Message from the Board Chair

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

I have been so inspired by the resilience of Minnesotans! Those targeted and those supporting and standing up for them. For not giving in or giving up. Just giving. I’ve read that that’s what resilience is. 

Minnesotans exemplify this month’s theme: Embodying Resilience. We GIVE! We are usually first in the nation for philanthropy, volunteering, and civic engagement. The federal administration didn’t do its research when it chose to target Minnesota.

Dear Lake Fellowship Members and Friends,

Let’s take a moment to pause: 

Notice, name, and feel your emotions in this moment. 

Take three deep breaths. Picture someone or something that brings up what you’re needing right now: care, love, calm, joy, etc. Send those feelings to yourself . . . then out into the world. 

-- my variation of HeartMath's Heart Lock technique

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

A friend posted on Facebook:  OMG. There is so much hate in the world. How do you all deal with it! 

I commented:  I remind myself that it was even worse in the past. So despite backlashes and setbacks, humans are becoming more conscious and compassionate.

She replied:  But are they? This doubt is part of the despair.

I replied:  The more I learn about the past, the more convinced I am . . .

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

November’s theme is Nurturing Gratitude. So much to be grateful for! 

I’m grateful for YOU! For being part of this Fellowship! For coming to programs, celebrations, and meetings. For sharing your passions, skills, and resources. For making this place possible.

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

Our program theme for October is Cultivating Compassion. How do we as a congregation cultivate compassion amongst ourselves? How do we become what we want to see in the world? To be the light?

Welcome to LFUU's 2025-26 Program Year! My first instinct was to say, “Welcome HOME!” After 35 years as a member, the beginning of our program year feels like a homecoming to me. But if you haven’t been coming to Lake Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists for very long, maybe it doesn’t yet. My second instinct was to say, “Welcome BACK!” But perhaps you’ll be visiting us for the first time . . . I’m excited for you and us!

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

This Sunday is the last before the Memorial Day weekend and, thus, our last program of 2024-2025 and the beginning of our summer break. As a lay-led congregation, our Program Committee needs this time to rest and recharge. A big thanks to Dan and Marnie for their planning, scheduling, creating, and leading of this past program year. It inspired, educated, and delighted us!

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

I attended my 35th Annual Meeting of the Members of LFUU on Sunday! I also ran it. I couldn’t have done so without lots of help. I want to thank:

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

This week I am writing my Report from the Chair and preparing for our Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, so I am not writing a Message for the newsletter. 

You should’ve received an email on Tuesday with the meeting information, agenda, and attachment. All are welcome to join us in-person or on Zoom: the Zoom link is below. Hope to see you on Sunday!

In Fellowship,

Laurie Gauer

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

Every Monday morning, I set an intention for my mind to start working on my theme for this message. To review and process what’s been popping up over the past week and find a passion, purpose, or pattern. By Tuesday a theme usually reveals itself. This week my mind suggested “needs.” Right after that, I received Matthew’s blog post that started with this  paragraph, which I decided confirmed my theme: