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Nora Unitarian Universalist Church April, 2006 - Sunday Services -
April 2: “Mission, Music & Money”
April 16: “Resurrection: The Ultimate Metaphor” April 23: Questions: April 30: Clean-Up Sunday Check out the new link that was added on the
Links page!
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE Local events from the Social Justice committee: Food for All (the project centered in St. James that provides a meal as well as other food, clothing items to those in need ) was again supported by members of our congregation including youth from our Coming of Age group, with March 11th being our most recent opportunity. We have decided to make a commitment to make the 2nd Saturday morning of every 3rd month Nora's opportunity to offer our “people power” in order for that event to take place. We are very thankful for those of you who took the time on March 11 to distribute the meal to those in need. We continue to have our eyes opened as young, elderly, poor, others of minority status find nourishment at this gathering. We'll be sure and give you a “heads up” on the upcoming dates we've committed to as they get closer. May 10th is the upcoming date set aside for Crop Walk, held in New Ulm. This will be the RE Wednesday activity for May. Watch for more info in the upcoming newsletter.
TO KEEP IN TOUCH Ardelle Becken scared us all at church this past month when she was taken to the hospital by ambulance just before the service. She’s doing O.K. now, back home and resting, and doctors are in the process of finding out what is going on. Our thoughts are with her! If you know of anyone needing our assistance or attention
please call one of the following Caring Committee members:
The Membership Committee has designated April 2 as “Bring a Friend” Sunday. (Also, Potluck Sunday!) This is your chance to share why you are a member of Nora Church and a welcoming opportunity for people you know to experience that in person. Let’s get the word out why we’re here!
With budget time looming, the Board of Trustees is asking committees to prepare budget requests for FY 2006-7. The Board would like to have the figures by April 2. This is a good time for committees to assess their year and discuss how they can be more effective.
Pledge drive time is upon us, and Finance Committee members will be meeting soon to decide on the format and prepare fund-drive letters. The Finance Committee could use more members, so volunteers are welcome. Contact Sally Hanson or Janet Rosenbloom.
This past month, I have heard from a number of you on whether you would prefer the Mere Lys via email or snail mail. Thank you for your responses! But, I still need to hear from approximately 200 more! The hours of time I would save by emailing the newsletter I could use in others ways for Nora. Of course, I realize that not everyone has an email account, but if enough of you prefer the email route, then we’d most likely save money on postage, and certainly on paper and copying costs. I want to check this out, but I need your help to do it! Please let me hear from you. Send a note or email on how you’d like to receive the Mere Lys: THANK YOU! -Nita
IMPORTANT DATES:
In May, we’d like to have the kids participate in the CROP Walk. More details to come.
VERY IMPORTANT INFO:
HELP WANTED: EXTRAS: Second Sunday Offerings
CANU Coffeehouse
Lunch Bunch
New Ulm Food Shelf
PSD Annual Conference
UUA General Assembly 2006 June 21 – 25 Visit the UUA Web site for more information and to register!
Kristofer Janson's book to be show on TV
OUR APRIL HONOREES OF NORA CHURCH 
- THELMA ASLESON - Thelma would say she’s lived “a pretty simple life”. She was born on a farm in Lake Hanska Township. In her youth she helped with housework, fieldwork and the raising of livestock. She married Omer Asleson in 1933, and raised three sons and a daughter. They lived on three different farms before moving to the farm where Thelma grew up. Sadly, the farm went down during the tornado of March 1998. 
Thelma is often seen chasing off somewhere in her car. She attempts hardanger, watches TV now and then, and also likes to play cards. Thelma is proud of the fact that she has been a lifelong member of Nora Church. She recalls a weekend event Nora held annually back in the 1930s, where families from all over would come stay on the Hill; the women in a tent and the men up in the barn. They would enjoy a Friday night supper put on by the Nora Evening Alliance (a young women’s group), activities at Lake Hanska Park the next day, the Sunday service, and then breakfast on Monday morning before heading home. Thelma’s “simple life” is one of quiet dignity, just one of the reasons we’re honoring her this month. 
