May 2012 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin We gather in community to nourish souls, transform lives, and do justice

April Fuels Day Alternative Vehicle Fair Revs Up Saving the green in a smarter, cooler machine is another gear shift in saving the planet. More with less says it best, and The First Universalist Unitarian Church April Fuels Day Al- ternative Vehicle Fair had the best in green transportation on display. Nearly 200 attendees enjoyed the games and cool energy-saving car, bike and scooter showcase. Our Green Sanctuary Committee worked like protons in an electric Prius with the sun- roof open. Twenty church volunteers, several from the Chalice Circle community, formed the can-do posse that helped make it all happen. People could climb around in the vehicles and see themselves riding down a carbon foot-print-less highway in a sweet plug-in, natural gas coupe, bio-diesel beauty, or a hill toppin’ hybrid. Riders swooped around on recumbent bikes and hip electric scooters. Lots of questions were answered on smart auto energy, saving mon- ey, lower carbon footprints and cleaner air and water results. Our Texas Health Credit Union neighbors came out with us, neighborly offering their park- ing lot to accommodate visitors. Visiting with them, we discovered more green news—our church members are eligible for the credit union’s no-cost checking and savings accounts. (top) Green Sanctuary members Pat The Dirigibles provided music that set all toes to tapping as the attendees envisioned them- Bulla and Richard Halpin welcomed nearly 200 attendees to check out selves as future drivers of these fine vehicles. Quite a few likely imagined themselves driving (clockwise from top) a variety of into the sunset in the sweet silver Tesla convertible one generous owner brought to share. bikes and scooters, a silver Tesla After the event, some attendees stopped dreaming about owning one of these money-, fuel- convertible, various hybrids, and a natural-gas-powered Honda Civic, and planet-saving vehicles and ended up buying one. among other vehicles. — Beki and Richard Halpin, co-chairs, Green Sanctuary Committee First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

General Assembly of Meg Barnhouse the Unitarian Universalist Association Change is Good, June 20–24 Phoenix, Ariz. Painful and Exciting

Some members of ll change is difficult, even good change. Last month I had First UU have already registered and made to replace my beloved nine-year-old car. “Time to move travel and accommo- on,” the mechanic said. The new car is gorgeous, smaller dation arrangements. than the old one because I no longer carry my very tall Why don’t you make boysA in the back seat. They drive their own cars. I like it, and I’m plans to join us and thousands of other trying to be happy about it all the time, but I still miss my familiar UUs from around the car with its bumper torn from a run-in with a New Jersey snow U.S. and the world? bank left by the street plows at the end of the driveway. More info: The De- nominational Affairs I miss knowing that, any minute, some- just a little bit, and the Public Affairs Forum bulletin board across thing old and dear could roll out from under group said they could go from noon to 1 p.m. from Meg’s office or the seat, a lacrosse ball or an enormous sock; instead of 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. With grat- www.uua.org/ga there won’t be scratches on this dashboard itude to the Forum for its flexibility and grati- Highlights include: from the shoes of a relaxing teenager. That tude to the choir for its early call this year, • Preparatory presen- car went more than 225,000 miles with me, the Management Team (me, Sean, Brent, and tations and work- and was sturdy and reliable to the end. This Barbara) decided to move everything back shops, followed by month Kiya and I are going back east for our 15 minutes when we start the program year the National Day of boy Ned’s graduation from the University of next September. The first service will be at Witness and Service South Carolina. We’ll get to throw our arms 9:15 a.m., the second service at 10:45 a.m., • Business meetings around him, his beau- and Forum will be at (Plenaries) tiful fiancée Emily, his Expanding the building to noon. • Service of the older brother Sam, fin- welcome those who The Welcome Living Tradition ishing his third year of need us is one task. Center April will be • Ware Lecture med school, and Sam’s finished as this goes • Celebrations and wife Emily, who is go- Expanding our outreach to press. Our little worship services ing to have a baby girl is another. taste of construc- • Regional in June. That old car tion taught us that In-Gatherings got us from middle school to here. it always takes longer than you think it will, • Youth and Young You all have had a lot of changes here in something unexpected always happens, Adult programs the past few years. Many of you were here and change is both good and difficult. Now • Choir during the interim ministries, having self-re- there is one definite, well-lit entrance to the flective and hopeful discussions about what building. It is staffed much of the time with this church is and what you wish it were. knowledgeable and friendly volunteers who Just this year we tried out a whole new Sun- are a welcoming presence to visitors and day morning schedule, worked out with Ed people who call us on the phone. This moves Brock. You were going to try it for six months, us a step towards one of the church’s goals, and then we were going to talk about it. We which is to be intentionally welcoming. What had that meeting last winter and most of you else would make us more welcoming? We’ve were pretty happy with it. The choir has been added about 70 members this year, and they bearing a lot of the hardship, having to report are wonderful people. We’re going to need in for Sunday morning practice at 7:45 a.m. to think together about how to make more They asked if we could move everything back room so we can welcome all of the other folks 2 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

