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.
"Articulating Your UU Faith"
This curriculum is published by the Unitarian Universalist Association. It is intended for those new to UU-ism as well as for those wanting a review of the principles of this liberal faith movement. The curriculum is published and can be purchased through the UUA bookstore (see www.uua.org), but a copy is not required for you to attend this class. The class is free of charge, and open to any member or friend of CUUC.
The class will be offered in two sessions, each of approximately 1 1/2 hours in length. The first session will be on Sunday September 26, after the service and lunch (approximately 12:30-2:00 p.m.). The scheduling of the second session will be agreed on by those attending the first session.
For questions, or to enroll for the class, please contact Barbara Coeyman, barbrevbarb@aol.com, 512-453-2026.
Why do you go to church? Why are you part of a religious community? Certainly one answer many of us would give is about the inward and the personal: inward calming, personal growth, perhaps friendships and support within our church community. However, equally important within virtually all religious traditions is some sort of outward direction, in what is called 'social ministry,' or 'social action.' UU minister Rev. Richard Gilbert calls this our 'prophetic imperative,' the necessity of reaching outward beyond our congregations to help the disadvantaged, to work against injustice, to strive for reform.
What calls us as people of liberal faith to look outward? How can we demonstrate that there is not just one, conservative religious voice speaking in and for our communities? What can this congregation do to develop a social action project? What can you personally do to get involved?
It's time to sign up for this year's soup lunch schedule. On the fourth Sunday of each month one of the church organizations (both committees and other groups) sponsors the fund-raising soup lunch, providing soups, bread, fruit, and the occasional cookie. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the coffee room; please choose a Sunday and sign up now!
After coordinating, participating in and observing our Religious Education Program over the past four to fifteen years, I and now the Board, think it is time for a change. Basically, what is needed to continue a full program is an influx of committed families who are willing to be involved in the religious education of their children, here at the church. This is not happening, therefore, a need for a different coordinator and direction. I have submitted my resignation as coordinator, only, as of October l.
The Board and I have come up with some short-term suggestions:
VOLUNTEER FOR ONE MONTH, ONLY, to implement one of the following programs.
September 19 - "Shamanism: Meeting Our Animal Guides," Speaker: Karen Rawson, Coordinator: Sonya Graham
September 26 - "The Prophetic Imperative: Our Call to Social Ministry," Presenter: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
October 3 - Guest speaker
October 10 - Covenant Groups, Coordinator: June Kachtik
October 17 - Speaker: Henry Halff
October 24 - Speaker : Barbara Coeyman
October 31 - Samhain, Coordinator: John Wiesen
The Women's Support Group will meet at the church at 7:00 p.m. on September 27.
The Remarkable Films Series will continue to feature films directed by Sydney Pollack. The third film for the current series on Sydney Pollack's directorial efforts will be "Absence of Malice". This film is scheduled for Sunday, September 19 at 6:00 PM at the church. The 1981 film deals with moral decisions made everyday by journalists and it features Paul Newman and Sally Field.
The Remarkable Film Series will conclude the Sydney Pollack series on Sunday, October 17 at 6:00 PM with "Tootsie". This 1982 film features one of the most amazing performances on film given by Dustin Hoffman.
On behalf of the board and the entire congregation, I want to thank Joan Bradshaw for her dedication to the children of this church for many years. As you will see from her article, in meeting with the board and coordinators, we came up with some short-term suggestions. And, I hope some of you will be willing to act as a coordinator for a month to implement these suggestions. If so, I would appreciate hearing from you. Joan will still be available as a resource to assist coordinators.
Now, as to longer-term solutions. I invite all of you to give some thought as to how we might encourage the newer members of our congregation (my definition is one who is not a charter member) to become more involved and feel an ownership in the church. We will be talking about that at our next board meeting - the second Wednesday of the month, October 13, 2004, at 7:15 p.m. PLEASE COME.
June Kachtik
Board President
Jafra Austin has a new address and phone number. It's 6348 Prue Road, #19, San Antonio, TX 78240-2065, phone: 210-240-2544.
Friends of CUUCSA Cindy Dinwiddie and Randy Elgin and would like to let the community know that they will be married in a small ceremony in Arches National Park, Utah, on October 3, 2004.
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts is pleased to announce its 4th annual Birding B and B Columbus Day weekend. Friday October 8 to Sunday October 10. An all inclusive weekend is planned. We will be kicking off the weekend with dinner and discussion by a noted island naturalist and a geologist. Saturday follows with a full day of activities from early morning observation of the fall migration of birds from the Aquinnah cliffs to lunch at The Native Earth Teaching Farm. Later you will be entertained by a world renown Jazz pianist John Eaton.Our Sunday program is equally exciting. Sunday service will be the singing of African American Spirituals and their hidden meaning by Jim Thomas. Many other activities too numerous to list here as well. The fee for this vacation weekend is $250 per person. Come see the Vineyard at this most beautiful time of year. For more information and a reservation see our church website http://www.uusmv.info/.
September 19 - "Shamanism: Meeting Our Animal Guides," Speaker: Karen Rawson, Coordinator: Sonya Graham
September 19 - Remarkable Film Series, "Absence of Malice," 6:00
September 26 - "The Prophetic Imperative: Our Call to Social Ministry," Presenter: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
September 26 - Adult RE: "Articulating Your UU Faith" after service
September 27 - Women's Group, 7:00 p.m.
October 8-10 - Birding B and B Columbus Day Weekend, Martha's Vineyard, MA
October 10 - Covenant Groups, Coordinator: June Kachtik
October 13 - Board meeting, 7:15 p.m.
October 17 - Remarkable Film Series, "Tootsie," 6:00
October 24 - Speaker: Barbara Coeyman
October 31 - Samhain, Coordinator: John Wiesen
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