Weekly News for October 6, 2009

View all events on the church calendar

 
 

Effective immediately, the weekly news email will be sent on Tuesdays. If you would like to place an announcement in the weekly news email, send your announcement to eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6e%65%77%73%40%77%69%6c%64%66%6c%6f%77%65%72%63%68%75%72%63%68%2e%6f%72%67%22%3e%6e%65%77%73%40%77%69%6c%64%66%6c%6f%77%65%72%63%68%75%72%63%68%2e%6f%72%67%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')) by the end of the day on Monday. For more information about the ways we communicate at Wildflower Church see http://wildflowerchurch.org/node/177.http://www.wildflowerchurch.org/userfiles/Newsletter%20October%202009.pdf. Our thanks to Carol Knight, Editor, and Holly Gonzalez, Copy Editor, for this month's issue.http://www.wildflowerchurch.org/node/135 or email for more information. Mission: Wildflower’s success depends on you. Make your pledge today!. right away. Circles start meeting the first two weeks of October. For those who might still like to join a circle or wish to at a later time, contact Joan or Judy. or 567-6997. or call Joan at 454-3160.Can you bear to part with any? October 11th is the next Books-R-Us Sunday and we usually have a great variety of items. The books are free but you may make a donation to the Amy Young Service Fund. is our annual intergenerational animal blessing service, so please remember to bring photos and other mementos of your beloved animal companions that Sunday, to place on the altar! Look forward to seeing you there. Moo, quack, heehaw, ribbit, squeak, oink, bark, and beyond!

 

Wildflowers and the general public convene on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 2 pm at Scooter’s Coffee House, NE corner of MoPac and William Cannon near Taco Cabana, for meaningful conversation.  Everyone is welcome. Come just once or many times. There are no books to read, no assignments, and no dues (except a bit to eat or drink at the café). 
Topics change monthly and reflect the interests of those present.  Looking to switch from small talk to BIG talk?  Wanting to connect with others?  Join us.  For more information email
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Meow! said the Cat, Woof! said the Dog, Bring Your Photos! said the Minister

 

October 11

 

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Have you sorted your books, CDs and DVDs?
Lois Davis

 

 

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Health Care Reform Video/ Potluck Luncheon

 

Sunday, October 11, 12:00 to 1:30 pm
Want to eat lunch with Wildflower friends while watching a compelling DVD about health care reform? Everyone’s invited to Peter and Carol Knight’s house at noon on Sunday, October 11 to watch "Health, Money, and Fear," which features nationally known physicians telling personal stories about what’s wrong with today’s health care system and describing needed changes. If you don’t have time to prepare a dish, just bring yourself; the hosts will provide extra food, along with a donation jar. Lunch is at noon, the video’s at 12:30 p.m. A petition and letter-writing materials will also be available. If you need childcare, let Carol or Judy know before Friday, October 9. Please RSVP to: Judy Morgan at 804-0123 or , or Carol Knight at 892-7305 or
Directions to the Knight’s house: From the church parking lot, drive south on Manchaca for about 2 miles; at the 5th traffic light, turn right onto Jones Road; at the 4-way stop, turn left onto Pillow Road; drive about 1/3 mile to 34 Pillow Road.

 

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Conversation with the Board this Sunday

 

will take place in the sanctuary from 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. Sunday , October 11. and next Sunday, October 18. The topics will be the Strategic Plans 2010 – 2012 and the Membership Development Plan. Approval of both of these documents will be on the agenda for the Special Congregational Meeting called for October 25. Contact Jan Austin, 442-0659,
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Coming of Age Class Information

 

The Coming of Age class for grades 8-12 will meet weekly. A workshop will be introduced every other week. On the first Sunday of a workshop, the class will begin at 10:30 am. On the second Sunday of a workshop, youth begin in the service and go with their teachers after the time for all ages.
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Coming of Age Mentors Needed

 

As part of the program, we would like for each youth to have a mentor. Mentors will work individually with one youth to foster a positive relationship. The facilitated program provides structured opportunities throughout the year for youth and mentors to work together and get to know one another. We are looking for members of the congregation that have been with Wildflower for about a year, 25 years or older, and have a good understanding of Unitarian Universalism. Mentors participate in certain sessions of the curriculum with the youth and the final worship service and celebration at the end of the program. Please contact Penny Burnette, if you are interested in being a mentor.
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Adult RE Classes

