LAKESHORE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
FELLOWSHIP
620 Park Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 686-0643
Sunday Service 10:00am
Some of our weekly services will be shared with other UU Congregations. If you don't see a Sunday service, we may not have presented out own service and joined with other UU's from around the state.
February 27, 2022
"Ways to Save Democracy”
Matt Rothchild
Matt Rothschild is the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Since coming to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign at the start of 2015, Matt concentrated his work on raising public awareness of the need to ban gerrymandering, to limit big and dark money in our politics, to protect and expand the freedom to vote, and to oppose the anti-democracy movement in our state and in our country. He’s the author of 12 Ways to Save Democracy in Wisconsin, published by the University of Wisconsin Press (2021).
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign advocates for transparency and for reforms that level the electoral playing field. We defend our civil rights and liberties. We offer a vision of a democracy with equal participation, racial equity, and economic justice.
These efforts directly support UU Principle number 5, The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; In our religious lives, the democratic process requires trust in the development of each individual conscience—a belief that such development is possible for each of us, as well as a commitment to cultivate our own conscience. We could call it a commitment to the value of each person.
February 20, 2022
“The National Call for Moral Revival" Femi Akinmoladun and Natalia Fajardo
“The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is uniting people across Wisconsin to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality of religious nationalism. “Drawing on the transformational history of the First Reconstruction following the Civil War and the Second Reconstruction of the civil rights struggles of the 20th century, the Third Reconstruction is a revival of our constitutional commitment to establish justice, provide for the general welfare, end decades of austerity, and recognize that policies that center the 140 million poor and low-income people in the country are also good economic policies that can heal and transform the nation.”
nd honesty of her songs, and the easy humor of her live performances. the ways in which we have all changed?”
February 13, 2022
“Learning Truths we Already
Knowe, Finding Courage
to stand in them”
Katie Dahl
“The week the pandemic started, Katie Dahl wrote a song that begins: “I’m learning what I already knew.” The pandemic gave us a lot of time to think, reflect, and confront truths we may have previously pushed aside. Now that we’re slowly re-entering society, how do we find the courage to stand in those truths? How do we come back into community honestly with one another, while making space for the ways in which we have all changed?”
Singer-songwriter Katie Dahl has performed her original songs everywhere from the dusty cliffs of Mali, to the winding canals of southern France, to the cedar forests of the American northwoods. Particularly well-respected on her home turf of Door County, Wisconsin, Katie tours nationwide, earning accolades nationwide for the depth of smooth alto, the intelligence and honesty of her songs, and the easy humor of her live performances. the ways in which we have all changed?”
February 6, 2022
“Black Brilliance in Healthcare”
Rev. Lex Cade-White
If we do not know and recognize those who came before how can we appreciate where we are and where we can go. In this Black History month and in this time of seeing healthcare works stretch far beyond our limits. Let’s reflect on some of the great contributors in history to healthcare advancement from the Black Community.
January 23, 2022
“Liar, Lunatic, or…”
Tony Larson
Tony's sermon this Sunday will explore C.S. Lewis' comment about Jesus that "a man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level with a man who says He is a poached egg--or else Hed be the Devil of Hell. ...(L)et us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher."
Evangelical Christians are fond of quoting Lewis in their argument against the view that Jesus was "just" a moral exemplar. Tony will explore the flaws in this argument--while explaining why we UUs have a different approach.
Tony has spoken for us many times. He’s a retired UU minister from Olympia Brown UU Church.
January 30, 2022
“A Soundtrack By Which to
LeadYour Best Life”
Peter Mayer and Carrie Arnold
We are in for a treat. The two of them will combine, and Peter will do the soundtrack part! I hardly need to introduce him since he is a famous musician. Carrie, you know too. She has been a jail chaplain, and she has a house church in Green Bay.
