet downstairs.
Sunday, January 31
10 am
“The Fourth Way”
Rick Magyar, UUC Member
RE SUNDAY
th
In the early 20 century, G.I.Gurdjieff came out of Russia
with a set of practices he called The Work, based on his
in-depth study of ancient Wisdom practices of the East
and Middle East. The purpose of The Work is to aid
individuals in the development of higher consciousness.
In this very brief intro to his teachings, we’ll consider
some of these practices.
Religious Exploration (RE) 9-9:45 am:
Adult RE: Voluntary Simplicity (Seekers Room).
Children’s RE: Meet downstairs.
President’s Message
Ken Adler, UUC Board President
I used to joke with my extended family
that it was the ultimate oxymoron to
say that someone was a devout
Unitarian Universalist. After all, we
UUs tend to shy away from dogmas,
value democracy over appointed
authority, and we seldom talk about
submission to a higher power.
I was always a little hesitant to speak too much about our
religion because we don’t seem to have well defined
icons, people, or symbols like Christians, Buddhists,
Muslims and others do. We come across as the ultimate
non-prophet organization.
I have a devout Lutheran friend who recently visited the
Holy Land. He acknowledged that many of the sites on
his pilgrimage probably weren’t technically what his tour
guides claimed them to be. But he was deeply moved,
nonetheless, by the profound meaning behind his
experience. He had visited the place where the Son of
God had lived and walked the earth. I was raised Roman
Catholic and I suspect that I, too, would feel a sense of
the Sacred if I were to follow the Via Dolorosa. However,
my kingdom is not of that world.
Several years ago I worked with a group of doctors to
hire a new pediatrician for our practice. We had one
candidate who looked outstanding on paper. He had
been the chief of his residency class and his letters of
recommendation poured out accolades about how
generous, competent and caring he was. I was eager to
meet him.
At his interview he was quite somber. He wanted to talk
about call schedules and salary issues and didn’t have
many questions about how we cared for our patients. We
tried to get him to loosen up, but it was clear that he
considered small talk to be frivolous.
The explanation for his behavior was that he was
originally from an eastern European country and the way
he had acted during his interview was perfectly culturally
appropriate for his background. I pointed that out to our
group, but they were unconvinced. He was not offered
the job. My kingdom is not of that world.
If that pediatrician were to come to our congregation, I
know that he would be greeted with open arms. Even
though the open arms might make him feel a little awkward,
I’m sure that he would catch on that he was welcome here.
We would value his insights and strive to learn from him. We
would support him when he hit some bumps in his life, such
as being rejected for a job. That’s the world my kingdom, er,
congregation, is from (I can say that because I’m president,
right?).
Of course we welcome and consider the perspectives of other
religions in our congregation. But our seven principles, which
can seem quite dry when compared to beautifully articulate
ancient texts, do indeed represent a winnowing and sifting of
the best we have encountered from other sources.
At a recent gathering of homeless people where I was leading
a baking activity, a few well-dressed individuals came in to
visit, and spoke passionately about their religion. I was
tempted to offer a counterpoint or two, but I held back. My
kingdom was not of that world. The speakers then left and the
rest of us returned to our project.
Being a UU allows me to express a different kind of devotion.
I hope it’s not too presumptuous for me to claim that I’m an
oxymoron.
Music Notes
Betty Kleemeier, Music Director
“Come, O Sabbath Day and being peace
and healing on thy wing: and to every
weary one let a word of blessing come:
Thou shalt rest. Thou shalt rest.”
Our worship theme for January is
“Sabbath.” The above words come from a
hymn in our “Singing the Living Tradition” hymnbook. (Words
by Gustav Gottheil, Music by A.W. Binder)
The word “worship” comes from and old English word
weorthscippen meaning to ascribe worth to something or
shape things of worth. Worship can and does happen when
one is alone, but can be expanded or enhanced in a group
setting. Our congregation comes together on Sunday
mornings (and other occasions) to do just this.
The components of each service are chosen to enhance a
particular theme or focus.
In our congregation, one valued component is music.
Whether listening to or creating the music or joining with
others in singing, we have the opportunity to experience
growth in our perspectives of the issues being considered.
There is ample evidence that our congregation values this
experience. While we may have diverse tastes in music per
se, we appreciate experiencing it together. It may bring us
peace and healingJJ it may expand our understandingJ.. it
may bring us joy or sorrowJJit may help us “vent.” We may
not be cognizant of these things while it is being experienced,
but it is happening.
Come, O Sabbath Day!
