2005 Community Outreach

November 2005

Living the Welcoming Congregation

Through guidance from our ministers, the DRE, and the support of additional committees, organizations, and individuals, our congregation has achieved the various steps needed to become a Welcoming Congregation. To celebrate this moment in Live Oak’s history, Rev. Ellis read the letter from the UUA to the congregation during the October 2 worship service.

In July, the Live Oak Steering Committee approved the use of Live Oak’s name in publicity related to voting NO on Proposition 2, the proposed Texas constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions on the November 8 ballot. Live Oak’s name now appears among the long list of endorsers in the campaign against this amendment at www.nononsenseinnovember.com/905/endorsercoalition.php.

If it passes, Proposition 2 will add the following to the Texas constitution: Marriage in state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman. This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

Texas law already clearly defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The addition of these vague and overly-broad sentences could deny even more rights than intended, resulting in uncertainty and expensive litigation. The second sentence could outlaw common-law marriage. Existing domestic partnership health care benefits may also be outlawed, as has already occurred with similar amendments in Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, and Utah. Other unintended consequences could include denial of domestic violence protections to unmarried same-sex partners, as has happened in Ohio and Utah. Even adoption by same-sex couples may be affected.

While voting officially takes place on November 8, early voting may be more convenient for many and it began on October 24 and continues through November 4. Refer to the following link to obtain voting information for your county: www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/links.shtml#County

Living the Welcoming Congregation in our church and the greater community,

Carrie Stewart for the Welcoming Congregation Team

Tim O’Brien for the Social Action Committee

October 2005

Disaster Relief Efforts

This Month:

Hands on Housing is Here! On October 1 we, along with volunteers from First Church and Wildflower, will be bringing tools and paint and helping hands to repair and paint a home owned by a member of Austin’s disadvantaged community. Look for the signup sheet in the Fellowship Hall. First we’ll be choosing a house, then creating a project list, and after that we acquire the necessary materials. All this planning leads up to the big day, a family friendly work day with food provided. For the spring project we had over 100 volunteers – a new record! We ask that folks sign up in order to better plan the day’s activities. However, if you are unable to sign up, don’t let that stop you from coming! Any friends you may have who are interested in participating are welcome as well. For more information, contact Daniel Kaulfus (657-1949, dkaulfus@austin.rr.com) or Brian Winkelmann (585-4834, rev.winky@gmail.com).

Fall Blood Drive! We’ll be holding our Fall Blood Drive on Sunday, October 16, from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm to benefit the Austin Blood and Tissue Center. This is a critical time for the Center, since recent events have put a greater than normal strain on the local blood supply. There is always a need for blood and only volunteer donors can fill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every two to three seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. For questions, information, or appointment times, contact CaseyDawn Marsalis (dawndemar@gmail.com).

Kids Care: On Saturday, October 8, Kids Care will meet to assemble Health Care Kits to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. There is also the possibility of a Sock Hop in order to collect clothing for the needy. Watch for more details or contact Bobbie Hamilton (257-2912, bobilyn3@juno.com).

Recent Activities:

Pick-a-Park: On September 10 Live Oak performed our first ever Pick-a-Park event. In this outreach action, about 40 volunteers helped clean up a public park and had a great time doing it, as did the members of the Kids Care program who participated. The park chosen was an as-yet unopened Cedar Park park that is still closed, partly because the city has not had enough funding to get it ready for the public. The City Council of Cedar Park, as well as the Parks and Recreation Subcommittee, praised Live Oak for our outstanding efforts to get the park ready for the public. Since this event was such a success, there has been talk of potentially adopting this park as an official Live Oak ongoing project. Stay tuned for details, and thanks to all those who helped out with the first event!

Ongoing Activities:

Hill Country Ministries Food Pantry: Our church provides support for the food pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month, in the evening from 6:00-8:00 pm. This is a great community project for the whole family. It’s a quick and easy way to reach out to the community in a very personal way. Thanks again to Tara de Cardenas and her daughters Bronte and Carreen for volunteering in August. They pulled orders, stocked shelves, and filled bottles. We really appreciate your time and effort. We currently need volunteers for October. Look for the sign up sheet in the narthex or contact Elaine Hobbs (elainehobbs@sbcglobal.net).

September 2005

This Month:

Pick-a-Park is here! On September 10 Live Oak will be performing the first ever Pick-A-Park event. In this outreach action, volunteers help clean up a public park. Also, the Kids Care program will be helping out as well. For the first event we’ve chosen an as-yet-unopened Cedar Park park that is still closed partly because the city has not had enough funding to get it ready for the public. That’s where we come in! Starting at 9:30 am, join fellow Live Oakers in this family friendly event, cutting grass, clearing vegetation, and general park cleanup. Please sign up – sign up sheets are located in the narthex, or contact Jon Porter (jon.porter@sbcglobal.net, 335-5771). This will enable us to better plan for the day’s activities, including a possible barbecue if there are enough participants! In addition to labor, the following items are requested: lawn mowers, gas-powered weed eaters, rakes, shovels, hand saws, clippers, a gator, gas cans, and gloves.

Upcoming Events:

The fall Hands on Housing project is just around the corner. On October 1 we, along with volunteers from First Church and Wildflower, will be bringing tools and paint and helping hands to repair and paint a home owned by a member of Austin’s disadvantaged community. Look for announcements in September regarding how to get involved in this event

The next Blood Drive will be held October 16, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in the church parking lot – look for the giant bus. Sign up sheets will be available or online signup is also possible. Contact CaseyDawn Marsalis (dawndemar@gmail.com, 300-8597).

Kids Care Sock Hop: In October Kids Care will be hosting an old fashioned sock hop with a helpful Unitarian twist. In addition to dancing, participants are asked to bring new clothing donations (including socks) for the needy. Look for more details as this event draws closer! Contact for more information is Bobbie Hamilton (bobilyn3@juno.com, 257-2912).

Recent Activities:

The July Food Drive was quite a success! Alas, this author failed to obtain any photographs due to bad planning, but there was an entire car load of groceries given to Hill Country Community Ministries! Thanks to all who contributed.

This summer’s Austin Children’s Shelter Donation Drive has been a huge success. The Community Outreach Committee would like to Thank All Live Oakers for contributing to this great cause! Our target for this drive was for teens, but not limited to them. We have made two deliveries this summer with several large boxes and bags of new and used clothing, personal grooming items, and snacks. Also, we would like to Thank the Kids Care Club for making the nice tie-dyed activity bags that you purchased. The ACS was very appreciative of all our donations! The drive will officially end on August 28, 2005. There are still some tags on the tree in the Fellowship Hall if you still wish to give. Thank You again for opening your hearts and pocketbooks; you are truly a wonderful community that we are so proud to be a part of!

Ongoing Activities:

Hill Country Ministries Food Pantry: Our church provides support for the food pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 pm. This is a great community project for the whole family. It’s a quick and easy way to reach out to the community in a very personal way. Thank you to Lisa Kuntz, Barb MacLeod, and Tim O’Brien for volunteering in July. They pulled orders for four families, stocked shelves and filled flour bags. We really appreciate your time and effort. Look for the sign up sheet in the narthex or contact Elaine Hobbs (elainehobbs@sbcglobal.net). We currently need volunteers for September. Keep On Caring!

Meetings: The general Community Outreach Committee Meeting will be sometime in October – watch for further announcements. To get involved in Community Outreach, please contact Daniel Kaulfus (dkaulfus@austin.rr.com, 336-5544) or Brian Winkelmann (Rev.Winky@gmail.com, 585-4834). We would love to have you!

August 2005

Hill Country Ministries Food Pantry

Our church provides support for the food pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 pm. This is a great community project for the whole family. It’s a quick and easy way to reach out to the community in a very personal way. Look for the sign up sheet in the narthex or contact Elaine Hobbs at elainehobbs@sbcglobal.net. Keep on Caring!

June 2005

Hands on Housing: Over 100 people participated in our fifth Hands on Housing project on April 30. (There were 69 people from Live Oak, 14 from Wildflower UU, nine from First UU, and some were unaffiliated.) The renovation was to a 60-year-old home in East Austin. In the words of the homeowner (67-year-old Albert Carrillo) at 9:00 pm on the night of the project as we were packing up, “Words cannot express my gratitude to your church for everything that you’ve done for our home today. My wife, who died last May, is looking down and smiling. Thank you so much.”

On Sunday, June 5, from 12:30-3:00 pm, Live Oak will be hosting a National Cancer Survivors Day celebration. Come one, come all for face painting, games, cancer survivor information, a wall of hopes and memories, food, drink, and the opportunity to donate your hard-earned money to charity. Contact Rob Sartin (sartin@mac.com) or 512-791-5804) for more information or to volunteer to help.

As part of the celebration, the Austin Blood & Tissue Center will join. Come out and support the cause with a blood donation between 12 and 4 PM. For appointments or information, contact CaseyDawn Marsalis at dawndemar@gmail.com or 832-561-1486.

Hill Country Ministries Food Pantry: Our church provides support for the food pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month, in the evening from 6:00-8:00 pm. This is a great community project for the whole family. It benefits those in our community who have lost jobs, are on a fixed income such as Social Security, or have had some unexpected expenses such as medical fees. It’s a quick and easy way to reach out to the community in a very personal way. A BIG THANKS to Tara de Cardenas and her lovely daughters Bronte (11) and Carreen (9), who volunteered their time in April to stock the pantry’s shelves, fill bottles, and pull a grocery order. They enjoyed it so much they may make it a weekly event! The girls also saved their “Buddy Points” from HEB and got 11 boxes of granola bars to donate! Look for the sign up sheet in the narthex, or see Elaine Hobbs (elainehobbs@sbcglobal.net) if you have any questions. Keep on caring!

