THE CHALICE NEWS Unitarian Society of Menomonie A Welcoming Unitarian Universalist Congregation

December 2020 Newsletter

CALENDAR SEVEN PRINCIPLES 10 AM (ZOOM UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE)

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person December 6: No Service

December 13: Service lead by Diane Light TBA 2. Justice, equity and compassion in human December 13: Christmas Family Gift Due (see page 3) We ask that all gifts, with taped on labels identifying the family member it is for, be relations delivered to the Alano parking lot between noon and 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 13th. Dave Williams will be there to load all items to deliver the following day. 3. Acceptance to one another and December 20: Service lead by Juliana Schmidt “Solstice Service” Have your candles, flashlights, LED candles ready! We will hear music and readings encouragement of about Solstice and share significant memories of Solstices past. spiritual growth in our congregations December 27: Service lead by Dennis Peters “Tell Me a Story” Since we became a species, however that moment is defined, we have been storytellers, and listeners to stories. It seems to be the way we learn best, for stories 4. A free and responsible sink directly into your heart. It’s not facts that you’re learning. It is lessons. Life lessons. search for truth and Come with me for this time, my friends, and let’s explore stories.

meaning

5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large

6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all

7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

105 NE 21st Street, Menomonie WI (Alano meeting room, across from Mayo Clinic) www.menomonieuu.org Find us on Facebook JULIANA SCHMIDT, PRESIDENT

This is the next installment of a reflection upon our Unitarian credo: the Unitarian Principles. The fourth principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.

Reverend Paige Getty, of the UU Congregation of Columbia, Maryland, states “As a faith tradition, Unitarian Universalism makes sacred the right and responsibility to engage in this free and responsible quest as an act of religious devotion. Institutionally, we have left open the questions of what truth and meaning are, acknowledging that mindful people will, in every age, discover new insights.”

“…an act of religious devotion.” I never thought of it that way before. That phrase, and especially the word “devotion”, makes me think of Christians who go to church every day, carry the rosary, or the prayer mat with which to engage in prayer five times a day. I have been a UU since 1987 and over these many years, I have observed that most Unitarians are very devoted to the search for truth and meaning. It may not be as visible as the worship tools I have mentioned, but when we UU’s engage in discussion during a talk-back in a service, or in book discussion sessions, that devotion is palpable. UU’s are driven on their quest for truth and meaning.

The word, “responsible” jumps out at me. Like getting behind the wheel of a powerful automobile, we UU’s take our important search very seriously. We do not impair our search with other things like so-called enlightening drugs, for example.

To walk away from or separate oneself from mainstream religions has usually been carefully thought out (another sign of religious devotion). Acting upon the feeling that something does not feel right takes courage and devotion. Many of us have rejected the mainstream beliefs to find a church home where we are free from condemnation for rejection of any one thought, free from possible dogma, hypocrisy and rigidity. For whatever reason, the conventional church did not set right with those who came to Unitarian Universalism later in life. The search began.

In our country we are blessed to have the freedom, daresay privilege to engage in the quest for truth and meaning. In addition, let me say that UU’s are not the ones with a correct perspective on religion, and that we should share this perspective (our diversity) with others. Reverend Getty goes on to say, “This privilege calls us not to be isolated and self- centered, believing that our single perspective trumps all others, but rather to be humble, to be open to the great mysteries of truth and meaning that life offers. And those mysteries may speak to us through our own intuition and experience—but also through tradition, community, conflict, nature, and relationships.”

And the search continues. We must remain humble, and open to those mysteries of truth and meaning. Therefore, we find that the exploration teaches us that there is always more to know. That is a truth in itself. Socrates said it better than I and more succinctly. “The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.”

What’s on your reading list? Not just books and articles, there are videos online of virtual lectures on philosophy. Check out the Harvard Lectures on Philosophy. I am enjoying a book, “Here If You Need Me” by Kate Braestrup. She is a chaplain for search-and-rescue workers for the Maine game warden service. I didn’t know it till I started the book that her late husband was studying to be a UU minister before he suddenly died. (I found Braestrup by accident – she was on an NPR storytelling show called The Moth Radio Hour.) It is Braestrup’s journey from grief to faith to happiness. She is a Christian minister. In this time of dark days, and scary, skyrocketing Covid-19 numbers, I am loathe to say that there is an opportunity to do some deep searching for truth and meaning, to discover new ideas, new truths, to stay engaged in your individual search while we wait for a vaccine.

