December 5, 2019
This Week
Sunday Service 
December 8, 2019 9:00am and 11:00am 
Free and Responsible Holidays
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford

Religious Education Classes 10:00am-10:55am 
 
Share the Plate:       
In December all designated funds and half of all undesignated cash will be donated to the Literacy Council WILCO.  This nonprofit organization serving adults in Williamson County and parts of Northen Travis County.  They are dedicated to improving community lives through adult literacy education by providing GED, English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Vocational Training. Half of all cash received in the collection plate, and all checks designated "StP", will be donated to The Literacy Council WILCO.
 
Love Notes  
Each month, there will be a different group at Live Oak featured in our "Love Notes" appreciation program. You're encouraged to grab one of those pink sheets and let the group know how much you appreciate what they contribute to Live Oak life.  December love notes will be for our Child Care Workers.  Please be sure to stop by the Love Notes box and show your love!   
A Few Words from the Minister...
Is Goodness Attractive?
In these times, how does that idea - "being good" - resonate with you?  Read more  
A Few Words from the DLFD...
(Director of Lifespan Faith Development)
Our Whole Lives Update
I met with the OWL facilitators before Thanksgiving to talk about our middle school OWL offering and brainstorm... read more  
 
Special Notices
 
Hanging of the Greens December 8th
Build your Holiday Spirit by hanging some Greens
What's better than celebrating the holidays at Live Oak? Why, celebrating them in a festively decorated church, of course. This coming Sunday, December 8th, after the 11:00 service, we're going to have our annual "Hanging of the Greens". It's that time of the year when we'll bring down the decorations and you can in indulge your inner elf by helping us to decorating the building. We'll have pictures from last year if you need inspiration, but if you have a better idea, then bring it Sunday. There will also be hot chocolate, music, and, a pizza lunch.

Also, around 2 pm on Saturday, December 7, we'll be bringing down the decorations and staging things for the decorating, so if you're interested in helping with this too (or instead), send Mike Schultz an email
.
 
Pajama Storytime!
There is so much rush-rush-rush this time of year - how about something cozy to do? This Sunday, Rabbi Reice and Reverend Joanna will be hosting an interfaith "PJ Storytime" in the library at 5:00 pm. Come in your jammies, for cookies (including gluten-free) and milk, as the two clergywomen read holiday stories, including the always hilarious, "The Latke That Couldn't Stop Screaming." Bring a set of new pajamas and/or a storybook to donate to PajamaProgram.org, which helps support a cozy bedtime routine for children living with uncertainty. (And if you can't attend, there's a box in the Narthex where you can put your donation.)
 
Women's Labyrinth Group
Sunday, December 8, 6:30-9 p.m in room 111  
During this time of darkness, we gather for a sharing circle followed by a labyrinth walk as we await the return of the light at the Winter Solstice. Please join us as we walk the twists and turns of our lives and support each other along the path. Feel free to bring a poem, short reading or song to share. The group is open to women high school age and older. Contact: Linda Webster   
 
Live Oak Men Gather
The Live Oak Men's Group will be meeting Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 7pm Tuesday in the church Library. Please join this informal discussion. For more information. 
 
Labyrinth Walks
 
Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk for All Ages . 
December 21 (Saturday), 5 p.m
This family-friendly Winter Solstice walk for all ages celebrates the return of the light during the darkness of winter. We'll gather in the Common Ground to meet the Old Sun God, the Crone, Mother Night, and the Children of Wonder. We walk the labyrinth to honor the light that is reborn in us and to carry this light of love and peace out into the world. After the walk, we'll provide refreshments in the Common Ground, and we invite you to bring snacks. In case of rain, we'll walk a canvas labyrinth in the Common Ground.  
 
New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk for All Ages
Dec. 31 (Tuesday), 8 p.m
We'll journey on the labyrinth from the old year to the new year, complete with toasting marshmallows and eating s'mores around a firepit at the center of the labyrinth. Bring something to sit on, and come dressed for outdoor weather. This is a family friendly walk for all ages. Please gather at the labyrinth. 
 
Beauty you can find on our property
If you keep your eyes open through the seasons.
 
Bake "Sale" Donations Needed
Every year for Selfies with Santa, we have a "pay what you will" bake "sale." For this, we need your brownies, your cakes, your holiday cookies, all your delicious desserts! The first year we had Selfies with Santa, an individual told us our baked goods were the only holiday treats their  family had that year because of how rough life had been. This is why a bake "sale" is such an important part of this ministry. Items should be portioned for individuals. If you cannot bring your items on Dec 14 to Selfies with Santa, please contact Marie Mulling (512)817-6028 to arrange drop off.
 
ENRICH CONNECTIONS
Have a great potential member? Concerned that someone is struggling to find their place? Contact the Membership Team and we can reach out. Email: membership@liveoakuu.org 
 
The Mitten Tree
We still have some tags left. Live Oak UU works with the Hill Country Christmas Bureau to provide gifts for those in need. You can help by visiting the mitten tree in the Fellowship Hall. Take a tag, buy the gift, and return to the Fellowship Hall by December 15th
Questions - contact cindylagreca@gmail.com 
 
   
December Congregational Meeting
The December Congregational Meeting will be held December 15 immediately after the 11 am service. You can read about the agenda here. 
 
Faith Development     
Here's what you need to know this week!

This Sunday is the deadline to sign up for the pageant. I will be sending readings to participants on Monday, December 9, for them to begin practicing. There will be a blocking rehearsal on Saturday, December 14, at 9:00 am. I still need adult help as stage hands. Sign up for open jobs listed  here.
 
This Sunday our elementary classes will complete their lessons on loss with a memorial service in Room 205. Please have them bring a photo or memento of the person or animal they want to honor. Middle School will discuss our fourth principle and High School will be baking for Selfies with Santa.
 
Adults are invited to the final class until January. We will be continuing our discussion of the fourth principle, starting at 10:05 in room 109.
Are you a new member of Live Oak? Interested in participating in a small group designed especially for you? You can read more about it  here, including the link to sign up for the groups. The first group begins in January and there is still room. The goal is to offer these six-session groups three times during the year, so if the first group fills or the timing doesn't work for you this fall, we will keep your name on the list for the next offering.
   
??? - Contact Carrie Krause, dlfd@liveoakuu.org
 
In the Community
UBarU Camp & Retreat Center Upcoming Events:
Upcoming events at UBarU Camp & Retreat Center:
 
Winter Family Camp Dec 27-30 featuring Rev. Skwarek as the chaplain
Weekend includes winter holiday activities, break out sessions for adults and kids as well as multi-generational times.  Fun, campfires, games, food, rest and a chance to celebrate some winter holidays together with folks at camp!
Early bird registration $160.00 before 1 December &  $185.00
after for adults & kids 13+ years. Kids just $90 (ages 5-12 years) or free, if 4 years and younger.   
 
Fiber Arts weekend  Feb 14-17, 2020 
Our 4th Annual Fiber Arts weekend is coming-Valentine's Day to Monday, President's Day to offer more time for sharing, working on your projects, relaxing and enjoying time with each other.  (Although there is a 2 day option if that works better for you).  
Information and registration also available at  http://ubaru.org/home/FiberArts 
 
For more information on all events and to register, visit www.ubaru.org and look under "events."
 
The deadline for the weekly e-newsletter and the Sunday announcements is midnight on Tuesday.  The submission form can be found here
If you have any questions or comments about this Newsletter please email: editor@liveoakuu.org