May 2005

April 30 – Spring Hands on Housing Project: We are pulling out the paint brushes and sharpening those saws for our next Hands on Housing event this spring. Come join our Live Oak team to paint, repair, and support our local community repairing a home for those less fortunate in East Austin. This will be our sixth home in four years. It’s a great family event and one of our most popular – over 40 Live Oakers participated last fall!

Hands on Housing Site Selection team meets, April 6, 2005. Pictured: (bottom row) Hugh Sparks (AAIM); (back row) George Neff (Wildflower), John Phelps, Leah Korn, Jon Montgomery, and Daniel Kaulfus.

With Live Oak taking the lead, we’ll be joined by First UU and Wildflower in this event. Our house is located at 1201 Canterbury Street, about ½ mile from downtown, east of I-35 and south of 1^st Street. The home owner is a 67-year-old widower who spent the last eight years carrying for his diabetic wife (a double amputee). He is one of the kindest people that you’ll ever meet and is very appreciative. We look forward to seeing you there on April 30. It’s a great time for kids of all ages, too!

Hill Country Ministries Food Pantry: Easy volunteer opportunity! Our church provides support for the food pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month, in the evening. Look for the sign up sheet in the narthex. It’s a quick and easy way to reach out to the community in a very personal way. See Elaine Hobbs for any questions or email her at elainehobbs@sbcglobal.net.

Austin Children’s Shelter Donation Drive Begins May 1

Last year Live Oak donated 42 school supply bags to kids in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Children. This year we thought it would be good to help kids in need right here in the Austin area.

We’re focusing on the teens at the Austin Children’s Shelter. Kids at the shelter have been removed from their homes due to life-threatening abuse or neglect, and often have no personal belongings. Below is a list of items needed at the shelter.

We’ve been told by the staff that gift cards are especially nice, because it means that a teen can have a personal shopping trip accompanied by a staff member to choose their own clothing.

There are brochures about the Austin Children’s Shelter in the Fellowship Hall, along with a box in which you can place your donations. You can also read about them at their website: www.austinchildrenshelter.org

Items needed:

Grooming and Hygiene Items:

African-American hair care products, blow dryers, electric razors (battery preferred), RID Hair Treatment for lice, manicure/pedicure kits, make-up (lip gloss, eye shadow, etc.), costume jewelry, combs, brushes, purse-sized mirrors, hair curlers, crimpers and straighteners, body lotions, soaps, sprays and scrubs, nail polish and nail polish remover, hair accessories (clips, bands, pins, etc.), dental floss, deodorant, mouth rinse, nail clippers, Nair hair remover, plastic travel containers for soap, shaving cream, shower flip-flops, shampoos, tampons/sanitary napkins, toothpaste, toothbrushes, facial cleansers and acne medicine for teens, sunscreen, gift cards from Claire’s, Bath & Body Works, Body Shop, or Target

(all items should be unscented to avoid allergic reactions)

Clothing:

new underwear (including boys’ boxers and briefs, girl’s underwear and bras, and socks), pajamas, coats, jackets and sweatshirts, jeans (new or good condition), athletic shoes (new or very good condition), slippers, flip flops, baseball type hats and visors, sunglasses, unisex board shorts, new bathing suits for boys and girls, gift cards for Old Navy, Linens and Things, Target or Bath & Body Works

Gift Certificates for Activities:

bowling, events at the Erwin Center, pizza, deli, or fast food, concerts, miniature golf, movies, museums, roller skating, Blockbuster Video, UT sporting events (other than soccer or volleyball), Schlotzky’s, McDonald’s, or Thundercloud Subs, Peter Pan Golf, Amy’s Ice Cream, Austin’s Park and Pizza, Dart Bowl, Millennium Youth Complex

Also:

art supplies, learning tools (especially math and reading), large sports duffel bags (collapsible), twin sheet and pillowcase sets, twin-sized comforters, twin-sized light-weight corded bedspreads, in-line skates, water bottles, beach/swim-type towels, pool toys (rings, balls, diving games), crackers and chips (no sugar, unopened), healthy snack bars, microwave popcorn.

Austin Children’s Shelter CANNOT Accept:

candy (healthy snacks such as Fruit Roll-Ups or granola bars are fine)

any games/movies not rated G or K

toy weapons or military toys, including water guns and action figures

laser tag, paint ball, or other activities that may trigger violent behaviors

April 2005

Successful Live Oak Blood Drive: A special thank you to Casey Dawn Marsalis for coordinating the February blood drive at Live Oak! We had close to 20 people give blood at the event, bringing our total over the last four years to over 175 pints of blood donated to the Central Texas Blood Bank (that’s enough to refill 15 full size adults!). Great job Live Oak! Look for the next drive in late July.

