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. 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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 Fredric Muir, ed. Turning Point: Essays on a New Unitarian Universalism. (2016)
Outlining a bold vision for the future of Unitarian Universalism, twenty leaders, including Peter Morales, issue a clarion call for change. In inspiring, fresh essays, they implore us to collectively liberate ourselves from patterns that prevent us from becoming a robust faith for a new age. Emerging from a history marred by the errors of individualism, exceptionalism, and anti-authoritarianism, Unitarian Universalism faces a crossroads. Turning Point shows a way forward, by embracing promises shaped from our theology: generosity, pluralism, and imagination. With essays and stories of creative new types of Unitarian Universalist communities across the country, this essential new collection outlines a liberal faith for the twenty-first century. It offers a vision of an inclusive, multicultural Beloved Community and inspires trust that Unitarian Universalism can deepen and grow once again, meeting the aching needs of a new generation. This book is a must read!!
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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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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."
Linda Cook will present a Stewardship Moment as part of February Stewardship Month.
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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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March 6, 2016
Nina Stein speaks on Who Are We? Unitarian Universalist Identity. Unitarian Universalism is often misunderstood even by members. Who Are We? Because ours is not a creedal religion, we are not guided by a single theology or set of beliefs. This makes it more difficult to understand who we are. Having a sense of identity is important for the individual and a congregation to function in a healthy way. Nina Stein will be talking about concepts that give us an answer to the question, an identity.
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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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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. 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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Sunday, February 21, 9 AM
The Women's Simply Salad & Soup Fellowship provides a delicious breakfast every third Sunday at the Fellowship. Help yourself before going to 9:30 AM worship service or to the Adult Religious Education class at 10 AM. Bon appetite!
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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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Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group
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 Monday, February 22, 7:30 PM
The Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group has selected as its reading Dr. Mark Epstein's Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart: A Buddhist Perspective on Wholeness. This national bestseller explores the similarities between Buddhist or Zen meditation techniques and those used in psychotherapy. We shall be discussing Chapter 6: Relationship at the February 22 meeting at the Fellowship.
Contact: Rick Todd
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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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Women's Simply Salad & Soup Fellowship
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Wednesday, February 24, 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, February 24, 6:30 PM
Every 4th Wednesday of each month the Men's Brotherhood meets from 6:30-8:00 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.
Contact: Rick Todd
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 Friday, March 4, 6:30 PM
The first Game Night for our Fellowship for 2016 will be Friday, March 4. Let's have sloppy joes with all the trimmings for supper, beginning around 6:30 PM, with games starting around 7. Bring your friends and family and your favorite game to share. The more, the merrier! (Sign-up sheets for attendance and for food will be on the bulletin board by the kitchen.)
Contact: Janda Raker
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 Linda Jackson's recent sermon on Poverty, Reading, and What You Can Do About It described the need for one-on-one reading practice in a program called Reading Partners. We need to collect children's books suitable for children from birth to twelve years old (Grade 6). Our book drive will take place the week of April 1-8. If you would like to contribute new or gently used books but don't have any idea about good titles, these links will help you.
Click here to see 100 best children's books of all time
This site is just a printed list, but has a lot of good books
Click here to see the books parents chose as ones they love to read aloud
Remember we happily accept new books, and we also want gently used ones. Start collecting NOW so you will have books in hand for the Book Drive in April.
Contact: Linda Jackson
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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. 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.
FireSongs Songwriter Series
 Wednesday, February 24, 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 24, is Danny Dobervich.
Teddy Roosevelt Performance - WTAMU
 Thursday, March 10, 7-9 PM
Alumni Banquet Hall, WTAMU
Open and free to the public
Clay Jenkinson, Humanities scholar, author and historical interpreter, will perform as Teddy Roosevelt. Clay has spoken to this congregation in the past and his program The Jefferson Hour broadcasts every Sunday from 5-6 PM on High Plains Public Radio. Mark your calendar NOW!
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!
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