Newsletter - March 11, 2016Welcome to the Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship!

Table of ContentsMonthly Board Meeting

Children's Religious Education

Shoe and Sock Drive!

Food Not Bombs is in the House!

Looking for a Photo

History of the Fellowship

AUUF History Wall

Reminder about Recycling

Newsletter and Website Submissions

Upcoming Events

Amarillo Feminists

Adult Religious Education

Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group

Alternative Medicine Monthly Seminar

OPEN MEETING on Book Drive

Literacy Book Drive

Path to Membership Gathering

Fiction Book Group

Read and Learn

Climate Justice Month

In the Community

Quick LinksAUUF WebsiteWelcome letter

7 UU Principles

Calendar

Location & Contacts

Men's Brotherhood

Women's Covenant Group

Women's Simply Salad & Soup Fellowship

Sermon Library

Who are We? Unitarian Universalist Identity byNina Stein - March 6, 2016 Bibliolatry-When the Words Get in the Way (video) by Tony Tackitt - February 28, 2016 Is the Pope a Closet Unitarian? by Mary Emeny -February 7, 2016

Newsletter Archive

Sunday Worship - 9:30 and 11 AM

March 13, 2016Jim Taylor speaks "On Children"-As the Twig is Bent, the Tree WillGrow, examining the impact of early childhood experience on long termoutcomes and the importance of positive relationships in the healingprocess.

March 20, 2016Cyndy Walton and MarthaBaird are speaking on Standingon the Side of Love, an interfaithorganization with the goal ofharnessing love's power tochallenge exclusion, oppression,and violence based on sexualorientation, gender identity,immigration status, race, religion, orany other identity.

March 27, 2016Keralee Clay speaks on Waitingis a Sacred Act. "So much of ourlife is spent waiting - in checkoutlines, on email replies, for delayedplanes. As our congregation startsthe "wait" for a new settled minister,let's reflect on how waiting can turnfrom an annoyance orinconvenience to a sacred act."

Upcoming Events:Amarillo Feminists

Saturday, March 12, 3-5 PMThe Amarillo Feminists group holds monthly

Newsletter Archive

Monthly Board Meeting

Sunday, March 13, 12:30 PM

Children's Religious Education Update

Our Children's Religious Education (CRE) program isdivided into two groups by age. In CRE, which meetseach Sunday at 11 AM, we challenge our children withinteractive studies about religion and science. The nursery group topics change according toindividuals who attend and cannot be listed in advance,but they fall under the curriculum Celebrating Me andMy World.

During March, the elementary students will belearning 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 songreligious?

Lesson plans are subject to change, but this is the plan.

Contact: Wes Phillips and Sarah Brown

The Amarillo Feminists group holds monthlymeetings at AUUF. Contact: Amy Taylor

Adult Religious Education

Please join us at 10 AM each Sunday.

We are rotating three subjects. Each covers adifferent aspect of Adult Religious Education. Allare welcome. No advance reading is necessary andno test will be given. Mar. 13: Lecture #10 of Natural Law and HumanNature "Early Christians, Nature and Law" Mar. 20: Lecture # 11 of The New Testament "TheHistorical Jesus-Solutions and Methods." This lecture

will be very different than what we were taught in Sunday School, Training Union, orCatholicism Class. Mar. 27: To be decided between lecture #2 of My Favorite Universe or a trial of adifferent replacement.

Contact: John Gay

Nothing Much Buddhist Covenant Group

Monday, March 14, 7:30 PMThe Nothing Much Buddhist CovenantGroup has selected as its reading Dr. MarkEpstein's Going to Pieces Without FallingApart: A Buddhist Perspective onWholeness. This national bestsellerexplores the similarities between Buddhist orZen meditation techn9iques and those usedin psychotherapy. We shall be discussingChapter 7: Passion at the March 14meeting at the Fellowship.

