smuuf

Vol. 18, No. 7 Newsletter of the San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship March 2005

We meet every Sunday at 11 a.m. from September through May at the Campus Christian Center on the Texas State University campus - 604 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-396-2986 www.smuuf.org

President: Priscilla Leder; Vice-President: Jeff Rasco; Treasurer: Bob Patton; Secretary: Jeannie Lewis
Directors: Laura Watters and Barbara Jacobson; Children's Religious Education: Melani Howard
Newsletter Editor: Jane O’Ferrall Moss

"Love Differentiates." Karl will be looking at different approaches to spirituality and how it affects our fellowship and our individual lives.

“Deconstructing Paul: Rediscovering the Inclusive Kingdom of God." The sermon for March is based upon the books In Search Of Paul: How The Kingdom Of God Triumphed Over The Kingdom Of Rome by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan Reed and Rabbi Paul by Bruce Chilton.

“Where Do We Find Absolution?” Historically and theologically speaking, the Universalists had a cut and dry perspective on salvation, but the Unitarians in classic fashion had a complexity of views based on their confidence in free moral agency. Regardless, I will argue that absolution, unlike God, is not a 'take it or leave it' proposition in terms of health and wholeness in the liberal religious context - we all need it, because it gets to the heart of our self-worth.

After many months, if not years, of exploration and deliberation for a service project that would have a 'public' face for SMUUF and still be within the capabilities of a small fellowship, the Board has entered into a long-term agreement with the San Marcos Area Food Bank to provide volunteers to collect food at Wal-Mart one Saturday a month beginning in June and continuing through the end of the year.

The collection will probably require four people for each shift --- two at each entrance. The Food Bank will provide “Food Bank” aprons, signage, collection boxes, set up materials (such as tables and chairs), and any other supplies needed. The Food Bank will probably bring a van and park it near the entrance so it can be loaded as donations are received. Pat Tessaro, director of the Food Bank, said it would be fine for SMUUF volunteers to have some sort of signage, name tags, buttons, t-shirts or whatever, to identify the UU Fellowship.

The Board is very pleased that this opportunity opened up for our Fellowship to participate in an on-going service project for our community. The food collected by the Food Bank is distributed to needy families in San Marcos, Wimberley, Martindale, Kyle, Dripping Springs and throughout Hays County.

The hours and some other details are not pinned down yet, but mark the following Saturdays on your calendar/planner: June 25, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 15, November 12, and December 10. This will be in good weather/bad, hot/cold, and wet/dry.

A coordinator is needed to take charge of this service project. If you are interested in volunteering to lead this effort please inform a Board member.

A Membership Ceremony welcoming new members to the fellowship is planned for Sunday, March 20, during the service. Anyone that would like to officially join the San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is invited to do so. There will be a brief ceremony during which each person will sign the membership book and receive a pin to mark the occasion.

The annual meeting will be held in April, and it is required by SMUUF by-laws that votes may be cast only by those that have been members for at least 30 days, and to be eligible to serve on the board of directors. Several board positions will be filled at that time, and there may be other items up for consideration. Membership will also place you on the mailing list for the UUA publication, UU World. Please let Priscilla or any board member know of your wishes.

Texas State students are performing tasks for their community service day on April 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The CCC will have students there to clean up both patios, clean out the storage room, landscape and plant flowers. SMUUF has offered to help supervise the students. Judy Telford has volunteered to work with Jennifer at the CCC to design landscaping and sign up SMUUF volunteers. See Judy to sign up. Just think, this spring we’ll be able to open the back curtains and enjoy an attractive outdoors scene during our services and for coffee time.

Sign up now to be a volunteer at UUA General Assembly which comes to Texas for the first time in many years --- to Fort Worth --from June 23 to 27. Your GA registration fee will be waived. You can choose your job. You can find out what makes GA work. You can meet lots of UUs from around the world. You can have a wonderful experience. Applications are open only from March 1 to March 31. Contact Jeannie Lewis, the Local Volunteer Recruiter, at (512) 353-2872 or jeannie@centurytel.net.

