Page 1 UU Galveston Gazette December 2016

UU Galvest n Gazette Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County DECEMBER 2016

A Welcoming Congregation

502 Church Street, Galveston, Texas 77550-5502 409.765 8330 Online at uugalveston.org

We welcome the full range of human diversity, that is, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.

Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its gift. This is our great covenant:

To dwell together in peace, to see k the truth in love, and to help one another.

"Peace" is the theme for the month of December.

At the close of every service, we say “Go in Peace.” What do we mean when we say that? That instruction is for us to go back to our lives in a manner that supports peace — both within our own hearts and in our interactions with others. That deceptively simple instruction intends for us to conduct ourselves in a way that requires we live and love fully and that we hope with a bold hope that peace is possible. "Go in peace" is not a casual wish; it is a reminder for us to live our lives every day in a way that reflects those principles we affirm on Sunday.

Join us this month as we contemplate the challenges and rewards of striving to live in peace.

December 4: Rev. Bob Tucker “A Kaleidoscope of Christmases” Alongside Christmas as a time of peace and there are also ta time to spend with family, the discordant notes of conflicting accounts, social turmoil and wild violence in the heavens. Bob is a native of Minnesota and has served churches in South Dakota, Minnesota, Texas and Kansas. He was, for twenty-eight years, the Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Houston. He is Executive Director Emeritus of The Foundation for Contemporary Theology.

Greeter: Fanny DeGesero BMOD: Steve Townley Facilitator: Cheryl Henry Music: Bruce Mauzy

December 11: Jean Goodwin, M.D.- “Rose Hawthorne: The Unitarian Saint” Rose Hawthorne (1851-1926), youngest child of Nathaniel Hawthorne, founded an order to care for destitute cancer patients. Her cause for sainthood has been under consideration in Rome since 2013. Jean M Goodwin is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Galveston. She is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UTMB and a training and supervising analyst on the faculty of the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies in Houston. She is an author, lecturer and consultant on issues of childhood trauma and dissociation.

Greeter: Fanny DeGesero BMOD: Judy Glaister Facilitator: Dorothy Trevino Music: Margaret Canavan

December 18: Rev. Dale Hogan “A Moravian Love Feast” This annual service celebrates the Christmas season with carols, readings, candles and a traditional Moravian Love Feast. This ritual is a shared communion of rolls and sweet coffee, served by members of the congregation. It is based upon the Agape feast and the meals of the early churches described in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles, which were partaken in unity and love. Dale Hogan began her life in New Hampshire and grew up in rural New York near Binghamton. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. From upstate NY, her life path took her to Kansas City, where she lived in Missouri and got a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She next made stops in Memphis TN and Jackson MS, before finally coming home to Galveston 17 years ago. On her spiritual journey, she was born a Mormon, traveled through Methodism, Catholicism, Wicca, Buddhism, A Course in Miracles and Unitarian Universalism. Dale is the mother of 5, grandmother of 11, a retired neuroscientist, an obsessive knitter, but most of all, she is a spiritual seeker.

Greeter: Lisa Windsor BMOD: Carlos Price Facilitator: Dale Hogan Music: Idalia Avezuela

December 25:: A Christmas Brunch

Since Christmas Day is on Sunday this year, we'd like to celebrate with a Christmas potluck brunch. We'll cater the main dish and drinks. Please bring a side dish or dessert if you can. Come and celebrate the holiday with us, catch up with friends and perhaps meet new ones.

Page 2 UU Galveston Gazette December 2016

A Message from our President

Dear Friends,

I found a prayer called “The Peacemakers Prayer” by Eric Cherry and I felt it beautifully spoke to the theme for this month.