Southwest UU Summer who need this church. We have made ar- Financial Update Institute rangements with neighbors to use their space Tahlequah, OK on Sunday mornings, and that will give us a A healthy financial July 22-27 little more breathing room. You can bet some more construction will be coming down the picture Save the date for this road, though. That will also be a painful and UU family summer exciting change. Your church had a net income of more camp. Info: De- Expanding the building to welcome those than $6,000 last year. That is to say, our nominational Affairs who need us is one task. Expanding our out- income exceeded our expenses. bulletin board and at: reach is another. We will be beginning a dis- Overall, we ended the year with one and http://swuuc.org/pag- cussion about a congregation-wide outreach a half months of money in the operating es/services/camps/ project with a theme every year. One year it fund (analogous to the family checking ac- swuusi.php might be homelessness, one year hunger, one count). This is a good cushion that should year teen suicide, one year health care. Wen- allow us to manage variations in cash flow Attention dy Erisman, one of our new members, head- during the year. Attendees ed up the congregation-wide projects at her For 2012, your church has its second Keep in touch former UU congregation, River Road UU in consecutive year without a budget deficit! Bethesda, Md. She has stepped forward to be We owe a great debt (figuratively, not lit- Whether attending a leader in this congregation as well, helping erally) to the canvass by your Stewardship GA, SWUUC or other us overlay our current social justice projects Committee and a strong outpouring of regional events, please with a focused effort that involves as much of financial commitment from many mem- e-mail denom@ the congregation as it can. bers. Some families have even made pledg- austinuu.org and One of the foundational spiritual tasks of es that go beyond generous to sacrificial. let us know. Sharing a person and a church is to expand, not its Your Membership Committee, and the contact info helps us building, not its outreach, even, but the sense path to membership process it has initiat- communicate, meet of “us.” It’s easy to embrace the new mem- ed, have also impacted the church’s finan- up and share travel bers, who become instantly part of “us.” Give cial health: not only do we have more peo- and accommodations. some thought to those you think of as “them.” ple joining the church, but a significantly We help “them,” or we do battle politically higher percentage of them is pledging. Auction and with “them,” or we flee from the pain of being We feel grateful to all who have contrib- Masquerade with “them” into the joy of being with “us.” I uted generously with their time, treasure, think there will always be a “them,” but it is and talent. Ball my aim for that group to grow smaller and To receive a full copy of the Fiscal Year Sept. 22 smaller as I think of more and more people 2011 Financial Report or if you have any as “us.” Expanding our sense of “us” is about questions, please contact director of Fi- Calling all dreamers, the best work we can do to make this world nance and Operations, Sean Hale (sean@ doubters, jugglers, the one we dream of. The community with austinuu.org). — Sean Hale nay-sayers, number- the most life in it is always welcoming new crunchers, sales- people of good will with open arms. Beloved people, chefs, artists, theologian Howard Thurman wrote: “Com- A Look at Finances brainiacs, fools, belly- munity cannot for long feed on itself; it can dancers, fire-eaters, only flourish with the coming of others from stilt-walkers, engi- beyond, their unknown and undiscovered Net income: $6,000+ neers and imagineers! sisters and brothers.” Sign up at the table in The current “us” is dear and comfortable. No deficit for 2nd year in row the Gallery after the It carries our lives, our assumptions, our ac- May 20 service. Or- tions faithfully. But eventually it breaks down ganizational meeting and has to be replaced. That’s the way of it. Higher percentage of pledgers (and free dinner) on With our community, we can be reassured May 23 at 6 p.m. More that something old and dear will from time info: Kiya@Kiya- to time be rolling out from under the seat. Heartwood.com. 3 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

Congregational Chris’ Corner Meeting and Voting Meet the Board of Eligibility May 20, 1:30 p.m. Trustee Nominees

Save the date for our n May 20th at 1:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary, we will hold semi-annual congre- our annual spring congregational meeting. At the gational meeting. The agenda will include meeting, the congregation will vote on new Board a vote on next year’s of Trustees members and officers, as well as for a new new trustees. Omember of the nominating committee. In order to be eligible to vote, please be sure An agenda and more information about you will join us. to have done the the meeting will be posted in the mailroom For more information on voting require- following: and on the church website soon, if they have ments and the nominations and elections 1. Joined the church, not been already. process, you can access the church bylaws including signing the Unitarian Universalists are Congrega- at http://austinuu.org/wp2011/wp-content/ membership book, tionalists, meaning that each congregation is uploads/2011/07/FUUCA_Bylaws-2011-FI- by April 20. Contact self-governing through electing its own rep- NAL.pdf Rev. Meg Barn- resentatives to serve on the Board of Trust- May will be my last month facilitating the house to do this. ees, approving its own budget, calling its congregational meetings and serving as pres- 2. Made a gift of own minister, etc. Our spring congregational ident of the Board of Trustees. It has been an record between May meetings serve the important function of honor and a pleasure to serve this wonderful 20, 2011 and April 20, electing the board for the next year, so I hope community. 2012. Any gift will do (cash, check, stock, etc.), provided that Vote at the Congregational Meeting we have received it May 20, 1:30 p.m. within the date range The Nominating Committee presents the following nominees to and that we can con- lead our congregation into the future: nect it to you. Child- care provided. More info: Sean Hale, director of Fi- 2012-2014 BOT Nominee nance and Opera- tions, sean@austinuu. President Susan Thomson org, 512-452-6168 x 308. Susan has been a Unitarian Universalist for over 30 years and has been involved with First UU since moving to Austin in 1996. She has taught children’s Religious Education, chaired the Adult RE committee, facilitated sessions of Harvest the Power leader- ship program, served as president-elect and vice president of the board of trustees, and participated in the Policy Governance Task Force. Her professional career was in social work adminis- tration, during which she led the statewide implementation of a set of guiding principles for her agency. Goals for next year in- clude “continuing our transition to policy based governance and working as a congregation to live our vision, mission and ends.”

