Editor: Steve Botts, stbotts@texas.net
Nosotros, las congregaciones miembros de la Asociación UU, convenimos en afirmar y formentar el valor y la dignidad propria de cada persona.
President
Mary Grace Ketner
Secretary
Vicki Lee Mattern
Treasurer
Nancy White
At Large Member
Sonya Graham
At Large member
Peter Van Dusen
Operations & Maintenance Committee Coordinator
John Bradshaw, Patrick Shearer
Member Services Committee Coordinators
Clem Chow, Jeff Ketner
Program Committee Coordinators
Henry Halff, Stephanie Shearer
CUUC Website Manager
Margaret Batschelet
Stephanie Shearer and I attended the District Fall Leadership Conference held in Austin. What a blast! CUUCÕs very own Lisa Kunz hosted Stephanie, and helped us both feel welcomed to the conference.
Keynote speaker Rev. Margaret Corletti relayed a story of a Methodist who observed the warm bonds between UUs who wanted to understand what caused it. He said ÒYou have no doctrine, no creed. What is it that bonds you together?Ó Critics say we value socializing more than religion or spirituality. Many of us say that our spirituality emerges from the way we connect with each other.
Fellowship was the biggest highlight of the conference. I finally got to meet ÒSoul TalkÓ host and kindred spirit, Rev. Chuck Freeman. I reconnected with a friend of 17 years from All Souls UU Church in Shreveport LA. Other highlights included a concert, walking the Labyrinth and gaining useful information at workshops.
Walking the labyrinth at Live Oak, inspired me to come back and care for our property. CommunityÕs property is a beautiful and peaceful refuge. This minister will be happy to schedule Òoffice hoursÓ with anyone who wants to mix fellowship and stewardship. (Thx to John B. and Patty G. for their recent labors)
Another form of fellowship I experience at the conference was the peer support of others who are grieving the passage of ÒProp 2Ó. My heart hurts to see my country so dominated by the fearful tactics of the religious right. Manipulating peopleÕs insecurities and prejudices has served to distract the public from a political agenda that enables the superrich to siphon public wealth and swell the ranks of the poor and dispossessed. This is harder to take, coming from people who claim to be following a man who consistently challenged the norms of piety in favor of true compassion and service to oppressed brothers and sisters.
UU congregations will remain on the forefront asserting marriage as a civil right, recognizing that families come in different shapes and arrangements, and affirming love is the divine bond that unites us all. How do we dialogue with people who feel the need to discriminate against homosexuals? How can we expand our cultureÕs circle of concern? UUÕs often disagree on politics as well as theology, but we will continue to find ways to promote tolerance and the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
If I sound fired up as a result of attending Fall Conference, know that you can catch the fire next time. Consider attending district Leadership school in July. Tom Anastasi, UU Minister from Seattle will be sharing his New Orleans style piano playing and charismatic preaching style!
And in the meantime, letÕs keep the homefires burning!
In Solidarity
Phil
At the WAL-MART movie last Sunday, one of our guests made a comment that I thought about all the way home and am still thinking about. He said "It's good to preach to the choir; it lets you practice."
Now, that same day at another meeting, I had interupted someone impatiently for "speaking to the choir," but the truth is our visitor was right. Indeed, I have been the beneficiary of being a chorister who got preached to! How many times recently have I spoken to someone about the marriage equality issue saying "I stand on the side of Love." That was a phrase our denominational president Bill Sinkford spoke at G.A. in Fort Worth this past summer. He expressed something I already believed and had "sung" before, but the lyrics were new and more appealing. They caught my imagination and articulated my own beliefs in a manner that seemed more convincing, more self-evident than I'd been able to achieve with my own language. By "preaching" to this second soprano, Rev. Sinkford gave me a better grasp of the music and taught me a new verse. The same may be said of the speakers at the rally in opposition to the death penalty which the UUA staged in Fort Worth during GA.
And the same may be said of our meetings with each other, for example, at the October 4th Sunday "Exploring Our Theological Diversity" session when we discussed whether or not we might be willing to rent our church to certain groups whose goals are in opposition to ours: where would we draw the line?
