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Sunday, February 14 - All Day
 Within our Beloved Community the thread that stitches us together is not politics, or education, or self-interest, or custom, or habit, or cultural similarity-it is LOVE. This Valentine's Day Sunday, instead of shaking hands at the beginning of the service, let's give one another a love hug since, after all, we are family by covenant!
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Sunday, February 14 at 12:30 PM
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WELCOME TO STEWARDSHIP MONTH
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 As they say during every pledge drive on PBS or HPPR, we need your help. We have our obligations that only you can help us meet. You have your own reasons for joining us every week or every day. What programming makes your day more complete, more hopeful, more enjoyable? Wouldn't you feel incomplete without that special music, that uplifting story, that meditation opportunity, that potluck camaraderie? We are a family and we join in making this station . . . I mean . . . Fellowship provide what makes you feel part of something greater than yourself. Now is the time for you to make your pledge of support so we can continue to nurture love in your life. Believe in Good! Pledge your support for all the good you receive. (And it is all tax deductible!)
Contact: UR Conscience
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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 nursery group topics change according to individuals who attend and cannot be listed in advance, but they fall under the curriculum Celebrating Me and My World.
During February, the elementary students will be learning about science.
Feb. 14: New Mexico Volcanoes
Feb. 21: Capulin Mountain
Feb. 28: What causes volcanoes?
Lesson plans are subject to change, but this is the plan.
Contact: Wes Phillips and Sarah Brown
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 There will not be a February 13 meeting of Amarillo Feminists; however, there are two full rehearsals of the Eve Ensler play at 2 PM on Sunday, February 7 and Sunday, February 14. Hopefully all you good feminists will buy a ticket and attend the performance in lieu of a meeting! And remember to bring a friend or two! Tickets in advance are $5; however, if you purchase at the door, tickets are $10. All donations and purchases are tax deductible! The performance is February 19 at 7:00 PM at the Fellowship (4901 Cornell St.). Remember, all proceeds go to Martha's Home!
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 ". . . Our way of faith, from its leadership to its Sunday service to justice-making partnerships, has been supported and nurtured by a trinity of errors, leading not only to ineffectiveness but also to an inability to share our liberating message. That is to say, while Unitarian Universalism's gospel is good news, it is losing its vitality and relevance. The trinity is this:
- We are being held back and stymied by a persistent, pervasive, disturbing, and disruptive commitment to individualism that misguides our ability to engage the changing times.
- We cling to a Unitarian Universalist exceptionalism that is often insulting to others and undermines our good news.
- We refuse to acknowledge and treat our allergy to authority and power, though all the symptoms compromise a healthy future.
These three organizing and corrupting narratives have shaped our story. Naming and addressing these issues and the results will be rewarding, meaningful, and terribly challenging-and for some unthinkable and impossible." --Fredric Muir, "On the Trinity of Errors," Turning Point: Essays on a New Unitarian Universalism (2016).
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History of the Fellowship
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 For those of you who have not read Wayne Darrow's history of our Fellowship, perhaps you would like to visit this document. If you have additions to the history, please indicate at least the year (if not the actual date or month) of an event and who was involved. We are in dire need of information covering 1975 to the present (submit by email or on paper to April as soon as possible). Remember to write down your contributions to the AUUF History Wall also. A confident sense of self is important for our Fellowship in its search for an interim minister.
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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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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.
Linda Cook will present a Stewardship Moment as part of February Stewardship Month.
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Tom Neilson speaks on Sensibility and Stewardship
"Usually I am asked to talk about my 'journey.' How I got from a small dairy farm in upstate New York to Amarillo; my combining of art and activism; my choices. In many ways it is a talk about stewardship as it has been a process of how I can be most effective; how I can be most powerful as one person and collectively in organizing and caring for the environment and its inhabitants. And things I've learned along the way."
Nina Stein will present a Stewardship Moment as part of February Stewardship Month.
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February 28, 2016
Tony Tackitt speaks on Bibliolatry: When the Bible (and other words) Becomes Idolatry.
Idolatry can take many forms, including mistaking the "map" for the "journey." Tony Tackitt will discuss many ways that words have been misused in "traditional" religion, and how words can get in the way of discovering and experiencing our deeper Self.
Gary Biggers will present a Stewardship Moment as part of February Stewardship Month.
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Interim Search Committee Update
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 We have had a very productive few weeks! The committee complied and submitted our application to hire a part-time Interim Minister to the UUA Transitions Office (if you are interested in seeing this application, a copy is available to review at the AUUF Office). This led us to an interested minister. We have been sharing information with this minister and have received a great deal of materials to review about her and her past ministry. This last week, we conducted a video conference with her and had a conversation that lasted almost an hour. It was very informative and enlightening. Our next steps are: 1) receive and review her references, 2) double check with UUA Transitions Office and our UU regional rep to confirm her status as "in good standing" with UUA, 3) if these steps work out and we are in agreement that she is a good fit for our interim needs, we will present her information and our recommendation to the Board of Trustees for their approval to hire. (Remember, an Interim Minister will serve our congregation for 1 - 2 years and is hired by the Board at the recommendation of the Interim Search Committee. This process is different than the process for a settled minister. When we are ready to call a settled minister, the congregation will get an opportunity to meet the potential minister before and then an affirmative vote of 75% of congregational members is required to hire.)
The ISC feels that we are moving in a wonderful direction and is optimist about the future of our Beloved Community! We hope to have more detailed information to share in the coming weeks.
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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.