“Our history is complex, the politics are intense, the fear and anger are overwhelming, and the future is unclear. But glimpses of a hopeful vision will not be shattered into oblivion by anyone. In prayer, we call to mind the peace-makers. Neighbors of differing faiths - With different histories - With different politics - With different emotions. Who find room for each other, in their hearts, in their dreams, and in their lives, Those who hold firmly to a vision of peace and justice, anywhere in the world. But, especially, today. Spirit of Life and Love, be present with all who are suffering. Lift up the hearts of those who fear. And inspire courage among the peacemakers. Be present with political leaders, ensuring a retreat from violence and a procession towards the peace table. Guide the hands of all those who are caring for the injured, the hungry and the grieving. And, open our own hearts to compassion. Remind us of our complicity and responsibility. And lead us towards generous engagement and always towards a vision of peace. Amen.”

May each of you be blessed with peace, now and always.

Sincerely,

Larry Janzen Board President

2016 - 2017

Leadership of UUFGC

Board of Directors

President Larry Janzen President-elect Lisa Windsor Past President Mary Case Treasurer Carlos Price Secretary Judy Glaister At-large members Wendy Baker Ed Beasley Steve Townley

Committees and Task Forces

Caring C.Lobb/M.Philpot/M.Terrill Communications Madeleine Baker Landscape Margaret Canavan Membership Cheryl Henry Program/Worship Mary Case Religious Education Neil Huddleston Supper Circles Mary Ann Fore Social Action Billie Rinaldi

Administration

Webmaster Neil Huddleston

Themes for 2017 services Our Right Relations Covenant

We will communicate openly, honestly & respectfully.

We will listen carefully with open minds & open hearts.

We will assume good intentions, practice tolerance & resist the temptation to become offended.

We will take responsibility for our speech, actions & feelings, & we will be sensitive to possible conflicts & willing to work toward solutions.

We will consider other perspectives & will strive not for unanimity but for mutual respect.

We will honor our own boundaries & the bound-aries of others.

We will respect & support the diversity within our congregation & work to foster a welcoming environment.

--adopted in 2005

Get news out to our members and friends! Send to administrator@uugalveston.org Sunday Order of Service: by 5pm Thursday Weekly email: 5pm Monday Newsletter: by the 15th of the month

January Change

February Relationships

March Conflict

April Growth

May Voices From the Past

June Doubt

July Democratic Process/Right of Conscience

August Creativity

September Sanctuary

October Mystery

November Abundance

December Hope/tradition

Page 3 UU Galveston Gazette December 2016

C o n n e c t i o n s

Bo

ok

Clu

b

UU Book Club meets at 7pm on Wednesday, December 7th in the UU “Living Room”. All are welcome and may bring snacks or beverages to share. Up for discussion is

The Promise by Ann Weisgarber

You too can host a supper circle! Use the sign-up sheets on the foyer bulletin board.

If you are interested in hosting a dinner at your home (or at UU if you don’t have room at home) sign up today. You can choose how many people you’d like to invite and everyone brings a dish to share. Plenty of upcoming months are available!

It's B-a-a-a-c-k!!!

By popular demand, our traditional "Attic Treasures" sale will return this spring! Mark your calendars for the proposed dates, March 2-3-4.

A small spontaneous group got together at potluck and came up with a plan that includes moving our "early bird" reception to Thursday evening, and allow-ing more time on Friday and Saturday for the sale. Setting up is the biggest part of the event, so we want people to have plenty of time to take away all our goodies.

We have ordered a few new hymnals, so we can be sure everyone has access to one and can sing along during our services. If you would like to dedicate a hymnal in memory of or in honor of a friend or loved one for $30, please let us know. A bookplate will be placed inside the front cover with the dedication.

What's up in the Garden? Landscape Committee met and came up with some ideas to improve our landscape. We are all happy with the

gardening Denice Franke has down with our ornamental beds. We "toured" the back yard and realized it was looking messy, so over a couple of weeks we tackled some cleanup back there (hope you notice!). We plan to add mulch to the children's play area which should be completed soon. We are also looking for systems to allow for parking under the trees by the alley.

25 Holiday Boxes

This year we raised enough good and funds to donate 25 Holiday Boxes

for the Seafarer’s Center. The boxes contain useful items and goodies for sea-farers. The items may be personal [soap, toothpaste, comb], fun [games, small books, jokes], useful [pads, pens, cards] or any special item we think the seafarer would enjoy. Thank you to everyone who helped in this effort.