This Month’s Theme: Sabbath
“We need to ask ourselves why we are so busy. Sabbath
helps us to question our assumptions. >The Sabbath heals
us from our compulsion to measure ourselves by what we
accomplish, who we know, and the influence we
have.” Ken Shigematsu
Religious Exploration (RE): Adult Class Offerings
Monday Yoga
Sunday Morning Adult RE: 9-9:45am
Sunday, January 3 & 10:
“Meditations on John Michael Greer’s
book Mystery Teachings from the Living
Earth: An Ecology of Spirit”
Facilitator: Jan Carroll (Seekers Room)
Join Jan Carroll for a meditation on ecology, wholeness
and balance. It is not necessary to have read the book,
materials will be shared. “Now, the lens of ecology is more
apt and essential, as we need to learn to live in harmony
with nature, and ecology has a benefit because it is a
science of whole systems and the mystery teachings really
are too.” John Michael Greer
Sunday, January 17:
“UU Parenting Circle”
Facilitated by Kurt Erickson (Seekers Room)
This circle will offer a time to gather and share in
community around the complex and rewarding role of
parenting. This circle is not intended to be a parenting
class, but rather a place to find companionship and spiritual
support with fellow parents. Newcomers are welcome.
Please contact Kurt Erickson with questions
Sunday, January 24: “Remember
The Sabbath Day, To Keep It Holy”
Facilitator: Glenn Kuehn (World Community Room)
This directive is commanded of usJmake sure to rest. But
just what are we to do with this day, this time? Perhaps if
the command were re-written through kindergarten-speak,
it would read, “Don’t forget to go out and play during
recess. It will make the rest of the day a lot more bearable.”
In our time together, on the day many consider to be the
Sabbath, we will explore why recreation and rest are
sacred, and why it is essential to our ontological well-being
to keep this time holy.
Sunday, January 31:
“Voluntary Simplicity”
Facilitated by Rose Kilmurray (Seekers Room)
Voluntary simplicity involves both inner and outer condition.
It means singleness of purpose, sincerity and honesty
within, as well as avoidance of exterior clutter, of many
possessions irrelevant for the chief purpose of life. It
means an ordering and guiding of our energy and our
desires, a partial restraint in some directions in order to
secure greater abundance of life in other directions. It
involves a deliberate organization of life for a purpose. Of
course, as different people have different purposes in life,
what is relevant to the purpose of one person might not be
relevant to the purpose of anotherJ The degree of
simplification is a matter for each individual to settle for
himself.” (from Richard Gregg quoted in Voluntary
Simplicity by Duane Elgin)
Juanita Peck, Yoga Instructor
Yoga class noon-1 pm Mondays in the Social Hall. $5 per
person, per class. This is a gentle yoga class which aids in
building strength, gaining flexibility, improving posture and
becoming more comfortable in one's body. No previous
yoga experience necessary. Wear comfortable clothes and
bring a mat. (no class on Jan. 4)
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Singing Meditation, Tuesday Evenings
Facilitated by Tim Hirsch
6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Buddha Room of the UUC
January 5, 12, 19, 26, and February 2 & 9
We will sing meditative songs, then sit together in
silence for a short time, and sing another
song. Singing heals, and singing brings joy in being
together. It is a spiritual practice available to
everyone. Even if you feel like you do not sing well,
singing meditation is a way for you to lift your voice
and feel the fullness of spirit that comes with making
music with others. It is not necessary to be there for
all of the sessions; come when it works for you. We
will provide you music and guidance in the process of
singing meditation. Come let us sing together.
Let joy fill your heart, may peace be your goal.
May joy, peace and love make us whole. -- Helen
Gierke
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Thursday Night Meditation
Lead by Angie Zabrowski and Patti Cleary
Thursday Evenings at 7 pm. We’ll meet in the
Acceptance Room (the Middle School Youth Room). We
have pillows here for you to use. Beginners welcome!
UUA Regional Assembly
to Be Held in St. Paul
Tim Hirsch, Lay Leadership Committee
Three years ago, the UUA reorganized from “Districts”
into larger “Regions.” Our congregation is now part of
the MidAmerica Region which stretches from North
Dakota to Indiana. Visit the Region’s website to learn
more: https://www.midamericauua.org
Each year, the MidAmerica Region holds an Annual
Assembly. This year it will be held in St Paul, MN, on
April 29 and 30, and May 1, 2016. Because the
Region is so large, it is fortunate for us to have the
2016 Assembly relatively close. We hope that many
UUC members will be able to attend all or part of this
interesting UUA event. It may be possible for some of
us to share transportation and/or lodging. Please talk
with someone on the Lay Leadership Committee if
you are interested.
