March 5, 2009 – Free Congregation Newsletter
March 5, 2009
Dear Members and Friends,
If anyone forgets to set your clock ahead when you turn in this Saturday night – or, if you’re like me, early Sunday morning – you’ll arrive at Park Hall in time to help me set up for the 10:00 a.m. program; in which case, I would welcome your company. If you all forget to set your clocks ahead, we’ll socialize for the better part of an hour and almost certainly start the program on time. So consider yourselves forewarned! (Just for the record, this is the earliest start to daylight savings time ever!)
-MichaelThis Sunday’s UU Service
Andrew Kerr will lead the service and offer a Reflection on the subject of “The Religious Importance of Local Food”:
Our economy is driven by the pursuit of profit, even as our religious values tell us that money-making must serve the larger goal of improving human love. How are we to pursue our livelihoods without contributing to a society driven by money and wealth accumulation? Andrew will suggest that the more we can make our economics local, the more we can make a living and love others well. Local food is perhaps the best example of this emerging local economy.
Music will be provided by Jack Holzhueter and will feature two works by Robert Schumann. Greeters for this Sunday’s program are Glen Johnson… and whoever would like to come at 9:45 and volunteer! (Thank you!)
NOTE: Andrew will be the featured speaker at the “Live, Use, Buy Local Resources Show” on Saturday, March 14th, at the Spring Green Community Church, 151 E. Bossard St. in Spring Green. Andrew will speak at 11:00 a.m. on the topic of The Political and Economic Ramifications of Buying Local. The event runs from 8:30am to 4:00pm and is free to the public. Fliers are available at Park Hall.
Special Congregation Meeting to Follow the Program
This will be our second attempt to muster a quorum and vote on the Budget Amendment approved by the Board two months ago. So don’t be surprised when we ask members to remain in their seats after Jack Holzhueter plays the postlude! The Board is requesting that the congregation approve an additional $7,838 in expenditures for the 2008-09 fiscal year. All members and pledging friends have received a copy of the budget amendment details.
Circle, Mark, Highlight APRIL 18th on Your Calendars!
An RSVP invitation will be coming your way soon. HOWEVER, IF YOU’VE RECEIVED THIS NEWSLETTER via EMAIL, AND WOULD LIKE TO SAVE US SOME POSTAGE, PLEASE REPLY TO IT AND TELL US (with as much absolute certainty as a freethinking person can muster):
Are you coming to the April 18th event? (Yes or No)
How many will be coming from your household?
How many of you would prefer a vegetarian meal?
If you don’t know what we’re referring to, please read on:
On Saturday evening, April 18th, your Board of Directors, in association with the Stewardship Committee, is providing a FREE catered dinner for all members and contributing friends of the congregation. The purpose: to do something new, different, effective, and FUN with our annual pledge campaign. If we can get nearly all of our membership in the same place at the same time, who knows what wonders might happen! In addition to a scrumptious dinner – courtesy of anonymous donors – the evening will offer entertainment in the form of a square dance.
“Intro to the Free Congregation” to Be Offered this Spring
Every now and again we try to convene a session for anyone interested in learning more about how the Free Congregation works, runs, and plays. Usually this is attended by new members and people considering membership, but it is not a membership sign-up session, and no pressure will be exerted in that respect. Who participates? We always try to have some combination of the following: one or two Board members, Membership chair, Speaker, Administrator, a fairly new member, and a long-time member. If anyone is interested in participating in such a meeting in April or May, please reply to this email or talk to Michael at your earliest convenience.
Harold Kruse’s Book Now Available at Park Hall
Several copies of Harold’s new book, Dear Editor, are now available for purchase at Park Hall. The suggested asking price is $20. The book contains a selection of Harold’s letters-to-the-editor and commentary on environmental issues and concerns of the last 50 years.
Country Two-Step Continues
This is week two of Country Two-Step with Ruth Corrao and Matt Baumgartner, 12:00-1:15pm. The class will continue on March 15 and 22. For registration and more information, call RuthAnn at 643-3488.
Upcoming Programs, Meetings
Sunday, March 8, 10:00am – 2nd Sunday UU Service – Andrew Kerr will preside and speak on the topic of “The Religious Importance of Local Food.” (see article, above)
Sunday, March 8, 11:15am – Special FCSC Meeting to Vote on Budget Amendment (see article, above).
Sunday, March 15, 10:00am – Free Thought Forum – Our special guest speaker will be David Newby, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, nationally prominent labor leader, and outspoken advocate for universal health care and health care rights. David will speak on “The American Labor Movement: What Is It Fighting for Today?” and share with us his assessment of the chances for true health care reform under the Obama administration and here in Wisconsin.