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SWUUC 2012-2014 BOT Nominee Summer Vice President Bruce Barker Camps July 1-21 Bruce grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and got an Economics degree from the University of Virginia. After graduation, he was The Southwest a ski bum for four years in Vail, Colorado, where he met and Unitarian Universalist married Jeanne. They both went back to school to get computer Conference will offer science degrees from UT–Austin. After working at IBM for 20 three separate sum- years, he got a Masters degree and started his current job as a mer camps at U-Bar- professor of graduate engineering classes. Bruce was raised as a U for ages 8-19 in July. Roman Catholic and became a Presbyterian after getting mar- July 1-7 ried. About four years ago, he and Jeanne decided to try Uni- rising 3-6 graders tarian Universalism, which attracted them due to the diversity SWUUC Junior Camp of beliefs. Before joining First UU, he was a member of the San July 8-14 Gabriel UU Fellowship in Georgetown, Texas, where he served as rising 7-9 graders president in 2010. SWUUC Senior Camp July 15-21 rising 9-12 graders and 2012-2013 BOT Nominee 19-year olds who have just graduated Secretary John Franks Register: http:// fd8.formdesk.com/ John joined FUUCA in 2002. In 2011, John was elected to the swuuc1/camps12/ Board of Trustees for a 3-year term. He served on the Settled Minister Search Committee in 2010-2011. Additional church UU Media contributions include membership on the Denominational Af- UU Magazine fairs Committee and Web and Media Committees, participation in the men’s breakfast group, UBarU men’s retreats, Hands-on Keep up on immigrant Housing, and other activities in the church. John served in the and refugee issues in U.S. Air Force and has had a career in the computer industry as UU World magazine a troubleshooter and Headquarters support engineer for Con- or here: http://www. trol Data Corporation and Amdahl Corporation. uuworld.org/current- issue.shtml 2012-2013 BOT Nominee Side of Love Go to www.standin- Treasurer Mike LeBurkien gonthesideoflove.com to learn other ways Mike went to 40 different schools as an Army brat and gradu- you can help bring ated from John Adams HS of South Bend, Ind. before attending about social justice Indiana University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa Cum Laude in and equality together Political Science. He was ROTC and rose to 1st Lt. US ARMY with other UUs and INF, receiving an award from the Sorbonne as Excellent Eleve. denominations. He taught International Relations at the University of Wiscon- UUA Prez Blog sin before attending Hebrew Union College Seminary. He at- tended South Texas College of Law and served as Assistant D.A. Follow the blog of Rev. in Brazoria County and also as Assistant Attorney General ap- Peter Morale for his pointed by Gov. Mark White. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Houston thoughts on various Congregation for Reform Judaism. Mike studied at the School topics of the day. of Advanced International Studies/Johns Hopkins in Bologna http://president.blogs. and at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. uua.org/

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Meet the BOT Nominees (continued from pg. 5) Senior’s Luncheon 2012-2015 Trustee Nominee May 8, noon Howson Hall Michael Kersey

UU Young at Michael Kersey and his wife, Karen Cleary, have been attend- Heart Poets “Jazz” ing our church since 1992. Their son, Evan, sings in the Youth Jaeschke, Herman Choir. Michael has coordinated Hands-On-Housing teams; Nelson, John Berry, volunteered in Lifespan Education; developed and presented Jill Wiggins and a leadership skills seminar for the church; served on the Jane Parsons will interim minister’s Transition Team; and most recently served provide the entertain- as co-chair of the Ministerial Search Committee which ment. RSVP to Alice presented Rev. Barnhouse to the congregation. Michael has Cashman 837-0988. a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the You are welcome to University of Tulsa and a master’s degree in organizational “jazz” it up if you leadership and ethics from St. Edward’s University. In addi- like. Soup, Salad & tion to family and church community, Michael enjoys run- Dessert $5. More info: ning, reading, and gardening. 451-7172 Sacred Cow Bar-B-Que 2012-2015 Trustee Nominee May 5, 2 p.m. NW Field Russell Smith Russell is a nonprofit leader with over twenty years of experi- Join the Fellowship ence running nonprofit and governmental organizations in Committee and Yew Houston and Austin, including five and a half years running a Grove for an after- Head Start program in Houston that served over 1,100 children noon of fun, frivolity and their families. He has worked across the age spectrum, and a little food for from early childhood to school reform to the Alzheimer’s As- thought thrown in sociation. He is currently the executive director of the Austin for good measure. $5 Child Guidance Center. Russell holds a Master’s degree in per person. Please Business from UT–Austin, as well as a Master’s degree in let us know whether Social Work from the University of Houston. He inherited his you want a veggie passion for working in the public sector from his grandmother, or carnivore meal. Bert Kruger Smith, an Austin icon who was active in philan- For childcare, email thropy for over 50 years. Russell has held many volunteer childcare@austinuu. positions, from Runaway Hotline Volunteer to Management org. Meal reservations Consultant for the United Way to Chair of the Austin Lo- and childcare requests cal Advisory Board for First Book. He teaches a class at the must be made by May graduate school of social work at UT on grant writing and fund 2. RSVP: Fellowship@ development. He and his wife live in north Austin with eleven- austinuu.org. year old twin daughters Abby and Alexis and daughter Kaileigh (21) lives in South Austin.

