Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

A Goodbye Note from Our 2012/2013 Intern

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:52:00 +0000

Dear Ones,

As I said in my final sermon, everyone at DUUF and in Denton extended such radical hospitality to me this year that my heart overflows! The affection and respect I have for you as individuals and as a congregation is deep and abiding.

I want to say something about one of my internship projects, the historical timeline we created together a few months ago. While the project revealed many interesting things about the 60+ years of the Fellowship, the most striking to me was how “young” the congregation is now, in terms of peoples’ associations with DUUF, or even with Unitarian Universalism at all. Our study revealed that barely 1/4^th of the current members have been part of the congregation for more than ten years, and 57% joined in only the last three.

This relative “youth” of the congregation is both exciting and a little worrisome. On the one hand, the enthusiasm and energy new members bring is something many churches would surely envy. Indeed, there is a buzz in the air at DUUF that whispers promises of amazing things to come in the next few years!

On the other hand, the newness of most to Unitarian Universalism, and perhaps to serious involvement in any kind of organized religion, means many of your members and friends are inexperienced at how to “do” church. In addition to taking advantage of the leadership development opportunities our UU cluster and region offer, I urge you to seek the wisdom lay “elders” can offer and respect the expertise your professional leaders bring.

Most of all, however, I hope you will continue steadfast in your quest to be, as I said last Sunday, as radically hospitable to the stranger, the newcomer and, especially, to each other, as you were to me this year. If you can do that, the sky is the limit at the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship!

Many thanks for allowing me to be a part of your Beloved Community for a time,

Scottie

P.S. According to UUA guidelines, “it is customary for the intern not to maintain any contact with members of the teaching site for at least a year.” After much thought as to how to comply with this in terms of facebook, I have decided to heed advice to “unfriend” folks I came to know through DUUF. Please know that I still care about you and look forward to Summer 2014, when I will happily confirm your “friend requests” again!

Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:27:00 +0000

Last weekend I traveled to San Antonio for our district's annual meeting and spring conference. I attended a great session on a new initiative that is working to bend Texas toward justice. The Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry is a statewide justice ministry that creates a network to organize congregations around shared concerns facing our legislature. Alone there is little we can do to address statewide policy, but together we can go far in education and action.

"Our UU voice has been missing on issues such as women’s and gay rights, immigration, education financing, evolution, and many other issues that are considered by the Texas Legislature and its committees. It’s time for Unitarian Universalists to speak out based on our liberal religious viewpoints. TXUUJM will allow our congregations to provide a vehicle for the members of our association to make a difference in our state and to help those learning about Unitarian Universalism see the values for which we stand." Visit the TX UU Justice Ministry website to learn more (http://txuujm.org/).

There are multiple ways to get involved. First, consider joining me in becoming an individual member. Second, read more on the website and begin talking with others about ways our Fellowship could be involved. The TXUUJM offers some suggestions depending on your level of interest or involvement:

Are you willing to be part of a team of leaders to conduct a “Listening Campaign” in your congregation to hear and help define the issues important to our UU families?
Are you willing to serve your church as a TXUUJM leader to keep your church members informed on action issues?
Are you able to contribute to the TXUUJM semi-annual newsletter, conduct a workshop or forum on the issues identified by the ministry, or help to design curricula on state and local issues for our youth or adults?
Are you willing to be part of a team that makes sure your entire congregation is informed on issues, registered to vote, and be part of the TXUUJM voter database?
Are you willing to have a training session at your church to learn how to effectively meet with candidates and elected local, state, and federal officials?

If you are interested in joining with other Texas UU congregations to leverage our resources and make a difference in state policy, please consider learning more about this initiative and exploring your involvement in it. I hope many of you will begin talking about it and creating some momentum for involvement in the Fellowship. If you are interested in getting more involved be sure to let the Outreach Committee know (outreach@dentonuuf.org).

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.” May it be so.

Love and light,
Rev. Pam Wat

Beyond the Birds and the Bees

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:58:00 +0000

“Sex and the Swimming Pool” by Elizabeth Canfield

“I’ve often wondered what it would be like if we taught young people swimming in the same way we teach sexuality. If we told them that swimming was an important adult activity, one they will all have to be skilled at when they grow up, but we never talked with them about it.

We never showed them the pool. We just allowed them to stand outside closed doors and listen to all the splashing. Occasionally, they might catch a glimpse of partially clothed people going in and out of the door to the pool, and maybe they’d find a hidden book on the art of swimming, but when they asked a question about how swimming felt or what it was about, they would be greeted with blank or embarrassed looks.

Suddenly, when they turned 18, we would fling open the doors to the pool and they would jump in. Miraculously, some might learn to tread water, but many would drown.”

Have you been frustrated by the religiously-influenced and/or abstinence-only sexual education class that is provided in many of our public schools? Do you believe that youth should be informed about emotional, spiritual and physical risks/precautions before becoming sexually active? Do you wish that you had a sexuality education experience that helped you in developing healthy sexual boundaries, values and perspectives? Do you want to make sure our children and youth learn about sexual education in such a way as to prepare them for the challenges, concerns, joys and confusions of human sexuality? Do you believe that this generation's sexuality education should include respect for and information regarding diverse gender expressions, gender identities and sexual orientations? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please support OWL. You can make a difference for the children of our congregation and the wider Denton community.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a comprehensive sexuality education program for all ages (kindergarten through adult). Different aspects of sexuality are covered at age appropriate levels – the “nuts and bolts”, sexual orientation, gender identity, different kinds of relationships, safe sex, making responsible decisions, learning to say “no”, etc. We hope to offer the more comprehensive twenty-seven-week middle school level program in 2013/14. We intend to invite the wider community as an outreach ministry and as an answer to what they are getting (or not getting) in their public schools. The program is made up of workshops that are fun and that help to ease conversations about things that people are often embarrassed to talk about. Students are provided with a safe place to learn, to talk about concerns and to ask any questions they have (there are no bad questions). Leaders for the program must have training that will help them feel comfortable and competent in teaching the material. Lesson plans are all mapped out so it is not necessary to come up with plans of our own. Training will be all day Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12 in Dallas.

