March 10, 2022
This Week
Worship
March 10, 10:00am - In Person or online
The Opposite of Boycott
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford

Nations and individuals withhold money to show our disapproval. How do we use it for good?


Join us in person (or online) for Worship at 10:00am. The link will be on the Live Oak homepage: www.liveoakuu.org.

Join us for Fellowship Time immediately following the service (approx. 10:15/10:30 or 12:15/12:30): https://link.liveoakuu.org/FellowshipHour
Share the Plate
Here but homeless
We will Share the Plate in March with Casa Marianella, an Austin nonprofit that provides the only homeless shelters in the area solely for immigrants. The group operates two clusters of shelters in renovated houses in East Austin, including space for women and kids, and also offers support services such as ESL classes. Most clients are asylum seekers coming from immigration detention. Learn more at: www.casamarianella.org

Go to the Donate link on the Live Oak website’s home page. Use the drop down menu to designate your donation for “Share the Plate”.
A Few Words from the Minister
Friends and Co-Conspirators
This week, I had the first of what I hope will be many lunches with Pastor Ryan Hart of Open Cathedral and Rabbi Rebecca Reice of Congregation Shir Ami. Read more
Special Notices
Masks Now Optional at Live Oak
In accordance with the covid guidelines recommended by the Live Oak Safety Team and approved by the Board, this Sunday Live Oak will move to "masks optional" for those who are vaccinated. The City of Austin is currently at "Level Two" in their staging. For more information about Live Oak's safety guidelines, please see: https://link.liveoakuu.org/covid-guidelines
The Office Will Be Closed Next Week
Diane will be on vacation until March 21st.

You Are Invited
Please attend the Social Justice Ministry Team meeting Sunday March 13th at 2pm. It will give you an opportunity to learn about the new Live Oak Social Justice Programs.
Meeting Zoom Link Meeting Agenda

Wayne Gregory, Executive Committee Member

Women's Labyrinth Group on Zoom
Sunday, March 13, 6:30-9pm
We gather for a sharing circle followed by a finger labyrinth walk, during this in-between time—not quite the end of Winter, not quite the start of Spring. What will you discover as you trace the path of your finger labyrinth? Perhaps, as “Ariadne’s Labyrinth” song affirms: “Circling and turning, at the Center you find you!” Feel free to share a song, poem or short reading. The group is open to women high school age and older. The Zoom link with be sent via email for those who are on the email list for the Women’s Labyrinth Group. If you need a copy of the labyrinth graphic and/or the Zoom link, contact: Linda Webster

Accepting Nominations for Live Oak Elected Positions
LOUU Board elections are coming up in May
There are openings for Vice President, Secretary, and trustee. If you are interested in any of the elected positions, or if you know someone who would serve Live Oak well, please let the nominating committee know: nominating@liveoakuu.org. If you have questions, the Nominating Committee encourages you to read the Bylaws. or contact any member of the Nominating Committee for more information. You may use the email address above or you may contact any individual member of the Nominating Committee: Mark E. Anderson, Christopher Carroll, Linda McCullough, Becky McPherson, or Tina Van Winkle.
Show Up For Trans Kids and Their Families
Here are five actions you can take now, from the Texas UU Justice Ministry, including giving public comment to the Department of Family and Protective Services this week and offering legal aid. Click here for more information. 
Thank you! - Rev. Erin Walter, TXUUJM

Bookworms
Our next Bookworms meeting will occur on March 16 at 7:15pm. We are reading “The Other Black Girl” by Zakiya Dalila Harris for March. The Zoom link will be on the What's Happening page.

Senior Coffee - Live In Person
March 17, 10:30 am
The Senior Coffee group will resume meeting in person on Thursday, March 17, at 10:30 am. We gather in the narthex for a guided discussion on the topic of the day. All are welcome. Zoom participation will also be offered. See What's Happening page for the link.

HELP DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Live Oak Church will be distributing food to our neighbors at Fresh Food for All and need volunteers to help.

* Thursday, March 17th @ 1:00 p.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. food needs to be separated into smaller quantities for distribution. Meet at Hill Country Community Ministries, 1005 Lacy Dr, Leander, TX 78641

* Friday, March 18th @ 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Live Oak parking lot. This is when we distribute the food to our neighbors. Volunteers are needed to set up, direct people to the drive through area, collect client information, and place food in the client’s trunk. You do not need to remain the entire 2 & 1/2 hours.

HCCM has asked for 7 people for each activity. We are asking you to please let us know if you will be able to participate in either activity, so we know if we have enough or too many people.

