President: John Swinburn ([email protected])

Minister: Rev. Mark Walz ([email protected])

In-Gathering by Rev. Mark Walz

The first Sunday in September often feels like the start of the new church year, especially when the air turns crisper, nature changes her costume, and our rituals and seasonal music returns.

 We get to begin this new church year with you, dear friends who invest your love and your lives into the journey of this church; you who make it real for the healing of others. We enjoy the depth and richness of being connected to each other.   

Click this link to continue Mark's Trail

A Very Brief History of Our Water Ceremony by Meg Koziar

An amazing fact: Just one cup of water has more molecules than there are grains of sand on all the beaches of the world (8.3 septillion vs 8.1 septillion).

When we started having a water ceremony on the first Sunday in September in 2003, it was literally our in-gathering. Following the custom of UUs at that time, we had no summer services. Though we have been year-round since we bought our building in 2012, we have kept the ceremony on the same date. A cup or so of the mingled water is frozen for the following year, thus some of those septillions of molecules came from a glacier, some from oceans, rivers, lakes, pools and homes of those, present and departed, who have been part of UUVC during the last 20 years.

President's Message by John Swinburn

The first time I set foot inside this church, on June 1, 2014, I was not sure what to make of the reception my late wife and I received. I wondered whether the intensity of the welcome was sincere or whether it was simply a ploy to entice visitors to return. However, the visit had an immediate and substantial impact. I wrote a lengthy, very positive, post about it on my blog that day.

We did not return for quite some time. When we did return, though, it happened again. And it happened again the next time. And the next. And it never stopped. It took a while for me to realize the hospitality was genuine. It took time for me to grasp that the...



Click this link to continue President's Message

Great things happening in September! by Susan Cockrell,

• Sept 6 a special movie night at 6:00. We will show a recording of the play "A True Story About 9/11" enacted by Jack Iafrate and Judy Corwin in 2016 in the Village.

• The Sept 10 Insight by Toby Hamilton will be an introduction to her Meditation Classes which begin Wed, Sept 27. 1:30 - 3:00.

• In recognition of International Week of the Deaf, we will watch the 2021 award winning movie CODA, about a teenage hearing daughter of deaf parents, on Tuesday Sept 26 at 6:00 Toby Hamilton will lead a discussion following the film.

• We will be joining UU Dallas in their online offering of the "UU Elevator Speech" starting at 7:00.on the 27th..



Flyer for 9/11 Play Here Flyer for CODA Here Flyer for Meditation Class Here

Some Good News by Ducky Berkley, Treasurer

While we did not make our pledge drive goal for 2023-24, we came very close! But don't worry; $5,000 of our expected expenses had been designated for sending two delegates to General Assembly next summer. Since then, the UUA has elected to conduct the 2024 GA as a virtual conference, thereby avoiding the need to allocate funds for this event.

More Good News here (Apologies: this was written for last month and the editor goofed - MK.)

Banned Books- by Steve Rittenmeyer

If you've been in the UUVC sanctuary the last few months I'm sure you've noticed a black banner bearing the statement: "It's a good day to read banned books." I'm happy to say that the banner may find a more permanent place in the Hearn Library sometime soon.

To me, it's always a good day to read. But with the "goings-on” at libraries in Arkansas, there is more than the usual opportunity to include books that are on the "banned" lists …

Continue Reading "Banned Books" Here

Sunday Services: Theme - An Invitation to Journey

Sept. 3 Worship - Rev. Walz, Water Communion Ceremony

Sept. 10 Insight - Toby Hamilton, Meditation

Sept. 17 Worship - Rev. Walz, TBA

Sept. 24 Insight - Miriam Ramirez, Immigration Challenges

Membership by Debbie Bostick

We are pleased to announce that UUVC continues to attract both new and returning visitors each week. This month, we are delighted to welcome three frequent visitors as Friends of UUVC - Gus and Melinda Nobel, and Brian MacDonald. By becoming a Friend of UUVC, these visitors have expressed a desire to be considered regular attendees and part of the UUVC community. As a Friend, they have given us permission to add their names to our church directory. We are thrilled to have them join us as part of our community and extend a warm welcome to all our Friends of UUVC!



