President: John Swinburn (jsswinburn@gmail.com)

Minister: Rev. Mark Walz (minister@uuvc.org)

 October Blessings by Rev. Mark Walz 

I need a favor.

No, I’m not stranded in New Jersey, and I’m not tied up in a meeting and asking you to purchase Google Game Cards for my grandkids. I’d like to change our Sunday Worship Order of Service. And I need your support.

We currently wait until our service is complete before we encourage each other to turn and warmly greet our neighbors.

We do it well during our coffee and conversation time before we begin to gather in the Sanctuary, but not everyone partakes then. We often have late arrivers, especially new guests wanting to come see what we do.

I’d like us to warmly welcome everyone immediately after singing “Whoever you are, we welcome you; Wherever you come from, we welcome you; Whomever you love, we welcome you.”

Our ultimate blessing is to let our love irrigate our world. Sharing who you are is the ultimate prayer.

Experts say the secret to a long and happy life is finding something that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning, finding the messy fullness of being in this human body.

For some it can be the joy of friendships, and often that requires finding the welcoming community where we can begin finding something to love in everyone.

Will you join me?

See you in Church! 

President's Message by John Swinburn

Just hours ago, as I write this, we returned from ten days away—seven visiting one of my brothers and his wife in Ajijic, Mexico (where they retired roughly twenty years ago) and three in San Antonio, Texas for a remembrance of another of my brothers, who died early last year. The Mexico trip was relaxing, rewarding, and invigorating; the San Antonio visit was a well-planned family gathering orchestrated by a niece and a nephew. Our time in San Antonio proved a bittersweet reunion of most of the remaining members of my family, despite several unexpected obstacles. During both time frames, Unitarian Universalism and UUVC were among the topics of discussion. One of the experiences was especially relevant to UU.

Click this link to continue President's Message

October Sunday's - Theme: Blessings

October 1 - Worship - Rev. Mark Walz

October 8 - Insight - Katherine Shoulders

October 15 Worship - Rev. Mark Walz

October 22 Insight - TBD

October 29 Music on Barcelona - The Krystyna Valdivia and

Austin Murberger Duo

Education: Great Things Happening in October! 

by Susan Cockrell

October will be full of continuing classes – both Meditation and the Dallas online Elevator Speech on Wednesdays. Steve Rittenmeyer’s second offering of Separation of Church and State begins on Thursday, October 26. We’ll sneak in a Movie Night on Monday, October 23. “The Shack” is about a grieving man who responds to an invitation to meet with God. It has interesting interpretations of the trinity, which will lead to a great discussion afterwards.

The Green Team by Deanna Tolliver

The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be Saturday, October 14, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Garland County Fairgrounds, 4831 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs. If we get enough volunteers, The Green Team will be taking these items (see below) for UUVC Members and Friends to the collection site. We need people to volunteer to transport in their vehicles, preferably trucks and SUVs. Be watching the eblasts for further information.

Items accepted: AUTOMOTIVE: antifreeze, brake or transmission fluids, waxes....

Click here to continue the list of Hazardous Waste

Book Report by Steve Rittenmeyer, Hearn Library Attendant

Banned Books:

Those of us who love books find it hard to believe that there are those who feel the opposite. These folks are apparently threatened by the written word arranged in forms that don't agree with their view of life. Depriving themselves doesn't appear to be adequate. So, they set out to deprive others of the reading experience, and "camouflage" their intent with claims of saving children and the like. Other people's children, no less. 

To give everyone a taste of the types of writings the self-appointed censors find too objectionable to be seen by others, I have collected a small portion of the books which have been banned or challenged by various groups. They will be available for checkout....

Continue Reading Book Report

UU-Computers 4 Kids+ by Bob McCleskey

More good news for the C4K+ program. (1) George Armstrong has recently volunteered to assist with the technical process of refurbishing the computers which have been donated to the program. Although George is somewhat time limited due to other commitments, his contribution of his time is greatly appreciated. (2) We have received a request for computers from the Diamonds in the Rough non-profit, which was a recent Share the Plate recipient. Thanks to the Social Justice Committee for making the group aware of C4K+.

Membership by Debbie Bostick

It is a joy to serve as Membership Committee Chair. Our team is continually working to make UUVC a friendly community. One way we do this is by wearing name tags. This makes it easier to become familiar with each other as our church grows. A paper handwritten name tag represents a visitor; an orange lanyard represents a visitor who is coming frequently. The multicolored tags are used by Members and Friends.



A New Member Orientation class will be offered on Tuesday, October 17th at 1:00 p.m. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Member, or just in learning more about UUVC, is welcome. Patty Dacus, Member Coordinator, will lead the class. There is a sign-up sheet in the Community Hall.

