More Unitarian Stuff

[twicketface]

In these ways we, the members of the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, will walk together as a diverse community bonded by love:

We value trust, respect and acceptance of diversity in our relationships with each other, so we strive to...
* Challenge ourselves and each other to grow and be faithful to the truth we find within;
* Listen carefully to each other, seeking both to understand and to be understood;
* Keep our individual needs in balance with the health and vitality of the community as a whole;
* Welcome dialogue and cultivate an open and safe environment in which to hear all points of view.

We hold honest and respectful communication as the basis of healthy relationships in community, so we strive to...

* Be open, courteous and forgiving with each other, suspend judgement of those with whom we disagree, and offer each other kindness and encouragement;
* Provide our paid and volunteer leaders with clear expectations, clear lines of communication, and our steadfast love and support.

We acknowledge that change and conflict are normal parts of life in community, so we strive to...

* Give of our time, talent and resources as we are able to keep our community vital and strong;
* Provide our leadership with the resources to be effective in their roles;
* Work for justice and engage in acts of service and compassion to others.

Comments

I just did a HUGE double-take!

[lousy-timing.livejournal.com]

Is Roger Bertschausen (I think I spelled that right) still at the UU Fellowship of the Fox Valley? Where are you living? We lived in Appleton for almost 4 years and went to the UU church there. Roger lived around the corner from us until just before we left. They moved to have a bigger place and be closer to the new building.

Wow- so many flashbacks- all from one post!

Re: I just did a HUGE double-take!

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

Yes, he's still there. We live right off Calumet and 441 - about four blocks from the new building.

Small world indeed!

If you get the chance-

[lousy-timing.livejournal.com]

Please tell him that Martha and Brett (who lived on Summer Street when they were on Spring) send greetings from NJ!

I am always amazed at just how tiny the world seems at times.

Re: If you get the chance-

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

I passed along greetings to Roger this morning and he sent them right back. He said that he has a daughter the same age as you.

Connection made :)

This is true-

[lousy-timing.livejournal.com]

Roger and Amy's daughter Hattie is just a few months younger than our daughter. Josie (whom they know as Adrianna) is fourteen and a Freshman in high school.

I think Hattie is probably in 8th grade. Their son, Ian, should be about 10, I think. Our's is 7 now.

We're "young" parents- our daughter was born when I was 20 and Brett was 21. We had one of those early marriages that everyone said wouldn't last because of our ages. There have been rough patches, but we just had our 15th anniversary in February.

If it works out that we go on a trip to Appleton next year, I'll make sure and stop by the Fellowship and say hello in person!

Thanks for passing on the message. :-)

[cornelius-mcfee.livejournal.com]

Yep, all great stuff.

The hardest thing for me is forgiving others... I'm such an opinionated person, and I often will judge them prior to knowing anything about them...

I need to bone up on that!

C

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

I do the same thing. To counter this, I try to remember shitty things that I've done in the past and realize that I wouldn't want people to judge my whole personality on that one event, so why would I do the same to them? It's hard and it takes a lot of practice, but it seems to help me.

[cornelius-mcfee.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.

I honestly believe that most things are objective, but then when somebody tells me that they're going to vote for George W. Bush, I can't help but think that they are completely crazy... I get seethingly mad and I can't help it!!!!

...but having said that, Unitarian is the only way to go from my viewpoint... Kudos!

C