June 3, 2009 – Free Congregation Newsletter
Dear Members and Friends, June 3, 2009
Special thanks to Andrew Kerr for making the round trip to Park Hall last Sunday, and for treating a bunch of members and friends to a tour of Greenspirit Farm, the organic produce CSA that Andrew and Jennifer own and operate just north of Dodgeville. We had seventeen people at the Hall for a gardening and farming Q&A, led by Andrew, before the fleet left for Iowa County.
Are You on the Cusp of Membership in the Free Congregation?
If so, and if you would like to move off that awkward place and into the warm embrace of membership in this one-of-a-kind community, and join other new members (of the last 12 months) in being recognized at the June 14th Annual Meeting (it’s very low-key), all you need to do is sign the membership book (and agree to our principles and bylaws) between now and June 14. In fact, you may sign on June 14 if you like. It takes two members of the Board or the Speaker and one member to perform the book-signing ritual with you. If you’re interested, and we hope you are, please let me or Andrew Kerr or Glen Johnson know. You’ll receive a free Park Hall book, reduced rates on Park Hall events and facility rentals, and the privilege of burial at the Freethinkers’ Cemetery… at some time in the future… (if you want it). And you’ll be a member of the only Free Congregation in the world! - Michael
This Sunday’s Spiritual Reflection Hour(s): Special Session!
The topic is The Four Agreements – based on Don Miguel Ruiz’s book of the same name – and each of the four will be the subject of a roundtable discussion in this special two-hour edition of the Spiritual Reflection Hour. Your facilitators are Lori Schaefer, Lin Kalson, Sherri Schulz, and Reece Donihi (who is also the contact person for First Sunday programming: 643-8326.) The Four Agreements are: “Be Impeccable with Your Words,” “Don’t Take Anything Personally,” “Don’t Make Assumptions,” and “Always Do Your Best.”
Our Newsletter PLEDGE APPEAL Is Working…
But we still have a ways to go and just five days left until the Board’s final budget deliberation before the June 14th Annual Meeting. We earnestly request more information from you, our members and friends, about 2009-10 contributions before we can responsibly present that budget for a vote. Thank you to those who have pledged… and thanks to those who reply to this final appeal.
Father’s Day Weekend Camp-Out Prospects… Are Fading
We don’t seem to have generated interest or excitement about the idea of a Father’s Day Weekend Campout on June 19-20. Two tents and one trailer does not a congregation campout make. So unless we hear an outpouring of interest in the next few days, Glen and Michael will be eating those wild mushrooms on their own… and you’ll be stuck with having to replace us! (And if that prospect gets people excited, please don’t let us know.) You can camp for one night, two nights, or just drop in for a visit and a cookout: your free choice. Who’s interested? Please reply to Glen Johnson or to Michael by Sunday.
Staff Office Hours this Summer
Now that it’s farming season, Speaker Andrew Kerr will be holding office hours from 5:00-8:00pm every other Thursday, beginning May 28. Now that it’s teaching season, Administrator Michael Whaley’s regular office hours in the summer will be 12:30 to 4:30pm on Wednesdays.
Upcoming Programs, Events, Meetings
Tuesday, June 9, 6:30pm – FCSC Board Meeting at Park Hall. The Board will be finalizing the 2009-10 budget, which will be voted on at the June 14th Annual Meeting.
Sunday, June 14, 10:00am – Annual Meeting of the Free Congregation
Sunday, June 21, 10:00am – 3rd Sunday Free Thought Forum – Join Andrew Kerr in a rare Free Thought Forum appearance as he explores the Evolution vs. Intelligent Design & God debate… with unique insights and surprising results. More next week!
Sunday, June 28, 10:00am – 157th Frühlingsfest Celebration and Picnic at the Freethinkers’ Cemetery on Slotty Road – Andrew Kerr’s talk will be “On Happiness: Can We Have It, Can We Keep It?” and Reece Donihi will treat us to a special exhibit of photographs. Many more details next week. Mark your calendar, please!
Community News and Events
At the River Arts Center
“Small Town Midwest” – The opening for this juried show of photography is from 4:00-7:00pm on Thursday, June 11, at the River Arts Center, 105 9th Street, Prairie du Sac. The show is presented by the Center for Photography at Madison, for which Free Congregation member Reece Donihi serves as President. (One of Reece’s juried photos is attached.) The show is juried by Ida Wyman, formerly of New York City, who now makes her home in Madison. Ms. Wyman has been a photojournalist since the 1940s. She has worked for Business Week, Life Magazine, This Week, and other major publications. Her photographs are in many collections and galleries around the country.
Prairie Burn by Reece Donihi
