The Sesquicentennial Soiree held on April 18 at the beautiful McNamara Center at the University of Minnesota truly was the party we had been waiting for. Kate's vision of "all of us there" was virtually realized, with over 430 people from every generation in attendance. Don't miss the photo album of selected shots from the celebration taken by Jessica Wicks, and see even more on her flickr site. After a lively social hour with John Jensen tinkling the keys of his clavichord and throngs of UUs mingling and greeting each other, the program began with a welcome from Karin Wille, co-chair of the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee. Kate Tucker gave a blessing, and dinner was served:
Menu
Freshly Baked D'Amico Breads, served with sweet cream butter
Caesar Salad with garlic croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese
Penne Pasta with Asparagus with mushrooms, roasted tomato and basil pesto
Mixed Berry Streusel Tart with butter custard and whipped cream
Dark Roast Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot Tea
After dinner, Nancy Atchison, Steering Committee co-chair, introduced the Reverend John Cummins, Minister Emeritus, who told us about his long relationship with the keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Lee Barker, having ministered to him as a young man and conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. Rev. Barker filled in more of the story in his talk, "The Oldest Living Universalist Tells All." Finally, Ann Reed serenaded us with a few ballads and led us in singing the Sesquicentennial song she wrote for us, "We Will," after gathering input from many in the congregation and reflecting on who we are and what we are called to do together.
As Kate suggested, there were two empty chairs at the Soiree: one to honor those church members who have gone before us, on whose shoulders we stand, and one for "those we may never see, the ones for whom we labor, the ones who'll seek and find us in the next decade and the next and the next." May we be particularly mindful, during this year of celebration leading to up to our actual anniversary, that our labor is "for today, and for times we shall never see."
Thanks to event chair Pamela Vincent for coordinating this event, securing the McNamara Center, ordering the 150th votive candle favors and working with the Steering Committee, particularly Bette DeMars, who did the able decorations, and Jeff Sylvestre who orchestrated the video and photo montage, and Frank Bacon who monitored the sound system. The gratitude we feel on hearing how much everyone enjoyed the evening and being together makes all the effort worthwhile. Thanks for being a part of this memorable evening!
The following Sunday morning, Reverend Barker delivered a sermon entitled "The Way of the Sherpa (I Mean Minister)" at First Universalist.
