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Newsletter - October 7, 2016
Welcome to the Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship!
Table of Contents
Quick Links
7 UU Principles
Calendar
Men's Brotherhood
Sermon Library

Rev. Addae Kraba holds office hours in the Fellowship on Tuesday and Thursday each week from 10 AM to 2 PM, or by appointment if necessary. Home visits are made upon request.

Calendar


Monthly Board Meeting
Sunday, October 9, 12:30 PM 
i n Chandler Hall

Children's Religious Education Update
Our Children's Religious Education program is divided into two groups by age. In CRE, which meets each Sunday at 11 AM, we challenge our children with interactive studies about religion and science.  The nursery group topics change according to individuals who attend and cannot be listed in advance, but they fall under the curriculum Tapestry of Faith.
For the next 2-3 months elementary students will be working from Tapestry of Faith an intergenerational curriculum. All 8 sections are called "Miracles." They will also do special classes for each of the upcoming holidays. Children's RE has its own Facebook page with more specific topics and activities outlined.  See their page at AUUF Children's RE News. .
 
Contact: Lydia Miller, Coordinator of Children's RE

AUUF Ad Hoc Movie/
Video Pre-screening Process
To make sure that movies / videos shown at AUUF are in line with our principles and beliefs, we have created a three person ad hoc group comprised of Amy Taylor, John Hintz and Bruce Fielder. Any movie/video/DVD to be shown at the Fellowship by an AUUF member or friend will need to be pre-screened by this group. This does not include the movies / videos selected for the kids' movie night programs or the adult RE instructional programs. Please contact Amy, Bruce or John to schedule pre-screenings and to answer any questions. 

Social Action Committee Meeting
Social Action Committee meets 
Saturday, October 8, 2:00 PM at 3537 Tripp Ave. (Sleepy Hollow). 
Notice the Pumpkins with a Purpose (3500 I-40 West) which benefits The Children's Home in Amarillo.

Monday, October 31, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex 
 North Exhibit Hall, Entrance #3
The 2016 Beans & Cornbread Luncheon will feature singer/songwriter Larry Gatlin. This event will kick off the Interfaith Campaign for the Homeless, which will raise funds that will be distributed through a competitive grant process to support shelters and agencies in Amarillo that serve women, men, and children who are experiencing homelessness. 
 
AUUF Social Action Committee has 8 tickets available for members who wish to attend the luncheon. Contact Yvonne Moore if you are interested.

Social Action Service of the Month
One of the many ways the Social Action Committee is engaging our Fellowship and the community at large is with a program to educate individuals about all the options available for people who so chose to get out and make a difference. 
 
We have decided to highlight, once a month, an agency or group that is doing good work in our community and could use individuals to volunteer their time and/or talents (make donations).  For the month of October we are highlighting Amarillo College's Advocacy and Resource Center. The A.R.C. is providing a number of services for AC students including The Adult Students Program, Social Services, The AC Food Pantry and The AC Clothing Closet (with an emphasis on clothes for interviews and new jobs).
 
What many people don't know is that the average student at Amarillo College is 74% first generation attending college, 48% Minority, 63% female (often single mom of 2-3 children) approximately 27 years old, working at least 2 part time jobs (1.7 is the statistic). For the first time ever this year AC will be a Minority-Majority institution. The biggest obstacle that keeps these students from completion of their degrees is primarily family matters, not academic deficiencies as is most often thought. 
 
We have posted a list of needs on the Social Action Bulletin Board (which is above the Sunday morning goodies table!) A list of needs (donations) for A.R.C. is also available HERE.
 
If you would like to have a tour of the A.R.C. or wish to find out exactly what the needs are at this time, feel free to contact Jordan Herrera at 806-371-5439 , or stop by the first floor of the Ware Commons (formerly the Lynn Library) on the Washington St Campus.  The A.R.C. is located in room 108.

Newsletter and Website Submissions
As always, we are eager to publish information regarding committees, boards, Adult RE, CRE, events, and services, but we need your help. The website and Facebook page can be updated daily, but the newsletter cannot. New information needs to be submitted (submissions@uuamarillo.org) by noon Wednesday if you want it to appear in the Friday morning newsletter. If you need an event placed on the website calendar, you may submit that request with description, image (or we can provide one), starting and approximate ending time, specific location, date (or dates for a recurring event), and name of contact person. Help us help you get your message out in a timely manner.

 

PLEASE, EVERYONE CAN MAKE ALL THESE COMMUNICATIONS MORE EFFECTIVE BY READING THEM EACH WEEK--ESPECIALLY THE WEBSITE AND NEWSLETTER!

In addition to the events described in this newsletter, you can find a complete listing by clicking on the   Calendar icon above.

Want more detail? Check both the News and the Events sections of our website, uuamarillo.org
Also on our website, you can learn more about our Fellowship and our faith, Unitarian Universalism.

All events are held at the Fellowship,
4901 Cornell St. , unless otherwise noted.

