2002 Letters

Letter from the President, 2002

by Alice Sessions

December 2002

TIS THE SEASON FOR TAKING

After the Joys and Concerns portion of our services, Chuck invites us to meditate on our unspoken joys and concerns. This is one of my favorite times of the service, a time to feel the strength of our community flow into me as I reflect on the ups and downs of the past week.

I anticipate needing this meditative time more and more as we enter into the holiday season. As this season proceeds, I find myself giving so much of my time, my energy, my money and my heart. I love this giving and love the good feeling I receive from it. But giving depletes me, making me feel tired and Scrooge-like.

The solution to all this grumpiness, I find, is to take. During the meditation in the service, I take the time to think about the good things that happened during the week and be grateful for the kindnesses that surround me. At home, I take some time to sit quietly and look at the decorations; reliving the happy holiday memories those decorations rekindle. And when I’m waiting in line at the store, I take a moment to appreciate all those who enrich me from my family, my work and my church. In this season of giving, I take time for reflection. The goodwill this gives me is a precious gift to my loved ones and myself.

November 2002

One of the perks of being president is that I get to be on the email lists of many of the groups and committees of Live Oak. Each morning I take my coffee into the study and read about the Women’s group meeting that week or what the Transition Committee is doing to facilitate our move. I had always thought email was such an impersonal media, but the energy and enthusiasm from all the people working on behalf of our church comes pouring out from the monitor each morning and warms me.

It’s truly inspiring how much volunteer energy there in at Live Oak. There’s energy for others as seen by the volunteers for the food pantry and the housing projects. There are volunteers to help us grow as seen with the many, many people who make RE happen every Sunday, facilitate the men’s and women’s groups, and lead us in exploring worship and world religions in Adult RE. And there are volunteers to help us enjoy ourselves at the coffeehouses, circle suppers and camping trips. Plus there are volunteers to keep the services going each Sunday, to welcome and nurture our future members, and to handle the church finances.

When I was a child, my UU church opened each Sunday with lighting the chalice and saying the motto, “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” Volunteering is lighting that one candle. And there are so many of us volunteering that the entire church is glowing with its light. How beautiful!

                        --Alice Sessions

October 2002

We are part of a large and active UU community in Austin. With most of our attention focused on Live Oak, we sometimes forget that there are a lot of us out there. I was reminded of this recently by a number of inter-UU events. The Hands-On Housing project last month brought together both the different generations-Stephanie Iacoletti is becoming a great caulker-and the different churches, Live Oak and First UU. It felt right to be working alongside another Unitarian. And it helped me to see a larger landscape.

I went straight from the housing project to lunch with the other UU presidents from Wildflower, the Fellowship and First UU. The four of us found much common ground. We are all at important junctions in our church life: Wildflower is busy prioritizing minister, RE, and building issues; First UU has moved to three services and is also looking to expand their space; and the Fellowship is balancing intimacy and membership. We are fortunate that each church has its own "flavor" so that together we can really reach all the potential UUs in town. Soon, each church will have a brochure that describes the four UU options so that everyone can find the best environment for their needs.

And best of all, we will be socializing together. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see a flyer about the Fall Fest, set for November 2. Every UU in Austin is invited to Kellis's ranch 45 minutes away for an evening of eating, singing, stargazing and visiting. Plan to join us for an Austintatious-UU event!

--Alice Sessions

September 2002

September is a month of new beginnings. School is back in session, work is reenergized and even the weather is cooperating with hints of cooler times. There is a new energy at church, too. Attendance is up again as people gather after taking a break over the summer. September is a great time, too, for thinking about how to become more connected with the church community.

Getting together with church friends is one of the most rewarding and fun things we can do for ourselves. There is a group for just about every taste. If you want small groups, there is the men’s group and 2 women’s groups that meet regularly.

Adult religious education is a big part of our church. This fall there are several informal classes being offered. For example, Martin Bryant is presenting a series on different religions. And there are others as well that are listed in this newsletter.

If service is what makes you happy, we have active Social Action, children’s R.E., Worship, Music, Membership and Finance committees. Each of them would welcome you to participate. Call the chair listed in the new directory or just show at the next meeting.

And let’s not forget just plain fun. Every month there are circle suppers where church friends gather at each other’s homes for dinner and conversation. Many new people say this is their favorite method for making friends. Padre Island vacation is this month and is another favorite activity. Sign up with Janet at janet@ObjectWatch.com to join us.

So many ways to grow together! Take advantage of the new beginnings in September to join one—or several—of these groups and activities. Your mind and your spirit will thank you.
~ Alice Sessions
August 2002

One of my favorite services, Chuck’s Ingathering Water Service, will be held on the 25^th of this month. We, the congregation, bring water from our travels to be commingled in a large bowl at the front of the sanctuary. I have an image of little water droplets from Hawaii greeting other droplets from Michigan or Costa Rica or our own backyard.

Just as the water comes together, so do we. We have been busy over the summer with vacations and visits from family and friends. For many of us, this means that we haven’t been to church as often. And I, for one, have missed seeing my church family. As nice as the summer has been, I’m looking forward to the water service. To greeting you just as my water droplets greets yours.

Returning creates an energy that carries us into the increased activities of the fall.   We will be very busy this year. In addition to the regular coffee houses, group activities, and trips to Padre Island and Inks Lake, we are preparing to move. This means working on how we will grow, both within and without.   So the Ingathering service will be especially valuable this year. See you there!

July 2002

         I sat in the service the other Sunday and heard a seven-year-old lisp his way through Joys and Concerns. He was so happy and proud at having just lost a tooth.  I heard the identical Joy at the first service of Live Oak UU Church, ten years ago this month.

        So much has changed in those ten years. Then we met in the hallway of a nursing home on Duval. We've had four other homes since then and are preparing to settle permanently into the big, beautiful new building. We had only 22 congregants at that first service; now we have over 80 attend the two services. Ten years ago, we were strictly lay led; now we not only have Chuck as our minister, but also have a staff of four others to help us raise our children, run the church and make beautiful music.

        We have seen many changes together and we will see many more in the years to come. But there is one constant: we will always share the joy of that first lost tooth and we will always find strength in knowing there is a community to help shoulder our burdens. Because even though time changes us all, our community is constant. Through all the changes, we continue to give each other strength and support and love.

        Take pride in your contribution to building this very special place. And receive the love and support it offers in return.
~ Alice Sessions