Loon Song CUUPS presents a morning reflection on gratitude.

Please bring a nonperishable item to support our friends at No Hungry Neighbors. They are in need of personal care/hygiene products, cold weather gear and non perishable food items. Check out their wish list here:
https://tinyurl.com/yjcw6k7n

About the service: ‘Tis a most disturbing time for a faithful UU. Scary, perilous, gut-wrenching, anger inducing.
Rev. Suzanne presents some admittedly incomplete and fragile and scattered reflections on how she is facing life, the universe and everything. Pick and choose and discard as you will.

About the speaker: The Reverend Suzanne Wasilczuk is a 2007 graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. She served as a circuit-riding minister for 12 years at UU congregations in Virginia, MN and Thunder Bay, Ontario, as well as traveling to another dozen sites in the region. She lives in Duluth and is semi-retired, but continues to preach in the area.

Topics covered:

• What is Shamanism?

• What makes it different from other Pagan and Earth
  Centered Practices?

• Experience a semi-guided shaman experience!

Things to be aware of:

• Participants are asked to please dress comfortably.
  You may bring something to lie on, if you choose. 

• Membership is not required to attend. Please join us!

The annual “Flower Ceremony” or “Flower Communion” is a tradition in many UU churches, including Mesabi UU.

Facilitators: Mary Erickson and Gretchen Wright

"Drawing the Line" Rev. Ted Tollefson

Sometimes life seems to require that we establish clear boundaries and edges.  But how?  And what kinds of line drawing are helpful?

Bio: Rev. Ted Tollefson began preaching during recess in grade school. And almost 70 years later, he's still at it.   

MUU Annual Meeting takes the place of our usual service this morning.

Spring is a season of change and renewal Rev. Oby Ballinger

As we inch closer to summer, let us take time to marvel at the beauty of growth and change. Nature shows us the challenge - and reward - of this mindset. It invites us to create space for the unmasked version of ourselves to rise; a version defined by actions, thoughts, and feelings in alignment with our own personal truth and values. Rev. Oby will share insights and experiences through his work at Prism about what it means to live authentically as ourselves and the joy that accompanies being honest, vulnerable and self aware. 

Rev. Oby Ballinger (he/him) is a pastor of Morningside Hills United Church of Christ in Edina, MN. He is the founder of Prism, a statewide network committed to bringing together faith communities, allies, and advocates from diverse traditions to advance a shared vision of justice and inclusion for all, following decades of community organizing for racial, economic, climate, and LGBTQ+ justice. A graduate of Yale Divinity School and Concordia College, Oby has also served several Twin Cities congregations as a pastor in the United Church of Christ, worked part-time for the Minnesotans United for All Families campaign and served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Conference UCC and the national UCC’s Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Executive Council. Rev. Ballinger lives with his husband in St. Paul.Rev. Oby Ballinger

“Poets Among Us” Facilitator - Ellie Larmouth

April is National Poetry Month. This year we will highlight poems written by members of the Mesabi UU. Please sign up and share the magic of your words crafted into poems.

"Begin Again" Rev. Ted Tollefson

In this life, we sometimes need to begin again and start over. But how? Sometimes a brief pause suffices, but other times a clear break is required.

Bio: Rev. Ted Tollefson began preaching during recess in grade school. And almost 70 years later, he's still at it.   

Passover Seder Adam Tritt

“OutFront MN: Queer Joy in Resistance” (Safe Spaces on the Iron Range) Oakley Wilton

Connecting Through the Struggle Rev. Leslie Mills

This year, we have focused on how to engage in activism during times that drain us -- an "Age of Compassion Fatigue." But what about those relationships that are closer to home? Together we will explore what causes "bumps" when we try to connect across differences, whether that's an argument with a dear friend, or an uncomfortable conversation with a neighbor who voted for the other side. From Eastern philosophy to Western psychology, we will draw on many stories and examples, only to find that the solution is both simpler and more challenging than one might think.

