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.
Join us on Easter Sunday for our traditional flower communion in which we all bring flowers to share and to take away with us afterward. Barbara will be delivering a homily as we take part in this favorite "rite of spring."
There'll be a window-washing party on Saturday, March 12 from 9 a.m. until (probably) around noon. John Bradshaw will wash the outside if others will join in to do the inside!
The CUUC Service Auction remains mired in controversy, even as bidding on the silent auction opens this Sunday. The auction director, Henry Halff, narrowly escaped arrest for failure to provide a credible number of donations and now claims that the number of donations is a "respectable thirty-six." Halff also stated that he was "in negotiations" with three protestors with unfulfilled requests for donations.
The Auction Gala, San Antonio's premier social event, will be held as planned on March 26, with festivities starting at 6:30 PM. At that time, master auctioneer, Patrick Woosley, will present a several very special items at live auction. The silent auction closes at the end of the evening.
CUUC President June Kachtik, said that Halff's removal as Gala host was "the only prudent move," after Halff proposed engaging a Las Vegas caterer, Benny's Showgirl Casino, to handle the affair. Kachtik also said that Halff's proposal for a swimsuit contest at the Gala reflected a "serious lack of sensitivity to the member's feelings or at least their anatomies."
Halff denied any knowledge of plans for the caterer or contest, claiming, "I leave those details up to my accountants."
Kachtik said that she was "proud" to introduce the new Gala hosts, Stephanie and Patrick Shearer. The Shearers said that they were confident that this year's Gala would be the "best one ever," since it would rely on the "prodigious gourmet talents of the entire church." They also announced plans to seek signups for culinary contributions, starting this Sunday, March 11.
Asked whether this meant that the gala was a potluck, the Shearer's replied that they preferred to think of it as "a collective culinary community collation." When reporters enquired about the possibility that too few members would participate, the Shearer's, who are well known for their persuasive recruiting methods, replied that they were sure that congregation's response would be enthusiastic enough that no one would have to "get hurt."
This group meets the third Sunday after church for an hour or so. It is open to all parents. And, Joan Raab, Marilyn DeKing, and I are part of the group as well. What do we do? Talk about our kids, of course! How great they are. How we can help them become greater. How they are a part of our church life. If you know of parents who are looking for a church home, encourage them to participate in this experience and their children in our religious education program.--June Kachtik
The Women's Support Group will meet at the church at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates: March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25.
The second film in the Sydney Poitier series for the Remarkable Film Group will be "Paris Blues." This 1961 film also features the performances of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. The film will be shown at 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 20 at the church.
The Remarkable Film Group will conclude its Sydney Poitier series with "To Sir, With Love." This 1967 film is set in a high school at the East End of London and features the famous theme song sung by Lulu . The film will be shown at 6:00 PM on April 17 at the church.
UU Housing Assistance Corporation announces the 2004-2005 Annual Meeting to be held Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 221 W. Poplar, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be in our newly restored, permanent office space. Light refreshments will be available. Come see our permanent home, hear where the organization is today, and give voice to your thoughts about our future. All welcome!
March 13 - "Justice Sunday," Coordinator: Steve Botts
March 20 - "Our Covenant," Coordinator: Mary Grace Ketner
March 27 - Flower Communion, Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
April 3 - Speaker: Henry Halff
April 10 - Speaker: Susan Ives
April 24 - Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
May 1 - Beltane. Speaker: John Wiesen
Simplicity Circle Covenant Group will meet at CUUC, 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, March 27, April 10, and April 24. Call Ann Bodine, 690-3124, for more information.
The membership committee will meet during soup lunch on Sunday, April 24. We will review the new member/welcome packet, discuss revisions to the New and Prospective Member packet, and consider ways of making information about the church more readily available to newcomers. All those interested in growth and membership are urged to attend. Contact Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com) for more information.
The annual CUUCSA garage sale will take place on Saturday, May 7. If you have contributions you'd like to store at the church until then, you can put them in the beanbag room upstairs or (for sturdy and/or muddy contributions like lawn tools) in the green shed outside.
