Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Branerd/Pine River, MN 2/23/14
"Feast, Food, and Forum"...
Greetings! We have finally firmed up our plans for five food meetings, with our co-sponsor, Happy Dancing Turtle. As mentioned, we have a schedule to talk about food issues and sustainable food production for local people. To be held at the HUG campus in Pine River, with a potluck supper for those who wish to participate, there will be films, panels, and discussion. The topics and dates are as follows:
March 6: "The Greenhorns" and a panel of beginning farmers
March 20: Local foods and organic producers
April 3: Toxic Taters, and a panel discussion. About the use of chemicals in raising potato crops.
April 17: Bees, film and local beekeepers for discussion
May 1: GMOs; film featuring Jeffrey Smith, acclaimed author of "Seeds of Deception"
More details will be published as time goes on...
Schedules for March include March 8, with Arlene Jones talking about sustainable gardening, and March 29, when a panel of recovering mentally ill persons will talk about their experiences with services and what has helped or hindered their particular situations. To be held at the Nisswa library, 10:30 coffee, 11:00 service.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director 218-587-2543
NORTHWOODS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Post 28
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN 2/8/14
Dates for meetings have been problematical. In February, the next date is Feb. 15, at the Nisswa Library. The Spirit of Life program will continue, from the UUA Tapestry series. Melissa will lead. March dates are being changed, so watch the newsletter and the blog for details.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director
Greetings! A couple of items to report on today from this week's activity. On Wednesday, Barbara and Mary met with Happy Dancing Turtle folks, Quinn, Jim and Barb to discuss and plan for a series of programs on food issues. This will be a partnered series by NUUF and HDT. Topics will include: a potato panel; GMOs; local organic producers; bees; and young farmers. Dates were set up: March 6 and 20; April 3, 17; and May 1. These are Thursday nights, 5pm potluck dinner; 6pm, program. There will be films and speakers, either or both. We will help with publicity and other aspects as this is in development.
The other very exciting day was yesterday, Friday February 7th, when we met for a day-long workshop to set new goals for the coming year. This will be elaborated on later, via newsletter and website. But basically, we had the services of Barb Mann as facilitator, to help reexamine the mission statement, and set goals for the Fellowship, going back to the UU principles as the basis for programs and activities. Three main ideas were discussed and refined. Paraphrasing; One: practice a nurturing and stimulating format for gathering, to stretch our spiritual growth and strengthen our connections. Two: effectively serve as a catalyst in connecting with the broader community, acting on our principles and increasing our visibility. Three: grow our gathering body as a home for religious liberals. Tasks were assigned and dates for completion developed. Some very concrete 'how-to's' came out of this, concrete directions, which when set down on paper, illustrate a clearer road-map to achievement than we have had. More details will be forthcoming. This was a very inspiring way to look at our problems and figure out practical ways to address them. Many thanks to Barb Mann for guiding us through the process and making this work so rewarding!
Dates for meetings have been problematical. In February, the next date is Feb. 15, at the Nisswa Library. The Spirit of Life program will continue, from the UUA Tapestry series. Melissa will lead. March dates are being changed, so watch the newsletter and the blog for details.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Post 27
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, January 18, 2014
For further information, contact Pat Scott, from the Webpage.
We have been relatively inactive for a few weeks, mainly due to severe weather, which has impacted on many activities for many people and groups in the area. Today's service was held at the Nisswa Library; the topic was a Tapestry Service from the UUA website, called Spirit of Life: Exploring Spirituality for UUs. Since this is part of a series of programs, and was experienced so positively, we agreed to continue using this format from time to time. Today it centered on activities and participation by the members that focused on personal experiences and examination of understanding of this undefined realm on the individual level.
