may 2017 newsletter - unitarian universalist church of midland...2017/05/11 · may 2017 newsletter...
TRANSCRIPT
Minister’s Musings 2
May at a Glance and Share the Plate 3-4
Annual Garage Sale, Indie Lens Popup 5
Sermon Excerpt 6
Thoughts from the RE Corner 7
Environmental Sustainability Efforts, Annual Ministerial Review
8
Worship Workshops, New Members 9
What’s Happening at UUCOM 10-11
Table of Contents Membership Matters Have you been getting to know the church and Unitarian Universalism? Do you feel that this congregation might be a spiritual home? Are you considering a deeper commitment to the church? Membership comes with great gifts and opportunities, as well as responsibilities to the community. If you are considering membership check out our membership brochure in the foyer or see Carol Kullman, Membership Chair, a Board member, or the Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon.
May 2017 Newsletter
Please visit our website at www.uumidland.org for a listing of all current events.
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Minister’s Musings
Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger.
– David Wagoner
This past weekend I went to the big, green, hilly city of San Antonio – just me and my sister –
to celebrate her 20th birthday, to visit our brother, and to meet his new fiancée. It was something
of a Sabbath – the traditional Jewish and Christian practice of resting and recharging. I find I
am often best able to recharge when I put myself into a very different place or situationwipe all
those smudges and haze off the lenses.
Yet we don’t always have to travel five hours to a different place to access this spirit of Sabbath
or find the “new.” Even in the midst of our regular routines, we can take a moment and
intentionally choose to immerse ourselves in that which is before us. In this way, we can find the new that is always
available to us: wondering what kind of morning our waitress had, or considering the wrinkles on the back of our
hand, or entering a difficult conversation determined this time to listen thoroughly and completely without
immediately responding.
How are you allowing the new – whether via a totally different experience, or even amidst your daily routine – to
refresh your way of seeing and being?
With gratitude for being on this journey with all of you,
Rev. Emily
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May at a Glance
May 7 11:00 am Worship Service: #UUWhiteSupremacyTeachIn
“‘White supremacy’ is a provocative phrase, as it conjures up images of hoods and mobs. Yet in 2017, actual ‘white supremacists’ are not required in order to uphold white supremacist culture. Building a faith full of people who understand that key distinction is essential as we work toward a more just society in difficult political times.”
With these words, the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism Organizing Collective (BLUU) prefaced their call for Unitarian Universalists to educate themselves about what white supremacy is and how it relates to our common life
in this denomination. We join more than 600 congregations who are responding to this call. The ask was simple, and challenging: to devote our worship to exploring white supremacy, and help our UU community commit to resisting
and disrupting it. We’re calling it a “work-ship” because it will retain many elements of our traditional worship service while also drawing upon reflective and collaborative workshop approaches. The service will be led by Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon, member Jane Hellinghausen, and Mary Martinez-Gonzales, of Midland Citizens United to Reach
Equity (CURE) and the Center for the Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities. Following the service will be opportunities for further discussion in smaller groups. Join us in this important work!
11:00 am Religious Education: Theodore Parker and the Turtle
May 14 11:00 am Intergenerational Worship Service: “Belonging”
This intergenerational service will feature our annual Flower Ceremony (you are invited to bring a flower to the service - whether from your backyard, the side of the road, or a florist). We will also formally welcome 8 new
members to the church, remember members and friends of the church who have died in the last year, and celebrate babies born in the last year!
12:00 pm Stewardship Celebration: Updates and Toast!
May 21 11:00 am Worship Service: A sermon on Mark 5:21-34. Guest Minister Rick Lopez will preach on rediscovering and celebrating our humanity and helping others along their journey. Rick is a former Roman Catholic priest who
formally joined the Episcopal Church in January of this year. He is also a member of the Ecumenical Order of Charity and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Asylum of the Tortured Heart in San Diego, California. Rick
believes that above all else, his mission is to love. We are very excited to have Rick with us! 11:00 am Religious Education: Norbert Capek: Flower Communion
May 28 11:00 am Worship Service: “For the long haul”
Many are feeling a renewed and deepened commitment to work harder and perhaps differently for justice, environmental sustainability, and reason. How do we keep ourselves resilient and courageous for the long haul? How do we keep from dropping back into business-as-usual? How do we resist the pendulum swing from anxious
panic to shut-down-numb? What concerns, perhaps, do we need to let go of, and what perspectives could we adopt, to help us in this effort?
