First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin

FIRST UU MISSION:

We gather in community to nourish souls, transform lives and do justice.

FIRST UU VALUES:

Transcendence: To connect with the wonder and awe of the unity of life.

Community: To connect in joy, sorrow and service with those whose lives we touch.

Compassion: To treat ourselves and others with love.

Courage: To live lives of honesty, vulnerability and beauty.

Transformation: To pursue the growth that changes our lives and heals our world.

Friday, July 30:

Saturday, July 31:

Mighty Platypi Campfire: In Room 11 and 17 at 10:00 a.m.

Transition Austin Presentation (Sponsored by Yew Grove) 7:00 p.m. in Howson Hall. Guest-speaker, Tom Davis, invites all members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin to attend a special presentation about Transition Austin, an Austin organization linked to a larger global movement to reduce oil-dependence in our culture and create more positive changes in our local community.  Please join us!

Sunday, August 1:

Worship Service 10 a.m. only. “Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride:* Surrender as Spiritual Practice” by Ron Phares. Surrender, in its various permutations, has been promoted by many religious traditions as a method of spiritual transformation. Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism all promote it as a way to live the blessed life. In fact Islam means surrender. Yet, surrender can be and has been exploited by those seeking to dominate others. So it is a great boon, but also quite dangerous. The stuff of heroes; or, as Cheap Trick wrote, “Surrender. Surrender, but don’t give yourself away.” Yet if surrender is a legitimate path, how are we UU’s to approach it? To what are we to surrender? *Hunter S. Thompson

Community, Compassion, Transendence, and Courage: How will we live First UU’s values? Please join your fellow members and your board to discuss how we will live our new values and mission.  What do these values and mission mean to us?  What can we do to make them a part of our daily practice here at the church?   What will it look like when we do? Please join us in Howson Hall Sunday from 12:30 to 1:45.

The Mind and Meaning Book Group: In Room 13A at 9:30 a.m.  Our next book will be Power Hungry: Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future by Robert Bryce.  We should begin the new book this Sunday.   If interested, please come by Room 13A any Sunday between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. For information contact Leonard Hough at valdin@austin.rr.com.

Philosophical Inquiry Discussion Group: In Room 6 at 9:30 a.m. Topics are decided upon each Sunday morning. Marcus Barnes, Facilitator 338-1816.

Public Affairs Forum Broadcast: Re-runs of Forum broadcasts will show throughout the summer. Check the schedule at http://facil.channelaustin.org/project/12126/ . The regular broadcast series of new material from the Forum will start again in the fall.

The Sunday Book Group: In Room 13B at 8:30 a.m.   This Sunday, we will start the discussion of In The Beginning by Karen Armstrong.  We will begin with the first 26 chapters. Contact: Jim Burson 794-1086.

OWL classes for 4-6 grade Class. In Room 13 at 11:15.  The classes are for students only and will be each Sunday from August 1st through mid-September.   Snacks will be provided. Contact: Bill Douglass: dougli@austin.rr.com

YRUU: In Room 13 at 2:30 p.m.

Monday August 2:

Sack Lunch: In the Kitchen at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 3:

Yoga Covenant: In Room 15 at 1:00 p.m. Kristen Narcowich has agreed to lead the class.  She has done a lot of yoga and dance. In fact, she just danced at the church service last Sunday.  A great performance!  I hope you will come to the class on Aug. 3, same time, same place.Mary Jane Ford

Wednesday, August 4:

Spiritual Exploration and Philosophy: In Room 13 from 1:00 p.m

Tai Chi Chuan: In Room 15 at 7:00 p.m.

The Recovery Circle: an inclusive recovery group for Atheists, Pagans, and anyone whose faith preference is not mainstream. Our intention is to open a door for healing and hope, tolerance and growth. Come and explore the possibilities with us.  We meet at 7:00 pm, this week at a private home in north central Austin.  Please call or email ThunderhoofDesigns@yahoo.com (512-291-3106) for directions (and it’s okay to leave a message). Sponsored by Yew Grove Pagan Interfaith.

Thursday, August 5:

Hatha Yoga: In Howson Hall at 5:30 p.m.

The Austin Eckhart Tolle Presence Group meets every Thursday evening, 7:30 p.m., here at the church.  We are presently reading and discussing Eckhart’s first book, the #1 New York Times Bestseller, The Power of Now, A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. In Room 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, August 6:

Saturday, August 7:

Mighty Platypi Campfire: In Rooms 11 and 17  at 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Spirituality: In Room 13B at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, August 8:

Worship Service 10 a.m. only. “Born to Run” by Eric Hepburn. Origin myths are powerful and important narratives. Inspired by the book by Christopher McDougall of the same title, this sermon will explore the alternative origin narrative that emerges out of the cutting edge evolutionary and anthropological explorations of the book. What if we aren’t ‘born broken’? What if we are breaking ourselves by trying to ‘fix things that aren’t broken’. In the process we’ll take a look at the religious ideas of humility and hubris and how these ideas might help us to discern some of the truths of this emerging narrative of our evolutionary story.

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DATES TO KEEP IN MIND:

THE SETTLED MINISTER SEARCH COMMITTEE IS ASKING FOR YOUR OPINION. Beginning August 15, we will conduct a survey of the congregation to find out your needs and wishes for our next settled minister. Every member will have a chance to participate. The survey will be distributed online through email, and print copies will be mailed to members for whom we don’t have current email addresses. Computers will be set up on Sundays at church for those who don’t have access to a computer or would like assistance completing the survey online, and print copies will also be available. Additionally, we will conduct focus groups to gather more qualitative information that is better communicated through conversation. The results will be shared with potential candidates and will help them determine if their ministry is a good match with our community. For more information, please contact your search committee at search@austinuu.org.

Wish List:  DVD Players: Do you have a working DVD player you don’t use any more?  Your church could use two more to provide thorough media coverage for a variety of activities.  We would love to receive your donated DVD player in the office during the week (9am-4pm Tuesday to Friday) or in the Religious Education office on Sunday morning.  For more information, please contact Sean Hale, sean@austinuu.org.

Yew Grove Meet ‘n’ Greet – We talked at the last Yew Grove meeting about a “hidden treasure” here in town, two amazing murals in the Lobby of the Seton Medical Park Tower Bldg. on 38^th.  So let’s meet there at 7:30 pm on Friday, August 9^th and enjoy the rather Pagan symbology of this jewel together.  Afterwards, we’ll caravan to Genuine Joe’s Coffeehouse at 2001 W. Anderson Lane for some socializing.  Parking is free after 7 pm.

Monthly Special Offering for August: Austin Groups for the Elderly (AGE) August 15

“There are only 4 kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who need caregivers.” – Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

AGE works to empower elders and their caregivers in the journey of aging. Why? Because they believe in elders; because caring for an older loved one is uncharted territory; because growing older is our future. AGE provides direct assistance to seniors and their families through their unique programs, including Elderhaven, The Caregiver Resource Center, Durable Medical Equipment Lending Closet , and SeniorNet. Every year AGE receives thousands of requests for help:

• Sometimes it starts with a request for a wheelchair.

• Sometimes it is a need for more help to care for their loved one.

• Frequently it begins with confusion, tears and heartache.

• Always AGE is there to listen, guide, support—and help them connect to what they need. Please give as

generously as you can. Stop by the social action table in the gallery to meet with an AGE representative,

to get more information, and to learn how you can volunteer. Your support of AGE will help us meet the

ever increasing needs of our community– as all of us: have been, currently are, will be or need—-

caregivers. The Monthly Special Offering on Sunday, August 15 is for Austin Groups for the Elderly.

Spiritual Movie Night: August 20^th at 7 p.m.  Hinduism…A Way of LifeContinuing with a theme of movies about religious figures and religions, the August Spiritual Movie Night will be “Hinduism… AWay of Life.” This is a documentary directed by Sanjay Visharia. It is a journey into the Hindu World – a brief introduction plus explanation of some of the important deities and teachings of Hinduism. The movie will be on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. We will, as usual, discuss not only what we think of the film but also what thoughts the movie sparks about Hinduism and spirituality. There will be a children’s movie for ages 5-12, with child care available by RSVP ONLY!

HARVEST THE POWER:  Imagination and Creativity.  AUGUST 18TH Harvest the Power, a twelve

month UU leadership development curriculum, will continue with session 8, “Imagination and Creativity.”

It will be cofacilitated by Mary Jane Ford and Sally Scott in the Gallery from 7 – 9 p.m.. Please note that you are welcome whether it’s your first or eighth session. You may sign up at the Adult Religious Education table in the Gallery on Sundays or you may e-mail Nominating Committee Chair, Sandra Reis, success@sandraries.com. Please join us for Meet and Eat in Howson Hall at 6 p.m. prior to the session.

READ WITH US!  Your church invites you to join us this summer as we read the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Our goal is to have EVERYONE in the congregation read this amazing book!

Why, do you ask? Well, our children and youth this summer will be participating in a social action project called Pennies for Peace, about one man’s efforts to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. That man is Greg Mortenson, and that effort is what his book Three Cups of Tea is about.  So, similar to the City of Austin’s “Mayor’s Book Club”, we would like everyone to read Three Cups of Tea – for fellowship, for understanding, and for support and encouragement to our children and youth.