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Game Night 2012-2013 Trustee Nominee May 18, 6:30 p.m. Ken Pfluger room 15

Ken Pfluger grew up in Austin. He moved to Seattle for Everyone is welcome, graduate school at the University of Washington, where he including children, earned a masters degree in Urban Planning. After 20 years in bring your own drink Seattle, Ken, his wife Kay, and their two daughters returned to and a snack to share Austin. They have been members of FUUCA for five years. (and your own special Ken says, “I want to do more for the church. My interests and game ). Otherwise abilities are in the areas of planning and policy work, which is a come and play one of good fit with the policy-based governance approach.” ours. Hope to see you there. 2012-2013 Trustee Nominee North Central Caregivers Carolyn Gremminger Garage Sale Carolyn is a lifelong Texan born in Weatherford who moved May 19, to Austin in 1981 for UT–Austin and never moved away. She 9 a.m.–1 p.m. received her Bachelors in Social Work in 1985, working as a First Cumber- licensed chemical dependency counselor before becoming land Presbyte- an Adult Probation officer for Travis County in 1997, working on a specialized case load for substance abuse for her entire rian Church probation career. Having left Roman Catholicism in her teens, she now considers herself to be a Unitarian Buddhist. She Recycle your gently has attended First UU since 2001. Her interests include film, used and unwanted art, cycling, yoga, hiking, swimming and organic gardening. clothing and house- Her main spiritual practice is mindfulness meditation. hold goods, and help Senior Support Services in North 2012-2013 Nom. Committee Central Austin at the same time. We will be Philip A. Hastings baking up a storm to raise funds by sell- Philip moved to Austin in 2005 and joined the church the ing homemade baked same year. He started the Potluck Playdays, then served as goods. Remember, chair of Children’s Programming. He started the wHoops your junk is someone’s basketball group as well as the monthly bocce outing, and treasure. We all love helped build the rustic bocce court at UbarU ranch. Phil was a bargain! More info: appointed to the board in 2006, where he led the task force Board Member Bob, to plan and fund an executive director. After his three-year 423-8482 or 453-2273 board term, Phil took some time off from leadership; he’s now helping on the minister’s transition team. Phil, who has a PhD in Industrial Psychology from the University of Houston, owns Far Harbor LLC, a statistical consultancy focusing on public policy and health research. His wife Lisa is a doctor of chiro- practic and owns Clear Point Wellness; their son Kai will be an 8th grader this fall at O. Henry Middle School.

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Music Matters Singalong May 26, Choir Raises Voices, 7:30–10:30 p.m. 3701 E. MLK Blvd. Funds for Members n early April, the adult choir held an event to benefit members Please bring snacks Suzette Emberton and Manoj Panicker, who are recovering and finger foods, mu- sical instruments, and from injuries incurred during a serious accident last Novem- copies of songs you ber. We had a great turnout and were treated to a wide variety want to sing. Copies Iof music and comedy, as well as a grand finale of everyone singing of “Rise Up Sing- “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Thanks to everyone who ing” will be avail- able. Please do not helped put together this fun and powerful event. bring alcohol, since this is not a custom of the Quakers. More info: Larry Vaughn, 469-0029. Contact Mary Jane Ford at singalong@austinuu. org to add someone to the e-mail list. Readers’ Theater May 14, 7:30 p.m. the Gallery

The adult choir holds a benefit to help the revcovery of Suzette Emberton and Manoj Panicker. This will be our next-to-last meeting before the summer break. Read aloud Baldwin performs in all-star sxsw show an assortment of In mid-March, First UU Music Director orchestral rendering of Big Star’s Third. The one-acts. We wel- Brent Baldwin collaborated with Peter Buck performance, held at the Paramount Theater come newcomers, no (R.E.M.), M. Ward, Mitch Easter (Lets Ac- during the South By Southwest festival, was a theatre experience tive), Chris Stamey (The dBs), Pat Sansone celebration of the new documentary Big Star: required. (Wilco), Tommy Stinson (The Replacements/ Nothing Can Hurt Me, which focuses on the Guns N’ Roses), The Posies, Jody Stephens immensely influential band led by the late (Big Star) and Tosca String Quartet in a live Alex Chilton.

(left) Jody Stephens of Big Star and Brent Baldwin at a performance (right) for a documentary about the band. 8 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

Hail and Farewell Paullette MacDougal’s Curtain Call

Paullette, we wish you well! Since an- spect and compassion. Artistic excellence? swering our UU minister’s call for thespians Paullette has gathered and mentored skilled in 1999, Paullette has provided the artistic directors who’ve attracted talented cast and guidance and nurturing that has grown us crew to produce our shows. Community out- into one of Austin’s solid community theatre reach? It was Paullette’s idea from the start to companies. It all started with Sunday Shorts, offer one performance of each production to minister-approved scenes or readings offered a non-profit in town, so they could raise funds Paullette occasionally during worship services. UU for their agency while enjoying an evening of MacDougal values? Paullette has intentionally chosen (or theatre. Readers’ Theater? Again, Paullette’s Retirement written) plays that illustrate one or more of brain child—an opportunity for folks to sim- Party our Seven Principles. And she has insisted ply enjoy reading plays aloud. Fun? That’s that we treat one another with kindness, re- what keeps us going! May 20, 5 p.m. the Gallery

