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Friday, April 3 at 1:30 PM
 "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." (Martin Luther King, Jr, 1958)
A special event will be held at AUUF tomorrow - the international peace organization Pax Cristi brings aGood Friday Service/Stations of the Cross observance to Amarillo. Meet at the Madre del Mundo statue by the west entrance to the building (4901 Cornell St.).
Many Pax Christi USA local groups plan and stage a "Way of the Cross" event on Good Friday, connecting the sufferings of Christ during his passion with the suffering of our brothers and sisters at the hands of violence, greed, poverty, sickness, and war.
Learn the herstory of the Madre del Mundo statue and the journey to her home at AUUF.
Contact: Jerry Stein
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29th Annual Feast of the Overpass
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Easter afternoon - Sunday, April 5, 2015
Location: I-40, Exit 54 (Adkisson Road)
(10 miles west of Soncy)
What's happening? 3:00 fun, games, and hiding eggs, beer and soda 4:00 hunting eggs, sodas and beer 5:00 hat parade (bring your craziest) 6:00 potluck feast
Contact: Mary Emeny
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Monday, April 6 From 6 PM - 7:30 PM
(Every 1st and 3rd Monday)
Women, how would your life have been different if, when growing up, the divine had been imaged as female?
AUUF will begin a Woman's Covenant Group with the purpose of studying and discussing feminine spiritual and social topics. We will launch this group by studying an 11 session UU adult RE curriculum, Cakes for the Queen of Heaven - a woman honoring curriculum by Rev. Shirley Ranck.
Why is it called Cakes for the Queen of Heaven? The title for the curriculum comes from the book of Jeremiah in the Hebrew Bible wherein God speaks to Jeremiah, saying: "Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes to the Queen of Heaven and to pour out libations to other gods, in order to anger me!" (Jeremiah, 7:17-18)
Who was this "Queen of Heaven?" Who were the people that worshiped her? What sort of society did they live in? How did that society change into today's society? These are questions explored in this workshop series.
More than Goddess 101, this workshop series examines important elements of today's women's lives; personal, interpersonal and societal. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences and beliefs, creating trust and strong bonds of friendship.
Join us as we learn and grow together as UU goddesses!
Contact: Keralee Clay
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Discussion Group
Thursday, April 9 from 7 - 8 PM
(2nd & 4th Thursday every month )
Are Christian ideas still relevant in today's world? Living the Questions is a discussion group using curriculum and media for the "church alumni association:" anyone whose questions about traditional Christian beliefs and ways of interpreting scripture have made them unwelcome elsewhere. Skeptics are welcome! The group meets in the large classroom at the Fellowship, with discussion facilitated by Lyle Raker.
For more information, contact the AUUF Office or call (806)355.9351
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We Agnostics Alcoholics
Anonymous Meeting
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Thursday, April 9 from 6 - 8 PM
 The We Agnostics Alcoholics Anonymous group meets weekly on Thursdays at 6 PM, in Chandler Hall at the Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. This AA group is for anyone with a desire to stop drinking or maintain sobriety, but particularly for those who are uncomfortable with AA meeting formats stressing particular religious beliefs.
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Meet the Artist - Rick Todd
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Tuesday, April 14 from 7 - 8 PM
(every 2nd Tuesday)
 On the 2nd Tuesday of every month, a different acclaimed visual, performing & literary artist will display, perform, and discuss his/her work.
This month, the poetry of Rick Todd will be featured. Don't miss it!
Asked about his work, Rick has this to say:
"Let me take you down, because I'm going to Strawberry Fields."
"Once upon a time you dressed so fine, threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?"
"I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told."
"The screen door slams. Mary's dress waves."
Those are the opening lines to songs by John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen. Each of them pulls us into a story, and it was those stories that first inspired me to write songs and poems.
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.
I want to introduce you to a little boy in a mulberry tree on a hot summer day, Maria trying to work her way out of a bordello called the Comayagua Cabaret, a broken man rolling the last cigarette of the day, a farmer who sees only one way out when it all falls apart.
Stories are the maps of our experiences. Sharing them brings us closer together. And that's why I write.
Refreshments served; free and open to the community. Invite your friends to join you for this exciting series.
Contact: Ann Hicks
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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
at the Fellowship (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, MD.
Rolf Habersang specializes in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and on the care of children with chronic health conditions. He has been practicing and teaching since 1973 and is a highly sought after speaker. He has served on several committees at Texas Tech, two different hospitals in Amarillo, within professional/community functions, and scientific and professional societies. He has also been speaking at seminars since 1989 and has received awards for his achievements. Dr. Habersang is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at TTUHSC-Amarillo, Medical Director of Pedi-Providers at TTUHSC-Amarillo, Medical Director of Integrated Complementary Alternative Medicine (ICAM) in Amarillo, and Clinical Advisor for Transformation Enzyme Corporation.
Open to the Public-Free Admission
ICAM Seminar information: 806-354-5437
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Amarillo College/West Texas A&M University Student/Faculty Exhibition
April 3-19, 2015, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
at the Amarillo Museum of Art (map)
AC Gallery Talk - 6:45 PM
WTAMU Gallery Talk - 7:00 PM Among the students displaying work is AUUF member and photographer Jim Livingston, who'll show work for a second time in the exhibition. According to the Amarillo Globe News, "My experience at AC has been really wonderful," Livingston said. "I've really been blown away particularly by the art program, so I really like that I can represent AC." Amarillo Museum of Art Address:
2200 S. Van Buren Street
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Sunday Worship
9:30 and 11 AM
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 Talented musicians and vocalists Mike Fuller, Eric Berg, Brent Biles, John Cates, Keralee Clay, Danny Dobervich, and Rick Todd will offer The Gospel According to James Taylor. A collection of the most beloved music of James Taylor illustrates how the message in JT's music beautifully echoes our 7 UU Principles and the loving ethos of our congregation.
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.
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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Sunday, April 5, 2015 at 12:15 PM
(1st Sunday of every month)
 Don't miss our monthly 1st Sunday Potluck Lunch! Bring a dish to share and enjoy our famous hospitality and fellowship! Even if you don't bring a dish, we urge you to join us to sample everyone's cooking (or savvy purchasing) skills.
We always need help setting up for the potluck immediately after the 11 AM service - and cleaning up after everyone eats. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board near the kitchen, so please let us know that you will pitch in and help.
Contacts: Rosemarie and Bill Kirkland
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Garden Workday & Grass Class
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.
I will have information handouts so please let me know if you can make it so I can print enough. Click here to RSVP
Contact: Deb Winters
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2015 Stewardship Drive Meets Goal!
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 The Fellowship's proposed annual operating budget for the fiscal year of June 2015 - May 2016 is $140,000, and as of this week, we have exceeded that goal in pledges from our members! This is great news for a number of reasons. Although a modest increase from last year's budget, this will provide additional resources to better fund a variety of important programs, including Children's Religious Education (as well as more mundane stuff like building repairs and maintenance). It represents the fourth consecutive year our budget has grown and our members have fully underwritten it with pledges. Pledges do involve dollars, but each pledge represents much more: the confident belief that we are moving forward in fulfilling our mission and vision as a Beloved Community of caring people who appreciate the value of a liberal religious home. In our Fellowship's 65-year history, we are now at the highest level of financial support and active membership (and a bunch of brand new members are poised to join soon). Many thanks to all who pledged. As always, questions about pledges and giving may be directed in confidence to the Fellowship office at 355-9351 or office@uuamarillo.org, or to Finance Committee chair, Eric Berg.
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2015 Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, April 19 at Noon
 The Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hold its Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 19, at 12 Noon. 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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Unitarian Universalist Association 2015
General Assembly
Portland, Oregon - June 24-28
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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Children's Religious Education Activities
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During the next two weeks, the younger children will continue their emphasis on spring.
The older children will be learning about the religious celebrations taking place this time of year-Passover, Palm Sunday, and Easter. They will be doing crafts to help cement the lessons. They will also talk about some of the symbols of spring and how they came to be associated with the religious holidays.
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During Climate Justice Month you will be invited to learn, reflect, and discern what long-term actions you, your family, and/or your congregation or group can take on that will build resistance to climate change. Our newly redesigned website offers suggested actions for individuals/households and congregations/groups, and you can make and track your commitments here online.
Rather than simply taking on small actions for a month, we are setting aside a month to delve into our spiritual grounding for this work, deepen our learning, and intentionally decide how we can commit to transform our lives and our world.
Committed action that springs from principled and spiritual grounding gets us through setbacks and compels us from a place of possibility and creativity. It is a stance of commitment to justice and integrity of all life over the long haul. This theological or principled grounding calls us to evaluate our work and take next steps with more wisdom and impact.
Be part of this important work! Click here to sign up either as individuals, households, or groups.
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What values do we bring to bear in order to sustain the natural world teeming with life? If we pretend to be religious, we can no longer pretend to have values that take precedence over sustaining the earth. Values are not the province of convenience. Values test our mettle, and we can only pray that we meet the challenge quickly.
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Experience our Beloved Community
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We invite you to explore our Fellowship, a place of belonging where you are welcome regardless of who you are, what you believe, your background, or whom you love.
Worship.
Join us this Sunday at 4901 Cornell St. for
either the 9:30 or 11 AM service.
Childcare and school-age Children's Religious Education are provided during the 11 AM service only.
Learn; get to know us. 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.org
Also on our website, you can learn more about our Fellowship and our faith, Unitarian Universalism.
Connect. Find and "Like" us on FaceBook!
Questions? All events are held at the Fellowship,
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.
With welcoming arms for all, The AUUF Beloved Community
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Our Vision
where all are valued and supported.
Our Mission
To be an inclusive progressive community
for spiritual, intellectual and social transformation.
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