Local UU 2004/2005

Discovering What We Know: Celebrating 20 Years of UU Women's Wisdom
Feb. 24-26, 2006
Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club, Fort Worth, Texas

Celebrating 20 years of UU women's wisdom is both a reason for pride and a reason to laugh. We can be proud that our district's women have nurtured this conference for two decades. And we can laugh because 20 years is such a small segment of our SWUUW timeline!

Women in the Southwest UU District have been contributing mightily for decades. We have so many stories, and so much to learn from each other. Our celebration of wisdom will include favorite workshops and vendors, great entertainment, and general sessions, plus new activities guaranteed for a rich experience.

As Keynote Speaker, Rosemary Matson has agreed to lead our celebration of wisdom. Rosemary has stayed involved in UU women's issues since the tumultuous '70s, and will inspire us with stories of accomplishment over obstacles. We will weave in stories from our local heroines, and welcome your contributions.

Our weekend together will be a salute to our past, a time to strengthen our present, and a toast to our future. Join us at this pinpoint in our long and strong SWUUW timeline.

The Doral Tesoro offers an ideal setting for our conference. We can spread out over more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, luxuriate in our contemporary guest rooms and suites, and enjoy the manicured grounds surrounding the hotel and golf course.

Take advantage of Early Bird registration through Jan. 7, 2006, with fees of only $100 per attendee, and $75 for maidens ages 12-17.

Registration packets will arrive at your church soon, or you can register at www.swuuw.com.

October 2005

Revival 2005

Come hear acclaimed preacher and Harvard professor Rev. Peter Gomes, best-selling author of The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart, Sermons: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living, The Good Life: Truths That Last in Times of Need and The Backward Glance and the Forward Look. Come witness the dynamism through presentations and worship and music led by UU minister Rev. Thomas Anastasi, plus workshops and small groups and worship and community with people from around the globe. All at Revival 2005, November 3 through 6 at First Jefferson UU Church, Fort Worth, Texas, sponsored by the UU Christian Fellowship, founded in 1945, an independent affiliate of the UUA, “following freely in the radical loving and liberating and inclusive spirit of Jesus”. Thanks to a grant from the Fund for Unitarian Universalism. For more information or to register, go to www.uuchristian.org.

Shir Ami High Holy Days

Congregation Shir Ami will offer High Holy Day Services at Live Oak on the following schedule:

If you are interested in joining us for services, there is a form to be filled out and returned as soon as possible, with payment. For more information see the website www.shir-ami.org or call 1-877-715-1413.

Director of Ministry and Professional Leadership

The UUA is looking for a Director of Ministry and Professional Leadership to lead the staff group that facilitates the call, credentialing, settlement, and development of ministers and religious educators and that supports the preparation, certification, and ongoing development of administrators and musicians for service in UU congregations and the larger community. Qualifications are: UU ministers in Final Fellowship with at least 10 years experience who have strong organizational and management skills and well-developed pastoral abilities. People with disabilities and candidates who identify as a person of color, Latina/o and/or Hispanic, and/or bisexual/gay/ lesbian/transgender are encouraged to apply. Resume and letter of application should be sent no later than January 15, 2006, to Kay Montgomery, Executive Vice President, UUA, 25 Beacon Street, Boston MA 02108; fax 617-367-3237; email kmontgomery@uua.org. The position is expected to be filled in the summer of 2006.

September 2005

Peace Festival

Sunday, September 11, 2005. Sponsored by Austin Against War. Endorsed by September 11 Families for a Peaceful Tomorrow. 12:30 pm: meet at Gillis Park, South First and Oltorf. 1:00 pm: March up First Street to City Hall Plaza. 1:30-5:00 pm: Peace Festival at City Hall Plaza with speakers, music, booths, and tables from many organizations. For more information, contact Leslie Cunningham or see www.austinagainstwar.org.