 

Sunday Morning Class: Unitarian Universalism 101

 

Don’t miss this class! It gets rave reviews from participants!! It is not too late to join the class.
Facilitated by:

Dates/time:

Place:
Unitarian Universalism 101 is for anybody and everybody with an interest in Unitarian Universalism. It is particularly designed for new members, but all are welcome and will find it rewarding. We will explore our Unitarian and Universalist history, identify our main movers and shakers, and most important, discuss our big Unitarian Universalist ideas. Both sides of our faith brought big, important ideas to religious life. These ideas influence who we are today!!
Contact Gerry King for more information at
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Sunday Evening Class:

 

Facilitated by:

Dates/Time:

Place:
This class started September 13. It will meet for 10 weeks through December 6 (some alteration in schedule has occurred), from 7-8:30 p.m. at Dee Adams and Gerry King’s home.
Rev. Galaher will lead participants in discussions of sermons, speeches, and essays by theologians from many different faiths, to explore how religion has shaped our lives—or we have shaped religion—for centuries. Authors will include Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,19th century Unitarian minister Theodore Parker, 20th century Universalist minister Russel Skinner, Womanist theologians Rebecca Weems and Emily Towners, Native American scholar Vine Deloria, progressive evangelist Jim Wallis, Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, and many others. Podcasts and videos will also be used.
If you are interested in joining the class, please contact Rev. Eliza at

 

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By-laws Committee
 
Section 5. Committee Council.
Section 6. Ex Officio members.
The By-laws Committee welcomes comments or input from the membership. If you have comments please e-mail them to
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"Growing Our Inner Wildflower"

 

...is a self help support group. Our goal is to share emotional support, practical coping skills and strategies, and empower each other toward personal growth, positive changes and healing. We will discuss topics such as assertiveness, relationships, loneliness, stress, co-dependency, emotional issues, and conduct exercises/activities that will let us practice some of the concepts. We’ll also explore ideas, philosophies, strategies and anything else that may assist in the process of growth and empowerment. We’ll have our initial meeting on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm. If interested, contact Marilyn Stone-Barak at , or 644-1814.

 

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Hands on Housing - October 24

 

Our Hands on Housing effort helps those with meager means who own their homes to stay in their homes; if forced to move if their homes became inhabitable, they would not have the resources to relocate. They are screened by Austin Area Interreligious Ministries for eligibility, meaning that they make less than $12,000 a year and are truly in need. Following is information regarding the two houses that Wildflower volunteers, and volunteers from the other Austin UU churches, will be working at on October 24.
Alf Carter is a retired yard worker in his mid-80s who was born on Christmas Day and has lived in his home for over 50 years in East Austin, close to where we worked last Fall. His house needs a lot of carpentry work on the outside as well as some roofing work. Gwendolyn Patton lives across the street and is on disability. The inside of her house needs a complete paint job. Both houses have big yards where we can have our food, signup and work tables.
Signup sheets will be available at the Social Action table in October. If you would like to volunteer to coordinate Wildflower's participation, please contact Bill Walker at or 402-1666.
Mark your calendars now for the annual spring camp-out! We have 17 campsites with water and electricity reserved at Bastrop State Park on April 16-18, 2010. Contact for more information.
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Pumpkin Carving/Pot Luck - Oct 30

 

Carving pumpkins isn't just for kids! Everybody is invited to come carve pumpkins and bring a dish to the Wildflower Children's RE Pumpkin Carving Potluck. It is on Friday, October 30th at 6 PM at Eric and Laura Miller's house. We will supply tools and patterns. You bring a pumpkin and a dish. RSVP to Laura Miller,

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Austin Interfaith - Incentives/Living Wage Campaign

 

Since April of 2008, Austin Interfaith congregations and member institutions have publicly called on the Austin City Council to require all corporations that receive future tax abatements, or other taxpayer-funded incentives, to:

       

    • pay all of their employees a living wage ($18/hr)
    • with health and retirement benefits
    • and a career track
    • and to have a strategy to hire local workers.

