Living with Soul 2001
December 2001
Oh,
the cycles of being.
America began 2001 riding high with venture capital rocketing the
markets to unrivaled peaks; then came the crashes. The
internet/tech world crashed. Next, the economy began its descent.
Jobs crashed with much fanfare and uncertainty. At Live
Oak we have experienced numerous crashes in how to govern ourselves.
Just as we were bracing ourselves, the unimaginable crashes into the
World Trade Center towers and Pentagon exploded into carnage and war.
It may be easy to slide into the dark depression of hopelessness.
"The human race will never get it together. We are doomed to
endless acrimony and destruction." The continual focus of the mass
media on our midnight features makes us look worse than we really are. The
fact remains that the majority of earthlings get up, go to work, love
their families, and cooperate enough to ensure basic stability in their piece
of the world.
The wisdom of the earth during this season gifts us with a vital lesson.
Consciously or not, the winter festivals of every religious tradition reflect
the sermon of our spinning sphere - "It may be dark now, but hang
on, the light is coming."
Let us hold within our hearts the prayer of the planet, verbalized through
Edward Hays: "The trees are bare, and the songs of birds have left;
gone too the chanting of insects. Only the winter wind raises her
voice in chilling canticles of praise. Come, but only in due season, O
glorious spring. And, until then, may I live in the promise of your life-giving
touch."
Soulfully,
Chuck
Freeman
November 2001
Sometimes life
and world events move so quickly that the basics at home are overlooked.
So, I catch up on a few housekeeping chores.
Rachel
Ausband is now nestled securely in her native New England. She
served well as our Church Administrator for over a year. Rachel was
solid, dependable, uncomplicated, efficient and trustworthy. I will miss
her toting Isabel in that familiar papoose, with McKenzie running before,
behind, and all over the Live Oak creation. Rachel's steadying spirit
nurtures us still. Blessings in your new home; please visit often!
This brings me to Tere Kaulfus.
Tere has valiantly volunteered to fill Rachel's important role. To
my knowledge, her offer was made without any "cry uncle"
arm-twisting. Tere is an energetic go-getter who is already
cracking the whip on the Minister and other would-be procrastinators!!
Check out the church office (formerly the storage shed) for evidence. To
top it all off, Tere and Daniel have decided to allow the administrator's salary
to remain in the church coffers. Big time thanks for this
open-hearted offering!
Not a bad segue into my final
"home improvement" odd job. Our Live Oak pledge drive is upon
us. Because of your commitment to our youth and families in the hiring
of Mary K. as R.E. Director, our budget will increase around 20% for 2002.
KUT just raised "25% more $ in 25% less time." Let's not
let a radio station show us up!
As Past President
of the UUA, John Buerhens writes, "Blessed are those who know that the
work of the church is the transformation of society, who have a vision of
Beloved Community transcending the present, and who do not shrink from
controversy, sacrifice, or change."
Soulfully,
Chuck
Freeman
October 2001
September 11. For generations to follow when this date is spoken all
Americans will feel the same stony knot in their stomachs. No explanation will
be necessary. The year will not to be specified. The shocking beyond belief
attack by religious and political extremists was brutal, inhuman, heinous,
unconscionable--plain wrong. Adjectives run shallow in the midst of the anger,
sadness, bewilderment, hurt, and grief.
In a spiritual community as diverse as ours the responses stretch from,
"Let's bomb the hell out of them", to "this is a time to
refrain from more killing, let us meditate and pray for peace." I find
each of these approaches in my heart, and currently find myself somewhere in
the middle of this continuum. The ideals of justice and conscience play out
differently for each of us. We have a very real opportunity in our relatively
homogenous little world to listen with respect to all voices, even the ones we
violently (irony intended) disagree with.
Spontaneous projects we can all rally around are already popping up. Kathy
and Perry Statham have fashioned a wonderful decal with a United States flag
and the phrase, "Pride Without Prejudice." They are happy to provide
you with one free of charge. Grace Dreyer, in concert with our Social Action
chairs John Wallace and Dennis Hogan are organizing a project to make quilts
for children in Cedar Crest Hospital in Belton. Grace is the Administrator of
this treatment center for youth. Many of these kids are from Ft. Hood with now
even more uncertainty in their lives.
May we rally around a motto on our coinage which now unveils a global hope.
E Pluribus Unum!
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
September 2001
"You say goodbye, and I say hello."
This celebrated lyric by the Beatles expresses a big happening in our
community this month. Bobbie Hamilton is handing the baton of Religious
Education leadership to Mary K. Isaacs. The hiring of Mary K. marks a bold
move for Live Oak in the nurturing of our youth and families. She is the first
Director of Religious Education (DRE) in our church engaged on a half time
level of financial commitment.
Bobbie has cinched the foundations of this program with her spry, energetic
approach to our children, and volunteers. Her optimistic, "can do"
attitude has made a smooth handoff to Mary K. a reality. Please join me giving
up major league props to Bobbie! (that means appreciation for you non hip
hoppers.)
