Volume 49, Issue 05

January 2016

Interim Thoughts Dear ones,

A new year, or so they say. More like a marker in the midst of passing time, a

continuation of the endless unfinished business of life. In this year marked as 2016,

there will be important markers unique in the life of MSUS. There will be call to a

new, full-time minister. There will be a 50th Anniversary Celebration. There will be

a review and renewal of the RE program for children led by a new RE Director. There will be a planned and

concerted effort to get the word out about the value and presence of MSUS in the larger community. And

there will be surprises which, we can all hope will be mostly welcomed. This is a time of great self

consciousness for this congregation, a time for paying special attention to your individual development as

Unitarian Universalists and to how you are perceived as a Unitarian Universalist community.

A strong element of MSUS since its beginning has been your grounding in humanism. For many of the

founders, this has continued to be a strong personal identity. In the 1960’s this congregation was formed by

members of First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, a beacon of humanism in a movement tugging at the

tethers of tradition, claiming its right to be religious without God.

Today, Unitarian Universalism has emerged as a broad and deep opportunity for people who share principles

of inherent worth and dignity; justice equity and compassion; free and responsible search for truth; the right

of conscience; the use of the democratic process; respect for the interdependent web of all life, and more, to

join in community and seek to be nourished and informed by many sources of wisdom that include among

them:

Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us

against idolatries of the mind and spirit.

In this year of renewal and celebration of 50 years it seems appropriate to take time to review this important

source. On January 10, I will be speaking of reverence and respect as they relate to the humanist tradition

and on the 31st I will speak in more general terms about what it might mean to claim a humanist identity.

I have been refreshed and renewed myself by a wonderful holiday break and I look forward to being your

minister for a final six months. May our work together pave the way for the next part of the adventure.

In love and gratitude,

Karen

6565 Oakley Drive NE, Fridley, MN 55432

P a g e 2 M i c h a e l S e r v e t u s U n i t a r i a n S o c i e t y

Inside this issue:

Interim Thoughts 1

President’s Letter 2

Children’s RE 3 & 4

Adult RE 5

Women’s Book Group 5

Search Committee 6

50th Anniversary Trivia 7

Social Action Photos 7

Trivia Answers 8

Social Action News 9

Let’s Talk . . . Potluck 10

One of Our Own

Needs Our Help 11

Missing: Dish Towels 11

January Services 12

January Calendar 13

Music Notes 14

President’s Letter

Greetings to all!

As you may recall from last month, I am sharing ways that I see our

vision being lived out in our congregation. I am still looking at the line

COMMITTED agents of compassion, service, justice and JOY.

As you can tell, this time I am focusing on the last word. This part of our Vision statement

was one that the congregation thought was important to insert when we were designing

our Vision. A simple word, really, and for some, easy to find. Over the years, I have

found that for many, joy is not always easy to find, particularly when one tries to enmesh it

within one's values and morals. And just what does it mean to be joyful? How does one

seek this? Reverend Karen spoke of being an agent of joy at the December 20th service.

If you missed it, I encourage you to go on line and listen to it.

A name I would like to lift up to the congregation as someone working on joy is April

Anderson. Many of you see April when MSUS is having a special event, especially one

dealing with children's Religious Education. There have been Halloween parties, Day of

the Dead parties, Egg hunts, Family nights, and other celebrations that have felt April's

touch. It isn't just that April likes to throw a good party; she wants to include and involve

others. She really puts a lot of thought into these great experiential opportunities, and

she hopes that participating in them brings others joy.

It is so obvious that relationships are important to April, whether with her family, children,

or members of the congregation, and it is also obvious that those bring her much joy. Are

they always easy? Of course not. April would be the first to tell you that relationships are

hard work, and she does not take these relationships for granted. But I think it is because

of that hard work that they are so rewarding, and yes, full of joy. I think it is that joy that

keeps her working at tasks that are hard, because she knows how valuable they are and

how great the returns.

April uses these connections and relationships as a grounding to go into the community,

and it deepens her UU convictions. She believes strongly in outreach, and part of that is

sharing stories and getting to know one another.

It brings her joy, and it shows.

