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 October 3, I read the sermon of the Rev. Bonnie Vegiard about the purposes of Covenant Groups, i.e., to form deep true friendships and to gain a larger meaning to life. Let me repeat the last paragraph of that sermon:
"We are often overwhelmed by the demands of the world around us - like the Little Prince and his experience with the rose. Sometimes we come to this congregation as if coming to a new world, seeking something, seeking friendship, seeking sustenance, for what it is that we need to accomplish out there. And too often, even here, we don't take the time with one another that it requires. If we did, perhaps we could return to the demands of our world with renewed spirit, with a sense of being filled up and ready to give back. Let us make a commitment to that renewal for one another. Let us consent, if we will, to tame one another."
Our first Covenant Group began on Sunday, October 17. It is composed of the parents of our children, plus a few longer-term members. I sensed there was interest in others getting together to form another covenant group. If you have such an interest, could you please let me know?
June Kachtik
junekac@aol.com
342-0135
The church's annual Thanksgiving dinner will be held at the church on November 25 IF we can find a coordinator and a cook. The church, as always, will foot the bill for a turkey, but the side dishes are potluck. We need a coordinator to arrange for the potluck signup, and a cook to do the bird, either at home or in the church oven. Contact Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com).
We are hearing a lot about separation of church and state during this election season. Some people of faith fear violating boundaries and so speak guardedly in social and political contexts, while others flagrantly use religion for political purposes but deny boundary violations. What did the founders of our country intend by church / state separation, and how can we today better observe their true intentions?
There will be a special business meeting for all members of the Community UU Church immediately after the Sunday service on November 7. The main purpose of the business meeting is to take action on a Safety Policy for our religious education program.
All members are encouraged to attend, though only voting members may register their vote on this matter. Please address any questions to any members of our board.
"Articulating Your UU Faith," part 2, Dr. Barbara Coeyman, facilitator As part of the regular offerings in adult religious education this year, we will meet after lunch---ca. 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. --- for the second and final section on "Articulating Your UU Faith." This curriculum is designed to help each of us understand the meaning of liberal religion as formulated in Unitarian Universalism, and then to be able to explain it to others. All are welcome. Even if you did not attend the first class on this subject, feel free to attend. We had great discussion in the first class!
From Patty Gullick: I just wanted to let everyone know that my husband, Richard, got back from Bagdad about 2 weeks ago and we are very excited that he is home after being gone for 7 months. Thank you everyone for your kind words of support and encouragement. --Patty
The Church welcomes Vicki, Crystal, and Ellie Mattern to church membership. Vicki, in case you didn't know, is a research technologist at the Southwestern Foundation for Biomedical Research. Her daughters, Crystal (9) and Elly (10) are stalwarts in our Religious Education program.
October 24 - "Church/State Separation: Misunderstood and Misused," Speaker : Dr. Barbara Coeyman
October 31 - Samhain, Coordinator: John Wiesen
November 7 - Speaker: Steve Boyd
November 14 - Speaker: Sonya Graham
November 21 - Bread Communion, Coordinator: Margaret Batschelet
November 28 - Speaker: Mary Grace Ketner
December 5 - Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Ellis
December 12 - Speaker: Dr. Barbara Coeyman
December 19 - Speaker: Steve Botts
The Women's Support Group will meet at the church at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates: October 25, November 8, November 22.
The next series selected for the Remarkable Film Group will feature the directorial and written works of John Sayles. The first film selected in this series will be "Matewan." The 1987 film features the performances of Chris Cooper and James Earl Jones and was a breakthrough film for John Sayles. The film will be shown at 6:00 PM on Sunday, November 21 at the church.
The second film in the John Sayles series for the Remarkable Film Group will be "The Secret of Roan Inish." This 1994 film further cemented John Sayles' reputation as a great story teller. The film also features superb cinematography. The film will be shown at 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 19 at the church.
The Remarkable Film Group will conclude its John Sayles series with "Lone Star." This 1996 film is set in a Texas border town and features Chris Cooper. The film will be shown at 6:00 PM on January 16, 2005 at the church.
Traditionally, CUUC has had a Christmas Eve service, and sometimes a Christmas party with caroling at the Bridge. This year, no one on the Worship Committee is available to present the service (although we'll be glad to help with the planning). If you'd like to have a Christmas Eve service and would be willing to lead and/or coordinate one, please contact Margaret Batschelet (typea45@swbell.net) or Mary Grace Ketner (mgteller@yahoo.com).
The Membership committee has formed a new subcommittee, known as the Newcomer Welcome Committee, and is pleased to announce that everyone in the church has joined. This article is a list of committee members' responsibilities.
Add to the form any information that might be of use to the membership committee. Put the completed forms in the Membership box in the copier room. Questions? Contact Henry Halff (210-493-7501, henry@quiensabe.com).