The book will be available for purchase at the Social Action table in the Gallery on Sundays throughout the summer.  We will also have several copies in the church library for you to check out.  At the end of the summer we will have a potluck and discussion group to talk about the book and what we learned.

Heritage Book Club for August: The second friday, August 13^th, will be at Kitty Clark’s house at 4308 Ave. D. at 6:30p.m. (Pot Luck) and discussion at 8:00 p.m. of “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mohsin Hamid. First time people are always welcome.  Next month will be out 50^th Anniversary!

Heritage Book Club 50^th Anniversary. September 10th event. It will be held at Sally Scott’s house, 4906 Beverly Hills Dr. Dinner is at 6:30( potluck) and meeting starts at 8:00. The book is ” To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. As usual bring your own beverage. We would like  to welcome all the old members back. Sally Scott 453-2289.

Painting in Religious Education Rooms is Back On! We need volunteers to help on this project.  Please contact Beth at beth@austinuu.org for the details and a chance to sign up.  We have hired the painters…all we need now is the volunteers.   Let Beth know beth@austinuu.org.

Our Monthly Special Offerings for 2010 Thank you to the nineteen church members who each nominated an organization,  so sorry that we only had eleven spots available.  The schedule for 2010 is below. Thank you, Eric Hartman and Corinna Whiteaker-Lewis, Social Action Committee co-chairs.

August:          Austin Groups for the Elderly        October:        People’s Community  Clinic

September:    Freeze Night Program                    November:    North Central Caregivers

December:    Safe Place

The Congregational Care Committee e – a resource within our congregation that helps us live our shared values of community – connecting in joy, sorrow, and service with those whose lives we touch – and compassion – treating ourselves and others with love.   How can you become involved in this ministry?  Join our Congregational Care Team; let us know about church members who need assistance; leave a note in the Joys and Concerns book; sign the caring cards on the counter in the church foyer each Sunday.  For additional information, or to make a referral, please contact the Congregational Care Committee:  Ext. 315 at the church, uucongcare@gmail.com, or pat3walters@gmail.com

A Covenant of Healthy Relations

As religious community, we promise:

• To nurture the spiritual growth of people of all ages in our church.
• To keep communications with one another direct, honest, and respectful in a spirit of compassion, love and trust.
• To support our church with generous gifts of time, talent, and money in gratitude for the fellowship, joy and inspiration we receive.
• To be present with others through life’s inevitable transitions.
• To make our church a safe place to express our deepest fears and our greatest joys.
• To forgive ourselves and others when we fall short of expectations, showing good humor and the optimism required for moving forward and calling ourselves back into covenant.
• To engage with the larger world to promote justice and peace.

We acknowledge and commit ourselves to the work of sustaining our beloved community, welcoming all in good faith and ministering to each other.

Thus do we covenant with one another.

Safety Issues in the Church.

If you ever feel you are in an unsafe situation at the church, or are threatened or harassed by anyone, please immediately seek out a Board of Trustees member, a staff person, or a member of the Sunday Services Team. They will provide help and assist with appropriate action. Board members’ nametags are yellow and the Sunday Services team wears purple name tags. In an emergency situation, or if no one is available, don’t hesitate to call 911. The safety and peace of mind of our members are our first consideration.

FIRST UU MISSION At First UU Church of Austin we gather in community to nourish souls, transform lives and do justice.

FIRST UU VALUES:

Transcendence: To connect with the wonder and awe of the unity of life.

Community: To connect in joy, sorrow and service with those whose lives we touch.

Compassion: To treat ourselves and others with love.

Courage: To live lives of honesty, vulnerability and beauty.

Transformation: To pursue the growth that changes our lives and heals our world.

Friday, July 23:

Saturday, July 24:

Mighty Platypi Campfire: In Room 23 and 17 at 10:00 a.m.

This month’s  Singalong will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 at the Friend’s Meeting House on 3701 E. MLK Blvd.   Please bring snacks and finger foods, musical instruments, and copies of songs you want to sing with the group.  Copies of “Rise Up Singing” will be available.  Please do not bring alcohol, since this is not a custom of the Quakers. For more information contact Larry Vaughn 469-0029 or email lavest@sbcglobal.net.  If you want to add somebody to the email list, contact Mary Jane Ford at mjaneford@grandecom.net.