Page 4 UU Galveston Gazette December 2016

S o c i a l A c t i o n N e w s

November Compassionate Collection to Benefit the Galveston Humane Society

Save the Date for these Upcoming UU Regional Events!

TX Extended Leadership Experience - North Texas,

December 3, 2016, Denton, TX 76201, Contact Kathy Charles, kcharles@uua.org, for additional information

Small Congregation UU Leadership Experi-ence (aka SCUULE), February 5-10, 2017, Paisley FL

Spring Gatherings, April 7-9, 2017, we will be holding this event concurrently in each of our Southern Region geo areas (Florida, Mid-South, Southeast, South-west).

Want more new from UUA? The UU Bulletin is available by email from the Unitarian Universalist Association. This monthly e-publication is full of information about issues and activities of our denomination. You can subscribe at http://www.uua.org/news/follow/alerts

“Like” us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UUGalveston

The compassionate collection was the Seafarer’s Boxes. 25 Boxes were made. Thanks to all for your generosity.

CANDLES AND CAROLS A Holiday Concert

The Galveston College choir holiday concert, "Candles and Carols", is at 7pm on Sunday, December 11, in the sanctuary of Moody Methodist Church (53rd & Avenue U). The almost-70-voice choir will present sacred, traditional, and modern songs that are guaranteed to put you in a seasonal mood. Several of those voices will be familiar to you from UU, so don't miss this lovely event! The choir is also scheduled to sing at the Saengerfest outdoor event on Saturday, December 10 at 23rd & Strand. If you are a singer and would like to participate, rehearsals will resume in January to prepare for two spring concerts, one with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra. Rehearsals are Monday evenings at 7pm at the College.

Our Galveston Island Humane Society began in 1981

with a group of volunteers who did it all, cleaned cages

and raised funds. Today we have a humane shelter that

is open to the public 6 days a week to facilitate reuniting

pets with their families and to promote adoptions. To

think that lost and homeless animals have a secure and

humane facility provides comfort to our minds and safety

to our community.

Give generously to this worthy organization. Our com-

passionate offering is always on the first Sunday of each

month. If you are unable to attend that day and want to

make a contribution, you may provide a check made out

to UUFGC that states the group to which you wish to do-

nate. Our Fellowship has a history of much generosity to

local nonprofit groups.

Page 5 UU Galveston Gazette December 2016

Newsletter Items Due

Please!

NOV 2016 at UU Galveston

Potluck Today

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3

4 9am Adult Forum

10:30: Rev. Bob Tucker “A Kalei-

doscope of Christmases”

Children’s Religious Education

6:30pm Game Night @TBA

8pm: AA Phoenix Group

5 11am Course

in Miracles

6

7 5pm Bowlers

6pm Program

Committee

7pm Book Club

8pm AA Phoenix

Group

8

9

10

11 9am Adult Forum

10:30: Jean Goodwin, M.D.- “Rose

Hawthorne: The Unitarian Saint”

Children’s Religious Ed.

8pm AA Phoenix Group

12 11am Course

in Miracles

13 14 5pm Bowlers

8pm AA

Phoenix Group

15

16 - No “A”

Team

Meeting

in Dec

17

18 9am Adult Forum

10:30: Rev. Dale Hogan “A Mora-

vian Love Feast”

Children’s Religious Education

6:30pm: Spirituality of Poker—

hosted by Carlos Price

8pm AA Phoenix Group

19 11am Course

in Miracles

- No Board

Meeting in

Dec

20 21 5pm Bowlers

8pm AA

Phoenix Group

22

23 24

25

10:30: Christmas Brunch

Children’s Religious Education

8pm AA Phoenix Group

26 11am Course

in Miracles

27 28 5pm Bowlers

8pm AA Phoenix

Group

29 30 31

Christmas Brunch

Newsletter Items Due Please!

Steve Townley 12/1 Zoula Zein-Eldin 12/2 Vickie Francil 12/9 Deanna Benson 12/10 Dale Hogan 12/10 James L. White 12/11 Mary Case 12/17 Jack Solari 12/23