Sunday Services
The First Unitarian Church
11AM-12AM, Sunday
Sunday services typically involve openings words, welcome and introductions, joys and concerns, occasionally a song from our unique hymnal or from the popular music, instrumental music (live or recorded), offering, a message, closing words and song, and announcements. Messages are usually delivered by members of the congregation.
January '09
Jan. 11: "The National Education Taskforce: An activist approach to ethics in education." A major teaching of Buddhism is the Eightfold Path, which is roughly comparable to the Jewish Ten Commandments. One component of the Eightfold Path is Right Livelihood. Do our ways of earning a living serve others? Teaching is an excellent example of Right Livelihood. Dennis Fehr will speak on the National Education Taskforce (the NET: "We catch the children left behind."), an advocacy group he founded at the behest of Nancy Pelosi. The NET works with the U.S. Congress to create education legislation that is research-based, democratic, and humane. Topics include the No Child Left Behind Act, the appointment of Arne Duncan as Secretary of Education, and the inspiring ethical aspects of teaching in today's public schools.
Jan. 4: "Pancakes and Promises." Jim Glatz is generously devoting his time and organizational skills to serving up a breakfast that should engender wonderful conversation to begin 2009. Please contact Jim if you want to make a contribution of food or to help set up for this traditional Sunday event.
December '08
Dec. 28: The Rev. David Green, a Disciples of Christ minister from First Christian Church, San Marcos, will deliver a sermon as part of his review by the Amarillo UU in its ministerial search. Rev. Green is a third-generation minister who has served congregations in central Texas, Missouri, and Amarillo as a youth pastor, campus minister, associate pastor, and senior pastor. He is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the University of Texas at Austin, and has performed doctoral coursework at Austin Seminary focusing on church growth and evangelism. Prior to seminary, he was enrolled in the graduate counseling program at Texas State University. Rev. Green also served eight years as Executive Director of the Texas Bible Chair Foundation in Austin, a non-profit center for the continuing education of clergy and church leaders. His wife Ellen is Dean of Communication and Marketing at Amarillo College.
Dec 21: Coffee and Conversation
Dec 14: Our traditional Holiday Play, based on the sketches in "A Prairie Home Companion," by Garrison Keillor. Should be a great deal of fun! Come and enjoy!
Dec. 7: "Pennies for Peace," Marilyn Westfall and Jennifer Alaine. A service built around the showing of a film about our church's charitable outreach for education and a peaceful and prosperous world, plus additional thoughts based on the writings of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Columnist and Assistant Editor of TMV (The Moderate Voice).
November '08
Nov. 30: Don Keefe will lead a service on "Values Clarification." What constitutes a value and are our actions consistent with our values? A values clarification activity will be experienced that helps to answer this question.
Nov. 23: Michael Gilbert will lead a sharing circle on "Why We Come to Our UU Church." Michael hopes that this service will help us all understand why we are motivated to participate in First UU, and perhaps give visitors or new members a better understanding of the church.
Nov. 16: Peter Summers will read "A Henry David Thoreau Thanksgiving," by Rev. Roger Fritts of Cedar Lane UU Church in Bethesda, Maryland, a lovely sermon recalling Thoreau's life and love of Nature. Nov. 23: Michael Gilbert will lead a sharing circle on "Why We Come to Our UU Church." Michael hopes that this service will help us all understand why we are motivated to participate in First UU, and perhaps give visitors or new members a better understanding of the church.
Nov. 9: Barbara Holder, "Our Interfaith Future."
Nov. 2: Marilyn Westfall, "Music and Memories." How does
music help us remember? How does it conjure memories of our dear departeds?
This service offers a new perspective on our traditional "Day of the Dead"
service. Didgeridoo music by Tony Tackitt.
October '08
Oct. 26: Clay Naff, Executive Director, Lincoln Literacy Council Member, National Association of Science Writers, Vice President, Nebraska Citizens for Science will speak on "Perfection." God is often said to be supremely perfect and infinitely powerful. This has long troubled some people, because it's plain that the world we live in falls well short of perfection. Science offers us new perspectives on the ancient problem of theodicy (the presence of evil in the world), and perhaps a way out of the conundrum.
Oct. 19: "Petticoats and Politics," a script by Trish Judd, featuring several notable women who fought for sufferage, including Susan B. Anthony and Universalist minister Olympia Brown. Parts will be played by several of our members, including Keitha Hopson, LeAnn Weih, Jennifer Alaine, and JoAnna Johnson.
Oct. 12: Rev. Ricky Hoyt, "Welcoming Congregation Celebration." Rev. Ricky Hoyt, UU minister from Santa Clarita, CA, will deliver the service. Celebrate Our Church's New "Welcoming" Status. Our church has fulfilled one of its dreams: To become an official "Welcoming Congregation," approved by the Unitarian Universalist Association. To celebrate our new status, we have invited the Rev. Ricky Hoyt of California to speak at our October 12 service, as Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day. Rev. Ricky Hoyt grew up in Santa Monica, California. He attended Santa Monica College and UCLA, before receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music Composition from the California Institute of Arts. He is also the author of a children's book on spiritual themes: Room for An Elephant. In the mid-1980s and early 1990s, during the height of the AIDS epidemic, he worked for the AIDS Project, Los Angeles, which was dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease, reducing the incidence of HIV infection, and advocating for fair and effective HIV-related public policy. In 1991, he began attending the UU Church of Santa Monica, and became involved in lay leadership of the church. He was encouraged to consider the ministry, which he did while continuing to work as an intern with the Studio City Unitarian Church. He earned his Master of Divinity degree and was ordained by the UU Church of the Verdugo Hills in La Crescenta, California.