A brochure is available online at: http://www.ntauus.org/pdf/OWL_2013_BROCHURE.pdf. Early registration ends on Monday, April 15th.

If you can attend this training and volunteer to teach at least some of the twenty-seven sessions for middle school in the 2013/14 school year, please contact Sue Lowry ASAP (dre@dentonuuf.org). If you cannot participate but would like to sponsor a volunteer for $250, please also be in touch with Sue Lowry. In order to offer the middle school OWL program, 2-4 teachers are required. If additional volunteers and funding come forward, we could also consider offering the shorter-term programs for younger children.

We are fortunate to have this training offered so close to home. Please consider participating while we have this rare opportunity.

DUUF turns out for Celebrity Waiter Night

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:25:00 +0000

What a great turnout from Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship as we gathered with other congregations to support Giving Hope, Inc. which helps Denton families to avoid homelessness and to achieve self-sufficiency. Rev. Pam Wat served as one of the "celebrity waiters" along with other Denton clergy and community leaders. Metzler's BBQ catered the event and music was provided by an progressive acoustic band called Texas Sky. Thanks to all who attended!

Grace, Adam, Lulu and Amber Briggle with friend Sarah and intern Scottie McIntyre Johnson...Lulu cannot keep her eyes off that wonderful band!

Ilana, Nicholas, Ila and Gabriel Morgan

Rev. Pam Wat serves up a drink to Gabriel Morgan

Cindy Jacobson, Gerry Veeder, Barbara Rodman and Jake Jacobson

Adler & Hearne Performing at House Concert in Denton Saturday, 4/13

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:55:00 +0000

There is gonna be an awesome house concert in Denton this weekend. Come see Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne on Saturday, 4/13 at 7:00pm. Listen to healing, restorative, inspiring images that return us to the preciousness of love and life. Their Texas folk style, along with this intimate and social house concert experience (hosted by Linda Tucker), is the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening. All are welcome. $15.00 suggested donation for music and food. BYOB.

RSVP today to Diana Forson at dentonuuf@gmail.com.

Get a taste of their music here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0OFVMnA43Y

Drum Circle on Thursday, April 11

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:03:00 +0000

As part of our "Centering Thursdays" weekly program, Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will be hosting a drum circle on Thursday, April 11 at 7:00pm. Open to all. You may bring your own drum or borrow one from El Lobo, the group leader. El Lobo shares, "I began hanging out at drum circles in 1995, then started collecting drums and drumming wherever I could. Drumming has always been that heartbeat and rhythm of life. I have promoted drum circles in San Antonio and Tarrant county but now live in Denton. I also play with a local band called It Is What It Is and is known for its Sufi drum style. Drumming helps me keep balance with my day-to-day job and more recreational life outside of job."

Older children and youth are invited to participate. Childcare will be available for younger children.

The Artist's Way Women's Covenant Group Forming

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:21:00 +0000

Women's Covenant Group based on The Artist's Way

Tuesday, March 19

7:00pm to 8:30pm

at Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

The Artist’s Way by author Julia Cameron has helped millions of people around the world discover–and recover– their creativity.

Whether you are brand-new to The Artist’s Way or have a bookshelf filled with years of Morning Pages journals, whether you are working on a large artistic project or simply wishing to experience more creativity in your life, we invite you to be a part of a creative cluster/tribal gathering where we gather as peers to develop our strength and provide a place where creative women can raise, celebrate, and actualize the creative power which runs within each of us.

Women of any age are invited to participate in this closed group (after the group is established new members will not be added so that the group can build trust and togetherness). The group will commit to meeting twice a month over the next ten or twelve months reading one chapter per month.

If you would like to participate but cannot attend this first introductory meeting, please be sure to contact Rev. Pam (minister@dentonuuf.org) before the meeting. In preparation for the meeting, participants are asked to purchase their own copy of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and read up to page 25. This book is often available in new and used book stores as well as online.

Your Committee on Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:10:00 +0000

Dear Members and Friends,

Like many Unitarian Universalist congregations, Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is fortunate to have a Committee on Ministry. The Committee on Ministry supports all the ministries and members of our church in living out our mission as a church and our covenant with each other.

What is ‘Ministry’? "When Unitarian Universalists speak of ministry, we are describing what we all do together as members of our faith communities. We have ordained ministers in our tradition, of course, but those who serve their world in the name of the church extend far beyond the clergy. Though we are a diverse population, a common truth for Unitarian Universalist communities remains: regardless of the size or constellation of the congregation, the ministry in our faith communities is mutual... As people of faith, our ministry involves taking care of one another, maintaining an emotional and spiritual connection throughout life's changes. As we engage in mutual ministry, we feed one another. And in so doing, we are able to turn to lend our succor to the world. Our pastoral presence, our religious education, and our social action are all grounded in the ministry we give to and receive from one another." (From the chapter "Our Ministry", in the Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide) Thus, UU congregations have what may be termed ‘shared’ ministry, where all members share responsibility.

