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Unitarian Universalist Village Church
403 Barcelona Road
Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
501-922-1255
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Compassion by Rev. Mark Walz
This month I offer a Bodhisattva (Buddhist) Prayer as a path to strengthening our powers of compassion, our theme for this month.
It is a prayer designed for all humanity, yet change happens best when it begins with us, collectively and individually.
We don’t possess the power to remake our world alone. We have, however, the ability to create more generous versions of ourselves and influence the change that would benefit the larger culture...
Continue Here
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President's Message by John Swinburn
The end of the calendar year in Western culture brings with it a flood of generosity—as well as messages of kindness, representing hope, love, and all manner of other tender-hearted emotions. UUVC’s culture is a microcosm of the broader one, but we choose to carry that generosity and kindness forward year-round with Share-the-Plate. Last month, our collection for Christmas Baskets ensures that a few families that otherwise might have a very spare Christmas will be able to experience some comforts and joys of the season. Throughout the rest of the year, our congregation’s Share-the-Plate contributions provide crucial financial support to a wide variety of organizations that serve people in need in nearby communities….
Continue President's Message
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December Sunday Services
Theme: Compassion The Heart of Ministry
December 3 – Worship, IlUUminations, Celebration of Lights
December 10 – Insight, War in Middle East, Carl Ford
December 17 – Worship, Rev. Mark Walz, TBA
December 24 – 5:00 p.m., “The Ghosts of Unitarian Christmas,” with Soup Supper to follow (NO Morning Service)
The UUVC holiday Pulpit scarf (or parament) was designed and made by Susan Johansson. The dove is a symbol of peace, spirituality, hope, renewal, transformation, and love. The olive branch is a symbol of peace. And the word PEACE says it all!
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Christmas at UUVC 2023 by Mary Ann Rittenmeyer, Worship Chair
December 3rd IllUUmination: In this ceremony, a tapestry of faith, uses the Winter Solstice and the sources of UU wisdom as threads with examples of light as a recurring theme. Our annual “IllUUmination Celebration” recognizes continual revelation as a cornerstone of liberal religion. It explores through song and readings how the transcending mystery and wonder of this life, the wisdom of the world’s religions, the words and deeds of prophetic men and women, Jewish and Christian teachings, science and reason, and the contributions of earth centered religions can be used as sources for religious growth and freedom.
December 24th at 5pm: Our Christmas Eve Service this year will include a play "The Ghosts of Unitarian Christmas” by Doug Muder. Instead of Ebenezer Scrooge, a cantankerous UU man is visited by seasonal ghosts. This whimsical narrative weaves story and song to remind us of the Spirit of Christmas. We have talented actors and many Christmas carols for the choir and the audience to sing along with the story. The service will be followed with a soup supper in the Community Hall.
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Membership by Debbie Bostick
The Membership Committee welcomes two new Members to our congregation. Dick and Dawn Williamson have been Friends for over a year. They recently made the decision to become members of UUVC and signed the membership book in a small ceremony led by Board President, John Swinburn. Our Minister, Rev Mark Walz, Membership Chair Debbie Bostick, and Member Coordinator Patty Dacus also joined in the ceremony.
Dick and Dawn came to the Village from Dallas Texas. What they like about UUVC is the friendliness of the congregation and our pledge to welcome all people. Dawn volunteers on the Events Committee and Dick is quick to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Please join me in welcoming our newest Members!
Milestone of Membership
20 years: Cloe Bayer 10/05/2023
15 years: Lee and Jack Iafrate 11/02/23
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The Green Team by Deanna Tolliver
How to Create a Sustainable Holiday
(Adapted from One Tree Planted)
1. Use sustainable gift wrap: newspaper, old maps, comics, paper shopping bags, fabric, even dish towels can do double duty as a gift and wrapping.
2. Get a REAL tree. They are more environmentally friendly than fake ones, and in Hot Springs Village, can be recycled as fish habitat in the lakes. Alternatively, buy a fake tree from a thrift shop and use it for several years.
3. LED holiday lights use about 90% less energy than conventional lights. Better yet just ditch the outside lights..
Continue Green Team
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Book Report by Steve Rittenmeyer, Hearn Library Attendant
Know Your Library:
The Hearn Library offers more than seven hundred books, CDs and DVDs in nine different categories for everyone’s pleasure and enlightenment. The collection is offered free of due dates and fines. Still, there appears to be reluctance among some congregants. So, I’ll go through a few aspects of finding and checking out the materials you want.
Continue Reading Book Report
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UU-Computers 4 Kids+ by Bob McCleskey, Director
More UU-C4K Symbiosis……
The latest example of symbiosis involving the UU-C4K program includes the working relationships between C4K and the combination of Christ of the Hills Methodist Church and the Hot Springs Village Computer Club. For the last several Octobers, the Christ of the Hills church has invited C4K to join their annual recycle event, with C4K receiving any computer related materials brought to the event. Also included were tablets and smartphones which C4K does not refurbish. Enter the Hot Springs Computer Club who has a member that does with tablets and smartphones what C4K does with computers, namely refurbishes or resets them to factory settings. The subject items are sold to generate scholarship funds which are used to support local students.
In other good news, C4K has placed 9 refurbished All-in-One computers with Essential Pathways, a Hot Springs boys’ and girls’ organization, and with an Afghan family with 6 children.
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Social Justice by Alana Clegg
Thanks to all those who are doing the shopping for and delivery of the Christmas baskets for local families. Your generous donations to the November Share the Plate made this possible. Our Share for this month is another worthy cause, Tri-Lakes CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, advocate for children as cases go through the court system. To learn more about this program, go to trilakescasa.org or talk to Court Mathey, who has been a CASA volunteer..
We were happy for the full retinue of volunteers at the Jackson House kitchen on our volunteer day last month. They had a good time assembling lunch for the many needy people who lined up, but we could always use more to help. Sign up at the table in the Community Hall.
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Grief Support by Liz Miller
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The Grief Support session will take place this month on Dec. 12, at 9:30, Many people need extra emotional support during the holiday season, so if you have a friend who has experienced a loss, even if it was not very recent, please encourage them to attend. The group is confidential and open to people both inside and outside of the congregation. Contact me if you need more information.
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Thanksgiving Luncheon Was Bountiful
Thanks to the Events team, who would sit in the empty seats on the left after they finished serving the turkey, and to all those who brought side dishes and desserts. It was a bountiful feast for over 120 people!.
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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 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. AS WEATHER PERMITS 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.
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Unitarian Universalist Principles
We covenant to affirm and promote:
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
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