- BOB SCHMITT - Bob was born in Comfrey and grew up doing farm work. After his youth, he spent a couple of years in the army. He married Janice Haugen, a Hanska and Nora native, in 1952. They had 5 children who have grown up as members of Nora Church. After marrying Janice, he worked as a farm hand. Then after moving to Comfrey, he drove a milk truck for Sanitary Dairy. Bob finished his working days as a custodian at Comfrey Public School for a number of years. He’s known as “Grandpa” to many kids at the school. Coffee and dice with the men at Goodfellows is a must for Bob as well as watching the kids’ sporting events. In years past, he spent numbers of hours bailing hay and cleaning barns for the many horses his family had. He would bring the kids and their horses to trail rides and horse shows. 
Bob’s favorite moments at Nora have been making coffee for Smorgasbord; Muffy and Jordan playing their duets; and having all his kids and grandchildren in church with him. Our thanks to Bob for the kindness and humor he has brought to our church for the past five decades. 
- DOROTHY AND AL SWANSON - Alan Emmett Swanson and Dorothy Juanita Doxey were both born in Minneapolis. Alan was a member of the Lake Harriet Lutheran Church. Dorothy had no church affiliation. Alan and Dorothy were married on May 18, 1946. After graduation from West High School in 1939 and realizing that war was a possibility, Alan joined the Minnesota National Guard. After serving five years in the military, Alan returned to the United States and got his degree from Macalester College in St. Paul. His career was spent teaching in three schools for a total of thirty eight years. Dorothy lived in Farmington after her mother died when she was seven. She graduated from Farmington High School and worked in Minneapolis until she married Alan. 
When Dorothy and Alan lived in Minneapolis, the Star Tribune published a series of articles on religions. One article dealt with Unitarian Universalist churches and their doctrines. They decided that this was what their religious philosophy was to be. In their moving across South Dakota, there was never an opportunity to become involved in Unitarian churches. In Worthington, there was a small Unitarian fellowship. When it disbanded, they began to attend Nora Church in Hanska. They attended some of the 100th anniversary celebration and began to attend on a somewhat regular basis. In 1994, Reverend Sarah Oelberg convinced them to join the church. They have become regulars since that time, weather permitting as 160 miles round trip is a long drive especially in inclement weather. Dorothy and Al continue to grace us with their presence, wit and tenacity. We’re grateful for their faithful support of Nora Church. UUs Out For Marriage UUs Out For Marriage will hold its monthly strategy meeting at First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis. All are warmly welcome! Join us in fighting a MN constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Wednesday
evening, April 26th Join UUs from around the metro - and around the state! - as we raise up and sharply focus our energies, preparing to bring UU principles, values, and beliefs to the fight against a constitutional amendment that would bar marriage equality for GLBT citizens. Like the Civil Rights leaders of the 60’s - we consciously anchor our activism in our religious community and values. (FFI: Ralph Wyman: Ralph-longfellow@earthlink.net; be sure to let us know if you're coming in from greater MN and need a home-stay arrangement.)
Thursday, April 27th LOBBY DAY with OutFront Minnesota, UUO4M, Faith Family Fairness, and a broad array of allies! All are urged to attend the Noon rally! Unitarian Universalists will stand together under our banner: “Civil Marriage is a Civil Right”, on the State Capitol lawn. (Come early, bring a sack lunch and gather at 11am, to meet the UU group under our banner, near the Out Front Minnesota tent). If you can commit to the whole day, make plans to attend the Lobby Day appointments for your legislative district. Register NOW to be part of a legislative visit with your elected officials: http://www.outfrontmn.org/ Training and coaching support is provided - make YOUR voice heard at the legislature! FFI: Ralph-longfellow@earthlink.net -- UUs Out For Marriage (UUO4M is a working group of Minnesota UU Social Justice
Alliance - a UU social justice organization;
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