Calendar
Programs are at 10 a.m. in our meeting room, unless otherwise noted.
(ZOOM CONNECTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED)
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June 7 – Riverside Park at 10 am for a summer get-together and potluck. For those who are able and would like to, we’ll take a little walk on the Red Cedar Trail, and then adjourn to a picnic table at the Park for a potluck.
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June 14 – Service with Dennis Peters. "An Open Letter to Wisconsin Politicians". This “letter” is general enough to be addressed to all in public office: Republicans, Democrats, Independents. Much of it will be a series of questions. As a constituent I would like to know what you believe and espouse. As a citizen of the United States, of the State of Wisconsin, of a county, a township or village or city, I want to understand your plans and your approach to we the citizens.
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June 21 – Greg Quinn, Veteran’s Service Officer for Dunn County – Greg will speak to us about the Veteran’s Service Office and how it serves those who have served.
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June 28 – Service with Dennis Peters. "Hermetically Sealed (revisited)". This normally means a seal so tight that air cannot go in or out. Let’s use it in a different sense today: a brain hermetically sealed, such that no thoughts or ideas can get out. Or in. Welcome to the predominant mode of the 21st century!
Coming Up
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July 19 – The Ostermans will present another mini concert
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August 2 – Pool Party at Lynn Shaw’s house
Our Next Book
The membership voted in favor of "The Book of Joy" by Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama as our next book discussion focus.
Seven Principles
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person
- Justice, equity, and compassion in human
relations
- Acceptance of one another and
encouragement of spiritual growth in our
congregations
- A free and responsible search for truth and
meaning
- The right of conscience and the use of the
democratic process within our congregations
and in society at large
- The goal of world community with peace,
liberty, and justice for all
- Respect for the interdependent web of all
existence of which we area part
Ticktogs.com
If you are a nature lover, but hate to venture out because of the possibility of picking up ticks, check out Ticktogs.com where you will find an over-sock system that stops ticks.
We Believe...
Unitarian Universalists do not follow a creed, or statement of beliefs expected of all members. Rather, we are encouraged to undertake our own search for what is meaningful and spiritual. That search may seek out other belief systems to understand them and perhaps follow parts that are of value to the searcher. Among any given Unitarian Universalist congregation, members may include humanists, atheists, Christians, Buddhists, agnostics, pagans, or a range of other beliefs. We consider all valid, and welcome them in our congregations.
Good Reads
"The Tao of Pooh" by Benjamin Hoff
"How We Learn to Be Brave" by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
"The Chalice and the Blade" by Renee Eisler
The Chalice News
June 2026
Support for Farmer to Farmer Program
We at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Menomonie (UUCOM) continue our support of other organizations whose purpose and mission align with our values. Our May support went to the Farmer to Farmer Scholarship Program. Farmer to Farmer is a western Wisconsin initiated program to support coffee production in Central American countries. As part of that, the program also provides scholarships to help children of those coffee-producing farmers attend schools at all levels, from elementary through professional university programs. Scholarships can cover school materials costs, tuition, and even school uniforms. In this photo, UUCOM president Jill Smith presents a check to Paul Helgeson, long time board member and supporter of the Farmer to Farmer program.
Ann Brand and Mindfulness
From our recent mindfulness presentation by Ann Brand, “Mindfulness is kind awareness. You don’t have to clear your mind, just pay attention on purpose without judgment. It’s not about achieving a specific state. You are in the present moment.”
Mindfulness on Two Wheels
By David K. Williams
Our Unitarian Universalist Congregation program on May 17 was a talk focused on mindfulness, brought to us by Ann Brand. Her presentation, which included a brief exercise of being in the moment, practicing being mindful, was welcome.
And that effort reminded me that we all have various ways to move to quiet space where we can be contemplative, be thoughtful, consider aspects of our lives. For me it’s often on early morning bike rides.
Menomonie is blessed with the Lake Menomin Loop, an 8 1/2 mile bike/pedestrian trail around the lake. For me, getting to the Loop, and then adding a few miles on the north end yields about an 11 mile ride, just over an hour. I like to head out before the sun rises on these late spring and summer days.
There’s often dew sparkling on the grass, the birds are starting their morning chorus, I regularly see wildlife before the din of daily life and traffic drive them into seclusion for the day. I keep a daily deer count (26 is my record), but have also seen sandhill cranes, redwing blackbirds galore, once a coyote, and the mama raccoon with her six trailing youngsters in Wakanda Park was a treat.
But most of the time it’s a quiet time when I can consider life. Sure, there are folks heading for work at that hour, but much of the trail is away from their route, and I usually have the whole trail to myself. My breathing is regulated by whether or not I have a hill to climb (I love the stretch from 3M along the interstate—it’s a mile of all downhill pedaling to the Red Cedar River). I can ponder those things I need to do, want to do, or probably should do, order my day to get ready for those, or sometimes just savor the joy of gliding along on two wheels. I think I’ve been biking for now seven decades, since my parents gave me and my brother bikes for Christmas one year on the farm. Biking is a way to feel independent, getting somewhere on my own power, recognizing the pull on muscles as valuable exercise. It’s somewhat the same exuberance I felt when sailing our small 13 foot sailboat—to get from point A to point B without a motor, using nature’s breezes, even when they were in a contrary direction.
One of my siblings has become an advocate for electric bikes, and I find the concept interesting. But I fear it would add a mechanization and different set of considerations to the now quite simple means of movement my bike offers. I’m not sure I’d feel as contemplative—so for now, my early morning pedaling will be unmotorized and my thoughts can glide along with me.
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”
— Henry David Thoreau
