Services for 2003 - 2004

September 14, 2003 - November 2, 2003	No services held. Work on building.
November 9, 2003	No services held. Council Meeting.
November 16, 2003	What have you been reading lately? Those present can share their recommendations and thoughts on books they have read recently. You are especially encouraged to include books that either challenge or affirm UU principles or you own beliefs.
November 23, 2003	"DUUC: Past Present and Future" : DUUC member Grant Pylkas will help us examine where we've been and where we're going, and why.
November 30, 2003	"The Gnostic Gospels" lead by Roxann Snyder, DUUC member. What are they" What is their significance? In December 1945, 13 papyrus books were discovered inside an earthen jar by an Arab peasant in upper Egypt. The texts came to be sold on the black market for a profit and an intense international competition for ownership and access to these documents was set in motion. These texts were eventually identified as the Gnostic gospels and the revolutionized the traditional understanding of the origins of Christianity. During this service Roxann Snyder will offer a review of the books "The Gnostic Gospels" and "Beyond Belief" written by the biblical scholar, Elaine Pagels. (Did you know that Jesus had a brother, James, who was a Gnostic Christian?)
December 7, 2003	Priscilla J. Herbison will be speaking on anger and forgiveness. Nothing can sabotage a marriage, a family, a friendship, or even a whole lifetime more effectively than anger denied, misplaced, unexpressed, or unresolved. But many of us have been taught that anger is shameful, a sin or a weakness and it should be buried. It's time to re-examine that concept and make anger a well-managed force for good in our lives. It's time to re-discover the power of forgiveness and the peace forgiving ourselves and others can bring. Priscilla J. Herbison has been an educator for more than 33 years. She received a law degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois. Herbison currently serves as a professor at Saint Mary's University, where she is the program director of the Master of Arts in Human Development Program. In 1998, she received the George christianson Award for Excellence from Saint Mary's. This award honors outstanding leadership and integrity in higher education and has only been given five times in the University's history. Herbison is the co-author of another book in the God Knows Series: God Knows Grandparents Make a Difference (2003).
December 14, 2003	"How Can I Keep From Singing"; DUUC Program Committee Chair Chuck McKown examines literalism and symbolism in Christian music and shares his thoughts on how non-Christians can deal with traditional lyrics and texts.
December 21, 2003	Welcome the Sun! We will sings songs of good cheer, read poems, eat of the yule log, and drink spiced cider in our annual celebration of the rebirth of life. Come, share your joyous wishes for the new year, and hail the return of light!
December 28, 2003	"Food for Thought", by DUUC RE Chair Kelly McKown American children are increasingly becoming overweight and suffering from many health issues that were previously considered 'adult' diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Our government, businesses, and schools are not protecting our children's health. We will examine this issue and discuss what we can do to protect our children's health.
January 4, 2004	Building Dedication, led by DUUC Program Committee Chair Chuck McKown. Come join the fellowship of DUUC as we celebrate the grand opening of our new church space, and help us bless with your presence our 'Space of Sanctity'.
January 11, 2004	Sue Martin, a member of Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship, a homemaker, student at Hamline University and active volunteer in the Lakeville school district including the ISD 194 Diversity Advisory Council, will tell us about that work as well as the positive activities that resulted from the printing of an anti-tolerance newspaper editorial.
January 18, 2004	Ann Chamberlin Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, accused of witchcraft. Did magic and "the craft" really play a role in her ability to defeat the English? Writer and historian Ann Chamberlin will read from and discuss her successful published book series about Joan of Arc.
January 25, 2004	Brenda Elsagher This funny lady took a sad experience and was transformed in it through the use of humor. A cancer survivor, Brenda will entertain and enlighten us with her experience on the taboo subject of colon cancer. Since her diagnosis, she won the title of Twin Cities Funniest Person, Newsmaker of the year by the Women's Press, and received the Golden 'Mic' award from the American Cancer Society. Brenda is currently the President of The United Ostomy Association of Minneapolis and just finished writing her book entitled, 'If the Battle is Over, Why Am I Still in Uniform?'
February 1, 2004	Rev. Barbara Kellett will help us explore the four different forms of Spiritual Types. Since 80% of UU's come from other faith traditions, as you listen to the definitions, consider which type or types have been in your life before coming to this church and which is your preference now.
