May 14, 2009 – Free Congregation Newsletter
Dear Members and Friends, May 14, 2009
Mother’s Day was the most recent of several extraordinary congregational efforts and events of the last month or so, and it reminds me that I’ve been remiss in giving credit, here in the newsletter, to those people who labored heroically and behind the scenes to make them successful and fun. (Please pardon me if I’ve missed someone; no doubt I haven’t done a thorough enough job of investigative reporting.)
The delightful and delicious Pledge Dinner and Dance on April 18th, attended by upwards of sixty-five people, was conceived and choreographed by the Stewardship Committee, consisting of Glen Johnson, Gilbert Williams, and Scott Raasch, with special assistance from Erin Raasch and Lori Schaefer. Briana Burns and Diana Smith contributed a great deal of both elbow grease and artistic styling to the kitchen and dining room. We toast, also, the donors (still wishing to remain anonymous) who gifted us with that first-rate banquet and square dance. (And a tip of the hat to the band: Curt Meine, Scott Weber, and Mike Mossman andLisa Hartman and their son, Angus.)
Many hours earlier on that same day of April 18th, a small band of volunteers from the Free Congregation performed our annual work service at the Sauk Prairie Food Pantry. We are grateful to Mike Irwin, Jennifer Kerr, Jim Mundt, Kayla Pfeiffer-Mundt, and Jack Keenan.
Mother’s Day involved the talents of many good men. There were nine – the Nonpareil Nine – who did most of the heavy lifting in the kitchen and community hall, but it’s been our tradition (lo these many years) to publicly acknowledge only the newest member of the gang: this year, Jeff Gerencser, who performed the pancake solo. Glad to have you on board, Jeff! (I hope someone mentioned that these are seven-year stints!)
Finally, kudos to Marita Kelter and guest musicians Willy Walter (bassoon) and Bob Kelter (bass), who provided the upstairs dessert: three beautifully played modern pieces, “Lullaby” and “Begin Sweet World” by Bill Douglas and “Jazz Piece” by Richard Lottridge. - Michael
This Sunday’s Free Thought Forum: “Rights Among the Maasai”
Please join us this Sunday as Lewis Lama speaks about Maasai herders and their focus on service to the community as the primary function and measurement of an individual in the Maasai group.
Throughout their lives Maasai men and women are carefully defined by age status, and each status has a set of rights and responsibilities in relation to the larger group. These rights and responsibilities center around furthering the survival and success of the larger group. The discussion will describe Maasai lifestyle, age sets, and the value system attached to that cultural institution.
Lewis Lama is a cultural anthropologist currently working as a building contractor and adjunct professor of Anthropology. His research has included eight years of archaeological research on Western Mediterranean islands and North Africa, and subsequent anthropological research on herder and hunter-gatherer groups in East Africa. He has lived and worked with Maa speaking herders since 1984, including two years living in a Maasai settlement with his wife Monica and first son Francesco, where he studied the impact of conservation initiatives on local populations. His latest work in Tanzania revolves around introducing intermediate technology projects to urban and rural craftsmen (see www.lathesforafrica.org).
Pledge Campaign Moves Along… Albeit Less Deliciously
The 65-plus people attending the April 19th Pledge Campaign Kickoff Dinner and Dance represented twenty-seven – forgive the expression – “congregational pledging units” (basically, households). And every single one of them pledged! Unfortunately, that’s where the pledging stopped. We have yet to hear from twenty or more “pledging units” – representing close to thirty congregation members – who were also invited to attend, didn’t attend, but were asked to mail in their pledges with their Pledge Dinner regrets.
Let’s remember that there were a couple very good reasons why we DID the Dinner and why we did it WHEN we did it. Your Board of Directors is working diligently to put together a responsible 2009-10 budget for approval at the Annual Meeting on June 14th. To do so we need to have a good idea of what our pledge revenue will be. (Our pledge revenue is our ONLY revenue, short of a few small fundraising efforts.) Judging from last night’s Board meeting, everyone is very serious about fashioning a more sustainable financial path for the FCSC.