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 15, 6:00 PM
The Women's Covenant Group studies and discusses feminine spiritual and social topics. On February 15 we shall watch Koch Brothers Exposed showing at Pipefitters Union Hall, 7th & Parker (1505 SW 7th Avenue) at 7 pm. The documentary is just under one hour long. It's a very interesting look into the long arms of the Koch brothers and their efforts to control politics in the US, from influencing the content of what universities teach, to controlling local school board elections, to funneling vast amounts of  money to political candidates.
Come and join in this learning experience and enjoy some soda and popcorn!! The doors open at 6:30 pm and the film begins at 7:00 pm. A $2 donation will be accepted to help offset the costs, if you choose to pitch in.
Starting March 7 and continuing for four consecutive meetings, we shall be reading and discussing Waking Up White: and Finding Myself in the Story of Race.
Contact: Amy Taylor
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Alternative Medicine Monthly Seminar
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Tuesday, February 16 - 7 PM 
(Every Third Tuesday)
Open to the Public-Free Admission
This month's seminar topic is Diabetes-Manage or Reverse? "That is the Question."
Focusing on alternative health and wellness, this monthly seminar is led by Rolf Habersang, M.D., 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: Website or 806.468.4616
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Public Performance of Eve Ensler's Play
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Friday, February 19, 7 PM at AUUF
(4901 Cornell Street, Amarillo)
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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Saturday, February 20, 7:00 PM at
AUUF Chandler Hall
Tom Neilson and company shall be performing a concert of political satire and social commentary on Saturday night that leads into his sermon the next day. This award winning songwriter/performer received the IMA - People's Choice Song of the Year for Social Action. His performance, according to Cathy Gilbert, Miami Dade Greens, is: "Politically cutting-edge, incisive, warm, & very funny; his raucous satire & quick wit had everyone laughing and engaged." People's Voice Café Collective in New York City described his performance as "creative and compelling; he skewers outrageous behavior of the greedy and powerful in corporations, the media and government." Michael Stock, WLRN, Miami, FL, says of Tom's act: "Does a great job of reminding people of what is really important, and the power of folk music to say it." Suggested donation for admission is only $10 per person. MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Contact: April Myers
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Fiction Book Group - A Preview
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Tuesday, February 23 , 7 PM
Adam Johnson's Fortune Smiles: Stories-This year's National Book Award winner presents six strikingly original stories of modern life, from a sensibility akin to George Saunders or Kurt Vonnegut.
The Fiction Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Fellowship to discuss a new novel or collection of stories 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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 Wayne Arnason and Kathleen Rolenz. Worship That Works: Theory and Practice for Unitarian Universalists (2008).
Arnason and Rolenz examine the characteristics of various approaches to worship and the qualities of transformative worship as well as the practical details, strengths and weaknesses, of each practice in various UU services. In the appendix, they share the specifics of four highly different and greatly successful services from the many they attended in researching their book. This should be required reading for anyone in a leadership position within the Fellowship, especially those on the worship committee.
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Amarillo NAACP President Dies
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 This is an excerpt from the Globe-News Wednesday morning:
"Amarillo NAACP President Billy Dedrick, who died Monday at the age of 61, was known for his many leadership roles. A member of the Amarillo NAACP for 12 years, he became president in 2013. That year he told the Globe-News his goals for the branch were to 'increase youth and adult memberships, encourage more citizens to get involved (without regards to ethnicity) and to promote a Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in this city.'"
Perhaps Fellowship members who are not already members of the Amarillo NAACP could show their support for equality by joining the Amarillo chapter. The online membership form is available here.
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Literacy - Reading Partners
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 "According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only about one third of our nation's fourth graders can read proficiently. Once students start to fall behind in reading, they tend to fall faster and further behind their peers with every year. Nationwide, only 20 percent of low-income students, and 34 percent of students overall, are reading proficiently by fourth grade. These numbers have not changed significantly in the past 15 years." -- From Reading Partners Two ways concerned people in Amarillo can help cure low reading ability: Help Collect and Distribute Children's Books - Get good books into the hands of parents and other adults who raise children
- Help those adults become committed to reading to children
Become a Dedicated One on One Volunteer Tutor - Research shows that one on one tutoring is the most effective way to help children become capable readers
- Join Amarillo Summer Reading and Writing Camp as a volunteer tutor
Join Our Book Drive, Become a Volunteer Tutor
Children's Book Drive: - This book drive is under the guidance of Reading Partners
- April 1-8, Collect new and gently used children's books for preschool- age 12
- April 9-15, Sort and distribute books to Title I schools
- Teachers will send books home with students
Amarillo Summer Literacy Camp: (for more info click here) - The Camp will take place July 11-21 from 9:00 am-11:30 am, Monday-Thursday both weeks
- One-hour tutor training sessions will be held in late June
- Each tutor works with only one child
- Professional help will always be present
Contacts or leave a comment or private message at Reading Edge on Facebook. First Unitarian Church of Dallas is very active in the Dallas school district's Reading Partners program. Read about it at First Sunday- Reading Partners | DU Digest. |
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.
Those Guys in Concert
Saturday, March 12, 7:30-9:30 PM
Chamber Music Amarillo's "The Fibonacci Building" (3306 SW 6th)
This concert is hosted by High Plains Public Radio. Mark your calendar now!
WTAMU Production of Big Love
Sunday, February 14, 2:30 PM
WTAMU Theatre Dept. presents Big Love by Charles Mee, directed by Stephen Crandall, on February 14 at 2:30 PM and February 17-20 at 7:30 PM in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre in the WTAMU Fine Arts Complex, 2403 Russell Long Blvd., Canyon, TX. Tickets are $11 for adults; $8 for seniors. WARNING: Contains strong language, adult content, and violence.
FireSongs Songwriter Series
 Wednesday, February 17, 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 17 is Mike Fuller. The next performance, February 24, features Danny Dobervich. Both are members of AUUF!
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