December 19, 2021
Sharing the Spirit of our Holiday Giving”
Speakers will be representatives of the five (The Haven, Hope House, Incourage, Painting Pathways and TREP) local charities to which we pledge money every year. A representative from each will briefly share their holiday activities or a holiday story from their facility. Christmas carols too!!
December 12, 2021
Co-creating Communities of Care and Well-being in Challenging Times: Dr. Jessica Van Slooten
November 27, 2021
The Saints Come Marching … “Tutto l’Anno
Dr. Catherine Leone
Pandemic-era teaching has created many challenges for students and teachers alike. At the same time, it has highlighted the importance of creating communities of care to increase student success and well-being. It has also emphasized that student and teacher well-being are deeply entwined. I share my reflections on pandemic teaching in the online classroom and strategies for creating communities of care.
Dr. Van Slooten teaches at UGB-Manitowoc. She teaches American literatures, women writers, composition, creative writing, and gender studies classes. Her research focuses on feminist analyses of popular romance fiction and film, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Jessica is an avid reader, baker, yogi, Lake Michigan lover, and dog mom.
November, 14, 2021
Jesus as Teacher: Transforming Stories
Rev. Jake Czarnik-Neimeye
One of the many great teachers throughout history is Jesus. His pedagogy was one that offered people a new perspective on life and on faith and challenged them to change their hearts and live their lives. He engaged his listeners with parables, using examples from everyday life — farming, homemaking, and fishing, among others in order to capture their imagination and allow them to ruminate on profound messages about God’s love, mercy, and saving power. Jake will use scripture, as well as, contemporary authors to provide examples of how historic stories and reflections can be relevant for our lives today.
Rev. Jake Czarnik-Neimeyer is the Associate Pastor of Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Church in Oshkosh. His ecumenical efforts include collaborating with Trinity Lutheran in Appleton to develop a "Dinner Church" worship/community experience. Jake is a retired camp administrator, fundraiser and teacher who enjoys traveling with his wife to visit their three daughters.
Yes, all year long saints’ days are celebrated in Italy, and not just by the devout. Many Italian holidays are based in the broad Roman Catholic culture of the country, but some have very deep roots going back before Christianity, even before the Roman Empire. We’ll take a look at this annual round of celebrations and see how they reinforce ties of family, community and nation.
November 21, 2021
Paying Forward - Our Future Generations" Paul DeMain
Treaty Covenants, Environmental Justice and the 2,000-year-old battle against the Black Snake. Paul DeMain of the Oneida Nation and of Ojibwe descent speaks about the recent battle for rights of nature, the lawsuit Manoomin VS. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Indigenous battle against expansion of the fossil fuel industry on public lands filled with abundant resources and pristine water.
A long-time investigative journalist for News From Indian Country, DeMain now chairs the board of directors for the Minnesota Indigenous environmental advocacy organization Honor The Earth, overseen by former Vice-Presidential candidate Winona LaDuke.
October 17, 2021
"Empathy"
Rev. Karon Sandberg
It’s a challenge to be with our loved ones when they are facing difficulties. We immediately begin to try and find solutions and offer advice. In our own discomfort, it feels good for us to do something. But often this is the last thing our loved ones need. As we look at cultivating relationships this month, empathy invites us to sit beside them and just be present, Empathy is when we can love them, hear them and stay with them in difficult times. Truthfully this is one of the hardest aspects of loving but if we can learn how to offer empathy we can strengthen and deepen our relationships with one another. Reading: Empathy video with Dr. Brene Brown Rev. Karon Sandberg is a retired hospice chaplain. She was honored to walk along side her patients in their final days and felt her patients taught her valuable lessons about living and dying well. She speaks monthly at UU congregations around NE Wisconsin and in Savannah, GA where she and her partner, Joel, like to escape in the winters. She also serves Fox Valley UU Fellowship as an affiliated Community Minister. She is currently working on a book that shares the lessons she learned from her patients and how they helped her to heal relationships in her own life.