Sunday, March 15, approx. 11:30 a.m. – Program Committee Meeting, Park Hall. Anyone, everyone, welcome to attend. For more info, contact Erin Raasch: 608-355-0565, eraasch@chorus.net.
Sunday, March 22, 10:00am – 2nd Sunday UU Service – Andrew Kerr will preside and speak on the topic of “The Indian Idea of Freedom.” More information next week.
Sunday, March 29, 10:00am – 5th Sunday Program & Field Trip – We invite you to gather at the Hall and listen to and/or read poetry on maple tapping, the birth of spring, or any other seasonally appropriate theme. Then we’ll head out to Four Elements Herbals Certified Organic Farm in the Baraboo Bluffs, owned and operated by Jane Hawley Stevens, husband David, son Forrest, and daughter Savanna Rose, with the help of many friends. Our objective: to learn about maple syrup harvesting and production! We’ll plan on leaving from the Hall – utilizing as much carpooling as possible – no later than 11:00am. More information coming your way soon.
Community and Other Events of Interest
River Arts Piano Benefit Concert March 8
Sunday, March 8 at 1:00 p.m. pianists Michelle and Christina Naughton and the mentor/teacher Christopher Taylor will perform in a benefit concert at the River Arts Center in Prairie du Sac. This is a benefit concert to benefit the purchase of a Steinway B piano for the River Arts Center. Tickets for this fundraiser are $10 for students, $20 regular admission and $50 for premium tickets which include a post-benefit reception at the Blue Spoon Café in Prairie du Sac from 3-4 p.m. The River Arts Center is at 105 Ninth Street, Prairie du Sac, 53578. Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.riverartsinc.org or at www.riverartscenter.org. For more information contact Ellen Paul at 608-643-5634.
Isthmus Society Free Lecture: “Designing a Universe Congenial for Life”
Tuesday, March 10, 4:30-6:00 pm at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison. The distinguished guest presenter is Dr. Owen Gingerich, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and the History of Science, Harvard University. Lawrence Henderson pointed out in 1913 that the cosmos seems to have provided an environment especially fit for the existence of life. How do we take into account this astonishing fitness and continue to uphold the relevance and trustworthiness of science? Professor Gingerich will draw upon the history of chemistry, spectroscopy, nucleosynthesis, and astronomy to explore the possible fine-tuning of the universe. The Isthmus Society promotes dialogue amongst religions and sciences at the UW-Madison. See: www.isthmussociety.org
River Arts Festival Events for Early March
“Vintage Americana- A Salute to the Greatest Generation” Gallery exhibits at the River Arts Center continue through April 9 and include Alfred Watson Photography from the 1930s-’40s, vintage quilts and aprons, apron creations for the “Tie My Sash” apron contest, Grand Avenue fifth grade portraits and biographies of famous people in American history, Tower Rock’s fifth grade videotaped interviews with people who lived during the Depression and WWII, and WWII memorabilia including a paratrooper display.
Badger History Group exhibits of Badger Ordnance Work’s Army photos and artifacts at Badger Plant Bldg. 207 now to April 9 at Badger Plant on Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“On the Home Front,” the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society exhibit at the Tripp Memorial Museum, Water Street in Prairie du Sac, runs until April 11 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday mornings.
March 9, Professor Susan Brewer will present the first of a three-part lecture series at 7 p.m. at the River Arts Center. The topic of the first lecture is “Freedom from Want: Defeating the Great Depression During World War II.” On March 10, also at the RAC at 7 p.m., she will talk on the topic of “Why We Fight: Patriotism and Propaganda in World War II.”
The “Circle of Vets” that was scheduled for February 26, and canceled due to the weather, is rescheduled for March 22 at 1 p.m. prior to the performance of the Old Time Radio Program at 2:00 p.m. Circle of Vets is free. Tickets for the Radio Program are available at www.riverartsinc.org: Adults $10; students $5.
Tickets are also available for the Swing Dance on April 3 at the Dorf Haus with music by the New Horizons Swing Band and hearty appetizers at www.riverartsinc.org.
Raffle tickets for the quilt made by Jean Brew and displayed at the Blue Spoon Cafe are one for $1 or 6 for $5 and may be purchased at the Window Sill, the Blue Spoon Cafe or at any of the many events at the River Arts Center presented by River Arts, Inc. or you may call 643-5634. The raffle is conducted to defray some of the costs of the Festival.
