Sunday, April 12 at 12:30 PM
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Long-Range Planning Update
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The AUUF Long Range Planning Committee includes Keralee Clay, Marilyn Van Petten, Patricia Ward, Ed Van Petten, David Green, and Jerry Goebel. With our board's approval we have been working since late last summer on several tasks: evaluating the growth of our congregation the past few years and projecting growth trends, prioritizing our congregation's immediate and long-range needs (a process which included surveying our members), and considering the best options to address those needs. Click here to view the full update.
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Commit to ACT for Climate Justice
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During Climate Justice Month (March 22 - April 22), Commit2Respond has provided us with tools for education and empowerment to make a difference in the climate - and now it's time to make a commitment to action. One way to do this is to commit to making a 20% reduction in our individual and/or household carbon footprint.
Determine your own carbon footprint using the CoolClimate Carbon Foot Print Calculator, a University-Government-NGO Partnership out of the University of California, Berkeley. Then join other people of faith and conscience taking action for climate change, and reduce your impact by:
- Using energy from renewable sources like wind, hydro, and electric power, rather than fossil fuels like oil and gas;
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Eating ecologically and economically sustainable food;
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Commuting by bike, walking, or public transportation; and
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Making environmentally-friendly shopping choices.
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This we know:
The Earth does not belong to us -
we belong to the Earth.
This we know:
All things are connected like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth -
befalls the children of the Earth.
We did not weave the web of life -
We are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web,
we do to ourselves.
-- Attributed to Chief Seattle
Duwamish Tribe
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In addition to the events described in this newsletter, you can find a complete listing by clicking on the Calendar icon to the left.
Want more detail? Check both the News and the Events sections of our website, uuamarillo.orgAlso on our website, you can learn more about our Fellowship and our faith, Unitarian Universalism.
All events are held at the Fellowship, 4901 Cornell St., unless otherwise noted.
If you are unsure how to reach any of the individuals named as contacts, please email the AUUF office or call our Office Administrator, April Myers, at 806.355.9351 and leave a message. She will return your call during her office hours, which are M-W-F from 9 AM to noon.
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Sunday Worship - 9:30 and 11 AM
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April 12, 2015
Fellowship member Karen Logan will speak on The Connection: Connecting with others through service. Karen will discuss the connections she has made through service projects and the AUUF's new Women's Covenant Group, and how we all can connect to humanity through service.
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April 19, 2015
David Green speaks on Earth Day Everyday, discussing the origins and ongoing impact of the annual observance focused on environmental awareness and action.
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April 26, 2015
Special guest Darryl Birkenfeld will speak on Conservation in the Texas Panhandle.
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Nothing Much Buddhist Group
Monday, April 13 at 7:30 PM
The Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group meets for meditation, readings, and fellowship. Gatherings are facilitated by Rick Todd, and all are welcome!
Contact: Rick Todd
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Meet the Artist
Tuesday, April 14 at 7 PM
This month, the poetry of
Rick Todd will be featured.
Asked about his work, Rick has this to say: I've written some bad songs and some good songs, some poor poems and some pretty good poems. But the best ones are the ones that tell a story. And the best stories are the ones full of holes, where the mystery seeps out and the listener's imagination fills in the gaps. Click here for more information about this event. Contact: Ann Hicks
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Men's Fellowship
Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 PM at Furrbies (map)
Join the fun and fellowship - you'll find plenty of choices on the menu and just as many different topics to discuss as you get to know your UU brethren, but don't expect an agenda. The conversations evolve naturally.
Furrbies' address:
210 SW 6th Avenue
Contact: Eric Berg
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2015 Annual Congregational Meeting
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2015 Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, April 19 at Noon
The 5th Principle of Unitarian Universalism is "(t)he right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large." Theodore Parker, who played a major role in moving Unitarianism away from being a Bible-based faith, said that "Democracy means not 'I am as good as you are,' but "You are as good as I am."
The membership of the Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hold its Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 19, immediately following the 11 AM Service.
At this important meeting, members will vote on the Fellowship's operating budget and officers for June 2015 through May 2016. Per AUUF bylaws, this announcement serves as the official posted notification of the Annual Meeting. Your vote counts, so please be present!
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Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
Monday, April 20 from 6 - 7:30 PM
 How would your life have been different if, when growing up, the divine had been imaged as female?
In this Women's Covenant Group, we discuss feminine spiritual and social topics. We are currently studying an 11 session UU Adult Religious Education curriculum, Cakes for the Queen of Heaven - a woman honoring curriculum by Rev. Shirley Ranck. More than Goddess 101, this workshop series examines important elements of today's women's lives; personal, interpersonal and societal. It examines how our culture has been influenced by Judeo Christian values. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences and beliefs, creating trust and strong bonds of friendship.