Host an Exchange Student!
75 Host Families Still Needed

75 host families are still needed to host international exchange students for this school year. The students hope to arrive this August and will stay with their host family for one semester or until the end of the school year. They are in need of caring American families, with or without children, to provide a home and share with them this unique experience. The host family will provide a bed and meals, as well as friendship, understanding, and a genuine desire to share the American way of life with a youngster from overseas. The students are between the ages of 15 and 18, speak English, are covered by medical insurance, and have spending money for their personal expenses. The SHARE! High School Exchange Program is sponsored by Educational Resource Development Trust (ERDT). Applications come from over 40 different countries like Germany, Turkey, Mexico, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Brazil, Belgium, Czech Republic, and Kazakhstan. Host families are able to review student applications and select the student they feel will best match their family. For more information, please call Yvette Coffman at the SHARE! Southwest Regional Office at 1-800-941-3738.

UU’re Home

Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area?

The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 25 years we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends and who are happy to open their homes to like-minded people.

You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Contact us at 1-828-281-3253 or at info@uurehome.com, and we will gladly send you information about listing your accommodations.

UU’re Home has recently launched a new website at www.UUreHome.com where entries are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added. The paper edition, which is published every year in April, is still available (and has many more listings than the website). For a copy of the 2005 directory, please send a check for $18 to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville NC 28806.

CLF: Church of the Larger Fellowship
Connecting UUs Spiritually, Humanly, Globally

You may know someone who would enjoy the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), a congregation that provides a ministry to isolated religious liberals around the world, from Texas to Timbuktu. CLF, the congregation by mail and cyberspace, offers a spiritual home within the Unitarian Universalist movement for all kinds of people.

Our members receive mailings of our monthly worship publication (Quest) and the UU World, and can access our loan library of UU materials, including RE and worship resources. Our members participate in online covenant groups, online courses, and electronic discussion groups, and have access to pastoral care by CLF’s Senior Minister, Rev. Jane Rzepka.

Our Pen Pal program connects “free world” UUs with incarcerated men and women who have joined CLF, and is a powerful way for UU congregations to learn more about the prison system by connecting with fellow religious liberals. The CLF also supports many small congregations with worship and programming resources through the Church-on-Loan program.

Nearly half our members are active contributing members of local congregations who appreciate the connection to the wider UU world.

Young adults you know may be interested in the Church of the Younger Fellowship – a unique Unitarian Universalist spiritual community and worship space designed by and for UU young adults, ages 18-35. The CYF is a part of the CLF and can be found at www.uucyf.org.

For more information, contact the Church of the Larger Fellowship, 25 Beacon Street, Boston MA 02108, 1-617-948-6166, clf@clfuu.org or www.clfuu.org.

August 2005

Host: Kelly Ramsey, on Mesquite Grove Road in Austin, 78744. Call 326-5618 for directions or email Kelly at ozma02@peoplepc.com for directions.

Everyone is welcome! Bring finger food and/or drinks if you like. No need to RSVP – just come!

June 2005

The UUs of Napa, California, invite you to a unique opportunity to enjoy two of America’s most scenic valleys, Napa and Sonoma.

We will help you choose from over 600 wineries and hundreds of world class restaurants, COPIA (the American Center for Food, Wind, and the Arts), Jack London’s home, Francis Ford Coppola’s winery and movie museum, art galleries, miles of trails with breathtaking views, and more.

Locally savvy UU guides will drive you to select wineries, historic sites and mountain trails with breathtaking views. You will say in UU homes for conversation, good breakfasts, and warm hospitality.

Our offer is limited to June, July, and August. Plan three nights with two days of touring. Our fees are well below market rate for similar services. All proceeds benefit our Fellowship. We have limited openings, so contact us now for details. Tom Wilson, 707-254-7443, twilson@sbcglobal.net.

Dates:    August 8-12, 2005
Times:    Morning session: 9:00-12:30: An exploration of world religions
Afternoon session: 12:30-6:00: Projects and field trips based on campers’ interests
Location:      First UU, 4700 Grover
Grades: entering kindergarten through 5^thCost:      $100 per session

For registration forms, contact Nahdiah Hoang at 536-1249 or Nahdiah@VioletCrownAttorney.com. Space is limited and time is short!