Come and honor An interview with Paullette Paullette MacDou- gal and the cast and Where do you get your inspiration? of Everything I Need to Know I Learned in crew of Sisters under My best work has been inspired by history. Kindergarten with 25 UUs in the cast, the re- the Skin, Paullette’s My father was an amateur historian in Wis- sponse was overwhelming. We knew it had to latest play for the consin, specializing in American Civil War. continue. Ann Edwards, without whom this Paradox Players. Light We lived with artifacts and moth-bitten mili- theater would not exist, and I greatly enjoyed refreshments, fond tary uniforms that eventually ended up in the the creation of intentional community—The farewells, and a wel- historical museum my Dad started. Paradox Players Family, we called it. come to Gary Payne, Paullette’s successor How many plays have you done for UU? What play of yours best exemplifies the as Artistic Director of I directed many of our early plays. As for UU principles? Paradox Players. writing plays specifically for Paradox produc- The current one – Sisters Under The Skin – tions, I staged only four of my own full-length I think it embodies most if not all seven. Call for plays, plus some scenes for Sunday Shorts. Of Volunteers our more than 30 main stage productions, What will you be up to now? Paradox the great majority are by other playwrights. I want to take the “Sisters” story to a wider Players audience. In a national competition this play What are your favorite Paradox moments? won a place at the Great Plains Theatre Con- Backstage There were too many beautiful moments to ference where it will be critiqued and read by Crew list. When we produced our first offering on a professional actors in Omaha, Nebraska in Sunday morning, a shortened musical version late May. No previous experi- ence needed for help on Sisters Under the May 4–20, Bethke stage Skin, running May 4-6/11-13/18-20 from Sisters Under the Skin 8 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 Artistic Director Paullette MacDougal has expanded her to 5 p.m. on Sundays. one-act, CRAZY BET, a Best-of-Show winner at Frontera More info: joboe1@ Fest 2011, into a full-length play with 19th century gospel hotmail.com or 517- music. This historically true espionage story is the final play 7760 of our 2012 Stub Season. Tickets available by phone, 744- 1495; at paradoxplayers.org; and in the Gallery on Sundays.

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Help Meals on Social Action Wheels Drivers Needed Bluebonnet Blitz Team

This year volunteer cancellations have Revitalizes Home come earlier than usual. Consider vol- nergetic UUs came together for the Spring Hands On unteering. More info: Housing workday, a.k.a. “Bluebonnet Blitz,” on a Saturday www.mealsonwheel- sandmore.org/volun- in mid-April. Fifty-nine volunteers from First UU, Live Oak teer/current-needs UU, and Wildflower Church worked shifts from 8 a.m. to E5:30 p.m. to paint and repair the home owned by Ms. Rosa Taylor. PCC Volunteer Collate Group She is thrilled with her “new” house and very grateful for our team’s May 8, hard work and friendship. 9:30 a.m. At the PCC

Additional volunteers are needed for the Second Tuesday Col- late Group at People’s (left) The team worked all day to restore the house. (center) Karen Franks paints with a helper. (right) John Linnet, Pat Community Clinic Laird, Michael West and Tim Buckley take on a wall. More pics: http://tinyurl.com/6u555qp to collate and stuff Volunteers caulked, painted, sheetrocked, • Jason Neeley for taking and returning a patient information chainsawed, weeded, dug, added compost, truckload of stuff from the church and packets. We have planted, and lugged unwanted items to the for constructing a solid frame for the taken on additional curb. Thanks so much to our fantastic team: backyard garden responsibilities and First UU’s Shandy Smith; Leah and John • Michael Spalding and Shandy Smith for need more help. Ar- Linnet; Liz and Wayne Kesterson; Bruce and helping with set-up rive anytime after 9:30 Jeanne Barker; Monty Newton; Ray and Mi- • Jeanne and Bruce Barker, Monty New- am and leave when chael Easterlin; Joe Linsalata; Tony Romero; ton, Ethan Love, and Justin Pillette—the­ you need—we always Michael West; Audrey Lewis and Dale Whi- awewome sheetrock crew finish by noon. You taker-Lewis; Tom Bodine; Ethan Love; Gil- • Bruce and Jeanne for taking down the don’t need to par- lian Redfearn; Jason Neeley; Steve Long; Pe- large dead tree, bush, and stumps in the ticipate each month, ter Schneider; Kelly Ward; Seaufy Peg Frey; yard and for their generous donation of just as you can. More Karen and John Franks; John, Geri, Paige, the sheetrock supplies info: Sheri Overton at and David Neemidge; Maria Person and • John Phelps for being the a.m. shift lead [email protected]. Maya and Anita Iyer; Meg Kimberland; Jon and taking the group picture Affordable Montgomery; Veryan Thompson; Liz, Mark, • Karen Franks and Mia and Ken Burton Housing and Maddie Rogers; Luther Elmore; Justin for bringing snacks and Caelen Pillette; Lindsay Orlando; Mia, • Dale Whitaker-Lewis and Veryan Thomp- Heroes Ken, Alex, and Benjamin Burton; Eric Hart- son for cleaning the paint brushes May 1, 6 p.m. man; Hanneke Portier; and Lashanna Mar- • Luther Elmore for being the p.m. shift Four Seasons tin; Live Oak’s Mike Spalding, John Phelps, lead Tim Buckley, and Sharon and Dave Fitz- • Tom Bodine for bringing a wheelbarrow Fundraiser for iACT’s patrick; and Wildflower’s Pat Laird, Naomi • Everyone who brought ladders and tools Hands on Hous- Schwinghamer, and Jeffery Shelton. • Jon Montgomery for arranging for ing. More info: www. Special thanks to: donated Chick-fil-A sandwiches interfaithtexas.org • Jacob Williamson for lending his cooler • Monty for delivering one dozen eggs, • Bill Walters for letting us raid the fresh from the Newton coop, to Ms. Grounds Committee’s tool shed Taylor at the end of the day. 10 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