Members of the Couples Club and  anyone wanting to attend a Sharing Supper are joining forces and having a pool party, pot luck supper on July 24^th. The festivities will be held at the home of Sharon and Brian Moore.  Everyone is invited to bring one of the following to share:  main dish, vegetable dish, salad, bread, or dessert and BYOB (bring your own beverage).  The fun begins at 5:30.  Please make your reservations by signing up on the bulletin board or contacting Linda Buehlmann@sbcglobal.net or 323-5334.  Sharon and Brian live in northwest Austin at 8000 High Hollow Drive.   Directions to the Moore’s will be provided for those who sign-up.

Sunday, July 25:

Worship Service10 a.m. only. “What Do Fundamentalists Know About Religion That Unitarians Have Forgotten (and Need to Relearn)?” Gary Bennet. One of the sadder truths of the last half century has been the decline of Liberal Protestant denominations in the US, while Fundamentalists seem to thrive; resurgent Fundamentalism is an uncomfortable reality among other world religions as well.  We will try to explore why, and what we can learn from traditional religion about how to prosper and make a difference. Gary Bennett is a UU since 1970 and a member of FUUCA since 2005.

Mind and Meaning Book Group: In Room 13A at 9:30 a.m.  We are currently reading Mind a Brief Introduction by John R. Searle. If interested, please come by Room 13A any Sunday between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. For information contact Leonard Hough at valdin@austin.rr.com.

Philosophical Inquiry Discussion Group: In Room 6 at 9:30 a.m. Topics are decided upon each Sunday morning. Marcus Barnes, Facilitator 338-1816.

The Sunday Book Group: In Room 13B at 8:30 a.m. We will finish discussion  Leaves from the Notebooks of a Tamed Cynic by Reinhold Niebuhr.  David Parker will guide us. Next Sunday, August 1 we will start discussion In The Beginning by Karen Armstrong.  Contact: Jim Burson 794-1086.

OWL classes for 4-6 grade This summer the RE department of First UU will offer an OWL (Our Whole Lives) class for 4-6 graders, which will be led by Bill Douglass and 4 additional facilitators.  OWL courses cover a human sexuality curriculum developed by the UUA.  The course topics include Sexuality and Values, Family Relationships, Puberty, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation, Lovemaking and Reproduction, Health and Safety, Communication, and Decision Making.  Classes begin on July 25th with an orientation for students and parents. The remaining classes are for students only and will be each Sunday from August 1st through mid-September.  Class times are 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.  Snacks will be provided.  To register for the class, please contact Beth at beth@austinuu.org.  If you will need childcare for the orientation, please send a message to childcare@austinuu.org.For more information about the OWL program, please visit http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/ourwhole/ . For more information about the classes, please contact Bill Douglass at  bdouglass@austinisd.org.

Public Affairs Forum Broadcast: Re-runs of Forum broadcasts will show throughout the summer. Check the schedule at http://facil.channelaustin.org/project/12126/ . The regular broadcast series of new material from the Forum will start again in the fall.

YRUU: In Room 11 at 2:30 p.m.

Hogwarts Set Up: Volunteers are welcome.  We start at 3 p.m.

Monday July 26:

Sack Lunch: In the Kitchen at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 27:

Yoga Covenant: In Room 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 28:

Spiritual Exploration and Philosophy: In Rthe sanctuary from 1:00 p.m

Tai Chi Chuan: In Room 15 at 7:00 p.m.

The  Recovery Circle for Alternative Faiths: We meet at 7:00 pm, this week at a private home in north central Austin.  Please call or email ThunderhoofDesigns at yahoo dot com (512-291-3106) for directions (and it’s okay to leave a message).    Sponsored by Yew Grove Pagan Interfaith.

Thursday, July 29:

Hatha Yoga: In Howson Hall at 5:30 p.m.

The Austin Eckhart Tolle Presence Group meets every Thursday evening, 7:30 p.m., here at the church.  We are presently reading and discussing Eckhart’s first book, the #1 New York Times Bestseller, The Power of Now, A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. In Room 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 30:

Saturday, July 31:

Mighty Platypi Campfire: In Rooms 11 and 17 at 10:00 a.m.

Transition Austin: In Howson Hall at 7 p.m. presented by Yew Grove

Sunday, August 1:

Worship Service. 10 a.m. only. “Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride*: Surrender as Spiritual Practice” by Ron Phares. Surrender, in its various permutations, has been promoted by many religious traditions as a way method of spiritual transformation. Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism all promote it as a way to live the blessed life. In fact, Islam means surrender. Yet, surrender can be and has been exploited by those seeking to dominate others. So it is a great boon, but also quite dangerous. The stuff of heroes. Or, as Cheap Trick wrote, “Surrender. Surrender. But don’t give yourself away.” Yet if surrender is a legitimate path, how are we UU’s to approach it? To what are we to surrender? *Hunter S. Thompson

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DATES TO KEEP IN MIND:

READ WITH US!  Your church invites you to join us this summer as we read the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Our goal is to have EVERYONE in the congregation read this amazing book!

