Nora Church/Unitarian Universalist

06/02/2026

*Final Service of the Church Year!*

“Good News: So Much is in Bud”
Rev. Laurie Bushbaum

This phrase comes from a poem by Galway Kinnell, first published in the New Yorker on March 15, 1976. He asks us to look closely at what is beautiful and to consider how necessary it is for each and all beings to know their own beauty. How do we help people and ideas to blossom? Where is the Good News now? What is Blossoming in the midst of so much that is difficult?

As we celebrate the story of our UU Flower Communion, we will meditate upon the power and goodness among us. As usual, bring a flower if you can. I will also bring extras. And if the weather is lovely, consider joining me for a walk in the cemetery afterwards to place flowers on the graves of our beloved friends and family.

Annual Meeting of Nora Church at approximately 11:30 am, followed at about 11:45 with the Mt. Pisqua annual meeting.

Potluck follows.

05/15/2026

Join us this Sunday for service at 10:30, with a light potluck lunch to follow! (Upcoming June 7th Service will be the final service of the church year.)

“Curiosity That Connects”
Guest Speaker: Audrey McCann, M.Div.

We UUs are a curious people. We like answers, explanations, the satisfying click of a puzzle piece sliding into place. But what if our deepest comfort isn’t found in certainty, but in learning to rest inside the question itself—trusting what we cannot name? In this service, we’ll explore how the very curiosity that drives us to observe the world can also trick us into forgetting that we are the world: interdependent, vulnerable, and held by something larger than our understanding. Come practice finding peace not despite the unknown, but within it—as a spiritual act of presence, not passivity.

Audrey McCann is a UU minister-in-formation, religious educator, and community organizer in Minneapolis. As a religious naturalist and relational pluralist, she holds relationship in general—between people, between communities, between humans and the more-than-human world—to be the sacred embodiment of Love. Audrey serves as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at the UU Fellowship of Northfield, MN and the Communications Coordinator for UU Ministry for Earth.

04/30/2026

Welcoming a new speaker to Nora Church this Sunday.
First Sunday service is followed by a potluck!

“Describing The Indescribable” Guest Speaker: Shelley Dugan
What do we mean when we talk about God? Often the idea of “God” is presented as though there is a common understanding and we all agree what it means. Yet there are many different ways to describe the Divine. If you are an agnostic, join us to learn more about what is uncertain. If you are an atheist, join us to learn more about what you don’t believe. If you are a theist, join us to discover how complicated it is to describe the indescribable!

Rev. Shelley Dugan celebrates 30 years as an ordained UU Minister. She has served as chaplain in a variety of settings, including The Minnesota Veterans Home, Hazelden Rehabilitation Center, nursing homes, hospitals, and a level II trauma center. Currently, she provides spiritual care to hospice patients and their families. Rev. Dugan's love of preaching has given her opportunities to meet many different UU congregations. She particularly enjoys the dialogue after the sermon and our UU theology which expects members to bring their experiences and knowledge to the topic at hand. She lives with her husband and pets just outside of Minneapolis, MN

The Board’s proposed budget for our 2026-2027 church year will be presented on May 3, right after the service. If you are not able to be there and would like a copy, please contact Brooke.

Potluck follows the service.
After the potluck on May 3 any willing able bodied walkers are asked to help with road cleanup on our section of Hwy 257. We’re usually done in one hour and each year it seems to be less work. Maybe our effort is setting a good example of caring for our planet? Hope you can join us.

04/23/2026

MAY 1, 2026 May Day Strong! People nationwide will be standing for Workers over Billionaires. Check out: MAY DAY STRONG https://maydaystrong.org for lots of information on how to participate and to learn what all will be happening. You can also text ‘SOLIDARITY’ to number 58910 and then you’ll start receiving updates.