The vice president of the board of directors, Jeff Rasco, will be attending the Southwest District Conference in Dallas on April 9-10. As our delegate he will be invited to attend the SW District Board Meeting, where a dues increase and other important matters will be discussed and decided. It is greatly appreciated that Jeff is willing to take the time from his busy schedule to look after the interests of this fellowship.

Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman, senior minister at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, will conduct a workshop at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin on April 1st and 2nd. It is designed to 'strengthen your own heart-wisdom, teach you to welcome life rather than fear it, and help you become more attentive to sacred relationships in your life.' It will cost $40 if registered by March 25, and includes a workbook and Saturday lunch. To register, visit austinuu.org or call 512-349-2318.

A Chalice Call has gone out to help the UU Fellowship of Longview. They have experienced almost 300% growth in the past couple of years, and their attendance of 40-50 each Sunday has reached the fire-code limits of their current rental space. They have located a facility to purchase. If you wish to help, send a check for $10 or more to SWUUC Chalice Lighters, 6720 Brentwood Stair Road, Fort Worth, TX 76112.

"Confessions of a (Sometimes) Goddess Worshiper" by Jeannie Lewis
This was actually supposed to be a report on the Southwest Unitarian Universalist Women’s Annual Conference in Houston the weekend of February 4-6. Our newsletter editor asked me to write it up for the March publication. But as I considered writing it with that title it seemed rather mundane and, I believe, failed the capture the essence and exhilaration of the event for those of us who journeyed down to Space City to attend this rousing and sometimes raucous gathering of UU Sisters. So I decided to write a more personal account of my experience there.

The theme was “Sisterhood is Still Powerful.” The organizers wanted us to rekindle some of the hope and promise we felt in the halcyon days of the 60s when we sang of the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. We did. We were instructed that “If you’re going to Houston, Texas, be sure to wear a flower in your hair.” We did that, too. And much more!

Seven of us attended, most carpooling in Priscilla Leder’s van, which was packed to overflowing with wine, cheese, crackers, chips, dips, fruits, veggies, brownies, cookies, and all manner of delicious snacks. Besides Priscilla and me, there was Jane Moss, Jan Burks, Mantie Autry, Janet Wallace and her sister Cheryl. We were lugging all that food because prior to our arrival we had invited the Comal UU Women to a wine and cheese reception in our connecting rooms a couple of hours before the Opening Ritual on Friday evening. The Comal group immediately emailed to us their acceptance and informed us they had 17 women attending. Oh! Plan for more food! We had a wonderful visit with them Friday evening.

The keynote speaker was Margot Adler, she the granddaughter of the famous Viennese psychologist Alfred Adler, host of NPR’s Justice Talking, award-wining journalist and correspondent on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition, well-known author of two provocative books, and --- most fascinating of all --- an active Wiccan priestess for three decades. Margot didn’t just give the keynote address on Saturday morning and disappear for the rest of the conference. Oh, no! She was present at all the gatherings for the entire time --- either leading us in energizing chants and dances, holding a free-wheeling Q&A Session, joining in as a participate in other’s workshops, or eating with us side-by-side. I am now a big fan of Margot Adler. And like a star-struck groupie, when I saw the chair beside her empty at breakfast on Saturday morning, I immediately took the seat just to listen in on her on-going conversation with other participants. Then when it was time for her to get up to give the keynote address and she discovered to her alarm that she had left her speaker’s notes in her room, I eagerly offered to go up to her room and retrieve the missing notes for her. I like to think I saved the day, but I know that in her own words, she could have “just winged it.”

On Saturday, we each had the opportunity to attend three different workshops of our choice. Most of us scattered out to participate in the various workshops offered. I can’t tell you much about the workshops others attended except that I know Mantie was impressed that the author of the venerable UU curriculum Cakes for the Queen of Heaven was there to lead this workshop on the ancient religions of the goddesses and Jane Moss was unimpressed with the outdoor (in not-so-nice weather) Labyrinth Walk --- a so-called self-paced walking meditation held up by one woman whose “self-pace” was at the speed of a snail.