Why, do you ask? Well, our children and youth this summer will be participating in a social action project called Pennies for Peace, about one man’s efforts to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. That man is Greg Mortenson, and that effort is what his book Three Cups of Tea is about.  So, similar to the City of Austin’s “Mayor’s Book Club”, we would like everyone to read Three Cups of Tea – for fellowship, for understanding, and for support and encouragement to our children and youth.

The book will be available for purchase at the Social Action table in the Gallery on Sundays throughout the summer.  We will also have several copies in the church library for you to check out.  At the end of the summer we will have a potluck and discussion group to talk about the book and what we learned

OWL classes for 4-6 grade This summer the RE department of First UU will offer an OWL (Our Whole Lives) class for 4-6 graders, which will be led by Bill Douglass and 4 additional facilitators.  OWL courses cover a human sexuality curriculum developed by the UUA.  The course topics include Sexuality and Values, Family Relationships, Puberty, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation, Lovemaking and Reproduction, Health and Safety, Communication, and Decision Making.  Classes begin on July 25th with an orientation for students and parents. The remaining classes are for students only and will be each Sunday from August 1st through mid-September.  Class times are 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.  Snacks will be provided.  To register for the class, please contact Beth at beth@austinuu.org.  If you will need childcare for the orientation, please send a message to childcare@austinuu.org.                                                For more information about the OWL program, please visit http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/ourwhole/ . For more information about the classes, please contact Bill Douglass at  bdouglass@austinisd.org.

Community, Compassion, and Transcendence:  how will we live First UU’s values? Please join your fellow members and your board to discuss how we will live our new values and mission.  What do these values and mission mean to us?  What can we do to make them a part of our daily practice here at the church?  What will it look like when we do? Please join us at in Howson Hall on August 1st from 12:30 to 1:45.

Heritage Book Club. The next meeting will be at Kitty Clark’s house, 4308 Ave. D.  Pot Luck followed by a discussion of the book: “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mohsin Hamid.  The group welcomes newcomers.  Bring your own beverage and dish and enjoy.6:30 for the Pot Luck and discussion at 8.

Painting in Religious Education Rooms is Back On! We need volunteers to help on this project.  Please contact Beth at beth@austinuu.org for the details and a chance to sign up.  We have hired the painters…all we need now is the volunteers.   Let Beth know

The Recovery Circle For Alternative Faiths: This is an inclusive recovery group for atheists, pagans, and anyone whose faith preference is not “mainstream.” Our intention is to open a door for healing and hope, tolerance and growth. Come and explore the possibilities with us.  We meet Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at various locations around town, please call or email for this week’s location.  Contact brooksiel53@yahoo.com for details or call 512-371-3228 (and it’s okay to leave a message).  Sponsored by Yew Grove Pagan Interfaith.

Our Monthly Special Offerings for 2010 Thank you to the nineteen church members who each nominated an organization,  so sorry that we only had eleven spots available.  The schedule for 2010 is below. Thank you, Eric Hartman and Corinna Whiteaker-Lewis, Social Action Committee co-chairs.

August:          Austin Groups for the Elderly        October:        People’s Community  Clinic

September:    Freeze Night Program                    November:    North Central Caregivers

December:    Safe Place

Heritage Book Club. September 10th event. It will be held at my house, 4906 Beverly Hills Dr. Dinner is at 6:30( potluck) and meeting starts at 8:00. The book is ” To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. As usual bring your own beverage. We would like  to welcome all the old members back. Sally Scott 453-2289

We are a caring community. The Congregational Care Committee wants to reach out, on behalf of First UU, to members of our church family during times of joy and celebration as well as during times of illness or grief, and we need your help.  Please keep us informed about members of our congregation by leaving a note in the Joys and Concerns book, or by contacting the Congregational Care Committee. (Extension 315 at the church, uucongcare@gmail.com, pat3walters@gmail.com, or Pat Walters at 231-0866)  And please take a moment each Sunday to sign caring cards and read the entries in the Joys and Concerns book, located on the counter in the church foyer.

A Covenant of Healthy Relations

As religious community, we promise:

• To nurture the spiritual growth of people of all ages in our church.
• To keep communications with one another direct, honest, and respectful in a spirit of compassion, love and trust.
• To support our church with generous gifts of time, talent, and money in gratitude for the fellowship, joy and inspiration we receive.
• To be present with others through life’s inevitable transitions.
• To make our church a safe place to express our deepest fears and our greatest joys.
• To forgive ourselves and others when we fall short of expectations, showing good humor and the optimism required for moving forward and calling ourselves back into covenant.
• To engage with the larger world to promote justice and peace.