Discussion of future meetings led to a decision to cancel January 25th, which was to be a celebration of Martin Luther King's Day. The presenter will be unable to attend. So the next date is February 7th, when we will have a short Service on Standing on the Side of Love, and then a workshop on setting goals and the mission for the Fellowship, with the assistance of Barb Mann as facilitator. This will be held at Mary DeYoung's, 618 3rd St N., Pine River at 10:30. Pot luck lunch. A reminder: Back to Basics is held at the PR-B school on February 1st, with many workshops and artists/artisans work on display. Usually, we are present.
For further information, contact Pat Scott, from the Webpage.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Post 26
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River, MN
December 15, 2013
On December 11, the Fellowship held a planning meeting at Lakes Latte in Pequot Lakes. The next few months calendar was discussed and set up, with allowances for flexibility. We discussed several matters in connection with this. One was to keep our contacts open with the Union Church in Hackensack; they are continuing with native American outreach projects, with which we could partner in some manner. Mary will keep in touch with them. In this season, they, with other local churches, participated in a shoebox gift collection for families in need. We could add to that. Also there is a person on the Leech Lake reservation interested in providing wild rice for resale; we do not really have a venue for sales like that, but file it away for sometime later, or individuals can follow up.....The UUA has suggested action on the Standing on the Side of Love issue (marriage equality) in the 30day campaign, Jan 18 - Feb 16; we will bring ideas on this to the December 21st meeting.....We did followup on the UU workshop ideas from the November 9th meeting in Underwood, and decided to ask a traveling UU minister to do a program for us in May, on spirituality. We also decided to make a goal for each us to find a new person to invite into the fellowship in the coming year.....We are also contacting Happy Dancing Turtle to partner with them on food issues in the spring, probably a series of programs, and this is already in the planning stages.
The tentative calendar looks like this:
Jan 18 "Spirit of Life" from the UUA Tapestry website.
Jan 25 Martin Luther King Jr program.
Feb 1 Back to Basics at PRB School. All day workshops. General public.
Feb 8 Standing on the Side of Love program.
Feb 22 Sermon from Tapestry.
Mar 8 Sprout and CSA talk by Arlene Jones.
Mar 22 National Alliance on Mental Illness speaker.
Apr 12 Flower Service.
Apr 26 Annual Meeting (elections).
May 10 STOP program on sex trafficking.
May 17 or 31, guest minister.
June/July/Aug, second Sunday picnics, possibly attending a powwow...
Message from Pat: Save the date for a presentation at CLCC from 6:30 - 8:00, Monday January 27, on the Minnesota Safe Schools (anti-bullying) Act; HF 826, SF 783.
Our meeting on December 14 was held at Arbor Glen; Alison presented a talk on atheism, sharing a reading list from various writers on this topic, from various points of view. In the gradations of this philosophy, there are many on the continuum from the absolutists to the more agnostic humanists in definition. Deciding where one fits along this line, if at all, requires some self examination of beliefs and values. This was an interesting and enlightening talk; Alison will put out the reading list for us. We followed up with a concert by the local Legacy Chorale in downtown Brainerd with seasonal music and singalongs. Thanks to Luann Rice for hosting once again.
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director ......Happy Holidays.....
December 15, 2013
On December 11, the Fellowship held a planning meeting at Lakes Latte in Pequot Lakes. The next few months calendar was discussed and set up, with allowances for flexibility. We discussed several matters in connection with this. One was to keep our contacts open with the Union Church in Hackensack; they are continuing with native American outreach projects, with which we could partner in some manner. Mary will keep in touch with them. In this season, they, with other local churches, participated in a shoebox gift collection for families in need. We could add to that. Also there is a person on the Leech Lake reservation interested in providing wild rice for resale; we do not really have a venue for sales like that, but file it away for sometime later, or individuals can follow up.....The UUA has suggested action on the Standing on the Side of Love issue (marriage equality) in the 30day campaign, Jan 18 - Feb 16; we will bring ideas on this to the December 21st meeting.....We did followup on the UU workshop ideas from the November 9th meeting in Underwood, and decided to ask a traveling UU minister to do a program for us in May, on spirituality. We also decided to make a goal for each us to find a new person to invite into the fellowship in the coming year.....We are also contacting Happy Dancing Turtle to partner with them on food issues in the spring, probably a series of programs, and this is already in the planning stages.