If you are unsure how to reach any of the individuals named as contacts, please email the
AUUF office or call our Office Administrator, April Myers, at 806.355.9351 and leave a message. She will return your call during her office hours, which are Tuesday - Friday from 9 AM to noon.

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Sunday Worship - 9:30 & 11 AM

October 9, 2016
Rev. Addae speaks on Amazing Grace. There are both spiritual and corporeal meanings of grace. Let's examine and reflect on that notion to decide if grace is really amazing.

October 16, 2016
Jean Stuntz speaks on  Gender 101. While there are real biological differences between the sexes, gender is generally considered to be a social construction - it can be pretty much whatever we want it to be, and we've wanted it to be a lot of things over the years.
October 23, 2016
Minnie Venable speaks on Our Beloved Community - Our Future.

Upcoming Events:
Adult Religious Education
Please join us at 10 AM each Sunday . All are welcome. No advance reading is necessary and no test will be given.

We are finishing up on My Favorite Universe and The New Testament and will be selecting our next subject or subjects. Input and suggestions are welcome from all.
 
October 9 : My Favorite Universe" Lecture #12 " The Search For Life in the Universe. The final Lecture."
 
October 16 : The New Testament: Lecture #21 "The book of Hebrews and  the rise of Christian Anti-Semitism."
 
October 23 : The New Testament: Lecture #22  "First Peter and the Persecution of the Early Christians."
 
October 30 : The New Testament: Lecture #23  "The Book of Revelations."
 
November 6 : The New Testament: Lecture #24  "Do We Have The Original New Testament."

Contact: John Gay
Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group
Monday, October 10, 7:30 PM
Meditation practice precedes the video interview by Oprah Winfrey of  Richard Rohr, OFM.  Rohr was born in Kansas . He entered the Franciscans in 1961 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1970. He received his master's degree in theology from the University of Dayton in 1970. He became the founder of the New Jerusalem Community in Cincinnati, Ohio , in 1971 and the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico , in 1986 where he currently serves as the Founding Director and Academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Rohr has been notable in his support for homosexual causes, causing some criticism among Catholics.

Meet the Artist - Neal Nossaman
Tuesday, October 11, 7:00 PM
Meet the Artist presents musician and optometrist Neal Nossaman at the Fellowship (4901 Cornell St.). Refreshments will be provided and the event is open to the public free of charge. Bring a friend or two and enjoy the evening.
 
Neal Nossaman began studying piano at the age of 6 and organ at the age of 12.  He has served the roles of soloist, accompanist, church musician, band member, and bar entertainment. He has also unsuccessfully taught two piano students.  Born in Houston and raised in Amarillo, Neal attended public schools and Amarillo College before transferring to TCU and UH College of Optometry.  He has followed the path of his father as an optometrist for 28 years and currently is a partner in Broome Optical. He has been a member of the Fellowship for one year and is married to Greg Welch. They share a precious French bulldog, Chloe.  
 
"Music is the language of the heart, and understood across borders, cultures and differences in thought.  In most cases it creates beauty and unity. For me personally, it lifts my soul, balances my life, spreads joy to others, and brings me closer to my God."
 
Contact: Pam Mayes or Ann Hicks

Women's Simply Salad & Soup Fellowship
Wednesday, October 12, 6:30 PM
Our women's group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday for good food and great conversation. The meetings on 2nd Wednesdays are at the Fellowship-potluck style.  On the 4th Wednesdays, the women meet at a different restaurant each month.
 
Contact: Ann Benedetti   

MSC Focus Group for Parents/Guardians ONLY
Thursday, October 13, 7:00-8:30 PM
This meeting of parents of children or guardians/caretakers of children in our Fellowship focuses on the needs of our children-nursery, elementary, and middle school.  We need to know your concerns and hopes so we can shape our children's RE to best serve children and their families.

Adult Documentary & Movie Night
Thursday, October 13, 7:00 PM
The Wave  is a 45-minute made for TV movie starring Bruce Davison and it is based on a true incident that occurred in a high school history class in Palo Alto, CA, in 1967. The forces of group pressure that allowed Nazism to grow are recreated in the classroom when a history teacher introduces a "new" system to his students. Before long, "The Wave" with its rules of "strength through discipline, community and action" sweeps from the classroom throughout the entire school.
 
Contact: Rolf Habersang

Family Game Night
Friday, October 14, 6:30 PM         
Come to family game night with the meal beginning about 6:30 PM and games beginning about 7 PM. Let's have a salad supper; we can bring bean salad, potato salad, tuna or chicken salad, etc. We will include bread and a dessert or two. We'll have a sign-up sheet this weekend on the bulletin board near the kitchen. Bring your favorite game, and we'll have a fun get-together!

If you have any questions, email
Janda Raker  or call 352-0589.       

Fall Conference - 
        Leadership Training  for the Southern Region of UUA 2016
October 24 Application Deadline
Conference November 11-13 at Glen Rose, TX
More details available- just click here.