Lifespan Religious Education Update DLRE Search Committee Meet the Search Committee Forms Members

for New Director Geri Neemidge has attended First UU irst UU has officially started its search for a new permanent for two years. She is Director of Lifespan Religious Education. A DLRE search the mother of two big committee has been tasked by Rev. Meg Barnhouse with kids, 10 and 11 years old. She is a member searching, screening and interviewing viable candidates for of the Children and Fthe position. Rev. Meg Barnhouse will work directly with the com- Youth Programming mittee in this process and will ultimately choose the final candidate Committee, Fellow- under our policy governance process. ship Committee, and Library Committee. The Committee has been given a robust set mittee in a supporting role, in addition to her Dwayne Windham of tools to guide them in the search process. vibrant and dedicated work at the helm of has attended First UU They will follow a comprehensive guide, pro- our ever-growing Lifespan Religious Educa- for six years, along vided by the UUA, titled The Search for Re- tion Department. with his wife Andi, and ligious Education Leadership. Best Practices This is truly an exciting time for religious their daughter Evie. for Unitarian Universalist Congregations, education here at First UU. As we embark Dwayne is a Youth edited and revised by Pat Ellenwood, former on this search, we commit to a clear sense Advisor for the YRUU president of the Liberal Religious Educators’ of purpose and attempt to stay true to the group, part of the Association, and Rev. Beth Williams, former mission of our church as a whole, that is, to Worship Committee, Religious Education Credentialing director. select a DLRE who, in joining our community, and has been part of Our former interim DLRE, Rev. Lena Breen, enables us to nourish souls, transform lives Dell technical support also contributed extensively to this detailed and do justice. for the past 14 years. guide. In addition to this resource, the Com- You can assist us with the process by filling Ryland Trahan has mittee will also draw on the materials and out our short survey. Look for the paper sur- attended First UU for expertise obtained by our own Ministerial veys by finding the director’s chair in Howson three years. He is a Search Committee used to select our current Hall or the Welcome Center area. Or, simply Youth Advisor for the minister. follow the link below to fill out the survey on- YRUU group and a The process of finding a new DLRE is a line. http://austinuu.org/dresearch special ed teacher in lengthy one, at about 15 months, with the If you have any questions or concerns Austin ISD. goal of having a new permanent DLRE in- about this truly important and exciting Cyndi Stein has stalled by August 2013. Our current Interim search process, please contact us at austinuu- attended First UU DLRE, Barbara Stoddard, will assist the com- [email protected]. since 2006. She is the happily married mother of an amazing seven year old boy. She has worked as the May 5, May 19; 10:30 a.m.-noon Children Program- ming Assistant, under Women’s Spirituality Group our former DRE, from 2007 to 2010. She We’ll focus on African goddesses in May and June as part of the UU also sat on the Women’s Federation curriculum written by Elizabeth Fisher. Children’s Program- May 5: Egyptian goddesses Isis and Maat. ming Committee for a May 19: stories of the Yoruban orishas­Yemaya, Oya, and Oshun. number of years. Her This group is for women high school age and older and always open passions are cooking, to new members. More info: Linda Webster, [email protected] gardening and travel.

11 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012 Lifespan Calendar Religious Education programming May 12 and 26 May 2 & 9 Esalen/Trager Massage Instruc- Welcoming Wednesdays tion and Exchange Group 5:45–6:30 p.m. Inter-generational dinner 9:30 a.m.–noon, Led by Carl W. Nelson 6:45–8:15 p.m. Adult Program: Movie Screening­—I AM Verbal and hands-on instruction of Esalen/ 6:45–8:15 p.m. Children and Youth Heritage Book Trager Massage by Carl W. Nelson, trained Program: Sing-a-Long Club at the world-renowned Esalen Institute in 6:30–8:15 p.m. Childcare available May 11, 7 p.m. Big Sur, Calif. Learn how to integrate body- 4308 Ave. D work into your life for optimal health and Welcoming Wednesday continues through vitality. Experience the easiest way to reach May 9th and then breaks for the summer This is a pot luck fol- the meditative relaxed state through mas- months to pick up lowed by a discussion sage movements that lull the recipient into a again in Septem- of the book Major Pet- dreamy, altered and even spiritual/mystical ber. “Eat and Meet” tigrew’s Last Stand by consciousness. Wear loose-fitting, comfort- Wednesdays will no Helen Simonson. For able clothing, dressing lightly as possible, longer occur. Spe- those reading ahead, and also bring a swimsuit and bathrobe. cial thanks to all our next up is Conscience Donations to the Adult Religious Education amazing committees of a Conservative by Committee are accepted. Children accompa- for some wonderful David Brock. nied by parents are welcome to our sessions dinners and gather- as well. More info: Jane at 346-5263 or ings over the last Mind and e-mail [email protected] or birthright- several months. [email protected] Meaning Book Adult program: Re- Club showing I AM in two consecutive halves. In Sundays Through May 20 his latest project, director Tom Shadyac asks 10:30 a.m. Immigration as a Moral Issue some of today’s most profound thinkers two Sundays, 1–2:30 p.m. questions: What’s wrong with our world, facilitated by Sally Scott & Rob Feeney and what can we do about it? The result is a Millennial Momentum: fresh, energetic and life-affirming film that How a New Generation Folks attending GA (including high school challenges our preconceptions about human is Remaking youth) are encouraged to attend. You can behavior while celebrating the indomitable America, by Morley see the course online at http://uua.org/ human spirit. For a preview, visit: www. Winograd and immigration/re/moral/guide/index.shtml. iamthedoc.com. Michael Hais. More Please register in the Gallery on Sundays for info: mindmeaning@ the class and childcare if needed. You do not Children and Youth Program: Singing and austinuu.org have to attend all sessions. Topics: Storytelling with Barbara Stoddard. The Sunday • April 29: Economics of (Im)migration Book Group • May 6: Security, Enforcement, and Thursdays In May Sundays Human Rights The Presence Group 10:30 a.m. • May 13: Who Benefits from a 7–8:30 p.m., room 13 Broken System? Thich Nhat Hanh: Es- • May 20: Seeking Solutions Silent meditation, video presentation and sential Writings. More open discussion. Requested donation: $5 (all info: James Burson, donations go to First UU). More info: Joe 794-1086 Linsalata, 327-5000, or Amanda Winters, 423-6529 12 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

