Sunday, March 13, 12:30 PM
|
| 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 March, the elementary students will be learning about science.
Mar. 13: Stories about the Month of March
Mar. 20: Religious Stories: The Story of Passover
Mar. 27: Religious Songs: What makes a song religious?
Lesson plans are subject to change, but this is the plan.
Contact: Wes Phillips and Sarah Brown
|
AUUF and Food Not Bombs are co-hosting a shoe, sock, and feminine hygiene products drive. Sneakers work well and we need shoes and socks for both women and men and children. The drop box is located in the foyer and will remain there until Easter Sunday, 3/27. You can drop off items during office hours, on Sunday mornings, or at any time the doors are open for other activities.
|
Food Not Bombs is in the House!
|
As a way of making the preparation of food for the homeless a community effort, Food Not Bombs will be using the AUUF kitchen most Saturdays from 1:00- 2:30 PM. You are welcome to help them prepare food and/or share the meals every Saturday at Elwood Park 3-5 PM.
|
Do you have photos of the
New Member Celebration from late in
2012? There were about 19 new members, and they all wore rainbow scarves. If so, please send them to
Martha.
|
History of the Fellowship
|
 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.
|
|
"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
|
 In Amarillo there are at least two different options. If you don't mind paying to have your items recycled, call K B Recycling, 418-4390. They will come to your home or office on a schedule you both agree upon. If you'd rather take your items yourself, go to Four States Recycling at 4110 E. Amarillo Blvd., on the south side of the overpass. Both of these firms recycle paper (including newsprint), plastic, aluminum cans, and cardboard.
A new bit of information is that K B Recycling encourages the public to place cardboard into their bins for cardboard recycling on all Amarillo ISD school campuses. They accept thin cardboard such as cereal boxes and soft-drink cartons as well as corrugated cardboard. You may want to take those items outside of school hours, just to keep from disturbing the students and faculty.
Contact: Janda Raker at (806) 352-0589 or email
|
|
Newsletter and Website Submissions
|
|
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!
|
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.
|
|
 |
|
Sunday Worship - 9:30 and 11 AM
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Cyndy Walton and Martha Baird are speaking on Standing on the Side of Love, an interfaith organization with the goal of harnessing love's power to challenge exclusion, oppression, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, race, religion, or any other identity.
|
March 27, 2016
Keralee Clay speaks on Waiting is a Sacred Act. "So much of our life is spent waiting - in checkout lines, on email replies, for delayed planes. As our congregation starts the "wait" for a new settled minister, let's reflect on how waiting can turn from an annoyance or inconvenience to a sacred act."
|
|
|
Saturday, March 12, 3-5 PM
The Amarillo Feminists group holds monthly meetings at AUUF.
Contact: Amy Taylor
|
Adult Religious Education
|
 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.
Mar. 13: Lecture #10 of Natural Law and Human Nature "Early Christians, Nature and Law"
Mar. 20: Lecture # 11 of The New Testament "The Historical Jesus-Solutions and Methods." This lecture will be very different than what we were taught in Sunday School, Training Union, or Catholicism Class.
Mar. 27: To be decided between lecture #2 of My Favorite Universe or a trial of a different replacement.
Contact: John Gay
|
Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group
|
Monday, March 14, 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 techn9iques and those used in psychotherapy. We shall be discussing Chapter 7: Passion at the March 14 meeting at the Fellowship.
Contact: Rick Todd
|
Alternative Medicine Monthly Seminar
|
 Tuesday, March 15, 7 PM
(Every Third Tuesday)
Open to the Public
Free Admission
This month's seminar topic is Diabetes Part II: Manage or Reverse-practical application of how you can reverse the disease. 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
|
|
OPEN MEETING on Book Drive
|
Thursday, March 17, 7:00 PM
An open meeting to organize a children's book drive will be held on Thursday, March 17 at 7:00 PM at Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (4901 Cornell Street). We will discuss collecting and distributing new and gently-used children's books for families in Amarillo. Please feel free to invite friends from other organizations and churches to attend the meeting. The more people involved, the more books we can collect!
Contact: Linda Jackson
|
March 19 - April 2 New updates on the Children's Book Drive, city-wide and at AUUF, have been posted under Children's Book Drive on our website. Take a look!!