This Month’s Theme: Sabbath
“Sabbath is the time to receive silence and let it deepen
into gratitude, to receive quiet into which forgotten faces
and voices unobtrusively make themselves present, to
receive the days of the just completed week and absorb
the wonder and miracle>.” Eugene H. Peterson
Religious Exploration (RE): Children & Youth
Sarah Ramlow, Children & Youth RE
Coordinator
Our Multigenerational Service Project
for January (1/17) is to paint bowls for
the Feed My People Empty Bowls
fundraiser. We've usually only had this
project for the kids, but this year we're
going to open it up to anyone who
wants to join the fun! The bowls will be painted, glazed,
fired, and donated to the Feed My People Food Bank.
We'll have plenty of bowls and glazes, and even paint
shirts for you to wear! The painting will begin at 9 a.m.
Bring your inner Monet, Matisse, or Picasso and prepare
to create a masterpiece and help a very worthy cause.
Masjid has their services on Friday afternoons, we are
looking at postponing the field trip to a day in February
when EC area schools are not in session. More
information coming as we work out the details.
The 4K-5th grade Chalice Kids will continue with the
monthly theme, which for January is "Sabbath." We will
be looking at Sabbath in both the religious sense as well
as personal sense.
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Youth Group
Saturday, January 23, 5-7pm at Rose Kilmurray's
House (3637 S. Anita Dr., Eau Claire, WI) the youth
group have fun playing board games with their friends.
Please RSVP to Amanda at [email protected].
In January, the Neighboring Faiths youth will be focusing
on Islam. We are planning a field trip, but as the Altoona
FINANCE
UUC Pledge Committee Reminder
Mark Quam, Pledge Committee
It is 2016 and time to plan ahead for another exciting year
with UUC. Our 2016 Annual Pledge Canvass Campaign
kicks off on Sunday, February 14. Yes, we know it falls on
Valentine’s Day, what great way to impress that someone
special in your life by showing them how much you care
about UUC with your 2016 personal pledge! UUC depends
on everyone’s personal pledges to sustain and nurture our
congregation and our community. Every personal pledge, no
matter how large or small, contributes to the overall quality of
the life of this congregation. Make a difference and start
planning your personal pledge this month. Pledges are the
threads that bind our congregation together to create a
tapestry of love, commitment and community that gives back
to everyone.
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hall! The next drop will be on Sunday, February 21 following
service. Baskets will include items like
cookies, handmade dishcloths, chair massage gift
certificates, art prints and other amazing items.
Can’t buy - donate! We are still looking for items for the
February baskets. This fundraiser supports
UUC and gives you something to take home from your
fellow UUs!
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Mortgage Campaign a Big Success
Gregg Moore, Finance Co-Chair
Thanks to the generosity of 47 members, a total of
$85,750 has been pledged for the Payoff the UUA
Mortgage Campaign! With pledge payments to be
made by December 31, 2017, this will enable the
Congregation to payoff the UUA Mortgage in the next
two years. Additional pledges are still welcome.
Campaign contributions that exceed the estimated
CSA Baskets
$75,000 needed to payoff the UUA mortgage will be
Jenn Newman, Chair of Fundraising Committee
Congregation Supporting one Another (CSA) Shares on sale used to help pay down our only other mortgage at
RCU. Thank you to everyone who made this such a
now (directly through Jenn Newman
big success, including the donors, Board, and the
[email protected] or Julie Lepp
Finance Committee and its ad hoc subcommittee
[email protected] ). You can buy 1 share which will
members Karl Anderson, Tim Hirsch, Shannon Mason
include three different basket drops for $200 or 1 share
Young, Bob Kleemeier and Gregg Moore.
directly for $75. There is a sign up in the social
Strategic Planning Update
Juanita Peck, Strategic Plan Chair
Despite the warm weather and the
business of the holidays, UUC has had a
successful beginning to the creation of a
new Strategic Plan. As I write this, we
already have close to a 50% participation
rate in the survey, and still have one
week to go. Once the survey data is
analyzed, we will share it with you
through the creation of a Word Cloud
document, a brochure, as well as meetings after the service.
The next request you will receive will be to participate in a
Focus Group. Focus Groups are meetings for 10-20 people
to discuss issues related to UUC such as Sunday services,
small (affinity) groups, Religious Exploration, etc. We will
hold them in a variety of locations, days and times, with and
without childcare, so that you should be able to find one that
fits your schedule. Once the minutes of the focus groups are
collected, the Strategic Planning team will further analyze the
data collected and create a plan that UUC will use through
2021, when the next plan will be created. This is an exciting
time for UUC-looking forward into our future.
If you have experience with strategic planning and would like
to assist with the Focus Groups or the analysis after the
Focus Groups are complete, please contact me:
[email protected].
Membership Journey
Next membership meeting
Sunday, January, 3 at 11:30 Seekers Room.
