AUW Home Page

WELCOME TO AUW!

Are you interested in making more and deeper connections with other women and a building community at First Universalist? That’s what you’ll find through AUW, the Association of Universalist Women. Well over 200 women participate in AUW programs annually.
AUW is vibrant and welcoming, committed to serving and reflecting the needs of its members. Come be a part of the joy, the community, and the energy that AUW has embodied for over 100 years!

NEW THIS MONTH!

YARN & KNITTING NEEDLE COLLECTION DRIVE, JAN 29TH SUN

For its upcoming knitting classes for women of Ascension Place, AUW is organizing this collection drive so we can provide beginners' kits for each student. Please bring your extra skeins of cotton yarn and size 8 needles to the Social Hall stage after Sun services. Thrift stores may be a good place to find old needles. We will also take cash donations for buying more materials. If you'd like to help make the kits or organize classes, we'd love the help! Contact Tracy at tksytutu@gmail.com.

Yarn Drive will be held in Brides Room, Jan 29th, after Sun services.

NEEDLES: Sizes 7 or 8

YARN
Lion Brand cotton yarn, medium weight, “peaches & cream”, “sugar & cream” types;
worsted wool yarn, weight #4 (med);
or acrylic.
(Please no mohair, fuzzy or novelty yarns)

Lion Brand can be found at any JoAnn Fabrics or Michael's stores.

COMING IN FEBRUARY

AUW REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS EVENTS

Reproductive justice is a hot button topic in this election year. The Sacred Choices Reproductive Rights group invites you to an Intergenerational Film & Discussion Night on Fri, Feb 10th, 6.30pm - 9.30pm, in the Social Hall. Anybody aged 13-100+ yrs is welcome and encouraged to take part! "The Fragile Promise of Choice" by award-winning filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman examines how worsening socio-economic, political and legal conditions for reproductive justice have affected the lives of providers and the women who seek their services. The film also looks at the complexity of religious issues. How does faith lead to supporting a pro-choice and not just an anti-abortion viewpoint? The evening starts with pizza dinner followed by the film and discussion. RSVP not necessary but helpful; contact Cathy Apostle at caquilt51@aol.com. Please reserve childcare by Sat Feb 4th; contact Lily Franz in the church office at Lily@firstuniv.org, 612 825 1701 x107.

Click here for more information on "The Fragile Promise of Choice" film by Dorothy Fadiman http://www.concentric.org/projects/choice.html (her website)

MN Pro-Choice Lobby Day at the State Capitol

Following on the heels of this event is the annual MN Pro-Choice Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Wed Feb 15th. Join the First Universalist contingent and make your voice heard! Say no to any attempts to restrict reproductive freedom in Minnesota! The event takes place 8am - 4pm and includes a training led by NARAL, boxed breakfast & lunch, a noon rally in the Rotunda, and visits to legislators in the afternoon. You don't have to stay all afternoon. Or just come for the noon Rally! More info and online registration is at http://www.prochoicelobbyday.org/. Carpooling in the morning from church will be organized (details tba).

AUW SPRING RETREAT REGISTRATION

In February, registration opens for the beloved annual Women's Spring Retreat which will be held April 13-15 Fri- Sun at Koinonia Retreat Center near Annandale MN. Sun Feb 12th - Sat Feb 25th will be registration for paid-up Members Only. Get forms & pay at the Hub. Sun Feb 26th will be the start of non-members' and also online registration. Mark these dates, because the Retreat sells out extremely quickly. And if you're not a paid-up member, do it now to get members' priority!

The Retreat costs $200 for non-members and $170 for members, for two nights' stay, five meals, and an incredible weekend of connection and rejuvenation. More info about the Retreat is available here online LINK and at the Hub starting in February.

AUW KNITTING FELLOWSHIP

AUW is organizing a short series of beginners' basic knitting classes this winter with the women of Ascension Place transitional housing, to be held at their facility in North Mpls. The knitting classes will give us an opportunity to get to know AP women individually. A group of women knitting & chatting in fellowship is always great fun! There will be 4 sessions, Thu eves from 7pm - 8.30pm, Feb 16th - Mar 8th. You can sign up to be a 'teacher' or 'fellow knitter'. "Teachers" will instruct the group while "fellow knitters" will provide help and encouragement. All participants can sign up for any of the sessions. Details & Sign-up sheets are at the Hub or, contact Tracy Yue at tksytutu@gmail.com.

Link to Ascension Place.