Nora Unitarian Universalist Church May, 2005 May 1 – “Clean Up Sunday” May 8 – “Marvels, Motherhood & Myth” May 29 – “We Remember”
Don will lead a leadership training workshop on Saturday, May 14 from 9:30 – 11:30 A.M. at the church. This is an opportunity for anyone who is involved on a committee or plans to be in the future, to learn some skills that can help them. As we build the future here at Nora it is important that we learn how to make the most of that time, get everyone’s input, and then get started on building that future.
Our newly created Committee on Ministry has suggested that we publish the list of committees and their members from time to time. If you’ve been left off the list of a committee on which you serve, or if you’d like to join a committee, feel free to contact a member of our COM: Jeanie Hinsman, Doug Anderson, Kristine Paulson or Beverly Wellman. Religious Education/Membership: Anne Rieke, Nita Gilbert, Jeanie Hinsman, Kristine Paulson, Shannon Weiss, Jim Harbur, Julie Sellner, Georgine Tepley, Lee Schmitt, Nancy Dickson Adult Growth & Education: Kristi Bodick, Noah Rosenbloom, Doug Anderson, Christopher Olson, Carol Chambard Finance Program: Sally Hanson, Noah Rosenbloom, Janet Rosenbloom, Christopher Olson, Shannon Weiss, Kristine Paulson, Shirley Olson, Susan Allen, Nita Gilbert Social Justice: Chris Bodick, Tarrie Swenstad, Sheldon Rieke, Darrell Hinsman, Christopher Olson, Matt Harbur, Jeanie Hinsman, Joy Rathman, Mark & Brenda Wiger
The Board of Trustees has scheduled the congregational meeting to discuss the proposed budget for Sunday, May 15, following the service. The church congregation has developed mission and vision statements. New members have brought new ideas and energy to the church. All this requires strong financial commitment from members and friends. You responded to the call last year to raise your pledges and we again ask you to do so this year. Please return your pledge cards by the middle of May so we have an idea of our financial outlook before the Annual meeting on June 5. If you have not received a pledge letter and card and would like to contribute, you may contact treasurer Sally Hanson, 1622 Northridge Lane, Mankato, MN 56003. Your support is greatly appreciated.
As you consider your pledge for the new church year, don’t forget to complete your 2004 – 2005 pledge. (Our new fiscal year begins on July 1 and we are aiming for 100% of our pledged funds!) Thanks in advance for completing your current pledge and your commitment to Nora Church.
The Nora Women’s Society will serve Syttende Mai dinners on Friday, May 20, at 4:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. About 100 reservations have been received. We will be making meatballs and setting tables on Thursday, May 19th. Carol Chambard will be lining up workers for this event which celebrates Hanska’s Norwegian heritage.
The gallivanting gourmets have decided to meet on Wednesday, May 11, at 11:30 A.M. in Nicollet at the restaurant formerly known as “The In-Laws.” It is now called “Dukes.” The group keeps growing, but there’s always room for more.
A rummage sale as a church fundraiser is in the planning stages. Please set aside some items you wish to put on a rummage sale and we will keep you posted of the date and time.
The Brown County Area Crop Walk will take place on Wednesday, May 4 with registration and a light supper starting at 5:00 P.M. There will be a kickoff mass choir at 5:30 P.M. The route begins and ends at German Park and will follow the new bike trail. To walk you will need to register with recruiters at area churches, get sponsors, collect the donations and pledges, bring the tear-off sheet to registration, and return the sponsor record form with money collected. To donate you will need to make checks payable to CROP/CWS. Brown County Community Food Shelf receives 25% of funds raised and 75% of the funds goes towards world hunger relief through Church World Service, CROP, or designated services. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome but no rollerblades, skates, bikes or skateboards.