Oct. 5: Cliff Ashby, "Greek and Other Tragedies: How History Becomes History." Cliff has studied Greek theater, written a book on the subject, and will discuss how history is indeed a fiction, one that most people are willing to believe is true.
September '08
Sept. 28: Don Keefe, "What is Moral Reasoning?" Want to know more about your own moral development? Don will present a theory about the stages of moral reasoning by Lawrence Kohlberg of Harvard, and also offer strategies for developing moral reasoning, defining your own level of moral maturity, and stimulating the moral reasoning of others.
Sept. 21: Marilyn Westfall will address five major themes of The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt, a new approach to understanding the roles of religion, morality & ethics, and neurology & psychology in the life-long process of learning to be happy. "Every page of this book provides gems of insight about the good life and where to look for it," says William Damon, author of The Moral Child.
September 14: Misquoting Jesus, Peter Summers.
September 7: Join us for our annual "Water Ceremony," and please remember to bring any water that you have saved on your journeys this year, to pour into our communal bowl. This is also your chance to share some meaningful insight you've gained, during your travels. If you do not have water to share, a pitcher of tap water will be provided. Duane Christian has kept water that has been collected during this ritual for over 20 years, and that water will included in this ceremony.
August '08
August 31: A Sharing Circle, led by Michael Gilbert, on the topic of "Someone Who Has Made a Difference in Your Life." Come and participate.
August 24: David Dees, Associate Professor of Saxophone at TTU, will present his views on the significance of music. Dees received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. He was a recipient of a Texas Tech University Outstanding Faculty Award presented by Mortar Board and Omicron Delta Kappa. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas Tech University, he was a saxophonist with the United States Army Band (Pershing's Own) in Washington, DC. He has appeared throughout North America and has presented recitals and master classes at the Royal College of Music in London, The Birmingham Conservatory, and in Switzerland at Musik-Akademie der Stadt Basel and at Musikhochschule Luzerne.
August 17: “Corfram and Marzipan Fruit,” by Andi Cooley. What are manners? What is polite society? What does "Good evening LADIES AND GENTLEMEN" mean besides a greeting to the circus? Who cares? You can't tell me what to do! You're not my mom! Talk to the hand! I'm outa here!! If these young whipper-snappers don't shape up, this society is going to hell in a handbasket! From ancient Rome to today, every generation and every age has a not-so-unique set of socially acceptable, politically correct, expected behaviors that may or may not adapt well, and often clash with the previous set (often on purpose, to shock and rebel). Presenting ideas and discussion on subtle social change wrought through manners, behavior and the norms of the day.
August 10: "Southern Exposure,” by Rev. Peter Morales, also a candidate for UUA president in the upcoming 2009 election. Morales hails from Jefferson Unitarian Church, in Colorado, and his sermon concerns border issues between the U.S. and Mexico. Morales, by the way, hopes that our denomination can do a better job in extending Unitarian Universalism to Mexican-Americans and Hispanics. In this sermon, he asks: “What would our community and our state and our nation do if they were guided by the finest aspirations of humanity’s religions? What would we do if you and I were guided by these very same ideas as expressed in our Unitarian Universalist principles? … Barbed wire is not the answer. More border guards and more deportations are not the answer. Paranoia and panic will solve nothing.”
August 3: "Spiritual, Not Religious,” a sermon by Rev. Laurel Hallman, read by Keitha Hopson. Rev. Hallman, of First Unitarian, Dallas is a candidate for UUA president in the 2009 election. Hallman has spent her career as of late in deep thought about the use of language within UUism, and this sermon concerns issues about getting beneath what is usually defined by “religion” and “spirituality.” She says at one point: “If you take anything else home today from this sermon—first I will remind you that I know what it means to be spiritual but not religious. But second, I need to say that coming here is a religious act. This is a religious place. We encourage you to be spiritual and religious here.”
July '08
July 27: "Change the World," a theme that hearkens to the May International Conference on Humanism in Washington, D.C., which Marilyn Westfall was fortunate enough to attend. The service will feature local musician par excellence Mike Pritchard, whose musical talent was described in this poetic manner: "a singer/songwriter and musician whose music can waft gently like a butterfly, or can come exploding right in your face like a bee sting." Please attend this special service, accentuated by one of our best homegrown musical talents!
July 20: Our own Don MacNair, who was heavily involved in teaching or directing music in Lubbock's public schools, will talk on "The Transformative Effects of Music," based on his personal and educational experiences with music. His daughter from Germany will also be in attendance! Help Don celebrate a very special occasion.
July 13: We will continue our discussion of animal care and the City of Lubbock, on the subject "Does Lubbock want a City Shelter or a City Pound?--Your Tax $ Hard at Work," with featured speaker Melanie Zurinski, and Bev Bucklew. Zurinski published a letter to the editor of the AJ, which said: "How we treat the most vulnerable, whether it is the children, the elderly or the animals in our community speaks volumes about our community. Cesar Chavez stated, 'Kindness and compassion toward all living things is the mark of a civilized society.'"