Jr. and Sr. High Youth Program Children and Youth Info Meeting Religious Education programming May 6 noon–2 p.m. Volunteers Needed Coming This Summer Informational Meet- Advisors for Jr. High Youth Group Hour-Long Children/Youth ing for Parents, Youth We are looking for motivated adults for our Group Programming and Advisors. Lunch youth advisor team. More info: Andrew Starting June 3, 10–11 a.m. included. Young at [email protected]. June 3–Aug. 26 no story time at service K-5th Class Teaching Team Members This summer, children and youth will go Raising Funds • Substitute Lead Teachers directly to their hour-long classes, grouped for ARCH • Greeters and Classroom Managers as K–2nd, 3rd–5th, 6th–8th, 9th–12th. Ris- Through May • Teaching Assistants ing 6th–8th graders will participate in our We need at least four volunteers on each new Jr. Youth Group, while rising 9th–12th The ARCH program classroom team. (K-2), (3-5) and (6-8). graders continue their YRUU programming. serves homeless men Will coordinate schedule with lead teachers. Note: All children/youth will participate ac- and women by provid- A minimum of six months at First UU is cording to the grade level they will be in Sep- ing a pathway home required to be a classroom volunteer. Excep- tember 2012. Children age four and under through shelter, af- tions will be made for folks involved in other will enjoy playtime in room 19. fordable housing and UU churches—references required. The awareness. Donate DRE will make the final determination. Jr. High Youth Group Forming at the container set (6th—8th Grades) up on the RE table at RE Office Coordinators forS undays 9 a.m. on Sundays in Ensure each class is fully staffed and has This summer, the Jr. High class will reflect the Gallery. “Help the all supplies needed. Help answer questions the structure of the Sr. High group (whose world by helping the about the program. General oversight of members will mentors the Jr. High group). homeless.”—Kaitlyn, Sunday RE Program. All volunteers need to The Jr. High group will focus on six com- age 9. complete an application and background ponents: Worship, Learning, Team Build- check. Forms available in the RE office. ing, Social Action, Leadership and Youth/ Youth Go on Adult partnership. It will be youth-led with Shower Strike Volunteer and Staff Training two elected leaders and a team of four adult B.O. for a Cause June 2, 9 a.m.–noon youth advisors. This new model will contin- All volunteers and staff must attend Volun- ue in the fall during the second service time. The Sr. High Youth teer and Staff Training. If unable to attend, As part of this change, Jr. High youth will and First UU Young you can make alternate training arrange- participate in more events at the church. Adults groups are ments with the DRE. Training will include joining in Shower understanding child development; class- Strike 2012, a fund- room management guidelines; and ministry Coming This Fall raiser to build wells for with children, including story telling tech- Our Whole Lives drinking water in Ke- niques, song leading, games and fun. Sign up 2nd and 4th Welcoming Wednesdays nya. Volunteers vow in the Gallery in May or contact Liz Cook, 2nd and 4th Thursdays (Young Adult) to not take a shower [email protected]. until they reach their We will offer two levels of Our Whole Lives goal. Donate here (OWL), our sexuality education curriculum. http://showerstrike. The Sr. High OWL (grades 10–12) will be com/firstUUAustin. taught during Welcoming Wednesdays. The Whew! For the sake Young Adult OWL (young adults 18 to 35) of everyone’s noses will be taught on 2nd and 4th Thursdays – Donate! More info: from 7–9 p.m. More info: Andrew Young, [email protected]. [email protected]. 13 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

Take a Spot on the Flower Sunday Worship Calendar sanctuary 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please consider filling an empty spot on the Flower Calendar. You May 6 May 20 can honor or memori- Does Our Name Mean Individualism vs. alize a special person Anything to Us Today? the Social Contract or date, or just provide with Brian Ferguson led by the Sr. High Youth Group flowers to warm your own heart! You may Many of us identify as Unitarian Univer- The Sr. High Youth Group holds its annual sign up in the hallway salists, but do we mean the same or even youth service and performs bridging during across from the office. similar things when we identify as such? the second service. Bridging is a rite of pas- More info: Barbara Or is our biggest commonality our doubt sage celebrating the movement of our high Denny, flowers@ about having any centralizing religious school seniors into adulthood. We will also austinUU.org concept that pulls us to together as a reli- bridge current 8th graders into the Sr. High gious movement? Something—or the lack of Youth group and current 5th graders into something—keeps inviting us back to be part the Jr. High Youth group during the second of our religious community. This worship service. If you are a youth or the parent of a service explores what that central theme youth, RSVP at [email protected]. might be or perhaps what it could be. May 27 May 13 Flower Communion What I Learned From My Mother with Rev. Kim Beach with Rev. Meg Barnhouse All are asked to bring flowers, to be con- Mama had a particular view of the world, tributed to a common floral display, and to shaped by her strong Christian faith, her be distributed to all for the Flower Com- love for children, her growing up as a mis- munion. The ritual originated with Rev. sionary kid in India. Spiders in the house’s Norbert Capek in Prague, where he founded windows? No problem. Twelve cats? Fine. the Unitarian Church in 1930. Capek was Missing a tithe payment to the church? Very executed by the Nazis at Dachau in 1942. Dangerous! His liberal faith lives on. Special Offering for May Austin Child Guidance Center