I thoroughly enjoyed my workshops: Stories Mother Never Told Us --- folktales and myths featuring strong, independent women, Theater of the Oppressed --- improvisational drama telling your own stories and truths (Margot was an enthusiastic fellow participate), and Margot Adler’s Q & A Session.

But now to explain the quixotic title of this article. I am not “into” goddess worship, pagan rituals, or Wiccan practices. But for some reason, for which I have no explanation, the SWUUW Annual Conferences have come to have strong influences of all of the above. When I was approached about attending my first SWUUW Conference two years ago in Austin, I remember what Priscilla Leder said about the whole aura created at the conferences --- she said she “goes to another place.” Well, that intrigued me. “Go to another place.” Yeah, bring it on! I can do that! So I went and got “into it” and went “to another place” and had a wonderful experience.

I’ve thought a lot about why I, and other logical, down-to-earth, rational women, go to these conferences and seemingly abandon our normally rational view of life and join in pagan chants and dances with such enthusiasm. There was a deeply satisfying sense of female power and communal spirit in that room with the voices of our sister UUs all joining in. I have developed a theory as to why this is so appealing and moving to the women involved. But, I believe, it’s too politically incorrect to commit to writing or to utter in mixed company. So I’ll leave it to your imagination.

This item from Jeannie Lewis: The items we collected to send to our “adopted” soldier in Iraq were mailed shortly before Valentine’s Day. We know she will be happy to receive these little gifts from our heart. We collected coffee, tea, sanitizing hand towels and gel, V-8 Juice, tissues, toilet paper, toffee candy and a book. We also enclosed about six cards with personal messages. Thanks to those of you who gave. We’ll let you know when Tracy says she has received the package.

And this item also from Jeannie: Members of our Fellowship have enjoyed getting together to go hear Island Texas, our adopted “house” band during February. Some went to Papa Dock’s to hear them play on February 12 and then several of us female “groupies” --- mostly single --- whooped and hollered through their set at Cheatham Street Warehouse on February 20. It’s a lot of fun --- and we haven’t been kicked out yet! Our next scheduled Island Texas fun afternoon is Sunday, March 20, at 4:00 p.m. at Cheatham Street Warehouse. Join us!

Ken Burks' brother, Joe, and his partner, Norm, were visiting recently, and came to our services. They live in Seattle, and were on their way to New Orleans.

Mantie Autry's grandson, Pvt. 1st Class Autry, is on his way to Iraq. Our best wishes for his safe return.

Karl Brown called with information about his sermon in March - from New York City. Karen was attending a conference, and Karl was sightseeing. He had seen the musical "Little Women" and also "Chicago," and planned to go to some museums. They are staying right on Times Square, sloshing through snow on the ground, and having a great time.

Many requested Barbara Jacobson's recipe for her Apricot Bread. Ingredients: 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons shortening/butter, 1 egg well beaten, 1/2 cup orange juice, 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup nuts. Directions: Soak dried apricots in water for 20 minutes. Cream together sugar, shortening and eggs. Stir in orange juice. Add dry ingredients. Still well. Drain apricots. Stir in apricots and nuts. Bake in greased and floured loaf pan at 350 degrees for 60 minutes.

As you can tell, I am still in the process of making changes to the newsletter. Please give me some feedback, particularly if the changes are making it difficult for you in any way. Jane

Jeff and Phyllis Hobkirk, 900 Hugo, San Marcos TX 78666, jhobkirk@centurytel.net, 512-754-7453.

March 12, Saturday. Captain Burko and Island Texas band playing at Cheatham Street Warehouse at 9:00 p.m.

March 20, Sunday. Fellowship Fun Outing. Island Texas band playing at Cheatham St. Warehouse at 4:00 p.m.

April 1-2, Saturday and Sunday. "Living by Heart" workshop at First UU of Austin. See article in newsletter.

April 2, Saturday. Bobcat Build. Cleanup day at the CCC. Contact Judy Telford for scheduling.

April 30, Saturday. Leadership training workshop, First UU of Austin. Contact FUUA for details.

June 23-27, 2005. General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth.

June 25, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 15, November 12, and December 10. Saturdays. Food Pantry collections at Wal-Mart.

March Calendar

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