We are the benefactors of some good juju in having Mary K. come aboard with
us. She ministers from the heart with a radiant cooperative spirit. In my work
with the denomination at large I have witnessed her deal with some dicey
conflictual situations with maturity, balance, and humility. Her affections
are centered on youth and families. She endeavors to create win/win scenarios.
Mary K. is an ideal person to be the "anchor leg" (track and
field term) of our RE ministry, leading us to break the tape with pride and
good form. I know you will join me in offering Mary K. a refreshing shade Live
Oak welcome and your partnership!
As the writer of the N.T. letter to the Hebrews exhorted; "Let us run
with perseverance the race that is set before us."
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
August 2001
When I was a teenager my Mom took me to our family physician because I was
complaining of pain in my bones and joints. The Doc gave this sophisticated
diagnosis - "growing pains."
Our church has plowed through a couple of hairy conflicts lately that this
Doctor of the Soul attributes primarily to the growing pains of our
congregation. We have stretched our governance structures to the limit for the
size and stature of our church. If Live Oak is to continue living together in
harmony we are being called to set up a more sensible framework for attending
to the business of our community.
Our best intentions can be thwarted by sloppy organization, and
communication. We have met these challenges heretofore and I am confident we
will be equal to this summons as well. Often times love is expressed by the
manner in which we set things up. Caring causes us to set the table in ways
that give clarity and fairness an environment to thrive.
Let us serve our meal on a table crafted by forethought and purpose, sturdy
enough to seat and support us all
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
July 2001
our lives. Particularly for the school crowd; vacations, family gatherings,
trips, and camps are on the menu. Hopefully the pace is slower, but even if
this is not the case, a shift in activities, scenery, and faces is renewing.
I look forward to the opportunities the summer affords for casual yet
significant conversation. Some of the best talks I have ever had with friends
and my kin transpired in a car. There is something about a road trip that
creates a space for story telling and the relaxing of our public mask. I have
spoken and entertained many a confidence in the womb of a moving vehicle.
Beach walks, trail hiking, campfires, kitchen duty, fishing, living room
lounging, and bedtime are all outstanding venues for these sorts of talks as
well. The bank of my being is filled with warm memories of these "heart
communions."
Thomas Moore writes that the early history of the word converse carried the
notion of living and dwelling. Conversate away and live it up! Transform the
dog days of solstice into cool encounters, and build that inner shack into a
hilltop mansion!!
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
June 2001
"As for your grip pressure, keep it light." Well, it is golf
season again and I find myself picking up the best golf lesson book out there
authored by a fellow Ausitnite (now gone on to the cosmic 19th hole), Harvey
Penick's Little Red Book.
It strikes me that Harvey's instruction on how to hold a golf club is
purtty good counsel on how to grow a church. We are progressing right along
with two worship services, planning a new building, and now hiring our first
Director of Religious Education.
Most folks enjoy seeing things grow, and growing necessitates change.
Ironically, in the heat of change our tendency is to run for shade like a long
haired breed in the middle of a hill country August.
Those of us who will be challenged most by our evolving church are the
members who have been around the longest. I've noticed that I put a choke hold
on the ole golf club when I badly want to hit the perfect shot, or make that
yearly birdie.
As established members you have put in the hours on the course which places
Live Oak "in the money." You may be tempted now to fashion a white
knuckle grip in regard to your dreams, your vision, your program. It could be
easy to mistrust the swing of our new playing partners. Put your clubs in the
garage before you do this!
Give heed Harvey's sage exhortation: "As for your grip pressure, keep
it light. Arnold Palmer likes to grip the club tightly, but you are not Arnold
Palmer."
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
May 2001
America remains a highly segregated nation. These are the preliminary
reports coming out of Census 2000. We are even more segregated by income than
by race in this new millennium. How can we respond to these realities?
My style is grounded in a simple, relational approach. I have been
attempting for the past few years to find a religious community or two who
will agree to this humble overture.
Pastor Jackie Donald Mims with the Imani A.M.E. Church, and Father Lonnie
Reyes of St. Julia's Catholic Church have accepted the invitation. Imani is
located in Northwest Austin, and is a predominately black congregation. St.
Julia's is in East Austin, primarily Hispanic in membership. Our three
congregations combined reflect a nice mix racially, spiritually, and
economically.
We will have a kick off event this month, named "Dialog Racism."
The meetings will be held at St. Julia's and child care will be provided.
Friday evening the 18th we will meet from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, we will gather
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Endeavor to attend the entire program if possible. If
you simply cannot, perhaps you can attend one of the segments in its entirety.
Live Oak members Antaro Burke and Sylvia Davis are spearheading this event
having been associated with this program for many years in Houston. To
register, e-mail Antaro, antaroburke@austin.rr.com,
or phone him, 301-3537. [webweaver's note: the seminar has been postponed
until the fall]
Dialog Racism focuses on non confrontational sharing of life experiences in
regard to the harmful effects of racism on all of us. Our goal is to establish
on going relationships, out of which our lives, and social action commitments
can flow.
