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 church's Thanksgiving dinner (November 27) is gaining momemntum and promises to the best yet. Loretta Von Coppenolle (492-4620) has graciously agreed to organize the affair. If you plan on attending, please let her know or use the signup sheet in the coffee room.
Barbara Coeyman has offered to do an adult RE class in the spring. Topics could be either "Process Theology: A Practical Approach" OR "Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Woman's Bible." The question for members is twofold: which, if either of these topics, interests you; and, what would be the best time for a such a class. Please express your preferences to Barbara at barbrevbarb@aol.com with a copy to Steve Boyd at msbtoys@nbtx.com for the program committee's information.
Additional adult RE offerings are also being considered with potential sessions led by both Sue Minton and Henry Halff. If you have preferences in general about times for those sessions in the spring, please email Steve.
The Remarkable Film continues its series on the general theme of "Family" On December 7 at 6:00 PM, the film will be "Moonstruck," featuring Cher's Oscar-winning performance.
November 16 - "The Elevator Speech"
November 23 - "On the Possibilities of Forgiveness," Rev. Barbara Coeyman
November 30 - "The Patriot Act," Coordinator: John Bradshaw
December 7 - Neighborhoods and Communities, Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
December 14 - "A Language of Reverence," Speaker: Bob Ireland
December 21 - "Home for Christmas," Speaker: Henry Halff
December 28 - "Perception," Speaker: Patrick Woolsey
Barbara Coeyman's topic on November 23 will be "On The Possibilities of Forgiveness." I take my title from Simon Wiesenthal's book, 'The Sunflower,' which is centered on a Nazi concentration camp. Wiesenthal's wartime experiences have generated many conversations about the role of forgiveness in human justice-making, compassion, and responsibility for one another. As we approach the holiday season, generally a time of both celebration and reflection, what are the possibilities for including forgiveness in our covenants with others--in our congregations, in our families, in the world. How can we also treat ourselves with forgiveness.
On December 7, Barbara will address serving our neighborhoods and communities. Throughout their histories, Unitarians and Universalists have been staunch advocates for social ministry: this is, for taking the work of the church into the world, and especially for using that work to advocate for the marginalized, the disadvantaged, the powerless. What does it mean today, to take our liberal, free faith into the world? Why does it matter? How can we affect our communities? In this holiday season, let us as persons of liberal religion remember that some of the greatest gifts we can give to others are our ministry in the world of our neighborhoods and communities.
This service will include our Ad Hoc Choir, a group that rehearses once and performs in support of the worship service and the sermon. Music for this choir performance will be hymns of social action of the past and present written by Unitarians and Universalists. Anyone may participate in the Choir: no previous choir experience is required. In fact, no singing talent is required. Copies of the music will be available starting Sunday 23 November and can be picked up in the foyer of the church. For more information, contact the minister: Barbara Coeyman, cell 503-806-7593, email barbrevbarb@aol.com. A rehearsal time will be announced, dependent on the membership of the choir.
Y'all come sing now!
Barbara
The Women's Support Group will meet at the church at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates: November 17 and December 1.
The Member Services Committee meets on the fourth Sunday of every month, after services. The next meeting is on November 23. The December meeting has been rescheduled for December 7 in order to take advantage of Barbara's presence. 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)
The 30 November Sunday Service is scheduled to be a combined presentation on the USA Patriot Act and an exploration of congregational attitudes toward social action in general. There is also a question of if and how to support a local ACLU proposal for the San Antonio City Council to join over two hundred governmental entities in adopting a "Resolution Declaring Opposition to Federal Measures That Infringe on Civil Liberties." Copies of the proposed resolution are available in the coffee room and copies of UUA advice "Strategies for Managing Conflict in Congregations About Social Justice Issues" will be available from 9 November. Members are urged to consult Web Sites for background information; enter USA Patriot Act in Google or another search engine for critiques or the Act itself.
At the November Board meeting we will discuss exterior public relations and consider holding a very simple straw vote during a Mid-November service. Members may be asked to give an early impression of feelings by a vote on the following choices.
(1) I am in favor of the Congregation going on record in favor of the ACLU Resolution, and if appropriate stating that position at a City Council Meeting.
Yes____ No_____ Maybe____ Don't Know enough to say_______
(2) I think we could have a sub group of the church who could take a position i.e. "The Patriot Act Study Group of the CUUC, or the Social Justice Committee of the CUUC is in favor of the resolution."
Yes____ No_____ Maybe____Don't Know Enough to say ______
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, Sue Minton at 679-7598, Catherine McKee at 681-4197 or Sally Wiesen at 256-9732. 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.
Your board will meet on Wednesday, December 10, 2003, from 7:15 - 9:15 p.m. If you would like to offer input on the following topics, you are welcome to attend or contact any board member prior to the meeting.
The CUUC Men's Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME) 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 November 23 and December 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.
Joan Bradshaw, Joyce and Clem Chow, Jeff Ketner, Bob and Catherine McKee, and I attended the Conference Saturday, November 8, 2003. We enjoyed seeing old friends from First UU Church, meeting new ones throughout the district, and picking up some ideas which can be helpful to our church.