In community,

Lisa

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 0 5

Dear members and friends

After much discussion with parents, teachers, children, and Rev. Karen, I have decided to implement a new

curriculum for all grades. Starting Sunday, January 24th, we will begin using a social action based curriculum called

“Harry & UU.” As you may have guessed, this curriculum is based on J.K. Rowling’s very popular series of books. (It

will not be an impediment to participation if you (or your child) have not read them.) It is my feeling that the Harry

Potter series, and the activities in this curriculum, are an excellent reflection of Unitarian Universalism’s seven

principles and also tie directly into our vision statement. From the curriculum:

“Most parents believe that it’s important to instill social responsibility in their

children, but it can be difficult to find meaningful sources or projects for children

in to become involved. In addition, many social action projects are not relevant to

children and a lack of relation can lead to a lack of engagement. There are many

reasons why it’s good for tween- age children to participate in social action

projects:

• Most children have a natural desire to be fair and to right wrongs, and social action reinforces this desire.

• Involvement now is more likely to lead to involvement later; children will likely feel more motivation to take

action in the future.

• Learning to work together to achieve a goal allows one to feel empowered.

• Taking action alleviates feelings of helplessness. Children learn that they can achieve results on their own.

• Working to better the community and the world leads to higher moral development and more defined citizenship

skills.

The question then becomes how to empower children to become more motivated, passionate about, and engaged

in social action. Children require activities and discussion that immerse them, engage them, and allow them to

become passionate about what they are learning.

The Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling are an excellent way to immerse children in the idea that one can

work to make the world better. These books offer important moral and social values for children, guiding them

toward making the right choices. Lessons provided include dealing with bullies, finding friends, and channeling

disabilities to find empowerment.

Use of the books can offer the chance for students to ponder hard questions. What does power mean? How can

someone make a choice that seems impossible? Is violence ever justified? Readers can consider their experiences,

values, and beliefs to find the answers. In this way, Harry Potter can provide spiritual and moral guidance as well as

entertainment.

Continued on Page 4

Children’s Religious Education

P a g e 4 M i c h a e l S e r v e t u s U n i t a r i a n S o c i e t y

Continued From Page 3

Harry Potter, like other pop culture, can also allow children to discuss important social issues with peers. Talking

about sensitive issues with peers can be daunting, particularly if the child lives and goes to school in a conservative

atmosphere and knows that his/ her viewpoint is not shared by a majority of his/ her peers. Referencing a Harry

Potter book or movie can help children express their opinions to others.

This curriculum seeks to help participants learn that change is possible through multiple avenues, and can happen

whether the problem is local or worldwide. Students will have the opportunity to make a difference in their

community and the world in a meaningful way through hands-on projects that will also teach them social

responsibility.”

During the remainder of the church year, the children will all work together as a brand new house at Hogwarts to

stand against seven social action “horcruxes:”

• The Illiteracy Horcrux

• The Hunger Horcrux

• The Poverty Horcrux

• The Child Slavery Horcrux

• The Sickness Horcrux

• The Animal Cruelty Horcrux

• The Environmental Horcrux

It is my great hope that this change will increase student enthusiasm/attendance, volunteer participation, and

introduce a wider variety of ways to incorporate the RE program into the life of the church community as a whole

since, as the late Albus Dumbledore so wisely stated, "We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are

divided."

In the next few weeks I will be providing more details on the class/lesson structure and plans to implement the

changes. In the meantime, the need for willing professors to teach at Hogwarts is an immediate one so let me

know if you are a willing witch or wizard. If you have any questions or concerns about this upcoming change,

please contact me as soon as possible. I am always happy to connect with you and will do my best to keep

everyone informed moving forward.

Yours In Service,

Anna Paquette

msus.religious.education@gmail.com

Office: (763) 571-5229

Cell: (763) 439 – 9196

Children’s Religious Education

P a g e 5 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 0 5

Adult Religious Education

Adult Religious Education Sessions Scheduled in January –

Food, Ethics and Sustainability

The Green Sanctuary Committee and Reverend Karen Gustafson are offering

three sessions in January to explore issues related to ethical eating. Sessions are

scheduled for January 12th, January 19th, and January 26th at 7:30 pm.

The discussion guide, Food, Ethics and Sustainability: Hungry for Change from the

Northwest Earth Institute will be used along with the book Animal, Vegetable,

Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

­

Learn how food choices have an impact on a range of issues—from ecosystem

health to farm worker treatment to our global economy. Explore your role as a

consumer and a creator. Discover how to help create a healthy food environment.