The UU Summer Camp taking place at First UU August 8-12 is accepting applications for Camp Counselors.

We have five openings for the morning session (M-F, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm). Counselors will lead a group of six to ten elementary school children, grouped by age, in planned activities involving an exploration of world religions. Each Counselor will be accompanied by one Junior Counselor and assisted by the Camp Director and other staff and volunteers.

We also have two openings for the afternoon session (M-F, 1:00-6:00 pm), which will involve planned projects and field trips.

Pay is $10/hr. Background checks are required. Counselors will work all five days. One person could work both the morning and afternoon shifts, if desired.

If you would like to apply, please send a letter of interest and two references to Eugene Balaguer via email at EBALAGUER@msn.com or regular mail at FUUCA, 4700 Grover Ave., Austin, Texas 78757; Attn: Camp UU.

April 2005

Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman, minister of the First UU Church of Dallas will be offering this workshop on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2 at First Church of Austin. This seminar is a unique opportunity to explore a Unitarian approach to devotional practice. It teaches practical ways to nurture your inner self and live with depth, meaning, and purpose. The workshop will run on Friday from 7:00-9:00 pm and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday. The cost is $50 at the door, at First UU Church of Austin, 4700 Grover. See www.austinuu.org for more details.

March 2005

Everyone is invited to attend Wildflower UU Church’s Sunday Service at 10:30 am on Sunday, March 6, 2005, at the South Austin Senior Activity Center, located at 3911 Manchaca.

During this very special service in the life of the church, ministers of two large and rapidly growing UU churches will address the congregation. Music will be provided by the Wildflower Choir, the Wildflower Peace Train Band, and the church’s musical teenagers.

Features speakers include the Rev. Peter Morales, minister of the Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, California, the Rev. Davidson Loehr, minister of the First UU Church of Austin, Texas, the Rev. Chuck Freeman, co-minister of Live Oak, Rev. Barbara Coeyman, the day after her ordination at Live Oak, Hannah Wells, former ministerial intern at First Church, and Joe Sullivan, President of the Board of Trustees of the Southwest UU Conference.

Also featured are representatives from other faith traditions who will bring greetings from their congregations: the Rev. Tim Tutt, president of the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries and minister of the United Christian Church of Austin, and the Rabbi Samuel Barth, Rabbi of the Congregation Agudas Achim.

Congregation Shir Ami will be holding their Second Annual Second Night Passover Seder on the evening of April 24, 2005. Last year over 80 people attended and shared a wonderful kosher meal and a kid-friendly “learning” Seder led by Alysa Gisser. Tickets for non-members are $18 per adult (21 and over) and $10 for kids under 21. For more information, please contact membership@shir-ami.org.

February 2005

Save the Date:
SWUUC Spring Conference, Dallas, Texas
The Intelligence of the Heart
April 8-10, 2005

If you hunger for a deep change in your life that moves you in the direction of less stress, more health, lower consumption, more spirituality, more respect for the earth and the diversity within and among the species that inhabit her, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. – Paul Ray, Ph.D.

Horizon UU Church and North Texas Area Unitarian Universalist Societies (NTAUUS) are delighted to bring Paul Ray to Dallas to share his vision with us. Ray, along with Sherry Anderson, co-authored The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World. This sociological study reveals a new demographic, the “cultural creatives”, whose beliefs and actions are consistent with the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism. Dr. Ray will be speaking to how UUs can create connections with cultural creatives and mobilize to shape society into a “wisdom culture”. Contact SpringUUAC@yahoo.com if you have questions. For more information on the conference, visit www.horizonuu.org. For more information on Paul Ray’s work, visit http://culturalcreatives.org.