11:00 am Religious Education: Spirit Play Work Day: Creating a Surprise for RE teachers/volunteers
Sunday Mornings
Interested in RE, see the RE Corner on page 6 for details.
Special Events
May 5th, Garage Sale Preview Party, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
May 6th, Annual Church Garage Sale, 8:00 am -2:00 pm
May 11th, Worship Workshop 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
May 14th, Intergenerational Service and Stewardship Celebration: Updates and Toast! (10 minutes)
Rev. Emily will be away from the office May 15 - 20 at the Festival of Homiletics in San Antonio.
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May Share the Plate
We will share ½ of all cash donations with this May’s Share the Plate
the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center.
The mission of the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center
is to:
ease and heal the emotional trauma of the victim and the family; guide the victim through the maze of the medical and legal
systems; provide support for making informed decisions; and, advocate for victim’s needs.
The Children’s Advocacy Center program was established in an effort to
enhance the sensitivity and responsiveness of the criminal and civil
justice systems in an effort to protect the best interests of child victims of
sexual abuse and/or severe physical abuse as their cases proceed
through the investigation and prosecution stages and beyond.
The Children’s Advocacy Center program supports and coordinates the
efforts of the Midland County Child Protection Team of professionals
who collaborate to coordinate investigations, provide a child friendly
atmosphere for interviews, coordinate medical and mental health
service, increase public awareness about the incidence and impact of
child abuse and more.
May Calendar
Check online (http://www.uumidland.org/calendar) for the most up to date calendar.
May 1 6:00 p.m. Refuge Recovery Meeting
May 1 8:00 p.m. Belly Dancing
May 1 7:00 p.m. Permian Basin Buddhists
May 5 7:00 p.m. Garage Sale Preview Party
May 6 8:00 a.m. Annual Church Garage Sale
May 7 12:00 p.m. Break Out Session on Race & White Supremacy
May 8 6:00 p.m. Refuge Recovery Meeting
May 8 8:00 p.m. Belly Dancing
May 9 7:00 p.m. Permian Basin Buddhists
May 12 6:30 p.m. Parents’ Night Out!
May 12 7:00 p.m. Tree of Life Midland PNO
May 13 9:00 a.m. Yoga Class
May 14 12:00 p.m. Stewardship Celebration
May 15 6:00 p.m. Refuge Recovery Meeting
May 15 8:00 p.m. Belly Dancing
May 16 7:00 p.m. Permian Basin Buddhists
May 20 9:00 a.m. Yoga Class
May 21 2:30 p.m. Knitting Group
May 22 6:00 p.m. Refuge Recovery Meeting
May 22 8:00 p.m. Belly Dancing
May 23 7:00 p.m. Permian Basin Buddhists
May 26 7:00 p.m. Tree of Life Odessa PNO
May 27 9:00 a.m. Yoga Class
UUCOM Board
Sally Flores, President
Harry Nutter, President-Elect
Tom Hull, Treasurer
Carol Kullman, Secretary
Rico Ramirez, Member
Tom Parks, Member
Jane Hellinghausen, Member
UUCOM Staff
Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon,
Minister
Email: [email protected]
(432) 694-4308 office
(617) - 501-0020 cell
Wednesday 3:00-5:30 pm
Thursday 3:00-5:30 pm
Friday 9:30-1:00 pm
Jessica Stewart,
Office Administrator
(432) 694-4308
Office Hours:
Monday 9-12
Wednesday 9-1
Friday 9-12
Email: [email protected]
Barbara Handley,
Director of Religious Education
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 432-978-5977
Sonja and Scott Millichamp,
Music Directors
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website:
www.uumidland.org
Like us on Facebook:
Unitarian Universalist Church of
Midland TX https://www.facebook.com/UUMidland
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Annual Church Garage Sale
Mark your calendars for our annual church garage sale on Saturday, May 6th from
8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. As you do your spring cleaning please box up gently
worn/used items to donate for this annual event. Items may be delivered to the
church on Sunday, April 30th. Please do not bring items to the church before that
date. Thanks to Shanda Unger and the Tree of Life for serving as the chairs.
This annual fundraiser provides opportunities for you to share your time (work
during the week and/or day of the event), talent (organizing items, assisting
people, working check-out, or hosting the Pre-View Party on Friday, May 5th) and
treasures! Assistance will be needed on Sunday, April 30th following the church
service setting up tables and unpacking items as well as during the week during church office hours or Monday-
Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Please plan on working the garage sale by setting up large items at 7:00
a.m., assisting shoppers, working check-out from 8:00-2:00 or cleaning/boxing up unsold items beginning at 2:00.
