News: We are an active UU community. You will find links to some of our activities and announcements here. 

• Dec. 16 : A Christmas Party for all Ages  3 p.m. (or after nap time) to 5 p.m.. The party is planned especially for children in the Religious Education program, their families, and all who will enjoy some crafts, stories and cookie decorating. The party will be at the Bowman home, N7904 Brookhaven Beach Road, off Hwy 151. Several more hammers are needed for a craft project, please bring one if you can.  Parking  -- Please leave a turn around space in our driveway.  May park in driveway next door (brown house), and on east side of the road.

• NEEDED: RE Teachers for upcoming months.  Our Religious Education program needs volunteers for the important work of passing our UU teachings to the next generation. If you are already an RE teacher, contact Monica Walk ASAP regarding your schedule.  If you’d like to teach – or even think you might like to teach – religious education a couple Sundays a year, also contact Monica. We have experienced teachers who are happy to co-teach or mentor new teachers.  As RE director, Monica gives great organizational support to our program to make your volunteer teaching a positive experience.  Please consider teaching and contact Monica at 922-3526 or monicawalk@hotmail.com.

• UU 101 is being planned for Saturday, Jan. 19th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..  This is an opportunity for those new to UU to learn more about Unitarian Universalism.  Since nearly all of us are fairly new to UU, all are invited to participate. The workshop will include UU history and information on UU polity (how we are governed / make decisions.)  More details will follow, but we encourage you to “save the date” and plan to learn more about UU and learn to know others in Open Circle better.

•  The Building Renovation committee (Ron Cross, chairperson, Kathy Brimhall, Dean Malloy, John McDowell, Sylvia Reed, Robert Schels, Linda Struye and Howie Zanto) has been working closely with the OCUUF Board and with architect Tom Meiklejohn to finalize plans for the building renovation.  If you have questions about the plan or the process, please speak to board or committee member.
  
  
• U Holiday Services -- While Open Circle will not have a service on Dec. 22 or on Christmas Eve, this is a good time to visit one of our sister UU Fellowships, Prairie Lakes in Ripon or Fox Valley in Appleton.  Check websites, www.pluuf.org or www.fvuuf.org for information about services and times.
  
  
• Men’s Retreat Jan. 25 -27 –  The Men’s Group at Fox Valley UU Fellowship has extended an invitation to the men of OCUUF to join in their annual retreat titled, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.”  Fox Valley has a very active men’s group and their retreat is a highpoint of the year.  It would be great if some guys from Open Circle could attend (to possibly be inspired to start their own men’s group – or just go for a great weekend of fun and reflection.)  More information is available from Tom Pynenberg at 920-954-1461. 
  
  
• Coffee Hour Volunteers are needed for January and February.  Please sign up on sheet in entry table.
  
  
• Child care during service is provided for young children by Angie Leu in the small room at the end of the fellowship hall.
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• Sunday service announcements are due to Madonna Bowman by Thursday noon.

Around the Commmunity:

• Stand for Peace, every Thursday, 5-6 p.m., corner of Johnson and Peters streets.
• Just Fare Market, First Presbyterian Church (4th St. Road). Offering fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and gift items from around the world. Volunteer staff needed for Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (2 or 4-hours shifts) Contact Jill Stiemsma of Prairie Lake UU Fellowship for more information and to get involved.

  Updated 12/14/07