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Unitarian Universalist Village Church
403 Barcelona Road
Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
501-922-1255
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Mark's Trail - Solar Eclipse, by Rev. Mark Walz
Although the eclipse is still a few weeks away, I’m watching us gather our special eyewear to protect us from looking directly at the sun. Make no mistake, it could damage the retina. Be careful.
We humans now understand the science of eclipses. They are truly a cosmic coincidence. Although the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, it is also 400 times closer to us.
This makes them the only two discs in our sky to appear to be the same size. If either was larger, smaller, nearer, or farther away, a total eclipse could not occur. It is said that the moon is slowly moving away from us, and in time, it will not recur.
In the past, humans have created wondrous stories to explain them. One suggests that the moon and sun turn out the lights, so that they can have a romantic encounter, the results of which create the stars!
Herodotus reports that in the 5th century B.C., two ancient armies were going at it when a total eclipse occurred, and out of their terror, both stopped fighting and negotiated a much-needed peace.
If only that could happen in modern times, and this April, all the armies of the world would lay down their arms and negotiate a final and lasting peace.
That would be a wondrous human story indeed.
See you in Church.
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President's Message by John Swinburn
You are invited to set the course for the future! I hope you will attend a meeting of the UUVC congregation on Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. to help update the UUVC Long Range Plan (LRP). The purpose of the meeting is to engage in conversation about UUVC’s direction in the years ahead and to collect input and ideas from the members of the congregation.
Input gathered from discussions during the meeting, which will be facilitated by Judy Johnson and Jim Hasbrouck, will help form the basis of UUVC’s strategic direction for the coming years and will set the stage for specific church undertakings. This meeting will be among the best opportunities available to each of us to express our opinions about how we collectively can ensure that the church meets the needs and expectations of the congregation in the coming years. Importantly, too, the meeting will help us explore the relationships between UUVC and the community and the ways in which those relationships can be used to enable the church to flourish.
An organization’s budgets are the financial expressions of its strategic plans. Consequently, the plan that emerges from this meeting—as well as other inputs from the congregation in the coming months—will have enormous influence over how UUVC uses its financial resources in the years to come.
Though we know you need no additional enticement to attend, you can expect morning pastries, lunch fixings, and various snacks. And you will learn what other members of the congregation would like to see as UUVC moves into the future. Please plan to attend if you can. Your participation will make a difference in where we’re going and how we’ll get there!
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March Sunday Services
Theme: Practicing Resurrection
March 03 – Worship, Rev. Mark Walz, "Curiosity and Love"
March 10 – Insight, Solita Johnson, American Indian Center of AR
March 17 – Worship, Rev. Mark Walz, TBA
March 24 – Insight, Rev. Walz, "A Humanist's Perspective on Our Six Sources"
March 31 -- Worship, Easter Sunday, Rev. Mark Walz
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ACES Sign-up Time, by Becky Hamilton
The ACES Auction is scheduled for April 19th. Sign-up sheets are on the table in the Community Hall. One for dinner, and one for the Art, Culinary, Experience, or Service items you can donate for the auction.
Dinner cost is $10 per person and is payable at the door that evening. Menu with an island themed fare includes pulled jerk chicken, Cuban black beans, Jamaican coleslaw, fruit trays and Hawaiian slider buns. Rice will also be available for vegetarians. Desserts will be made by our very own Robert Stark.
Please plan to attend this fun-packed fundraiser. All net proceeds will go into the building fund and have been approved for use toward expansion of the choir loft. So, dust off your flip-flops and freshen up your island attire. It's going to be a yasso evening!
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Exciting opportunity for someone at UUVC!
If you are inquisitive and search for information about many different aspects of the Hot Springs Village area and know of the many knowledgeable and interesting people nearby, you can apply your knowledge to serve the members, friends, and visitors at UUVC. We need someone to learn from Linda Ragsdale and then take over the position of Insight Coordinator. If you are interested, please contact Linda Ragsdale at [email protected] or Salli Forbes at [email protected].
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Education by Susan Cockrell
ONLINE "TURNING POINTS IN UU HISTORY" SERIES OPEN TO ALL!
Wednesdays, April 3-May 8, 7:00-8:15 p.m. CT on Zoom
The Faith Forward program out of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas is excited to offer an online session of our “Turning Points in UU History” series for all congregations! This series explores turning points and controversies in our history, delving into the complexities of these historical moments through primary texts, to understand how they shaped Unitarian Universalism and how we relate to our faith today.
UUVC subscribes to the program, so there is no charge to individuals in the our congregation to participate. To register, or for more information, email Faith Forward Coordinator Rev. Lora Brandis at [email protected]. Deadline to register is Monday, April 1st.
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Helpful Information, by Liz Miller, Pastoral Care Ministry
As we age, many of us may have a need for information to help us grow older more comfortably. The Pastoral Care Ministry has assembled informational brochures that might satisfy your needs. Included is information on such topics as: independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, a program called “Grief Share”, dementia, end of life issues, in-home care, rehabilitation facilities, Hospice, Grief, Senior Resources for daily life challenges, and a resource guide for caregivers.
Please contact a Pastoral Care Ministry member, the Office Staff or Rev. Mark to access these materials.