- See more at: http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/

#sthash.3BGAkJjt.dpuf

If you are interested in attending, let Laurie Young know. lauresyoung@yahoo.com. She will have discussion

guides available for purchase.

MSUS Women's Book Group The MSUS Women's Book Group is a gathering of female MSUS members and friends who meet the first

Saturday of each month to discuss women-authored books. The group alternates between fiction and non

fiction works recommended by one or more of the members. Contact Lois Burnett to be added to the

email list. Meetings are 9:00 AM in the Club Room at 20 Windsor Lane;.

JANUARY MEETING: January 9, 2015 NOTE CHANGE IN DATE!!

-Book for discussion: Fiction - Under Ground, by Megan Marsnik (available only as ebook to

download from Star Tribune, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon)

-Treats will be provided by: Patty Finnemore

FEBRUARY MEETING: February 6, 2015 NOTE: CHANGE in LOCATION

TBD

-Book for discussion: Non Fiction - The Train to Crystal City, by Jan Jarboe Russell

-Treats will be provided by: Lois Burnett

P a g e 6 M i c h a e l S e r v e t u s U n i t a r i a n S o c i e t y

Search Committee Update By Kathy Burek, Search Committee Co-Chair

Becoming a UU Minister

Your Search Committee is beginning the process of reviewing Ministerial Records and conducting preliminary

interviews with ministers interested in serving MSUS. This seems like a good time to share with you the

requirements for becoming a UU minister. We think you will agree that any person who completes this

rigorous process will be well-qualified to serve any UU congregation.

Aspirants for UU ministry are required to submit an extensive application detailing their educational and

employment history. They must be sponsored by a UU congregation, which attests to their potential as a UU

minister. Aspirants must also be interviewed by a UU minister in good standing, who writes a report on the

aspirant’s potential for becoming a UU minister. The Aspirant must also be enrolled in a theological school

and complete a criminal background check. Aspirants also agree to abide by the UU Fellowship Committee’s

rules and code of conduct.

If an applicant is accepted as a Candidate for Fellowship, they must then complete an extensive Career

Assessment with a body acceptable to the UUA. This assessment covers their commitment to ministry and a

psychological profile. The candidate is expected to complete academic preparation in Theology, Church

History, Hebrew & Christian Scriptures, World Religions, Social Theory & Social Ethics, Human

Development/Family Life Education/Ministry with Youth and Young Adults, UU History & Polity, UU

Religious Education, Theory, Method & Practice, Worship, Music, Aesthetics & Preaching, Pastoral Care &

Counseling, Leadership & Organization, Administration & Management, Personal and/or Spiritual

Development, Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression, & Multi-Culturalism, and Sexual Health, Sexual Boundaries, and

Sexual Justice. Candidates for Fellowship must complete a one-year parish internship (this is in addition to

the field placement our interns complete) and a clinical pastoral education (e.g., chaplaincy) internship. There

is a four-page reading list, with required readings and options under a number of categories.

All of the above effort is capped by an interview with the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC). In

scheduling this interview, the candidate must submit letters of reference from their congregational and

clinical internship supervisors, theological school instructors, and lay people they have worked with. The

candidate submits three 4-page essays relating to their understanding of their call to ministry, their

understanding of Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, and Multi-Culturalism, and ministry with youth. The MFC

interview includes a 10-minute sermon, and questions designed to test the candidate’s competency in all

areas of ministry.

Even after all of this preparation, a candidate might not be granted preliminary fellowship status. The MFC

can—and does—sometimes recommend that a candidate get additional preparation or remediation of

deficiencies before proceeding. The MFC can also decide that a person in unsuited to becoming a UU

minister.

Clearly, becoming a fellowshipped UU minister is no small accomplishment. We can be confident that even if

a minister is not a native English speaker, has a disability, or comes from a low-income background, they have

the skills needed to do the job. The Search Committee’s task is to find a minister who will be a good “fit” for

MSUS from a field of highly qualified applicants.

P a g e 7 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 0 5

50th ANNIVERSARY TRIVIA

MSUS purchased a small Episcopal church – now our sanctuary – in 1966. Of course

it had stained glass windows depicting common Christian symbols. But now, one is

different. Which one and why?

Barbara Hughes, Historian

50th Anniversary Trivia !!

TRIVIA QUESTION!! Which window is different and why?

