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Live Oak
Unitarian Universalist Church
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Worship
February 12, 2023, 10:00am
What Love Means in UU
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford
There has been one thing missing from our principles, but it is steeped in our history. What does "love" mean and require of us?
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A Few Words from the Minister
Closed Practices and Appropriation
In my sermon on Sunday, I talked about how we are a Big Tent religion, drawing wisdom and inspiration from all the world's faiths, but we've learned about how to do this in a respectful and responsible way. I received a few questions about why, for example, it wouldn't be respectful to hold a "UU Passover Seder."
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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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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. |
THOSE WINTER SUNDAYS
Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.
I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,
Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love’s austere and lonely offices?
Robert Hayden (1913-1980), a poet of international recognition, wrote "Those Winter Sundays" in 1962, while a professor at Fisk University. Raised by a foster family in Detroit, he graduated from Detroit City College and earned a master's degree from the University of Michigan. He also taught there and was the first Black member of the English department. He authored nine collections of poetry during his lifetime, as well as a collection of essays and children’s literature. In 1976, he became the first Black American to be appointed as consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress (later called the poet laureate).
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Click on the picture below - it's linked to the Roots & Wings newsletter! |
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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Marketing Team to Be Formed
We're tired of being "the best kept secret in town." If you're interested in serving on a team that will look at how we market/advertise/brand/communicate to the larger community, contact Rev. Joanna - minister@liveoakuu.org.
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Upcoming Events in February |
Environmental Awareness Team February Meeting
The focus of this month’s meeting will be on the Water, Trash, and Ownership. Along with planning for the next multi-generational educational class. Please join us on Zoom for this thought provoking discussion. We welcome your participation in the work of this team.
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LOUU Pagan Discussion Group - Next Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14
Not feeling the love for Valentine's Day? Come join other Pagan UUs for a long-delayed discussion about the whys, hows, and whats of ritual.
Don't worry - no pink hearts of heteronormativity here! After a January full of wild ups and downs, we're back and ready to get our mystical gab on. All experience levels and traditions are welcome. Questions? Email Dianne Sylvan. |
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.
This month, on Friday, February 17th, Fresh Food For All participants will be able to select their own produce (Farmer's Market style), instead of having the prepackaged produce placed in their car trunks. We will need to help fill bags, direct traffic, weigh the food, and help people carry food to their cars. If you can help anytime on February 17th between 8:30 and 11AM. RSVP to Donna Durbin at: HCCM@liveoakuu.org
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Let’s go Shopping
It’s time to grab your green bag (or any bag) and help feed our neighbors. Bring food and other items for Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM), our Fresh Food for All partner, to church and leave them in the narthex. Personal care items are always on the list, including feminine hygiene products. The list of all needed items can be found here: https://hccm.org/pantry_list.php
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SAVE the DATE: February 26th All Hands Gathering
11-12:30pm, Fellowship Hall
As a congregation, Live Oak voted December 11, 2020, to commit to the 8th Principle, which reads:
"We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."
It's time to determine "what actions" we as a congregation want to implement.
While the JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion) Team has identified and taken some related actions (Voices of the Movement Classes, Black History Month postings in the News Letter, identifying representatives to the TXUUJM Advisory Council, working on providing scholarships for attendees for the upcoming Genderfuul Weekend, etc.), the reality is that the entire congregation has ownership for determining 8th Principle actions.
The first opportunity to get together for a "good old fashioned brain storming session", and generate some specific action ideas, is February 26th, following the church service. AND, there will be PIZZA! We can't wait to hear your ideas!
Note: If you have something in mind, but just can't be present to share, please send along your ideas to the JEDI Team.
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Spring Campout April 21-23!
Come celebrate Earth Day with Live Oak campers on Saturday, April 22!
You don't even have to camp, just come out for the day and if you can, stay for the evening potluck! Cedar Breaks Park on Lake Georgetown is about a half hour drive from the church. If you want to camp, find out if there are available sites here.
Join the conversation on the Live Oak Camping Group on Facebook or check out the campout Event on the Interests & Events Facebook page. See previous newsletters for additional info about our campouts and what to expect if you've never camped with us before.
Celebrate Earth Day, enjoy the wildflowers, Embrace Joy and Enrich Connections! Contact Jen Swan jmkswan@gmail.com for more info.
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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.
Scholarships Are Available for the Retreat:
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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Trans Inclusion in Congregations
A 7-week course on cultural shifts and radical welcome
This course, created by the Transforming Heart Collective, is geared toward people from generally LGBTQ-welcoming congregations or faith groups who want to deepen their understanding of gender and transgender identities and are invested in creating truly trans-affirming faith communities.
The full course will be 7 sessions in total from 7pm to 9pm. The first six sessions include a 45- to 55-minute lecture by instructors Mykal and Alex, reflection questions, resources to take it deeper, and a short informal quiz. The seventh session will be for us to action plan around what we have learned.
Dates:
Session 1 February 21st
Session 2 March 7th
Session 3 March 21st
Session 4 April 4th
Session 5 April 18th
Session 6 May 2nd
Session 7 May 16th
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Every week, you're invited to join UUs across Texas on Thursday night for We Cry Justice and Action Hour. Details here. Bookmark the Zoom link (it's the same every time!). Zoom meeting ID: 333 042 6480.
Not a night owl? Action Hour lunch bunch meets on the Final Friday of the month. Details at txuujm.org.
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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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