Listening Ourselves into Wholeness

In recognition of our September theme of healing, in honor of LGBT History Month in October, and in celebration of Decorah Pride (October 7-9), we will be hosting a panel featuring members of our own community who have been actively involved in making Decorah Pride 2021 a reality. Simply telling our stories and having others listen to them can be a healing experience. Come be a part of that experience. Carol Hagen, service leader.

About the panelists:

The Rev. Ellis Arnold (they/them) is a renewing church pastor, curriculum writer, community organizer, and all-around church nerd. Now serving as one of the Associate Conference Ministers for the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ, Ellis’s energy gets channeled into collaboration with congregations and people of faith who are striving to transform not just the three feet around them but also their communities and the world into a more just, generous, liberated place.

A multi-instrumentalist with a degree in composition, Namoli Brennet (she/her) has, over her decades-long career, morphed from more traditional singer/songwriter fare into what one reviewer called a “sonic painter,” creating rich, ambient textures as a backdrop for often profound and poetic lyrics. Her music explores themes of belonging, struggle, and spirituality, and paints a picture of an artist who’s spent their share of time looking for light in the darkness. Namoli has performed in most of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany; has been nominated for numerous Outmusic awards and the German Music Critics award (twice); and was listed on the inaugural Trans 100 list.

Holly Moore (she/her) grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania and has been teaching philosophy and gender studies at Luther College since 2010. She was part of the group that put together the first pride parade in Decorah, and she’s a co-chair for the event this year as well. She’s looking forward to unleashing her inner unicorn and hopes you’ll be there to see it!

LIVESTREAMED VIA ZOOM: See Zoom Details for Sunday Services

Please bring:

  • a lawn chair or blanket, if you don’t want to sit at one of the picnic tables
  • your own beverage; refreshments will not be provided
  • sensitivity to others on their pandemic journey re: masks, social distancing, vaccinations, etc

All are welcome to join us at Sunday Fellowship. We are currently holding fellowship every other Sunday with a mix of in-person (outdoors) and virtually via Zoom.

Share-the-Plate – Our plate recipient for September-October is the Decorah Free Clinic. To donate to the plate recipient, you can Give Online. Or, if sending a check, please note “Share the Plate” in the memo line. Donations may be mailed to Decorah UU, PO Box 382, Decorah, IA 52101.

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