BONUS QUESTION!? What was the design of the original window?

ANOTHER BONUS QUESTION!! What are the other symbols in the church

windows?

Answers Appear on Page 8

What do

you know???

Social Action Committee volunteers cooking at

Alexandra House in December. See Page 9 for all

the details!

P a g e 8 M i c h a e l S e r v e t u s U n i t a r i a n S o c i e t y

50th Anniversary Trivia Answers!!

TRIVIA QUESTION!! ANSWERS Which window is different?

The center of the stained glass window on the left of the sanctuary platform depicts a UU chalice. Gun shots

damaged the original center glass enough that it could not be repaired, nor could the antique glass be

matched. The UU chalice, in the form then widely in use by many UU churches, was copied by a commercial

glass artist and inserted into the framing. The chalice is similar to the one on the hymnals and the collection

envelopes. The replacement design was suggested by Bob Hughes. Plastic storm windows were installed

over all the windows to prevent other damage to the irreplaceable glass.

BONUS QUESTION ANSWERS

What was the design of the original window?

The original window featured a lamb carrying a cross over its shoulder.

BONUS QUESTION!!

What are other religious symbols in the church windows?

Anchor, cross, book, crown, dove, golden heart, lily.

UPPER LEFT: The Chalice Window. INSERT: Replica of the type of

art that appeared in the original window

UPPER CENTER: The ‘In Loving Memory’ window. Original

placement of the church had this window overlooking the Cemetery

on East River Road.

LOWER LEFT: The Flying Dove window was originally

commissioned by the Senior Guild of the Holy Trinity Episcopal

Church. Betsey, Lena and Mary Fridley, were members of the

Senior Guild.

RIGHT: One of the six windows depicting religious symbols line the

outer walls of the sanctuary. This window shows has the Cross as

its center image.

BELOW: The religious symbols from the remaining church

windows. The Lily, which is prominent in all three of the windows

at the front of the sanctuary is the only symbol that is repeated,

being the center window on both sides of the church.

P a g e 9 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 0 5

Social Action Committee By Brock Ray, Social Action Committee

Tacos, Collections, and Prayer On Saturday, December 19, 2015, MSUS members cooked a taco dinner for approximately 35

residents of Alexandra House in Blaine. The Social Action Committee would like to thank Katie

Johnson, Ah-li Monahan, Leslie Vissage, and Lois Burnett for dedicating their time and energy to help

these victims of domestic and sexual violence. If you are interested in serving dinner at Alexandra

House in the future, please contact Brock Ray or email socialaction@msuu.org.

Special Collections

For December’s Special Collection, MSUS donated $653 to replenish the Minister’s Discretionary

Fund. This is a fund that Rev. Karen can use as needed to help members of our congregation in times

of crisis. Thanks to you all for your generous donations.

Our January Special Collection will go to continue our church’s support of Meals on Wheels in Fridley

and the surrounding suburbs. A dedicated team of MSUS members led by Merle DeNuccio regularly

delivers meals to our neighbors in need. The next week of deliveries will be January 25–29. Let Merle

know if you are able to participate.

Prayer Service for the Mother Emanuel 9

On June 17, 2015, at 7:00pm Central, nine black people were shot dead at a Bible study and prayer

service at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. The Minnesota Council of Churches is

setting up a year-long series of weekly prayer vigils for those killed in this racially motivated attack.

On Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m., MSUS will be hosting the prayer service for the Mother

Emanuel AME shootings. We will be holding the Mother Emanuel AME congregation and families of

victims in prayer, meditating on systemic racism, and exploring ways to heal our country. One of the

values is to keep this experience in front of one another as an opportunity for witness and change.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this important ecumenical experience.

Call to Action

The MSUS Social Action Committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm in the

church library. All are welcome to join us as we plan social action programs and work to support the

community beyond our wall. Email socialaction@msuu.org for more information.

P a g e 1 0 M i c h a e l S e r v e t u s U n i t a r i a n S o c i e t y

SO LET’S TALK…

ABOUT POTLUCK

I have observed at potlucks that the last people in line often have little or no food available. So let’s

review a couple “rules” of potlucks.

1. Bring a dish large enough so that, IF YOUR FAMILY ATE NOTHING ELSE, their appetite

would be satisfied!