Upcoming sessions and topics:
In Ancient Times (5 sessions)
April 20: The Sacred Female
May 4: In the Name of the Mother and the Daughter
May 18: WomanPower
June 1: The First Turning: the Shift from Goddess to God
June 15: Reclaiming Women's Heritage of Peace
On the Threshold (6 sessions)
July 6: The Hebrew Goddess
July 20: Sarah and the Priestess
August 3: The Apostle Mary
August 17: The Virgin Mary
September 7: Witchcraft
September 21: Future Fantasies
Join us as we learn and grow together as UU goddesses!
For more information, contact Keralee Clay
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Alternative Medicine Monthly Seminar
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ICAM Monthly Seminar - Integrated Complementary Alternative Medicine
Tuesday, April 21 from 7 - 8:30 PM (Every Third Tuesday)
 This monthly seminar focuses on alternative health and wellness, and is led by Rolf Habersang, MD, Medical Director of the ICAM Institute of Amarillo, and Pia Habersang, EdD, CNS, MSN, APRN of the Pediatric Wellness Center of Amarillo
Dr. Rolf Habersang's experience in Medicine and Healthcare is spanning over 4 decades. With initially a focus in General Pediatrics and Intensive Care for over 30 years he then followed many of the children with special health care needs as a professor with Texas Tech Medical School. Because of his passion for helping individuals, children and adults, to optimize their wellbeing he expanded his knowledge through continued training in Biological Medicine and Functional and now practices a holistic approach to health care based on the principles of Biological / Functional Medicine and Homeopathy. His "mantra" is "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT and THINK" . Dr. Habersang provides consults to patients who have a variety of issues, though not in the context of primary care.
Pia Habersang is the primary provider of the Pediatric Wellness Center of Amarillo has over 35 years experience in various roles / positions in the healthcare system. For twenty of those years she provided primary care as a Nurse Practitioner to children with various health care needs (Pedi Providers / Texas Tech Health Science Center). Her educational background of a Masters in Science of Nursing (WTSU 1986) allows her to continue to practice as an advanced practicing nurse (APRN/NP) which includes a strong focus on family dynamics.
Open to the Public-Free Admission
ICAM Seminar information: 806-354-5437
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Garden Workday & Grass Class
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Saturday, April 25 at 9 AM
 Please join us for a Garden Workday & Grass Class. We'll discuss using ornamental grasses to design a lovely and low maintenance garden space. It's time to get your hands dirty and enjoy the wonderful weather while we can. We will have information handouts so please let us know if you can make it so we can print enough. Click here to RSVP.
Contact: Deb Winters
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 In this first of an occasional series, Gary Biggers will provide his own (admittedly subjective) summaries and recommendation ratings for books related to our faith.
Searl, Ed and Briere, Jeff. 101 Reasons I'm A Unitarian Universalist. Copyright 2001. Kindle Edition 2011.
Ed Searl, minister of UU Church of Hinsdale, IL, and Jeff Briere, minister of UU Church of Chattanooga, TN, have, through a list of reasons, woven together glimpses of the Unitarian and Universalist history, notable members and martyrs, and examples of the application of the seven principles.
If you haven't read A Chosen Faith or even if you have, this succinct list of highlights is a great introduction to or a confirming reminder of the many reasons members choose to become Unitarian Universalists.
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Unitarian Universalist Association 2015 General Assembly
June 24-28 - Portland, Oregon
Early Registration Deadline: April 30
 Every two years, thousands of UUs from the US and Canada gather for an inspiring and enlightening five days of worship, lectures, workshops, and fellowship. This year's General Assembly is in beautiful Portland, OR. The theme is "Building a New Way," focusing on entrepreneurial ways we can move beyond established institutional forms of "being" UUs.
Several of our Fellowship members are already planning to attend, three of which can be voting delegates (chosen by our board) during GA business sessions. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. Cornel West deliver the Ware Lecture, along with numerous UU leaders offering great ideas to bring back home to our Fellowship.
Click here to register and arrange lodging. Registration fees rise after April 30! Attend all five days, or any single day; fees vary. To volunteer to serve as a voting delegate, please contact Board President Keralee Clay.
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 AMARILLO READS: The First Battle of Adobe Walls
Saturday, April 11 - 10 AM at Southwest Branch, Amarillo Public Library (map)
Alvin R. Lynn, author of Kit Carson and the First Battle of Adobe Walls, is speaking about his work at the Southwest Branch of the Amarillo Public Library. Doors open at 9:30 AM. If you are a local history buff, this is a must attend! Southwest Branch, Amarillo Public Library Address: 6801 W 45th Avenue |
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