Services for 2006 - 2007

September 10th, 2006	DUUC Open House. Let’s get together and visit! Eat lunch, listen to Chuck McKown present some UU history, and hear updates on church business. A signup has been distributed via email for people to bring food for a cold sandwich buffet. If you didn’t get to sign up, that’s OK, bring a desert and come anyways.
September 17th, 2006	"Merging of the Elements" by Roxann Snyder. Bring prose (poetry written by you or someone else) about what vacation/summer means to you. Also bring pictures, stories, wood, water and/or stones from your summer vacation.
September 24th, 2006	Reverend In training, Kelli Clement, will be here to celebrate the Fall Equinox with us. She has an extensive background as a theatre performer and as always, when Kelli comes to visit we get to hear her sing!
October 1st, 2006	"Death: The Great Equalizer" by Jane Koster. Are you prepared for a death in your family? We prepare for pregnancies, but are inadequately prepared when a death happens to someone close. Yet death is inevitable, for all of us. Koster is a social worker who has spent 16 years working in hospice care
October 8th, 2006	"The Language of Faith" a discussion led by Chuck McKown. What terminology used in the predominant Christian culture for faith and worship are readily adaptable for Unitarian Universalism, and which ones just don't fit?
October 15, 2006	Composer Elizabeth Alexander has written over 25 professionally commissioned works for orchestras, choirs, chamber ensembles and solo musicians. Since earning her doctorate in composition from Cornell University, she has received grants, awards and fellowships from various national foundations. Her choral music, which has been her compositional focus for the past decade, has been performed by hundreds of choirs worldwide. Elizabeth will speak on the subject of "On Finding My Voice --- or Not". No matter who we are, there's pressure to create ourselves into something that has a great label, whether it's a seminal artist, a dedicated doctor, a mother of four, or the life of the party. Elizabeth will share her journey of finding her own voice and a meditation on what it is for anyone to "find their voice."
October 22, 2006	Dale McGowan will present "Citizens of the World: Universalism’s Golden Thread" and he will contrast exclusive and inclusive worldviews. Inclusivity is the defining feature of Universalism specifically and the UU denomination generally, while exclusivity seems to dominate our national political and religious mood at this point. McGowan has degrees in anthropology and music, including PhD in Composition (University of Minnesota). He teaches courses in music and an interdisciplinary course in writing and critical thinking at the College of St. Catherine in Saint Paul.
October 29, 2006	Rev. Eleazar Fernandez teaches at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He will lead a discussion about death and the Philippino fiesta that celebrates dead ancestors. Rev. Fernandez wears many hats as a Pastor, Professor, Mission Interpreter and Mission Volunteer, Community Organizer, and an Exposure Trips Organizer-Leader
November 5, 2006	Rev Joan Oliver Goldsmith "The Act of Followership". Joan Oliver Goldsmith's book "How Can We Keep From Singing" explores how making music - or pursuing any life passion - can provide source material for creating a joyful, deeply spiritual life. Goldsmith reviews classical music for St. Paul Pioneer Press and sings with MN Chorale; B.A. Music, Oberlin College; MBA, Carlson Executive MBA Program, U of M.
November 12, 2006	Bruce Peck and Roxann Snyder will present the topic, "Separation of Church and State". We will look at the development of this concept in America, and the competing interpretations of how it is viewed today. In addition, we will examine the tax implications for our fellowship in how political issues may be handled.
November 19, 2006	Nancy Donoval tells stories of the moments in life, large and small, which shape who we are. She comes to us as a result of DUUC member Margaret, who saw Nancy at the Fringe Festival and thought she was terrific. A professional storyteller for almost 20 years, Nancy has performed at festivals around the country including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. She is also a teacher, story coach and communications consultant. Nancy will tell a wonderful story about her father, and also share some experiences about the impact of storytelling.
November 26th, 2006	Bruce Peck has been captivated by the controversial painting by a French artist named Jean Franccois Millet, called L'homme a' la houe,(circa 1860) which was the inspiration for the poem by Edwin Markham called, The Man With A Hoe, (circa 1925). He will share the strong connections between the inhumanity of humanity expressed in these two pieces and the reality of what is happening today.
December 3rd, 2006	Rev Dr Nadean Bishop from the MN Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice will be presenting "A Lesbian Grandmother's Theology of Reproductive Justice". After the elections, where do we go from here? The Rev. Dr. Nadean Bishop was pastor of the University Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Executive Director of the MN Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and is a writer.
December 10th, 2006	“From Puritan to America” by Dr Phillip Griffin. Dr Griffin, who is a retired Professor of Philosophy and Religious studies and the author of the book “Jesus as Brother”, will compare the MayFlower Compact with the Declaration of Independence.
December 17th, 2006	Rev. Joan Fairchild, a priest in the Order of Christ/Sophia, will be our guest speaker. The Order of Christ Sophia is a mystical Christian order, founded in 2000, which honors the male and female God, as well as Christ and Mary. The order believes that every person can have direct access to the God within.
December 24th, 2006	We will celebrate this sacred time of year with traditional and non-traditional Christmas music. We will also be welcoming several new members into our church. Come ready to sing and celebrate our new members! We will have a Christmas party with eggnog and have a “Bring a gift, take a gift” exchange.