Your children have been working very hard. We are still discussing Jewish/Christian GOD Images. Sonya Graham visited the class on 2/20 when we talked about healing and she led the children in some exercises and we made Get Well Cards. The children got several Thank You cards and one of the 1st UU members even sent them chocolate cake. One of the lessons before that we wrote 3 'Sense Poems'; and we have expressed ourselves in finger paints, watercolors, crayons and stamps - visit the classroom and the foyer. One of the things we are very excited about is participating in the service auction. The whole class period on 3/13 will be spent in making cards and drawings that will be turned into cards to be sold at the service auction on the 26th. I will also be turning some of the drawings into cards as well as our 3 poems! So, be at the service auction and be ready to buy some of the nicest cards you will ever use!!! We will begin to study Islam on 4/3; and art work from previous lessons will go home on 3/27 so, have lots of refrigerator space handy. Glenna Jones-Kachtik RE Director
If your group hasn't yet sponsored a soup lunch, here's your chance. March 27 is open! A calendar for sign-up is available in the coffee room.
The Committee on Ministry would like to stand up and wave and remind you that we are alive and well! The COM presently consists of Steve Botts, Jean Halff, Mary Grace Ketner, and Rev. Barbara Coeyman. It is our goal to discover and facilitate the best ways of doing co-ministry among the members of our congregation. We aim to be generous in listening and diligent in responding as we grow in understanding the needs and interests of each member and of all of us together. Please help us do that by sharing your concerns with one or all of us. Also, let us know what is working well for you. We can be reached by email or phone.
Steve - stbotts@texas.net, 522-0981
Jean - jeanhalff@earthlink.net, 493-7501
Mary Grace - mgteller@yahoo.com , 271-0628
Rev. Barb - barbrevbarb@aol.com
The conference this year is being held in Dallas, April 8 - 10, 2005. Highlights include:
If you would like to attend, our church budget offers registration. And, we are seeing if we might car pool Look for the blue folders on the table in the coffee room for more information. Let me know if you are interested. --June Kachtik
The time is approaching for the church's annual canvass, preceded by the fellowship dinner. The canvass has usually been conceived of a time when the members decide, individually and collectively, on the church's finances for the next church year. This year, the canvass has a broader goal. The church leadership would like it to be a time of renewal of the relationships between each member and the church. Thus, during the canvass, we will decide what roles the church should play in our lives, what the church needs to fulfill those roles, and what we need to contribute, in love, time, and money to meet the church's needs.
The canvass season this year starts on April 3 and ends on April 30. As is noted elsewhere in this newsletter, each member will be contacted by one of the current church leaders and invited to consider the points mentioned above.
On Saturday evening (April 2) before the canvass, as is our tradition, we will meet for dinner in fellowship and love for the annual fellowship dinner. Each member should receive an invitation within the next week or two. This year's dinner is a potluck, and a signup sheet will be posted on March 20.
Step One: Retreat
The first step is to get together and talk about it. Everyone is invited to our annual retreat. It will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2005, at the church from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Let's discuss:
The entire family is invited to participate. Please let me know if your children will be coming, and I will make arrangements for their involvement at certain times and other activities at other times. And, everyone bring something for lunch.
Step Two: Fellowship Dinner
Nancy White and Henry and Jean Halff will be our hosts for the Fellowship Dinner. For those of you who are newer members, this is the time when we get together to enjoy each other's company over a good meal. The dinner will be held Saturday evening, April 2, 2005.
Step Three: Every Member Canvass
To follow up on our discussion at the retreat, a board member or coordinator will be talking with you during April and early May about what you expect from our church and how you can help our church meet your needs and those of other members and our community.
Step Four: Annual Congregational Meeting
As a congregation we will hold a business meeting on Sunday, May 22, 2005, after church to go over the activities of this year and plans for the future, approve a budget, and elect new officers.