October 10, 2021
"Why You Should Not Be a Unitarian Universalist”
Rev. Tony Larsen
About his sermon, Tony says: "In explaining our UU faith to others, we tend to think of reasons why people might want to join a congregation like ours. But the reasons why not to join can be instructive too. (Philosophy teaches us that we can sometimes learn a great deal about something by examining what it isn't.) If you have friends or acquaintances who you think might like to know more about our religion (or just know more about you!), invite them to attend this service. They may not decide to become UUs--but at least they'll know why! And you yourself may end up knowing a little more too. P.S. Although it may not sound like it, this sermon does fit Lakeshore UU Fellowship's October theme of 'Cultivating Relationship'!" Rev. Tony Larsen is a retired UUA Minister and a long time friend of the Lakeshore UU Fellowship.
October 3, 2021“Celebrating the Five Natural Senses” Jim Neilson
The UUA theme for October is “Celebrating Relationships.” On Sunday October 3rd James Neilson, Assistant Professor of Art at Saint Norbert College, will be our speaker.. His presentation will explore our relationships with nature. " Celebrating the Five Natural Senses: " A visual exploration of how the senses contribute to a richer and more wondrous awareness of all the beauty in the world, inclining us to become "guardians of nature", "earth-ecstatic's" and "star-gazers". Jim Neilson is an Assistant Professor of Art at St. Norbert College and a long time friend of the Lakeshore UU Fellowship. He is an innovative and engaging speaker. His knowledge of Art and his presentations always challenges us and encourages us to think differently, giving us new perspectives on our spiritual path.
August 2021
Faith in Action
Jennifer Hollahan
Memorial Day
Mike & Jeanette Clawsome
With Jim Rabata , Linda Hunter, Bonitta Budysz
Let’s look at dismantling racism in Memorial Day to continue our important deep study of the 8th principle. We plan to bring to light three areas and we are looking for your help in doing this. First, Mike Clawson and the first observance of Memorial Day by freed slaves after the Civil War. Second, Jeanette Clawson. Kathie Fishbeck for Linda Hunter, Jim Rabata, & Bonnita Budysz will share a series of short eulogies of African American women who have been victims of violence.
Flower Communion
May 23, 2021
In 1923 Dr. Norbert Capek turned to the native beauty of his Czechoslovakian countryside and created the first Flower Communion service. The flowers were symbolic of a united fellowship with each member bringing a unique contribution.
APRIL 25
Poetry in the Political Space:
Voices of Protest,
Resistance and
Empowerment
Jean Biegun
“Poems are lifesavers when your boat capsizes” wrote Lawrence Ferlinghetti in his book-length poem Americus, Book I. Especially now in this time of global distress across so many issues, poetry is welcome as a powerful art form at protests, rallies, and even inaugurations. However, poets all over the globe have been using their voices to protest, resist, and empower for a long time. Their works continue to expose grim truths, raise our consciousness, and unite us for action. The impact of their messages demonstrates why poetry is needed and sought after in moments of political crisis—when our boats capsize.
To honor National Poetry Month Jean Biegun will share works of poets who have spoken out against oppression and injustice from long ago to now and from far away to here among us. Lakeshore Unitarian Universalist Fellowship generously named her their Poet Laureate from 2013-2019 (she has a beautiful LUUF water bottle to prove it!). She also helped launch poetry in Manitowoc County through public performance programs such as Poetry: Alive & Well & Living in Manitowoc! and regular open mic venues at Kathie’s Stage Door Pub. Though relocated to California, she still participates in the Lakeshore Artists Guild Art As Poetry As Art project
every year
March 14 2021
“Divinity Lies in the Actions
of Our Shadow”
Rev. Karon Sandberg
Carl Jung says our shadow self is the part of ourselves we are afraid to reveal to others. We all hold things, big and small, hidden from others. What would happen if we brought these things out of the darkness and into the light? Could healing and even divinity dwell within those shadows? Join us as we explore our Shadow Self. Rev. Karon Sandberg is are recently retired hospice chaplain. She is working on a book about the lessons her patients taught her about living. She serves Fox Valley UU Fellowship as a community minister and speaks at other UU congregations once a month. She is still unsure what retirement looks like during Covid times but hopes it will include more travel and play as the world opens up.
