December 15, 2022
This Week
Worship
December 18, 10:00am - In Person or online (visit www.liveoakuu.org for the link)

How the UUs Saved Christmas
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford

Christmas is a mix of the secular and the religious, the sacred and the frivolous. What you may not know is the extent to which Unitarian Universalists have shaped this holiday. From the music, to the decor, to the family-oriented holiday itself, the day would not exist as we know it without UU contributions.

A Few Words from the Minister
“The Cruelty is the Point” 2.0

I believe our state leaders have a vision of a “two-state” nation in which conservative states will impose laws that will severely limit the civil rights its residents hold, aligned with conservative Christian values.

Share the Plate
Meeting medical needs in our community

Lone Star Circle of Care will receive December donations to Share the Plate. This local nonprofit
provides medical care to Central Texans regardless of
how much they can pay.

Services include primary care for all ages, obstetric and gynecological care, eyeglasses, dentistry, behavioral therapy and more. They operate 26 locations, including in Cedar Park and Round Rock. More than 100,000 individuals receive care through LSCC annually. You can learn more about its programs at www.lonestarcares.org.

Contribute to Share the Plate during Sunday services or donate on our website. All checks and envelopes marked “Share the Plate” and half of all undesignated cash during the services will be donated to recipients. Or go to https://www.liveoakuu.org/community/donate/
Live Oak Volunteer Opportunity
Share the Plate needs a new facilitator.

Are you interested in Share the Plate, our weekly collection shared with a chosen nonprofit working in our area? The Community Ministries Team is looking for a new coordinator for StP for 2023. If you can lead this effort, email Wayne Gregory at gregory.waynea@gmail.com. (Don't forget the "a" after wayne -- gregory.waynea@gmail.com.)

Special Notices
Christmas Eve Service
December 24, 6:00 pm - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service.
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford

Join us Christmas Eve for a night of classic Christmas readings, carols, and candlelight.
The LOUU Office is CLOSED this week, Dec. 11-17

Diane will be on vacation the week of December 11th. Messages will be checked periodically. Please be patient if your message is not returned right away.

Click on the picture below - it's linked to the Roots & Wings newsletter!
Read about the Voice of a Movement Class here
No "Ted Lasso" on December 27

There will not be a "Ted Lasso and Systems Theory" gathering on December 27. We will resume January 10.

Environmental Awareness Team October Meeting
December 15, 2022 6:30pm on Zoom

The focus of this month’s meeting will be on the search for clean energy beginning at home. Please join us on Zoom for this thought provoking discussion. We welcome your participation in the work of this team.

For More Information: environment@liveoakuu.org

The Next Pagan Discussion Group meeting will be January 10, 2023.

No PDG meetings for the rest of December! It's a busy time of year for everyone so we decided not to add more stress to those stuffed-full calendars.
Congregational Meeting Voting Items

You have until December 18th to vote for items discussed in the Live Oak UU Congregational Meeting. The first item is the 2023 Budget, and the second is on the 8th principle. Below are links to the replay of the Congregational Meeting, the Voting Ballot, and 2023 detailed budget.

Replay of Congregational Meeting here.

Voting Ballot can be found here

2023 Detailed Budget

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, December 16th, 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 December 16th between 8:30 and 11AM.

RSVP to Donna Durbin at: HCCM@liveoakuu.org
Check That List and Let's Go Shopping!
It’s time to grab your green bag or any bag and help feed our neighbors.

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. Some of the highlighted canned items are green beans, tuna, spaghetti sauce, corn, peaches, peanut butter, jelly, fruit cocktail, apple juice. The list of all needed items can be found here: https://hccm.org/pantry_list.php

Photo by Dianne Sylvan
Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk
Saturday, December 17, 5pm-7pm

This family-friendly Winter Solstice walk for all ages celebrates the return of the light during the darkness of winter. We’ll gather at the labyrinth and walk to honor the light that is reborn in us and to carry this light of love and peace out into the world. For more information contact labyrinth@liveoakuu.org
Upcoming Events in January
In the Community
REGISTER NOW for "TXUUJM: 10 Years & Growing!" event on Jan. 21, 2023! 
Your Texas UU Justice Ministry invites you to our 10th Anniversary gathering. This event -- 10am-4pm Saturday, Jan. 21, in Austin -- will serve as a time of reconnection and preparation for TXUUJM Legislative Action Day in the spring, as well as inspiration for the year of justice action ahead. Please register now. Scholarships available and encouraged! We do not want cost to be a barrier, we just want to see YOU! Your advance registration helps the TXUUJM team plan and prepare for a powerful event. Thank you! - Rev. Erin Walter, TXUUJM Minister & Executive Director
Upcoming Events at UBarU

Winter Family Camp Dec 16-19

LiveOakUU.org Pages to Visit:
Worship Service & Fellowship Hour: http://www.liveoakuu.org/
Community Outreach & Social Justice: http://www.liveoakuu.org/justice/
The deadline for the weekly e-newsletter and the Sunday announcements is midnight on Tuesday. The submission form can be found here
If you have any questions or comments about this Newsletter please email: editor@liveoakuu.org