So many of you asked for the list of tips for how to survive a zombie apocalypse after last week’s sermon that we decided to sent them out you all electronically. Here they are…
How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse
#1 Find a Hideout
#2 Pay Attention
#3 Live in the Moment
#4 Prepare
#5 Love Your Neighbor
#6 Maintain Your Sense of Humor
#7 Keep the Sabbath
One important way First UU lives its mission to do justice is through our Monthly Special Offerings. These offerings are collected during services on the second Sunday of the month. Each member of First UU may nominate one nonprofit social justice organization that promotes our UU values in the larger community.
To nominate an organization, please complete the form and return it to us at the Social Action table on Sunday November 28 or December 1, or by email to David Overton at info@austinuu.org. Nomination forms must be received by Thursday, December 5, 2024 – no exceptions.
Please fill out the Nomination form here.
If you need further information, please contact David Overton at info@austinuu.org.
Dear Climate Justice Champion,
Green Sanctuary Ministry (GSM) is blessed to announce New leadership, new Co-Chairs are (GSM) Members Bob and Victoria Hendricks.
Beki & Richard Halpin and Rev. Chris say “Welcome, Victoria & Bob, Thank you for the generosity of your Time, Talent and Treasure to this critical planet saving/ life saving work.”
Bob and Victoria are seasoned Planet Champions. They are leaders in reclaiming our livable climate with the Sierra Club, Citizen’s Climate Lobby (CCL) and other partners. Their expertise, passion and inclusiveness invite all of us to participate in creating a livable, thrivable, future.
Join us in welcoming Bob & Victoria, if your available, let them know you will attend the next Climate Crises/Solutions meeting Tuesday, August 6th at 6:30 p.m. for potluck and 7 p.m. for meeting. in Howson Hall or by Zoom. green@austinuu.org
Here is a list of current- 7/1/’24, Green Sanctuary Ministry (GSM) projects, supported activities and resources. The new GSM leadership will have their own priorities, I’m sure climate restoration will be at the top.
We’ve done a lot of work together, Dear Planet Champion. Work we are doing & Resources are here for you.
Make a difference actions:
A hands-on fun meeting to act on Fossil fuels, plastics and other critical Climate issues. The first Tuesday of the month GSM hosts the Sierra Club with Bob & Victoria Hendricks, Climate Crises/Solutions Meeting. in Howson Hall. 6:30 PM potluck, 7 Mtg. begins. Good Company * things get done.
Inside Book Project (IBP) sent 35,000 free reading & learning materials to Texas Inmates last year. 100% volunteer/collective run, no paid staff. GSM applies, and is funded, each year by our church “Monthly Service Offering”.
Sanity & Life saving, our Congregants donate thousands of books & hundreds of volunteer hours. We need a volunteer to take church book donations to IBP, @ Vesper Church 3106 E.14 1/2 St. and Airport Blvd. about every other week. Respond to: green@austinuu.org
Please hold book donations until after Thursday, August 1st. https://insidebooksproject.
FOOD: Big Carbon Footprint:
Church Members are eager to do more with Vegan food and love of animals. If interested, email: szRiddle@gmail.com
Stop Planet Heating:
Austin Fossil Fuels, Coal & Gas. Burning fossil fuels is the single biggest climate killer/Earth life extinction danger. The cause of this heat dome!
Current Action: Our work supporting the fossil fuel free Community Generation and Climate Protection Plan & Replacing the Fayette coal burning Power Plant will save lives.
Also>Take action here> Message: https://actionnetwork.org/
You can make a difference! Come to First Tuesday Meeting. or reach out to: Bob & Victoria @: roberthhendricks@aol.com
Promote: Clean renewable planet/money saving sustainable alternatives:
WIND POWER, BIO ENERGY, SOLAR POWER, GEOTHERMAL POWER, And new Plant and recycled power sources are coming …Also: Conservation, Conservation & Conservation.
Regifting is our annual ‘loaves & fishes’ type Christmas Gifting miracle. Usually the 2nd or 3rd December Sunday. Congregants bring in new & gently worn treasures to be shared free with anyone looking for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or other sacred holiday gifting items.
Proposed High Level Nuclear Waste Texas dumping:
We need to watchdog the pernicious attempts to overcome (appeal) the court decision to not allow high-level nuclear waste to be shipped by train and dumped (<click on this open link) in West Texas near the Ogallala Aquifer & Permian Basin. follow up>: Beki & Richard: texeagle@aol.com
Forever Chemicals, PFAS We must control in our own drinking water and educate our community:
Link> https://health.
NO PLASTICS:
“About 58% of microplastic in oceans and waterways comes from paint on deteriorating plastic. Natural oil, mineral, or in the long term graphene-based paints could fix this problem. Join “No Plastics Team” at First Tuesday meeting.