April 11, 2021
“I’m Not Color Blind--Are You?
A Privileged White Man’s
Experience of Race”
Ted Rulseh
Instead of giving a talk I plan to lead a discussion on race relations, as embodied in our personal lives. I led such a discussion at my Northwoods UU Fellowship last January, to good reviews. Here are the questions to which I would like attendees to respond, as they wish:
1. What were your experiences with race growing up in your neighborhood and your home?
2. Did your community ever experience turmoil over a race issue?
3. Have you had, or do you have, a good friend of color? How did race influence the relationship?
4. Have you ever been the only white person in a room or gathering? What was that like?
5. Have you ever seen overt racism in your workplace?
6. You go to store to buy a new smart phone. When you arrived there is no one ahead of us in line. There are two service kiosks, staffed by two equally presentable and professional young women, one Black, the other White. You have to approach one or the other. Which one do you choose?
7. When did you first understand the concept of White privilege?
March 7, 2021
“Now What?”
Rev. Danny Givens
“As we embark upon the next season of our journey toward collective liberation. Many have felt the angst and exhaust of a year of the social distance, racial trauma, and political dismay. NOW WHAT?! Invites us to lean into the call of communal wisdom and togetherness to create a greater tomorrow.” Danny Givens is a heartfelt activist and orator who received a life changing gift of forgiveness from an off-duty police officer he shot during a botched robbery in 1996. Propelled by forgiveness, Danny began his journey toward reconciliation and resiliency prior to his release from incarceration in 2008. He later went on to receive his B.A. in Christian Ministry from Bethel University in 2011, accompanied by a three-year residency as an Interfaith Minister at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul, MN in 2016. Danny is now the Senior Pastor of Above Every Name Ministries, a young cutting edge congregation in the Twin Cities that prides itself in being a “Church for the People,” an advocate for Racial Justice in black, brown, and indigenous communities.
Feb 14 2021
“Pictures of Manitowoc”
Sonia Vasquez
“Sonia will “talk about the creation of the mural on the Lakeside building and her artist residency at the Rahr West, painting 'Portraits of Manitowoc'. She will also talk about her involvement with Lakeshore United Visionaries.” She recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
February 7, 2021
“Black Lives, White Lies:
Exploring an 8th UU Principle”.
Reverend Tony Larsen
"I am color-blind; I treat everyone the same"); and the present movement in Unitarian Universalism to add an eighth principle to the seven we already have--emphasizing the need to be more than passively non-racist, and actually anti-racist.
Rev. Tony Larsen has become one of our regular speakers. He. Is retired from Olympia Brown UU church in Racine.
January 24, 2021
“Power and Responsibility”
Rev. Lex Cade-White
Power is a part of every relationship from all parties. We can use it in a variety of ways for bad or for good. The measure of our character is in how we wield that power and acknowledge our responsibility to ourselves and each other. Lex is a chaplain at a hospital in Milwaukee and she’s pursuing a degree in nursing. She lives in Sheboygan with her partner, Kitty.
January 10, 2021
White Fragility
Sarah Urban
This discussion will introduce the concept of "White Fragility" and provide an opportunity to briefly explore Robin DiAngelo's book, which addresses the difficulties and triggers that white people can experience when thinking and talking about racism. Her 2018 work examines white supremacy in the context of it being a structure of overarching political, economic, and social systems that together work to ensure that some racial groups continue to exert power and control over others. We will have the opportunity to reflect on how these concepts intersect with the 2nd Principle and both the individual and collective responsibilities we have to address the racial inequities that exist within our communities. Sarah is the daughter of Dick and Mary JO, and she’s a School Psychologist at Madison Metropolitan School District.
