Editor: Margaret Batschelet, typea45@swbell.net
Nosotros, las congregaciones miembros de la Asociación UU, convenimos en afirmar y formentar el valor y la dignidad propria de cada persona.
On February 22, at 9:00 a.m., Rev. Coeyman will lead an orientation session for those interested in joining the church and for those who have recently joined and want to get more involved in church activities. Those attending will learn what it's like to be a Unitarian Universalist and a member of CUUC. The session will also afford an opportunity to get better acquainted with members of the congregation. Please let Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com) know if would like to attend, if you have questions, or if you need further information. Our church will hold a new members recognition service on March 28, 2004. This service will start a cycle of quarterly services of similar nature.
Sonya Graham & Patrick Woosley have risen to the challenge of causing this event to happen this time around. The Service Auction Fund Raiser will be held this year at 6.00 PM on Saturday February 28th at the Church.
As always it will be hugely enjoyable and highly successful at raising money for our Church. All members are therefore urged to dive in with both feet to help with preparations, donations of goods and services and, of course, with the odd bid at the appropriate time to the tune of a generous amount.
Forms are available to facilitate the process of coordinating donations and whipping up dollops of anticipation prior to the actual event itself.
Many of us have noted how great the bulletin boards have looked since Marilyn DeKing took responsibility for them. We are becoming increasingly disturbed about the effects of her temporary absence on the state of the bulletin boards. Even more than last month, we desperately need someone to fill in for her until she can get back on her feet. The job description is simple. Take any material that's been placed in the Bulletin Board Queen's box and find a place for it on the bulletin boards (or in the trash) and remove any out-of-date material. Please contact Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com) if you're interested in this position.
Another way you can help keep the bulletin boards current is to submit your own personal notices. You might to promote your cat-sitting service or the items in your moving sale. If you do submit such items, please put an expiration date on them so that we know when to take them down.
The annual church garage sale will be held on April 29 through May 1. Members and friends are encouraged to donate items for and participate in this annual fund raising event.
February 22 - "What Does Inherent Worth and Dignity Really Mean," Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
February 29 - Leap Year Service, Speaker: Steve Boyd
March 7 - Thoreau and Materialism, Speaker: Margaret Batschelet
March 14 - Speaker: Mark Lundquist
March 21 - Reincarnation, Speaker: Sonya Graham
March 28 - Women's UU History, Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
The Women's Support Group will meet at the church at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates: February 23 and March 8.
The Remarkable Films Series will be showing the 2002 film: "The Emperor's Club" starring Kevin Kline. The film presents a morality tale very suited for today. It will be shown at 6:00 PM on Sunday, February 29, 2004.
The Remarkable Films Series will start a four-film series on Marlon Brando on Sunday, March 21 at 6:00 PM. The first film selected will be "A Streetcar Named Desire" with Vivian Leigh released in 1951.
I have heard a few naysayers reject the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism, arguing that the principles are so general as to be ineffective. I see them as just the opposite: in their generalness, they keep themselves open to ever new layers of interpretation, as new life experiences come our way. Our first principle---we promote the 'inherent worth and dignity of all people'---has been one of my favorite principles. I thought I 'understood' its intent, but in the past few months I have found new meaning in it. As we celebrate diversity by recognizing Black History Month, let us think about what 'inherent worth and dignity' really means and how we live out this principle in our daily lives. - Barbara Coeyman
If we are to grow, we need to make it easy for visitors to learn about us. Our literature rack is getting pretty thin and out of date, even thinner and more out of date than last month. We still need someone, and that means you, to take a look at our literature rack, poke around the UUA pamphlet catalog http://www.uua.org/pamphlet and maybe even revise our CUUC materials. If you're interested in taking on this task, get in touch with Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com).
The CUUC Men's Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the church for beer and soda, guy food, and occasional conversation. All male friends and members of the church are urged to attend. The next two meetings are scheduled for February 22 and March 14.
Interested men can join the Men's Group's secret mailing list by sending an email to cuuc-men-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com) can answer questions and provide further information.
Do you need a little extra help or do you know someone who does? To contact the pastoral care sub-committee, please call any of the following individuals: Joan Bradshaw at 341-8506, Catherine McKee at 681-4197 Sally Wiesen at 256-9732 or Henry Halff at 493-7501. Our minister, Barbara Coeyman is more than willing to help in any emergencies were she might be of service. You can contact her at 512-453-2026 (home) or 503-806-7593 (mobile). You can also contact the pastoral care committee by confidential (but not anonymous) email to cuuc-cares@yahoogroups.com.
Soup lunches scheduled for the fourth Sunday of the month, and each group in the church is expected to take responsibility for a single lunch. There are still gaps in the soup-lunch schedule. Group leaders can sign their groups up on the sign-up sheet in the coffee room.
