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.
The annual meeting of the congregation will be held on Sunday, May 23 immediately after the soup lunch, at approximately 12:30 PM. All members and friends are invited to attend. The board has prepared a package of materials for that meeting that can be downloaded at http://www.cuucsa.org/activities.html. Paper copies will be available at the church and are being mailed to Those who get the postal version of this newsletter.
Never before has an American President grounded his actions and policies so strongly in his own personal religious beliefs, in a God (as he knows God) who he believes supports the invasion of Iraq and absolute assignments of good and evil. What is the nature of then President's God, and where is that God now, in light of the growing list of atrocities, even on the part of 'good' Americans? How do we explain a God that may leave some of us distrustful of divine intervention at best, and all of us uncertain about security in our world today and in the world of our children tomorrow? .... There are other images of the divine that can give us hope, even in the midst of tragedy... divinity grounded in beauty, in celebration of the spirit of life, in the inter- connected web of existence. Divinity as explained by theologians such as Martin Buber, Paul Tillich, Carol Christ, and Charles Hartshorne can strengthen our faith that the inherent goodness and dignity in all---even in our national leaders---can prevail. --Rev. Barbara Coeyman
The last soup lunch of the church year will be served by the men's group after services on Sunday, May 23, just before the annual meeting. If the weather is good, tables will be set up outside. The church uses these lunches mainly as an opportunity for fellowship, and also to raise a little money. We normally ask for a contribution of $3.50 per adult and $1.50 per child, but if you're a visitor or are running short of cash or have forgotten your wallet, feel free to eat anyhow.
The church's annual Memorial Day picnic will take place on May 31. We'll fire up the grill at about 4:00, but you can show up anytime for swimming and conversation. Bring something to grill for yourself and a side dish for all to share.
The member services committee is looking for one or more volunteers to coordinate the picnic. This task involves opening the church, setting up tables, lighting the barbecue, and making any other arrangements (e.g., decorations) that are appropriate. If you're interested in helping, contact Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com).
May 16 - YRUU
May 23 - "In a Terror-Filled World, Where is God?" Presenter: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
May 30 - Presenter: Marilyn DeKing
June 6 - First Summer Sunday Brunch Service, "Marriage in Music and Metaphor," Presenter: Margaret Batschelet
June 13 - "Reincarnation," Presenter: Sonya Graham
June 20 - Summer Sunday Brunch Service, "Father's Day," Presenter: Mary Grace Ketner
June 27 - Presenter: Steve Botts
The Women's Support Group will meet at the church at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates: May 17 and May 31.
The Remarkable Films Series will continue its series on Marlon Brando on Sunday, May 16 at 6:00 PM. The film selected for April will be "Teahouse of the August Moon" made in 1956 and set in Okinawa one year after WW II.
The Remarkable Film Series will conclude the Marlon Brando series on Sunday, June 20 at 6:00 PM with "The Wild One". This 1953 film started a new trend in American cinema in its focus on (obsession with) the youth culture.
First impressions count. When visitors come to church it's important that people, lots of people, be there to greet them before services. For this reason, the membership committee urges everyone to show up at church ahead of time or at least on time for Sunday services. As an extra incentive to come early, the worship committee will begin each service with an inspiring program of music, starting at 10:20 and will start the service promptly at 10:30.
During the summer months, when many members are on vacation and the church pool is in heavy use, our Sunday services alternate between full-length presentations and shorter services that are followed by a potluck brunch. We ask members and friends to volunteer as brunch hosts, bringing a main dish and helping to get things set up after the service is over. A sign-up sheet for brunch hosts will be available in the coffee room; please pick a date and then join us for a relaxed summer Sunday service.
The CUUC Men's Group's last project of the year will be the Soup Lunch after services on May 23. All men in the church are urged to bring a soup or something that can be eaten with soup. Please contact Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com) if you are able to contribute a dish. Men are also needed for setup before services (9:30 AM).
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.
Walden Coffeehouse Presents Rachel Bissex, Saturday May 22, 2004 $10 per person Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Coffee and dessert will be served at intermission. 25% of the proceeds this month go to The Children's Shelter of San Antonio. To reserve your seat, just reply to this email or call 210-738-1291. (Reservations aren't required-just easier on our planning!) For more information visit our web site http://www.waldencoffeehouse.org
Rachel Bissex style is casual, witty, and confident, and the masterful delivery of her stories-through-song captivate the audience. She is as at home with high-energy cover songs by folks like Aimee Mann, Elvis, Leonard Cohen and Suzanne Vega as she is with her own material. With four albums to her credit (two on the Alcazar label), she is known throughout her native New England for innovative and riveting performances, using vocals, percussion, movement, and guitar. She's opened for folks like Ray Charles, Joan Armatrading, Shawn Colvin, and Little Feat just to name a few. She has been the headline performer at many notable clubs and concert series' around the country, and travels regularly around the Northeast, Florida, Washington DC, Boston, and Texas. Her recordings have received critical acclaim, the 1998 album "I Used to be Nice" was #1 on Folk Dj playlists soon after its release, and she came in at #14 as artist of the year, and #8 song of the year for her quirky tune "Royal Blues." Her newest album, "Between the Broken Lines," brings her to another plateau. Crit Harmon from Boston is the producer.