Peace,

Juliana Schmidt, Chair

Looking for help for ‘about us’ pamphlet Christmas Families Kathleen Cundiff is also looking for someone in our As we have for a number of years, our fellowship is church to work on a new pamphlet about us. Contact adopting two families in need for Christmas. her if you have a graphics background, or for more info, or bring your ideas. Her email: • Family number one is a widowed mother with [email protected] four children, aged 18 months to 16 years.

Unitarian Society & Dunn County Historical • Family number two is a single mother recently Society laid off because of COVID, with three children Kathleen Cundiff is looking for pictures to put into the aged 8 to 22. Unitarian Society of Menomonie binder that she has started for the Dunn County Historical Society. Please see the last pages of this Contact her and forward any pics you may have of newsletter for a list of the needs and yourselves or other UU’s. Email: desires of the various family [email protected] members. If you didn’t see that list, please let Dave Williams know (contact info below). New Chalice

When we are fully able to meet physically in our Our members and friends are urged church, we will most likely have a new chalice! to select family members and try to meet their gift Kathleen Cundiff and Sherry Hagen are working to wishes. This can be through purchasing specific gifts bring us an artistic, beautiful rendering of a UU directly, or by gift cards. Wrapping paper and tape are chalice. also needed and welcome. Gifts should not be wrapped, leaving that to the parents. Board Meeting December 16th Next board meeting is December 16 at 6:30 by Zoom. We ask that all gifts, with taped on labels identifying the All are welcome. Let Juliana know if you need an family member it is for, be delivered to the Alano parking invite. lot between noon and 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 13th. Dave Williams will be there to load all items to Donations welcomed deliver the following day. Even though we are not meeting physically, we still have bills to run our church. Donate to the Unitarian If you need to make other delivery arrangements, or Society of Menomonie, P.O. Box 214, Menomonie, WI have questions, email or call Dave Williams at 715-309- 54751. Thank you! 8992, or [email protected]. Thanks for helping to make these families’ Christmases brighter. Have content for the next newsletter? Please email events, news, poems, stories by the 25th Gifts for Stepping Stones of the month to be included in the next newsletter to We have received a restricted gift to our Unitarian [email protected] Society of Menomonie, asking that we pass it along to Stepping Stones of Dunn County. The donor’s intent is both to help Stepping Stones as they face greatly increased demand at the food pantry, but also to make sure the Unitarian Society is among the listed churches Our mission is to engage people in and groups helping out. If you would like to add your gift to the one we’ll be sending to Stepping Stones, please let an open, nurturing spiritual Dave Williams, treasurer, know, and get your check to community, promoting intellectual him via P.O. Box 214, Menomonie, WI. 54751. Make curiosity, honoring human rights your check payable to the Unitarian Society of and religious differences, and Menomonie, and indicate on the memo line that it is for Stepping Stones. Thanks! providing services to just causes.

Christmas Family Lists

Family #1: Single mom (widowed) with four kids.

Boy (age 16) size: men's medium Ideas for gifts: Playstation gift cards or gift cards to any sports store are a safe bet. He is also hoping for nice headphones with a mic he can use for the Playstation.

Girl (age 13). Size: size small in women's. Ideas for gifts: loves girly stuff like face masks, Bath and Body Works, earrings and loves to read.

Boy (age 9). Size: 16-18 in boys or small in men's. Ideas for gifts: loves the Flash, Legos and football (Vikings)

Boy (18 months) size: 18 months-2t Ideas for gifts: loves "Secret Life of Pets," fuzzy soft blankets and pretty much any toy with music.

Family #2 Single mom of 3. (due to covid, mom recently was laid off and is unsure when/if she will be able to return. )

A note from mom, "Thank you again for this incredible blessing. My heart is so happy right now! I was so worried about being able to give my girls any resemblance of christmas."

Girl (age 17) - shirts large, pants xl, shoes 9, essential oils, bath bombs, wax cubes

Girl (age 22)- shirts 1-2x, size 16-17 pant and 8 1/2 shoes. Gas card, Bath & Body Works or Ulta card

Girl (age 8)- size 8 for pants & shirts & pjs, size 2 for shoes, anything she can paint (horse or unicorn figurines) my life girl doll items (at Walmart), anything unicorn, hair barrettes