The Pre-View Party is Friday, May 5th from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Cost is $10/person with a $1 rebate for every
$10 spent up to $100. Snacks and beverages will be served. For more information please contact Shanda Unger
432-634-7769.
Indie Lens Pop Up, A Special Presentation Of Real Boy May 23rd
Basin PBS, Ector County Library and UUMidland present a free preview
screening of Real Boy, a film by Shaleece Haas followed by a panel discussion.
The screening will be held on Tuesday, May 23rd at the Ector County Library,
(321 W. 5th Odessa) 6:00 pm. RSVP at http://bit.ly/2pClhEN
A moving and intimate story of a family in transition, Real Boy follows the
journey of trans teen Bennett as he navigates adolescence, sobriety, and the
physical and emotional ramifications of his changing gender identity. Through
the process, his mother Suzy makes her own transformation — travelling a
difficult road toward accepting that the daughter she raised as Rachael is now
her son Bennett. Filmed over the course of four years, Real Boy is a love story
about a mother and son who rediscover connection with each other and find
support from their communities, reminding us that families are not only given,
but also chosen. Real Boy premieres on Independent Lens Monday, June 19,
2017, 9pm on Basin PBS.
The topic of the panel discussion to follow is support and resources for LGBTQ
youth – esp. trans youth, gender identity, & expression, mental health and more.
Panelists include:
Maureena Benavides, MA, LPC, Owner, On the Couch Counseling
Felix Vasquez: Transgender male
Gio Pham: Transgender male
Mathew Dearstyne: Transgender male
Mireya Guerrero: Mother of a Transgender male
Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon - Moderator
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Sermon Excerpt - April 2, 2017 “The Surrender to Transformation”
What greater power helps you do what you alone cannot?
If, for you, it is not God, is it the power of community and right relationship that demand we transcend our individual
selves?
Is it the power of Mystery to which you surrender that gifts you with humility, an appreciation for doubt?
Or for you is it the workings of nature and time to which you let go and come into alignment?
It may be more than one of these – or all of these. It may be some power I have not named. You may still be
searching for it.
We are probably all still searching for it.
The truth is we do not cross our own deserts by continuing to trudge through in the same old ways that we are
accustomed.
We need to find what Richard Rohr calls our own “deep yeses” to carry us through – something we absolutely
believe in, something to which we can commit. ...Something in which we can trust, even when the process is
painful or frightening, like when the stream lets itself be taken up by the wind to cross the desert…
May we all find our own “deep yeses” to which we can surrender, so that we, too, can relax into the arms of the
wind and transform time and again into our truest, freest forms.
- Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon
The audio and text of Rev. Wright-Magoon’s sermons can be found online at www.uumidland.org/blog
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Thoughts from the RE Corner
Spirit Play Calendar
May 7—Theodore Parker and the Turtle
May 14—Intergenerational Service*: Flower Communion
May 21—Norbert Capek: Flower Communion
May 28—Spirit Play Work Day: Creating a Surprise for RE teachers/volunteers
*Childcare is provided for infants and pre-school aged children during Intergenerational Services. School aged
children are encouraged to attend the entire service with their families.
Chalice Camp: Monday, July 10-Thursday, July 13
We are excited to be offering for the first time Chalice Camp! Chalice Camp will be a half-day (9:00-12:00) summer
camp in which the children will explore our UU Principles! The cost for the four-day camp for children K-6th grade
is $60/child. Scholarships are available. Payments must be received no later than May 7th. For more information,
please contact Barbara Handley at 432-978-5977 or [email protected].
Herb Garden
Children in the Spirit Play class planted herbs in our raised beds in the garden in honor of Earth Day. Throughout
the spring and summer, they will be tending to their herbs by watering, weeding, and harvesting the herbs for their
families and church members!
Religious Education Committee
Our next RE Committee meeting is Sunday, May 28th following church service. If you are interested in volunteering
your time and talent or just finding out what is happening in the RE wing, you are invited to join us! Lunch will be
shared!
2017 Easter Egg Hunt
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Environmental Sustainability Efforts
Midland Downtown Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm at the Museum of the Southwest (West
Missouri Avenue)
Blooms and Butterflies
Saturday May 13th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, I-20 Wildlife Preserve.
Sustainability Field Trip
Sunday, May 21st @9:00 am – 10:15 am
Please meet us at 2402 Sinclair to see a sustainable yard.