November 8, 2020
Pandemic, Italian Style:
How Italy and Italians have responded to Covid-19 Catherine Leone
Italy was the first country outside of China to experience the full impact of the novel corona virus. During the spring of 2020 it implemented the longest and most stringent nationwide lockdown. By July, Italy was touted as a model for controlling the spread of the virus. Now, as COVID 19 cases are soaring in the United States and rising again in much of Europe, Italy, too, is experiencing a resurgence of cases. Italians are being asked, once again, to stay home, wear masks, and endure closures of businesses and schools. At the level of national and regional government, and at the level of local communities, families, and individuals, the response in Italy has been different from that in the United States. I’ll explore, and attempt to explain, the differences. Catherine is a retired sociology professor from the University of Green Bay , Manitowoc campus.
November 4 2020
Waiting to Embrace You Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Each week when we met in the sanctuary, our closing words ended with the phrase, “knowing that we wait to embrace you upon your return.” We’ve tweaked those words just a bit during this pandemic (“we embrace each other, even now, from a distance”), but we are still waiting for the moment when we’ll be able to embrace again. What does it mean to embrace from a distance? How can we hold each other, and hold space for each other, in a time of such heightened anxiety in our nation?
October 25 2020
Remembering the Saints
Ginny Finnel & Kathie Fishbeck
At our traditional “Remember the Saints” service we share the stories and wisdom of special people in our lives, both living and deceased. In this way, we give to each other some of what we've been given by our "saints").
We joined with Fox Valley UU Fellowship on October 18
Tiny Space
Rev. Leah Ongiri
Acts of care and experiences of connection can sometimes seem insignificant on their own. But the tiny space created by a sympathetic phone call or homemade meal left on the doorstep looms large in community. The care team is especially devoted to this work, but all Fellowship members and friends share the ministry by expressing concern and connection for one another. Recorded on October 18, 2020.
We joined with Fox Valley UU
October 11
UU The Vote
Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Our national Unitarian Universalist Association has made a commitment this year to electoral justice, and we'll be participating in a national UU the Vote Sunday this week. Join worship leaders from our fellowship and those from around the country including UUA president Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray to find out ways to "Vote Love and Organize for the Long Haul." Service recorded on October 11th, 2020.
October 4 2020
“Offering Empathy “
Rev. Karon Sandberg
In times of distress and hardship we struggle with how to help our loved ones. How can we be of support when sometimes there are no words or even actions that can comfort? I’ve have grown to be in awe of the amazing power of offering empathy. Join us as we explore what empathy is and how we can be present for others in ways that can offer peace and healing.
Rev. Karon Sandberg has been a hospice chaplain for close to 10 years. She was ordained by the Fox Valley UU Fellowship and serves them as a Community Minister. Through her work, she feels her patients have taught her how to live her life more fully. She has learned that by sharing our stories with one another we learn the most sacred truths about ourselves and that we are not alone.
September 20, 2020
Coloring Outside the Lines Rev.
Tony Larson
In keeping with September's "Renewal" theme, Tony's sermon this Sunday is about what people sometimes call "thinking outside the box," "moving outside the grid," or "jumping the rails of conventional thinking." It's also sometimes referred to simply as a paradigm shift. Whatever we might call it though, it is the foundation stone for almost every important movement, cultural change, scientific advancement, artistic breakthrough, or religious development. Tony will show how it can be important in our own spiritual lives as well.
September 13, 2020
Annual Water Communion
Mary Jo Urban & Ginny Finnel
At the beginning of each program year in September, we gather in a single service for all ages and share a much-appreciated UU tradition that honors the diversity of experiences we have enjoyed in the preceding summer months. Each congregant who chooses to participate brings a bit of water to this service as a symbol of their summer journey and experiences. These small amounts of water are poured together into a single bowl, symbolizing the beautiful and abundant ways our lives are intertwined. The sharing is always both meaningful and fun. This year due to ongoing social distancing we presented our water communion virtually. We could not bring water, but we could share pictures and words. A beautiful and memorable virtual service. Thanks to all who participated and shared, presented and organized this wonderful service.