Building Updates by Susan Cockrell

Please observe notes by the thermostats. Let’s make sure we are not cooling or heating areas when they are not in use.

We now have new "crash" bars on the office, back and garden doors. They close very smoothly now. Keys are still required to open them (same keys as before). Keys are not required to lock them upon leaving! A hex key is by each door if you want the door to remain unlocked temporarily - directions are posted on the doors!

We are planning to have a Church Clean-up Day in early November. We will need dusters, window washers, caulkers and help with removing/replacing parking boards out front of the office. Sign up at the sign-up table. All hands make light work.

Thanks to Kathy Guidry, who has graciously agreed to become the Building Usage Lead on the Building Committee. Kathy is the contact for most uses of the building. Fill out a form in the office, or email her at kguidry@sbcglobal.net, (Events and other church committees should continue to arrange use of rooms through the office.)

Our church welcomes non-profit community groups to use our facilities, If members of UUVC are in the group the rental fee may be waived. Some groups currently doing so are Liberal Ladies, Brush Strokes, HSV OWLs, Village Players, Village Garden Club, and Village Writers Group . Private parties may also be arranged. The one below is such - and you are all invited!

HALLOWEEN PARTY!

A group, which includes two of our members, will be hosting a Halloween Party on Sunday, October 29 at UUVC, and UUVC Members and Friends are invited! So if you love Halloween as much as Serena Gonzales and Kim Townsan, join them and other Halloween revelers to celebrate their special holiday! Click on the link to learn more and RSVP!  

http://evite.me/J4JpD2MeaC

Social Justice by Anais Troadec

October Share: Literacy Council of the Ouachitas



The Social Justice Committee thanks those who contributed to the September Share the Plate for Diamonds in the Rough in Hot Springs. We contributed over $3000 to this program that works primarily to improve the lives of girls. Promoting gender equity is one of the priorities of the Social Justice Committee.

This month we will share with the newly expanded Literacy Council of the Ouachitas. Two additional counties will now be served by volunteers tutoring those in need of help to improve their reading and writing or for those learning English as a second, or third, language. If you are interested in volunteering as a tutor, you can discuss that with the executive director when she tells us about the program on the first Sunday in October..

Grief Support by Liz Miller



After a three month hiatus, Grief Support will begin meeting again on October 24 from 9:30 – 11:00.  We will continue meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Who should think about attending – anyone experiencing grief of ANY kind: loss of spouses, parent, child, pet; loss of independence; loss of a relationship such as divorce, loss of home.

If you are interested, please join us. If you know of anyone you think would be interested, please mention it to them. We welcome everyone, not just members and friends of UUVC. For more information, call Liz Miller at 501-922-5457 or edlizmiller@ gmail.com  

 October Art Wall Changeover by Daryl Wedwick

This is the short version. Changeover Friday, October 6^th 10:00 a.m. UUVC Community Hall. Bring ‘new’ art. Take home ‘old’ art. You know the drill. Of course, new artists are always welcome, so if you don't know the drill, check with me.

This time, October will give you an extra full week to get your paint dry. The three previous changeovers in 2023 have each produced ten items on that wall. Ten artworks show much better than some previous exhibits, but there is room for sixteen.

Not only is your art seen weekly by the Members and Friends of UUVC, but the Community Hall is visited by local groups of your friends and neighbors. The Sleeping Mat Group, Village Players, Liberal Ladies of HSV, Brush Strokes, Mahjongg players and the HSV OWLS are among the local folks who will enjoy your art.

Hoedown Memories - Photos by Loren Loberg

The Events Team worked hard to bring a fun evening of line-dancing, cowboy poems and good grub to an enthusiastic group on Sept. 16. Standing L-R: Dee Offerman, Marlene Kloack, Christine Hasbrouck, Nancy Baumgartner, Marilyn Matzek, Cloe Bayer; Kneeling: Stephanie Hubbard, Michelle Mendez, Inice Patnode. Not pictured: Judy Johnson .

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Sleeping Mat Group At Community Fair

Marilyn Matzek, facilitator for the UUVC Sleeping Mat Group, took a display about the group to the Village Community Fair. The poster shows the various steps needed to create the mats for the homeless in Garland Co. Individuals can volunteer to do one or more of the steps, so even if crochet is not your forte, you can help. The group includes a number of people from other churches. Helping Marilyn this day is Carol Morgan, earlier it was dedicated participant Irene Thomsen. Check the list below for the times of the meetings.

Interest Groups

UUVC Pickle Ball: UUVC Pickleball plays at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays at the DeSoto Courts. 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 offermanrn@gmail.com

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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 October 2023

Editor: Meg Koziar kozimeg@sbcglobal.net