Garden Day: TBA (the date will be dependent on the garden itself) _______________________________________________________________________________
Our Local Ecosystems
Want to know more about the environment we live in and our native
ecosystems and their inhabitants? Then check out these two events. The Big
Sit, this Sunday, is all day! You can count or just enjoy learning. Blooms and
Butterflies has something for everyone including a walk or run, activities, and a
chance to get outside!
Annual Ministerial Review
The Committee on Ministry has started the process of Emily's Annual Ministerial Review for the UUA. As you know, Emily
is always open to feedback and we are joining her in that process. We would welcome any positive or negative
constructive feedback that you might have. This is your chance to make your thoughts known. Timing is critical as June
8 will be our final draft review. If you have, an idea that you would like to express you may contact any of the Committee
on Ministry member by email or phone.
Committee members are:
Emmy Ulmschneider (chair)
John Kullman
Beverly Wise
Franny Zollinger
Centering Prayer Courses
Lynn Alsup will be guiding centering prayer events Wednesdays in May 11:15 -
11:45 am at the Yoga Sanctuary.
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Worship Workshops
Thursday May 11 and June 8, 5:30-8:30 pm. Dinner provided.
As you may have heard, this summer we are transitioning to year-round worship! 11:00
am worship and children’s classes will continue uninterrupted! Rev. Emily will be taking
some weeks of study leave and vacation here and there in July and August, for which we
will have our own members lead worship and preach sermons. Year-round worship will
provide continuity to our spiritual development, and more opportunities for church growth
and member engagement. Help us achieve this vision!
Join Rev. Emily for two workshops to help you be a worship associate and/or lay preacher for one Sunday this
summer. You will learn about service design, worship leadership, and preaching. The group can help you with a
sermon idea or even give you feedback on an existing sermon you’ve prepared. So that we have a count for dinner,
please rsvp on the sheet in the foyer, or email Rev. Emily: [email protected]. Ideally, participants will attend
both workshops.
Awesome 80’s Prom
You’ve seen pictures of high school kids going to the prom this spring, now here’s your chance to go to the prom!
Midland Community Theatre’s interactive comedy AWESOME 80S PROM still has three performances – Friday,
April 28th, Saturday, April 29th and Saturday, May 6th – the doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the fun is done by 10 p.m.
The prom takes place at the Junior League building – 902 West Dengar – right next to the COM off Wadley and A
Street (and near the college).
So, we have a totally awesome offer for UU church members: use the coupon code “TOTALLY80SBIGTIME” when
you purchase your tickets online and you’ll get a $15 discount – the tickets will only be $20. You’ll have a great time,
and your ticket prices includes two drinks at the event. MCT’s website is www.mctmidland.org. See you at the
prom!!
Welcome to New Members Tommie
McBrayer and Venus Smith! We will welcome our 8 new members (and
every week that number is growing!) from this
church year at the New Member Ceremony on
May 14.
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Belly Dance Classes Belly Dancing class continues Mondays, 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Come join us as we explore the world of American Tribal Style Belly Dance (ATS)! ATS is a modern form of belly dance based on group improvisation. We will primarily focus on ATS, but also cover basic drills and movements that span all genres of belly dance. It is a wonderful way to connect body, mind, and spirit! Check out www.fcbd.com for more information on this form of dance.
*Dress: yoga pants, tights, or leggings and a tank top, choli, or t-shirt. ^No coin hip-scarves please, but tassels are welcome! *Bring: water to drink and a yoga mat or towel *This is a space for women, young ladies or female-oriented persons.
Interested in Becoming a Member?
Interested in officially joining our church
community? Reach out to Rev. Emily, Carol
Kullman, Jane Hellinghausen, or Barbara Handley;
or check out our Path to Membership brochure in
the foyer or info online. The process consists of
committing to attend a Newcomers’ Drop-In Circle
or class; making a pledge of time, talent, &/or
treasure; and signing the membership book. We
welcome you!
Care Team for Church Members and
Friends We invite you to share any needs you August have or concerns about church members/friends with the care team. When others in our church family approach you about a difficult situation in their life please ask them if it is ok to share that information with the care team. You August share requests and concerns with Jane Hellinghausen (413-4612), Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon, or by calling the church office (694-4308). Rev. Emily can also be reached at [email protected]. For urgent needs, you August call her cell phone, 617-501-0020.
Thank you for helping to make our church an even more supportive and caring community!