One of things I'd like to share is the adaptation of the results of a survey by Gallop on what constitutes a satisfactory workplace. In this case, it is factors leading to lay leader satisfaction. They are:
1. Do I know what is expected of me?
2. Do I have the information or materials needed to do my work well?
3. Do I have the opportunity to do what I do best?
4. Have I recently received recognition or praise for good work?
5. Do my co-workers seem to care about me as a person?
6. Am I able to grow as a person as a result of my efforts?
7. Do my opinions seem to count?
8. Does it feel like the work I do is contributing to the larger mission of the congregation? (Am I making a difference?)
9. Are other volunteers in my group doing quality work?
10.Do I have a best friend in the congregation?
Wouldn't this be an interesting survey for our church members? How "satisfied" are you? - June Kachtik
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. The one of most immediate concern is on November 23. Group leaders can sign their groups up on the sign-up sheet in the coffee room. Also be aware that because Barbara will tending her CUUC flock on December 7, the December soup lunch has been rescheduled for that date.
The Board of Trustees of CUUC would like to remind all members that before you obligate any expenditure on behalf of the church, please make sure that you have secured agreement for such expenditure from the appropriate committee chair. (If you can keep this statement in all future newsletters, it would be very helpful)
There is a covenant group being formed to study the feasibility of instituting covenant groups for our church. This group will meet for about one hour once each month starting January. A few spaces are still available for membership in this group. If you are interested or wish to know more about this covenant group, please contact June Kachtik.
Call for a special business meeting. On November 30, there will be a service on the USA Patriot Act to be followed by a specially called business meeting of the congregation. At this meeting, there will be a ballot taken on the congregational stance on supporting the ACLU resolution to be presented to the City Council relating to the Patriot Act.
Join us for "Community Dinners" the weekend of Nov 14-15
Community Dinners are gatherings of 8 people at the home of a participant who has volunteered to host the event. Each Dinner will be with a different set of 8 people (couples are placed together, but you can participate as either an individual or a couple). The host prepares the main course and the other participants typically bring salad, vegetables and dessert. Dinners are scheduled for Nov. 14 or 15, Feb. 13 or 14 and May 14 or 15.
In order to rotate the groups, everyone who wants to participate is asked to complete the following form and get it to Sandi Boyd, either by e-mail to sandi.boyd@earthlink.net or us mail at 650 Evergreen Lane, New Braunfels, TX 78130. You may also complete a form at church on Sunday and give it to either Sandi or Steven. Please register by the 1st of November. Sandi will create guest lists for the hosts, who will contact everyone to schedule the dinner and determine what each person is bringing.
This is a wonderful way to get to know each other better and enjoy great CUUC conversations and food. Note: this activity is not meant to replace any of the other great groups that are getting together to share food and conversation.
Community Dinner Registration Form
Please check one of the following types of participation:
Individual:
Couple
Name(s):
Contact information:
E-Mail address:
Phone:
Willing to host: November February May
First of all, let me say how pleased I am to serve as the part-time minister of this congregation for the current church year.
I have already seen how this promises to be a year of new plans, hopes, and ideas that reach both members of the congregation and the greater San Antonio community. The members of this congregation are engaged in important ministry, ministry that can strength the voice of liberal religion in central Texas.
It's not an easy calling we are all pursuing, this work of liberal religion. I hope you see your work for this church not as burdensome tasks, but as a vital part of your spiritual growth. Our work is important. Just think what life would be like if there were no voices of liberal religion out there, shaping our individual lives, our communities, and our world.
A final note: In mid-October in San Jose, CA, I attended the annual meeting of Collegium, which is one of the organizations of UU scholars and researchers. At this meeting I presented a paper on the Rev. Mary Billings, who was the first ordained woman Universalist minister in Texas (ordained 1892) and part of the first Universalist missionary movement in this state. I've been researching Mary's story for several years and hope to publish some work on her during 2004, the centennial year of her death. She lived in Hico, Texas.
November 14-15 - Community Dinners
November 16 - "The Elevator Speech"
November 17 - Women's Group, 7:00 p.m.
November 23 - "On the Possibilities of Forgiveness," Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
November 23 - Soup Lunch after services
November 23 - Men's Group, 7:00 p.m.
November 27 - Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner
November 30 - "The Patriot Act," Coordinator: John Bradshaw
November 30 - Special Business Meeting after service
December 1 - Women's Group,7:00 p.m.
December 7 - On neighborhoods and communities, Speaker: Rev. Barbara Coeyman
December 7 - Soup Lunch after services
December 7 - Member Services Committee meeting after services
December 7 - Remarkable Film Series, "Moonstruck," 6:00 p.m.
December 10 - Board of Trustees meeting, 7:15 p.m.
December 14 - Men's Group, 7:00 p.m.
December 21 - "Home for Christmas," Coordinator: Henry Halff
December 28 - "Perception," Speaker: Patrick Woolsey
If you'd like to receive the e-mail version of this newsletter every month, send a message to Margaret Batschelet, the newsletter editor.