You don’t have to send any payment at this time. We just need to know what you think you can contribute to support your congregation in the coming year. Please help us out by replying at your earliest convenience. A slip of paper with your name(s) and pledge can be mailed to Park Hall (307 Polk Street, Sauk City, 53583) or to Scott Raasch (Treasurer), 1423 Blue Mounds St., Black Earth, 53913, or left in Scott’s mail slot in the office at Park Hall, or placed in the offering basket at the May 24th Sunday service.
Reviving the Father’s Day Weekend Camp-Out…?
How about it? We’ve done this several times in the last decade, but not for a few years. White Mounds County Park, located between Plain and Loganville, has group campgrounds (as well as individual sites, for those of you who need to “get away a little”). We would likely reserve one of these for both Friday and Saturday nights (June 19 & 20) and you can do one or both or just drop in for the day or the evening meal. Who’s interested? Please reply to Glen Johnson or to Michael.
Board Names Nominating Committee
The members of the Board of Directors, absent President Glen Johnson, will constitute the Nominating Committee for the upcoming Board elections on June 14th. John Kiefer, President-Elect of the Free Congregation, is the chair of the Nominating Committee. If you have an interest in serving your congregation either as an officer or an at-large member of the Board, or if there is member you’d like to recommend, please contact John (or any other Board member) as soon as possible. Five Board seats will be on the election block: President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and two at-large. Thank you!
Andrew Kerr’s New Office Hours
Now that it’s farming season, Andrew will be holding office hours from 5:00-8:00pm every other Thursday, beginning May 28.
Upcoming Programs, Events, Meetings
Tuesday, May 19, 7:30pm - “Obama and the Afghanistan/Pakistan Dilemma” – Joe Elder, guest speaker. This Sauk Prairie Peace Council event will be at Park Hall. Professor Elder (UW-Madison Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia), who has presented several programs for the Peace Council, will focus on three main points: 1) the dangerous legacy of George W. Bush in these countries; 2) the impossibility of a military solution; and 3) possible alternative actions. He will also present history and background information on these countries and regions.
Thursday, May 21, 6:00pm – Program Committee Meeting at Park Hall. If you have ideas or concerns for the committee, please contact chair Erin Raasch, 767-2649. The other committee members are: Jim Mundt, Lori Schaefer, Andrew Kerr, Annette Kuhlmann, Michael Whaley.
Friday, May 22, 7:30-10:30pm – Free Dance at Park Hall. This is the inaugural event of what we hope will be a string of fun and fascinating programs over the next six months to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Park Hall. This dance will be DJ’d by Matt Baumgartner (Ruthann Corrao’s dance co-instructor), who will provide music for waltz, two-step, swing, fox trot, tango, cha-cha, and more. Attendees are asked to bring a contribution for the snack table. A free dance lesson will be provided from 7:00-7:30 (please be punctual). This free event is made possible by a gift from the Adeline Anderson estate.
Sunday, May 24, 10:00am – 4th Sunday UU Service – Andrew Kerr will lead the service and offer a Reflection on “Exploring Secular Humanism: Is It a Religion?”
Sunday, May 31, 10:00am – 5th Sunday Program and Field Trip – We will have a half-hour program at Park Hall, on the topic of “Organic Farming,” followed by a field trip to Greenspirit Farm, the organic produce CSA owned and operated by our own Jennifer and Andrew Kerr and family. If you can’t make the program but would like to join us at the farm, we’ll have directions available at the Hall and in an upcoming newsletter.
Sunday, June 7, 10:00am – 1st Sunday Spiritual Reflection Hour – This special roundtable discussion will feature The Four Agreements (based on the book by Don Miguel Ruiz): “Be Impeccable with Your Words”; “Don’t Take Anything Personally”; “Don’t Make Assumptions”; and “Always Do Your Best.” More details soon. Reece Donihi is the contact person for 1st Sunday programs (643-8326; ramphoto@verizon.net)
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 at Park Hall
Community News and Events
River Arts Center
Eric Genuis, pianist and composer, will perform at the River Arts Center on May 30 at 7:30 p.m. He is well-known for his wide repertoire including his own original compositions. Durward’s Glen and River Arts, Inc. are collaborating to provide this performance to benefit historic Durward’s Glen and the River Arts, Inc. Steinway B piano fund.
Joining Genuis will be three professional musicians: soprano Caroline Brooks, violinist Alexandra Early, and cellist Sophie Webber.