To RSVP or for any questions please contact Donna Durbin at: HCCM@liveoakuu.org
"Back to the Future" Town Hall on March 20th
With 30 years of experience with Live Oak UU, what's next?
Wow Live Oak UU is 30 years old. What a ride? What's next? We are having an intergenerational Town Hall to talk about the future of Live Oak UU following the March 20th service at 11:00 am. We will have directed questions, small group discussions, and then bring it back to the larger group. Livestream will also be available. Let's dream big people!

52nd Wedding Anniversary Celebration Invitation
On 3/20 Doug Martin and Mary Hengstebeck will renew their vows after the 10 o’clock Sunday service. A Celtic handfasting ceremony at the fountain in front of the church will be followed by cake, coffee, and tea.

Labyrinth Birthday Walk
Sunday, March 20, 12 noon
Happy Birthday to our Labyrinth! 18 years old on the Spring Equinox! This year, we celebrate walking the labyrinth as a group once again, as well as the coming of Spring. We invite you to join us for the labyrinth walk at 12 Noon after the Town Hall Meeting at church or walk the labyrinth at a time that’s convenient for you. Also, birthdays are a good time to say “Thank You”--to Anne Eaglewalker and Live Oak members who designed, and built, and continue to tend the labyrinth; to all who bless this path with their footsteps; and to our church for this gift of sacred space. For more information: labyrinth@liveoakuu.org
You Are Invited to Join a Discussion On Environmental Justice
Because of Spring Break, the March meeting of the Environmental Awareness Team will meet on the 4th Thursday.

On Thursday March 24 at 6:30pm, the Environmental Awareness Team will meet and discuss the Environmental Movement and Human Rights and make plans for Earth Day Activities.

Please join us. Zoom Link
Chris Mihealsick
For More Information: environment@liveoakuu.org
Update to COVID Guidelines for
Live Oak UU
Safety Team after discussions with the Board has decided to revise COVID restrictions.
As we follow the science, it is also important to be nimble while considering the health and well-being of our Congregation. Therefore we have updated the COVID-19 guidelines for Live Oak UU. The current Austin Public Health for total hospitalizations indicate we can move to Orange starting for the February 27th service. That means we will be meeting inside, and masked. However for those that do not feel comfortable going to church, a Live Stream service will still be available on YouTube.

Looking for LOUU Pagans!
Want more magical people in your life? Let's meet!
I'm interested in starting a group at LOUU for Pagans, Witches, Druids, and other magical folk of whatever gender or tradition, with an eye toward creating a CUUPS chapter down the road. The type and location of meetings are TBD, but I'm thinking a discussion group to start with. If you'd be inclined to join in, please message or email Dianne Sylvan so she can gauge interest among the congregation.

Member Connections
We’ll be featuring in our newsletters those members who joined Live Oak during these many pandemic months. Welcome, James.
James Williams and his wife, Chrissy (also a new member), have visited all 50 states plus international destinations. Favorites are Prague, Greece and Ireland.

“They are all incredible places in their own way!” he said.

These fervent travelers came to the Austin area about eight years ago. James, originally from Houston, is now CEO of a Round Rock based company that provides vocational placement, training, and evaluation services to individuals with disabilities.

James is already involved in Live Oak’s choir and the live stream support team. “We found LOUU when searching online for a faith community that focused on doing good work and supporting each other, not on fundraising, politics, or telling people what to think or believe, which sadly seems to be the norm these days in many Christian congregations,” James said.

He describes himself as an avid baseball fan who follows the Houston Astros and a fan of Texas Tech football and basketball.

In the mood for Mexican food? James, who lives in Leander, recommends Santa Catarina in Cedar Park. “They have wonderful staff and the best ‘Mexico City’ style food around!” he said



Help Us Make Your Easter "Hoppy"
The Easter Bunny would like to deliver some eggs on Easter. Will you be there?
This poll will determine the way we run our Easter egg hunt. Please take a moment to answer and help us plan for this fun and casual annual event.

CROP WALK For Hunger
Ending hunger one step at a time.
Hunger is a social justice issue. Crop Walks, sponsored by Church World Services, is a wonderful, intergenerational event to raise funds to help neighbors near and far get meals they need today and sustainable food security for tomorrow.

Our Live Oak team is registered. Now we need YOU and your family to join. It's an easy walk at Twin Lakes YMCA: 204 E Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Sunday, April 24 @ 1:30pm.

Please mark your calendars and sign up to join the Live Oak team. Just click on this link.