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AED Training Class March 28, by Tom Tirrell, Safety Coordinator
After several years without being able to schedule a class, we are pleased to announce the return of our AED/CPR training session with a Red Cross instructor on Thursday, March 28, 3 - 5 p.m.
This class is designed to train a non-medical volunteer to operate our own church AED (defibrillator) device in an emergency situation for a heart attack victim until a professionally trained EMT squad arrives after being summoned by a 911 call.
We will also spend a portion of this class learning and practicing the “Hands Only” CPR (no mouth-to-mouth) technique. There is no fee for this class. The more of us who become trained, the safer we all will feel. Please sign up at the signup table. Call/email Tom Tirrell with questions
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Where is it?
If a person in our church collapsed with a cardiac issue and
someone asked you to go quickly to get our AED (defibrillator),
would you know where to find it???
Hint: Look to the right when you move from the Community Hall into the Sanctuary. You will see a first aid kit there also. All need to know the location of these essential safety items. There is a second first aid kit in the kitchen near the door to the office.
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C4K+ Is Transitioning by Bob McCleskey, C4K+ Founder
Many good things are happening! The leadership transition is progressing as Ralph Butler has jumped with both feet into the Technical areas of the program as reflected in the major tasks he has started by updating the refurbishing procedures and cleaning up the work areas. Makes an old man’s heart proud to see the improvements. Equally as important, John Obrien has received word we will be receiving 8-10 laptops from Recycle Saline, the first in what is hoped will be a steady source of laptops. Phil Keller was advised the Delta Circles non-profit (mentioned in January’s newsletter) wants more All-in-One computers for their computer lab.
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Social Justice, by Alana Clegg
The Share the Plate for March is Planned Parenthood of the Great Plains, which provides services in Arkansas..
In February the Share the Plate was the Uzuri Project. Cheryl Batts came to tell us about People Helping Others Excel by Example - P.H.O.E.B.E. The Uzuri Project Youth Institute is the primary program of PHOEBE. It brings together memories from the community’s history revealing its people, places and events. Youth from ages 10 to 17 can be part of the program.
The April 14 Insight program will be Justice Sunday, led by the SJ Committee..
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What a way to start your day!
by Judy Johnson
Did you know anyone is invited to sit with the UUVC Saturday Sangha group? Not sure of the meaning of sangha? Briefly, it is a group of people who practice meditation together.
It does have these requirements:
1. You must be breathing;
2. Your heart must be beating.
There are several advantages to meditating with others. However, to discover any of these advantages, you have to attend and sit with us . Join us on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. until around noon. Remember, no meditation experience is required.
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NEW CLASS Begins March 19!
"Writing Fairy Tales for Fun and Self-Empowerment"
Tuesdays, March 19 - April 9, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
This class is for novice writers and is a no-pressure-at-all experience. It will start with “once upon a time” and fill in the middle until “they lived happily ever after." All you will need is a notebook, a pen and a creative spirit. Sign up in the Community Hall. Call facilitator Ronnie Zuege with questions, 501.209.0425, or email: [email protected].
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TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!
The UUVC Events Committee is planning a unique event, an Ides of March Toga party, on Friday, March 15th. Toga not required for attendees, but if you want to join the fun, or perhaps relive your college days like in the Animal House movie, bring a sheet and we will help you rig one up! Besides the Greek menu of gyros, hummus, stuffed grape leaves and baklava, there will be a trivia contest with a Greek theme, among other delights.
Signup sheets are in the Community Hall. Cost for this special event is only $15.00 per person. Hope to see you there!
Cloe Bayer, Events Communictor
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Chili Cook-Off 2024 by Cloe Bayer, Events Committee Communicator
The Biannual UUVC Chili Cook-off was held on February 17, with 64 eager chili lovers in attendance. There was a great variety of chilies presented, 18 entries in all. All were delicious, but after all the votes were counted, the winners were Kathy Guidry in first place, Dane Nielsen in second, and Glenish Gillespie and Jim Hasbrouck tied for third. If you missed the event this time, stay tuned for the next one in 2026!
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Sleeping Mats Delivered, by Marilyn Matzek
We recently took another load of sleeping mats produced by the UUVC Mat Group to Jackson House, where they will be distributed to the homeless. These mats, made from plastic shopping bags, are lightweight and impervious to moisture.
They need them badly and we can never supply enough. We need more workers. There is a job for every skill level. Come check us out. We meet from 9:30 to 11:30 the 1st and 3rd Wed. of each month in the Community Hall.
(Photo by Christine Hasbrouck)
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Book Report by Steve Rittenmeyer
In the February “Book Report I included the first group of “missing" titles. The second group will follow. However, I am happy to report that 14 books reappeared following the announcement here. So, “Thank You” to those who dug around and found that volume that they took out from the Hearn Library and forgot about. Or had been ...
Continue Here
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Interest Groups
UUVC Pickle Ball: UUVC Pickleball plays at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays AS WEATHER PERMITS 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. AS WEATHER PERMITS 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. AS WEATHER PERMITS Contact Tom Tirrell, 501-915-2436
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Sangha Meditation: Saturdays 10:00 -12:00 in the sanctuary. All UUVC members and friends are welcomed. No experience necessary. Contact Toby Hamilton 405-919-6253
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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.
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