Hello Friends:

It was a pleasure to welcome three new members on Sunday.  Welcome to Julie Warner, Trish Donley and Matty Strickler.  Matty preached his final sermon as a student minister on Sunday and has concluded his student minister duties.  As is customary with ministerial leaders he will take a break from the church to ease the transition to a regular member.  We look forward to seeing him again in the fall.  He will join Karen Swenson, Ginny Gray and I as the UBC representatives at the ABC Biennial Convention in Kansas City June 21-23.  

Thursday was an historic day at the State Capitol. As you know, the House passed a bill to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.  Thousands of people, including our own jay linnell were on hand for the vote that some are calling the “thunda in the rotunda.” The sheer mass of prayers, songs and elation was felt across the state. Today, the Senate will debate and vote on the bill.  It is expected to pass and the Governor will likely sign it into law tomorrow.  The effect will be that as early as August 1, same-sex couples will be able to have their marriages legally recognized by the state of MN.  People are already talking about what we might do at UBC to mark that occasion in August.  I welcome your ideas.  I’m planning to be at the capitol today for the final vote.  While the debate begins at noon, people will be gathering as early as 8am.  I’m looking forward to joining today’s “thunda.”

This Sunday is Youth Sunday at UBC.  Our youth have been working for months on this service and are very excited to present it to you.  They chose the word “Pressure” as their focus—something with which teenagers are intensely familiar.  They will serve as worship leaders, singers, preachers and prayers at the service.  The UBC Carillon will also play.  After the youth service, the forum will be more about the Bell Choir’s trip to Nicaragua, especially our time in Managua.

Thanks to the crew who did so much work on the gardens last week.  The gardens look great!  Special thanks goes to Shirley Roy for coordinating it all.

We hired a new Janitor at UBC this past week.  Allan Edwards will be taking over the church cleaning responsibilities in the wake of the resignation of Patrick Mavity.  Pat served loyally as UBC’s Janitor, fix-it man, pew mover, flag hanger, light bulb changer, and recycling steward and advocate for nine years.  We will certainly miss him.  Allan comes to us with a great deal of experience cleaning churches and has already hit the ground running.  Allan does not replace Patrick, he simply takes over his responsibilities.  We’ll find a way to properly thank Patrick in the coming weeks.  

Second Foundation School will be holding their annual musical in the UBC sanctuary this Friday and Saturday.  It is entitled “Down the Rabbit Hole”.  The students have written this play and have created all of the props, costumes and sets.  They say it has some allusions to The Matrix, Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass and more logical nonsense.  The play is open to the public and will feature the entire student body of the school that meets in our building.

Our next Loaves and Fishes meal will be on Friday, May 31st at St. Stephen’s School.  If you are able to help serve meals, please sign up in the lounge or speak with Steve Lee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This Week:
Monday: 7pm UBC/FCC Knitting group at the home of Ruth Mayer.
Tuesday: 5:30-7:30pm Sacred Harp;
Wednesday: 6:15pm UBC Chorale rehearsal;
Thursday: 7-9pm UBC Carillon;
Friday: 7pm “Down the Rabbit Hole”
Saturday 3pm and 7pm “Down the Rabbit Hole”
Sunday: 10am Worship Service (Youth Sunday);
11am Refreshments;
11am Brief UBC Foundation meeting;
11:30am Sunday School, Forum: “Nicaragua Part III”;
12:45pm UBC Council.

Blessings and peace,

Doug Donley