August 23, 2020 Water Dance Poject
August 16
“Changing Bird Populations
For Better or for Worse”
Chuck Sontag
“Birds have been a large part of my life since early childhood. On the advice of a friend that I have shared this interest, we will explore/discuss some of the changes in bird populations. To help illustrate these changes, we will use several species of birds to compliment the story. Questions from the members will be a welcome part of the presentation.”
Chuck is the man beside the blue rail down at the lake who knows the answer to all of your questions. In fact, you might note the sign when you go out to the impoundment with his name on it. He’s written the Manitowoc part of the Wisconsin’s Favorite Bird Haunts. That was my primary source for birding when we moved to Manitowoc.
August 9
“A Unitarian Universalist Journey From Detroit to England with a few stops
in between.”
Gail Slaughter
“Storytelling is incredibly important to us as humans. Experiencing and telling our own individual stories can powerfully shape the kinds of big world and broad cultural stories we explore in our own search for truth and meaning.
I will share my own personal journey from a teenage youngster in Detroit in the mid-70’s, to a 60+ youngster working for the US military overseas.
As an (almost) life-long UU, my UU values have helped to shape how I have viewed life and my experiences.”
Gail was the first president of the fellowship.
July 26, 2020
Healing Sing & Sting a long
Allan, Bev, Shelly, Steve, Linda, Kathie, Carolyn, Jim, & Mike.
A healing and joy filled community Zoom Gathering with songs, chants, and words of hope during these difficult days of uncertainty and change. We send healing music out to ourselves and into the World, as we laugh and sing and experiment with community sing-a-longs on Zoom.
Presented by our LUUF newly formed group the “Park Street Sing & String-A-Long".
Service Guide, with Lyrics of the songs are available here for anyone who wants to sing along
July 12
The Lake Science: The Coloring Book
With Ted Rulseh
It’s a simple way to understand what makes a lake tick – the physical, chemical and biological processes that drive the ecosystem. Colorful graphics help make the concepts easy to understand. This presentation aligns with our seventh UU principle. Ted is a former member of LUUF. He always brings interesting perspectives.
June 7
Lessons from Our Regional Assembly: What is the Real Business of the Board
July 19, 202
“The Joy of Their Holiness“
Peggy Turnbull
Peggy Turnbull was born in Manitowoc and was educated in its public schools. After graduating from Lincoln High, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she received a B.A. in anthropology. She earned her M.L.I.S. at the University of Texas at Austin, then moved to southern West Virginia to work in academic libraries. Throughout her years away from home, she identified with the world of poets and writers, but it wasn't until she returned to the lakeshore to work at UW-Manitowoc that she became aware of poetry as a personal calling. She was inspired by Dr. Jessica Van Slooten, who organized poetry readings at the library; Jean Biegun, who provided Peggy with opportunities to share her writing publicly; and Tom Montag, her poetry teacher at The Mill: A Place for Writers. She will read from The Joy of Their Holiness, her first chapbook, which is forthcoming in September from Kelsay Publishing. Her themes include those of reverence, place, and family. She won The Mill prize in 2019 and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.
June 21 Sunday Service
Lakeshore UU Fellowship annual meeting, and journey to Covenant. With Erica Strauss, LUUF Board president. S
May 24, 2020
Vulnerability
Arthur Thexton
May 17, 2020
“A New Flower Ceremony”
Mary Jo Urban & Ginny Finnel
Since our being able to share physical flowers doesn’t seem possible, let’s try sharing them virtually! Mary Jo Urban is helping us with one of our annual ceremonies for a time of social distancing. It will still have the same meaning, but with a new garment.