What is the Committee on Ministry? The Committee on Ministry is a continuing body whose purpose is primarily to support all the various ministries of this church. Our role is to help strengthen the quality of ministry for this congregation and our main task is to monitor, on a regular and continuing basis, the effectiveness of the congregation's ministries. “Committees on Ministry are designed to track the heartbeat of ministry within a congregation; how the members...take care of themselves and each other, how the lay ministerial leadership serves a congregation; and how the called minister serves the congregation. It seeks to understand, assess, support, and advocate for robust ministry throughout the context of congregational life.” (Rev. Anne Heller, Churchworks: A Well-Body Book for Congregations (Skinner House, 1999)) The Purpose of the Committee on Ministry (CoM) is to tend to the whole ministry at every point: To be the congregation’s “ombudsman,” “process-observer” and “conscience.” The primary “doing” of the CoM team is simply to “be” in the room, noticing and telling the congregation what it sees and hears as viewed from the “balcony.” The CoM is a BE-ing team, not a Do-ing team, whose power lies in that it exerts moral authority, not legislative power. (Rev. Kenn Hurto, DE Florida District 2009)

The CoM meets regularly, with a prepared agenda for each meeting. We have a covenant of confidentiality, but not secrecy. Within the committee, we share openly our observations and concerns of the congregation’s ministries. Each member is responsible for being sufficiently involved in the life of the congregation so that they can each briefly report on how the congregation is attending to its mission. By watching and listening to what is going on in the church, by paying attention to what needs are and are not being met, how relationships between different groups within the congregation are developing or deteriorating, how the church is relating to its neighboring community, how welcoming is the congregation to visitors and inviting to new friends and members, the CoM can focus its attention on the vitality and health of the congregation and, when appropriate, steer resources to emerging issues. You can help us by sharing your observations and concerns with a member of the committee.

What are the responsibilities of the Committee on Ministry?
-Continually monitor congregational life;
-Help model healthy and deepening relationships with minister(s) and program staff;
-Continually educate itself about ministry;
-Support continuing education of the congregation for its growing understanding and skill in shared ministry;
-Coordinate periodic assessments of the shared ministry of the congregation and its leadership components;
-Periodically advise the board regarding the health of the shared ministry;
-Support the minister's planning for continuing education, sabbaticals, and other professional development;
-Recommend and actively supports such plans to the board and to the congregation.

Among their shared tasks are:

Set Agenda for meetings.
Set re-evaluation and reflection of Covenant, Mission and Goals (every January, with new member)
Communicate with Board President/ Board Liaison (chair, primarily).
Attend Board meetings.
Communicate Mission and Goals to congregation.
Liaison with ministries in the church.
Lead development of CoM Policies and Procedures.
Advocate for healthy communication, relationships and structures in achieving the mission of the congregation.

Who serves our DUUF Committee on Ministry? Members serve staggered three-year terms. For the 2013 calendar year your Committee on Ministry is served by Jake Jacobson, Sunnie Palmer (Chair) and Mary Curtis (who are pictured here). Rev. Pam serves as an ex-officio member. You reach the Committee on Ministry by e-mail at com@dentonuuf.org.

They are your Committee on Ministry and they are here to serve you. Feel free to be in touch with them or me to understand more or to comment on the ministries of our congregation.

Love and light,

Rev. Pam Wat

Garage Sale April 5 and 6 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:26:00 +0000

The Repentant Hoarder

Church Garage Sale!

Friday April 5 2013

8 AM to 3 PM

Saturday April 6 2013

8 AM to 3 PM

Pre sale storage available. Contact Linda Tucker at lndtckr39@gmail.com to volunteer and store items.

DUUF Chili Cookoff and Coffeehouse Saturday February 23 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:19:00 +0000

DUUF Chili Cookoff and Coffeehouse

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23 2013 AT 6:00 PM

Come and taste some of the finest chili, soup, and bread in Texas (and beyond).

$7.00 Adult
$3.00 Children (under 16)

Contestants should prepare their favorite chili, soup and/or bread recipe. Vegan entries are welcome. Bring your entry to the Fellowship between 5:45 and 6:15pm.

We are looking for MUSICIANS who would like play for the coffeehouse audience. If interested, please contact the Cookoff Manager (Mark Davis) 940-390-7761 or sivadma@verizon.net

Eat, pray, love!

Fellowship Time Line from 1949 to Present

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:08:00 +0000

If you have been in the fellowship hall/religious education wing of our church recently, you will have noticed the l-o-n-g rolls of kraft paper taped up over the windows and continuing around on the east wall. It is a historical time line of the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, from its founding in 1949 through the present.

This time line is a visual representation of the history of our congregation, and it was begun last weekend at a two-hour workshop held on Saturday morning. Creating a time line like this is an opportunity for a collective effort at history telling.

And, why would we want to make such an effort? Because, as Shakespeare told us, “What’s past is prologue.” We cannot begin to understand our present nor chart our future without knowing something about where – and who -- we have been. This time line will hardly be an exhaustive, detailed or even necessarily a totally accurate view of our history. The goal of such an exercise is not to produce a scholarly history but to uncover the collective memory of the congregation.

Many, many thanks to all the DUUF members and friends who attended and participated in last Saturday morning’s event, contributing their personal memories and some historical research to the tie line. We had a great cross-section of folks from the Fellowship, both old-timers and newcomers, alike, and made a good beginning on this project.

