Nora Unitarian Universalist Church May, 2006 - Sunday Services -
May 7: “Deputizing the Posse” May 14: “The Pagans are Coming! The Pagans
are Coming!” May 21: “Syttende Mai Sunday” May 28: “Heroes” Our baptismal fount is featured on the Norwegian Unitarian Website!
Don’s Schedule Don continues to take Mondays as his day-off and Fridays for sermon writing. He’ll be in Ohio from May 19-23 but will be checking messages. Feel free to call or email anytime, but allow for delays on Mondays, Fridays and out-of-town days. In an emergency, call Don at (507) 276-8464.
The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is designed to offer one-time assistance in legitimate need situations: utility bills, emergency travel, motel room or food. Your contributions are welcome and tax deductible. Just write “Minister’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo line. Thank you!
Nora Church Members Think Globally & Act Locally! We make a difference, but how? The completed questionnaires from the Feb. Social Justice service reveal answers. The results are helping us to better understand how we individually and collectively define Social Justice action. In answer to the question “How do we help/serve?” In a phrase…we make a difference through People to People Connections! We touch the lives of a wide range of age groups.....Girl Scouts; ..........educating our youth;.......... working with and knowing Seniors through- visits to nursing homes- giving rides- staying in touch by writing letters. We are improving the lives of folks with disabilities..... knowing these individuals as “people” first rather than by their disability label.
Many of us are paying attention to our environment, through “reducing, reusing, recycling”. One of our members quotes Ghandi who said “live simply so others can simply live”. We engage in politics, citizens who live out the spirit of our democracy through letter writing, convention and caucus attendance, voting, raising awareness through the League of Women Voters. We are joiners! We give money and time belonging to organizations that make a difference. Through national and local memberships like United Way, U.U.A. Social Justice, ARC, NOW, ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, Food Shelf, Brown County Public Health Board, Red Cross, veterans groups. We often times lead these groups. All of this is topped off by Nora's active support for the Children of Iraq fundraiser, Food for All contributions, as well as supporting our friends in our Sister Church of Benced, Transylvania. Reverend Rollins has challenged us to be champions of “community, freedom and justice”. From the February service, we as social justice committee members, hope that the reflecting, writing and sharing exercise will bring satisfaction and challenge. The satisfaction of knowing we are making a difference and the challenge of creating a brighter future filled with real life social justice both locally and globally. Next month we will report on planning efforts underway for
next year. Second Sunday Offering Just a reminder that the loose offering (cash and change) on each second Sunday of each month will be donated to Food for All, St. James. Thank you for your extra contributions that help feed hungry people. Money Matters The Board of Trustees is working on a proposed budget and plans to present it at a brief congregational meeting following the service on May 14. With our commitment to a full-time minister, the rising cost of fuel, and increased church programs to spread our message and attract new members, the Board is asking you to increase pledges again 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 11. If you have not received a pledge letter and card and wish to contribute, you may contact our treasurer Sally Hanson, 1622 Northridge Lane, North Mankato, MN 56003. Your support is vital and greatly appreciated. (As you consider your pledge for the upcoming church year, please don’t forget to complete your FY 2005-6 pledge.) Syttende Mai
Nora Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting will be Sunday, June 11 following the service. Board of Trustees members will be elected, the budget passed, and any by-law proposals considered. Committee heads are asked to prepare year-end reports for the Annual Report before the end of May.
James R. Graham James R. Graham, 79, of Sacramento, California, died March 21, 2006 at a Sacramento hospital following a ten year struggle with emphysema. Graham was born in 1926 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Marines when only 18 years old and took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945, where he survived multiple wounds. After his military service he returned to Minnesota and graduated from the Minnesota Business College. He married Helen Schmiesing of Hanska, Minnesota in May 1951 at the Nora Unitarian Universalist Church in Hanska, Minnesota. After marriage, Graham worked as a stock analyst for the Wisconsin State Pension Fund for several years. In 1968, he joined the California Public Employees Retirement System as its first Stock Trader. He worked in that capacity for the next twenty years, watching it grow to the nation’s largest pension fund. Graham retired in 1988. Graham is survived by his wife Helen; sons John (wife Phyllis); of Pioneer, CA; Jack of Roseville, CA; daughter, Jodi of Alder, Montana, and a foster son, Dan Lombard, (wife De Ette) of Platte City, MO. A Memorial Service for James Graham will be held in Sacramento, California. Helen Graham’s address is Chateau #210, 2701 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95816 CROP Walk Come join our own RE youth and Coming of Age class and be a part of the New Ulm CROP Walk this year on Wednesday, May 10. Help raise funds in support of hungry people around the world. Registration is from 5-6:30 p.m. at German Park. The Walk will follow the bike path and will be about 5 miles. A supper of hot dogs, chips, and refreshments will be served prior to the walk.