July 6: An All-American service, with the Aspiring Choir leading us in song, and showcasing former president Jimmy Carter's speech on national energy policy, "A Crisis of Confidence," delivered in 1979, and read by Tom Johnson. You will experience déjà vu, hearing Carter describe the energy crisis of the mid-to-late seventies as "striking at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation." This will be a lively and thought-provoking service. Come, and contribute your feedback.
June '08
June 29: Peter Summers will offer his analysis and
opinions on a research paper, "Praying for a Recession," by David Beckworth,
about how the business cycle impacts religious attendance and membership.
June 22: “Why the Yearning for Zion Ranch Matters, Religiously &
Constitutionally,” by Marilyn Westfall, who traveled to Eldorado to better
understand what was happening at the Yearning for Zion compound. There will be a
power point presentation.
June 15: The Board Transition Ceremony and Service, with Bev Bucklew and other board members, sharing their views and hopes.
June 8: “Empire or Humanity? What the Classroom Didn't Teach Me About the American Empire,” by Howard Zinn, read by Lynn Steele. The essay explains Zinn's transformation in opinion, regarding the notion of “American Empire.” Howard Zinn is the author of A People's History of the United States and Voices of a People's History of the United States, now being filmed for a major television documentary.
June 1: Craig Cooley will offer reflections on war and memory, both individual and national, drawing on two sermons: “No One Dies in Vain,” by Rev. Steve Eddington, and “Memorial Day—When Will We Ever Learn?” by Rev. Dick Weston-Jones, both from 2007.
May '08
May 25: "How Starbucks Saved My Life," from the memoir by Michael Gates Gill, read by Sylvia Ashby. The son of New Yorker writer Brendan Gill grew up meeting the likes of Ezra Pound and Ernest Hemingway. A Yale education led to a job at prestigious J. Walter Thompson Advertising. But at 63, Gill was fired and his own business collapsed; an affair resulted in a new son and a divorce. At this low point, and in need of health insurance for a just diagnosed brain tumor, Gill filled out an application for Starbucks and was assigned to the store on 93rd and Broadway in New York City, staffed primarily by African-Americans. Working as a barista, Gill, received an education in race relations and the life of a working class Joe.
May 18: Flower Communion and Congregational Meeting.
May 11: "My Path to the UU Church," with James Holder, Pat Smith, and Tom Johnson sharing their personal stories of how and why they became Unitarian Universalists and/or became members of our Lubbock congregation.
May 4: "Zen Is Zen," by Tony Tackitt of the Amarillo UU congregation. Tony has studied Zen Buddhism for many years, and will enlighten us about this philosophical and spiritual path.
April '08
April 27: "The Role of Religion in Animal Welfare: What Can UUs Do to Make a Better World for all Living Creatures?" With Bev Bucklew & Jeanette Lubenau, DVM and owner of Above and Beyond Pet Hospital. Best Friends Sanctuary called together major religions from around the country and asked them to take a leadership role in bettering the lives of animals. We will review the problem areas, talk about why this is important and suggest things we can do to help individually and collectively.
April 20: “Earth Day Celebration,” Marilyn Westfall discusses ecology. Music will be provided by jazz singer Brad Carlson and the Weakly Singers.
April 13: "Confessions of a Teenage Mom: How Juno is changing perceptions of teen pregnancy," by JoAnna Johnson. Both sides of the choice debate are praising the movie Juno. Entertainment Weekly dubbed it in their cover story in February as "The Little Movie That Could." What is it about this film that has everyone on its side? JoAnna will explore the praise and the criticism of the film and its title character examining issues like adoption, abortion, and sex education drawing from personal experience.
April 6: The Zen Cowboy, Chuck Pyle, returns! Chuck will deliver songs, humor, and his unique perspective on spirituality, as part of our Sunday service.
March '08
March 30: "The Origins of Islam," Richard Wilde .
March 23: "Bringing Them Home," by Leann Weih. A service about Iraq, our troops, and why it is essential that we finally bring them home.
March 16: "Sharing Favorite Poems," Organized by Michael Gilbert. Bring your favorite poems to this service and have the chance to read them for your own and others' enjoyment.
March 9: "Preparedness," by Andi Cooley. Considering going camping over spring break? You won't want to miss this message about how to survive with a safety pin and a Band-Aid, by thinking ahead, with the mind-set of a scout. Another important theme will be "paying it forward" for a better outcome for all.
March 2: "Imaging Memories," by Chuck Lesher, read by Ted Reid. Is our humanity best defined by our capacity for memory? What will be the outcome for civil rights as neurobiology is better able to define if we are lying or telling the truth through new scanning technologies? These and other important issues will be addressed in an essay by science fiction novelist and aerospace engineer Chuck Lesher.
February '08
Feb. 24: "The Humanism of Star Trek," with guest speaker Susan Sackett, whose lecture will include a slide show and film clips. Sackett is best known as a production associate and writer for Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as the executive assistant to Gene Roddenberry, with whom she worked closely until his death in 1991. She has written or co-authored 10 books, several about Star Trek, such as Letters to Star Trek and Inside Trek. Her other books include You Can Be a Game Show Contestant and Win, and Say Goodnight, Gracie!, about George Burns and his wife Gracie Allen. She has been the president of the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix since 2000.
Feb. 17: “Giordano Bruno: Our Forgotten Martyr,” by Morton Nadler, read and with additional material by Craig Cooley. An account of a Unitarian who speculated about the cosmos, outside of religious influence, becoming a predecessor for Galileo and other thinkers and scientists; he was the last heretic burned under the Inquisition on February 17, 1600.