*2022 report from Swiss consulting firm “Environmental Action.”
Free Coloring Books:
Endangered Species Coloring Books for learning fun. (for easy church and school distribution: link> )
https://www.epa.gov/sites/
Church Financial Incentives for energy improvements :
UUA Green Sanctuary Connections, Climate, Funding y more:
UUA Climate Revival rolling out Summer/Fall 2024:
Link> https://www.uuclimatejustice.
Inflation Reduction Act = Federal funds to help pay for improving energy use in home, business and Houses of Worship.
Bob Hendricks is a state & local IRA special matter expert. Here is his informative IRA slide show. Link>: https://docs.google.com/
Rachel Myslivy is the UUA contact for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) resources primer <link, Financial $$$$$ Incentives for Energy Investments at Houses of Worship.
Also contact Rachel for Peer Learning IRA funding opportunities-(many UU churches are sharing information on their plans for solar & other energy/money saving projects) & *Green Sanctuary Ministry UUA Base:
*Note: We are one of at least ten certified Green Sanctuary Ministry (GSM)Texas projects. These ten Texas Green Sanctuary Ministries are they Potential Climate Restoration collaborators ?
GSM has collaborated with our church groups like: The FORUM Committee (Jim Hightower & others), The Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Group and The Earth Keepers- info@austinuu.org> getting the word out to work on our campus landscape. Our church Social Action Council is an example bringing our values alive. Church committees working together get so much done.
Green space living = Aging more slowly:
Highlight & Open Link>: Cells of people living in greener areas age more slowly, research finds theguardian.com
It has been a privilege to collaborate with you, Planet Champion.
LOVE,
Beki & Richard Halpin
Former Co-Chairs, Green Sanctuary Ministry
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
Hi Earth Ship Partners,
If you know Seniors who are vulnerable to these Historic Heat levels there are lots of resources presented in last week’s newsletter. Go there and check them out. Lots of ways to help Seniors.
and
“Women leading on climate, senior citizens at risk, and more climate voices to follow
Last week, my newsletter focused on the risks of extreme heat around the world, and how to stay safe: but I could write about this every week. The US National Weather Service just introduced a new Heat Risk forecast map showing where people will face dangerous levels of heat. The entire southern US, from California to Florida, is baking in yet another early-season heatwave, with Phoenix, AZ setting a new daily high of 112F (44C) last Thursday.
I also mentioned last week how heat disproportionately affects elderly people—and this new article goes into depth on exactly why that is.” more @ talkingclimatenewsletter@outlook.com
and
Hello! Wouldn’t it be cool if the world’s wealthiest companies — you know, the ones worth trillions of dollars — paid the bill for the shiny new technologies needed to achieve 24/7 clean power? Sigh. What a nice, idealistic dream. hello@canarymedia.com
Important Announcements:
Talks are underway with Austin Energy (AE) to replace AE’s proposed fossil fuel new gas plant with a renewables-based community plan. We will keep you posted. Come to or zoom into the next Climate Crises/solutions meeting @church.
July 2, 6:30-8PM, Next Climate Crises/Solutions mtg at Howson Hall. 6:30 potluck, 7 PM MTG. begins. Ping Bob for zoom link, roberthhendricks@aol.com, or join us in person.
The Unitarian Universalist Church (UUA) is about to take up the Climate Crisis with real actions at a grassroots level, here at our church, churches across the USA, and at the National office. The plan is already put together. Trainings are beginning now. Go to : https://www.uuclimatejustice.org/sponsorship and FAQ’s here. Let Chris know you want to help out chris.jimmerson@austinuu.org
As previously mentioned, after 15 years as Green Sanctuary Ministry (GSM) Co-Chairs, Beki and I are retiring. If you are interested in Chairing Green Sanctuary Ministry and or managing the upcoming Climate Revival (much of the work is scripted to make it easy) Please let Chris know you’re interested.
It is a blessing to work with all of you on this Environmental Justice initiative to save our Home Planet.
Big THANKS to all Inside Books donors. The Spanish/English dictionaries were lifesavers!
Beki & Richard Halpin, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Green Sanctuary Ministry
green@austinuu.org.
During July 2024, we are offering a series of events to learn, give, share, and take action in the fight for reproductive justice. There are both in-person and on-line activities to choose from, and childcare is available. All events are free, although donations are accepted to support our community partners. Click on items below for more information.
2024 Pledge Drive – Rebuild. Renew. Rise Up.
With hearts full of hope and a spirit of unity, we invite you to join the 2024 First UU Stewardship Campaign. Commitment Sunday is coming on Sunday, October 1. This is the day that we will ask all members and friends to make their annual pledge to First UU. We will then celebrate our pledges on October 15 with a Celebration Sunday Party (RSVP here!).