January 2005

SWUUW Annual Conference, February 4-6, 2005, Houston, Texas

“Sisterhood is Still Powerful” is the theme of this year’s women’s conference in Houston. The agenda is sure to appeal to anyone seeking spiritual growth, personal awakening, or who wants a connection to the power of sisters helping sisters.

One highlight of the conference is sure to be Margot Adler, award-winning NPR journalist who hosts the show Justice Talking. Margot will give the keynote talk and also lead a ritual and conduct one of the workshops.

Margot Adler has traveled a remarkable journey and is generous in sharing her experience and observations. As a child of socialists, she says she often felt herself an “outsider”. After getting her BA at Berkeley and a Masters in Journalism from Columbia, she began “walking between worlds”. She has been active as a Wiccan priestess for three decades and is an active and influential member of the UU church. Well known for her first book, Drawing Down the Moon, she has also completed a second book, Heretic’s Heart. You might enjoy reading the books before meeting Margot. She will be available to sign books at the conference.

More than 30 workshops will be offered. Pick three that are of particular interest to you. Topics range from “Advancing Justice for Women” to “Writing a Heart Full”. And you can work on a “bra quilt”.

There will be opportunity for exercise (swimming, yoga, tai chi, and more), a bit of shopping from 20 local vendors, walking in Herman Park, and time to share experiences and stories with others in the Red Tent.

Plan now to attend. Check out the full conference brochure and register online at www.swuuw.com (before January 1 for the lower rate of $130) and be sure to call the Warwick Hotel (713-526-1991 or online at warwickhotelhouston.com) to reserve a room. Tell the hotel you’re with SWUUW to get the preferred rate – only available until January 20.

If you have any questions, contact Susan Borches at 713-665-8719 or smborches@yahoo.com.

Austin Area UU Council Meeting

Steering Committee, Board Trustees, and Committee/Team chairs of Unitarian Universalist congregations of Austin and surrounding areas are invited to an All-Board/Committee Chair Council on January 22, 2005, at First UU Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Avenue, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in Howson Hall. There will be lots of networking and socializing. Come share your experiences with other church leaders!

Those who would like to be part of area-wide UU leadership conferences and networking are invited to join the Central Texas UU Network. Send a message to ctuun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

October 2004

That’s UBarU, the Unitarian Universalist Retreat Center near Kerrville. UBarU invites you to join their email list. This is a special place for all UUs in the district. Find out about what is happening at UBarU, but even better, this is an opportunity to tell us what you want and events in which you would like to participate. For information, contact Jon Durbin or Jon Montgomery.

July 2004

Wildflower UU Church in South Austin is raising money for their children and youth programs by selling greeting cards. Artists at Wildflower Church contributed their original artwork for the cards.

To see the cards, just click on the following link and then click on fundraising:

June 2004

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DEFENDING DEMOCRACY WORK CAMP 2004

Please consider making a donation to the Defending Democracy Work Camp 2004 to go towards scholarships for individual youth and young adults with financial need, phone banking, and/or overall voter registration efforts during the New York or Boston trainings being organized by the UUSC as part of a non-partisan charge towards a more representative democracy in 2004 and beyond. For more information, check the UUSC website, www.uusc.org, or the full color flyer at http://www.uusc.org/news/v3b_flyer_WEB.pdf.

May 2004

For more information, see Kathleen Ellis, 2004 Program Director, or any of the many Live Oak folks who have attended SWUUSI. Brochures available.

UU Jewelry and Notecards Available!

Looking for that special gift for Coming of Age? Mother’s Day? Teacher and volunteer appreciation? Or Graduation? The Church of the Larger Fellowship offers several styles of chalice jewelry for all genders and all ages. CLF also offers UU-styled notecards for all occasions, and special order of service covers for Sunday worship services. Proceeds from sales support CLF’s work to bring Unitarian Universalism to isolated religious liberals throughout the world. Learn more about CLF at www.clfuu.org . To view our products, visit the CLF website and click on “Gift Shop”, call 617-948-6166, or email clf@clfuu.org to request a catalog.