The New Unitarian Universalist Voice just published Martin Marty's charge that Unitarianism lacks focus, clarity, and mission. The New UU Voice just published Rosemary Reuther's charge that Unitarians are an extreme example of exclusively verbal culture. The New UU Voice just published Perry LeFevre's charge that Unitarianism lacks theological vitality. The New UU Voice just published John Cobb's charge: "Your denomination will always live at the periphery and be unable to provide a center."
Despite our defects and limitations, I dare to declare that Unitarians have been at the center of religion in North America in the twentieth century. Where's the evidence? Check the facts now online÷150 illustrated biographies of the twentieth century NOTABLE AMERICAN UNITARIANS÷ both women and men in the arts and sciences, education and literature, government and business, religion and philanthropy.
What's more, American Unitarians are a creative minority whose heritage is now being celebrated world wide in a series titled Notable American Unitarians 1740-1900 via the same website http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org
Despite the charges of our friendly detractors, when you look at the life stories on this website you may be happily astonished to behold the long established substantial contribution made by Unitarians to the creation and advance of civilization in North America.
This is a time to ask ourselves: who are we? Is our liberal religious movement peripheral to the past and the future? Browse the website for this project being made possible in part by the Unitarian Universalist Funding Program. The website already has viewers in more than 50 nations on six continents. Why not help share this Internet news? Also, please send you comments and recommendations concerning this project. -- Herb Vetter hfvetter@post.harvard.edu
Come the join the fun in the Rockies!! Camp Laforet is a weeklong summer gathering of caring people who cherish community and life's profound experiences. We stay at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, CO where the beautiful Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers converge. CRMS is located in the picturesque Crystal River Valley between Glenwood Springs and Aspen. The family camp begins on Sunday, July 25th and ends on Saturday morning, July 31st. It is a summer gathering for all ages. See the brochure and register at http://www.camplaforet.com or contact the registrar, Mary Lane, at 913-287-8833.
This might be the time and place for some sort of year-end report. It has been a good year, serving as your part-time, consulting minister. However, I suspect that enough news on the state of the church is included elsewhere in this newsletter. Instead, I want to take a moment to reflect on the state of events currently plaguing our country and the world.
When will the headlines of new atrocities in Iraq stop? What else might we learn about the actions of American military in the Middle East? At a point when we thought the American presence in the Middle East could not get any worse, our country has hit a new low in relationships with our world community. I join my minister colleagues in expressing new levels of grief, guilt, sadness, and frustration for our country. As one colleague said, it is hard to keep faith in a democracy 'that seems to have spun out of control.'
How do we respond: we as American citizens, we as people of liberal faith working for a safer world? This new level of inhumanity and deception might move us toward resignation, that there is nothing we can do to influence those in power. But I hope we don't go there, to new places of resignation. Instead, I pray that we move toward new places of hope. I am hopeful that Americans will turn this mess around, especially at the polls in November. Yes, the photos of prisoner abuse brought new levels of moral corruption, but I have also sensed new levels of public outrage. More and more Americans are speaking up.
After the 9-11 attacks, UUA President William Sinkford called for Unitarian Universalists to remain present, to not give up in promoting the values we hold as sacred. I repeat his call now: let us stay present, keeping our principles before us as we speak up and take action. Whevever we come together as a religious community, let us remember that the task of the religious community is to connect us, and in those connections, to find strength. Let us stay present with faith in our interconnected web of life. Let us keep faith that what touches one, touches all. We had have way more than enough proof of how the actions of one President can change the world. Let us also believe that the actions of each and all of us can make a difference in how we live life today and set a path for the future.
I also encourage you to read President Sinkford's current pastoral letter, listed on the main page of the UUA website: www.uua.org. The site also includes links to inspirational resources for troubled times, including resources for children.
Let us each do our part to stay present to the principles we value, and to pray for wise discernment on the part of our political leaders.
See you in Church.
Barbara Coeyman, part-time minister
May 16 - YRUU Service
May 16 - Remarkable Film Series, "The Teahouse of the August Moon," 6:00 p.m.
May 17 - Women's Support Group, 7:00 p.m.
May 23 - "In a Terror-Filled World, Where Is God?" Presenter: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
May 23 - Soup Lunch following services
May 23 - Annual Meeting, following soup lunch
May 30 - Presenter: Marilyn DeKing
May 31 - Memorial Day Picnic, CUUCSA 4:00
May 31 - Women's Support Grup, 7:00 p.m.
June 6 - "Marriage in Music and Metaphor," Presenter: Margaret Batschelet, Summer Sunday Brunch
June 13 - "Reincarnation," Sonya Graham
June 20 - "Father's Day," Presenter: Mary Grace Ketner, Summer Sunday Brunch
June 20 - Remarkable Film Series, "The Wild One," 6:00 p.m.
June 26 - Presenter: Steve Bottsv
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
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