Rev. Leslie Mills has been a Unitarian Universalist minister for over a decade, serving several congregations on staff as well as guest preaching around the country. Leslie is a resident artist who has sold her work at the St. Paul Art Crawl, currently focused on using materials harvested from nature to create prints and dyes on fabric. She also loves singing, knitting, reading, and traveling. A long-time student of the peaceful Japanese martial art of Ki-Aikido, Leslie draws on its foundational principles to guide her preaching and her ministry. 

“What I Keep Learning: Reminders” Rev. Suzanne Wasilczuk

Suzanne reflects on fairness and kindness, love and justice. She talks about all the stuff she’s been learning in this, her 5th year in kindergarten. And she tells a story of iniquity, befuddlement, betrayal, mayhem (a modern-day fairy tale?) and of ultimate retaliation. Open heartedness? Forgiveness? Healing? Redemption?

Living in a Mutual World Rev. Terri Burnor

All over Minnesota, people are helping neighbors and responding generously in material ways. This kind of support is critically needed not just right now, but always. As we fight the power, what are we building up in its place? Join Rev. Terri to talk about mutuality and community care. 

Rev. Terri Burnor (she/her) is Executive Director of MUUSJA (the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance). She also serves the St. Croix Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Wisconsin as their minister. Terri is a life-long Minnesotan who lives in St. Paul with her spouse, Brian, and their two dogs, Marvin & Betty.

"Manifestation 101"  Facilitator: Siyanda Elizabeth

In the Hawaiian wisdom tradition, a foundational principle is "Energy flows where attention goes."  This morning, we turn our attention to rituals and techniques that can successfully bring thoughts and goals, large and small, into physical reality.

Problems and Promises of Unearned Privilege  Tod Swenson

 This workshop introduces “White Privilege,” the idea that there exists a system of racial preferences that are automatically awarded to people who identify as White or of European ancestry, while, at the same time, there is a system of systematic disadvantages for People of Color and other people marginalized by race or ethnicity. 

Rev. Leslie Mills will continue her four-part series delving into deeper questions of connection, change and human transformation, building on what it means to be human together in this ever-shifting world we share and call home.  

Insights Gleaned from Years as a Hospice Patient Caregiver  presented by Erika Hodnik

 For years Erika has volunteered across the Range as a companion and caregiver for hospice patients. She will share some of her experiences and insights from those interactions. After her presentation she will respond to questions and shared experiences from the congregation members.

Music as Medicine congregation members Tiffany Swenson and Doug Gregor

 This service has been inspired by neuroscientist and musician Daniel Levitin's recent book entitled: I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine.  In the book he explores the current scientific and anecdotal evidence of music's healing effects, detailing how powerful a tool it is for health beyond entertainment.  He recounts how music can alleviate pain, reduce anxiety, aid stroke recovery, and help with conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's by   influencing brain function, mood, and neuroplasticity. Interactive musical elements are being planned. 

Neurodivergences and Spirituality Adam Tritt 

Revisiting “The Celestine Prophecy”  congregation member Doug Gregor

 In the 1990’s our congregation held a service to introduce and then afterwards, in a series of periodic discussion groups, to explore nine spiritual insights that were presented in a 1993 novel by author James Redfield   entitled The Celestine Prophecy.  The main character undertakes a journey in Peru in the course of which he struggles to find and understand those recorded insights as serially revealed in an ancient manuscript that local church officials are fighting to suppress. The book recounts the character’s spiritual awakening to various psychological and spiritual ideas rooted in multiple ancient Eastern traditions and New Age spirituality.  Join with us in retracing that spiritual journey. 

The Power of Solitude  Ellie Larmouth, Ph.D.

Through lessons from famous philosophers, the power of solitude will be examined as a crucial tool for developing self-understanding as well as a path to inner peace. 

Pennies,  Who Needs Um? Steve Johnson

As we see manufacturing of pennies discontinued by the treasury department, it begs the question, "Is change necessary?"

Let's take a look at change...in our spiritual and physical lives.  Do we need it?  What does it feel like?  How do we deal (or not) with it? 

Holiday Music The children of MUU

Winter Solstice Oracle Hekataios, presenting from Florida via Zoom

(Our service will meet in person as usual but the speaker will present via Zoom to those of us gathered.)

