UU Galvest n Gazette Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County JULY 2012 502 Church Street, Galveston, Texas 77550-5502 409.765.8330 http://uugalveston.org Our theme this month is freedom. Join us as we explore the roots of our American freedom from historical, political, poetic and religious points of view. Mike Hennen “Democracy in the USA: Does it still work?” Mike Hennen, a Galveston lawyer and observer of the democratic process, asks the question of whether or not, in this time of social and political polarization, the influence of Big Money, Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission, the executive power of the Pres- ident, etc., we still have a “democracy” of the people, by the people, and for the people. Mike Hennen is a member and past president of the board. Greeter: Cheryl Henry Music: Margaret Canavan BMOD: Bets Anderson John Gorman JT Waddell “Freedom and Emerson” “Thomas Jefferson and the Free Exercise of Religion” Transcendentalist and Unitarian Minister Ralph Thomas Jefferson requested that his tombstone Waldo Emerson celebrated the the diversity and carry the following inscription: “Here was buried freedom he found in American life. He urged his Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of fellow citizens to exercise their freedom by showing independ- Independence, of the Statue of Virginia for Religious ence in their personal lives. Freedom, and father of the University of Virginia.” Mr. Wad- John Gorman, Professor of English at UHCL will share some dell’s talk will explore what we know and don’t know about of the poetry of Emerson. Jefferson’s views on religion and the role that governments Facilitator: Susan Baker Greeter: Fanny DeGesero should take with regard to its powers and duties with regard to Music: Tony DiNuzzo BMOD: Stan Blazyk religion. M. Theron Waddell, also known by his nickname Bujo, is a Dae Gak native Texan. He attended the Baytown public schools and “Freedom from Knowing” graduated from R.E. Lee High School, received his AA from Please join Zen Master Dae Gak as he explores Lee College, his BA and MA degrees from the University of these questions: Texas in Austin, where he also did additional graduate studies Is it possible to live a life not dictated by one’s in political science and history. thinking mind? Not directed by evaluation, measure and critique? He has worked as a legislative aide, taught college for 48 Can we live a life acting from the actual rather than from our years, and been active in Texas politics, having served as opinions about the actual? Galveston County Democratic Chair from 1980 to 1990. Zen Master Dae Gak is the Founder, Abbot and Guiding He is married to Jeri Lynnette Jaquis, who is an Assistant Teacher of Furnace Mountain. He has practiced Zen for almost Professor of Nursing at UTMB. forty years. He leads the retreat programs at Furnace Mountain Facilitator: Susan Baker Greeter: Claudia Maveety and also in affiliated centers across America, Europe and South Music:Bunny Andrews BMOD: TBA Africa. Zen Master Dae Gak has directed his life toward sup- porting people in their efforts to realize their original nature of Join Us Online on Facebook! fearless immediacy and unbounded compassion. Following the www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_152677004758894&ap=1 Continued on Page 2 1 Get Connected with UUFGC Meetings are at the Fellowship unless otherwise noted. Everyone is invited and welcome to all listed activities Alcoholics Anonymous Phoenix Group Bowlers will meet at 5 pm each Wednes- Location is in the monthly calendar and meets Sunday & Wednesday at 8pm. day to create “Empty Bowls” for the is announced in weekly emails and the Contact Robert G. for information at annual Jesse Tree fundraiser. Please Sunday bulletin. Game Night is not cur- 409-392-7005. check availability before showing up. rently held for lack of a host (let us Adult Forum meets Sundays at 9am Course in Miracles Study Group meets know if you'd like to host!). (except potluck days) to explore topics every Friday at 1pm. Contact Laura Social Action Committee meets the first in religion, philosophy, history & poli- Murrell for info: [email protected]. Sunday of each month after service and tics. Contact Neil Huddleston at Dance Classes: Galveston Dance Club welcomes your ideas, energy and enthu- (409)744-2369. offers classes each Tuesday & Thursday siasm. Board of UUFGC meets the second at 7pm. Questions, call Betty at 281- Supper Circles meet monthly. Call Judy Monday of each month at 5:30pm. 337-0441. See http://www.galveston- Glaister at (409)762-8187 to schedule a Book Club meets the 2nd Wednesday of danceclub.com. supper, sign up for one, or for informa- each month at 7 pm at the Fellowship. Program/Worship Committee meets the tion. Contact Fanny DeGesero if you have first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 Meditation: Zen Island