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New Member Journey
Membership Class: Saturday, January 9 9:30-12
This class has three components: The Faith Journey, UU
History and Opportunities for Membership. Child care
provided upon request, sign up in the Social Hall or at the
Welcoming Table.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Joining Day: Sunday, January 24; 9-9:45 am
Meet in the Seekers Room prior to the service: get your
membership photo taken, receive your membership gift
and folder, and instructions on the Joining Ceremony.
Bios of New Members from the November 2015 Joining Ceremony
Dani Claesges
Dani grew up in downtown
Minneapolis, with her mother, sister
and grandmother. She graduated
from South High School, received her
undergrad at UWEC in Elementary
Education with a General Science
minor, then returned to earn her
masters in teaching as a Reading
Specialist. Dani enjoys spending time
with her kids, watching and showing movies, running,
cooking, geocaching, cross-stitching, campfires, being in
nature, trying adventurous activities and enjoying the
company of friends and family.
Dani works full time as the program coordinator for the
Eau Claire Area School District Homeless Program in the
District Office on Main Street. She also teaches a threehour class of 12th grade Science and a three-hour class of
12th grade Health & Nutrition once a week at CESA's Eau
Claire Off Campus School in CVTC's main building.
Dani has four wonderful girls, Jillian, Allison, Corinne, and
Madilynn. They enjoy volunteer work, swim team,
cello/piano, art, drama, and friends. The family has four
sweet cats, a dwarf hamster, and several fish. Dani says
that she is very proud to be a part of UUC and appreciates
all that it brings to the community and to her family.
Kristen Gustavson
Kristen was born in
Wellesley, MA, and lived
the majority of her life in
New England. Her
grandfather was ordained
as Unitarian minister in
1943 so she grew up in/out
of his churches.
Kristen met her husband (Jim Phillips) on the first day of
college, 1987, at Middlebury College in Vermont (though
they didn't get married until 28 years later!). They were
great friends during college, but lost touch while Kristen
stayed in New England to teach biology, work as a high
school dean, and eventually become a psychologist (she
did graduate degrees at Harvard (Masters) and then
University of Virginia (another Masters and a PhD).
In her free time, Kristen loves to spend time with her dogs,
knit and craft, bake, and get outside to walk, camp, or
even just sit and breath deeply. She is in the process of
starting a new counseling center here in Eau Claire on
Graham Avenue. She enjoys working with kids and
families, and adults, to help people maximize their
happiness and well-being.
Kristen is the proud step-mom to Jim's twins (Ellie freshman at St. Olaf; Maggie - freshman at Middlebury).
She and Jim and have two dogs - Finn, a 130 lb. rescue
dog who seems to be a mix of yellow lab and
great Pyrenees, and Nina the basset hound. Kristen is
enjoying getting to know the Chippewa Valley area, both
physically and spiritually. She says that it’s been fun to get
involved with church activities (choir, helping with the
Teen RE class), and is also excited to connect with
JONAH and the AAUW. Eau Claire feels like a wonderful
new home!
Lee and Ray
Hilfiker
Lee has lived in Eau
Claire since 1957. She
attended Memorial
High and was in the
first graduation class of
North High, 1963. Lee
attended UWEC, UW
Stout, UW Superior,
and holds a Master’s Degree in Education, with
Professional Development in Clinical Art Therapy. She is
a Certified Expressive Therapist, a Certified Clinical
Hypnotherapist, and Healing Touch Practitioner. As a
state licensed Professional Counselor, Lee worked at
Luther Hospital’s Behavioral Health and was co-owner of
Clearwater Clinic and Clearwater Counseling. Her
specialty is grief, depression, life threatening illness,
dying, and adjustment to life transitions. In addition to her
contemporary professional training, Lee has studied
ancient healing traditions for more than forty years and
has been initiated as a Shamana, Spiritual Counselor, and
Ceremonial Specialist. She has traveled extensively to
apprentice with indigenous medicine mystics throughout
North America, Mexico, and South America’s Andes and
shamans of the Amazon. Lee has taught healing methods
and led ceremonies both in the U.S. and Internationally
and continues teaching shamanic methods of healing,
offering ceremonies of the Medicine Wheel Path and
Drumming With Spirit.
Ray engages in social, service, and strong family and
spiritual endeavors. He enjoys reading, movies, assertive
walking, biking, skiing, and doing "stuff,” like traveling the
world with Lee. They have a little dog, "Dottie.” They
have a son, Lyle, who is a manager of a German
restaurant in Madison, and a daughter, Genae who is a
Bios of New Members from the November 2015 Joining Ceremony (continued)
and Faye Schaller asked if a French connotation could be
included. Since he was born on Valentine's Day, "Val"
was selected and since "Valjean" is a French surname, he
was given that name. At some later date, his French-type
name was Americanized to Val Gene. This past summer
Val discovered a box of old legal documents which
surfaced during a move from Grantsburg WI to Eau
Claire. His son Jake, and wife Jackee Johnson, with the
assistance of Ancestry.com, discovered his birthmother's
information as shown above and also that she later
married and had a daughter. Since that time, Val has
been in contact with his long-lost sister. She and her
husband came to Eau Claire from northern California in
September for a four-day visit. Val says that they like him
and his family, which is a source of joy to all of them.