April 2004

Camp Laforet is an annual gathering of caring people who cherish community and life’s profound experiences. Come to Carbondale, CO, where the beautiful Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers converge at the foot of Mt. Sopris. Set between Aspen and Glenweed Springs, Camp Laforet is a weeklong family camp providing a multifaceted experience for everyone with a variety of activities and workshops for adults, youth, and children. The camp is a member of the Council of Unitarian Universalist Camps and Conferences but is not sponsored by the UUA. Camp Laforet welcomes all persons interested in attending. Please contact Laforet Registrar, Mary Lane, at mlane@wardhigh.org. Come join the celebration! July 25-July 31.

Beltane Feasting and Merriment with Yew Grove CUUPS Saturday, May 1, 6-9 pm at First UU Church

The Wheel of the Year has turned. Join with us in celebrating the fullness of Spring on Beltane, the Pagan day of love and sharing. We have set aside this time to meet and greet with our friends in LOOP CUUPs, Wildflower CUUPS, and the First Church Women’s Spirituality Group to reaffirm our unity and friendship, and to share a time of gathering, feasting, and merriment. To honor this great Sabbat, there will be a potluck supper, Maypole dancing, and singing. The celebration has been designed to include children in all the activities. This is an alcohol-free event. No childcare will be provided, so parents please keep an eye on your little ones.

Please bring potluck food (drinks and paper goods supplied), lawn chairs or blankets for sitting outside, flowers from your garden, percussion instruments (optional).

March 2004

UU INFIDELS NEWSLETTER

The UUI, Unitarian Universalist Infidels, is a UUA-related organization whose purpose is to support and work to maintain a place at the UU table for atheist, agnostic, skeptic, and secular humanist UUs. This spring it will publish the first issue of a semiannual newsletter that will provide a voice for viewpoints and opinions not usually represented in UU World magazine.

You can order this year’s spring and fall UUI newsletters by sending your name and address and a check for $3.00 to UUI, 16265-D Dahlgren Road, King George, VA 22485. (If you care to send more, it will go toward the fee for the booth at GA.) The plan is to include a section titled “Talk Back to UU World” and your comments are invited. The UUI Newsletter will also be published online at www.uu-infidels.org. The UUI discussion group can be joined by sending an email to uui-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

HOLIDAY CARD DESIGN CONTEST 2004

The UUSC invites you and other members of your congregation to participate in the Holiday Card Design Contest 2004. Creative UUs of all ages are urged to submit their designs for this year’s UUSC holiday cards. In 2003, two of the cards were designed by contest winner Carolyn Planakis of the UU congregation of Marin, California. The sale of UUSC holiday cards helps continue the vital human rights worldwide work of the UUSC. View last year’s cards at www.uusc.org/info/holiday03.pdf. The winning card designers’ names and congregations will be printed on their cards, which will be purchased and shared by UUs nationwide during the 2004 holiday season. Submissions must be received by the UUSC on or before April 15, 2004. Submission guidelines and a flyer has been mailed to all congregations and volunteers. You can read more about the contest at www.uusc.org/info/holidaycardcontest2004.

January 2004

UUA ANNOUNCEMENTS

UU World is available on audiotape for UUs with impairments that keep them from reading the magazine on paper. The editors and other staff volunteers read the contents of each issue. Copies of the tape are mailed free of charge. The UUA estimates that 1,000 to 15,000 UUs have vision impairments, which include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. For more information or to request this service, please contact Jean McKenney at jmckenney@uua.org or 617-948-4642.

The UUA has approved funds to pay registration costs for all congregation presidents to attend the General Assembly. Although registration is only a small part of the costs of attending GA, the UUA hopes this will encourage all congregations to send their presidents to GA each year. Last year delegates at GA represented only 687 of the 1,041 congregations.

November 2005

Discovering What We Know: Celebrating 20 Years of UU Women's Wisdom Feb. 24-26, 2006 Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club, Fort Worth, Texas