Feb. 10: "Euthyphro, a Dialogue with Socrate," featuring James Doores and Minnie Venable of First UU in Amarillo.
Feb. 3: Peter Summers delivers a message on economics, "Reversal of Fortune."
January '08
Jan. 27: Hans York, singer-songwriter, will perform. German-born, Seattle-based, award winning multi-instrumentalist, York has made himself a name as an extraordinary DADGAD player, a special tuning for guitar often used by Celtic artists and other folk musicians, but also used by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. His intimate and distinctive voice draws comparisons to Sting and Paul Simon. York accompanied Robert Palmer on German TV, toured as bassist with the New York Broadway Ensemble, played throughout Europe with master harp player Rüdiger Oppermann, and performed a Concerto as Soloist on fretless bass with the "Ars Quittilinga" Chamber Orchestra (Concerto written by contemporary East German composer Thomas König). He co-founded the German Worldmusic cult band Moka Efti and recorded three CDs with them.
Jan. 20: "Is self-help good for you?" why the self-help movement has been a complete failure. Based on a recent book, "Sham", by Steve Salerno, Craig Cooley delivers.
Jan. 13: "Martin Luther King, Ghandi, and Thoreau", a celebration of non-violent resistance and its roots in American Literatuire, by Marilyn Westfall.
Jan. 6: "Pancakes and promises", our ritual approach to the year, organized as usual by Jim Glatz.
December '07
Dec. 30: "New Years Evolutions", a service by Rod Richards, read by Duane Christian.
Dec. 23: Coffee and conversation.
Dec. 16: Christmas song extravaganza - Weakly singers.
Dec. 9: Claudia Stravato will speak on "Immigration: Is It a Moral Issue?" Stravato is CEO of Planned Parenthood of Amarillo, and part-time teacher on government at WTAMU. She holds a BS and MA in Political Science and Economics from WTAMU. She served in Texas government for 25 years as Deputy Comptroller for Tax Administration under Bob Bullock. She also ran his first campaign for Lt. Governor and served as his Chief of Staff.
Dec. 2: Mark Twain returns to again grace us with his wit and wisdom, this time concerning "Man's Greatest Ideas." We have had the very good fortune to catch the famous author on another of his journeys to San Francisco, via the Texas Panhandle.
November '07
Nov. 25: Leann Weih and Peter Summers will lead a
sharing circle on the topic of "Oppression," political, social and personal.
Nov. 18: Marilyn Westfall, "Ritual and Food," a service pertinent to Thanksgiving and the
impending holiday season.
Nov. 11: Dr. Ivette Vargas, "Recognizing the Demons and the Buddhas." See the
main web page for more
info.
Nov. 4: In honor of Veterans Day, observed annually on Nov. 11, Melinda
Ainsworth, herself a veteran, will speak on matters regarding military service
and veterans' issues.
October '07
Oct. 27: Cliff Ashby will direct a "reader's theater" presentation of Spoon River Anthology, by Edgar Lee Masters, a collection of unusual, short, free-form poems that describe the life of the fictional small town of Spoon River. The anthology contains statements made by the dead citizens of the town. Speaking without reason to lie or fear the consequences, they construct a picture of life in their town that is shorn of all facades. A timely production, considering that many people will celebrate Halloween, All Souls Day, The Day of the Dead, and Samhain during this period of the year.
Oct. 21: Jennifer Alaine will lead a service on "Spirit Play," providing details about Religious Education for our young people and why we should and how we can contribute.
Oct. 14: "Just Peace," a sermon by Rev. Kathleen Ellis of Live Oak UU Church, read by Barbara Holder. Ellis's sermon is a thoughtful, lyrical contemplation on Buddhist Thich Nhât Hanh, the value of meditation and a mindful life centered on peace, and different ways in which mindful living can be applied to the world.
Oct. 7: "A Celebration of National Coming Out Day," organized by Peter Summers and LeAnn Weih.
September '07
Sept. 30: Richard Wilde, "Religion and Science," an exploration of the schism between religion and science and the meaning of "faith." We shall examine why some scientists are atheists or agnostics while others are people of faith. Scientists to be discussed include Francis Collins, Kenneth Miller, and Paul Davies.
Sept. 23: Andi Cooley will read from America's Disappeared: Secret Imprisonment, Detainees and the "War on Terror."
Sept. 16: "The Case of Mother Earth vs. World's People," by Doug Stewart. A play about ecological responsibility, done with style and wit. Your chance to enjoy a performance by many talented members and friends.
Sept. 9: "The Water Ceremony," our annual celebration of coming together from our summer travels, and sharing stories about our adventures. Please bring any vials of water you have collected during your trips; these will be poured into a "communal bowl," and thereby joined with other water collected over many years, and now preserved by Duane Christian. If you do not have water, a pitcher of tap water is provided.
Sept. 2: Louise Sanders will lead a sharing circle on the topic of "Work," appropriate for Labor Day.
August '07
Aug. 26: Sylvia Ashby will read from E.O. Wilson's Creation, which is an attempt to reach out to evangelicals about environmental issues, by one of the leading scientists and humanitarians of our era.
Aug. 19: Marilyn Westfall, "UUism and the Pentagon Papers."
Aug. 12: "My Path to the UU Church." Another in our series that features members and friends who describe why they participate in or have become members of our church. Justin Blount, Don MacNair, and Jack Janow will share their stories.