 

Austin Interfaith has continued to work with the City Council on this issue, but we need to demonstrate broad support for it to insure that the Council takes action. Wildflower Church is joining other institutions and congregations in conducting a "Sign-Up and Take Charge" campaign, collecting signatures in support of living wages and good jobs for our families and communities. At a time when city budgets and services are being cut, we do not want our tax dollars subsidizing low-wage jobs! Please look for the sign-up sheets this Sunday after service.
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Women in Transition Group

 

Are you experiencing change and transformation in your life – or wanting to? If you’d like to join a covenant group for supporting women in our shared spiritual journeys and through changes in our lives, contact Judy Morgan, 804-0123,
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Join the Listening Ministry Team

 

As a way to support our growing congregation, and its growing needs, Rev. Eliza has been working to develop a program of listening ministry that will complement and expand on the work that the caring committee is already doing. The idea is to have a team of about eight people who will meet with Rev. Eliza on a monthly basis, and be assigned to temporary "ministries" to people at Wildflower who need an extra compassionate ear in times of crisis or change. Because this ministry is deep and demands commitment and a willingness to learn and be there for others in a particular way, there will be a training with an outside consultant, Beth Abel, of four sessions over a period of about two and half months. The first session is scheduled for November 7, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. The second session is November 21, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The third is December 5, from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. The fourth is to be determined. If you are interested in doing the training and becoming part of the listening ministry team, please contact Rev. Eliza at

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Wildflower Spring Campout

 

Mark your calendars now for the annual spring camp-out! We have 17 campsites with water and electricity reserved at Bastrop State Park on April 16-18, 2010. Contact for more information.

, or Pat Laird, 282-2551, . The group meets Monday mornings, 9:30 to 11:00. Thank you! DeeAdams and Gerry King’s home (2507 Keepsake Dr., Austin) 10 week class; October 11 class is from 7-8:30 p.m. SASAC Ceramics Room October 4 – November 22 from 9:15-!0:15 a.m.eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%67%65%72%72%79%6b%69%6e%67%40%61%75%73%74%69%6e%2e%72%72%2e%63%6f%6d%2e%22%3e%67%65%72%72%79%6b%69%6e%67%40%61%75%73%74%69%6e%2e%72%72%2e%63%6f%6d%2e%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')) Childcare is provided if you contact Gerry prior to Sunday morning.eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6d%69%6e%69%73%74%65%72%40%77%69%6c%64%66%6c%6f%77%65%72%63%68%75%72%63%68%2e%6f%72%67%22%3e%6d%69%6e%69%73%74%65%72%40%77%69%6c%64%66%6c%6f%77%65%72%63%68%75%72%63%68%2e%6f%72%67%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). .Wildflower Spring Campout The By-laws Committee will meet via e-mail on October 15, 2009 to continue discussions from the previous meeting and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees for two amendments to the By-laws. The following amendment was recommended by the By-laws Committee: Article VII, Meetings, Section 1, Semi-Annual Meetings. A Spring Semi-Annual meeting shall be held on a day in May or June to be selected by the Board. The agenda of the Spring Semi-Annual meeting shall include election of the Board, presentation of the internal audit/review report on the previous year’s financial statements, and a report from the Long Range Planning Committee. A Winter Semi-Annual meeting shall be held on a day in November or December to be selected by the Board. The agenda of the Winter Semi-Annual meeting shall include election of the Nominating Committee, presentation of the treasurer’s annual financial report(s) and approval of the Board’s budget for the next fiscal year. The semi-annual meetings shall be conducted by Robert’s Rules of Order. Explanation: normally groups clearly define the rules of order for their meetings which is the organizations’ parliamentary authority. Wildflower’s By-laws do not include this authority. The second amendment offered was requested by the Board of Trustees. Article VIII, Committees and Affiliated Organizations, Section 4. Special Committees. The President may appoint special committees from the general membership as needed to perform such duties and exercise such powers as the President or Executive Committee may direct, subject to these By-laws. Explanation: this amendment would give the President the authority to establish special committees or task forces for specific purposes as needed.Testimonies of Faith: A Multi-Faith, Multicultural Study of Religion Rev. Eliza Galaher 462-9484 or e-mail Helen Burnette
 