The Winter Solstice and the time period surrounding this date are beautiful for so many religious practices. Light, triumph, joy, peace, and compassion are themes shared during this time of year. But did you know it is also a time when the spirits walk among us? When darkness is at its greatest, and it happens when death comes to the land in the Northern Hemisphere? Join Oracle Hekataios as they help you understand the significance of not only light, but the   wisdom of darkness and the cycle of death into rebirth." 
Bio: Oracle Hekataios is author of "Strix Craft: Ancient Greek Magic for the Modern Witch" rereleased by Crossed Crow Books this past year. In Rockledge, Florida he co-leads a CUUPS group called 'Path of the Labyrinth’, structuring it as a Druid Grove. He and his husband of 26 years own a shop called 'Ravens Oasis' located in the heart of Cocoa Village, FL where he works as a medium and reader. He lectures widely on a variety of topics from a polytheist perspective and is an interfaith minister. Oracle is currently a student at Starr King Seminary for his master’s in divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling.

Returning of Light ~ Hanukkah with Shelly, Tod and Adam

We will have three perspectives on the winter festivals of light, including the lighting of the menorah. As winter approaches, bringing a chill to the air and darkness to the sky, communities around the world look to the miracle of light: a sign of rebirth and a source of hope. Together, we celebrate a promise of new life and recommit ourselves to protecting everyone’s right to their own.

Water Legacy Speaker: Mike Maleska (He/Him)

Mike will provide compelling proof that we have a serious problem with liquid mining waste in NE MN, including photographs of all the tailings reservoirs from Silver Bay to Side Lake and from Ely to Grand Rapids. These photos were taken from the air on 3 flights privately paid for in June and July of this year - 2025. Mike will demonstrate the process (with visuals) whereby sulfate is converted to sulfide then chemically joins with mercury to become fat soluble methyl mercury - making itself available for consumption and absorption by all life forms in the environment. That includes micro invertebrates, their larvae, eggs, crustaceans, minnows, fish, and possibly ducks, deer, and those of us who consume them. He will show how the sulfated water easily escapes the massive tailings reservoirs crowding our landscape, and hydraulically leaches into surrounding lakes, rivers and streams polluting all 3 watersheds here. He will show how these toxic fugitive ‘waters’ kill wild rice and how it happens over decades, not weeks. He will provide us with options that have nothing to do with shutting down existing mines, and will, contrary to the rhetoric of mining advocates, PRODUCE jobs. These jobs will not require highly skilled workers during the actual cleanup once a scientifically proven & effective process is implemented. He will   also address some raw falsehoods disseminated by miners and how that benefits mining companies.

BIO: Mike is a Retired Miner, Lifelong Minnesotan, Environmental Activist, Union Strong, USMC Veteran, BWCAW, LGBTQ Ally, Doomsday Prepper, Canoeist, Hunter, Fisherman, Progressive, Woke, ANTIFA.

“Inclusion of Diverse Voices” Shelly LaMar and Jeanine Emmons

Divisive times provide ample space for unifying around our dedication to each other and lifting up the voices of those who are often overlooked. The more we challenge ourselves to receive new information with open and curious minds, the easier it will be to find common ground and build empathy.

While presenting an overview of this course you are invited to bring your curiosity and questions as we discover more about:

· Creating a welcome space by unlearning assumptions

· Discovering lived experiences and the many spiritual gifts of transgender people.

· Identifying how mainstream culture works to exclude transgender people and the difference between invitation and inclusion

· Dismantling gender-based oppression: Mesabi UU's current     successes and possible future challenges.

Jeanine Emmons and Shelly La Mar participated in a six-week training course called "Trans Inclusion in Congregations."

You Are How You Have Lived: Exploring Individual and Group Identity Tod Swenson

Each of us has an original way of being human: each person has his or her own “measure.” There is a certain way of being human that is my way. I am called upon to live my life in this way, and not in imitation of anyone else’s life… This notion gives a new importance to being true to myself. If I am not, I miss the point of my life; I miss what being human is for me.                                 ~ Charles Taylor, cultural philosopher