Aug. 5: In recognition of Hiroshima Day, held to commemorate the dropping of the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, we will present "60 Years After Hiroshima: The New Nuclear Danger and What You Can Do About It," by Tom Newman, of UU San Mateo, read by Ray Kinserlow.
July '07
July 29: Peter Summers will lead a sharing circle on "The Melting Pot of the Immigration Debate." Immigration is a political issue that seems irresolvable, given the extreme political sentiment, including blatant nationalism, that it stirs up. Please attend the sharing circle, to give your reasoned and productive input about what strategies there are to solve the problems that plague immigration reform.
July 22: "Humanism, the Enlightenment, and Unitarian Universalism," Marilyn Westfall. Marilyn will report on her experience at the American Humanist Association conference, and her presentation concerning UUism and its plan to "outgrown the Enlightenment," as stated in the 2005 document "Engaging our Theological Diversity."
July 15: "Ten Commandments of Faith and Politics," by Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy, read by Duane Christian. Welton Gaddy leads the national nonpartisan grassroots and educational organizations, The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation. He is also the host of State of Belief, a weekly radio show based on the proposition that religion has a positive and healing role to play in the life of the nation. Gaddy recently received the Humanist Religious Liberty Award at the American Humanist Association Conference and gave a rousing speech that ended with a standing ovation.
July 8: "Religion and U.S. Culture," by Craig Cooley. A look at how religion is reshaping the culture of the U.S., for good and for ill, especially in regard to democratic principles and practice.
July 1: Sharing Circle: Our country 'tis of thee.
June '07
June 24: "Pride: Our BGLT Celebration," Leann Weih. Gay Pride Week for 2007 is slated for June 17-24, and our church will acknowledge the event with a service. What is Pride Week?: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Pride Events in the United States commemorate the Stonewall Riots, marking the first time that gays fought back physically against police harassment and entrapment. The Stonewall Riots occurred on June 27 - 29, 1969 outside the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.
June 17: "Greg Mortenson: A Not Enough Sung Hero," by Pat Smith. In 1993, Greg Mortenson went to Pakistan to climb K2, the second highest mountain in the world. His attempt failed and, separated from his group, he wandered into the village of Korphe, where he recovered from his ordeal and then, in gratitude, offered to build a school for girls, which he completed three years later. For the next ten years, he supervised the construction of 55 other schools, and suffered through capture by a warlord, fatwas, CIA investigation, and death-threats from people in the U.S.
June 10: Craig Cooley leads the annual transition service.
June 3: "New Wine in New Casks," a sermon on hiking, revelation, and mortality, by Rev. Dennis Hamilton, Horizon UU, read by Darwin Holder.
May '07
May 27: "What Unites Us, What Divides Us?" a service by Marilyn Westfall for Memorial Day. Come and share your thoughts.
May 20: "The Flower Communion". An annual tradition, this time featuring music of a trio from Amarillo. This is also an "Interfaith Gathering," arranged by Barbara Holder.
May 13: Mother's Day service. Various members.
May 6: The "Service" Service. What is 'service'? What does it mean to Unitarians? Peter Westfall leads.
April '07
Apr. 29: Special musical performance by Steve Brooks, Austin singer/songwriter, who will present "For the Sake of the Song: Songwriting as Spiritual Practice." See Steve's web page.
"Steve is an extraordinary Austin songwriter," says Cyd Wright of Quillen's Coffeehouse. "His songs can be hysterically funny or tearfully sad." Best-known for writing a song-a-week for Jim Hightower's radio show, his work has been recorded by artists like Kevin So, Emily Kaitz and Slaid Cleaves, who calls him, "A great unsung songwriter of Austin." He's had music in two films and appeared in two more, including the 2004 release Barbecue: A Texas Love Story. His sixth CD, 2004's "BushWhacked," was the ultimate short-shelf-life project - an election-year collection that expired November 3. It's a hilarious sequel to "Fever," his 2003 album of Texas peace songs. It follows 1999's "Sex, Lies and Videotape," the best of his Hightower songs - 1998's intimate "Bulletproof," and 1995's country-flavored "Purgatory Road" If there's a common thread to Steve's songs, it's that we can change the world when we look at it from a different angle - or from several angles at once. As Steve puts it - a bit more poetically - "A single new star rearranges a whole constellation."
Apr. 22: Melinda Ainsworth will lead an Earth Day celebration, to get in touch with and honor the seasons and natural cycles. Music provided by our own Weakly Singers.
Apr. 15: Richard Wilde, "Scripture and Skepticism": A report and overview of the conference, by that title, held in January 2007 at the University of California, Davis, sponsored by the Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion as part of the Center for Inquiry. Some of the better known presenters were John Dominic Crossan, Robert Price, James Robinson, and James Tabor. The themes included: Modern developments in the examination of ancient religious texts, the uses of skepticism and suspicion in Biblical studies, contemporary views of Jesus, the historical Muhammad, and origins of the Quran.
April 8: "Human Sacrifice". A service by UU Rev. Peter Morales, read by Liz Davidson.
April 1: "Twain on Religion," a performance by James Doores of Amarillo, who also performed as Twain at the UUA's 2006 General Assembly in St. Louis. In fact, the room was so packed, his performance had to be moved to accommodate the audience! This will be a perfect April Fools Day service, as "Mr. Twain" will take talk back questions.
March '07
March 25: Dr. Joe Hilbe will present a service on current scientific data and philosophical propositions concerning the place of humans in the universe. The service was videotaped by Ray Kinerslow; see here for the video.