We acknowledge and commit ourselves to the work of sustaining our beloved community, welcoming all in good faith and ministering to each other.

Thus do we covenant with one another.

Safety Issues in the Church.

If you ever feel you are in an unsafe situation at the church, or are threatened or harassed by anyone, please immediately seek out a Board of Trustees member, a staff person, or a member of the Sunday Services Team. They will provide help and assist with appropriate action. Board members’ nametags are yellow and the Sunday Services team wears purple name tags. In an emergency situation, or if no one is available, don’t hesitate to call 911. The safety and peace of mind of our members are our first consideration.

Vision: As an inclusive religious and spiritual community, we support each individual’s search for meaning and purpose, and join together to help create a world filled with compassion and love.

Friday, March 26:

High School Lock In: begins at 8 p.m. in Room 11

On Friday evening March 26, UUs in Austin will have the opportunity to learn more about the UU Service Committee’s project in Northern Uganda from the consultant working there, Jackie Okanga. Jackie and Martha Thompson, UUSC’s Rights in Humanitarian Crises program manager will present information about the project which supports families returning to their homes after years of war.  Members of our church will host a potluck and program in Howson Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. with appetizers and conversation.  We will have dinner at 7 and the program will begin about 8 p.m.  Bring a dish to share, or come for the program to learn more about UUSC and the work in Uganda.  All interested UUs in Austin are invited.  Reservations are not required, but you can help us in the planning by letting us know what you plan to bring.  Come by the Social Action Table in the Gallery to sign up or contact Judy Sadegh, jsadegh@yahoo.com, for more information.

Saturday, March 27:

High School Lock In: Ends at 9:00 a.m.

Arts and Crafts: In Room 13 A at 10:00 a.m.

Mighty Platypi Campfire: In Room 11 and 17 at 10 a.m.

Sing-a-Long will be held on the fourth Saturday,  March 27, from 7:30 to 10:30 at the Friend’s Meeting House on 3701 E. MLK Blvd.  Please bring snacks and finger foods, musical instruments, and copies of songs you want to sing with the group.  Copies of “Rise Up Singing” will be available.  Please do not bring alcohol, since this is not a custom of the Quakers. For more information contact Larry Vaughn 469-0029 or email

lavest@sbcglobal.net.  To be added to the email list, contact Mary Jane Ford at mjaneford@grandecom.net.

Sunday March 28:

Memorial Service for Diana Latham: Sanctuary at 6:000 p.m.

Worship Service: “Excellence in Ministry” by Rev. Don Southworth. One of the purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association is to “foster excellence in ministry.”  What does excellence in ministry look like, feel like?  And how do congregations and ministers co-create it together?  Rev. Don Southworth is the Acting Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Assoc.  He worked in the corporate world in marketing, sales, management, and training before heeding the call to ministry.  Since graduating from Starr King School for the Ministry  in 2000 he has served congregations in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Durham, North Carolina.  Service Time: 9:45 and 11:30

Forum: Gardner Selby, Austin American-Statesman PolitiFact Texas Editor, “Sorting out the Truth in Politics.” Gardner Selby is a longtime Austinite who many of you know from seeing his front-page columns as the Chief Political Writer for the Austin American-Statesman in recent years.  Selby has recently been promoted to Editor of “PolitiFact Texas,” a partnership of the Austin American-Statesman and PolitiFact.com.  PolitiFact Texas aims to expose the truth in Texas with its “Truth-O-Meter,” which you’ve probably seen in Austin American-Statesman articles. Learn about the fascinating methodology of the Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact.com and this exciting new partnership with the Austin American-Statesman in their ongoing mission to “Sort Out the Truth in Politics”! Forum Time: 11:30 a.m.

The Mind and Meaning Book Group: In Room 13A at 9:30 a.m.  We are currently reading The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing, edited by Richard Dawkins. If interested, please come by Room 13A any Sunday between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. For information contact Leonard Hough at valdin@austin.rr.com.

Philosophical Inquiry Discussion Group: In Room 8 at 9:30 a.m. Topics are decided upon each Sunday morning. Marcus Barnes, Facilitator 338-1816.

The Sunday Book Group: In Room 13B at 9:30 a.m.  Our current book is The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. We will discuss Part Four:  Book Ten:  All Chapters, and Book Eleven: Chapters 1,2,3,4 and 5 (Not You, Not You !).  Stephan Windsor will lead.   Contact: Jim Burson 794-1086.

