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New Committee Chairs Announced
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AUUF President Keralee Clay announced at the Board Meeting Sunday, July 12, the following committee chairs: April Myers, Membership Committee Chair; John Gay, Adult Religious Education Committee Chair; Wes Phillips, Children's Religious Education Committee Chair; and Laksmiwati Cortes, Caring Committee Chair. Congratulations to these willing leaders; we look forward to their contributions to our Fellowship in these important positions.
Committee Fair - August 2
All fourteen committees finally have operating chairpersons. Now we need to populate fully these committees. To that end the First Sunday Potluck Lunch on Sunday, August 2, will serve double-duty. In addition to the fine fare served after the 11 AM service, we shall also have simultaneously a Committee Fair. You will get to see the committee chairs and learn more about what each committee does to help you determine which committee interests you and can best use your talents. Sign-up opportunities will be extended during the Committee Fair!
Also, trustee's received their assignments to oversee committee chairs: Kristy Fuller-Membership, Worship, Leadership Development, and Adult RE; Karen Logan - Caring, CRE, Social, and Social Action; Ed Van Petten-Communications, Publicity (Public Relations); and Bruce Fielder-Building, Finance, and Stewardship.
Contact: Keralee Clay
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Volunteers Needed for CRE
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We really need someone to volunteer in the Nursery and someone to volunteer in the Elementary classroom on August 30th and September 6th.
You do not have to come up with a lesson plan unless you want to.
Contact: Sarah Brown
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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.
The older children will focus on "co-creating" community, which is how members of a community work together to share responsibility for all the functions of the community.
In the Nursery, we continue with Unit 3: We are Alike, We are Different, exploring similarities and differences among races, including fears, anger, and goals. This topic will continue throughout the month of July.
Contact: Sarah Brown
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In June 2015, the AUUF Board approved the use of attendance pads to be used during our Sunday services. These pads - common in many congregations - provide an easy way for guests and members to record their presence.
Attendance pads give our Membership Committee a valuable tool for collecting and correcting basic information. The committee can also more efficiently follow members whose attendance lags, with the goal of ensuring no one in our beloved community "falls through the cracks."
A pad is placed on each row of seats, to be handed down the row during the service. Members and guests simply print their name or as much information as they desire to share, and anyone may opt out of recording their attendance altogether. Completed pad pages are collected following the services and the information is recorded or updated in our congregation management software.
Attendance pads replace the guest information cards used previously. They serve the same purpose as guest cards, while also allowing members to update information such as address, phone, or email. Guests who register their attendance are added to the Fellowship's newsletter list, and are invited to attend Path to Membership sessions and other events.
Again, any members or guests are perfectly free not to record their attendance if they choose.
The aim of attendance pads is to enhance our beloved community. We can better serve members and guests by having up-to-date information. We can communicate more accurately with everyone. And we can improve our ability to express our caring through following up with those who have been absent.
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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 Heroes of Our Faith: Waitstill & Martha Sharp, discussing the lives and WWII refugee-rescue work of the famed Unitarian couple.
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As one of our representatives to the Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly, Minnie Venable will report on the decisions voted by the assembly and other activities in Portland, Oregon, June 24-28. The theme of the GA in 2015 was Building a New Way.
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August 2, 2015
David Green, Kristy Fuller, Jason Hudson, and Ellen Robertson Green present The Wisdom of Robert Fulghum, offering a selection of readings by the UU minister and best-selling author of many books, including "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten."
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3rd Sunday Breakfast
Sunday, July 19 - 9AM
Breakfast is served! At 9 AM on the third Sunday of each month, members of the Women's Simply Salad & Soup Fellowship provide a yummy breakfast. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and stay for worship at 9:30 AM or Adult Religious Education at 10 AM.
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Women's Covenant Group
Monday, July 20 - 6 PM
The Women's Covenant Group studies and discusses feminine spiritual and social topics. We are studying a UU adult RE curriculum, Cakes for the Queen of Heaven, a woman-honoring curriculum by Rev. Shirley Ranck. Topic this week: Sarah and the Priestess.
Contact: Keralee Clay
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We Agnostics AA Group
Thursday, July 23 - 6 PM
The "We Agnostics" Alcoholics Anonymous group meets weekly on Thursdays at 6 PM, in Chandler Hall. This AA group is for anyone with a desire to stop drinking and maintain sobriety, but particularly for those who are uncomfortable with AA meeting formats stressing particular religious beliefs.
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ICAM Monthly Seminar - Integrated Complementary Alternative Medicine
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 Tuesday, July 21 - 7 PM
(Every Third Tuesday)
Open to the Public-Free Admission
Now what does your 2nd Brain have to do with your Mood?? Come and find out! Dr. Habersang discusses how the food you eat impacts your gut and ultimately regulates what goes on in your brain and significantly affects your mood.
Focusing on alternative health and wellness, this monthly seminar 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
ICAM Seminar information: 806-468-4616
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Women's Simply Salad & Soup Fellowship
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Wednesday, July 22 - 6:30 PM
 Our women's group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday for good food and great conversation. The meetings on 2nd Wednesdays are at the Fellowship-potluck style. On the 4th Wednesdays, the women meet at a different restaurant each month.
Contact: Ann Benedetti
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Wednesday, July 22 - 6:30 PM
 Every 4th Wednesday of each month the Men's Brotherhood meets from 6:30-8 PM in Chandler Hall. This covenant group provides men a private place for discussing feelings, for developing the trust to share without judgment in a confidential and safe environment, for permitting open discussion of concerns and receipt of the collective wisdom of others who have dealt with similar problems, and for finding ways to use new insights to improve one's everyday life.
The July meeting will draw lessons from David Green's book Mend: Being the Man She Needs as a springboard for discussing personal relationships, perspectives, and communication.
Contact: Rick Todd
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Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group
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Monday, July 27 - 7:30 PM
 Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. Hanh has published over 100 titles on meditation, mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism, as well as poems, children's stories, and commentaries on ancient Buddhist texts. More information about the Zen Master and the Plum Village Mindfulness Practice Centers is available here. The Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group has elected to read and discuss Thich Nhat Hanh's latest release, No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering. Pick up a copy and join our meditation on 2nd and 4th Mondays every month.
Contact: Rick Todd
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 Tuesday, July 28 - 7 PM
July's selection: We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler - Raise a child and a chimp as sisters and watch the fireworks.
The Fiction Book Group meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month (excluding December) at the Fellowship to discuss a new novel or collection of essays chosen by retired English professor Dick Moseley, who also facilitates the conversation. All are welcome to attend, read the month's selection, and enjoy delving deeper into some of today's best new literature.
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Save this Date! Let's Have a Party!
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 On Friday, July 31, at 6:30 PM, all "sociable" UUs and guests are invited to the Fellowship for a Game Night/ Ice Cream Social. We'll have lots of games available (for adults and "big kids"), like dominoes for Chickenfoot and Mexican Train, cards for Hand and Foot, dice for Farkle and Yahoo, a game of Rummikub, and others as we think of them or as they're suggested. You can play something you know well or perhaps learn something new. We'll try to end around 9 p.m., but April says if we're having a "grand" time, we can stay until 10!
We'll have sign-up sheets on the bulletin board for those who plan to attend, so we'll know how many tables to set up and also sign-up sheets for refreshments. Either homemade ice cream or "store-bought" will be welcome, as well as toppings, and perhaps some cookies, brownies, etc., for those who don't eat ice cream. Drinks will be provided or bring your own.
If you won't be at the fellowship in the next couple of weeks but would like to sign up or have questions, call Janda and/or Lyle Raker at 352-0589 or e-mail.
The Social Committee says, "Hope we have a full house!"
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August Path to Membership
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Saturday, August 22 from 9 AM to 1 PM
This gathering is designed for prospective members, and anyone interested in Unitarian Universalist history and the beliefs and practices of our Fellowship and faith tradition. All materials are provided, and childcare is available upon request.
To arrange childcare please contact the Fellowship office by Friday August 14, at 806-355-9451 or click here to send an e-mail.
The "Path" gathering is an important step for everyone who wishes to become an AUUF member. Check here for an overview of membership information. The session is led by Rev. David Green with the participation of longer-term members.
Please RSVP your intent to attend by Friday August 14 to office@uuamarillo.org.
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Thom Belote, ed. The Growing Church: Keys to Congregational Vitality. Boston: Skinner House, 2010.
Ten UU ministers present essays on ten key aspects of successful church growth as their experiences in their home churches attest. Writing a valid mission statement, focusing worship services, balancing power, and promoting relationships that satisfy the spiritual needs of the congregants-all these practices and more have transformed people and churches. These essays contain sage advice for clergy and laypeople of Unitarian Universalist churches eager to increase their numbers and their effectiveness.
Recommendation level
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Religions Speak Out on SCOTUS Decision
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 Tobin Grant, a blogger for the Religion News Service, has ranked religions on acceptance of homosexuality and their reactions to the SCOTUS ruling on marriage equality. Religious groups show a wide range of reactions. Some have applauded the decision. Others deride the decision. And still others are curiously quiet-perhaps due to disagreements among their members.
You may want to see where Unitarian Universalists place in the rankings; if so, click here.
If you are ready for further insights into the reactions to the SCOTUS decision, check out Rachel Walden's Media Roundup. You may just recognize a famous Amarillo notable quoted in this UUWorld article.
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Window on a Wider World Wine Tasting
 WOWW fundraiser takes place Tuesday, July 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Amarillo Botanical Gardens (1400 Streit Dr.), featuring wines from M&R Liquor and food from Macaroni Joe's. Entertainment will be provided. Tickets are $35 per person. There will be a raffle for wine goods and two round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance. $10 each or 6 for $50. Amarillo Botanical Gardens phone for further information is 806.342.5600 ext. 201. Additional information about the Window on a Wider World program is available here.
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