nurse at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Ray and Lee
are grandparents to four grandchildren. Ray has had a
variety of leadership positions in the public schools and
other areas, such as president of the UWEC Alumni
Association, and was a founder and president of the
Hardscrabble Players, based with the Red Barn Theater
out of Rice Lake, WI. Ray says his work and play ethic is
obvious, because of a rural, dairy background. He looks
at UUC as an expansion of his personal, service, and
spiritual connections. Go Badgers and Packers!
Lee and Ray have been married since 1966 and they love
living in Eau Claire, WI. They have lived in Milwaukee,
Rice Lake, Superior, Sheboygan Falls and Hudson,
always returning to Eau Claire.
Val graduated from Grantsburg High School in May
'62. He went one year to college in River Falls
(major: pizza and beer; minor: cribbage). He entered the
US Navy on January 2, 1964, attended Machinery
Repairman School in San Diego, and served aboard the
U.S.S. Prairie and the U.S.S. Kretchmer during the Viet
Nam conflict. He was honorably separated on April 27,
1968 as a Machinery Repairman Second Class (E-5). Val
worked as a machinist/tool maker for a number of years,
and then attended junior college in Thief River Falls MN to
study Law Enforcement. He spent a number of years as a
police officer in northwestern MN.
Jim Hoeppner
Jim was born in Eau
Claire. There were three
Hoeppner brothers that
originally arrived in the
Chippewa Valley area
about 1885. Jim switched
careers a couple of times,
which required retraining.
First he attended UWMadison for a BS in
Construction
Administration and then nine years later, when changing
from the construction field, he earned a BA degrees from
UM-Minneapois in German and Spanish with a MN
teaching certification to teach K-12 grades in foreign
languages. After teaching five years in the high schools
Jim decided to get into software. Now he works with many
clients on procuring and implementing software for the
construction industry.
Val’s hobbies are Amateur Radio (KG9PG) and
SKYWARN spotter while living in Grantsburg but have not
re-established his "shack" since moving here. He has
done some short-story writing and won some awards. Val
is retired from 3M Company he worked on an 800# taking
40-50 angry phone calls per day to support fax machines
and communications terminals (before Internet).
Val has four children: Jenny (MRSA survivor), Jake (truck
driver), Peter (working on his Masters of Divinity degree),
Faith (lives in California--expecting their third child at
Thanksgiving). He has four grandchildren: Emma Dalton,
Monica, and Gabriel. He has one great-grandson, Asher.
He also has Ting, a Siamese cat. Now Val is busy settling
into his house on Badger Avenue and getting Rosanne's
sewing room arranged in the basement. She is a quilter
and knitter. Val is a Life Member of the Freedom From
Religion Foundation in Madison WI. They work to keep
state and church separate, a concept he says he heartily
supports.
Swimming, cross-country skiing, biking and hiking are
activities that Jim enjoys. Currently he is reading The
Wright Brothers by David McCullough. Being a member of
a Spanish book club and a German book club helps him
keep up his language skills. Jim enjoys the piano, and is
practicing on various pieces of the Nutcracker Suite. After
moving to Eau Claire in mid-2012, Jim has been enjoying
improving the house and yard. He is not married. Jim
hopes to volunteer time to the outreach health clinic for
Spanish speaking immigrants.
Val Johnson
Val was born in a Home for
Unwed Mothers in Lacrosse
February 14, 1944. His
birthmother named him James
Schaller since her name was
Faye Schaller. At Val’s legal
adoption process in September
1944, his birthmother and
adoptive mother decided that his
name was going to be changed
Christina Morning
Christina was born and
raised in Eau Claire. She
was the first member of her
family to graduate college.
She graduated from CVTC
in December, 2014,
6
Bios of New Members from the November 2015 Joining Ceremony (continued)
the past couple of years, lives in (and loves) the Third
Ward, and enjoys the three polydactyls she and her
husband Patrick raise in the Kube Haus on Coolidge.
with an associate degree in accounting. She enjoys
spending her free time with her favorite music or books.
Christina works as an Accounting Specialist at Indianhead
Foodservice Distributor. She and her husband married in
March, but were together for five years. They have one
child, Ainslie 3 years old, and they bought their first house
two months ago in Elk Mound. They enjoy playing with
their daughter, and Christina loves to cook, sew, paint,
garden, cheer the Packers on, run, and spend time with
family. Christina and her husband recently bought a fire
truck and joined a fire truck club called SPAAMFAA
(Society for the Preservation & Appreciation of Antique
Motor Fire Apparatus in America.)
