Co-Lead Ministry Announcement

On Tuesday, February 20, at our regular monthly meeting, the Board of Trustees of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin agreed that we will initiate a search for a co-lead minister this summer. We appreciate the many congregants who expressed their opinions, support for, concern with, and opposition to this model of leadership. We took all comments into consideration and spent considerable time weighing all options.  In the end, we feel co-ministry is the best model for a church as large as ours (nearly 500 members).  We come to this decision based primarily on the following:
 

• It is clear the congregation wants a called minister rather than a contract/hired minister. So the main decision point was whether to call an associate minister or a co-lead minister.
   
• Rev. Chris prefers working collaboratively with a partner. Having a co-equal to bounce ideas off of results in richer, more well-thought-out plans. He is very much in favor of this model.
   
• It aligns best with the values stated in our mission, chalice lighting, and the 8th principle, as the hierarchical model is very much aligned with the dominant white culture. Having co-lead ministers is one way we can start to dismantle systems of oppression.
   
• We believe it will bring us a richer pool of candidates than a search for an associate minister. We can also look for someone with skills that complement Chris’ strengths rather than duplicating them.
    
•  While this model is not as common as the hierarchical model, it is working well for several congregations and organizations both within and outside of the UU world. Adopting it will put us on the leading edge of governance models in the UUA, especially for large churches. 
   
• No governance model is immune to the risk of conflict. We recognize that conflicts may occur regardless of the ministry model we choose. This makes the covenant between the two ministers critical and calls us all to stay in covenant with each other. 

For more details, please see this list of FAQs regarding our decision and the co-lead model, as well as a general timeline for the search. In addition, we will begin the process of creating a search committee on March 1 with a deadline to express interest or nominate someone on March 15.  We are excited to embark on this process and feel it has great potential to move the church forward in our work to build the Beloved Community.

 
In faith,
 
Gretchen Riehl,
President

Here is a brief recap of news from our denomination:

1. General Assembly – this is where UUs come together to worship, celebrate, learn and make decisions.  For 2024 GA will be June 20 – 23, and will be completely virtual!  This will make it much easier to attend and fully participate.  More information and registration is at https://www.uua.org/ga.   

2. UUSC petition for Climate Justice – the UU Service Committee is spearheading a campaign to encourage the US Climate Envoy to confirm US support for climate justice.  You can read more and sign onto the letter here. 

Tis the season for gathering Board of Trustee nominations for the next Board year, which begins in June 2024. We anticipate several Board vacancies will need to be filled. Finally, we are also looking to fill vacancies in the Nominating Committee for this year.

How can you help?
– If you are interested in serving on the Board or know of someone in our church who you think would be a good fit, please stop by the Board table at Howson Hall after service this Sunday

– You can also email the Nominating Committee regarding your interest at nomcom@austinuu.org.

You’re Invited

TXUUJM Annual Gathering!

Date: March 23, 2024

Time: 9:30am-4:30pm

Location: First Unitarian Church of Dallas

4015 Normandy Ave Dallas, TX 75205

We are so excited! Registration is now open for this year’s TXUUJM annual gathering! (See video above from Rev. Erin, also on TXUUJM YouTube and Facebook for sharing.)

We will hold a timely panel discussion on the topic of “Bodily Autonomy, Safety, & State Control,” with community discussion and updates on 2024 election work as well. In person or online, please register for an inspiring and educational day! (Find TXUUJM’s weekly Action Hour, We Cry Justice, and other programs listed on our EveryAction event page.) 

Similar to our 10th Anniversary gathering last January in Austin — but with a lighter agenda to allow for more fellowship and connection time — we will gather at First Unitarian Church of Dallas and online, Saturday, March 23, 2024.

SPACE IS LIMITED. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! (and let us know your dietary needs)

The day will include an election-year update, opportunities for regional caucusing, yummy food, time for youth to gather, and a panel and small group engagement focusing on our theme: Bodily Autonomy, Safety, and State Control.

Perhaps most important, this annual gathering is a chance to see friends, connect with other Texas UUs and TXUUJM partners, renew our spirits, and strategize for the meaningful work we are called to do.

We can’t wait to see you, in person and online! The event is FREE, though we ask for your contribution for lunch cost and if you would like a TXUUJM t-shirt. At TXUUJM, we never want cost to be a barrier, so we also have a spot on registration for folks who are able to donate a lunch to share with someone who needs it.

Interested In Volunteering?

Please fill out the form with your details and select the volunteer roles that most interest you. Whether you can lend a hand with setup, offer technical support, or lead our Youth Caucus, your participation is invaluable. We’re excited to have you on board and will be in touch with more details soon. Contact our TXUUJM Organizer if you have any questions about this form or volunteer roles at michelle@txuujm.org.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER!

Many helpers make for lighter work and a more vibrant event. 
Questions about the event? Please contact txuujm@gmail.com (not the wonderful and hard-working staff at First Unitarian). Thanks!

and please SHARE this event with friends, family, and on your social platforms!

The church is especially in need of volunteer greeters and ushers. Both are great ways to meet your fellow church participants. To find out more about volunteering just send an email to info@austinuu.org

Our church connections ministry also needs folks to talk with their fellow church participants about how they might find transformative ways to participate in the life of the church. Email connections@austinuu.org to find out more.