March 18: "More Than A Community--A Welcoming Congregation," by Bev Bucklew. Bev shares her ideas and sentiments about why it is so important for our congregation to be known as fully welcoming to gays, lesbians, and transgendered people.
March 11: Spring Break sharing circle, topic to be announced.
March 4: "The Great Risk Shift," comments on Jacob Hacker's book by that title, presented by Lynn Steele. Just when American families are experiencing an increase in volatility of income and wealth in the global economy, there is a concerted effort by corporate and political leaders to shift the risk of catastrophic economic instability from public and private insurance programs to individuals. Hacker's book examines reasons why a great, expanding economy is not translating into strong political support for the current administration or corporate leaders. Lynn Steele predicts this book will be quoted as a reference for the next decade, as a basis for a new progressive and economic agenda.
February '07
Feb. 25: "It's Not the Having, It's the Getting," by Craig Cooley.
Feb. 18: “The Seven Deadly Sins,” Marilyn Westfall. This is a rewrite of a scene from a morality play, The Castle of Perseverance, dated from about 1440. Marilyn found the script on-line and whittled down the lengthy play to a scene, renamed “The Seven Deadly Sins,” for the purposes of a Sunday presentation that would take no more than 25 minutes.
Feb. 11: "Flow," Maribeth Dennis. (Date changed, because of previous bad weather). Based on the book Flow--The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi. Flow can be described as the moments in life when a person feels a deep sense of enjoyment that is long cherished and that becomes a landmark in memory for what life should be like. The topic will include a description of these experiences and ways to find these more often in life. Think of the great times in your life when you have felt most alive, and we can share these.
Feb. 4: "The Devil's Music," by Keith Jones of the Amarillo UU. Keith remembers growing up with rock 'n roll and religion in the 1950s. The presentation also commemorates the anniversary of Buddy Holly's death.
January '07
Jan. 27: "Grandmother Wisdom," JoAnna Johnson.
Jan. 21: "Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz: The Most Beautiful Word I Ever Heard," by Andi Cooley. All about organizing your life! A perfect topic for the New Year.
Jan. 14: (Postponed due to snow!!!!!) "Flow," Maribeth Dennis. Based on the book Flow---The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi. Flow can be described as the moments in life when a person feels a deep sense of enjoyment that is long cherished and that becomes a landmark in memory for what life should be. The topic will include a description of these experiences and ways to find them more often. Think of the great times in your life when you have felt most alive and we can share these. Jan. 7: "Bowled Over: Obsessing About Sports," Marilyn Westfall. With bowl games hyped through December and January, it's a good time to ask, why the obsession with sport? How does this impact our culture?
December '06
Dec. 31: Pancakes and Promises. Our annual New Year's celebration.
Dec. 24: "Bridging Our Differences - Realistically." A sharing circle on finding common ground with people whose views differ, especially during the holidays.
Dec. 17: Christmas Play.
Dec. 10: "Beloved community: What can a Zen priest learn from a fundamentalist theologian?," By Steve McGaw.
Dec. 3: "Musings on Economics 101," By Lynn Steele.
November '06
Nov. 26: "Intimate strangers: Reconnecting (or not) with family". Sharing circle.
Nov. 19: "Cultures of Gratitude," Marilyn Westfall. There are many ways to give thanks, and it's a good time of year to reflect on the human desire to express gratitude.
Nov. 12: "Women talk about the military". Veteran's Day service. Speakers include Andi Cooley, LeAnne Landmesser, Barbara Holder.
November 5: "Forgiveness," by Craig Cooley. What is "real" forgiveness and repentance? Does the current social climate promote only shallow notions about the proper way to handle these emotional and psychological issues?
October '06
Oct. 29: "Unmasking Halloween," with readings and thoughts on masks and roles, harvest and death, fear and gaiety, and the demonic and the trickster, all of which are a part of the Halloween tradition. Also we invite you to share your ideas and memories about this holiday.
Oct. 22: "The Left Hand of God," from the book by Michael Lerner, with comments by Duane Christian. Addressing the central mystery of contemporary politics --why so many Americans vote against their own economic interest--The Left Hand of God provides an invaluable, timely, and blunt critique of the current state of faith in government.
Oct 15: Oct. 15: Global Warming Service by Katharine Hayhoe, Research Associate Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas Tech Univ. Hayhoe has published and presented research on global warming and its impact on land and energy use, regional vulnerabilities to climate change, and the future of Earth's atmosphere. She has worked with the Environmental Protective Agency to assess the consequences of global change and air quality, and to apply statistics to climate projections.
Oct 8: "Resisting Reasonable Atrocity". A sermon by David Schwartz, read by Keitha Hopson. Awarded Excellence in Sermon Award by the UUA in 2006.
Oct 1: "Living Deeply". A sermon by Rev. David Owen read by Dennis Fehr.
September '06
Sept. 24: "The Sunni/Shiite Split in Islam," by Richard Wilde, addressing how this religious division is influencing affairs in Iraq and how it will contribute to the outcome of the emerging Iraq.
Sept. 17: "Capitalist Ethics: Is Greed Good?" by Peter Summers, one of our newest members, and Assistant Professor of Economics and Geography at Texas Tech.
Sept. 10: "The Water Ceremony." At this annual Sunday service, members and friends bring water gathered from their summer travels, and pour them into a communal bowl, while sharing brief memories of what their travels meant to them. If you do not have water to pour, a pitcher of water is provided so everyone present can contribute.