Spotlight on New Member Kathy Guidry Here



Pastoral Care Ministry by Liz Miller



We want to let you know that anyone with a sincere interest in helping others is welcome to become a member of our Pastoral Care Ministry. The most important attribute we look for in our members is the ability to be a good listener. When we talk to someone who is having a problem, we usually just listen. Experience tells us that what the person needs most is a listening ear, not advice. So, if you have a heart for helping others and the ability to listen compassionately, we would love to have you join our ministry.

UU Computers 4 Kids (C4K+) by Bob McCleskey

It seems that adding the “+” to UU-C4K was both timely and prophetic. The need within the adult education world has largely replaced the drop in demand for children which means we are now serving many more “adults” than “kids”. Interestingly, many of the groups we are now servicing are in the “recovery process” as we have added several recovery programs to our list of recipient organizations. Consider living your UU values by volunteering with UU-C4K+ (501/226-9426).

Thanks Are in Order by Susan Cockrell, Building Chair

When you see Serena Gonzales and Vivian Walz, give them a big thank you for organizing a weed/flower bed clean-up which greatly improved our looks out back. Also give Ducky Berkeley and Becky Hamilton thanks for keeping up the nice decor inside the church. The regularly updated banners in the sanctuary and display on the ledge behind the speaker are their clever creations.

Thanks to Nola Abraham and Susan

Johansson for the new "Chalice" Cloth

Social Justice Needs You By Alana Clegg



The Social Justice Committee has chosen the charities for our Share the Plate for the remainder of 2023: Bridges to Hope this month, then The Literacy Council, Christmas Baskets, and CASA.

With the aim of making a greater impact on the community, we decided to select organizations that fit into certain focus areas for 2024: food banks, poverty disruption, children, mental health, and catastrophes. Jackson House, Clarion Call, Imagination Library, and Lucie’s Place fit these criteria, but we welcome your suggestions.

Besides monetary gifts to Jackson House we also contribute by volunteering...

More Ways You Can Help Here (Alana is substituting for Anais Troadec this month - MK)

Hoedown the Next Event by Cloe Bayer

Our next gathering will be a Western Hoedown party on Saturday, September 16 at the Cortez Pavilion. We will start at 5 p.m. with a chuck wagon meal catered by Clampitt’s BBQ. Come hear some cowboy poetry and learn a basic line dance! It’s easier than you think - and fun! The cost is $12 per person. A Sign-up sheet is in the Community Hall, or call Cloe Bayer at 501-922-3810 to reserve your spot. Final day to sign up is Sunday, September 10. Hope to see you there

Interest Groups

UUVC Pickle Ball: UUVC Pickleball will resume at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5th at the DeSoto Courts. If you are new to Pickleball and want to start, review some beginner videos on YouTube. The HSV Pickleball Club also has free beginner lessons at 8:00 a.m.on Fridays. Just sign up at the DeSoto Clubhouse. All are welcome. You can borrow a paddle at the clubhouse.Questions? Contact Dane Nielsen at 501 915-4450.

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Monday Golf: 18-hole Golf 8:00 - 2:00, 9-hole Golf 8:30 -12:30. Contact: Ron Nance, 870 267-4711

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Mahjongg: Mondays at 1:00 in the Community Hall. Contact Dee Offerman at [email protected]

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Sleeping Mat Group: First and Third Wednesdays of the month from 9:30 – 11:30. Contact Marilyn Matzek, 501-922-4909

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Stitchers: Second Wednesday from 1:00 - 3:00 in the conference room. Contact Marjorie McCleskey, 501-915-0237

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Men's Group: Thursdays 8:30 - 9:30 at Debra's Good Eats, 198 Carmona Rd. Contact Rev. Walz, 214-755-4315

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Friday Golf: 18-Hole Golf 8:00 - 1:00. Contact Tom Tirrell, 501-915-2436

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Game Night: Second Saturday at 5:00. Bring a dish to share for a potluck meal. There are many kinds of games to enjoy after supper. Contact Cindy Nance, 337-278-4004.

Unitarian Universalist Village Church Newsletter September 2023

Editor: Meg Koziar [email protected]