February 8, 2004	Guest speaker, Lise Wolff, will explain the principles of herbalism, including how herbs remind the body how to heal itself, how they encourage flow on both the physical and emotional levels, and how they cure what they cause and cause what they cure. She will compare western herbalism to allied healing practices such as homeopathy, flower essences, and Chinese medicine and explain how herbalism practiced in the Midwest is different from how it is practiced in the rest of the U.S. and the world.
February 15, 2004	"Living the Dream", Pamela Vincent will explore our UU beginnings in 16th century Transylvania . We commonly refer to King John Sigismund as the "only Unitarian king in history." But was he the first Unitarian monarch? Pamela Vincent, a Worship Associate and member of First U Church of Mpls., uses historical texts, music and dramatization to tell the story of the dream behind the crown.
February 22, 2004	"Eros Unveiled", led by guest speaker Jaime Meyer. Spring will soon be breaking loose on the landscape, filling the world around us--and in us--with the Erotic, as in "Eros"--the life force--embodied. In this service we will drum up the life force. Jaime Meyer, a member of First Universalist Church, is a playwright, drummer, father, husband and gardener who holds a masters' degree in theology and the arts from United Seminary of the Twin Cities. His work blends western theology with shamanic and mystical traditions from around the world.
February 29, 2004	"How Political Should Our Sunday Services Be?", led by DUUC Program Committee Chair Chuck McKown. "It is nearly impossible to completely separate religious belief and politics. What's the right balance for DUUC between addressing political issues that stir our beliefs and having more spiritual ' worship' services.
March 7, 2004	Kelly McKown, DUUC member, speaks on sevens.
March 14, 2004	Margaret Kinney - All of you who may have some inspirational e-mails, please print them out and bring them to the service. Some e-mails are really quite inspirational, or have a lot of wisdom. The humorous ones are good too, if they are rated PG. So, please bring in some of those e-mails, since the ones I have will only take about 5 minutes to read. I can read yours for you, if you are feeling shy that day.
March 21, 2004	Bernie Molitor, who is active in DFL politics and Lakeville Community Education will speak about a new effort in business ethics
March 28, 2004	Zafar SiddiquI, President of Islamic Resource Group, will share information on Islam, including: Basic Beliefs, Difference between Islam and Culture, Five Pillars (practices) of Islam and Challenging stereotypes. www.islamicResourceOnline.org
April 4, 2004	"The Elevator speech", a play by Jaime Meyer, will be presented by the Program Committee, which is based on UUA President William Sinkford's call to have our UU elevator speech ready. We will also welcome new members to DUUC.
April 11, 2004	Chuck Mckown, DUUC member, will lead a discussion on "What is your elevator speech?", based the play "The Elevator speech", by Jaime Meyer.
April 18, 2004	Annual Meeting: Members, be part of the democratic process within your church. Today, we will be voting on new officers, new organization and space. For our guest and friends, come learn how our church operates and share with us your visions of how DUUC can help you in your spiritual journey.
April 25, 2004	Finding Spirituality in Children's Books , led by Mary Whitfield, DUUC member. She will read several different children's stories and discuss how she sees them in a spiritual way.
May 2, 2004	Should I Pray? Do You?, led by Mary Whitfield, DUUC member. She'll be discussing her struggles with what prayer means to her and looking at what some authors have to say on the subject.
May 9, 2004	Margaret Kinney, DUUC member, will lead us in our annual Flower Communion. Celebrate Mother's Day and honor Mother Earth with flowers when you join us for our traditional Flower Communion Service with readings and words by Holocaust victim Dr. Norbert Capek's original 1923 Blessing of the Flowers. You are invited to bring living plants or cut flowers to share with the congregation.
May 16, 2004	Valeng David Cha is a nonprofit management consultant providing program planning and development, fundraising, research and evaluation, and information technology. He is a member of the Hmong community and active in many health, education and peace efforts. Born in Laos , raised in the Frogtown and East St. Paul neighborhoods, he currently lives with his wife and family in Cottage Grove . Valeng will speak about the experience of the Hmong (a brief history, immigration, social/economic struggles, and current events and issues).
May 23, 2004	DUUC Member Shalamar Sibley speaks on Dreams [SDS], examining them from the often-at-odds pragmatic, scientific perspective, and the mystical perspective. Why do we dream? Does dreaming benefit us physiologically? Is dreaming a way to connect with a spiritual aspect of ourselves? Are the two views exclusive of each other?
May 30, 2004	Memorial weekend - There will be no services until Sept 12. Have a great summer.