2. Let the disabled, temporarily impaired or elderly go first in line.

3. Offer to assist with getting drinks, utensils and plates for the same groups.

4. Select reasonable portions that you expect to consume completely.

5. Return for seconds ONLY AFTER everyone has been through the line their first time.

6. Supervise your children in selecting foods and portions.

7. Go to the end of the line unless you are an honored guest – speaker, UUA official, or Queen

of England!

8. Use the opportunity to sit by someone you would like to know better so you can chat.

Potlucks have been very successful events at MSUS over the years. Our largest Sunday attendance is

often on Potluck Sundays. While we invite visitors and those who forgot to bring a dish to share, that

practice only works if you carry your share of the duty.

If you have a favorite dish, consider making it your signature contribution. We immediately recognize

Michele Wallace’s wild rice casseroles, Kathy Burek’s “Chocolate Death” creations, Ben Withhart’s meat

bonanzas, Ninky Mullin’s bread pudding, MariCris Treuenfels’ Asian dishes and Marcia Marks salads. And

for many of us we remember in the years up to 2000, founders Edith Thompson (strawberry jello mold)

and Grace Smith (baked oysters) were potluck standards. These are grand traditions!

Our potluck lunches are not meant to be your main source of calories for the day so be considerate, do

your part and share generously.

Barbara Hughes

NEXT

POTLUCK

MARCH 13, 2016

P a g e 1 1 V o l u m e 4 9 , I s s u e 0 5

One of Our Own Needs Our Help!

We ask for your help!

A group of ten MSUS folks made a great start on December 29, 2015 in an effort to help Steve Shager

get his life back on track. It would be great if we could finish the work that we began. If you have a

couple of hours to offer for cleaning, laundry or filing his bills and paperwork, we would like to have a

second work party on Tuesday, January 5th at 5:00 pm or on Saturday, January 9th at 2:00 pm. (We

are certainly open to changing the dates/times).

We had a great time working together and Steve’s spirits have been lifted by the results. If you can join

the crew, please contact Ninky Mullin at 612 816 0252 or at ninkymullin@comcast.net.

Thank you so very much.

Ninky

WHERE ARE ALL THE DISH TOWELS??

We are down to our last four dish towels. There should be two drawers filled to

overflowing with dish towels. Does anyone know where the towels might be?

Renters of the building needed towels so we brought them in from members’ homes. If

the MSUS towels do not turn up soon we are going out to …. gasp ….. choke …..sputter

…...BUY new towels.

PLEASE— if you so kindly took towels home to wash after a concert, church service,

event, meeting, or potluck—check your trunk, under your bed, behind the sofa, in the

Christmas decoration boxes to see if you might find one or more of the church towels.

If you find some of the towels, please return them—clean

if possible, but if that is an issue—just return them. There

are a bunch of dishes drip drying in the drainer.

January Theme: Humanism (Source: Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance

of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of mind and spirit.)

January 3, 2016 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM

The MSUS and Community Solar Garden Connection

Speaker: Rick Condon Special Music (10:30 AM): Moira Stomberg—Vocal

Service Leader: Laures Young Hospitality: Marti Reckdahl’s Team

What are Unitarian Universalists in the Twin Cities doing to reduce their carbon footprint upon our beautiful Earth? Today's speaker will talk about a campaign started by members of some local UU congregations to do just that! Rick Condon, a member of a 5-church UU Coalition, will discuss how solar power can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for heating our homes and church buildings. He will explain how the coalition chose MN Community Solar as the solar garden company to produce and sell energy to the utility company in exchange for a 10% reduction on our heating bills - and how MSUSers can join in. Rick will also talk about how this campaign can fit into a broader effort for community engagement in clean energy policy.

January 10, 2016 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM Reverence and Respect

Speaker: Rev. Karen Gustafson Special Music (10:30 AM): Haley Shager—Vocal/Piano

Service Leader: Kate Burek Hospitality: Anna Paquette’s Team

Reverence and respect are two words used together – sometimes interchangeably. Where do these words fit into an understanding of our Unitarian Universalist humanist tradition? When seen as two different ways to relate to the “interdependent web of existence of which we are all a part” we see how they are parts of overlapping approaches to living mindfully and responsibly.

January 17, 2016 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM Who Owns the Sun?