The tentative calendar looks like this:
Jan 18 "Spirit of Life" from the UUA Tapestry website.
Jan 25 Martin Luther King Jr program.
Feb 1 Back to Basics at PRB School. All day workshops. General public.
Feb 8 Standing on the Side of Love program.
Feb 22 Sermon from Tapestry.
Mar 8 Sprout and CSA talk by Arlene Jones.
Mar 22 National Alliance on Mental Illness speaker.
Apr 12 Flower Service.
Apr 26 Annual Meeting (elections).
May 10 STOP program on sex trafficking.
May 17 or 31, guest minister.
June/July/Aug, second Sunday picnics, possibly attending a powwow...
Message from Pat: Save the date for a presentation at CLCC from 6:30 - 8:00, Monday January 27, on the Minnesota Safe Schools (anti-bullying) Act; HF 826, SF 783.
Our meeting on December 14 was held at Arbor Glen; Alison presented a talk on atheism, sharing a reading list from various writers on this topic, from various points of view. In the gradations of this philosophy, there are many on the continuum from the absolutists to the more agnostic humanists in definition. Deciding where one fits along this line, if at all, requires some self examination of beliefs and values. This was an interesting and enlightening talk; Alison will put out the reading list for us. We followed up with a concert by the local Legacy Chorale in downtown Brainerd with seasonal music and singalongs. Thanks to Luann Rice for hosting once again.
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director ......Happy Holidays.....
Friday, December 6, 2013
Post 25
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN
December 6, 2013
This evening we held the last of our gas/oil educational meetings, in partnership with Happy Dancing Turtle here in Pine River. It has been slightly below zero all day, so it was gratifying to have people turn out. The movie "Gasland" was the featured film, about the proliferation of gas wells all over the US, and attendant environmental hazards to land, air, water, and people. This particular film does not leave much to be optimistic about. While Minnesota and Wisconsin do not have large gas pools from which to extract energy, Wisconsin does have the optimal kind of sand for fracking, and Minnesota is a corridor to the Dakotas where it is used most heavily. No one escapes the impact of these industries.....on the Enbridge front, the public comment period by letter has closed (on Dec.5), but there are still public meetings to be scheduled where citizens can testify in person. We feel continuing to write political incumbents is still worth while.....I received a reply from Joshua Stevenson, Cass County Land Commissioner to a letter about the county possibly passing a moratorium on pipeline expansion. In it he says that on September 9, there was a CC Board Meeting, in which a motion passed to "respectfully decline endorsing any pipe line routes and report the same to Carlton County and Enbridge Energy, LLC." We think this could be overridden by the State....Meantime, the plot thickens: On December 5, the last day for written comments, Kennicott filed a holding request, as they say they have some prior leases on land Enbridge is negotiating for.....now that calls up some pictures! It would be funny if it didn't affect all of us one way or another....There is another film available on hydraulic fracturing and natural gas, called "Split Estate." It is available to netflix users for instant viewing; we will soon have a copy to share as well.
Next meeting is a planning meeting on December 11 at Lakes Latte in Pequot Lakes at 11:30. The next service will be on December 14 at Arbor Glen at 11, followed by a seasonal concert in Brainerd. The annual Solstice Meeting will be on December 21st at Barb's home in Pine River. For questions or comments, contact Pat or Mary.