Membership Committee: In Room 13 A at 1:15 p.m.

Great Moments in UU History: In Room 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Great Decisions Discussion Group: In Room 15 at 4:00 p.m.   Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

YRUU: In Room 11

Public Affairs Forum Broadcast: “The Texas Politics Project” with Jim Henson, Director of Texas Politics Project.  TW Cable Channel 10.  Sunday evening at 6 p.m. From the Public Affairs Forum of  February  28, 2010. Copies of the Broadcast tape can be ordered on DVD upon request at the bookstore ask for the February 28^th Program or episode #1009.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Sack Lunch: In the Kitchen at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Yoga Covenant: In Room 15 at 1:30 p.m

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Spiritual Exploration and Philosophy: In 13 A and B from 1:00 p.m

Tai Chi Chuan: In Room 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Choir Rehearsal: In the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Hatha Yoga: In Howson Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Tolle Discussion: In Room 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Articulating Your UU Faith: In the Gallery at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Matzo Ball Making Party: In the Kitchen beginning at 12 noon

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Arts and Crafts: In Room 13 A at 10:00 a.m.

Mighty Platypi Campfire: In Room 11 and 17 at 10 a.m.

Women’s Spirituality: In Room 13 B at 10 a.m.

Passover Seder: in Howson Hall at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Worship Service: April 4: “So Much in Bud” by Rev. Dr. Janet E. Newman. Typically, Unitarian Universalists have difficulty with the traditional miracle story of Easter.  During this sermon I hope to provide resources that fit with our liberal understanding of miracle. Additionally, the service will include a naming ceremony for Charlotte Rebecca Reed (first service only), a flower communion, music by the intergenerational choir, and the much-loved Easter egg hunt – and then the cookie feast later!

Forum: There will be no Forum this week.  Instead we will have Easter Egg Hunts for the young ones, Cookie Cafe for all in Howson Hall, Flower Communion during both services.

Check you calendar!  Save the Date!  More Great Things to Come!

NOMINATING COMMITTEE PRESENTS 2010-2011 BOARD SLATE The Nominating Committee appreciates the enthusiasm, vision, and commitment of those who volunteered to lead our church into the future.  The slate presented to the Board of Trustees on March 16, which will be voted on at the May congregational meeeting, is: President, Eric Stimmel; Vice President, Chris Jimmerson; Treasurer, Kae McLaughlin; Secretary, Klondike Steadman; Trustees 2010-2013, Susan Thomson and Eric Hepburn.  Thank you all.

HARVEST THE POWER, SESSION 4, APRIL 21 Harvest the Power, a  twelve month UU leadership development curriculum, will continue with session four, “Turning Points and Moments of Grace”.  It will be co-facilitated by Susan Thomson and Jeanette Swenson in the Gallery from 7-9 PM.  All are welcome.  Sign up at the Adult RE table in the Gallery on Sundays.  Please join us for Meet and Eat in Howson Hall at 6 PM prior to class. Please note that session 4 runs concurrently with one of the Purposes and Values sessions.  If you plan to participate in both, please choose one of the other Purposes and Values sessions.

MEET AND EAT / INFORMAL FORUM, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 Third Wednesday Meet and Eat, sponsored by the Membership Committee, will host one of the Bridge to Our Future Forums on Wednesday, April 21.  Please join us for dinner at 6 p.m. and an evening of discussing who we are and what we value at First UU.   Please RSVP (help the cooks plan) to jeanetteswenson@yahoo.com or sign up at the Visitors Table or on the sign-up sheet next to Room 6.  Childcare will be available, but please reserve at childcare@austinuu.org. Dinner costs $5.00 individual / $10.00 family.

Songs of Hope On Sat., April 10 at the Quaker Meeting House, 3701 E. MLK Blvd, come to the 2nd annual Death Row Ministry Benefit featuring  Quaker and UU musicians as well as others.  This event starts at 7:00 pm, and the doors open at 6:00pm.  It’s for a good cause within our church’s mission and will be a wholesome event, smoke and alcohol free, in an intimate setting.  There is a suggested donation at the door of $10.00 per person, but nobody will be turned away.

Sharing Suppers will be held on Saturday, April 17^th at 6:30 pm. Sharing Suppers is a get together of UU’s for an informal dinner and good conversation in a home setting.  The host/hostess furnishes the entrée and the participants each bring one food item.  It’s an inexpensive way to have a dinner with interesting folks that have many of your same interests.   Please sign up for this month’s get-together by Sunday, April 11^th.  Just call Linda Buehlmann@323-5334 or e-mail her at lindabuehlmann@sbcglobal.net.  Or if you wish, you may sign up on the sheet posted outside office 8.