What’s Happening at UCOM
Monthly Knitting Circle Monthly knitting circle will meet every 3rd Sunday of the month at 2:30 pm! Every level of knitter is welcome - from beginner to expert - join in for fellowship and fun as well as project sympathy with fellow knitters. You can work on your own project, get and share advice & tips, or join in the group project. If you're coming to learn how to knit, please bring size 9 needles and solid-colored yarn - email us ahead of time for further instructions. Please ask about our charity knit along for Warm Up America! Join us May 21st @2:30 p.m.
Crocheters & other stitchers always welcome! Please contact Franny Zollinger for more information: [email protected].
The Membership Directory is Ready!
Our updated directory of members and friends is ready
and available! In alignment with our environmental
sustainability principles, we will be printing only a limited
amount of paper copies, which you can find on the
pamphlet holder in the fellowship hall. The electronic
pdf of the directory will now be accessible via a link
at the bottom of every weekly announcement email.
If you have any corrections or additions for the directory,
please contact our office administrator, Jessica, at
Rev. Emily’s Listening Campaign
I have met with 20 of our members so far to hear about
your experience with and hopes for the church. I still
hope to meet with each of you, if you are interested, but
it will probably be an ongoing process over many
months (or years!). So, as always, please let me know
if you would like to meet with me sooner rather than
later. I am always here, both for pastoral care and/or to
hear about your experiences with the church.
THANK YOU for Giving of your
Time, Treasure, and Talent!
This month the Board thanks:
Ethan Wright-Magoon: behind the scenes work
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Parent's Night Out!
Join us for an evening out with other
UUCOM parents while your kids stay at the church for
an evening in with friends. Younger children will come
for the childcare and older youth are invited to come
and help. The kids will have games to play and a
movie to watch. Please feel free to bring a healthy
snack for your child to eat during the movie and a
pillow/blanket to sit upon. Sign up is required for child
care and to reserve your spot for dinner. Children
must be registered with the Religious Education
program for families to participate. We will meet at the
church and then carpool to dinner.
Details
When: May 12th 6:30-9:30pm
Activity: Potluck at the Laws
Potluck dinner at The Laws' home - Bring your favorite
dish to share! Watch for a signup sheet!
Address: 3234 W Shandon Ave 79705
Contact person: Franny Zollinger 541-760-
6374
RSVP by May 7th with the following information:
1) Number of children & their ages.
2) Number of adults attending dinner.
Contact Barbara Handley
at [email protected] or 432- 978-5977 or sign up in
the foyer.
Permian Basin Buddhists The Permian Basin Buddhists continue to meet here
at UUCOM on Tuesday nights, 7:00—8:00 p.m.
everyone is welcome, whether you are new to
Buddhism or have been practicing the Middle Way for
some time. For regular updates about the group, join
the Permian Basin Meetup Group. For more
information about the group, please contact Linda
Blanchard at [email protected].
Food donations for people and pets!
Each Sunday during our offering, we collect
donations of nonperishable food for local food
pantries, and pet food for Lone Star Sanctuary for
Animals. Make a special note to remember your food
donations for our monthly Intergenerational Services,
as the children love to collect the food and bring it
forward. (You can check our calendar online to see
when those are!)
Tree of Life The modern Pagan movement provides a means for
people to connect with the daily, monthly, and yearly
cycles that continue to affect us physically and
emotionally. Through classes and rituals, the Tree of
Life Open Circle explores this connection in an ongoing
effort to foster growth and community for kindred spirits
of the earth.
Movie Night, Mists of Avalon
Saturday, May 6 @ 7:00 pm
Tree of Life PNO Midland
Friday, May 12th @ Nitro Cafe, @ 7pm
Class: TBA
Saturday, May 20 @ 7:00 pm
Tree of Life PNO Odessa
Friday, May 26th @ Cpl. Ray’s Coffee, @ 7pm
For updates and further information about Tree of Life, please check out their Facebook page here.
Yoga Class
Kasie Lunson is utilizing our space for her free yoga
class every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The class is open
to the public and practices vinyasa flow, asanas and
kundalini yoga!
UUMidland OK Chorale
Our church choir will continue rehearsing at 9:30 on
Sunday mornings. All are welcome and encouraged to
join us at any time! Please contact Scott or Sonja
Millichamp with any questions.
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO DONATE: PEANUT BUTTER
TUNA FISH
CEREAL
BEANS
RICE
SOUP
CANNED FRUIT