Questions? Contact Donna Durbin, Lois Scott or Lyndy Dower

An Adult Education Room in Our Future
Our long awaited elevator is moving ahead fast and furiously. The shaft along the playground wall is almost complete, reaching the roof line. Our contractor is saying that they will be “breaking” into the building in a week or so. Read More

Invitation to Chalice Circles
Interested in small group discussions to build larger connections?
We are tentatively gauging interest in another Chalice Circle. There is a facilitator willing to lead if there are enough people who sign up. Read more about them below and then email dlfd@liveoakuu.org if you would like to join one. Time and days are still to be decided once we know our possible participants.

Chalice Circles are intentional small learning groups (8-10 people) that encourage sharing through deep listening. Groups build relationships that strengthen community and spirit. All groups begin with the same curriculum and then have the option to continue with a new topic, or join another group. Circles remain closed until one topic is completed. However, new members may be added at the start of a new series. Therefore, registration remains open throughout the year.

Groups choose how and where they meet, including an option for virtual meetings. Each meeting is 90 minutes long and includes opening words, check-in, readings, reflection and a closing.

Literacy Program - Tutors Needed for Adult Basic Education
New students mean new volunteer opportunities.
Our one-on-one tutoring program has an immediate need for two or more tutors.
Volunteers help an adult student read and write better English. Training is provided. For more information, please contact Kim Ono and visit http://www.liveoakuu.org/adult-basic-education/

New Construction Photos
Click here every week for more photos!


Green Team and Spring
Spring is spouting up all over, can you help us be ready?
The Green Team is a group of Live Oak members who are dedicated to maintaining our garden and grounds. We are very fortunate to have a beautiful property but this property takes a little care now and then. Will you help us care for our beautiful park like setting? Join the Green Team email list and get notices when we will meet for a work day. These works days are usually 2-3 hours at most and certainly weather permitting. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment with gardening, add your name to our list, come on by when you can and join in. For more information contact Hella Holoubek.
This Week in Faith Development
Find out what’s developing
With the return to indoor worship, that means we can return to indoor RE.. However, children's classes may still choose to meet outside and teachers will make that decision at the start of class time.
 
Worship service is at 10 AM, followed by faith
development classes at 11. We will continue to livestream worship services.
 
Masks are required for everyone over age 2 for all indoor activities.
Childcare available during service for children under 6.
 
Calendar for March 
 
March 13: Spring Break Social Justice Day
K-7th grade: Food Scarcity and the 2nd and 6th Principles
Class will meet inside Fellowship Hall.
High School Youth: Service Planning or Reproductive Justice
Class will either meet in the Library to work on their May 8 service, or join the Social Justice Ministry in Room 105 to discuss their work for reproductive justice.
Adults: Reproductive Justice with Social Justice Ministry
Join the SMJ team in Room 105 as they discuss their work for reproductive justice.
 
March 20: Our Vision for Live Oak
Join us as the entire congregation meets in small groups to discuss our future and our vision for LOUU. Childcare will be available for children under age 6, if needed.
 
March 27: Questing, Resting, and Sabbaticals
K-7th grade: Questing, Resting, and the 4th Principle
Class will meet inside Fellowship Hall to discuss the importance of rest for all of us, not just Reverend Joanna. There may even be a quest involved . . .
High School Youth: Service Planning or Sabbatical Questions with Reverend Joanna
Class will either meet in the Library to work on their May 8 service, or speak with Reverend Joanna in Fellowship Hall about her upcoming sabbatical.
Adults: Sabbatical Questions with Reverend Joanna
Join Reverend Joanna in Fellowship Hall to wish her a thoughtful and renewing sabbatical. 
 
At-Home Faith Development Online is available all month long here.  
 
We cannot have RE classes without volunteers to staff these classes. Please consider donating just one hour a month to our Religious Education program. Don't pass up a chance to get to know the amazing, thoughtful youth we have at Live Oak.
 
Contact me at DLFD@liveoakuu.org.

-Cindy, Acting DLFD

We Want You!
The Live Oak UU Church Chorus invites ALL to sing with us!
The Live Oak UU Church Chorus is extending a loving invite to all those interested in vocal music. Our ensemble is searching for singers of all types and no previous experience is necessary. If you have a willingness to learn, grow, and sing, then we would love to have you join us.

We rehearse weekly on Wednesday nights from 7:30-9:00 pm with bi-monthly performances. For more information or if you are interested in joining us, please email the Music Director, Curtis White. We hope to hear your voice alongside ours!
LiveOakUU.org Pages to Visit:
Worship Service & Fellowship Hour: http://www.liveoakuu.org/
Community Outreach & Social Justice: http://www.liveoakuu.org/justice/
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