The time line will not be complete, however, until you have contributed to it, too! It will remain up in the Fellowship Hall for a few weeks, and everyone is invited to add events of interest in the life of the Fellowship above the line – including the date you joined or began attending, weddings, memorial services or other life passages commemorated, when certain programs or events happened – anything at all you remember. If you have children who attend the Fellowship, I encourage their grown-ups to involve them in adding their names and their memories to the wall.

Below the line, you are invited to write in events, movements or trends that were happening in Denton, in Texas, the U.S. or the world, so that we can see something of the cultural and political context in which the Fellowship has existed.

When our DUUF Time Line is “complete”, we will use it to reflect upon and celebrate our past, in the hope that we might be able to learn something from our history that could help us be a better congregation today or in the future.

Many thanks to all of you for participating in this exercise and, more importantly, for the part, great or small, you have already played in the history of the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship!

Your Ministerial Intern,
Scottie McIntyre Johnson

United Way Tribute Event Photos and Summary

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:41:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who supported Rev. Pam and her dance partner Nestor Perez in their United Way dancing with the stars event in Denton! All the dancers did a fantastic job and Rev. Pam appreciated her UU supporters (Jake, Cindy, Danielle, Nick, Ilana, Nicholas, Mark and Mary) who were very supportive before, during and after the performances. Thanks to Jake Jacobson for taking photos. Thanks too to Amber Briggle for her nomination and too all who voted Rev. Pam into the top eight dancers. Rev. Pam is also very appreciative of Judy Smith and Rose Costumes who costumed her for the waltz and swing. A video of the swing dance is on YouTube showing off a Judy Smith original costume. At the event United Way of Denton County announced that it raised $2,068,026 during its 2012 fundraising campaign. United Way awarded particular individuals and companies who have been particularly supportive in the campaign and in the community. A highlight of the evening was that Bettye Myers, a kinesiology professor at Texas Woman’s University, was recognized with the inaugural Dr. Bettye Myers Humanitarian Award. Myers is a past United Way board chairwoman, a life member of the organization’s board of directors and has served with numerous organizations throughout the community. The Denton school board voted in August to name the district’s seventh middle school for Myers. The dancing award went to Jupiter House owner Joey Hawkins and TWU dance student Rosie Rodriquez who were dancing hard and having a great time. This event was a wonderful partnership of community organizations and a great opportunity to put our resources together for Denton. For more information about the event or the awards see the Denton Record Chronicle article.

Cindy Jacobson with Ilana and Nicholas Morgan

Nick and Danielle

Jake and Cindy Jacobson

Mary Curtis and Mark Davis

Rev. Pam and Nestor Perez center and back dancing the waltz

the waltz

The Reverend is wearing a 1970's red vintage dress from Rose Costume.

the waltz

Our very own church accompanist, Damian Garcia, performed with Vintage 15 of Austin.

Mark Davis and Mary Curtis show off their beautiful dance moves.

Nestor Perez and Rev. Pam dancing the swing

The Reverend is featuring a Judy Smith original red, white and silver sequin two piece (three if you count the bloomers).

Nestor Perez and Rev. Pam dancing the swing

Spring Campout - April 12-14, 2013 Eisenhower State Park

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:49:00 +0000

Spring 2013

Campout

April 12-14, 2013

Eisenhower State Park

For more info:

http://www.communityuuchurch.org/pages/outdoor_adventure

outdooradventure@communityuuchurch.org

Reservations:

http://communityuuchurch.org/pages/CampoutReservation

or http://communityuuchurch.org>Events>Campout Reservation

Denton Day of Service

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:34:00 +0000

Stephanie Hawkins and Audrey painting a bookshelf.

Thanks to all who participated in our Day of Service on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. More than fifty people from ages three and up volunteered their time and energy moving play structures, painting, installing a sandbox, hauling mulch, breaking down structures, deep cleaning the interior and sanding furniture. Participants were mostly members of Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and First United Methodist Church of Denton along with Board and staff of the school, attendees who registered through the National Day of Service website and City Councilmember Kevin Roden. Other congregations represented were Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church in Carrolton and Christ Community Church.

It was inspiring to see folks work together to help transform the playground and classrooms. It was a perfect way to spend the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. We hope to make it an annual event and to draw participation from other faith groups. According to the National Day of Service organizers, “People in all 50 states made a long-term commitment to service and together they pledged to serve more than 1 million hours this year. National Day of Service projects across the country honoring Dr. Martin Luther King took steps forward to create a lasting culture of service.”

We worked together as people of different faith backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and cultures to help to build the beloved community that Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed about. Through service to this vital community resource and in working together with people of different backgrounds, we deepened our connections to our community. Fred Moore Day Nursery School is the only sliding scale childcare center in Denton that offers care for newborns, toddlers and young children coming from low-income families. It was an honor and privilege to support this vital community resource.

Denton UU Fellowship participants included: Bob Snyer, Kara Snyder, Sarah Gamblin, Georgia Leech, Tracy Kirk, Rev. Pam Wat, Patrick Keller, Gary Cook, Meredith Hicks, Joan King, Mark Coomes, Scottie McIntyre Johnson, Devin Taylor, Zoe Kirk, Simone Surratt, Ciara Smith, Stephanie Hawkins, Ian Finseth, Audrey, Kate Forrest and Alana Presley. And from Horizon UU Church: Elizabeth Gustwick.

Special thanks to Joan King, Gary Cook, Devin Taylor, Alana Presley and Georgia Leech for helping to prepare for the event and adding their leadership, skill and insight to help make the day especially wonderful!