Proud parent and even prouder grandmother, avid biker
(in both senses of the word) and half-baked gardener,
Jenni also serves the Third Ward Association as
secretary-treasurer. She spends lots of time laughing with
her girlfriends, most of whom are named Jennifer, Jenn,
or Jenni, and loves to travel - whether it's to any ocean to
walk the beach and hunt shells, over to the Hay River for
Sweat Lodge, or just up to the "Big House on Lake
Wissota" to hang out with family and friends.
Jenni Sterling
Jenni's favorite UU moments? The Annual Harvest
Auction. The Sharing of the Waters. The Sharing of the
Bread, and almost every Sunday in the beautiful UUC
sanctuary watching the light change as it comes through
the stained glass, especially when the choir sings, tears
streaming down her face, reflecting on the feeling of
Oneness with others on This Great Path.
Jenni, the daughter of long-time
UUC members, Darrell and
Susanne Torrence, says that she
has finally officially joined the UUC
of Eau Claire! Jenni has worked
for UWEC in the Davies Center for
Social Responsibility Committee
Next Meeting: Sunday, January 10 at 11:30 in
50/50 Share the Plate
the Seekers Room. Open to everyone!
January Recipient:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------JONAH (Joining Our Neighbors
Beacon House Sign-ups:
Advancing Hope)
January 3-10th
Each month UUC splits the weekly
giving plate with an organization chosen
by the Social Responsibility Committee. In January, the
organization we chose is JONAH.
Help Homeless Families in Eau Claire, sign up for a
UUC/Immanual Lutheran Shift at The Beacon House
(309 E. Lake Street). There usually are about 20
people staying at the Beacon House. You can choose
to cook a main dish, make side dishes, host a meal (i.e.
eat with the guests. This is a good family activity), or
stay overnight (i.e. sleep).
Since 2007, JONAH has been working with people,
agencies and organizations to help make our
communities healthier, safer and better places for
everyone to live and work. We believe that our work is
about building community and building capacity to
address root causes of poverty and injustice. We come
together for this important and public work because
when every one person does better, everyone does
better.
To sign up, you may use the website:
http://tinyurl.com/oshhumf , or contact Ken Adler at 715523-1786 or [email protected]. Thank you for
considering helping out our homeless neighbors!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Table: Saturday, Jan. 9
Committee on Ministry
It's time to sign up for
our first shift of the
year at Community
Table. Our first meal
will be Saturday,
January 9. Two shifts of volunteers are needed. We
need 6 volunteers from 9AM-11:30AM for food
prep. We need another 6 volunteers from at
11:15AM-2:00PM for serving and cleanup. We also
need to provide 8 gallons of milk for the meal that
day. Please email [email protected] if
you would like to help or purchase milk.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Karen Hirsch
The Committee on Ministry (COM) typically meets
monthly with Rev. Julie, to hear how she feels her
ministry is going and to advise her of any conditions
within the congregation that may affect relations
between the minister and the members, with the
goal of strengthening and improving
relationships. We will continue to meet during
Julie's sabbatical so please share any thoughts
regarding the UUC with any member of the
COM: Julia Browne, Karen Hirsch, Jackee
Johnson, and Dani Swartz.
7
Announcements
This Month’s Theme:
Sabbath
“The etymological root of the
word Sabbath means to stop—
doing, producing, thinking, to stop
time, in essence, to allow oneself
the void in which to receive,
instead of constantly striving ‘to
be.’” Savannah Blaze Lee
--------------------------------
Rev. Lepp on Sabbitical
January - February
Rev. Lepp will not be available to
members during her sabbatical;
the Lay Ministers, Jan Carroll,
Tim Hirsch, and Martha Munger,
will help you out with pastoral
needs or rites of passage
services. Julie will come back
temporarily if needed for any
member memorials. Lay ministers
will also be available on specific
Sundays to assist members,
friends and visitors when needed.
Jan 3rd and 10th: Martha Munger
Jan 17th: Tim Hirsch
Jan 24th: Martha Munger
Jan 31st: Jan Carroll
Feb 7th: Jan Carroll
Feb 14th: Tim Hirsch
Feb 21st: Jan Carroll
Feb 28th: Tim Hirsch
---------------------------------------------
Friends Teaching Friends- Baking
with Tea- This event costs $5 for
materials. Please contact
Amanda [email protected]
for location details.
-----------------------------------------------
UUC Littles Playgroup
Children’s Museum
Join us on FRIDAY January 15 at
10:30 am at the Children's
Museum to explore. Admission is
$5 a person or members are free.