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director 218-587-2543
December 6, 2013
This evening we held the last of our gas/oil educational meetings, in partnership with Happy Dancing Turtle here in Pine River. It has been slightly below zero all day, so it was gratifying to have people turn out. The movie "Gasland" was the featured film, about the proliferation of gas wells all over the US, and attendant environmental hazards to land, air, water, and people. This particular film does not leave much to be optimistic about. While Minnesota and Wisconsin do not have large gas pools from which to extract energy, Wisconsin does have the optimal kind of sand for fracking, and Minnesota is a corridor to the Dakotas where it is used most heavily. No one escapes the impact of these industries.....on the Enbridge front, the public comment period by letter has closed (on Dec.5), but there are still public meetings to be scheduled where citizens can testify in person. We feel continuing to write political incumbents is still worth while.....I received a reply from Joshua Stevenson, Cass County Land Commissioner to a letter about the county possibly passing a moratorium on pipeline expansion. In it he says that on September 9, there was a CC Board Meeting, in which a motion passed to "respectfully decline endorsing any pipe line routes and report the same to Carlton County and Enbridge Energy, LLC." We think this could be overridden by the State....Meantime, the plot thickens: On December 5, the last day for written comments, Kennicott filed a holding request, as they say they have some prior leases on land Enbridge is negotiating for.....now that calls up some pictures! It would be funny if it didn't affect all of us one way or another....There is another film available on hydraulic fracturing and natural gas, called "Split Estate." It is available to netflix users for instant viewing; we will soon have a copy to share as well.
Next meeting is a planning meeting on December 11 at Lakes Latte in Pequot Lakes at 11:30. The next service will be on December 14 at Arbor Glen at 11, followed by a seasonal concert in Brainerd. The annual Solstice Meeting will be on December 21st at Barb's home in Pine River. For questions or comments, contact Pat or Mary.
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director 218-587-2543
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Post 23
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River, MN
November 24, 2013
Before too much more time passes in this busy season, today's report has to do with the second Gas/Oil meeting in the series, held at Happy Dancing Turtle in Pine River on Friday, the 22nd. There was a light attendance. Marty Cobenais, MN Sierra Club board member, gave a Pipeline 101 slide presentation on the history of Enbridge's operations in our area, plans for expansion into northern Cass County, record of leaks and damage, and potential for adverse impact on the land, air, and water. He answered questions on his thoughts about how to try to protest and take action; basically, if one is a land owner whose property would be in the planned corridor, and you objected, banding together and hiring a lawyer skilled in environmental law and eminent domain would be the only way to stop Enbridge's approval to go ahead at the Public Utilities Commission. The public has only until December 5th to register opinions with the PUC, when the public comment period closes. There is scarcely time to organize the citizens who attended this meeting, much less be able to find an attorney who could take it on pro bono, and whether standing would be an issue would need to be addressed. Unless just as citizens is enough....it should be, in this democracy.....our suggestion is, get informed and write letters. To the County Commissioners. To your legislators. To your Senators. To your Congressmen. To your local papers. At least, don't let this slide into inevitability go down without giving voice to your concerns. If you listen at all to the Indigenous Environmental Networks postings on facebook, you will see that people just like us here in Cass County, are speaking up against the power of large corporations like Enbridge, who do not seem to answer to anyone......
Plans for NUUF's next meeting have changed. On the 14th of December, we will meet at Arbor Glen at 11am, and after, attend a Legacy concert at Tornstrum Hall in Brainerd.
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director
November 24, 2013
Before too much more time passes in this busy season, today's report has to do with the second Gas/Oil meeting in the series, held at Happy Dancing Turtle in Pine River on Friday, the 22nd. There was a light attendance. Marty Cobenais, MN Sierra Club board member, gave a Pipeline 101 slide presentation on the history of Enbridge's operations in our area, plans for expansion into northern Cass County, record of leaks and damage, and potential for adverse impact on the land, air, and water. He answered questions on his thoughts about how to try to protest and take action; basically, if one is a land owner whose property would be in the planned corridor, and you objected, banding together and hiring a lawyer skilled in environmental law and eminent domain would be the only way to stop Enbridge's approval to go ahead at the Public Utilities Commission. The public has only until December 5th to register opinions with the PUC, when the public comment period closes. There is scarcely time to organize the citizens who attended this meeting, much less be able to find an attorney who could take it on pro bono, and whether standing would be an issue would need to be addressed. Unless just as citizens is enough....it should be, in this democracy.....our suggestion is, get informed and write letters. To the County Commissioners. To your legislators. To your Senators. To your Congressmen. To your local papers. At least, don't let this slide into inevitability go down without giving voice to your concerns. If you listen at all to the Indigenous Environmental Networks postings on facebook, you will see that people just like us here in Cass County, are speaking up against the power of large corporations like Enbridge, who do not seem to answer to anyone......