The mission of ACGC is to improve the mental health of children and their families through early intervention, diag- nosis and treatment to help them develop the emotional skills for meeting life’s challenges. A multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors provides individual, family, and group therapy; psychological assessments; psychiatric evaluations and medical consultations; parent education; community presentations and con- sultations; and training to current and future mental health professionals. Setting the standard for over 60 years, ACGC offers a full continuum of mental health services from a central location as well as throughout the community, includ- ing the juvenile justice center, community health clinics, the local school district, and eight local childcare centers. The center operates on a sliding fee scale—no one is denied services if unable to pay. Every year, approximately 87 percent of clients are low-income families (i.e., living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level). Please give generously to ACGC on May 13. • For more on ACGC, see back cover • More info: www.austinchildguidance.org

14 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

Henry Hug The Forum Memorial Service sanctuary 11:45 a.m. following second service May 19, 10:30 a.m. May 6 May 20 Faith and Experience Make The Austin NAACP: Current Longtime faithful Me Pro-Choice Concerns, Actions and Challenges member of First UU with Robbie Ausley with Nelson Linder Austin, Henry Hug, died on Saturday, Robbie is chairperson of Annie’s List and Nelson is president of the Austin branch of April 14. A beloved past president of Austin Planned Parent- the NAACP. He will discuss the current ac- husband, father, hood. Robbie believes in being pro-choice, tivities of the Austin NAACP, including work grandfather, friend, and that options for women should remain with the City of Austin Charter Revision and lover of life, Hen- open. She works to make that so. Married 48 Committee and on initiatives geared to edu- ry served our church years, a committed Methodist, she met her cational equity. He will also address perspec- in many capacities future husband when she was 14, at a Meth- tives on African American quality of life in through the years. We odist church in Lubbock. They had four Austin; work with the City of Austin Char- will miss him. Please children in quick succession. Then contra- ter Revision Committee and on initiatives join Doris and Henry’s ception failed, and she chose abortion. This geared to educational equity; the need for family for a celebra- is a story of her faith and her experience, and community policing and police accountabili- tion of Henry’s life. what she, and you, can do to help. ty; and involvement in upcoming local, state, In lieu of flowers, the and national elections. Nelson was born in family would appreci- central Georgia in 1958, served in the U.S. ate donations to the May 13 Army, and then moved to Austin in 1981. He church in Henry’s Texas and the Gay March graduated from Houston Tillotson College in memory. Donations Toward Full Citizenship 1984 and has been an insurance agent since may be designated with Tom Doyal 1985. He has been deeply involved in civic for the First UU organizations for many years and has been Austin Permanent Tom will speak about the long march of gay president of the Austin NAACP since 2000. Endowment Fund or people in Texas towards full and toward the purchase equal citizenship. Tom has been involved, in of a butterfly for the one capacity or another, in the struggle for May 27 memorial sculpture. If fuller civil liberties for lesbians and gay men The Role of the Police Monitor: you wish to help with for over 25. He was one of five plaintiffs in History and Current Challenges the reception, please the unsuccessful state court challenge to the with Margo Frasier contact Rose Ann constitutionality of the Texas sodomy law, Reeser at 327-7951 Morales v. State of Texas, in 1989. The State Margo, Austin Police Monitor, will discuss or rareeser@earthlink. of Texas has played an important role in this the creation of the police monitor net. struggle, especially since the US Supreme office and how her office works with law Court, in a Texas case (Lawrence v. State of enforcement, the public, and city officials to Texas) finally declared the Texas sodomy help with police oversight and accountabil- law unconstitutional is June 2003. Tom is ity. Margo has over 35 years of experience a retired lawyer and an past member of the in law enforcement and correction agencies. State Bar of Texas. From 1997 to 2004 she served as Sheriff of Travis County, the only woman to hold this office. She has been recognized for her lead- ership in implementing community policing and improving the jail system.

15 First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin May 2012

First Unitarian Universalist Special Offering for May Church of Austin Child Guidance Center Austin 4700 Grover Celisse is one of the over 3,500 lives ACGC the challenges at school and in her family. 78756 touches each year (over 130,000 since the With a protected space to sort her thoughts, center opened its doors). Celisse discovered how to stand up for herself One Church The first thing you notice about Celisse and make choices that moved her towards Many Beliefs is that she is small for a 12 year old, with a the type of life she wanted. She learned how 512-452-6168 sense of sweetness and innocence about her. to diffuse sticky situations. Celisse also decid- austinuu.org What was not visible on the surface were her ed for herself that she wanted to focus more Minister struggles with adjusting to life as a pre-teen, on school, and not be distracted by boys and Rev. Meg Barnhouse the thick silence that had developed between drama. The biggest success of therapy was ext 304 Celisse and her mom, and the risky behavior helping Celisse get to a point where she was Director of Finance she was exposing herself to. willing to reopen and restore communica- and Operations She was getting into physical fights at tion with her mother. During her work at the Sean Hale school with other girls and befriending dan- center, Celisse was able to shed some of the ext 308 gerous people online. Her mom felt like she heaviness she had been carrying on her small Interim Director had lost all connection with her daughter shoulders. This child regained not only the Lifespan Religious Ed. and was desperate to rebuild it. When things support and love of her mother, but the abil- Barbara Stoddard peaked for Celisse, her mom brought her to ity to love and value herself. ext 306 ACGC to have a safe place to explore some Please give generously to ACGC on May 13. Director of Music of her struggles. Celisse became comfortable For more on ACGC, see pg. 14 Brent Baldwin opening up with her therapist about some of More info: www.austinchildguidance.org ext 314

A note about special offerings

On the second Sunday of every month our church collects a special offering. Your generous donations (given during both services) go to a worthy organization, thereby extending our church’s mission into the greater community. Organi- zations are nominated and then approved by the congregation. On May 13, church member Russell Smith will testify for the Austin Child Guidance Center—a fitting group for Mother’s Day! Please help us help them in their life-changing work.

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