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Live Oak
Unitarian Universalist Church
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Worship
February 5, 2023, 10:00am
A Big Tent Religion
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford
Unitarian Universalism is (finally) becoming the Big Tent religion it was always meant to be. So what does this mean?
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A Few Words from the Minister
Gathering Around the Crowded Table Again
Last week, I attended a meeting of local clergy members who serve congregations within the Leander ISD, called by the superintendent. One thing he noted is that our children and youth are still showing the effects from the “Quarantine” of the pandemic. Read more.
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February Share the Plate
TXUUJM: Bending Texas Toward Justice!
TXUUJM stands for Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry. It's a statewide justice ministry that raises the voice of UU values seeking to promote those values in the public square and in enacting legislation and public policy. Live Oak is a member which involves two Live Oak representatives attending a monthly advisory council.
TXUUJM is active and busy! One of the focuses in 2022 was getting out the vote, texting and writing postcards to encourage voting especially to low propensity Black voters (15,000 were sent and Live Oak was part of it). Other issues at the forefront are reproductive rights, trans inclusion, LGBTQIA rights, and racial justice. All part of living our UU principles.
By sharing the plate, we join with UUs around the state in bending Texas toward justice. TXUUJM cannot do this work without us - and your support!
Please join us in generously contributing to the February Share the Plate for TXUUJM.
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A Message from the President
Live Oak is Packed with Things to Do
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This Week's Special Notices |
In observance of Black History Month, Live Oak's JEDI team (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) will be offering a different poem or reading every week. |
We Real Cool
The Pool Players.
Seven at the Golden Shovel.
We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.
Gwendolyn Brooks, “We Real Cool” from Selected Poems. Copyright © 1963 by Gwendolyn Brooks.
This poem was inspired by seeing a group of young boys in a pool hall when they should have been in school. Her book-length poem Annie Allen (1949) earned her a Pulitzer Prize in 1950, making her the first African-American to win this award.
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Click on the picture below - it's linked to the Roots & Wings newsletter!
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Read about the Voice of a Movement Class here
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More information about OWL can be found here.
In addition, find out more about Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators by following this link.
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Exploring Membership Workshop
Interested in learning more about Live Oak Church?
Why do we light a chalice? What does it mean to be a member of Live Oak? Attend an Exploring Membership workshop where we'll get to know each other, talk a little bit about Unitarian Universalism, and a lot about Live Oak.
The next workshop will be held February 5th following the service in room 208 and childcare will be available.
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Upcoming Events in February |
Spring Campout April 21-23!
Embrace Joy, Enrich Connections, and enjoy the wildflowers at our spring campout April 21-23 at Cedar Breaks Park on Lake Georgetown!
Our church campouts are casual and unstructured. Our only planned group activity is our customary potluck on Saturday evening. We don’t usually decide which campsite or what time until that day. People bring everything from store-bought chips and salsa to home-cooked dishes. It depends on what you have the time and energy to do! If you have a folding table that’s easy for you to bring, we could probably use it to put food on. Don’t forget to bring chairs, and BYO serving utensils, dishes, cups, flatware and napkins/paper towels. Sometimes someone brings beverages to share, but BYO in case that doesn’t happen.
If there’s no burn ban, we’ll have a campfire and s'mores if people bring the fixings. We ask everyone to take their dishes, leftover food, etc. back to their own campsite that evening so there’s no mess left for critters to scatter around that night.
If you don't want to camp, the park is close enough to come out for the day to visit and stay for the potluck!
For info about the park, see last week's newsletter. If you haven't reserved a campsite yet, do it here. Sometimes families or individuals share a site, and you're welcome to invite friends who are not Live Oakers.
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A Genderfuul Weekend
Our recent sermons at Live Oak have made clear what the character of the Texas Legislative session is declaring itself to be, and the impact of that character on Texas trans families and individuals.
We’ve had great support for activism at the capitol through Live Oak efforts combined with the lobbying expertise and planning from our ally, Texas UU Justice Ministry. Everyone who can, please choose at least one method of involvement as these are announced and scheduled. I promise, there will be actions you can take regardless of your circumstances. If there are barriers to your participation, name them and we will try to address them.
In addition to these actions, the LOUU JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Team is proposing to find ways to provide support for individual trans people and their families through this difficult period. One of these is the UBarU Genderfuul Weekend scheduled for June 2-4, 2023. This is the second offering. Nine people attended last year. Here’s a description:
“The Genderfuul retreat is an affirming retreat where trans, non-binary and agender UUs can build community with each other. From nature walks to spiritual discussions and crafts, we hope that each person is able to relax and connect with the sacredness of being genderful. Our chaplain will foster an environment where everyone is encouraged to acknowledge and value a wide variety of identities, experiences, feelings, and vocabulary.”
Last year’s attendee, our own Liz Maze, has this to say about the retreat:
“Noah and I had an absolute blast last year at the UBarU Genderfuul retreat! It was a weekend for ALL who are trans, non-binary, agender... (Not cis). It was a really fun and affirming weekend of fellowship and sharing and relaxation. There were hikes and bird watching and swimming and board games and people trying out new names, ways of presenting, and pronouns in a safe, loving environment. The campus was lovely, comfortable, and the food was great!”
Live Oak, through the JEDI Team, wants to provide scholarships for attendees ($150 per attendee covering meals and lodging). Interested people should contact Wayne Gregory for questions or registration information. Attendees do not have to be UUs.
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The Texas Legislature is back in session...
Every Thursday 6-8pm CT, join UUs from around the state on Zoom as we make meaningful connections and take impactful actions, together in community. Come for all two hours or drop in for what you can. All welcome! Details and Zoom link here.
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Spring Events at UBarU
Our UU Camp and Retreat Center Has Several Spring Events You Won't Want to Miss!
UBarU, for those who are unfamiliar, is a wonderful UU camp and retreat center about an hour west of San Antonio. The 142 acre center hosts a number of events and retreats, and three of them are coming up this Spring.
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2023 UBarU Youth Summer Camps
See registration link below!
Dates of Summer Youth camp 2023-
June 11-17 for rising 4-6th graders
June 18-24 form rising 7-9th graders
June 25-July 1 for rising grade 10 through (15 years old)- 2023 high school graduates with a bridging ceremony on the last day of camp for the graduates
Looking forward to seeing you and your campers this summer at UBarU.
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Registration is Open for SWUUWCon 2023, Phoenix Rising!
Take advantage of our conference registration Early Bird Special of $160. This rate will disappear on February 17, 2023. We have different discounts for first time attendance and maidens. Those interested in applying for scholarships, please apply here before registering.
Reserve your hotel room
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LiveOakUU.org Pages to Visit:
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The deadline for the weekly e-newsletter and the Sunday announcements is midnight on Tuesday. The submission form can be found here
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Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church
(737) 240-3455 | 3315 El Salido Pkwy, Cedar Park, TX 78613
www.liveoakuu.org
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