Fellowship book suggestions. pm, at the Fellowship. Join them or con- meets every Monday at 5:30pm, Contact Book Sale monthly on second Saturday, tact Gerry Carr if you have a program to Cara Geary ([email protected]) or visit 9am-2pm, at the fellowship. All adult suggest. http://galvestonzen.org/ . hardback books are $ 1.00, paperbacks “Spirituality of Poker" Group meets the Have an open group meeting you’d like $ 0.50. Children's hardback books are third Sunday of each month in a mem- to list here? Let us know and we’ll $ 0.50 and paperbacks are $ 0.25. ber's home to play "dealer's choice." add it. Continued from Page 1 Conflict, Peace Review, Socialism and Democracy, Vanguardia teaching of the Zen Ancestors and his own realization, he sup- Dossier (Spain), and other publications. He is Professor of ports the practice of spiritual inquiry in a way that cannot be Government at College of the Mainland and President of fixed, organized or institutionalized. His second book, COM-Unity, the employee union. Dr. Smith can be reached at Upright with Poise and Grace, was just published in April [email protected]. 2012. Facilitator: Susan Baker Greeter: Red Henry Facilitator: Cheryl Henry Greeter: Susan Persons Music: Margaret Canavan BMOD: TBA Music: Stephen Hodgson BMOD: Cheryl Henry Juneteenth Parade A Success For UUFGC David Michael Smith POTLUCK “Freedom, Social Justice, and Individuality: Some The Fellowship participated in the juneteenth parade. The Critical Reflections” participants were Margaret Canavan, Stan Blazk, Curtis David Michael Smith received his Ph.D. in Politi- Jones, Al Smith, Mardi Mitchell, Daniel Hodgson, Steve cal Science from the City University of New York. Hodgson and Mary Hodgson. We handed out children's books His writings have appeared in the International Encyclopedia as we walked the parade route. of Revolution and Protest, Journal for the Study of Peace and Provocative Film Series 2012 - 2013 UUFGC Board of Directors Provocative Film Series President Cheryl Henry President-Elect Susan Persons Friday, July 6, 7 p.m. Past-President Billie Rinaldi 502 Church Street, Galveston Secretary Bets Anderson Treasurer Stan Blazyk WAITINGWAITING FOR SUPERMAN Members at Large: Rick Altemose Stephanie Nwadiei Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education Al Smith "statistics" have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, Committees and Task Forces and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing founda- Communications Madeleine Baker Landscape John Hunger tion of WAITING FOR SUPERMAN. As he follows a Membership Maragaret Canavan handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, Program/Worship Gerry Carr rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim Religious Education Neil Huddleston undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, sur- Supper Circles Judy Glaister Social Action Mary Hodgson veying “drop-out factories” and “academic sinkholes,” Administrative Team B. Anderson, M.Baker, methodically dissecting the system1 and its seemingly M.Canavan, J.Glaister, & J. Rainey intractable problems. Newsletter Jimmy Rainey Webmaster Neil Huddleston Bring a friend and a snack to share. 2 managed completely by vol- congregation has voted overwhelmingly unteers. Please consider vol- to engage in this path during the coming unteering in some way in the months. coming year. There are many I want to thank you for your confi- committees that need your dence in me to serve as President this help and many projects that year. I will do my very best to live up to FFromrom The could benefit from your par- your expectations. I am excited about ticular talent. working with our Board members and The coming year presents you to continue the work we do in the PrPresidentesident both challenges and opportu- community. I hope we can become even nities for our Fellowship. Our better known to our neighbors as a lov- July marks the beginning of a new financial stability is always a ing place where everyone is welcomed, church year, signaling a change in our concern to us and this year is no differ- accepted, and supported in their search UUFGC Board. When you see our out- ent. If you have not pledged this year, for a meaningful faith. going Board members, please thank please consider how much this Fellow- Because of the diversity and talents of them. Retiring from service on the ship means to you and make it a priority our members, we have much to offer our Board are: Holly Fortenberry, Margaret to contribute to its financial health. community. Please let me or any mem- Canavan, John Frannea, Mike Hennen, We also have wonderful opportunities ber of the Board know if there are spe- and Woody Dickson. They have been this year. We are in the process of cific goals you would like our Fellow- faithful, dedicated members of the becoming an official “Welcoming Con- ship to accomplish this year.