May 6, 2009 – Free Congregation Newsletter
Dear Members and Friends, May 6, 2009
Mother’s Day Breakfast
Every year for the last several years, early on a Sunday morning, and just as the morels are about to pop in woodlands all over southern Wisconsin, men suddenly and dramatically appear in the kitchen and community hall of the Free Congregation. They appear with hunks of meat, gobs of batter, bushels of fruit, jars of precious syrup, appliances known and never-before-seen – of wattages modest and prodigious – and, occasionally, the appropriate utensils. If they are not bringing something to cook or fix or mix or prepare, they are sporting tight T-shirts or drapey plaids, flexing their muscles or what-will-soon-be-muscle-again, and offering to move tables, rearrange chairs, lay out dishes, count silverware, and make more coffee. Their appearance is seldom punctual but almost always in time. They do this for the mothers – and more generally, the women – in their lives and in the community we call the Free Congregation.
And we’re all counting on them doing it again. This year: even bigger, bolder, and brawnier. Breakfast will be served from 9:00-9:40am.
For the fellas only: The Hall will be open at 7:45 (unless someone beats me to it). I’d love to know what people are planning to bring, in the way of food and equipment, so we have a general idea of what we may be missing and how many will be sent running to the Pig at the last minute. But if, come Sunday morning, it’s your thing or more your style to wing it and show up with whatever, the husky man-yelps and greasy forearm bashes that welcome you to the kitchen will be no less noticeably hearty than those given to the good souls who eased my mind with their advance notice of griddles, irons, batters, breads, blueberries, and blocks of butter. - Michael
Mother’s Day UU Service
Following the Breakfast, which will conclude with a special presentation by the grades 4-7 R.E. youth, we’ll go upstairs at 10:00 for the regular Sunday program. Scott Gerard Prinster, former Associate Minister with First Unitarian Society of Madison and a favorite guest speaker at Park Hall, will lead the service and offer a Reflection on “The Meaning of a Religious Home.” Marita Kelter will be our music director and pianist. Special musical guests for this service are Willy Walter (bassoon) and Bob Kelter (bass). Not to be missed!
The Meaning of a Religious Home
What does it mean in a world of choices, not all of them good for us, to find a community that we can call “home”? Why is this image such a powerful attraction in a culture that values rootlessness and the freedom to move on? Join us as we explore what the image of a spiritual home has to teach us, and also the challenges it poses for seekers.
The Annual Meeting (June 14, 2009) Means… Board Elections
Five of the seven seats on the Board of Directors of the Free Congregation will be on the election block at the annual meeting on June 14th: President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and two At-Large seats. If you are interested in taking a leadership role in your congregation, or finding out what’s involved in such a step, please contact Glen Johnson: 524-6369, gjohnson@rucls.net
Upcoming Programs, Meetings
Wednesday, May 13, 6:30pm – FCSC Board Meeting at Park Hall. The major item on the business agenda is the 2009-10 budget.
Sunday, May 17, 10:00am – Free Thought Forum – “What Are Rights? Rights Among the Maasai” with Lewis Lama, cultural anthropologist. This talk will be about Maasai herders and their focus on service to the community as the primary function and measurement of an individual in the Maasai group. Lewis Lama’s research has included 8 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. There, 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).
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?”
Community News and Events
Friday, May 8, 7:30pm – Minneapolis Guitar Quartet with Flamenco Dancer – River Arts Center. A portion of the concert will feature Flamenco dancer Sachiko Nishiuchi. Tickets: Adult $15-20; Students $5. Purchase at www.riverartsinc.org, www.riverartscenter.org, at the Sauk Prairie Community Center, 730 Monroe, Sauk City (608-643-8386), or at the door the evening of the performance.
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.