By listening to the choir preach to each other--and preaching back, we become better advocates for the things we believe in. We become better able to respond to others in the moment instead of later thinking ofwhat we should have said. We become better able to respond gently and confidently instead of feeling the anger rise in our cheeks then bursting out words we regret even as they emerge from our lips.
So now I say with our visitor, "Come on in! Preach to the choir! Give us your best shot!"
Mary Grace
Mary Grace Ketner is president of the CUUC Board of Trustees, 2005-2006.
Bread seems to be one foodstuff that everyone from carnivores to vegans can appreciate. Join us on November 20 for our traditional pre-Thanksgiving bread communion. Share your favorite bread with other CUUCsters, along with the story of your bread--making it, eating it, and enjoying it. As UU's, we welcome bread of all sorts: homemade, store-bought, dark, light, sweet, spicy, or even Wonder: it's the stories we're looking forward to!
Margaret Batschelet is a member of the Communication Department at UTSA, specializing in Web Design and other topics related to new media. She serves as CUUCSA's Webmaster.
Glenna Jones-Kachtik holds a BS in Elementary Education (grades 1-8); having graduated from Texas A&I (now A&M). She has taught in the public and private schools n grades 2 through 7. She was children's librarian at Butt Holdsworth Memorial Library in Kerrville for 5 years and put on some great puppet shows and plays during that time. She is also a registered massage therapist.
The book of Job has always been a troubling one for students of religion.in regard to the way it deals with good and evil as well as the way it confronts the idea of divine justice with human experience. Catholics, Protestants, and Jews all have their own interpretations of this book. I n this service I will attempt to offer a posible way that UUs night interpret this profound piece of ancient literature.
Steven Botts is a teacher, a sometime poet, and occasional writer of stories. He has done a number of services at CUUC, mostly on religion or religious history. He is a longtime member of the worship committee and is also the newsletter editor for CUUC.
This will be the first of a two-part series that will deal with winter holidays.
Stephanie Shearer is co-chair of the Programs Committee and a member of the Social Justice Committee.
Are you okay with Kwanza, Hanuka, and Solstice, but had enough Christmas for a lifetime? Have the fundamentalists left you with a gag response toward Christianity? Can we embrace the light that enters the world in December as Christmas spirit? Can we find room in our heart for the divine one born in a manger?
About Phil Schulman
Phil Schulman serves CUUC p/t as Minister. He graduated from Thomas Starr King School for the Ministry in '89, and pursued a community ministry for 12 years developing Peer Support Communities. He served previously as Minister of St John UU Fellowship in the Virgin Islands, and has extensive experience as a counselor, advocate, peace and human rights activist.
This will be the second of a two-part series on winter holidays.
Patty Gullick graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Special Education. She taught for several years in a Quaker school and then a small progressive school in Maryland. Patty is active in the Worship and Social Justice Committees
From Steven Botts
Since the last newsletter, we've had a couple of stand-up sermons, one by Henry Halff and the other by our Minister, Phil Schulman and a couple of sharing services, one coordinated by Glenna Jones-Kachtik and the other by Steven Botts.
Henry's well-thought-out sermon on October 23 was titled "What, Me Worship" and dealt with the importance of worship for Unitarian-Universalists in terms of honoring and strengthening basic UU values not only within the church, but in our daily lives in the community and the world.
Phil Schulman's service on November 13, "Gratitude Again?" pointed out the importance of gratitude as an element in a good and satisfying life. Phil stressed the need to deliberately cultivate an attitude of gratitude and the rewards of doing so.
From Glenna Jones-Kachtik
I think that the favorite service so far that I have done has got to be the Dia de los Muertos service (10/30). It was so rewarding to see our congregation share their memories and see the photos of their loved ones. Paloma's family really made the celebration with the skeletons, the foods and the incense as well as the photos of their family. Stephanie did such a wonderful job of lighting candles in memory - even the small "fire". My highlights of that service were: Paloma's reading, Huyen's memories of her Grandmother and all the lovely photos! Some of these people would have rivaled Hollywood royalty - You can tell that we were all descended from beautiful people; inside and out.
I can only comment on my own services, since I don't get to listen to many others unless they are intergenerational and this was my favorite so far because it was so poignant to hear everyone's stories. (From our past, comes our present).
