On May 13, AUUF member Joe Paiz learned of the passing of his youngest brother, Justo, in Albuquerque, NM. Keep Joe and his family in your thoughts or prayers. "What the heart has once owned, it shall never lose."-Henry Ward Beecher
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Social Action Committee Report
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The committee will be making a donation to Panhandle Pride for 2015 along with having a booth for the Annual Picnic with Candy Art and a children's art project. We will also have a screening of the documentary Stonewall Uprising at the Fellowship on Friday, June 26th, followed by a discussion period. If at all possible, we will have someone to administer HIV testing as well.
Contact: Yvonne Moore, Chair, Social Action Committee
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| Children's Religious Education Update |
Our Children's Religious Education (CRE) program is divided into two groups by age. In CRE, which meets each Sunday at 11 AM, we challenge our children with interactive studies about religion and science.
May 24 - The lasagna garden planted by the children is sprouting a multitude of vegetables and flowers. Next Sunday the older children will resume their standard curriculum about homes and the nursery will study rain. Please remember to bring clean baby food jars.
Contacts: Vicki Schoen and Sarah Brown
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"The twentieth-century architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed a number of Unitarian church buildings, was once asked what he thought of organized religion. His response: 'Why organize it!'" --Rebecca Ann Parker, A House for Hope
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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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David Green speaks on The Trial of Michael Servetus, discussing the legacy of the 16th-Century Spanish physician, humanist, religious reformer, and Unitarian.
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AUUF member Velma Cagel, and Terrie Campbell, Shelley McWilliams, and Chasity Downey speak on the work of AmeriCorps-VISTA in the Texas Panhandle.
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June 7, 2015
David Green and others will lead Flower Communion, a traditional Unitarian Universalist observance at the start of summer. Adopted from Czech Unitarian churches and adopted by American congregations in the 1940s, flowers are brought by members to a central place in the worship space, and then redistributed. The service symbolizes our variety as unique and beautiful beings and acceptance of one another as a lovely bouquet.
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Nothing Much Buddhist Group
Monday, May 25 from 7:30 - 8:30 PM
Join us May 25 at the Amarillo UU Fellowship to begin work on the book
10% Happier by Dan Harris, Nightline anchor and winner of the 2014 Living Now Book Award for Inspirational Memoir.
We shall be focusing our discussion on the first four chapters, his insights into the self-help industry and its ineffectiveness in dealing with stress.
Contact: Rick Todd
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Woman's Covenant Group
Wednesday, May 27 - 6 PM
Our women's group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday for good food and great conversation. The meetings on the 2nd Wednesdays of each month are at the Fellowship - potluck-style. On the 4th Wednesdays, the women meet at a different restaurant each month.
All women are invited to come and get to know each other.
For restaurant location, please contact Ann Benedetti
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We Agnostics Alcoholics Anonymous
Thursday, May 28 at 6 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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Bring A Flower To Share On Flower Communion Sunday
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Springtime brings us another Flower Communion Sunday on
June 7-just a short time away. Please make plans to bring from your garden or neighborhood store a flower to add to the collective bouquet during the worship service that Sunday.
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Panhandle Pride Planning Meeting
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 The only LGBTQ community-wide celebration in the Panhandle will have 3 events this year! First, on Friday evening, June 26, we will have a screening of the PBS documentary Stonewall Uprising right here at AUUF. Don't miss this opportunity to learn (or be reminded) about why we have Pride events and why they are held late in June.
On Sunday afternoon, June 28, the 4th annual Panhandle Pride picnic and celebration will be held at Memorial Park. It's a potluck, so bring side dishes (in quantity) to share. The celebration will include lots of food, music, children's activities-yes, with a Bouncy House-and a drag show by The 212 Club. All activities will be suitable for the entire family. During the afternoon (drum roll, please!) we'll be honoring a member of our LGBTQ community, Shanna Peeples, who earned the title of National Teacher of the Year. The weekend of celebrations will conclude Sunday night with the Top of Texas at Large pageant at The 212 Club.
If you could not attend the planning meeting last Saturday, you are invited to attend the next meeting on 30 May at Furrbie's (on 6th Ave. across from Chase Towers) at 4 PM.
Contact:
Martha Baird and Yvonne Moore
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In this series, AUUF member Gary Biggers provides his personal summaries and recommendation ratings for books related to our faith.
John A. Buehrens and Rebecca Ann Parker. A House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion for the Twenty-first Century. (2010).
John Buehrens (past president of the UUA and now minister of the First Parish Church in Needham, MA) and Rebecca Ann Parker (president of and professor of theology at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA, holding dual fellowship with the United Methodist Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association) author alternating chapters in this book which present a slightly more Christian perspective (Parker) and a more liberal perspective (Buehrens) on the significant aspects or beliefs of progressive religion in the modern era. Booklist described the book as "A thoughtful meditation on religion, duty, and the common good." If you enjoyed Buehrens' A Chosen Faith, you will love this book.
Recommendation level
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 At Martha's Home, whose mission is "to provide homeless women and their children with shelter and support while guiding them towards a lifestyle of self-sufficiency," two of the four residences are designated for mothers with children. Our Social Action committee has learned that no community agency or church group provides toiletries for these children - so AUUF is stepping up to the plate.
Please bring these items each and every time that you come to the Fellowship and place them in the clearly marked collection bin:
- Child-sized combs and/or brushes
- Child-sized tooth brushes
- Children's tooth paste
- Tear-free shampoo
- Hand washing gel
- Bath gel
- Baby lotion
- Talc-free powder (cornstarch- or rice-based)
Additional needs include: women's and children's seasonal clothing and shoes as well as wash cloths and towels.
Contact: Yvonne Moore
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Celestial Resonance
Thursday, May 28 at 7 pm
Please join us for this new release concert with Paradiso and Rasamayi on their Western US Tour. They have won back to back Best New Age Albums awards. This will be an amazing night of beautiful sound healing and good company. Experience the unique sounds and energy of the world's largest Crystal Didjeridoo and a variety of high quality singing bowls, vocals, mantras and more. Unity Center on the High Plains is proud to host this event and we hope you will reserve your spot early as seating is limited. Come experience something very new and different for Amarillo. Purchase your tickets at the Center or contact Michael Beck for tickets or more info. (806) 584-9724. Unity Center for Spiritual Living, 2224 S. Taylor St., Amarillo, TX. $25 in advance, $30 at door.
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