Plans for NUUF's next meeting have changed. On the 14th of December, we will meet at Arbor Glen at 11am, and after, attend a Legacy concert at Tornstrum Hall in Brainerd.
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Post 22
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, November 10, 2013
Brainerd/Pine River MN
The first of three meetings on gas and oil exploitation was held on Friday, this week, at 5pm at Happy Dancing Turtle here in Pine River. About 20 people attended, with a great potluck supper to start. We viewed "Dirty Oil", the film about the tar sands development in Alberta, Canada, and its effects on the environment and the people living in the region. This is an eye opener for anyone who is not aware of the predominance of Canadian oil in our economy, and the costs to the planet of these demands by US consumers. Discussion followed, along the questions: ?is nuclear energy an option (not mentioned in the film); ?are biofuels sufficient for our needs; ?is there will to change; ?Political will; ?is there energy resiliency; ?enough emphasis on restoration farming; ?what about grain-based ethanol; ?what about combining alternative energies.....this conversation will continue in two weeks, on November 22, when Marry Cobenais will talk about pipelines, etc. Again thanks to Barb Beck of HDT for partnering with NUUF to bring this to our area!
On Saturday, November 9th, NUUF was invited to Underwood UU Church to participate in a day-long series of workshops on growing congregations. They are a small church, but full of lively interesting engaged UUs in all aspects of their community. Other congregations came from as far away as Bismarck ND to join in the day's discussions; we came away energized to rethink our goals and begin a fresh start! One great thing, we presented on the TTTT (Travelin Truth Telling Tour), and Underwood UUs asked to have it placed in their library for a time. Sure! We had brought it along, twenty +- books, and left it in the capable hands of Mary Anderson. The best thing was meeting all those other UUs, realizing that we are all in the work together, and finding support together....
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director NUUF
Brainerd/Pine River MN
The first of three meetings on gas and oil exploitation was held on Friday, this week, at 5pm at Happy Dancing Turtle here in Pine River. About 20 people attended, with a great potluck supper to start. We viewed "Dirty Oil", the film about the tar sands development in Alberta, Canada, and its effects on the environment and the people living in the region. This is an eye opener for anyone who is not aware of the predominance of Canadian oil in our economy, and the costs to the planet of these demands by US consumers. Discussion followed, along the questions: ?is nuclear energy an option (not mentioned in the film); ?are biofuels sufficient for our needs; ?is there will to change; ?Political will; ?is there energy resiliency; ?enough emphasis on restoration farming; ?what about grain-based ethanol; ?what about combining alternative energies.....this conversation will continue in two weeks, on November 22, when Marry Cobenais will talk about pipelines, etc. Again thanks to Barb Beck of HDT for partnering with NUUF to bring this to our area!
On Saturday, November 9th, NUUF was invited to Underwood UU Church to participate in a day-long series of workshops on growing congregations. They are a small church, but full of lively interesting engaged UUs in all aspects of their community. Other congregations came from as far away as Bismarck ND to join in the day's discussions; we came away energized to rethink our goals and begin a fresh start! One great thing, we presented on the TTTT (Travelin Truth Telling Tour), and Underwood UUs asked to have it placed in their library for a time. Sure! We had brought it along, twenty +- books, and left it in the capable hands of Mary Anderson. The best thing was meeting all those other UUs, realizing that we are all in the work together, and finding support together....
Submitted by Mary DeYoung, News Director NUUF
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