Glenna Jones-Kachtik
From Joan Raab
I really enjoyed the Social Justice service (11/6) the most. The reason I'm sure is that listening to others' comments helped clarify my own perceptions. Although I had my own experiences volunteering throughout the Katrina effort, I was unable to initially formulate and articulate exactly why I found those experiences so meaningful. Sometimes its possible to be too close to something and it becomes very helpful to process with others. That can happen as simply as being present in a worship service.
The children had a good time, I think, learning about Dia de los Muertos and as reported; the service was wonderful. This month we have embarked on a study of Hinduism. We have learned so far that there is one God. Brahma - who has different aspects. Brahma is the Creator and Vishnu is the Protector and Shiva is the Destroyer. This triad forms the Hindu worship. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva all have wives. Vishnu comes to Earth in various forms (As Rama and as Krishna and some believe as Jesus Christ). Ganesha is the Elephant God and he is the son of Shiva. We have seen some pictures of the various Gods from the Internet, and last week, we made God Images from clay.
This week, we will read the story of the Birth of Krishna and about Shiva, Pavarti and the Elephant God Ganesha. Some of the children will make Diwali lights and some of them will be doing Rangoli design patterns on sandpaper with chalk.
On the 20th the children will be participating in the service. I have not exactly decided what yet, it will either be a skit for Guest At Your Table or something 'Thanksgivingy'. I will decide before the date and let Margaret know in plenty of time to do the Order of Service. But the children are looking forward to participating in this service.
We will finish up Hinduism on the 27th and the children will take home all of the things they have made.
I have no plans for December as of yet. We will really have only 2-3 Sundays and there will be the usual gift making and card making. The children will be doing an Intergenerational Service on the last Sunday in December. The kids may show what they have learned so far about different celebrations - carrying on from the Services by Patty Gullick (Winter Holidays I) and Stephanie Shearer (Winter Holidays II). Phil will be doing the second Sunday. We will begin the study of Buddhism in January.
Throughout this special time of the year Thanksgiving and Christmas, I can count teaching your children and the lessons I have learned from them as blessings.
Shalom, Blessed Be
"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends." John Churton Collins
Patty Gullick grew up mostly on the east coast as an Army Brat. Her father retired in Aberdeen, Maryland, which is where she still considers home, although home is definitely a relative term in the Gullick household, being that her husband, Richard, still has a 3 year commitment left to the Army. Patty graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Special Education. She taught for several years in a Quaker school and then a small progressive school in Maryland.
When her husband was stationed in Hawaii, Patty decided to be a stay at home mom and continues to do so with Maggie (4), Micaela(8) and Michael (10 on 21 Nov) keeping her quite busy. In her free time she loves to be outside canoeing, playing tennis, biking, hangin' out with the kids.
Patty has attended our church for a while now, so many of you may already know her and her children. She participates in the Parental Covenant Group, Worship Committee, and Social Justice Committee.
We hope that you will join us in the soup lunch featuring Hindu foods after the service on that day. Bring a dish! Enjoy some company! Check out these sites:
http://www.diwalifestival.org/ (click on the diwali recipes)
http://www.recipedelights.com/indiansoups.htm (you can navigate to other dishes)
http://bawarchi.com/cookbook/diwali.htm
Hopefully you can find a dish to bring and share with us on that day. The main key is no beef - mostly vegetarian dishes.
On Thursday November 24, Thanksgiving Day, the church will host a Potluck dinner. Hors d'ouevres begin at 3PM and dinner at 4PM. We need people to come early to set up tables and decorate and others to stay late and help put things away. Everyone is welcome, friends too. There is a sign up sheet on a bulletin board in the coffee room or e-mail Nancy White, white2nancy@yahoo.com, what you plan to bring and when you can help. (H) 210-650-4785
The Parental Covenant Group will hold its regular meeting on the third Sunday of the month after church, 11/20/05, and share family Thanksgivings.
June Kachtik
The Women's Support Group will meet at the church at 7 p.m. on the following date:
The women's support group is an open, confidential circle. All women members and friends of the church are welcome.