Contact: Rick Todd

Alternative Medicine Monthly Seminar

Tuesday, March 15, 7 PM(Every Third Tuesday)Open to the PublicFree Admission This month's seminar topic isDiabetes Part II: Manage orReverse-practical application ofhow you can reverse the disease.Focusing on alternative health

and wellness, this monthly seminar is led by Rolf Habersang, MD, Medical Directorof the ICAM Institute of Amarillo, and Pia Habersang, EdD, CNS, MSN, APRN ofthe Pediatric Wellness Center of Amarillo.

ICAM Seminar Information: (806) 468.4616

OPEN MEETING on Book Drive

Thursday, March 17, 7:00 PMAn open meeting to organize a children's book drive will beheld on Thursday, March 17 at 7:00 PM at Amarillo UnitarianUniversalist Fellowship (4901 Cornell Street). We will discusscollecting and distributing new and gently-used children'sbooks for families in Amarillo. Please feel free to invite friends

Shoe and Sock Drive!

AUUF and Food Not Bombs are co-hosting a shoe,sock, and feminine hygiene products drive. Sneakerswork well and we need shoes and socks for bothwomen and men and children. The drop box is locatedin the foyer and will remain there until Easter Sunday,3/27. You can drop off items during office hours, onSunday mornings, or at any time the doors are open forother activities.

Contact: Kristy Fuller

Food Not Bombs is in the House!

As a way of making the preparation of food for thehomeless a community effort, Food Not Bombs will beusing the AUUF kitchen most Saturdays from 1:00-2:30 PM. You are welcome to help them prepare foodand/or share the meals every Saturday at Elwood Park3-5 PM.

Contact: Kristy Fuller

Looking for a Photo

Do you have photos of theNew Member Celebration from late in

2012? There were about 19 new members, and theyall wore rainbow scarves. If so, please send them to

Martha.

History of the Fellowship

For those of you who have notread Wayne Darrow's historyof our Fellowship, perhapsyou would like to visit thisdocument. If you haveadditions to the history,

books for families in Amarillo. Please feel free to invite friendsfrom other organizations and churches to attend the meeting.The more people involved, the more books we can collect! Contact: Linda Jackson

Literacy Book Drive

March 19 - April 2New updates on the Children's Book Drive, city-wide and at AUUF, have been posted underChildren's Book Drive on our website. Take alook!! Contact: Linda Jackson

Path to Membership Gathering

Saturday, March 19, 9 AM - 1 PMALL ABOARD!The Path to Membership gathering providesprospective members with essential informationabout Unitarian Universalist history and beliefs,and what it means to belong to our BelovedCommunity.

Attendance at this gathering is an important part ofour process toward becoming a Fellowshipmember. Jerry Goebel leads the gathering withthe participation of longer-term members.

Good cookies and coffee are served, and childcare isavailable upon request. To RSVP or to arrangechildcare please contact the Fellowship office by

Friday March 18, at (806) 355-9351 or email the office.

Fiction Book Group

Tuesday, March 29, 7 PM Laura McBride's We Are Called to Rise uses multiple pointsof view to carry five well-meaning characters toward a crucialmoment of choice in the aftermath of a troubled soldier's angryresponse to a child's letter of support. Time to start reading! Contact: Dick Moseley

Read and Learn

Wayne Arnason and Rebecca Scott. We WouldBe One: A History of UnitarianUniversalist Youth Movements (2005).According to Arnason and Scott, "the overallobjective of UU religious education is to helpchildren have a vivid and compelling experienceof the UU religion to help them achieve anorientation to the world. More specific objectivesinclude helping them:

additions to the history,please indicate at least theyear (if not the actual date ormonth) of an event and whowas involved. We are in dire

need of information covering 1975 to the present(submit by email or on paper to April as soon aspossible). Remember to write down your contributionsto the AUUF History Wall also. A confident sense ofself is important for our Fellowship in its search for aninterim minister.