Our theme, “Rebuild, Renew, Rise Up,” is an affirmation of our commitment to creating a world of justice, compassion, and boundless possibility. As we begin this year’s campaign, we invite you to reflect on the profound impact we can make when we come together as a community united by shared values.
Join the hundreds of Austin families committed to the spiritual practice of supporting our progressive faith community by pledging on October 1. If you already pledge, we encourage you to increase your support of First UU in 2024. Learn more about pledging and the 2024 Pledge Drive on the Stewardship webpage.
Stewardship Helpers Needed!
To make the upcoming Pledge Drive a success, we need some volunteers. We have lots of opportunities, from participating in a one time text bank on October 8, to helping with Celebration Sunday on October 15, to writing thank you notes to those who have pledged.
If you are able to assist, please sign up here or at the Stewardship Table in the Howson Hall after the service. Thank you for supporting First UU and the Stewardship team!
RSVP for Celebration Sunday on October 15
Celebration Sunday is coming on Sunday, October 15. After the service, we will celebrate our commitment to First UU and our pledges. We’ll have music, food, and ice cream! Please RSVP by clicking here so we know how much food to order!
Dear First UU members and friends,
Please save the date for Sunday, October 29th at 12:30 pm for a Congregational Meeting. This is the date on which the vote will be held.
We are encouraging all members to save the date now so that you will have the opportunity to attend and vote at the congregational meeting as well as to participate in candidating week activities during the week leading up to the meeting.
To vote, members must have joined at least 30 days before the meeting. Members must also have made a financial contribution between September 29, 2022, and September 29, 2023.
If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact Shannon Posern at info@austinuu.org.
If you have not joined but would like to before the vote, please contact Kinsey Shackleford at kinsey.shackelford@austinuu.org.
See you on Sunday!
Shannon Posern
Executive Director
Since we returned to in-person Sunday School, we’ve all been outside on the playground together. This Sunday we came inside for the summer, with Babies through Fifth Graders enjoying three classrooms of lessons, activities, and play.
This is your Official Notice for our Spring Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., to be held in the Sanctuary and on Zoom.
Meeting Materials
The church bylaws specify the following regarding voting eligibility: “Individuals who have been members of the church for 30 days or more and who have (as an individual or part of a family unit) made a recorded financial contribution during the last 12 months and at least 30 days prior to the meeting, have the right to vote at all official church meetings.”
Thus to be eligible to vote, you must have made a documented contribution between April 22, 2021 – April 22, 2022
The list of eligible voters can be found here.
Any questions about voter eligibility, including if you feel that you were mistakenly not listed on the list of eligible voters, please contact Shannon Posern, shannon.posern@austinuu.org
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
April 24, 2022 • 1:00 p.m. • Sanctuary & Zoom
On April 24, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in First UU Austin’s Sanctuary and on Zoom, we will hold our Spring Pre-Congregational Meeting.
At the Pre-Congregational Meeting, we will walk through the agenda and materials, found here.
The Pre-congregational meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. on April 24, 2022. The purpose of
this meeting is to provide a forum for questions, concerns and clarification of items that
will be presented for a vote at the Congregational Meeting. We will review the agenda with
time for discussion, but no votes will be taken. If you have questions about any of the items
that will be voted on, we encourage you to attend the Pre-congregational meeting or
contact Toni Wegner, Board of Trustees President, at president@austinuu.org.
You may attend either in person in the Sanctuary at 4700 Grover Avenue or by Zoom. Masks are optional.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/my/firstuuaustin
Passcode: 512452
We offer here the poems shared in the November 29th worship service.
To pray you open your whole self
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you.
And know there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear;
Can’t know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren’t always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.
In beauty.
Can you do construction in the rain?
Will screws sewn into softened wood hold up,
when earth turns to dry?
When pliable hardens,
and stakes take shapes in unexpected ways.
Will you become brittle when we leave this place?
How does a name forged in open-hearted uncertainty sound
In the light of day
At the grocery store
In your mothers voice.
How will it temper in the open air
When everyone,
and no one at all,
Is listening.
Will it crack?
Or kindle
When moments wedge decades into fractured foundations
Steel whines under weight unexpected
Wind whipped stained glass windows,
turned windchimes
Will you become brittle when we leave this place?
Or simply changed.
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes
And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.
Flood waters await us in our avenues.
Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche
Over unprotected villages.
The sky slips low and grey and threatening.
We question ourselves.
What have we done to so affront nature?
We worry God.
Are you there? Are you there really?
Does the covenant you made with us still hold?
Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.
It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.
Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.
In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.
We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.
We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you, to stay a while with us.
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.
It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.
On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.
At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.
We, Angels and Mortal’s, Believers and Non-Believers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.
Click here to view and download PDF file: May 2013 FUUCA Policy manual update