From June Kachtik, Board president
We are thrilled to invite members of your congregation to participate in the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Holiday Card Design Contest 2005. Visit http://www.uusc.org/holidaycards to learn more.
Each year, Unitarian Universalists nationwide purchase UUSC holiday cards, sharing warm wishes with their loved ones and helping our vital human rights work worldwide. This year, one of these cards could be designed by you!
We urge creative UUs of all ages who are passionate about social justice to submit a design for a new UUSC holiday card for the 2005 holiday season. Text suggestions are also welcome.
The winning card designers' names and congregations will be printed on their cards, which will be purchased and shared by UUs nationwide during the 2005 holiday season.
Before submitting your design, please review the Submission Guidelines at http://www.uusc.org/holidaycards.
Submissions must be received by UUSC on or before May 6, 2005.
Mail submissions to:
UUSC Holiday Card Contest
130 Prospect Street
Cambridge, MA 02139-1845
E-mail submissions to: volunteerservices@uusc.org
We thank the creators of last year's winning cards for sharing with us their original artwork which both illustrated their individual spirit and celebrated the Service Committee's role in putting UU values into action. Be sure to review last year's cards online at www.uusc.org/holidaycards.
Please encourage your congregation's creative members of all ages to submit a thoughtful, beautiful design which celebrates the Service Committee's work to defend human rights.
Thank you for your participation in this program, and good luck!
Sincerely,
Rachel M. Binderman
Associate for Member Development
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
The Power of You & You
volunteerservices@uusc.org www.uusc.org
(p) 617.868.6600, ext. 307 (f) 617.868.7102
130 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139-1845
Walden Coffeehouse Presents SONiA & disappear fear, Saturday March 19, 2005 $10 per person Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Coffee and dessert will be served at intermission. Judson Montessori and Northside Little League will receive 25% of the proceeds this months concert. To reserve your seat, call 210-738-1291. (Reservations aren't required-just easier on our planning!)
For more information visit our web site http://www.waldencoffeehouse.org
Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area?
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU're Home (formerly Homecomings) can help you fulfill your dream. For 25 years, we've provided a network of hosts in North America (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends and who are happy to open their home to like-minded people.
The directory is published every year in April. For a copy of the 2005 directory, please send a check for $18 to UU're Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806. UU're Home has just launched a new web site at http://www.uurehome.com/ , which includes about half of the listings. Entries are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added.
March 12 - Window-Washing Saturday, 9-12 a.m.
March 13 - Simplicity Circle, 6-8 p.m.
March 14 - Women's Group, 7:00 p.m.
March 19 - Annual Church Retreat, 9:00-4:00
March 20 - "Our Covenant," Coordinator: Mary Grace Ketner
March 20 - Men's Group,
March 20 - Remarkable Film Group "Paris Blues," 6:00 p.m.
March 26 - Service Auction Gala, 6:30 p.m.
March 27 - Easter Flower Communion, Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
March 27 - Simplicity Circle, 6-8 p.m.
March 28 - Women's Group 7:00 p.m.
March 29 - UU Housing Assistance Corporation annual meeting, 221 W. Poplar, 6:30 p.m.
April 2 - Fellowship Dinner
April 3 - Speaker: Henry Halff
April 8-10 - SWUUC Spring Conference and Annual Meeting, Dallas
April 10 - Speaker: Susan Ives
April 10 - Simplicity Circle, 6-8 p.m.
April 11 - Women's Group, 7:00 p.m.
April 17 - Remarkable Film Group "To Sir, With Love," 6:00 p.m.
April 24 - Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
April 24 - Simplicity Circle, 6-8 p.m.
April 24 - Membership Committee meeting, after services
April 25 - Women's Group, 7:00 p.m.
April 30 - First monthly leadership training workshop, First UU of Austin
May 1 - Beltane, Speaker: John Wiesen
May 7 - CUUCSA Garage Sale
May 22 - Annual Congregational Meeting
If you'd like to receive the e-mail version of this newsletter every month, send a message to Margaret Batschelet, the newsletter editor.