The model is not complicated- Listen, Respond. Artist and author Brenda
Ueland expresses it thusly; "Unless you listen, people are not wizened in
your presence; they become about a third of themselves. Unless you listen you
can't know anybody. You know, I have come to think listening is love, that's
what it really is."
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
April 2001
Your voice will not be squelched by faulty machines, chads-hanging or
dimpled etc. ad nauseum, nor by Court bench. Forty-one of you responded to
Live Oak's five-year plan survey.
These are the top vote getters; Religious Education on Sunday mornings,
membership retention, a diverse congregational populace, a variety of worship
experiences, developing a social action plan, recruiting new members, and
beginning covenant groups.
You seem to be satisfied with our church life on the whole. However, we all
want roomier spaces for our spiritual activities, concentrated attention to
serve and maintain our current membership, more focus on growing the face of
pluralism in our congregation's makeup, and developing an intentional
expression of social concern in the larger community.
None of the desires you expressed are earth shaking surprises for me. The
warm place in my heart glows mostly from the process undertaken to get your
thoughts. It is a snap to lather on and on about consensus, but it takes
effort and plain ole elbow grease to bring it into reality.
Greg Smith has demonstrated an industrious effort to discern from you a
fair and accurate accounting of your dreams for the future of Live Oak.
Franklin Kalk, Jennifer Swan, Rebecca Maze, and yours truly rendered able
assits; Greg has done the yeoman's work. As they holler in golf matches,
"You da man!"
We have all rubbed shoulders with our share of leaders who were bent on
manipulation, or forcing their agenda on the group. A portion of our Vision
Statement reads; "Together, we create a non-judgmental, nurturing
environment where people of all ages can develop spiritually and
personally..."
So far, so good!
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
March 2001
This is the story of a trial marriage that went sweet.
Sometime in 1995 I saw an article in the Lifestyle section of the
Statesperson about a Unitarian Universalist church in northwest Austin whose
worship services engaged varying spiritual paths. The featured service
reported on was by a travelling teacher named Carol Eagleheart who touted
earth centered sacred paths. I was interested.
On a referral from the Austin UU Fellowship John Durbin invited me to speak
at Live Oak. The sermon was called, "The In Between Time;" a
reflection on life as illustrated by the weeks of waiting between Thanksgiving
and Christmas. I was encouraged.
Having written off organized religion I was caught off guard by my
fantasies of being the minister for a church such as this. After confiding my
desires to trusted friend Art Kirby, he encouraged me to make a proposal for a
six-month trial ministry with the church. A group of us had lunch together at
Mongolian Barbecue on North Lamar to explore this option. I was excited.
I attended an MLK service in which Franklin Kalk spoke of growing up in
Alabama, seeing the foul treatment of black people. His voice cracked many
times during this testimonial. Deeply moved, I literally sobbed during the
sermon. I was connected.
In February of 1996, I gave my "tryout" sermon called, "The
Groundhog's Shadow." We were meeting at Cortez Plaza at this time, and I
wore my custom made Hong Kong suit. Several members kidded me; "We hope
this will be the last time we see you preach in a suit." I was hooked.
It's been five years now and we finally had a formal wedding ceremony after
I was deemed the marrin' kind from the friendly folks in Boston. I am still
attracted to you even when you have morning breath, your hair is matted, and
you haven't put your makeup on yet. Happy Anniversary Live Oak!
"Your branches grow with all the choicest fruits, and the finest
spices; you are a garden fountain, a well of living water!"
I was a wanderer. Now I am a family man.
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
February 2001
This will go up as soon as we find the newsletter copy for it.
Webmaster
January 2001
"There is a community of the spirit. Join it, and feel the delight of
walking in the noisy street, and being the noise. Drink all your passion, and
be a disgrace. Close both eyes to see with the other eye. Open your hands if
you want to be held."
Last month after our Congregational meeting I was leaving the sanctuary
with Tina Cordes Thomas, Jon and Donna Durbin. The membership book was open on
the desk in the foyer, having just been signed by 15 new members. Our meeting
to approve the new budget was tense at times but we finally came to an
agreement, and departed as friends.
Tina, Jon, Donna and I perused the names of the charter members and of
course, we each spotted our signatures. We reminisced for a while, taking note
of the persons who had moved, resigned, and those still in the thick of the
Live Oak personality.
My soul traveled to the day in March of '96 when Donna asked me if I wanted
to sign the book and become a member of the church. I was delightfully amused
that even though I had been chosen as the minister of the church, I was not
automatically a member!
Mostly I recalled how far we have come as a community; not so much in
numbers, but in our bond. We have moved through our hauntings of being
religious. We are letting go of our fears in relation to roles such as
minister, congregation. Even in our disagreements and misunderstandings the
trust remains alive.
In this new year we will make individual promises to ourselves. Let us also
open our hearts to who we are becoming as a church. Transforming, Powerful
days await. I will call upon Rumi to punctuate the poetry he began.
"Sit down in this circle. Quit acting like a wolf, and feel the
shepherd's love...Move outside the tangle of fear thinking. Live in silence.
Flow down and down in always widening rings of being."
Soulfully,
Chuck Freeman
Copyright
©2006, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church.