If you would still like to go but the
cost is a hardship for you please
contact Jenn Newman. Like the
Little’s Facebook page to see
updates on the events such as
cancellations or change of
time/location. Find it by searching
UUC Littles Group
Eau Claire.
----------------------------------------------
20s/30s Brunch
Sunday, January 31
11:30am-1pm at Acoustic Café
---------------------------------------------
Penne Ante Card Club
Friday, January,8, 6-8 pm in the
Social Hall. Beginners are
welcome and encouraged!
Childcare provided.
---------------------------------------------
UUC Hires New Sexton
In December
Rob
Harrington
was added to
the staff at
UUC. Rob
and his wife
Maria Selsor
joined UUC in November 2014.
Rob will work 13 hours per week;
mostly evenings and weekends for
special events, weddings,
memorials, etc.
All requests for sexton tasks and
special events scheduling, should
go through Kris Simpson, Office
Manager.
---------------------------------------------
Crafty Hands
Join other creative crafters!
Monday, January 4
General Meeting 6-9pm (Seeker's
Room)
Monday, January 18
the 24th auction an even bigger
and better event! If you have
suggestions or questions contact
Susanne Torrence or Bobbie
Kuchta.
---------------------------
Auction Events:
There are several events coming
up that still have openings. Check
out what’s available in the Social
Hall. Sign up on the bulletin board
sheets and pay in the office, noting
“Auction Event” in the memo line.
Your payment will notify us to add
you to the invitation list.
------------------------------
Master Chef Gluten Free
Cooking Class at Forage
Saturday, January 23, 4-7 pm
Forage Kitchen (Banbury)
Cost: $80
Maximum Attendants: 10
Chef Robin Asbell will do her
hands-on Italian Gluten Free
Class: Slow cooker herbed
focaccia, kale and tomato Caesar
with croutons, potato gnocchi with
salmon, currents, and anchovies,
chicken pesto pizza with goat
cheese, and chocolate soufflé
torte with raspberry sauce. All
proceeds will go to UUC. Author
of 7 cookbooks so far. She will
have books at the event available
for purchase.
Chef, author, speaker,
instructor Robin
Asbell: http://robinasbell.com/
Register at Forage.
-------------------------
Harvest Auction 2015
Wrap-Up
Thank you to the many, many folks
who made the Harvest Auction a
success! With your help we met
our goal of $14,000 for the UUC’s
operating budget! Please make
sure you have paid your Auction
bill (due Dec. 31, 2015). The goal
of building community will continue
as we all attend the special events
that are scheduled throughout this
coming year! (Check the bulletin
board in the Social Hall for events
that still have places open!)
Date for next year’s Harvest
Auction is Saturday, November
12, 2016. Start thinking and
planning now so that we can make
UUC Cinema: Saturday,
January 9 at 7 pm “The Love
Letter” (1999) A Romantic
Comedy Cost: $5 per person
(Adults only).
Dinner and a Movie
Saturday, January 16, 68:30 pm
The Adventures of Buckaroo
Banzai Across the 8th
Dimension" $20
Tactical Escape Sat., Feb.
13, 3 pm $25
Afternoon With Igmar
Torffelsson: Sat., Feb. 6 at
211 pm $15/family
Bike Rally
Please note that the Bike Rally will
take place on September 10 (rain
date 17).
Announcements
UUC Family Night Winter After Hours
Join us as we attend the Winter
After Hours event at Boyd Park on
Thursday, January 14 as a UU
group! We will meet at 6 pm in the
warming house - the event goes
until 8!
A few more details: There are a ton
of events for both adults and kids
to enjoy! Skating: Meander Boyd's
new curvy ice loop. Bring your own
skates or rent some onsite.
Snowshoeing: Visit the pavilion to
rent snowshoes
from Beaver Creek Reserve, then
follow a torch lit path next to Boyd
Park. Snow Sculptures: Watch Eau
Claire's international awardwinning snow carvers in action.
Winter Kubb: In the center of it all
try Eau Claire's hottest yard game,
winter style! Giant firepit: Gather
round the oversized fire pit for
some midwinter warmth. Music:
Enjoy the ambient sounds of an
excellent winter playlist. Hot
Drinks: Partake in some hot liquid
goodness from local tea and coffee
houses. Warming House/
Restrooms: Getting too cold? Step
into the warming house for a bit
and grab a seat. Ice skate rentals,
snowshoe rentals, as well as hot
chocolate, tea, and coffee. Make
sure to bring cash for rentals and
snacks! This is a night for the
families of UUC to get together
with other families in the UUC
community to have some fun, bond
and make new friendships! If you
have any questions or need a ride
please talk to Jenn Newman! See
you all there!