The April movie for Spirituality Night will be “The God Who Wasn’t There.” The movie will be shown at 7 p.m. on April 23.    The documentary is about the fundamental questions: Is there a God? What does historical evidence say? We’ll get into a good ol’ debate about athiests and other skeptics. We can talk about my new favorite word – apatheist which the Urban Dictionary defines as “someone who just doesn’t care whether God exists or not and realizes that such a fact won’t effect their life anyway, comes from the word ‘apathy’ meaning “absence of emotion” and ‘theism’ meaning “belief in God.”There will also be a children’s movie so there will be childcare for kids over age 5. For more information contact, Scott, at Scott@austinuu.org

Settled Ministry Search Committee   First UU Austin is embarking on the long-anticipated search for its next Settled Minister. The journey will take a year-long path of inquiry and engage the entire congregation. One of the first critical steps is the selection of a Settled Ministry Search Committee.  According to the 1st UU By-Laws, the Settled Ministry Search Committee is selected by your Board of Trustees.  The Board has asked trustee Michael West to oversee that selection.

If you are interested serving as a member of the Settled Ministry Search Committee, please notify Michael West (mlwesttx@earthlink.net) or any member of the Board of Trustees. You will be asked to complete a short Application Form (Settled Minister Application Form 2010) that provides information on your interests and experience in church activities and to identify the gifts you might bring to the Search.  You will also be asked to acknowledge your awareness of the level of commitment -up to 400 hours over the next year – required to participate in the year-long search process.

For more information on the UUA search process, you may consult the Transitions link at UUA.org and review the resources there, including the 40+ page Ministerial Settlement Handbook. (http://www.uua.org/leaders/leadership/transitions/index.shtml)

The Media Team is looking for help. Audio, video and computer skills are especially needed.  We record church services and Forum and help with movie nights and other events.  Whether you have technical experience or just want to learn, we need people of any age or aptitude who can offer occasional or regular help. Contact Tom Martin at tom-m@texas.net or connect with the entire group at firstuutech@yahoogroups.com

We are a caring community. The Congregational Care Committee wants to reach out, on behalf of First UU, to members of our church family during times of joy and celebration as well as during times of illness or grief, and we need your help.  Please keep us informed about members of our congregation by leaving a note in the Joys and Concerns book, or by contacting the Congregational Care Committee. (Extension 315 at the church, uucongcare@gmail.com, pat3walters@gmail.com, or Pat Walters at 231-0866)  And please take a moment each Sunday to sign caring cards and read the entries in the Joys and Concerns book, located on the counter in the church foyer.

Our Monthly Special Offerings for 2010 One hundred and thirty-five people voted this past Sunday for the organizations they would like to see receive a special offering this year. We will have these offerings monthly, starting today!  Thank you to the nineteen church members who each nominated an organization,  so sorry that we only had eleven spots available.  The schedule for 2010 is below. Thank you, Eric Hartman and Corinna Whiteaker-Lewis, Social Action Committee co-chairs.

April:    Sack Lunch Program                             September:   Freeze Night Program

May:     UUSC                                                          October:       People’s Community  Clinic

June:     Caritas                                                       November:   North Central Caregivers

July:      Capital Area Food Bank                       December:   Safe Place

August:  Austin Groups for the Elderly

Children’s Choir: Spring Session 2 Rehearsals Start March 28, 2010! Come on kiddos! Come sing with us. NO experience necessary. The Children’s Choir program includes a Primary Choir for children in approximately grades K-3 and a Youth Choir for youth in grades 4-8. Rehearsals (between services): 4/18, 4/25, 5/2. Musical Offerings (anthem, both services):4/4, 4/25, & 5/9. For more info, pick up a registration packet now (new 2010-2011 families only) and/or the one-page Information Sheet for Spring Session 2 starting March 14, 2010, (both available outside the DRE’s office). Questions? Email Chris Heidel (chris@chrisandtoby.com). The Children’s Choir welcomes your family into the CC organization, and we look forward to continued spiritual and musical growth together as a community!

Hands on Housing: Block out Saturday, April 17^th on your calendar and look for more info from Beverly Donoghue, coordinator,  and the Social Action Committee in April’s newsletter.

Safety Issues in the Church.

If you ever feel you are in an unsafe situation at the church, or are threatened or harassed by anyone, please immediately seek out a Board of Trustees member, a staff person, or a member of the Sunday Services Team. They will provide help and assist with appropriate action. Board members’ nametags are yellow and the Sunday Services team wears purple name tags. In an emergency situation, or if no one is available, don’t hesitate to call 911. The safety and peace of mind of our members are our first consideration.