May 1 Actions Text solidarity to 58910 for updates UPDATING MAP... `; } function hideTooltip() { clickedObjectInfo = null; tooltip.style.display = 'none'; } // --- Listeners --- document.getElementById('search-form').addEventListener('submit', (e) => { e.preventDefault(); const city = document.getEl...

04/15/2026

“Living in a Mutual World”
Guest Speaker: Rev. Terri Burnor
Sunday, April 19 - 10:30 am Service

All over Minnesota, people are helping neighbors and responding generously in material ways. This kind of support is needed not just 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 Wis-consin as their minister. Terri is a life-long Minne-sotan who lives in St. Paul with her spouse, Brian, and their two dogs, Marvin & Betty.

Fellowship, coffee and brown bag lunch option follows the service.

04/02/2026

“Nora History Speaks” Guest Speaker: Lee Drogemuller
Sunday, April 5 - 10:30 am Service

Lee will share about his work with cataloging the artifacts of Nora, what he has discovered along the way. He’ll also share some special ones with us! We’ll connect with the past and celebrate the com-ing of Spring!

We will be having brunch after Lee's service. Ham, cheesy potatoes, and biscuits will be provided. If you're able, maybe bring some vegetables, a salad, fruit or dessert? Really, whatever you'd like! Oh, and anyone who wants to bring deviled eggs, let me know! And I'll bring the jelly beans! : ) Nita

12/18/2025

See New Ulm events below!! Share widely!

12/03/2025

Join us for our December 7 service at 10:30am. All are welcome!

“Let There Be Peace on Earth: A UU Advent Service”

Join community minister Seth Anderson-Matz for a UU Advent service including contemplative prayer, ritual, and reflection on the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.

Join us following the service for a potluck and fellowship!

Looking forward - Service December 21, with Winter break following until March 1.

We welcome Seth this Sunday!

Seth Anderson-Matz (he/him) is a multi-traditional community minister, public theologian, and liturgy artist based in South Minneapolis. With over 20 years in q***r & trans liberation work, community organizing, and the arts, Seth partners with congregations and organizations throughout Minnesota and nationwide to support solidarity, spiritual care, and community-building initiatives. He holds a Master of Arts in Religion & Theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and has served in a variety of ministry roles in UU and Christian contexts, including Interim Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Mankato and Children Youth and Families Program Coordinator at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis.

11/14/2025

See you Sunday! We will welcome Rev. Phil Lund and invite you to stay after the service for coffee and conversation, brown bag lunch optional.

10:30 Service - The Great Motivators of Liberal Religion

In 1984, Herschell Gordon Lewis popularized the Four Great Motivators of direct mail marketing: fear, guilt, greed, and exclusivity. These can also be seen as the Great Motivators of many traditional religions. This morning we'll consider candidates for the Great Motivators of liberal religion.

Rev. Phillip Lund has almost thirty years experience serving congregations in the areas of faith formation and spiritual growth, first as a religious educator in Bloomington, Indiana, New York City, and Chicago, Illinois, and as a congregational life consultant working for the MidAmerica Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association. He is currently the part-time minister at the Saint Cloud UU Fellowship. Phil holds a Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago and a certificate in InterSpiritual Counseling from One Spirit Learning Alliance in New York. He lives in Saint Paul with his wife, Julia, his son, Henry, and their cat, Nika.

10/28/2025

We welcome back Rev. Laurie Bushbaum to kick off November!
Potluck and fellowship follow the 10:30 service.

“Here We Build Temples in the Heart”
Guest Speaker: Rev. Laurie Bushbaum

This title comes from a text by UU Patrick Murfin in which he ponders what really makes a place sacred. What does a Greek Temple, a child’s fort, and our beloved church on the hill have in common? What confers sacredness? Is it built in stone or grown by song? This is a such a frightening time in our nation, that it is important to be reminded how we stay grounded in what is Holy.

NOTE!
This Sunday is ALSO Daylight Savings! Make sure to set your clocks back an hour before heading to bed Saturday night!