Sarah Gamblin cleaning windows in a classrom.

Fred Moore Day Nursery School Executive Director Wendy McGee and Rev. Pam Wat take a break in the midst of the day.

Kate Forrest cleaning the kitchen.

Tracy Kirk and Zoe Kirk help to clean out the kitchen.

Volunteers disassemble equipment that could no longer be used.

Alana Presley sanding a bookshelf.

Mark Coomes, with staff member Angie, installing a bulletin board.

Kara Snyer cleaning toys in the infant room.

One of our most ambitious projects involved relocating a very heavy play structure. Pictured here are Joan King, Kevin Roden, Devin Taylor, Patrick Keller and Georgia Leech.

Ian Finseth helped to relocate ground cover.

Gary Cook who helped oversee projects is pictured here preparing to take down a structure no longer in use.

Ciara helps to prepare bookshelves for sanding.

Ian Finseth and Audrey help to paint a bookshelf.

Alana Presley and Devin Taylor prepare to sand furniture.

Ciara Smith and Simone Surratt work together on preparing a bookshelf for sanding.

Audrey reaching high to clean windows.

Meredith Hicks working with Ethan to set up a sandbox.

Gary Cook, Bob Snyder and Patrick Keller work wtih other volunteers to take apart the old wood structure.

Alana Presley finishes a bookshelf to go back into a classroom.

Fred Moore Day Nursery School Executive Director Wendy McGee with Scottie McIntyre Johnson.

Reproductive Justice Conference Saturday February 2 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:04:00 +0000

Reproductive Justice
Expanding Our Social Justice Calling

The UUA's 2012-2016 Congregational Study/Action Item
Come learn about it and its background, and help involve congregations in this work.

Beyond abortion rights and contraception, Reproductive Justice includes issues of class, race, economic status, and even physical location, along with other factors that affect parenting.

The conference will include an overview of Reproductive Justice, along with a background on the struggle for rights in Texas, and stories from the work on Roe v. Wade.

There will be facilitated discussion at lunch on related questions, and breakout groups in the afternoon to consider the most effective actions for congregations.

February 2, 2013
10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
First Unitarian Church of Dallas

$15, $18 after January 30, lunch included.
Childcare available, if there are three requests before January 28.
Online Registration Form

Co-sponsored by
North Texas Unitarian Universalists
and
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas

Centering Thursdays - Every Thursday at 7:00pm at Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:29:00 +0000

We have launched a new effort to share a diverse range of spiritual practices. Each Thursday will be led by a member of the congregation, guest or staff member and will vary throughout the year. Specific themes will be announced in the newsletter and in Sunday morning inserts. Centering Thursdays are an opportunity to slow down, take time for yourself and try a new practice that could help to bring healing, balance, reflection and/or transcendence into your life. If you have questions, please contact Rev. Pam (minister@dentonuuf.org).

The basic structure of Centering Thursdays is:

First Thursday of each month: Buddhist meditation

Second and Fourth Thursday of each month: a spiritual practice of some kind (praying in color, chanting, dance, mandala drawing, labyrinth walking, yoga, lectio divina, compassionate listening, drumming, etc.) will be introduced and practiced

Third Thursday of each month: an evening worship service of some kind drawing from different styles, sources and moods

Fifth Thursday of each month: "Mindfulness Meals" will be an opportunity to practice mindful eating through a shared meal, communion practice or some other form of engagement with the food we eat.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Day of Service

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:03:00 +0000

Happy New Year to all of you!

Many of you have been asking me how you can bring your faith and service into the wider community. We have a special opportunity to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. day of service on Monday, January 21st from 9:00am to noon. Through the Denton Faith Alliance, I am organizing a work day for people of all faiths (and people not associated with a faith group) to gather our hearts, minds and hands to help make Fred Moore Day Nursery School safer and more welcoming for its families. Fred Moore Day Nursery School is the only sliding scale childcare center in Denton that offers care for newborns, toddlers and young children coming from low-income families. It has a special place in our community's history and I hope you will join me in giving generously to this project.

How to help...the first step of this project is raising funds. We hope to purchase materials to provide ground cover for the playground and purchase new equipment and supplies. The more money we raise, the more work we can do. Our goal is to raise $5,000 from the wider Denton community. Please consider giving a financial contribution to support this vital community resource. Bring donations to the Fellowship (mail or place in the offering baskets, but be sure to indicate that it is for the MLK service day).

The second step is to volunteer at the site on Monday morning, January 21st where there will be projects including relocating a large play structure, installing a sandbox, laying ground cover, installing edging, sanding and varnishing furniture, painting, yard work and deep cleaning the interior. We are hoping to get donations of paint from the chemical disposal program and would love our creative artists to volunteer to paint a mural or design to help make things look especially beautiful for the children at the school. We also desperately need people to take the lead on each project and help in instructing volunteers on what to do (so those of you with skills in painting, sanding, building, or cleaning who could serve as a leader for a project please let me know).

Another way to support this day of service is to volunteer to provide childcare at the Fellowship. Perhaps we could work together to provide resources to share with our children the stories of Martin Luther King, Jr. and invite them into conversation about how we can share his spirit of service and justice. Would you like to volunteer in this way? Let me know.

One last way I can think of to share in this effort is in extending this energy far and wide. Could you spread the word? Tell everyone you know in Denton about this great project and invite them to get involved. Could you pray about this project? Pray for this project to be transformational. Pray for insight and change for good. Send light and love. How ever your faith can work to support this project is welcome and appreciated. If you are setting an intention in some way I would love to hear about it. It helps give me strength for this big project to know that you are holding it with me.