Rovers needed! YRUU will be hosting a rally at our church on the weekend of October 29-31. This is a district wide event, and we are expecting about 150 youth and their adult advisors to come from throughout the Southwest district. As in past years, we need other adults from within the church to volunteer to work as "rovers". Rovers work in small teams in two hour shifts during the night on Friday and Saturday night so that the adult advisors can sleep and be ready to safely drive the youth home at the end of the rally. Come get to know this great group of youth! To volunteer, please contact Shenoa Caroll-Brad by email penguin_fondue@yahoo.com, or by phone at (210)491-0285.
The SWUUC Fall Conference, November 12-14, 2004, is being hosted this year by Emerson Unitarian Church in Houston. The theme of the conference is "Our Excellent Unitarian Universalist Adventure". Keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr John Buehrens, past president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (1993 to 2001).
Over 30 workshops and other events are scheduled along with some excellent dining and entertainment! Come share the fun and excitement! Early registration for the conference ends on October 27, 2004. Info and a registration form are avaliable at http://www.swuuc.org/events/fallconference/. We hope that you will be able to attend and we look forward to seeing you at the Conference! And all are welcome to attend the free entertainment featuring the Gorilla Dance Band at 8:00 p.m. Friday the 13th in Westwood Hall. You do not have to be a conference registrant to attend this event.
Host families are needed for international exchange students for the 2005 spring semester. The students will arrive in early January and will stay with the host family for one semester. They are in need of caring families (with or without children) to provide a home and share with them this unique experience. The host family will provide a bed, meals, as well as friendship, understanding, and a genuine desire to share the American way of life with a youngster from overseas. The students speak English, are covered by medical insurance and have spending money for their personal expenses. The SHARE! High School Exchange Program is sponsored by Educational Resource Development Trust (ERDT). For more information, please call Yvette Coffman at the Southwest Regional Office, 1-800-941-3738.
I am pleased to return to this congregation for the second year as quarter-time consulting minister. I want to take a few moments to remind everyone of what this means. As a consulting minister, my relationship with the congregation is time-limited, just as an interim ministry is: that is, my contract covers a distinct amount of time, nine months, from September 2004 through May 2005. Generally, we have agreed that this quarter-time assignment includes the following: preaching or otherwise being involved in one service a month; advising the board and committees; offering music and adult religious education as needed; pastoral counseling; and participating in rites of passage as necessary. In this, my second year of full-time ministry, I have some hopes and visions for this congregation, that I will outline in more detail in future newsletters.
Here, let me ask, what are your hopes and visions for your church? What do you value about this congregation? What new activities and attitudes do you envision? What do you plan to do this year to continue those parts that you value, and to implement new ideas? Can each of you reading this newsletter identify two areas in which you can contribute something during the course of the year?---to worship, or membership, or buildings and grounds, or fund-raising, or community outreach, or working with the children, etc., etc., etc. I wonder if sometimes we become a bit unmindful---perhaps self-doubting---about the important place of liberal religion in our communities. Especially during this election season, make no bones about it, our communities need our liberal voice, our liberal presence. We as a congregation need to be here for those seeking a liberal spiritual home. We also need to be living those values in our communities. What are you hopes and visions for your liberal church?
Speaking of living our values in the community, this year I am exploring new avenues of ministry, in community ministry as a chaplain for Planned Parenthood, Austin chapter. It's an exciting new venture for me, involving counseling patients in our clinics, testifying before state agencies, and occasionally making an appearance on the evening news. I'll keep you posted about my experiences this year.
Also I can name one of my visions for my own ministerial formation this year. Sometime in winter, probably in March, I am planning a ceremony of ordination. The ceremony will be in Austin, and involved congregations and ministers from throughout the southwest UU district. I will keep you posted as plans for the ceremony take shape.
Keep visioning, keep moving forward. Blessings!
Barbara
Dr. Barbara Coeyman
Part-time consulting minister
CUUC
October 24 - "Church/State Separation: Misunderstood and Misused," Speaker: Barbara Coeyman
October 24 - Adult Religious Education: "Articulating Your UU Faith," 12:30
October 25 - Women's group, 7:00 p.m.
October 29-31 - YRUU Rally at CUUCSA
October 31 - Samhain, Coordinator: John Wiesen
November 7 - Speaker: Steve Boyd
November 7 - Special business meeting after services
November 14 - Speaker: Sonya Graham
November 21 - Bread Communion, Coordinator: Margaret Batschelet
November 21 - Remarkable Film Group presents "Matewan," 6:00 p.m.
November 25 - CUUCSA Thanksgiving Dinner
November 28 - Speaker: Mary Grace Ketner
December 5 - Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Ellis
December 12 - Speaker: Dr. Barbara Coeymanv
December 19 - Speaker: Steve Botts
December 19 - Remarkable Film Group presents "The Secret of Roan Inish," 6:00 p.m.
January 16 - Remarkable Film Group presents "Lone Star," 6:00 p.m.
If you'd like to receive the e-mail version of this newsletter every month, send a message to Margaret Batschelet, the newsletter editor.