Local UU News 2003

November 2003

U Bar U, the district’s retreat and conference center located near Kerrville, was awarded a $500 grant by the continental association for UU camps. The grant was unanimously approved at their recent annual meeting and will go towards the facility improvement and expansion capital campaign. For more information, to make a contribution, or for reservations, contact Jon Durbin, jon_d@juno.com or 331-9536.

Southwest District Fall Leadership Conference, November 7-9, First Church San Antonio. It is not too late to make a reservation and attend. For more information, contact Jon Durbin, jon_d@juno.com or 331-9536.

October 2003

UU PINEY WOODS RETREAT

UU retreat in the Piney Woods at the Tyler UU Fellowship, 1629 Old Omen Road, Tyler, Texas. October 24-26, 2003. 7:30 pm Friday until 9:00 am Sunday. Overnight housing space inside the Fellowship Hall and limited guest housing off campus. Bring your sleeping bag! Registration fee $45 before October 15, $55 after October 15. Workshops on art journaling, social action, holistic health, calligraphy, yoga, trail walks on lovely 5 acre tract and much more! Food included. Flyers/info at http://www.uutyler.org or call Ellen Remenchik at 903-533-9586, evenings. We are hosting this event for fun and fundraising as we hope to raise money for our ministerial fund! Flyers and application forms are in the narthex.

  AROUND THE DISTRICT

THE CURRENT CHALICE LIGHTER CALL

  It has been a while since I last mentioned the district Chalice Lighter program. Shame on me! and respite for all of you. However, since there are a lot of new folks at Live Oak, let me first say the Chalice Lighter program is denominational outreach – UUs helping other UUs at a time in the life of a congregation when they could use a little help from their friends. Live Oak has benefited from this program and could become a chalice lighter recipient again (see current call below).

  Westside UU Church in Ft. Worth is the current chalice lighter recipient. Their call is to help fund an increase in their Director of Religious Education from one-eighth time to one-quarter time. In the past two years, their membership has grown from 61 members to 94 and from 18 youth to more than double that amount.

  Becoming a chalice lighter is easy. For a contribution of at least $10 per call (give more generously if you are willing and able), three calls per year, you too can feel good about supporting UUism within the district. Checks made out to SWUUC Chalice Lighters (unless you want to write out Southwest Unitarian Universalist Conference, the official name of our district) can either be handed to me and I’ll send it in with my check, or mailed directly to the SWUUC District Office, 6720 Brentwood Stair Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76112. If you send it directly, note that you are affiliated with Live Oak.

  Thank you.

Jon Durbin

Denominational Affairs

September 2003

Wildflower Church in Austin  has an opening for an Organizing Minister (part time). The job description is on our website at www.wildflowerchurch.org and also repeated here. Resumes will be accepted until the job is filled.

June 2003

Young Adult Religious Network

      The Young Adult Religious Network invites young adults (old enough to vote!) to meet with us on Wednesday evenings at First UU Church, 4700 Grover, from 7:30-9:00 pm. If you can’t come on Wednesdays, get on our telephone or e-list! Contact Rev. Kathleen Ellis, facilitator, at revktellis@aol.com or 447-3053.

Folk Dancing

      Enjoy a pleasant evening folk dancing on Monday, June 2, from 7 to 9 pm in Howson Hall at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin at 4700 Grover Ave. (enter from the back parking lot next to the kitchen). The cost is $2 to pay for the use of the hall.

      You do not need dance experience or a partner to come! This program is focused toward the beginning dancer. Contact Jo Soto at jo.soto@mail.utexas.edu or lihan161051@earthlink.net or (512) 836-7974 for more information.

      This class is taught the first Monday of each month at the same time and place and all are welcome.

UU Christians of Austin

The Austin Unitarian Universalist Christian group will have a meeting and potluck supper 6 pm, Sunday, June 8, at Carolyn Dower’s home. Call Carolyn for directions at 331-1106.

May 2003

Young Adult Religious Network

 The Young Adult Religious Network invites young adults (old enough to vote!) to meet with us on Wednesday evenings at First UU Church, 4700 Grover, from 7:30-9:00 pm. If you can’t come on Wednesdays, get on our telephone or e-list! Contact Rev. Kathleen Ellis, facilitator, at revktellis@aol.com or 447-3053.

Folk Dancing

 Enjoy a pleasant evening folk dancing on Monday, May 5, from 7 to 9 pm in Howson Hall at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin at 4700 Grover Ave. (enter from the back parking lot next to the kitchen). The cost is $2 to pay for the use of the hall.

      Jo Soto and Bruce Bostwick will present a program which will feature dancing from many countries, with a focus on dance as village ritual. Dance has been a part of village life and the passing of the seasons for thousands of years. Modern choreographers have built on these age-old rituals and added modern innovations resulting in a blend of harmony and history that is rooted in the ancient dances.

      You do not need dance experience or a partner to come! This program is focused toward the beginning dancer. Contact Jo Soto at io.soto@mail.utexas.edu or lihan161051@earthlink.net or (512) 836-7974 for more information.

      This class is taught the first Monday of each month at the same time and place and all are welcome.

UU Christians of Austin

      The Unitarian Universalist Christians of Austin will have their second meeting Saturday, May 3, at 9:30 am. A breakfast meeting will be held at Sylvia Davis’ home. We will gather for prayer, book discussion, and business, including plans for a group-sponsored worship service in June. All so inspired or interested are welcome (not just UUs or Christians). Please contact Sylvia at sylviadavis@austin.rr.com or 301-3537 for address and directions.