Sept. 3: "Labor Day: How Fares America's Labor Force?" This sharing circle, led by Gail Madison, will address the problems that beset the working class in this country, including the growing gap between the haves and have-nots. Come and give your input!
August '06
August 27: "Mindfulness," by Rev. Scott W. Alexander, read by Jackie Driskill. This is the first in a series of 12 sermons by Rev. Alexander, based on Twelve Gates to the City: A Spiritual Guide for Full Spiritual Living. This sermon deals with the problems of frenzied living and "hurry sickness," created by unreal expectations for multi-tasking.
August 20: "The Boston Heresy," from a series on Unitarian History, by the late Rev. J. Frank Schulman, read by Ron Bennett. Who wrote the lyrics: "Send down thy wrath, thou triune God,/ The Unitarian fiend expel/ And chase his doctrines back to Hell"? Come and learn the answer, and more on why Unitarians raised the ire of American Calvinists during the 18th and 19th centuries.
August 13: "A Blessing," an essay by poet and writer Mary Oliver, read by Marilyn Westfall. Mary Oliver was honored this year at the UUA's General Assembly (the "big tent" annual gathering for UUs), as the speaker for the prestigious "Ware Lecture." The Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, noted that Oliver's poems reflect a love of the natural world and the struggle to find peace and compassion. Oliver's essay is a lyrical proclamation to preserve natural spaces.
August 6: "Love," a sermon by Rev. Dr. David Robins, Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal, read by and with contributions from Jennifer Alaine. Why do we love and why does love sometimes fail? What about unions beyond "traditional" ideas of marriage? A beautiful sermon that will serve to uplift your mood and sentiments.
July '06
July 30: "Using Nature and the Universe as a Spiritual Path," Dr. Paul Harrison, President, Scientific Pantheism. Sylvia Ashby will create a service from one of Paul Harrison's writings, by asking several members to lend their voices to a reading of Harrison's work. Harrison was a regular at the UUA's General Assembly for many years, promoting a naturalistic world view that was spiritual and yet founded on scientific principle.
July 23: Michael Gilbert: "Addiction, Recovery, & Spirituality."
July 16: Richard Wilde: The service topic "What is Our Purpose?" will be taken from an essay I wrote in 1954, while in my junior year of college. I was interested in understanding my purpose in life and how I justified my ideas with examples from paleontology and Darwinian evolution. This essay forms the prologue to my book, The Immortal Self.
July 9: Marilyn Westfall: "Values Conflicts in the Choice Community," from a lecture by John W. Nugent of Maryland, presented at the American Humanist Association 2006 conference. What does it mean, these days, to be pro-choice? Are advocates of choice for women "morally bankrupt but legally rich?" These are just some of the questions posed by John Nugent, which will be addressed during this Sunday's service.
July 2: Craig and Andi Cooley: "Unchaining the Future," a sharing circle. How do we get beyond anger, resentment, grudges, and poisonous legacies to keep the future hopeful? We'll enjoy hearing your thoughts.
June '06
June 25: "My Path to the UU Church." Another in our series of learning about the motivations that bring people to our community and keep them as loyal friends and members.
June 18: William and Emilia Westney, "A Question of Faith": What do we mean by the word “faith”? Is it good to be a “person of faith”? This service explores the provocative ideas found in the much talked-about book THE END OF FAITH by Sam Harris.
June 11: "Of Mothers and Fathers," a sermon by Rev. John Parker Manwell of First Unitarian, Baltimore, MD. An invitation "for us to open ourselves to the stories that bind us, across the generations."
June 4: Craig Cooley: "Goals of the Church." As the incoming president of the church board, Craig offers a vision for the church and hopes to hear your thoughts during "talkback."
May '06
May 28:"Going Away/Coming Back, Part II": A service that will involve how the perspectives of some of our members changed, after travel abroad, especially as concerns opinions about the United States. Gail Madison, for example, will tell us about her experience with the Peace Corps.
May 21: Special Youth Service, to honor the children and their Religious Education Teachers.
May 14: "Flower Communion Service," led by Jennifer Alaine. Our traditional day to remember Norbert Capek (1870- 1942), who founded the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. He introduced this special service to that church on June 4, 1923. For some time he had felt the need for some symbolic ritual that would bind people more closely together. The format had to be one that would not alienate any who had forsaken other religious traditions.
May 7: "Thank You, Committee Members!" A service to thank the chairpersons and members of our many committees. A small reception will be held after this May 7th Sunday service, with the congregation meeting to follow.
April '06
April 30: "A Celebration of Nature," In appreciation of our planet and its life, a celebration of Earth Day, led by Peter Westfall.
April 23: "Going away/coming back part I". A service le by Dennis Fehr.
April 16: "Visual Literacy," Dennis Fehr.
April 9: "April Is The Cruelest Month?" Marilyn Westfall. T.S. Eliot lamented the ironies of Spring, noting that life emerged despite the deadness of his spirit and the ennui and hopeless that shadowed the world. Maybe today's world mirrors the one of which Eliot wrote?
April 2: "Private Belief/Public Policy," Craig Cooley. How much should religious concerns drive social legislation and programs?
March '06
March 26: "Social Justice Sunday." Each year, the UU Service Committee declares a "Social Justice Sunday" to draw attention to an important issue affecting humans world-wide. This year, in keeping with our UU Sixth Source, we will join in a reflection on "Wages of Dignity, Wages of Hope," a sermon by Tim Temerson, which our own Steve McGaw will read.