All parents and those with an interest in children are welcome to join the PCG. The group meets for one hour after church on the third Sunday of each month for the purpose of getting to know each other better. By creating an open, supportive, nurturing environment, we promote and facilitate spiritual growth and mutual, interactive care for one another. We follow the typical covenant group rituals - opening words, a question everyone answers briefly for the purpose of transitioning to the group experience, discussion of a topic, and a closing question and words to send us on our way. Discussion topics vary from month to month. This summer we also went swimming on the Guadalupe River in Kerrville and explored Natural Bridge Caverns. In addition to regular meetings and family activities, as a covenant group we committed to providing a service to the church and to the community. PCG prepared and led the worship service of 8/28/05 and hosted a group of young people away from their families at one of our church picnics.
The Women's Support Group is open to women and friends of the church. We meet every 2 weeks, on a Monday night at the church, starting at 7 p.m. and usually finishing before 9 p.m. Each woman usually talks for about 10 minutes about anything she wishes. However, you don't have to talk if you would rather not. What is divulged is kept confidential unless otherwise stated. It is a great way to get to know the women in the church on a more personal level in a safe environment. We invite you to come and join us and let us get to know you.
The Cuuc men's group meets every other Sunday from 6:30 - 8:30 P.M. The current schedule is 9/25,10/9,10/23. All CUUC men or visitors are welcome to join us.
Group leadership rotates from meeting to meeting. The leader for each meeting is also the host, and he is responsible for furnishing snacks and drinks.
We usually start off meetings with a clearing, in which each member is allowed to talk about recent events in his life, if he wishes to, for as long as he sees fit. Next, the facilitator introduces the topic for the evening. This may involve a short reading - a poem, an article or other text. The subject could be just about anything that the facilitator would like the group to address: What's going on at CUUC, religion, economics science, health, family, friendship, etc.
Around 8:30, we wind things up by deciding who is going to facilitate the next meeting, declare this one finished, clean up, and leave.
The Remarkable Film Group consists of members and friends of CUUC who gather each month to view one feature film and discuss it afterward. Everyone is welcome to attend. The films are usually shown at church at 6 PM on the third Sunday of each month. Films are shown in a series. The attendees select the theme and content of each series normally compose of four films of a common theme, directed by the same person or featuring a specific actor or actress. Past film series have carried such themes as Women Messiahs or include films directed by John Sayles or those featuring Peter Sellers. Current leaders of the group are Clem and Joyce Chow. Any questions about this group may be directed to Clem or Joyce.
A very religious man lived right next door to an atheist. While the religious one prayed day in, day out, and was constantly on his knees in communion with his Lord, the atheist never even looked twice at a church.
However, the atheist's life was good, he had a well-paying job and a beautiful wife, and his children were healthy and good-natured, whereas the pious man's job was strenuous and his wages were low, his wife was getting fatter all the time and his kids wouldn't give him the time of the day.So one day, deep in prayer as usual, the pious man raised his eyes towards heaven and asked: "Oh God, I honor you every day, I ask your advice for every problem and confess to you my every sin. Yet my neighbor, who doesn't even believe in you and certainly never prays, seems blessed with every happiness, while I go poor and suffer many an indignity. Why is this?"
And a great voice was heard from above...
"BECAUSE HE DOESN'T BOTHER ME ALL THE TIME!"
An atheist was spending a quiet day fishing when suddenly his boat was attacked by the Loch Ness monster. In one easy flip, the beast tossed him and his boat high into the air. Then it opened its mouth to swallow both. As the man sailed head over heels, he cried out, "Oh, my God! Help me!" At once, the ferocious attack scene froze in place, and as the atheist hung in mid-air, a booming voice came down from the clouds, "I thought you didn't believe in Me!" "Come on God, give me a break!!," the man pleaded. "Two minutes ago I didn't believe in the Loch Ness monster either!"
A man went to Heaven. St Peter showed him round, saying, "The Anglicans are in this group, the Presbyterians are over here, the Methodists there, and there are the Catholics. After continuing his conducted tour, the man said "But who are those people in that little room over there? St Peter replied "Oh them, they're the Baptists. Please be quiet as you walk past. They think they are the only ones here".
How Many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb? CHANGE??!!!
This comes from a Catholic elementary school. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. They have not been retouched or corrected.
In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.
Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to in pears.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.
The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with the unsympathetic Genitals.
The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. he fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.
When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found Jesus in the manager.
Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.
It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.
The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.
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