Cabin for Rent Near Pace Bend Park

      I’m the part-time Social Action Coordinator at First UU-Houston. I have a cabin off 17 & FM 2322 (near Pace Bend Park) that I need to rent on a short-term basis. I am willing to give back 10% of any rentals that come from your church. Here is a short blurb about my cabin. It is an absolutely beautiful location; my cabin is air-conditioned, with full kitchen and sleeping porch. There is a relatively new shower and a new road into the cabin. Please feel free to contact me on my cell, reply by email at patty@firstuu.org or at First UU-Houston at 813-526-5200.

April 2003

SWUUC Spring Conference 

"Deepening your faith growing your soul," Presented by TAUUC (Tulsa Association of Unitarian Universalist Congregations). April 25-27, 2003. Theme speaker: Michael Durall, author of "Creating congregations of Generous People." Workshops: All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brochures are available in the back of the sanctuary. For more info, contact Barbara Edson, at 918-628-0628 or bedson@tulsarealtors.com .

Young Adult Religious Network 

The brand new Young Adult Religious Network is for all Austin area Unitarian Universalists (and their friends), 18-35 years old. Six young adults came to a planning meeting and decided on the name and meeting schedule. Meetings will take place at First UU Church, 4700 Grover Avenue, each Wednesday from 7:30-9:30. Whether you're in college or not, if you're old enough to vote, come check us out! Spread the word!!!

April End-Of-The-Month Party Saturday, April 26, at 8 p.m.

Hosts: Joan and Bill Forbes, 4505 Sinclair Avenue, 78756 For: Everyone, intergenerational UUs and friends. Why come? To meet old friends and make new ones in an informal atmosphere. To have fun. Bring: A snack and a drink to share.

Directions: 4 blocks west of Burnet, 1 block north of 45th Street. For help or information, call Bill or Joan at 420.0707.

HOSTS ARE NEEDED FOR FUTURE PARTIES, which are always held on the last Saturday of the month. Your duties as host are: to lie out some disposable tableware and turn your porch light on. To offer your house, home or hovel for a future month, call Kelly Teese [927.2292] or Jean Wyllys [926.6353].

UUs at UT 

UUs at UT in Austin The Unitarian Universalist University Union, known as 4U, is a newly formed student organization comprising UT students, both undergraduate and graduate, faculty and staff. 4U meets at 4pm on Tuesdays at the Cactus Café on the UT campus for discussion, fellowship and networking. For more information, contact: Ian Forslund of First UU Church of Austin at452-6168 or AUSTXDRE@aol.com. 

UU Bed & Breakfast Travel Network 

Homecomings is the Bed and Breakfast Travel Network for Unitarian Universalists and all religious liberals. Travel and meet new friends - stay in homes of fellow UUs or (optionally) have them stay with you. Most stays cost less than a hotel or motel. Call or write to receive a Host application and or Directory for the TWENTY-THIRD EDITION (April 2003- April 2004): Homecomings International, Inc. Box 884, Venice, FL 34284, USA - 941- 492-4167 www.uuhomecomings.com uuhomecomings@yahoo.com

February 2003

First UU Church Paradox Players’ Spring Production 

Grab your honey and head to Howson Hall in February! We conclude our season of letters with a Valentine’s Day Gala Opening of Love Letters, by renowned playwright A.R. Gurney. The cast of two characters read the letters they’ve been writing to each other starting in their childhood of the 1930’s. Their correspondence portrays a relationship that endures the expectations and pressures of a privileged upbringing, unfolding two very different life stories. We recommend this play for mature audiences ages 16 and over. 

This production runs two weekends, alternating casts on different days. Nancy Groblewski and Ed Farrell will open and close the show, performing Friday, February 14 and Sunday, February 23. Kathleen Lawson and George Denny will perform Saturday, February 15 and Friday, February 21. Adrienne Harrell and Ed Nichols will perform Sunday, February 16 and Saturday, February 22. Curtain times are 8:00 Fridays and Saturdays, 3:00 Sundays. 

Save your ticket stub! Because each cast is rehearsing separately with a different director, we are producing essentially three different plays, so many folks will want to attend more than once. To make this easy and affordable, we are offering a $2 discount to anyone holding a ticket stub from a previous performance. And because we like our audience members to introduce our theater to their friends, this offer is transferable. 

Tickets are $10 for all performances (group rates available) except the Valentine’s Day Opening Gala, which will be $25 with champagne, food, music and more. Please see accompanying article for more about this special evening; proceeds from the Opening Gala will benefit the church budget. Ticket reservation line is 989-9985.

Young Adult Religious Network 

The brand new Young Adult Religious Network is for all Austin area Unitarian Universalists (and their friends), 18- 35 years old. Six young adults came to a planning meeting and decided on the name and meeting schedule. Meetings will take place at First UU Church, 4700 Grover Avenue, each Wednesday from 7:30-9:30. Whether you're in college or not, if you're old enough to vote, come check us out! Spread the word!!! 

SWUUC Leadership Program

 The National Coalition Building Institute and SWUUC Leadership Development Committee are providing a program Leadership Program Module Three “Equity and Diversity” February 21–23, 2003 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Waco, Texas. For more information contact: The SWUUC District Office at 817-446-0099 or 1-800-793-7062 or swduua@aol.com Application form must be received by February 14, 2003. 

Wildflower Lunch 

The Wildflower lunch group has been expanded to include UUs from all over town. To keep it simple, it has been decided that we will meet for lunch at 12:30 at the same place every Sunday. The place is the dining area at Central Market south. You can bring your own lunch.

January 2003

SWUUC Spring Conference 

"Deepening your faith growing your soul" Presented by TAUUC (Tulsa Association of Unitarian Universalist Congregations). April 25-27, 2003 theme speaker Michael Durall author of "Creating congregations of Generous People". Workshops: All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brochures will be available Mid-January, 2003. For more information, contact Barbara Edson, at 918-628-0628 or bedson@tulsarealtors.com