Speaker: Chad Snyder and MSUS Children Special Music: TBD

Service Leader: Chad Snyder Hospitality: Marti Reckdahl’s Team

Join the children of MSUS as they explore the world's beauty and flaws, hope and despair, progress made and dreams still to be lived.

January 24, 2016 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM The Moral Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth

Speaker: Brock Ray Special Music (10:30 AM): MSUS Choir

Service Leader: Marie Phillips Hospitality: Doug Root’s Team

Most sermons about Jesus are focused on the virgin birth, the miracles he performed, or his crucifixion and resurrection. This is not one of those sermons. Instead, this Sunday we will look at Jesus’s beliefs about the nature of right and wrong as expressed through his words, stories, and deeds. How do those beliefs fit with the UU seven principles, and what do they tell us about the world we live in today? .

January 31, 2016 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM Are You a Humanist?

Speaker: Rev. Karen Gustafson Special Music (10:30 AM): TBD

Service Leader: Leslie Vissage Hospitality: Marti Reckdahl’s Team

A simple question? A complicated one? A question of consequence? Yes? No? Can you explain? If you were arrested for being a humanist, is there enough evidence to convict you?

January 2016 Services

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Minister:

Rev. Karen J Gustafson RevKaren@msuu.org

Office hours are flexible to meet the needs of the community.

Please call 763-571-9697 to schedule appointments.

MSUS is a vital and vibrant congregation where religious liberals of different

religious, political and social beliefs can join in loving community to explore

religious and ethical questions and serve the community beyond our walls.

The mission of Michael Servetus Unitarian Society is to:

Promote Unitarian Universalist traditions of liberty and respect, justice and compassion,

and the use of reason; empower our members in their search for meaning by fostering

intellectual and spiritual growth; support our members in living ethical lives based on

integrity and service; celebrate together and minister to one another in good times and

bad; and work, as individuals and as a congregation, to improve the larger community

and our natural environment

Submissions for the Newsletter need to be emailed to

office@msuu.org. Deadline for February Newsletter is

noon, January 20, 2016.

Announcements for Order of Service: need to be

emailed to office@msuu.org no later than Thursday

evening; if a late breaking event causes you to miss the

deadline, hand your legibly written announcement to

the Service Leader no later than 10:15am.

Phone: 763-571-5229

E-mail: office@msuu.org

Michael Servetus Unitarian Society

6565 Oakley Drive NE, Fridley, MN 55432

We’re on the Web!

MSUU.org

Office Administrator / Bookkeeper:

Elizabeth Hughes Hitomi office@msuu.org

Office hours are most Wednesdays 12 - 4 pm, most Fridays

from 8 -11 am and Sunday from 10:30 - 11:30 am. if you need

assistance outside these hours, please email office@msuu.org

Director of Religious Education:

Anna Paquette DRE@msuu.org

Please Contact Anna by email

Music Director:

Bruce Van Bronkhorst music@msuu.org

Please contact Bruce by email.

President: Lisa Monson-Hokenson Trustees: Christopher Greene

2015—2016

Board of Trustees

Vice-President: Kate Burek Connie Metcalf

Recording Secretary: Laures Young

Treasurer: Gerald Wichmann Jennifer Ray

Chad Snyder

A M e m b e r o f t h e

U n i t a r i a n

U n i v e r s a l i s t A s s o c i a t i o n o f

C o n g r e g a t i o n s

First, a big THANK YOU to all the participants in our Holiday Concert, I have often said how blessed I am to

have you wonderful people to work with!!!! And a thank you to all the parents for working with their boys and

girls to help them learn their three songs. The "Youth Choir" was a big hit!!

The choir is getting two weeks off for good (or is it bad?) behavior. We will get going again Wednesday, January 6,

at our regular 7:29 PM starting time. The band and choir and all the other groups will be working on "folk songs

from around the world" for our spring concert. If you have a favorite folk song you would like to perform at the

concert please let me know!! More on the spring concert in future newsletters

Our choir has received two invitations to partner with other churches for concerts this year. When we work out

the details of what we will be able to do we will let everyone know so you can come to the concerts.

We are looking for more singers and instrumentalists to join our

musicians. If you, or anyone you know, would like to toot, pluck, sing, or

make other musical sounds please come to our rehearsals, you will be

most welcome to sit in with us!

Bruce Van Bronkhorst

Director of tooters, pluckers, singers etc. MUSIC NOTES