Potluck Lunch with Rev. Addae Kraba
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Sunday, February 28, 12:15 PM
(Right after 11 AM service)
Special potluck lunch for the congregation to have time to visit with Rev. Addae Kraba.
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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. 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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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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 "When we expose ourselves and our fellow Unitarian Universalists to experiences outside our usual comfort zones, we cross borders. We do it for ourselves personally, we do it for the people we encounter, and we do it for our congregations. Crossing borders cannot be patronizing and condescending, something we do for 'them.' Rather, it breaks out of the invisible prisons created by class, culture, race, or ethnicity. Like most groups, we Unitarian Universalists have unintentionally created a culture that confines us.
"Our values and principles-compassion, spiritual depth, acceptance of knowledge and wisdom from many sources, peace, justice, sustainability-are values that are fundamentally human. They span cultures. They embrace pluralism. However, our institutional expression of these pluralistic values continues to look (and feel) very Anglo, very Protestant, very Yankee, very educated middle class. If we are to break out of this prison, we must cross borders of class, culture, and race; we must embrace pluralism." --Peter Morales, "Our Historic Opportunity," in Turning Point: Essays on a New Unitarian Universalism. Ed. Fredric Muir (2016).
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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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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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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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March 13, 2016
Jim Taylor speaks "On Children"-As the Twig is Bent, the Tree Will Grow, examining the impact of early childhood experience on long term outcomes and the importance of positive relationships in the healing process.
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 February 27-28 at AUUF
I have exciting updates from the Interim Search Committee. On Sunday, the Board approved the hiring of a part-time Interim Minister!
Her name is Rev. Addae Kraba (pronounced A-Day). She is currently living outside of San Antonio, having recently moved there from Pennsylvania where she last served with the UU Congregation of Lower Bucks County. She received a BS in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Divinity at Starr King School for the Ministry. She was a contributing author in the book, She Is Every Where, Volume II, An Anthology of Writing in Womanist/Feminist Spirituality (2006) and a contributing author in Voices From the Margins Meditation Manual, published by Skinner House 2012. She has had extensive collaboration with the larger UU community, including serving on the planning committee of the Unitarian Universalist Women's Convocation in 2008, where she also helped create liturgy for the opening worship. She served on a panel of committee women (including the author) to revise the 25th anniversary edition UUA curriculum of Cakes for the Queen of Heaven. She is lover of the theater and the arts and mother of five adult children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Rev. Addae will be visiting us during this weekend. This is simply an opportunity for her to come to Amarillo (she has never been here before!) and to see our congregation in action. There will be an opportunity for her to spend some time with board members and search committee members, but we will try not to overwhelm her with too much on this weekend. There will be ample opportunity for all to get to know her soon!
Keralee Clay, Board President
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February 26-28
UUA has upcoming events you might want to connect with:
1)Abortion Access Supreme Court Case
As you may know, the U. S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for the Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt case-which if it stands could seriously undermine Roe v. Wade. Learn more about the details of the case here.
The UUA is co-sponsoring the Religious Institute's Weekend of Prayer February 26-28. Religious leaders are needed to sign up to publicly pray for the justices during the weekend leading up to the Supreme Court hearing. Sign up here.
2)SisterSong's "What does reproductive justice look like in 2016?" webinar.
SisterSong is hosting a monthly webinar series about what reproductive justice looks like in 2016. The last one on Reproductive, Criminal & Restorative Justice was fantastic. You can view the Storify for it here. The next call will be about Reproductive and Birth Justice, and is expected to take place in March.
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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. 28: Lecture #10 of The New Testament "The Historical Jesus."
Contact: John Gay
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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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Vickie Schoen Novel Signing
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Saturday, March 5, 2 PM at Barnes & Nobel
UU member, Vicki Schoen, will be signing her novel, Inherit the Texas Earth, at Barnes & Nobel, Saturday, March 5 beginning at 2:00. One reviewer (Ann Warnecke, retired reviewer and journalist) said about the work: "An important message for our times, and the mystery, romance, and down-to-earth survival struggle make it a page turner." Our own Mary Kay Wells said, "If you appreciate fully-developed characters, you will be enthralled."
Vicki would love to see you there.
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Tuesday, March 22, 7 PM
Laura McBride's We Are Called to Rise uses multiple points of view to carry five well-meaning characters toward a crucial moment of choice in the aftermath of a troubled soldier's angry response to a child's letter of support. Time to start reading!
Contact: Dick Moseley
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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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 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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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. 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.
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
The Fibonacci Building (3306 SW 6th)
This concert is hosted by High Plains Public Radio. For additional information, click here. A suggested $10 donation is taken at the door.
 Wednesday, March 23, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Race and ethnicity, systemic racial inequities and social injustices are at the core of disproportionate and disparate outcomes for far too many Texans. This interactive workshop presents an opportunity for professionals, community members and anyone interested in improving our social conditions to collaborate and learn more about these issues in a nonthreatening, productive environment.
The workshop objectives are:
- Use a common language to facilitate dialogue on racial inequities and the impact on systems and communities.
- Identify and recognize the existence of systemic racial inequities within systems.
- Introduce the Texas Model and show how it can be used to address racial inequities within systems.
Introduction to Courageous Conversations on Race Equity
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
8:30am to 12:30pm
Cal Farley's Community Engagement Center
601 SW 10th Avenue, Amarillo, Texas
Register here and print out your free ticket. Free DSHS certified CEU's for multiple professional disciplines are available.
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