The Southwestern District will have a Small Church Conference to be held on March 26 - 28, 2004 in Waco, TX. The theme is: Creating Hospitality. More information on their web page may be found at: http://www.swuuc.org/events/smallchurch2004.html
The Southwestern District is also having its Spring Conference and Annual Meeting on April 23-25, 2004 in Oklahoma City, OK. The theme is: On Becoming World Class Citizens: Building a Global community. The conference brochure may be found at: http://www.uuokc.org/conference/04spring.pdf
John Bradshaw is organizing a jazz festival to be held at our church. It will take place from April 19 till 25, 2004. Please contact John if you have any questions about this event.
The Member Services Committee meets on the fourth Sunday of every month, after services. The next meeting is on February 22. If you are involved in membership, pastoral care, social activities, communications, or denominational affairs, please plan on attending. Questions? Contact Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com)
This month I want to use my column as a reminder of several UU events through the summer that extend beyond the congregation: events at the district and national levels of our free religious movement. Here are some of the upcoming activities that you may want to attend:
- March 26-27: Southwest District Small Church Conference, "Creating Hospitality," UU Fellowship of Waco, registration $30 per church, $15 per mem- ber; registration deadline 13 March. Workshops on R.E., fundraising, creating a Long Range Plan, and more.
- April 23 - 25: Southwest District Spring Conference and Annual Meeting, "On Becoming World Class Citizens," First Unitarian Church, Oklahoma City. Keynote speak, workshops, youth caucus, and much more.
- June 24 - 28: UUA National General Assembly, Long Beach, CA. Workshops, wor- ship, famous speakers.
- July 5 - 11: Southwest District Dwight Brown Leadership School, Austin Col- lege, Sherman, TX. Classes and workshops.
- July 25 - 30: Southwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SWUUSI), Lake Texoma, OK. Workshops, worship, lectures, food, and dance!
I hope to attend the small church conference, the spring district meeting, General Assembly, and SWUUSI. At GA I'll be on a panel sponsored by the UU Women's Heritage Society, and at SWUUSI I'll lead a workshop on music and dance in worship.
Why bother attending a UU activity outside of the congregation? Well, for one you are likely to meet new folks with different ideas and experiences. These new connections are spiritual activities, as they help us experience the world in new ways. Also, more practically, new ideas we pick up at conferences and retreats can help make the work in our own congregations easier. We don't always need invent a new wheel: sometimes others have already invented the same wheel. Their sharing with us can make our work so much easier. Why else attend these events?---well, they're also just plain fun!
I realize attending conferences and meetings takes a time commitment. With the busy lifestyles most of us lead, it's not always feasible to get away. These events also take a financial commitment. Our southwest district is large, and some events may be far from San Antonio, but for those that are closer, perhaps carpooling could help reduce travel costs. If you wish to attend an event and want information about scholarship assistance from our congregation, contact our Board President.
I hope that many of you will consider adding one or more of these activities to your calendar. They do require a commitment of time and money, but the benefits of reaching beyond the congregation are well worth it. In connecting outward, we see ourselves with new eyes when we come back. And new eyes means new ways of growing in our free faith.
For more information, look around the church for flyers, and on the district (http://www.swuuc.org) and national (http://www.uua.org) websites.
See you in church. Blessings
Barbara
A general meeting will be held at Community Unitarian Universalist Church on Saturday, February 21 at 1pm. Meet at 11:30 for lunch at Ding How Chinese Restaurant, 4531 NW Loop-410. Access road between Babcock & Callaghan. Speaker: Lisa Sorg, writer for The Current on "Accessing Air Time."
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is excited to extend an invitation for young activists (ages 16 and older) to join us in Orlando, Fla., for a week-long conference on March 8-13 in conjunction with the League of Conservation Voters and Project Democracy. This conference is sure to increase your passion for social justice and gives you the opportunity to put your values into action, as you inspire others to do likewise. During this conference you will:
All you have to do is tell us a little about yourself, why you want to go, and what you will do with the knowledge/skills you learn from this opportunity in 250 to 500 words!
UUSC will pay your registration fee which includes food, ground transportation from the Orlando airport, conference attendance, materials, meals and housing. You are responsible for getting to the Orlando airport or to the conference center*. We are asking that you plan to arrive no later than 9 a.m. on the March 8 so we can coordinate rides.
The training sessions are from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and the evenings are free. Transportation will be provided in the evenings to organized outings, as well as to community organizing events. In addition, there are two concerts scheduled during that week that will be free of charge to participants.
2004 is the year of action and we are excited to extend this invitation to you. Since space is limited, we must hear from you by Feb. 20. Act now!
For more information or to forward your essay, contact us at justworks@uusc.org or call us at 800-388-3920 ext. 227 or ext. 201.