Condolences to the Mark and Brenda Wiger family on the death of Mark’s mother, Joan “Noni” Wiger, after a courageous struggle with cancer. Carson Anthony Erickson, son of Chrissy Schmitt and Tony Erickson, was dedicated on Sunday, April 17th. Welcome to Nora Church, Carson. The members of Nora Church would like to extend best wishes and congratulations to Trevor T. Gaede who has enlisted in the U.S. Army. He departed for basic training on March 30th. He will train at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and then be transferred to Monterey California to begin his studies in Electronics Warfare/Signal Intelligence. Trevor is the son of Tom and LeAnn Gaede and the oldest grandson of Ken and Lou Chambard and great nephew to Carol and Alon Chambard and Marilynn O’Reilly. Trevor’s address is: PVT Trevor Gaede, 495 Iowa Ave., Unit 35 – 3rd PLT, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473.
The family of Bob Schmitt will host an open house in honor of his 80th birthday on Sunday, May 22, from 2:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Comfrey Community Center in Comfrey. The family asks that your presence be your gift.
Meet your RE Committee. Julie Sellner and Jeanie Hinsman have graciously volunteered to be on the RE Committee. The purpose of the RE Committee is to help with the planning of RE, including curriculum selection, groupings of children, and assisting with the operation of the RE program. The RE Committee met on April 27. We will keep you updated on plans for next year. Remember we will still need people to help with teaching the RE classes. COA News: We are underway with beginning the COA (Children of Age) program. Look for more news in future newsletters. MAY DATES: RE Wednesday, MAY 11th – PIZZA PARTY! It’s our last RE Wednesday for this church year. Join us at 6:00 P.M. for a pizza party and game night. If the weather is good, we will play kickball and cemetery hide-n-seek. If it is rainy, we will play indoor games. We are asking for a donation from each family for the pizza. We would appreciate if each family could provide their own beverages and bring a side dish (veggies, fruit) or dessert to share with others. Please let Anne know by Wednesday, May 4th, how many people from your family will be coming on the 11th. JUNE DATES: End of the Year Service will be on June 5th. RE classes will be doing the service for June 5th. The theme will be “Celebration.” If you were not at the April 24th RE classes, you will be contacted about your part in the service. June 12th – So-long for the Summer activity. More information is to come. Thank you to those of you who have volunteered to teach an RE class. Your help is greatly appreciated. There is room for a few more volunteers, so please talk with Anne if you have questions and/or are interested in helping out.
There will be a musical celebration while President Rev. William Sinkford is in town on Monday, May 9 at White Bear UU Church, 328 Maple St., Mahtomedi, MN, starting at 7:30 PM. Choirs and vocal groups will make great music and introduce some new hymns.
The 21st Annual Syttende Mai Festival will be held in Hanska on May 19, 20, 21, and 22, 2005. There are many activities planned throughout the 4 day celebration. The performers in the big show are busy putting everything together for their anniversary production, “Uff Da, Hanska’s Hee Haw.” Show tickets are on sale now for shows on May 19 at 7:00 P.M.; May 20 & 21 at 5:30 P.M. and 8:15 P.M. and on May 22 at 7:00 P.M. and will also be available at the door of the Hanska School Gym before the performances. On Saturday, May 21st, there will be flea market, food stand and stabbur tours, free entertainment in the park tent, and an amateur talent contest with cash prizes. Sunday, May 22nd starts off with a pancake breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00 A.M., arts and crafts in the park, community church service at 10:30, food stands, free entertainment, “Smakke Lag” (tasting tea), and the big parade on Broadway at 12:30. Join in the wonderful celebration one day or all four days!
Some of us remember Jill Johnson, daughter of Bruce and Betty
Johnson, who visited with us before leaving for the Peace Corps over the winter.
Jill is in Uzbekistan
as part of a two-year hitch in the Peace Corps. Don and others are keeping
up with Jill and will include updates on her work from time to time. The latest
is that it is hopeful that Jill will be in her permanent home and assignment
within the next few days. She is assigned to teaching English to secondary
students at a boarding school in the small city of Gulistan. She says she is
under the impression that it is a school where the students want to be there.
In fact, serious enough in their academic pursuits to be able to avoid the
mandatory 2 months of forced labor, “time off” for the cotton harvest
that most students in Uzbekistan are expected to take. The Uzbek government
has been giving them trouble with their visas but it is certain they will be
allowed to stay. Once Jill is settled in Gulistan, the telephone and internet
service will be more dependable and readily available. 
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