Creating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of the beloved community is no small task. It takes seeing one another and embracing one another despite our differences. Sometimes it takes sacrificial giving and a generous heart. Sometimes it takes stepping out of one's comfort zone to extend a hand or a gesture of compassion. As people of faith though, may our commitment to creating the beloved community be greater than any fear and may 2013 bring increased opportunities for each of us to live out our faith.

Love and light,

Rev. Pam Wat

"The Reason for the Season" by Scottie McIntyre Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:38:00 +0000

A sermon delivered at the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

December 16, 2012

I had the Order of Service ready and sent off to our church secretary, Diana, before the deadline this week. I had the music chosen and certain pieces scanned and e-mailed to our pianist, Damian, ten days ago. And I had my sermon, "The Reasons for the Season", completely written and polished and ready to go by six o’clock on Thursday evening, in plenty of time for me to take off and attend a local production of "It’s a Wonderful Life" with some friends that evening. I was in a Christmas-y kind of mood.

It was a pretty good sermon, I thought -- all about how especially fitting and appropriate and right it is for us Unitarian Universalists to observe Christmas as a holiday of our own because – well, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas as we know it if Unitarians and Universalists of the past hadn’t shaped it into the celebration most Americans know and love today.

My sermon was full of the kind of the kind of little historical facts that you know I just love – how our Puritan ancestors, put an end to celebrating Christmas entirely, at least in England and then, in the Colonies, by outlawing the observance of Christmas all together.

The sermon I had written went on to say that it was, however, both Universalists and Unitarians who, at the beginning of the 19^th century, lead the movement to make December 25^th a day for religious observances again. They did so in full knowledge that it was not a biblically sanctioned holiday, and that December 25th was probably not the day on which Jesus was born.　 They wished to celebrate the holiday not because God had ordered them to do so but because they themselves wanted to.　

And then, in the sermon I had finished, I went on to tell you about how late 19^th century Unitarians pretty much invented Christmas as we know it today! Unitarians such as Thomas Nast whose illustrations in Harper’s Weekly magazine gave us our American Santa Claus with his red suit, white beard and rosy cheeks – and the Rev. Charles Follen, a Harvard professor and a Unitarian minister, originally from Germany, who placed the first decorated Christmas tree in America in his Boston home – and all those Unitarian Christmas carol writers we’ve already talked about – and, of course, Charles Dickens back in England.

The sermon I had finished by Thursday evening was a pretty good sermon, I thought, and I was looking forward to offering it to you. I was in a Christmas-y kind of mood. The sermon was happy and bright and full of the joy of the season.

And then, came Friday morning. You are all well aware of the horrific chain of events that occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on Friday morning.

I first heard the news on npr on my car radio and then I came home to watch a visibly shaken President Obama on TV express condolences to the families of the victims on behalf of the nation.

Last Sunday your minister and my mentor pastor, the Rev. Pam Wat, told an anecdote in her sermon about herself as a young preacher, a seminary student, who had to decide what to do with her prepared sermon in the wake of the tragedy that was the Indonesian tsunami – and now, less than a week later, coincidentally, I found myself in the exact same situation.

Also coincidentally, this was not the first time I have had to rewrite a sermon for this Fellowship because a mass shooting intervened. A few of you may remember August 3, 2008, when I delivered the sermon as a guest speaker here at DUUF. Cathy Sassen played the piano that Sunday; Dolores Nabors was President of the Fellowship and did the Welcome and Announcements. I know Barb Rodman was there, Doris Blaisdell and John Beckett, I think. Maybe Gerry Veeder and Jackie Gibbons? I don’t know who else. The tragedy that caused me to rewrite that sermon was a politically motivated shooting that occurred at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, TN. And some attending the DUUF service that morning knew some of the people killed and injured in that shooting personally because they had recently moved to Knoxville from Denton and had been members of this Fellowship.

I have the script for the service I did following that shooting four years ago – I pretty much write down word for word everything I am going to say – and when I looked at it Friday in the hope that it would give me some inspiration for today’s revision I discovered another coincidence I had forgotten.

During joys and sorrows that Sunday, I brought forth the concern of a member of Pathways Church in Southlake, with whom I had had lunch the day before – another UU seminary student named Pam Wat – who had asked me to light a candle to let you know that she would be remembering the grieving members of the Denton Fellowship in the Pastoral Prayer she would be leading at Pathways that morning.

I went back to that 2008 sermon for inspiration, but I have to tell you – reading it just made me feel terribly, terribly sad – and, then, very angry. I started out that sermon with a list of shootings that had happened in the US just at houses of worship, churches, in the decade prior to the Knoxville shooting. There were nine of them. And here we are again! We don’t have the time this morning for me to list all the incidents of gun violence that have occurred in our nation at churches, temples, mosques, schools, colleges, houses, apartments, shopping malls, work places, military bases, movie theaters. 70 mass shootings in the US since 1982 – 543 people dead -- and 2012 was the deadliest year to date.

And, although it is these mass killings that grab the headlines and our attention, the death and destruction from more "ordinary" gun violence in this country is even more astonishing. In one year, almost 100,000 people are shot and almost 32,000 of them die. 32,000 people in one year! The statistics go on and on. You can easily find them yourselves on the internet. Or my facebook friends will find them and post them – I can share them with you.