AUUF History Wall

"Institutional memory is a collective set of facts,concepts, experiences and know-how held by a group ofpeople. As it transcends the individual, it requires theongoing transmission of these memories betweenmembers of this group." ~ Harvard Business School Do you have a favorite memory of the Fellowship? Doyou know of an important moment in our history thatyou want to be sure is remembered by all members?Help us get a more complete history of our BelovedCommunity by adding these memories and events toour new "History Wall". It is located on the hallwaybulletin board across from the RE rooms. There arenote cards you can fill out, or bring your own. TheMinisterial Search Committee will be using this to giveus a more complete timeline of our history and also toprovide information and context to our many newermembers. Contact: Keralee Clay

Reminder about Recycling

In Amarillo there are atleast two differentoptions. If you don'tmind paying to haveyour items recycled, callK B Recycling, 418-4390. They will come toyour home or office on aschedule you both agreeupon. If you'd rather takeyour items yourself, goto Four States Recycling

at 4110 E. Amarillo Blvd., on the south side of theoverpass. Both of these firms recycle paper (includingnewsprint), plastic, aluminum cans, and cardboard.

A new bit of information is that K B Recyclingencourages the public to place cardboard into their binsfor cardboard recycling on all Amarillo ISD schoolcampuses. They accept thin cardboard such as cerealboxes and soft-drink cartons as well as corrugatedcardboard. You may want to take those items outside ofschool hours, just to keep from disturbing the studentsand faculty.

include helping them:

become aware of and comprehend themultitude of powers within the self aswell as those which impinge uponthem from the environing world,discover and become skilled in usingthe process which is the UU religion,and,use the process which is the UUreligion for relating to and dealing with the ways they are affected by the worldas 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 carefullychronicled 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? Rotememorization 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 ownorganization, their own leadership, and their own budget. Influence them bydialogue and engagement. Resolve difference through good-faith negotiation, even ifthat is difficult. Commit to give, as well as take. It was unusual; it's moving, andvery UU."

Recommendation level

Climate Justice Month

Over the last few months, UnitarianUniversalists have been witnessing for climatejustice from Paris to the Pacific Northwest toWashington, DC. Now people of faith andconscience have a chance to collectively takethe momentum for climate justice to the nextlevel, with the second Climate Justice Month!From World Water Day (March 22) to EarthDay (April 22), we will build resistance toclimate change and add our moral voices to themovement for climate justice, taking action inour families, communities, and congregations

or faith groups.

How We Will Take Action

1. Every week of Climate Justice Month Commit2Respond will showcase afeatured resource for inspiration, a featured resource for education, and afeatured action.

2. In Week 1 we will act to advance the rights of frontlines communities byadvocating for water rights. In Week 2 we will join the interfaith campaign toshift to a low carbon future and model for world leaders the strong actionrequired from us all. And in Week 4 we will march, teach-in, and advocate forreclaiming our democracy from the likes of Big Oil and the Koch brothers,growing the movement for justice.

3. On or around Earth Day, we will hold worship services, Earth fairs,advocacy days, and much more, working with community organizations andfellow religious groups to grow the climate justice movement.

What To Do Now

1. RSVP for Climate Justice Month to receive extra inspiration and resourcesby email throughout the month.

Spread the word! Mobilize your congregation, faith group, secular group, family, orother groups you are a part of to take collective action together during Climate JusticeMonth (get mobilization resources).

In the Community

Twenty-First Annual Bach's Lunch SeriesThe "Bach's" lunch series is (Bach) back by

and faculty.

Contact: Janda Raker at (806) 352-0589 or email

Newsletter and Website Submissions

As always, we areeager to publishinformation regardingcommittees, boards,Adult RE, CRE,events, and services,but we need your help.The website andFacebook page can be

updated daily, but the newsletter cannot. Newinformation needs to be submitted(submissions@uuamarillo.org) by noon Wednesdayif you want it to appear in the Friday morningnewsletter. If you need an event placed on the websitecalendar, you may submit that request with description,image (or we can provide one), starting andapproximate ending time, specific location, date (ordates for a recurring event), and name of contactperson. Help us help you get your message out in atimely manner.

PLEASE, EVERYONE CAN MAKE ALL THESECOMMUNICATIONS MORE EFFECTIVE BY

READING THEM EACH WEEK--ESPECIALLYTHE WEBSITE AND NEWSLETTER!

