Services for 2005 - 2006

June 12, 2005	An informal gathering to discuss the following topic: Self Esteem and Humility are kids getting too much of one or the other? What's the proper balance?
July 10, 2005	An informal gathering to discuss the following topic: TBD.
August 14, 2005	An informal gathering to discuss the following topic: Kelly and I will be glad to start off the conversation by sharing our Camp UniStar experience. If other "UniStar-ians" want to contribute regarding their week, that would be great. Kelly, the kids and I will be just getting back the day before the service.
September 11, 2005	DUUC will host an Open House for the public, beginning at our regular meeting time, 10:30. Please bring some food or drink to share. Bruce and Chuck will cook up some music, and we’ll have special events going on for our visitors.
September 18, 2005	Our first official service of the year will be a Nature Communion. Bring your water, rocks, trigs, air, clouds, or other souvenirs from your summer nature experiences. We'll share the stories behind them.
September 25, 2005	Mike Tikkamen will present "Invisible Children" a service about the effects of abuse on children, the effects of abused children on our community, state, and nation and what needs to change. Tikkamen has experience as a guardian ad-litem and hears of research on children's issues.
October 2, 2005	David Flom will present his slide show of his travels to Africa in search of the animals used in ancient Egyptian burials. These animals no longer exist in Egypt and can only be found in Africa.
October 9, 2005	Kevin Lynch Recovery at Work one organization which helps addicts and alcoholics gain sobriety, self-sufficiency and pathway to service is Rebuild Resources the "Hazelden for the have-notes" Rebuild helps people earn their own recovery by providing meaningful employment in businesses it operates. In turn, these businesses provide the revenue streams to pay for its programs, making the organization nearly self-sufficient. Kevin Lynch is the president of Rebuild Resources and will speak about the challenges as well as the rewards of the work of his organization. Kevin will show that there can be a future with increased hope and that there is reward for those who simply require a little extra work.
October 16, 2005	Chris Hedge’s book War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning is a powerfully written book about the realities of war. For example, he says that there has never been a war that was fought for the reasons that were given for the war. Bruce Peck and Mary Whitfield will make a presentation about this book. People are invited to read the book prior to this service.
October 23, 2005	"Intelligent Design: Science or Religion?" Roxann Snyder will lead a service investigating the current controversy between proponents of natural selection and proponents of Intelligent Design.
October 30, 2005	"The Problem of Suffering" by Rev. Mary Samuels The problem of suffering speaks of the differences between Christian, Islamic, Jewish and UU interpretations of suffering, as well as some reflection on the impact of it in our lives.
November 6, 2005	Day of the Dead is a traditional service at our church, acknowledging those who have died. If you wish, bring a memory and/or a memento of your deceased loved ones.
November 13, 2005	Kelli Clement and Paul Riedesel are the UU Gospel Twins and members of First Universalist Church in Minneapolis. They're a very accomplished musical duo that weaves word and song into a compelling program with songs and stories spanning three centuries.
November 20, 2005	"UU Principles and the Creative Artist:" Richard Terrill, creative writing teacher at Minnesota State University in Mankato, will talk about the affinities between the creative process in the arts and what UUs profess and practice in their faith.
November 27, 2005	A Child Dedication Ceremony: This is an all-generation service, a morning of welcome and recognition when we open our minds and hearts to all of the non-adult members of our congregation. Through prayers, blessings and interactive readings, as responsible and caring adults, we will dedicate ourselves to our many DUUC children.
December 4, 2005	"Everyday Spiritual Practices for UU’s" Rev. Barbara Kellet will visit us to explore the nature, variety and intentionality of spiritual practices as we discover the sacredness of our life journeys. Expand peace and ease in the midst of life’s inevitable demands, suffering and chaos
December 11, 2005	Rev. Don Rollins, a UU minster from Hanska, MN will present a service entitled "Theism is Dead: Long Live God".
December 18, 2005	Bruce Peck will lead us in a ceremony to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
January 1, 2006	Chuck McKown and John Noyes will lead us in a New Year’s Day reflection and reviewing of the past year. We’ll also look at personal goals and your hopes and dreams in general.