National Alliance on Mental Illness' "NAMIWalks for the Mind of America", is an awareness and fundraising 5k walk for mental illness.  Wildflower Church will be joining with First UU Church to walk as one team on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 9 a.m.  The mission of NAMI is to provide support, education, and advocacy to families and individuals affected by mental illnesses. How can you help?  Come walk with the Wildflower Team, donate, and/or just come learn more about what mental illnesses are and what they're not.  For more information, contact Danna Luther at

 

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The October newsletter has been posted on the church website. Be sure to check it out.

 

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ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE – MISSION: WILDFLOWER

 

Our annual stewardship campaign is in its final week, and we need your support to meet our campaign goal. Many friends and members responded to Eliza’s call from the pulpit last Sunday and our current pledge total has increased to almost $130,000. We are making progress, but half of us have yet to submit a pledge form for 2010. Should we not reach our goal, cuts will need to be made to bring our budget into alignment with our pledge total. An additional $80,000 needs to be raised by October 11th to meet our campaign goal. Visit the stewardship table before or after Sunday service to review campaign materials and complete your pledge form. Members of the Stewardship Committee will be available to answer any questions you may have. You can also visit our annual stewardship campaign page on the church’s website:

 

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Update on Acquiring a Home of our Own

 

This will be a weekly feature of the Weekly News to help keep you informed about what has occurred in the process of acquiring our own building. If you have further questions, please email them to
Most recent activities:

     

  • We are still negotiating with the sellers of the property on Corral Lane to finalize our Letter of Intent. We hope to send a reply to their counter-offer during the next week after consulting with our real estate attorney, Pascual Piedfort. Stay tuned!
  • David Rickard, UUA Financial Consultant met with the Steering Committee, Capital Campaign Committee, Building Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee on Friday evening and all day Saturday, September 18 and 19. The meetings were very informative and participants came away from them with a clearer picture of what must be done and approximately when it must be done toward acquiring a building. Dave was very complimentary about the Membership Development Plan that has now been endorsed by the Board and will be presented to the congregation for approval at a called congregational meeting on October 25.
  • The Wildflower Church Strategic Plan for 2010 – 2012 has been endorsed by the Board and also will be presented to the congregation at the October 25 meeting.
  • We have now received agreements from The Lawrence Group of Architects for conducting architectural and engineering inspections of the property, as well as an agreement from Cox/McLain Environmental Consultants to conduct an EPA Level I Assessment of the property. These agreements will be signed at the same time an Earnest Money Contract is signed on a piece of property. The EPA Level I Assessment will assure us of the absence of harmful substances on the property.
  • We are researching the cost of utilities at the Corral Lane property to determine if they will be financially manageable for our congregation if we buy the property. We will look at options for reducing their cost, as we are aware that it will be expensive to cool and heat a building of that size.

 

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Connection Circles are Drawn and Connected!

 

Seventy-one Wildflowers and friends have signed up to meet monthly to build deeper community, nurture spiritual development, and explore topics in the new small group ministry program called Connection Circles! All participants should have heard from their facilitators and have found out about their groups by now. If by chance you signed up for Connection Circles and have not heard from your facilitator (sometimes despite all good intentions things fall through the cracks), contact Judy Morgan, 804-0123, Joan Harman, 454-3160, or

 

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Continuing Action for Health Care Reform

 

 

The health care issue has become more personal for us as several members of our congregation are without health insurance or fear losing theirs. If you can help, please continue regular calls and letters to Senators Cornyn and Hutchison to keep them aware that a majority of Americans want strong reform. Another action is to talk with friends, family, and neighbors, to share your concerns, hear theirs, and address any misinformation. Encourage them to contact their legislators (contact info is at www.congress.org). You can get more information (and put up a colored sticker for each legislative contact you make!) at the Health Care Action table after service.

 

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NAMIWalks for the Mind of America 5K--October 10th at 9 a. m. at Auditorium Shores

 

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Conversation Café: Saturday, October 10, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Topic: 

What's the highest leverage action you or anyone could take toward a just, peaceful, and sustainable world by 2025?