The "Bach's" lunch series is (Bach) back bypopular demand! Bring a "box" lunch and somefriends with you. The Bach's Lunches are awonderful time for Lenten reflection and goodmusic among friends. Held at various churchesevery Friday during Lent, each program will beginpromptly at 12:05 PM with a 24-minute organrecital. Following the recital, the host church willprovide tea, coffee and a place to eat. You'll haveplenty of time to get (Bach) back to work by 1:00PM. This event has been very well received for thelast 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, OrganistFriday, Mar. 18, 2016 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Michael Johnson, Organist

For more information, call 806.352.5629. The "Bach's" Lunch series is sponsoredby the Amarillo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Those Guys in Concert

Saturday, March 12, 7:30-9:30 PMThe Fibonacci Building (3306 SW 6th)This concert is hosted by High Plains PublicRadio. For additional information, click here. Asuggested $10 donation is taken at the door.

FireSongs Songwriter SeriesWednesday, March 16, 6:30-8:30 PMFireSongs Songwriter Series is a new,weekly series that is unique in Amarillo, inthat each Wednesday night, a different areasongwriter or combo will perform entirelyoriginal material---no covers. We have awealth of creative energy here in thePanhandle and this series aims tocelebrate those who express this energythrough 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 roomwhile the show is going on, but this makes it a much nicer environment, and ofcourse Fire Slice has wonderful food which may be enjoyed throughout the show.There is no cover, but reservations are suggested to guarantee seating in thelistening room. Call (806) 331-2232. The artist performing March 9 is JohnWilliams. The artist performing on March 16 is Johnny Reverb Holston.

Texas Talks - PPHMTuesday, March 22, 5:30 PM atHazlewood Lecture HallIn partnership with the Panhandle-PlainsHistorical Museum, this first-ever liveTexas Talks will showcase an engaginglecture by Dr. Stuntz titled "From SanAntonio to the Panhandle: Texas PioneerWomen." More than a celebration of Texas

History Month, this talk will showcase Women's History Month. The event is free for PPHM members & WTAMU staff, students and faculty. All otherattendees are $5. Reserve your spot today!

Race Equity WorkshopWednesday, March 23,8:30 AM to 12:30 PMRace and ethnicity, systemicracial inequities and socialinjustices are at the core ofdisproportionate and disparateoutcomes for far too many Texans. This interactive workshop presents anopportunity for professionals, community members and anyone interested inimproving our social conditions to collaborate and learn more about these issues in a

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 theEvents sections of our website, uuamarillo.orgAlso on our website, you can learn more about ourFellowship 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 individualsnamed as contacts, please email the AUUF office or callour Office Administrator, April Myers, at 806.355.9351and leave a message. She will return your call duringher office hours, which are Tuesday - Friday from 9 AM to noon.

improving our social conditions to collaborate and learn more about these issues in anonthreatening, productive environment. The workshop objectives are:

Use a common language to facilitate dialogue on racial inequities and theimpact on systems and communities.

Identify and recognize the existence of systemic racial inequities withinsystems.

Introduce the Texas Model and show how it can be used to address racialinequities within systems.

Introduction to Courageous Conversations on Race EquityWednesday, March 23, 2016

8:30am to 12:30pmCal 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 multipleprofessional disciplines are available.

Community Relations CommitteeSaturday, April 2, 10-11 AM Conference Room in the basement of theEagle Forum, 112 SW 8th Ave.The topic for the meeting will be "TheAmerican Jury" and Tim Newsom, pastpresident of the Amarillo Chapter of theAmerican Board of Trial Advocates and PastPresident of the Amarillo Area BarAssociation, will present the information. Tim's presentation discusses the 7thAmendment right to jury trial in civil cases and

the presentation covers the background on the right to jury trial, a couple of recentcases, and how juries protect fundamental rights enjoyed by all Americans such asfreedom of speech and the right to bear arms. The mission of this committee is to cultivate and maintain respect andunderstanding for all people through education and dialogue, and the vision is toeliminate bias, bigotry, and prejudice. The meeting is open to anyone interested inattending. For more information, contact Myrna Raffkind (806) 355-4733.

Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship4901 Cornell St.Amarillo, TX 79109

Amarillo, TX 79109806.355.9351

uuamarillo.org

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