July 20th: Refugee Center Holds 3rd Annual Magic Valley Refugee Day

Dear Members of Record and Friends of MVUUF:

This morning during our service, I circulated [to those present] two letters mailed recently to our MVUUF Fellowship. The first was a letter from the CSI Refugee Program informing us of the upcoming “Third Annual Magic Valley Refugee Day” to be held Friday, July 20. 2012 beginning at 6:00 at the Twin Falls City Park by the bandshell.  I know all of you will enjoy sampling foods of the various countries. This event is FREE and open to everyone of all ages.

Please note the following:

Refugee Center Holds 3rd Annual Magic Valley Refugee Day

The College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center is coordinating an evening of ethnic food, information, and entertainment at the Twin Falls City Park Bandshell starting at 6 p.m. Friday, July 20.

The third annual Magic Valley Refugee Day will feature eleven ethnic populations from Afghanistan, Armenia, Bhutan/Nepal, Bosnia, Burma, Burundi, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Vietnam. Event coordinator Michelle Pospichal says each group will have a tent with displays, information about their home countries, and samples of their foods. Presentations on the stage will feature ethnic music, singing and dancing. 

“We want to recognize the Twin Falls community for its amazing support and cooperation in relocating our refugees throughout the year,” said Pospichal. “This is a time to celebrate the wonderful diversity of cultures living in Twin Falls.”

Pospichal said information will be available on how volunteers can get involved with the refugees or how to donate to the Refugee Center. Volunteers will also sell raffle tickets for one dollar each or six for $5. Cultural items made by the local refugees or that were brought from their homeland will be the prizes.

The event is free and open to everyone. Those who attend are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for sitting on the lawn. For more information, contact the CSI Refugee Center at 736-2166 or e-mail mpopsic@spro.net

The second letter received was from Planned Parenthood of the Greater Northwest. For information about this letter which contains general information about Planned Parenthood of the Greater Northwest (including the Magic Valley) please visit: www.ppgnw.org/appt .

Sincerely,

Ken Whiting

July 8th Service: Unlocking the Back Door to Happiness and Understanding the Buddhist Key that Can Open the Door

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship will host a discussion titled “Unlocking the Back Door to Happiness and Understanding the Buddhist Key that Can Open the Door.”

Facilitator, Michael Johnson will discuss how we can’t find the door because of the human dilemma we seem to be stuck with but which we can manage if we really want to find happiness wherever we are, whatever we are doing.

Newcomers are always welcome.

Worship Leader:  MIchael Johnson
Sunday,  July 8, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

July 1st Service: The Matthew Effect

This Sunday The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship will host a discussion about the “Matthew Effect” or “The Rich Get Richer.”

Anne Martin will examine the “Parable of the Talents” from the Gospel of Matthew and explore the lessons from the story which relate to challenges we face daily. Newcomers are always welcome.

Worship Leader:  Ann Martin
Sunday,  July 1, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

June 24th Service: To Err is Human

Error is typically viewed by most as a hindrance to progress and success; however, this Sunday we will look at how apparent error may serve as an agent of improvement.   We will look at examples of this phenomenon within science and technology as well  as within our own lives.

Worship Leader:  Ryan Terry
Sunday,  June 24, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

June 17th Service: Flower Comunion

On Sunday June 17th, we will have a service dedicated to Fathers and have a Flower communion to also honor the 90th year of the Prague UU Church, which started the International Flower Communion. The Prague UU Church was founded in 1922 and survived during some of the most difficult times in European history.     Please bring a flower to share.  We will share some stories about our Dads and learn about the history of the Flower Communion.  If you would like to speak about your Dad or another significant Father figure in your life,  please contact Host Karen Fothergill.

Worship Leader:  Karen Fothergill
Sunday,  June 17, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

June 10th Service: Juneteenth

On June 19th, many people in the United States will celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, in recognition of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Why not celebrate January 1, 1863, the day Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect? Because it took until June 19, 1865, for Union soldiers to arrive in Texas and enforce the Proclamation. This Sunday we will learn more about this holiday and its history as well as celebrate this significant day.

Worship Leader:  Rev. Suzanne Marsh
Sunday,  June 10, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

June 3rd Service: “Shifting from Fear to Love in Relationships” with Dr. Collete Hoglund

Unitarian Universalist (UU) principles include affirming and promoting the inherent worth and dignity of every person, acceptance of one another, and compassion in human relationships.  These principles are rooted in love.   However, loving ourselves and others can be challenging.  Many obstacles may interfere with being loving.  One major stumbling block is fear.  Fear can stem from concerns such as not being enough or having enough, being focused on the past or future and wanting control.  This presentation and discussion will address how to shift from fear to love in relationships.

“Only when fear lifts, the human heart can open and thrive.”  Forrest Church, UU minister

Worship Leader: Dr. Collete Hoglund

Worship Associate: Don Morishita

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho

Beginning at 10:30 AM

May 27th Service: “The Places that Scare You” with Rev. Elizabeth Greene

The Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is pleased to announce that Reverend Elizabeth Greene of the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will speak on Sunday May 27th at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, located at 530 Shoshone Street West.  Rev. Greene’s topic is The Places that Scare You from the book of the same title by Pema Chödrön.

Reverend Elizabeth Greene is in her 24th year of serving the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. A former educator, she graduated from the Unitarian Universalist Seminary Starr King School for the Ministry. Elizabeth is the Pacific Northwest District Trustee to the Unitarian Universalist Association and is active in the Interfaith Alliance. Elizabeth performs as a choral singer, writes thoughtful columns for the Idaho Statesman, and is a frequent speaker at community events.

Worship Leader: Elizabeth Greene
Worship Associate: Karen Kothergill

Sunday, May 27, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

May 20th Service: “Life Lessons in the Garden”

The nature of living is reflected in the nature of gardening.  Through gardening we learn that life is a process and that small efforts yield remarkable results over time.  Gardening shows us that we are all part of an interconnected web of life and that life is resilient.  Time in the garden can also teach us to let go of attachment and accept the cycles of change.  We discover that hard work, done well, feels good and that one of the most important aspects of gardening is taking the time to savor and appreciate the beauty that is all around us.

“I sit in my garden, gazing upon a beauty that cannot gaze upon itself.  And I find sufficient purpose for my day.”  Robert Brault

Worship Leader: Julie Merrick
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center
Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

May 13th Service: A Celebration of Those Who Have “Mothered Us” and “Flower Communion”

Speaker: Rev. Suzanne Marsh

Although mothering is generally associated with women, the dictionary definition includes: “bringing up a child with care and affection” and “look after kindly and protectively, sometimes excessively”, but many definitions do not include any gender reference at all.

We, as a society, may yet be able to move away from the confining image of motherhood to a more expansive vision of mothering which includes fathers, grandparents, friends, teachers and all who love children. This Sunday, Mother’s Day, let’s gather to remember and celebrate all who have “mothered us”, as well as our experiences of “mothering others”.

In addition, we will have our annual “Flower Communion.” Please bring some flowers to share.

Worship Leader: Rev. Suzanne Marsh
Worship Associate: Ryan Terry

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Twin Falls Senior Center,
Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM