| 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.
During January, the elementary students will be watching brief videos and discussing their content.
Jan. 31: Volcanos of New Mexico
The nursery group will be focusing on the following topics during January:
Jan. 31: Our Senses
Lesson plans are subject to change, but this is the plan.
Contact: Wes Phillips and Sarah Brown
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"Institutional memory is a collective set of facts, concepts, experiences and know-how held by a group of people. As it transcends the individual, it requires the ongoing transmission of these memories between members of this group."
~ Harvard Business School
Do you have a favorite memory of the Fellowship? Do you know of an important moment in our history that you want to be sure is remembered by all members? Help us get a more complete history of our Beloved Community by adding these memories and events to our new "History Wall". It is located on the hallway bulletin board across from the RE rooms. There are note cards you can fill out, or bring your own. The Ministerial Search Committee will be using this to give us a more complete timeline of our history and also to provide information and context to our many newer members.
Contact: Keralee Clay
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Newsletter and Website Submissions
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As always, we are eager to publish information regarding committees, boards, Adult RE, CRE, events, and services, but we need your help. The website and Facebook page can be updated daily, but the newsletter cannot. New information needs to be submitted (submissions@uuamarillo.org) by noon Wednesday if you want it to appear in the Friday morning newsletter. If you need an event placed on the website calendar, you may submit that request with description, image (or we can provide one), starting and approximate ending time, specific location, date (or dates for a recurring event), and name of contact person. Help us help you get your message out in a timely manner.
PLEASE, EVERYONE CAN MAKE ALL THESE COMMUNICATIONS MORE EFFECTIVE BY READING THEM EACH WEEK--ESPECIALLY THE WEBSITE AND NEWSLETTER!
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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 above.
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 Tuesday - Friday from 9 AM to noon.
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Sunday Worship - 9:30 and 11 AM
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January 31, 2016
Sharon Baker speaks on The Day That Changed My Life.
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Mary Emeny speaks on Is the Pope a closet Unitarian? Mary examines the recent papal encyclical on the environment for similarities to UU principles, concerns, and programs.
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February 14, 2016
Chris Seals speaks on The Big Reveal: How I Came to Love What I Feared the Most-- Myself.
On Valentine's Day, I shall share from my personal journey of learning to love myself. Despite the disapproval of my family, my friends, my church and my God, I found freedom through unconditional acceptance of myself.
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Adult Religious Education
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 Please join us at 10 AM each Sunday.
We are rotating three subjects. Each covers a different aspect of Adult Religious Education. All are welcome. No advance reading is necessary and no test will be given.
Jan. 31: Lecture # 8 of Natural Law and Human Nature "The Stoic idea of Natural Law."
Feb. 7: Lecture #9 of The New Testament "The Noncanonical Gospels."
Feb. 14: Lecture #12 of Science and Religion and Religion. The final Lecture on this subject and we will also pick its replacement.
Feb. 21: Lecture # 9 of Natural Law and Human Nature "Biblical View of Nature and Law."
Feb. 28: Lecture #10 of The New Testament "The Historical Jesus."
Contact: John Gay
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Monday, February 1, 6:00-7:30 PM
 The film discussion at this meeting may be about Half the Sky. It is a worldwide study of the oppression of women based on Nicholas Kristof's book of the same name. Half the Sky is a passionate call-to-arms, urging us not only to bear witness to the plight of the world's women, but to help to transform their oppression into opportunity. Our future is in the hands of women everywhere.
Contact: Amy Taylor
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Meet the Artist - Brent Hillendahl
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Tuesday, February 9, 7:00 PM
Music has always been Brent's escape. After lip-syncing the Beatles in fifth grade, he developed a career as a songwriter and performer by merging styles into a Rockabilly-Beatles-Folk-Country mix. To him creating and sharing rock-n-roll is just having fun. For more information about his music and life, click here .
Contact: Ann Hicks and Pam Mayes
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Public Performance of Eve Ensler's Play
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 Friday, February 19, 7 PM at AUUF
Amarillo Feminists is presenting Eve Ensler's play, A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer, consisting of twenty monologues unified by the theme of violence against women. Women are victims of violence not only in foreign countries and large cities, but also here in Amarillo.
For this reason, we feel that it is imperative that we support organizations like Martha's Home, a 501(c)3 organization, which provides shelter and support services for women who have been victims of violence. ALL proceeds from this performance go directly to Martha's Home. All work on this production has been done on a volunteer basis. (This play deals with adult themes and contains adult language and may not be suitable for young children. Viewer discretion is advised.)
 Pizza and soft drinks will be sold at intermission. Wine will be available; freewill donations for wine will be gratefully received.
Ticket prices are purposefully low to enable more people to attend and experience this important performance-only $5 in advance and $10 at the door. If you pay by check, make it out to Martha's Home. All proceeds go to Martha's Home so tickets and donations are tax-deductible. A tax form will be provided if you purchase tickets or donate at the Fellowship. Otherwise, a form will be mailed to those expressing interest with a return envelope addressed to the AUUF.
We ask you to make an additional donation, as you are able, to support the work of Martha's Home in Amarillo. MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!!
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 "People speak of some religious leaders as a pack of bloodthirsty wolves ravaging the carcasses of secularists. Preachers bolster this impression when they use texts of terror to make theological threats. These have propelled generations of people to leave their religions. This has taught me to vow never to use the pulpit as a weapon, bullying people out of their pews and into theological despair. I can achieve this end by exorcising religion-based bigotry, a practice affirmed in the 'Charter for Compassion,' which says, 'Any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate.' . . . There is nothing holy about interpreting religious texts to incite violence and to deny people civil and human rights." --Nathan C. Walker, Exorcising Preaching
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Richard S Gilbert, Growing Up Absorbed: Religious Education among the Unitarian Universalists (2014).
In the forward by Peter Morales, UUA President, argues this book provides perspective, historical context, and philosophical clarity about religious education within UU churches. Gilbert divides his book into four parts: history, span of life faith development, the big questions (challenges) facing religious education, and useable truths to accomplish the goal. He addresses the needs at various stages of life-intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and ethically or morally. This expansively documented analysis should be required reading for every UU, especially those administering religious education whether for children or adults.
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FireSongs Songwriter Series
 Wednesday, February 3, 6:30-8:30 PM
FireSongs Songwriter Series is a new, weekly series that is unique in Amarillo, in that each Wednesday night, a different area songwriter or combo will perform entirely original material---no covers. We have a wealth of creative energy here in the Panhandle and this series aims to celebrate those who express this energy through songwriting.
The shows are at Fire Slice Pizzeria (7301 SW 34th Space 10, Summit Shopping Center) on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. It's a listening environment, so talking is discouraged in the concert room while the show is going on, but this makes it a much nicer environment, and of course Fire Slice has wonderful food which may be enjoyed throughout the show. There is no cover, but reservations are suggested to guarantee seating in the listening room. Call (806) 331-2232. The artist performing February 3 is The Dust Jackets. The next performance, February 10, is by Colton Clarkson.
Twenty-First Annual Bach's Lunch Series
 The "Bach's" lunch series is (Bach) back by popular demand! Bring a "box" lunch and some friends with you. The Bach's Lunches are a wonderful time for Lenten reflection and good music among friends. Held at various churches every Friday during Lent, each program will begin promptly at 12:05 PM with a 24-minute organ recital. Following the recital, the host church will provide tea, coffee and a place to eat. You'll have plenty of time to get (Bach) back to work by 1:00 PM. This event has been very well received for the last twenty years, so plan to attend the Twenty-First Annual Bach's Lunch Series! Mark Your Calendar NOW!
Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 - St. Hyacinth Catholic Church, Cynthia Good, Organist
Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 - First Baptist Church, Ella Jane Tracy, Organist
Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 - Polk Street Methodist Church, Michael Raillard, Organist
Friday, Mar. 4, 2016 - St. Thomas Catholic Church, Jim Gardner, Organist
Friday, Mar. 11, 2016 - St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Margaret Lacy, Organist
Friday, Mar. 18, 2016 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Michael Johnson, Organist
For more information, call 806.352.5629. The "Bach's" Lunch series is sponsored by the Amarillo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
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