March 19: "Sharing Nature Writing." Many of our members have written about the natural world, and will share some of those insights, including Nancy Martin, Jennifer Alaine, and Harvey Madison. If you have some shorter essays, or poems, and would like to read these, please contact Marilyn Westfall at 745-9985.
March 12: Sharing Circle on the topic: "How Secure Do You Feel?" Although we hear a lot about issues on the subject of homeland security, we don't spend much time considering the feelings of security we enjoy or don't enjoy in regards family, friends, health and welfare. Please join us for a discussion.
March 5: "End of Life Issues." Sylvia Ashby.
February '06
Feb. 26: "Celebrating a Freethinking Pioneer: Anne Nicol Gaylor." Several of our friends & members, including Liz Davidson, Sylvia Ashby, and Trudy Gullette, will read selections from Lead Us Not Into Penn Station, by Annie Nicol Gaylor, founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Her essays, written in the 1980s, are sadly still timely today, regarding reproductive rights and the separation of Church and State.
Feb. 19: Louise Sanders will read a sermon by UU minister Rev. Kathleen McTigue, "My Enemy, My Soul," regarding U.S. policy toward torture, which asks two significant questions: "How high a price are we willing to pay for our safety and happiness? How high a price in the form of someone else's suffering?"
Feb. 12: "My Path to the UU Church": Richard Hopson, Bev Bucklew, and Jackie Driskill will share their personal stories of discovering an ethical or religious path, which eventually brought them to our church.
Feb. 5: Richard Wilde: "Origen and Celsus": Celsus was a Greek writer in the second century, and one of the first serious critics of the early Christian movement, charging that Christianity was an unreasonable faith on the basis of its doctrines, its founder, and its split from the tradition of Judaism. Origin, in turn, attacked Celsus's charges in a work appropriately called "Against Celsus."
January '06
Jan. 29: Professor Mark Gring, TTU Dept. of Communication Studies, will deliver a message about the variety of rhetoric in sermons, after 9/11. Dr. Gring has delivered two conference papers on this topic in recent years: "Preachers, Terrorism & War" and "Unless You Repent, You Will All Likewise Perish."
Jan. 22: Darwin Holder will deliver a sermon written by Rev. Jim Eller of All Souls Universalist Church, "A Crisis of Compassion," which discusses health care issues, comparing U.S. and European models for health care, particularly.
Jan 15: "Me, Too!" by Marilyn Westfall. Thoughts on remembering to pay attention to the world around us, and especially to other people. As poet Sharon Olds writes: "I am paying attention to the small beauties, whatever I have--as if it were our duty to find things to love, to bind ourselves to this world."
Jan 8: "A Baker's Dozen," by Andi Cooley. Andi will share experiences from her time driving a big rig, and from dealing with odd situations that taught her true "lessons of life."
Jan 1: Pancakes and Promises. Jim Glatz will will manage our annual breakfast for the New Year. Contact him if you'd like to help with cooking or setting up.
December '05
Dec. 25: Christmas Open House. Tired of looking at torn up gift wrap? Come have coffee, tea, and refreshments, enjoy some conversation. 10 -Noon.
Dec 18: Dec. 18: Annual Children's Holiday Play. Prepare to Laugh!
Dec. 11: "Authentic Happiness," Maribeth Dennis.
December 4: "Micro-Credit: A New Means to Lift People from Poverty." Sara McLarty, Bev Bucklew, Jennifer Alaine.
November '05
November 27: The Greatest Reason for Gratitude," delivered thoughts, followed by sharing from our membership, with Craig and Andi Cooley.
November 20: The Annual Ritual Meal: Our way of understanding our relationship to food, each other, and to the local and world communities.
November 13: Anne Solomon, reading "The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering," by Sharon Mehdi, about peaceful and thoughtful social action. With live music by Andy Wilkinson and Amanda Shires.
November 6: "The Fifth UU Principle: The Right of Conscience and the Use of the Democratic Process Within Our Congregations and in Society at Large." Readings on democracy, by several of our members.
October '05
Oct. 30: "Day of the Dead". A special UU look at a Mexican tradition.
Oct. 23: Richard Wilde, "Religion & Population," the second sermon addressing ecological issues. Richard hopes for a lot of feedback on this particular topic.
Oct. 16: Craig Cooley, "No Nonsense in November." Craig has been studying another threat to the freedom to marry, and will tell us about it.
Oct: 9: Richard Wilde, "Global Warming and Energy." Richard has been thinking about ecological issues; this is a first of two sermons by Richard on these matters.
Oct. 2: Amy Westfall, "From Pretense to Direct Communication through Zen."
September '05
Sept. 25: Jennifer Alaine will read "A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning," by Rev. Judith Campbell. This continues our examination of the UU Principles.
Sept. 18: Lynn Steele will read and comment on an article by Mark Lilla, "Church Meets State," which concerns the new "Great Awakening" of religious fervor into which we have been thrust. What are the origins of this historical phenomenon and what is the impact on our society?
Sept. 11: "Religion: Looking to the Past & Future," In memory of the tragic events of this day, let us think about the forces that have shaped religion, for good or ill, and two major archetypal patterns of the religious quest.
Sept. 4: The Water Service: Our annual coming together from our summer travels. Bring water from the places you've visited during the summer, or you can pour water that will be provided into our collective bowl. Craig Cooley, service leader.