I wonder if it seems clear to you as it does to me that we must do something about this! We really must. I don’t want to be invited back here to preach at DUUF as a guest minister four years from now and have to rewrite yet another sermon because another mass shooting has occurred.

So, at first I was stumped at what to say to you in my sermon this morning. What could all this heartbreak possibly have to do with Christmas, with the reasons for this season of love and of light?

But, I was struck, when I looked back at the service I had written before the tragedy on Friday, at how well the music and the readings still worked. Longfellow’s poem that provides the lyrics to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", that Damian played as the Prelude, says, "And in despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth, I said. And hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men." Edmund Hamilton Sears says, in the carol we sang as the Opening Hymn, "With the woes of war and strife the world has suffered long; beneath the angel strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong."

I realized that every Christmas that has ever been has happened just after, in the midst of, or in the days leading up to some tragedy or another – the American Civil War for Longfellow and Sears – the crippling poverty of 19-century London for Dickens – a terrible massacre in Connecticut for us this week. Or more individual, personal tragedies.

But that doesn’t stop Christmas from happening! In spite of all that is horrible in the world, a baby is born and everyone rejoices! Everyone - from the humblest shepherd to the wisest king to the highest archangel - everyone rejoices – because in the midst of it all, here is the proof that life goes on.

And that is precisely why we have Christmas, my friends -- whether you believe God gave it to us or we made it up ourselves, doesn’t matter. We need Christmas, because we need our stories of hope.

Maybe this will be the year that we demand sensible gun control and better mental health care, and we stop the killing and waste of human lives. Maybe this particular tragedy has brought us to a national tipping point on this issue. Maybe another child has been born – or many children have been born – who will grow up to change the world and help bring about peace on earth at last!

There are many other mythic stories of hope, of course, but the Christmas story holds tremendous power for me. How amazing it is that a tiny baby, born in obscurity under the most humble of conditions, grew up to become into a true revolutionary -- a healer and a teacher -- a shining light in the darkness. That idea truly gives me hope. One need not believe in Christ, my friends, to believe in Christmas - to believe that miracles can happen, if we make them happen.

And so, I came around, as I revised this sermon, right back to the place I had started. Back to a Christmas-y kind of mood. A little more sober than before the tragedy, certainly, but nevertheless, awakened once again to the real reason for the season. The reminder that we need not despair – we have been through things like this before – and we have always found a way forward. And we will again now. Out of the darkness will come light. It always does.

And so, I wish you, this morning, from the very bottom of my aching heart to the very bottom of yours, a New Year full of peace and hope -- and a merry, merry Christmas. May "God bless us, everyone."

BENEDICTION:

"The Work of Christmas" by Howard Thurman

When the song of angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the brothers,
to make music in the heart

What You Can to Promote Peace in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:49:00 +0000

What You Can Do

If you would like to do something constructive with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, please consider one or more of the following actions:

1. Become better informed by reading a book that tells the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Consider: The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe or The Case for Palestine: An International Law Perspective by John Quigley.

2. Purchase a video about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Preview a video, arrange to show it at your church, and lead a discussion about the issues it raises. You can find a list of videos on the UUJME website.

3. Become better informed by reading a book that documents the current situation. Consider: Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation by Saree Makdisi or Hebron Journal: Stories of Nonviolent Peacemaking by Arthur Gish.

4. Purchase a bottle of olive oil from Palestine. Use it for your own cooking or give it as a gift. You can find a list of olive oil suppliers on the UUJME website.

5. Arrange to sell olive oil from Palestine on a regular basis at your church.

6. Become better informed by reading a book that provides theological reflection on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Consider: When the Rains Return: Toward Justice and Reconciliation in Palestine-Israel (published by the American Friends Service Committee), Justice and Only Justice: A Palestinian Theology of Liberation by Naim Ateek, or Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation by Marc Ellis.

7. Based on your understanding, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

8. Become a supporter of Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME). You can find information about how to join UUJME ontheir website.

9. Become better informed by learning how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is portrayed in news media outside the United States.

10. Start a local group of Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) at your church.

11. Become better informed by visiting the websites of several organizations that are working for justice and human rights in Israel-Palestine. You can find addresses for the websites of many of these organizations on this website.

12. Make arrangements to present The Story of Rachel Corrie at your church. You can find information about this play on the website.

13. Attend a conference presented by the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. You can find out more about this organization and their schedule of conferences by visiting the website of Friends of Sabeel--North America.

14. Become acquainted with others in your city who are working for justice and human rights in Israel-Palestine.

15. Become aware that in our culture, Palestinians rarely have the opportunity to speak for themselves--that is, to tell their stories, to present their perspectives, to share their history, to name their aspirations, and to ask that their concerns be taken seriously. Seek ways for Palestinian voices to be included in discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

16. Contribute to the Gaza Humanitarian Relief Fund of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

www.uujme.org

Our Daily Bread Christmas Box Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Our Daily Bread Christmas Box Collection

Who is Our Daily Bread?
Our Daily Bread is a community soup kitchen in Denton that serves a substantial noon meal Monday through Friday to the hungry and homeless. A professional chef, assisted by volunteers from more than 26 local churches and other community organizations prepares and serves an average of 200 meals a day. Meals are served daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Our Daily Bread also offers additional programs to meet the needs of clients.

What is a Christmas Box?
A Christmas Box is a shoe box filled with non-perishable useful items that will be distributed by Our Daily Bread during their Christmas celebration. These items go directly to the hungry and homeless in the Denton community.