Successful Live Oak Crop Walk: Our Live Oak team joined with Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, and many other religions to participate in this year’s Crop Walk. Below is a sample of those Live Oakers that braved a wet Sunday afternoon for the two mile Crop Walk! The event benefits those less fortunate (half to local and half to international organizations) and helps to “teach them to fish” for themselves. A special thank you for everyone who participated in the event or sponsored walkers. A special thank you to our own Barb Rausin for coordinating the event this year. She did an outstanding job!

April 30 – Spring Hands on Housing Project: We’re pulling out the paint brushes and sharpening those saws for our next Hands on Housing event this spring. Come join our Live Oak team to paint, repair, and support our local community repairing a home for those less fortunate in East Austin. This will be our sixth home in four years. It’s a great family event and one of our most popular (over 40 Live Oakers participated last year).

In the words of Sammie Hill, the 77-year-old recipient of our third house, “I don’t have words to describe the appreciation in my heart for everything that everyone has done for me over this weekend. I feel like I’ve got a brand new house. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” With Live Oak taking the lead, we’ll be joined by First UU and Wildflower in this event. We look forward to seeing you there. It’s a great time for the kids, too!

Hill Country Ministries Food Pantry: Our church provides support for the food pantry on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Look for the sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary. It’s a great family event!

To Get Involved in Community Outreach: We’re looking for event coordinators to help with the above activities. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Daniel Kaulfus at 336-5544 or dkaulfus@austin.rr.com.

March 2005

Join Us for Crop Walk Sunday, March 6

We’ll carpool from church at 1:00 pm after a special Crop Walk lunch, arriving at Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park at 1:45 to register for the 2:30 step-off, our chance to proudly show the Live Oak banner as we interact with dozens of other faiths and groups. If you can’t walk with our group on March 6, you may do Crop Walk on Saturday morning, March 5, when step-off is at 10:00 am.

The walk is approximately 2 miles long on a wheelchair- and stroller-accessible nature trail. But do you have to walk in order to participate? No! You can obtain donations from co-worker, friend, and family sponsors just as the walkers do. And this year, you can even email friends and family worldwide to sponsor you online. Get full details at the registration table after the service on February 27 … or you can get them from Barb Rausin, 733-2193, agypsyfree@aol.com.

This wonderful family event helps to alleviate hunger and hopelessness around the world. Funds raised are shared through agencies in more than 80 countries, including the U.S., to provide food and relief supplies, preventive health care, improvements in food production, development of safe water resources, refugee assistance, and more. In fact 25% of the funds raised here stay right here in Austin and central Texas.

We especially urge our many newer members to get involved and make this even better than last year’s great event. Thanks for your enthusiastic support!

February 2005

Save This Date for Crop Walk: Sunday morning, March 6

Yes, it’s time for our annual Crop Walk … a way to help alleviate hunger and hopelessness around the world while having fun with our families. Funds raised are shared through agencies in more than 80 countries, including the U.S., to provide food and relief supplies, preventive health care, improvements in food production, developments of safe water resources, refugee assistance and more. In fact, 25% of the funds raised stay right here in Austin and central Texas.

The walk is approximately two miles long on a wheelchair- and stroller-accessible nature trail. But do you have to walk in order to participate? No! You can obtain donations from co-worker, friend, and family sponsors just as the walkers do. And this year, you can even email friends and family worldwide to sponsor you online. We’ll have full details at the registration table after services on February 13, 20, and 27 … or you can get them from Barb Rausin, 733-2193, agypsyfree@aol.com.

We’ll carpool from church after a special Crop Walk lunch, arriving at Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park at 1:45 am to register for the 2:30 am step-off, our chance to proudly show the Live Oak banner as we interact with groups from dozens of other faiths and groups. If you can’t walk with our group on March 6, you may do Crop Walk on Saturday morning, March 5, when step-off is 10:00 am. With the many new members who have joined Live Oak in the past year, we expect this to be even better than last year’s great event. Thanks for your enthusiastic support!

Late February: Live Oak Winter Blood Drive!

After a very successful Summer Blood Drive last August with over 25 pints of blood donated to the Austin Blood Bank, we look forward to even better participation in our sixth semi-annual blood drive!

Late April: Hands on Housing

Come join our Live Oak team to paint, repair, and support our local community repairing homes for the elderly in east Austin. It’s one of our most popular church events!

January 2005

We had a smashingly great turnout on the Holiday Giving Tree this year – the Hill Country Ministries folks who picked up the donations said we contributed over twice what we did last year. In the photo collection, see a picture of the tree – this image blew me away when I went to the church Monday morning. We believe around 60 families participated!

Brian Winkelmann