December 31st, 2006	"Looking back, Looking ahead" service for New Years Eve. We will discuss the past and coming years, our concerns, hopes and things for which we are grateful.
Jan 7th, 2007	DUUC member Mary Whitfield and her friend Seth Boyd will present Lee Ann Womak's song "I Hope You Dance". Seth will sing while Mary reads.
Jan 14th, 2007	Kathleen Maloney will present "The Commons is Rising". Maloney is the coordinator of Tomales Bay Institute that is developing the commons as a new model of politics, economics and culture. Their work is rooted in the belief that many forms of wealth--nature, knowledge, public institutions--belong to us all. The Institute encourages new policies, public understanding and community-based strategies to protect and extend the common wealth.
Jan 21st, 2007	DUUC Member Kelly McKown will present "The Spirituality of Parenting". The experience of parenting tends to raise challenging spiritual questions. We sense that there is a spiritual aspect to our children's natures and wonder how to support and nurture it without dogma or absolutes. Chuck and Kelly McKown will lead a discussion on how to help children have a spiritual life and remind us that they need our questions as much as our answers.
Jan 28th, 2007	A representative from Alliance for Sustainability will speak to us about the Minnesota energy challenge and upcoming Minnesota issues that impact the problem of Global Warming. We will discuss actions that we can take right now to reduce our energy consumption.
Feb 4th, 2007	Michael Andregg, Ph D. teaches at the University of MN and at St Thomas. He is an advocate of reform in the intelligence community. Did you know that mental illness is common amongst spies? Andregg will present "Major Problems in the American Intelligence Community".
Feb 11th, 2007	Meri Firpo is a stem cell scientist at the University of Minnesota. She and her colleagues at the Stem Cell Institute are trying to find treatments and cures for illnesses such as diabetes, Parkinson's, and heart disease. Firpo's research focuses on diabetes. She's trying to create insulin-producing cells for transplant into patients with the disease.
Feb 18th, 2007	Hope and Fear are fundamentally religious subjects, about which Unitarian Universalism has much to teach (and learn). The UU Gospel Twins take up these subjects with their customary combination of song, story, and reflections.
Feb 25th, 2007	Sue Babcock, a clinical psychologist, will present "Love Your Body, Love Your Life", overcoming the struggles with food, weight, and body image. Utilizing your spirituality to make peace with food and weight issues.
March 4th, 2007	Vitality Sunday: The vitality of an organization measured by the energy and commitment of its members. Vitality Sunday is an opportunity to share dialogue about our vision of what we want from this religious community. It will be a time to consider our pledges in light of the financial obligations we have to keep this community operating. We will have a brunch while we discuss these topics. Come ready to share your thoughts and to share a meal!
March 11th, 2007	Michael Thompson Isaac; Psychic Medium and Consultant. Mediums are those that actively communicate with Earth-departed souls. There are many types of Earth-departed souls, and Michael is open to communicate from any and all of them. Oftentimes he sees intricate coordination between the etheric and the physical in order to engineer a persons’ consultation. Michael will discuss how he came to be a medium, what he does and he may actually provide a reading during the service.
March 18th, 2007	"Are our Ideas About Happiness an Illusion?" by John Billig. Are our ideas about happiness "normal" or "abnormal"? Do we cause more suffering in our lives by pursuing unworkable strategies to achieve happiness? How do normal language processes lead us to persist in doing what does not work? Billig works as a clinical psychologist at the VA Medical Center and he will speak to us about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how this method can assist us in moving toward living a more vital life. Very Eastern sounding ideas coming from Western behavioral science.
March 25th, 2007	"This I Believe" - 3 members of Dakota UU church will share their thoughts on their spiritual journey, in one of our most popular lay-led services. Program Committee member Chuck McKown will lead the service.
April 1st, 2007	Sue Babcock, a clinical psychologist will present “Love Your Body, Love Your Life” overcoming the struggles with food, weight, and body image. Use your spirituality to make peace with food and weight issues.
April 8th, 2007	“Crow River” with DUUC member Grant Pylkas. Grant will share with us the first two chapters of his new book, which will set us adrift in the late sixties with a group of high school kids doing high school things.......what waits for them in the Viet Nam era will force decisions that they were not aware of.........and will impact their lives for ever. You will meet Kelly the Native American fishing guide and his friend "P"...... Hold on for a great set up that will keep you wanting more.
April 15th, 2007	Bruce Peck will lead “Generosity Sunday: A Pathway to Peace”. The national Network of Spiritual Progressives has designated April 15, 2007 as "Generosity Sunday." We will be participating in this national event with other congregations, faith groups and non-religious groups of caring citizens who believes in the power of love and generosity to create a healing transformation in the world.
April 22nd, 2007	Many of us have expressed a desire over the years to learn American Sign Language (ASL), so we may communicate with people who are unable to speak. Life events in our church have made this skill more pertinent for our community. Denise Meyer will lead us as a community in learning basic ASL.
April 29th, 2007	DUUC’s annual meeting where we will elect next year’s officers and review next year’s budget.
May 6th, 2007	Minister in training Kelli Clement will be speaking. There will be more on this service later.
May 13th, 2007	Mother’s Day and the annual Flower Communion.
May 20th, 2007	Last service of this year.