Contact: Linda Jackson
|
Path to Membership Gathering
|
|
Saturday, March 19, 9 AM - 1 PM
 ALL ABOARD!
The Path to Membership gathering provides prospective members with essential information about Unitarian Universalist history and beliefs, and what it means to belong to our Beloved Community.
Attendance at this gathering is an important part of our process toward becoming a Fellowship member. Jerry Goebel leads the gathering with the participation of longer-term members.
Good cookies and coffee are served, and childcare is available upon request. To RSVP or to arrange childcare please contact the Fellowship office by Friday March 18, at (806) 355-9351 or email the office.
|
|
Tuesday, March 29, 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
|
 Wayne Arnason and Rebecca Scott. We Would Be One: A History of Unitarian Universalist Youth Movements (2005).
According to Arnason and Scott, "the overall objective of UU religious education is to help children have a vivid and compelling experience of the UU religion to help them achieve an orientation to the world. More specific objectives include helping them:
- become aware of and comprehend the multitude of powers within the self as well as those which impinge upon them from the environing world,
- discover and become skilled in using the process which is the UU religion, and,
- use the process which is the UU religion for relating to and dealing with the ways they are affected by the world as intellectual, moral, sentient, aesthetic, and mortal beings."
But progress has not been smooth or easy. The rollercoaster of successes, failures, and many acronyms over the decades since 1866 to the present is carefully chronicled by two people deeply involved in the UU Youth Group developments.
The authors conclude: "How do you teach democracy, critical thinking, freedom? How do you really empower? What method best serves those values? Rote memorization and reciting the catechism don't seem to cut it, yet neither does sink-or-swim. The UU answer was to empower the young folks with their own organization, their own leadership, and their own budget. Influence them by dialogue and engagement. Resolve difference through good-faith negotiation, even if that is difficult. Commit to give, as well as take. It was unusual; it's moving, and very UU."
|
 Over the last few months, Unitarian Universalists have been witnessing for climate justice from Paris to the Pacific Northwest to Washington, DC. Now people of faith and conscience have a chance to collectively take the momentum for climate justice to the next level, with the second Climate Justice Month!
From World Water Day (March 22) to Earth Day (April 22), we will build resistance to climate change and add our moral voices to the movement for climate justice, taking action in our families, communities, and congregations or faith groups.
How We Will Take Action
- Every week of Climate Justice Month Commit2Respond will showcase a featured resource for inspiration, a featured resource for education, and a featured action.
- In Week 1 we will act to advance the rights of frontlines communities by advocating for water rights. In Week 2 we will join the interfaith campaign to shift to a low carbon future and model for world leaders the strong action required from us all. And in Week 4 we will march, teach-in, and advocate for reclaiming our democracy from the likes of Big Oil and the Koch brothers, growing the movement for justice.
- On or around Earth Day, we will hold worship services, Earth fairs, advocacy days, and much more, working with community organizations and fellow religious groups to grow the climate justice movement.
What To Do Now
- RSVP for Climate Justice Month to receive extra inspiration and resources by email throughout the month.
Spread the word! Mobilize your congregation, faith group, secular group, family, or other groups you are a part of to take collective action together during Climate Justice Month (get mobilization resources).
|
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, 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
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.
FireSongs Songwriter Series
 Wednesday, March 16, 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 March 9 is John Williams. The artist performing on March 16 is Johnny Reverb Holston.
 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.
Community Relations Committee
 Saturday, April 2, 10-11 AM
Conference Room in the basement of the Eagle Forum, 112 SW 8th Ave.
The topic for the meeting will be "The American Jury" and Tim Newsom, past president of the Amarillo Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and Past President of the Amarillo Area Bar Association, will present the information. Tim's presentation discusses the 7th Amendment right to jury trial in civil cases and the presentation covers the background on the right to jury trial, a couple of recent cases, and how juries protect fundamental rights enjoyed by all Americans such as freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.
The mission of this committee is to cultivate and maintain respect and understanding for all people through education and dialogue, and the vision is to eliminate bias, bigotry, and prejudice. The meeting is open to anyone interested in attending.
|
|
|
|
|
|