How can I help?
Use empty shoe boxes (at least 6” x 12”) or Christmas theme photo boxes with a separate bottom and lid. Wrap the lid and box separately with wrapping paper. No plastic shoe or boot boxes. Fill the box with a variety of small, adult, unisex, inexpensive gifts, some suggestions are listed at the bottom of the page. Please black out the bar code on each item. Personal Note (optional): You may wish to enclose a holiday card or note from you, your family, or group. Please do not include addresses or phone numbers. Place your note inside the box.

When do I need to turn the boxes in?
Bring your Christmas Boxes to the Fellowship between Sunday, November 4th and Sunday, November 25th. They need to be dropped off at Our Daily Bread no later than November 30th.

Gift suggestions
Knit hat	Small deodorant	Pens & pencils
Knit gloves	Small shampoo	Small notepads
Socks	Small body wash or soap	Hard candy or gum
Plastic poncho	Small umbrella	Travel size tissue
Small flashlight	Toothpaste	Chap-stick
Batteries (aa or aaa)	Toothbrush	Throat lozenges
Please do not include used or damaged items, knives or sharp items, perishable food, liquids, medications or vitamins, breakable items or glass containers, aerosol cans, money or gift cards.

Questions?
Email Lauren Doorish at lauren.doorish@gmail.com

"Juarez, War, and Constructing Peace" a talk with Mexican Peace Activist Olga Reyes Salazar (Tuesday, November 13th at 7:30pm)

noreply@blogger.com (Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:01:00 +0000

"Juarez, War, and Constructing Peace" a talk with Mexican Peace Activist Olga Reyes Salazar (Tuesday, November 13th at 7:30pm) - Olga Reyes Salazar comes from a long-time activist family in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in Mexico. Her sister, Josefina Reyes, was a prominent activist for human rights and demilitarization in Juárez until she was murdered January 3, 2010, after one of her sons was jailed and another murdered. In February 2011, Olga’s sister, brother, and sister-in-law were abducted, and subsequently found dead. Olga’s mother Sara issued a remarkable appeal for peace to the killers of her children, just before the family house was burned down. Since the murder of her two siblings and sister-in-law last year, which was profiled in the February 25th ed. of the New York Times, Olga has continued her work as a peace activist. Olga’s visit to Denton, Texas is part of her long-term work to change the militarized drug policy of the United States in Mexico, end cross-border gun trafficking, and to garner support in the United States for addressing the human rights crisis in Mexico. Olga offers a powerful human testimony bound to ignite a passion for peace and justice in all who have ears to hear...For more information: http://forusa.org/content/us-tour-mexican-peace-movement-leader.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Guest at Your Table

noreply@blogger.com (Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:47:00 +0000

2012 Season of Gratitude calendar (PDF) is a a hope calendar, similar to an advent calendar. It lists activities and ideas for each day from Thanksgiving through Christmas that families can use during Guest at Your Table. For more information about GAYT visit http://www.uusc.org/guest.

Intentions in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:45:00 +0000

Dear Members and Friends,

So far the stories I have heard from you is that friends and family in the hurricane-impacted areas are safe and sound, but if you have a loved one for whom you are concerned, please let me know. As we experience the news of loss of life, power outages, property damage, lack of insurance, and other ways that this storm has hurt people, we will have a special moment on Sunday to acknowledge those in need. If you have a special intention that you would like me to mention on Sunday, please take a moment to send it to me in advance so that I can share it in both services (minister@dentonuuf.org).

Please join me this week in holding close those in the northeast and those in Haiti, Cuba and throughout the Caribbean. May the devastation of this storm re-center us all toward what is important in life and may we know how best to serve those who are living with fear, heartache and need.

Love and light,

Rev. Pam

Transformative Spiritual Hospitality Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Pam) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Discover the Hidden Spiritual Power of Invitation and Welcome

at the

Transformative Spiritual Hospitality Workshop

Saturday Nov. 3, 2012

10 am- 3 pm (Lunch Included)

DUUF Fellowship Hall

This five-hour workshop will be a hands-on event featuring activities and discussions to help participants:

--affirm and encourage our individual spiritual paths

--transform strangers into guests and friends

--overcome estrangement and separation by fostering compassion

--strengthen family, DUUF, and community bonds

All friends and members who want to grow more deeply in their own spiritual lives while helping expand the DUUF community are encouraged to attend

For more information: Barb Rodman, barodman@verizon.net, 940-382-5419

Register by sending an email to dentonuuf@gmail.com or calling 940-566-1286. Child care will be provided upon request. Please let us know if you need it and for how many children/their ages.

Sharon Knight in Concert at DUUF on November 10

noreply@blogger.com (John Beckett) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:05:00 +0000

The Denton Covenant of UU Pagans presents Sharon Knight in concert on Saturday, November 10 at the Denton UU Fellowship.

Here’s her official bio:

San Francisco songstress Sharon Knight is a Celtic folk singer in leather armbands. Her distinctive voice and striking poetry have won her a loyal following across the country. Together with longtime collaborator Winter, she tours nationally several months out of the year, performing at festivals, masquerades, conventions, cafes, shops and house concerts.

Preferring to stray from tradition, Sharon and Winter have developed their own Celtic-hybrid style, “Neofolk Romantique”. This often sounds less Celtic and more “Folktales that ran away with the Faeries at the turn of the century and took cover in an old trunk bound for the circus, which was then commandeered by pirates.” This suits them fine.

Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:00.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Purchase online at
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/275929 or buy directly from Denton CUUPS.

For more information, contact John Beckett at JohnFranc@aol.com