*Limited travel scholarships may be available from League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Michael Lille will appear Saturday February 21, 2004 at the Walden Coffeehouse at First Unitarian Church of San Antonio. Admission is $10 per person. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Opening act will be Rudi Harst from San Antonio, Texas. Coffee and desert will be served at intermission. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds this month go to Celebration Circle.
To reserve your seat, call 210-738-1291. (Reservations aren't required, it's just easier on our planning!)
One glance at Michael Lille's musical resume and you might think you're not reading about one man, but three or four. Such are his accomplishments over the two decades since he first began his professional career at age fifteen.
His newly released album, Never Home to Stay, was co-produced by Grammy winner Mark Prentice, and features guitarist George Marinelli and Vinnie Santoro of Air Parma, Valerie Carter, Jerry Douglas, and many other special guests. His 1996 self-produced release, Middle Child, features Alison Krauss on background vocals and Victor Wooten on bass. In 1992, Lille's debut Just In Time, was produced by John Jennings and featured Mary-Chapin Carpenter on background vocals. As a songwriter, Washington Post music scribe Mike Joyce praised Lille's "gift for soul searching" and "innate tunefulness."
Performing Songwriter magazine calls Lille "a star on the rise whose voice is soft leather, and his guitar work is flawless." Add to these strengths a relaxed confidence on stage and you understand why he won the 1996 Telluride Troubadour competition and the 1993 Kerrville New Folk Songwriter award. Lille has been on tour as the opening act for Alison Krauss, and has opened shows for Bob Dylan, Little Feat, Leo Kottke, David Wilcox, Kathy Mattea, J.J. Cale, Warren Zevon and comedian Carrot Top.
A team player too, Lille is the "L" in one of Washington, D.C.'s best-loved groups, SGGL, who have released their fourth disc, On The Shoulder, recorded live at The Wolftrap Barns in Vienna, VA. [Sales of their previous albums have soared to over 80,000.]
In Feb. 2003, Michael released a new record with The Sherpas titled "Honor Among Thieves". The long awaited recording also features Tom Prasada-Rao and Tom Kimmel. Recent comment on them : "You guys were so great the other night. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Your playing was terrific. Every note was perfectly placed, inspired, tasteful and nicely executed. But why? I mean why go to all that trouble?" George Marinelli Jr.
As if all that weren't enough, Lille is also an outdoorsman and world traveler, having lived and worked in exotic locales such as New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Nepal and Bhutan. In 1999, after 7 years in Nashville, Michael moved to Colorado where he now makes his home.
Always dedicated to growing and being the best he can be, this man for all musical seasons continues to tour, record and translate his life experiences into captivating music. As Lille says, "it's really a privilege to be able to do the things you love."
Joseph Accardi
11501 Braesview, Apt. 104
San Antonio, TX 78213-1282
(210) 479-3843
February 21 - Freethinkers Association of Central Texas meeting, 1 p.m. CUUCSA
February 21 - Walden Coffeehouse, First UU Church, 6:00 p.m.
February 22 - New and Prospective Member Orientation, 9:00 a.m.
February 22 - "What Does Inherent Worth and Dignity Really Mean?" Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
February 22 - Soup Lunch after services
February 22 - Member Services Committee meeting, after services
February 22 - Program Committee meeting, after services
February 22 - Men's Group, 7:00 p.m.
February 23 - Women's Support Group, 7:00 p.m.
February 28 - Service Auction, 6:00 p.m.
February 29 - Leap Year Service, Speaker: Steve Boyd
February 29 - Remarkable Film Series, "The Emperor's Club," 6:00 p.m.
March 7 - "Thoreau vs. Materialism," Speaker: Margaret Batschelet
March 8 - Women's Support Group, 7:00 p.m.
March 8-13 - UUSC Small Group Conference for young activists, Orlando, FLA
March 10 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
March 13 - All Church Retreat
March 14 - Deadline for March CUUCSA Newsletter
March 14 - Speaker: Mark Lundquist
March 14 - Men's Group, 7:00 p.m.v
March 21 - Reincarnation, Speaker: Sonya Graham
March 21 - Remarkable Film Series, "A Streetcar Named Desire," 6:00 p.m.v
March 26-27 - Small Church Conference, Waco, TX
March 27 - Fellowship Dinner
March 28 - New Member Recognition Ceremony
March 28 - Women's UU History, Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
March 28 - Member Services Committee meeting after service
March 28 - Program Committee Meeting after service
March 28 - Men's Group, 7:00 p.m.
April 19-25 - Jazz Festival, CUUC
April 23-25 SWUUD Spring Conference and Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK
May 1 - Garage Sale
June 24-28 - UUA National General Assembly, Long Beach, CA
July 5-11 - SWUUD Dwight Brown Leadership School, Austin College, Sherman, TX
July 18-21 - UU Niagara Experience
July 25-30 - SWUUSI, Lake Texoma, OK
If you'd like to receive the e-mail version of this newsletter every month, send a message to Margaret Batschelet, the newsletter editor.