---------------------------------------------
UUC Family Activities
Committee Meeting
We want to invite you to a meeting
of our Family Activities
Subcommittee on Sunday,
January 17 at 11:30 am after
service in the nursery! Children are
welcome to attend! We will be
planning the winter/spring Family
nights during this meeting as well
as setting goals for the future!
Please bring your ideas (might
include things like - Action City,
Board Game Night, Hiking,
Sledding, etc.)! If you are
not able to attend the meeting but
would still like to be involved with
the committee please let Jenn
Newman or Rose Kilmurray know
and we can add you to the email
list!
---------------------------------------------
Poetry Writing Group
Join us for a great
time of enjoying
poetry together. No
experience
necessary.
Everyone welcome.
Each person shares an original
poem with the group and receives
gentle feedback. Contact Jan
Carroll for current assignment at
[email protected].
Sunday Class at 11:30 in the
Seekers Room: January 24,
February 28, March 27, April
24, and May 22.
--------------------------------------------In the Poetry
Circle we have a
wonderful time
reading and
discussing
poems from
established
poets. The Spring Poetry Circle will
be Sunday, March 6, 11:30, in the
Seekers Room. Packets of poems
we will explore will be available on
the table near the church office by
February 28, if you prefer to study
the poems ahead of time.
Everyone welcome. Contact Jan
Carroll at
[email protected] with any
questions.
--------------------------------------------Topic: Sabbath
Thursday, Jan. 14,
9-10:30am
This group meets on
nd
the 2 Thursday of
each month from 910:30am to discuss the UUC
monthly theme in the backroom of
the Goat Coffee House on Water
St. All are welcome!
---------------------------------------------
Grief Circle
The Grief Circle will meet
Wednesday, January 13, from 6
to 7:30 pm in the Acceptance
Room. Contact Jan Carroll with
any questions.
[email protected].
----------------------------------------------
UU Book Group
UU Book Group will meet on Sat,
January 16 at 9:30am. Our Jan.
selection is Complications by Atul
Gawande. Newcomers and
occasional attendees are most
welcome. Please call the host if
you need help with directions.
Title: Complications.
th
Host: Ruth Lovejoy (1816 186 St.,
Chippewa Falls, 715-404-5854)
----------------------------------------------
Cedar Chalice
Pagan Circle
Meet pagan, pagan friendly, or
pagan curious individuals in our
area.
Pagan Potluck Friday, Jan. 22
6-9pm (UU Social Hall)
Bring a dish to share and an open
mind.
Pagan Book Club Sat., Jan. 23
11:30am-1pm (Deb's Cafe in
Chippewa Falls)
Join us to discuss chapter 1
"Witchcraft as Goddess Religion"
of The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of
the Ancient Religion of the
Goddess by Starhawk.
Croning Ceremony Fri., Jan. 29
6pm (UU Social Hall)
Join us to honor one of our
members, Joyce, as she moves
into a new phase of her life, the
crone. Please contact Amanda
[email protected] for details.
Pagan Circle will be hosting the
3rd Wednesday Night Dinner on
January 20. Join us for Breakfast
for Dinner! Enjoy pancakes, egg
bakes, sausage and biscuits, fruit
parfait, and more! (Gluten free
and vegan options will be
available). Donations will help
fund our group hosting a spiritual
1-2 day retreat for earth-based
religions in fall 2016 open to the
public.
Newsletter Submissions The
th
deadline for submissions is the 18
of each month at 9:00 AM. Even if
you have a reoccurring event, your
should submit your announcement
in writing to:
[email protected]
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #1961
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Unitarian Universalist
Congregation
421 S. Farwell St.
Eau Claire, WI 54
Return Service
Requested
Board
President: Ken Adler 715-836-9218
[email protected]
Vice-President: Carol Schumacher
715-456-5788
[email protected]
Past-President: Juanita Peck 715831-1493 [email protected]
Secretary: David Rice 715-835-3490
[email protected]
Treasurer: Wendy Schmock 715-8359675 [email protected]
Administration Liaison: Mark Quam
715-835-4835 [email protected]
Membership Services Liaison: Jan
Carroll 715-523-3873
[email protected]
Religious Education Liaison: Rose
Kilmurray 715-497-4232
[email protected]
Programs Liaison: Jacob Gruetzman
715-271-4433 [email protected]
Office Staff
Office Manager: Kris Simpson
715-834-0690 Hours: M-F 8-3
[email protected]
RE Coordinator: Sarah Ramlow
(c) 715-271-0846
[email protected]
Hours: Sun. 8:30-12, M, Th 9-2
Minister: Rev. Lepp on Sabbatical
Lay Ministers: (Contact in place of
Rev. Lepp)
Jan Carroll 715-523-3873
[email protected]
Tim Hirsch 715-832-0410
[email protected]
Martha Munger 715-875-4206
[email protected]