Please thank the members of your congregation for supporting the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee with the Guest at Your Table gifts of $518.79, which we received on March 27, 2006. Since 1939, supporters like you have helped UUSC become a leading voice in advancing human rights worldwide. We pledge to honor your commitment to us through our efforts to defend the human right to water, to abolish U.S.-sponsored torture, to ensure workers’ rights, and to preserve the rights of vulnerable people after disasters. You can learn more about our work, our courageous program partners, and ways you can become involved in the struggle for human rights at www.uusc.org. Thank you again for your generous contribution to our work promoting human rights and social justice. Your support will make a real difference in the lives of people in the United States and around the world. - Charlie Clements, President and CEO, UUSC
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Your generosity is endless and amazing. The Easter Breakfast was a great success. We earned $250 for youth service projects, and will follow the lead of the Social Justice Committee for our service projects for the coming year. Special thanks to the following people: Janet Johnson for making coffee, getting the syrup and butter ready; Wayne Johnson for all of his running; Shirley Olson for her applesauce and helping get ready; Anne Makepeace and Kristi Bodick for making the eggs; Julie Peck and John Makepeace for making the pancakes; Joy Rathman for stepping in when needed; Warren, Kristine, and Kristy Paulson, Darrel Hinsman, Kristi Bodick, and Julie and Ron Peck for clean up. Thank you to all of you who donated food or money for the breakfast. Thank you to the kids who helped set tables, prepare eggs and pancakes, served the food, served the beverages and helped clean up. Your involvement with and commitment to Nora Church and her youth is overwhelming. Thank you so much.
VERY IMPORTANT INFO: HELP WANTED: EXTRAS: We would like the children from the Juniors and Tweeners class to join us during church, however recognize that between Sunday School and church it may be a long time for the children to sit. If families are feeling the church service is too long for the younger children (Juniors and Tweeners) to sit through, they may feel free to let their children leave after the children’s story. There will be an age appropriate video downstairs for them to view until the end of the service. When the weather is nice, the children can also go outside to play after the children’s story. We ask that the elementary school children not use the nursery as it is a tiny space designed for the youngest children. Thank you for your assistance. We are always looking for people interested in teaching or helping out with RE
and Sunday School. Lunch Bunch The Galloping Gourmets travel to Essig
(Note the date change to avoid conflict with Syttende Mai.)  UUA General Assembly 2006 Visit the UUA Web site for more information and to register!
Nyiko Valley Transylvania
OUR MAY HONOREES OF NORA CHURCH 
- Arline and Virgil Schmiesing - Arline and Virgil Schmiesing have been married 62 years and raised nine children on the farm west of Hanska. They have nineteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Virgil was a dairy farmer for forty years, and the family was active in 4-H, scouting, church, and school, going on to higher education and college degrees. Arline remembers taking part in the 50-year jubilee of Nora Church in 1931 with her great-grandfather, Anton O. Ouren. Her hobby has been family, church and Hanska history. She wrote for the Hanska Herald for many years, and wrote most of the history for the Nora Centennial book. In 1984 her brother, Dennis Blomquist presented Arline’s “Ouren Odyssey” and the Nora Centennial book to the Toten Museum in Norway. Arline and friend, Ardelle Becken, were curators of the Jorgenson Museum for 15 years, revamping it for the centennial. Virgil’s hobby has been woodworking in Hanska’s native walnut, ash, and cedar. Many are the gifts his family has enjoyed, and he made benches and picture frames for Nora Church. Arline and Virgil are grateful to Nora Church for their help in the Hannah Bauer fund, and Sarah’s concern at tornado time. They are now retired and living in their home in Hanska, and Virgil says, “we still love each other.” 
- Nina and Melvin Mikkelson - Nina and Melvin Mikkelson live on a farm northeast of Madelia. They celebrated their 65 years of marriage on December 15th of last year. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. They also have 3 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and 2 great-granddaughters. Nina was born on a farm in Linden Township. She helped with the farm work as she was growing up. She attended country school, the Hanska school, and then graduated from New Ulm High School. Melvin also was born on a farm north of Madelia. He worked on the farm and attended a country school. Melvin met Nina at social events they both attended in Hanska. Over the years they both worked at the Tony Down’s Food Plant in Madelia. Nina enjoyed doing embroidery and Melvin has always liked working in the garden. They both enjoy watching TV in the evening. Nina is a lifelong member of Nora and Melvin joined after their marriage. They have been very good supporters of the church. Nina was active in the Nora Women’s Society. They enjoy receiving copies of the sermons. They both have fond memories of many weddings and Smorgasbords at Nora. Thank you Arline, Virgil, Nina and Melvin for your many years of service at Nora!
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Nora Church again will serve Syttende Mai dinners on Thursday, May 18 at 5:30
p.m. and Friday, May 19 at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. We will be making meatballs
and setting tables on Wednesday, May 17, starting at 9 a.m. Carol Chambard and
Janet Rosenbloom will be lining up workers for this event which celebrates Hanska’s
Norwegian heritage. Please note that the dinners are open to the public, so if
you would like to join us, you can call Carol Chambard at 354-2242 to make a reservation.
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