The Continuing Capital Campaign kicked off Saturday, February 3rd, as part of an early “Valentine” celebration of the love we share. The CCC aims to pay off the current mortgage that was taken out to cover the renovations to the facility that exceeded the original campaign.  For more information about the CCC, please visit our table in Howson Hall and consider a commitment to this program! Our goal is $1.2 million to completely repay the debt and cover contingencies.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless since 1998. Often referred to as the most talked about neighborhood in Austin, Community First! Village is a master planned development that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. Check out this Goodness is Love in Action video and learn more mlf.org.

This is a busy time in our denomination. Here are a couple of things you may want to know:

1) Israel/Palestine
– The UUA has issued a statement on “the Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza and Israel”
– Church leaders, including our UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, have sent a letter to President Biden urging him to support demilitarization and humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

2) General Assembly – this is where UU’s come together to worship, celebrate, learn, and make decisions. For 2024 GA will be June 20 – 23, and will be completely virtual! This will make it much easier to attend and fully participate. Visit www.uua.org/ga for more information and registration. 

For questions about GA or other denominational activities, contact David Overton at denom@austinuu.org

Join First Unitarian Universalist church on Sunday, March 17 for a Pi Day Pie Contest.  Bake your favorite sweet, savory, or vegan pie for a chance to win a prize.

To Enter: 

1. Bring a pie on Sunday, March 17 to Howson Hall before service. (3.17 is close enough to 3.14159265)
2. Place pie on the correct category table. Savory, Sweet, or Vegan
3. Fill out a contestant card.  

After service, we will announce the winners for each category in Howson Hall.

Extra pies to share and not compete are welcome too. 

Want to be a judge?  Contact Shannon at info@austinuu.org.

Ready to go deeper in your Anti-racism/Anti-Oppression/Multicultural transformation work in your congregation or organization? Are you eager to connect with others doing transformation work in their congregations?   

The next round of Mosaic Skill Up Learning and Practice Communities start in February! Sign up here!

Mosaic Skill-up Learning and Practice Communities are facilitated small group experiences helping leaders develop the skills and accountability they need to engage in effective AR/AO/MC transformation work in their context. These 3-month skill-up groups help you form meaningful connections, receive support and feedback as you implement your learnings, and tend to your own spiritual well being. Participants are expected to commit to the entire group.

What can I expect from a Skill Up group?

Groups meet every other week on Zoom and are led by trained facilitators. Groups include a combination of community building, personal reflection, learning about topics relevant to the participants’ contexts, and identifying an “accountability action” each person commits to doing between sessions to deepen their growth toward liberation.

What groups are available?

Groups will start in February. Our current sessions include:

Religious Professionals L&P Group (Wednesdays 4:00 PM Eastern / 3:00 PM Central / 2:00 PM Mountain / 1:00 PM Pacific / 12 PM AT / 11 AM HT)

General L&P Group (Tuesdays 12:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM Central/10:00 AM Mountain/9:00 AM Pacific)

Wait—none of those work for me? Now what?

As we continue to expand this program we will offer more groups and different times. Watch for future announcements or fill out the form to be contacted as groups open.

BIPOC group coming fall 2024.

Is there a group you would like to see? Let me know.

Awesome! How do I sign up? Register for spring Mosaic Skill Up Groups

Interested in becoming a facilitator? Contact me or fill out this form.

Um, I still have questions. No worries—contact me! Or visit www.uua.org/mosaic

Looking forward to learning together

Melissa James

2024 Austin CROP Hunger Walk

We will gather with others in our community to fight hunger both here and around the world. We are looking for walkers and donors for the Austin CROP Hunger Walk, which will be held at Camp Mabry on Sunday, February 25. Join us at 2:00 p.m., the step-off will be at 2:30 p.m. and the route is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

This is a great event for families and a great way for your kids to learn about different ways to fight hunger from local agencies and just have a good time. There is a DJ, little passport booklets you can pick up and get stamped as you visit the Education Station, and new this year Kona Ice.

Check out our page to join the team or donate, or visit the Social Action table in Howson Hall for more information on walking, donating, or both.

For questions, please contact Ivy Speight at cropwalk@austinuu.org

Thank you for helping to feed the hungry in Austin and around the world!

WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO:

My inspiration this month comes from the Knitting Nannas, an Australian activist group fighting to preserve our world for the next generations. 

Their tactics are simple: they show up in bright yellow shirts, knitting in hand, and pull up a chair at protest sites that range from politicians’ offices, coal seams, rallies, or “anywhere else we please to show a mild-mannered yet stubborn front,” they write. 

talkingclimatenewsletter@outlook.com <Click here for more Climate News

Climate Action: Bill McKibben speaks to Unitarians. Check out this UU message: Bill Mckibben to Unitarian Universalists: We need you to provide moral leadership

“Climate change will destabilize the global insurance industry,” research firm Forrester Research predicted in a fall report. Increasingly extreme weather will make it harder for insurance companies to model and predict exposures, accurately calculate reserves, offer coverage and pay claims, the report said. As a result, Forrester forecast, “more insurers will leave markets besides the high-stakes states like California, Florida, and Louisiana.”