January 8, 2006	Mark your calendars! Peter Mayer will join us with lots of music. Peter is a member of the White Bear UU congregation and is a well-known singer/songwriter.
January 15, 2006	"Each of Us Has a Name." Mary Whitfield will present ideas based on a song with this same title by Zero Church.
January 22, 2006	Ms. Fedwa Wazwaz will speak about building bridges of understanding between Muslims and Christians and will talk about similarities in our faith, values and ethics.
January 29, 2006	Chante Wolf is a representative of Vets for Peace and a photographer. She will share her experiences from the first Gulf War.
February 5, 2006	Several members of DUUC will present their own beliefs and spiritual ideas in "This I Believe". Members may share experiences which have brought them to their current place. Hopefully additional members will want to participate in other sharing Sundays.
February 12, 2006	"Recovery From Addiction: A Spiritual Journey." Dave Chamberlain and Allen Holbert, friends of DUUC, will talk about their spiritual journey in relation to, and perhaps because of, their addiction to alcohol and their subsequent recovery process.
February 19, 2006	Dawn Cooley, who is a student minister in candidate status with the UUA and has graduated with a Masters in Divinity from United Theological Seminary will share "What Binds Us Together". Dawn was a guest speaker at our church last year.
February 26, 2006	Coleen Rowley, ex-FBI agent and now a candidate for U.S. Congress, will present "Balancing Civil Liberties with The Need For Effective Investigation". This subject covers the current controversy regarding the NSA's spying on U.S. citizens. Rowley has significant experience and knowledge regarding this controversy.
March 5, 2006	"Vitality Sunday" The vitality of an organization is measured by the energy and commitment of its members. Vitality Sunday is an opportunity to share dialogue about what this religious community means to us as members, look at the fiscal demands that must be met, and step up to the plate with our personal commitments to contribute to those needs. The program will include a full report from our treasurer and financial director, and a review and assessment of the building and development needs for the coming year.
March 12, 2006	Jamie Meyer will be here to share a spring equinox celebration with drumming.
March 19, 2006	A pagan spring ritual will be lead by Kelli Clement, of the Gospel Twins. This will be Kelli's second time visiting DUUC this year. She has had 20 years experience in theatre and she has a wonderful voice!
March 26, 2006	DUUC youth group will lead a "This I Believe" service.
April 2, 2006	Vicki Gee-Taft will present "Trip To Bolivia: My Story". Her presentation will include photos on her travels in Bolivia.
April 9, 2006	"Stories From Church: A Slightly Critical Mass" Back by popular demand, Rev. Don Rollins from Hanska will lead this service.
April 16, 2006	Margaret Kinney and Roxann Snyder will lead an Easter celebration. We will look at old pagan rituals and new mystic beliefs.
April 23, 2006	Bruce Peck will present "Collaborative Law". Bruce is one of the founding members of this new paradigm in the practice of family law. Beginning with it's creation in 1991, we will look at how this concept has grown throughout the United States and Canada, and examine the enduring principles that have anchored it as an emerging foundation for family law.
April 30, 2006	Members of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) will tell us about Women in Black, a world-wide movement against violence. Through videos, readings and photos, we will learn more about this international movement designed to eliminate violence.
May 7, 2006	Annual Meeting: We will be having a brunch while we discuss our plans for next year including our budget. Elections will be held for next years' chair positions. Of course, people are always welcome to volunteer! Everybody is welcome (members & non-members alike). We will spend a few moments of gratitude as we review all the various tasks done by various people through out the past year. We will have a party and give away prizes!
May 14, 2006	We will celebrate a Flower communion. People are invited to bring flowers or plants to exchange with others. The Flower seeds planted during the spring equinox ritual (with Kelli Clement) have SPROUTED! They will be available for all to share and take home or plant at church.
May 21, 2006	End of year ceremony. This is our last service for the year and we will have a short service to commemorate the end of a lovely year. Then we'll go outside for a picnic & gardening. Bring something to grill, something to drink and something to share! For those of you who would like to help with gardening, there will be a work crew transplanting 2 trees, while others plant flowers and rake. So bring a rake & work gloves if you feel inclined! Otherwise, join us for fellowship.