October Fiction Book Group
Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 PM
The book for October is Raymond Carver's Cathedral. Raymond Carver is widely regarded as one of the finest writers of short stories of the latter twentieth century. Cathedral contains several of his most admired stories, including the moving title story and "A Small, Good Thing," a masterpiece of human connection and compassion.  The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Dick Moseley. Get your copy and begin reading! If you want to order the November selection also, it is Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad
 
Contact: Dick Moseley    

Southwest UU Women
The Southwest UU Women's Board of Directors as well as the 2017 SWUUW  conference convener will be holding their annual board retreat in Amarillo the weekend of October 7 - 9.  Many thanks go to those who have offered home hospitality to these women.  Join us Sunday morning at the Fellowship and meet the current leaders of this amazing group and find out more about our upcoming conference (our 31st consecutive by the way!) to be held in Dallas February 10 - 12.  This year's theme is "Hearts and Hands Working for Justice" and features international speaker Helen Bonds with music by Going Native.

Karen McGinnis
Past President - SWUUW & AUUF

In the Community
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Did you know Amarillo leads the state in domestic violence homicides per capita?  October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Join Family Support Services;  Go Purple! Friday, October 7, 3 PM-FSS 10th & Taylor - March Against Domestic Violence.  Wednesday, October 12, 11 AM - 2 PM-Don't Look Away:  Lunch, booths, speakers & self-defense demonstrations.  Thursday, October 20,  Go Purple Day  throughout Texas, so wear purple  to show your support.


Buff Allies-Fear into Faith: On Being a Reluctant Role Model
Monday, October 10, 5:30 PM at WTAMU  JBK Legacy Hall
Buff Allies presents Shanna Peeples as the Distinguished Lecturer. Reception hosted by Bekki McQuay begins at 5:30 PM; Shanna's speech begins at 7:00 PM. You are invited to attend the most vulnerable speech of Shan's National Teacher of the Year career.  She will be addressing her experience as a lesbian teacher and the personal challenges that being gay has brought her. Mark your calendar now!


Hispanic Heritage Luncheon
Wednesday, October 12, 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM at Wesley Community Center
Amarillo will wrap up its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with the second annual Hispanic Heritage luncheon  in the Wesley Community Center gymnasium, 1615 S. Roberts St. Its purpose is to recognize contributions Hispanic citizens have made to the community. The event also features a keynote address by J.E. Sauseda, a longtime lawyer and activist in the Amarillo community. Tables of eight can be reserved in advance for $150, and individual tickets are $20. Contact Tina Sisneros at 806-570-8644 for information.
 
Contact: Amy Taylor

Ministerial Search Committee Update
Hurry to complete your Congregational Survey before the October 16 deadline. The information you provide is vital to the Search Committee in being able to find the right minister for YOUR congregation.
 
If you still have any questions or comments for the search Committee, you can contact any of the Search Committee members, who are:
            Chair - Keralee Clay
            Packet Editor and Distributor - Nina Stein
            Arranger - Ann Hicks
            Reference Checker - John Hintz
            Secretary - Larry Campbell
            Survey Coordinator - Amy Taylor
            Treasurer - Cyndy Walton
 
Don't forget the final Focus Group meeting on October 13 at 7 PM at the Fellowship. This focus group is specifically for parents and guardians of children and youth.

Heart to Heart
Life's Natural Rhythms
October, 2016
When I was returning to San Antonio from Amarillo several weeks ago, at some point along the way my windshield was suddenly clouded by hundreds of butterflies. I later learned that they were Monarchs on their annual return to warmer weather in Mexico for the winter. Nature has a natural rhythm that provides cues for season's changes, such as when flowers bloom, and when it is time for red and brown leaves to fall from trees. That rhythm also orchestrates when day turns to night, just as human beings our own inner rhythm is attuned to this universal sense of timing. Guided by the rising and setting of the sun, changes in temperature, and our internal rhythm, we know when it is time to sleep, eat, or be active. Our minds and spirits are free to focus on other pursuits, but our breath and heartbeat are always there to remind us of life's pulsing rhythm moving within and around us. 

If we move to this rhythm, we should be able to recognize when it is time to cease working and when to rest. Unfortunately, many of us push our bodies to work beyond their natural rhythm diminishing our ability to renew and recharge. This moves us into a feeling much like jet lag letting us know that we've overridden our own natural rhythm. When we feel the frantic calls of all we want to accomplish impelling us to move faster than is natural for us, we may want to breathe deeply and look at nature moving to its own organic timing: birds and butterflies flying south, leaves shedding, or snow falling. A walk in nature can also let us re-align to her organic rhythm, while allowing us to move back and retune with our own. When we move to our natural rhythm, we can achieve all we need to do with less effort. We may even notice that our soul moves to its own internal, natural rhythm especially when it comes to our personal evolution. Comparing ourselves to others is unnecessary. Our best guide is to move to our own internal timing, while keeping time with the rhythm of nature. 


From My Heart to Yours,
Rev. Addae

Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
4901 Cornell St.
Amarillo, TX  79109
806.355.9351

 

 

 

 uuamarillo.org