the_week@horizonuu a publication of horizon unitarian universalist church * November 2, 2014.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY
VOLUME 14, ISSUE V.11.2.14.
The_Week@HorizonUU Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church Carrollton, TX 75010 FOR SUBMISSIONS EMAIL: the_week @horizonuu.org
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Every Wednesday
Weekly Service: Sundays 10:30 AM
Sunday Service: Nov. 2, 2014
Remembering our Beloved Dead
TO SUBSCRIBE OR TO SEND QUESTIONS, CONTACT: EMAIL Administrator @horizonuu.org
PHONE: (972) 492-4940
WEB SITE: www.horizonuu.org
PHOTOS:
Rev. Helen Carroll He who fears death cannot enjoy life -
Horizon Staff STOCK PHOTOS: www.123rf.com
A Spanish proverb
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Horizon News Please Hold your applause Dynamic worship is at the center of our spiritual and congregational life. We gather each Sunday morning to reflect and to learn from one another, to review and celebrate our good news, to acknowledge our short falls and growing edges and to prepare ourselves to take our values into the world. Each part of the service is carefully crafted to create an experience where, as the UU Worship Web has said, we “…share a sense of transcendence, to nurture worthiness and meaning in our lives.” Just as in a meaningful symphony or wellacted play, the separate parts are crafted to create a whole. The opening words, hymns, children’s conversation and story, joys and sorrows, readings, meditation, special music, sermon and benediction – even the welcome and offering – all are woven together to draw us together, remind us of a higher purpose and inspire us to return to the world and live out our values. Just as for a meaningful symphony or wellacted play, we who are attending share in the success of the experience. By holding your applause until the end of the service, you will help build a stronger worship experience. When the choir sings like angels and a reading is particularly captivating and the sermon is spot on, the parts are working together to move us from our preoccupation with the ordinary to a consideration of something deeper. Enter, rejoice, come in and please hold your applause until the end.
Remembering the Dead – Many cultures around the world set aside a day to celebrate ancestors and newly departed loved ones. On November 2, bring photos or mementos of your beloved dead, and we will share stories and celebrate the lives they led in our Day of the Dead service. Join us for this memorial celebration. Serve Humanity - Give Blood! The Carter Bloodcare Bloodmobile will be at Horizon Sunday, November 2nd from 9:30 to 12:30. See Paul Nelson to sign up for a donation time. pnelson114@gmail.com
As President Obama noted in one of his first speeches to the nation… 1 in 8 Americans struggles with hunger. It’s a growing problem in our nation and in our community as we deal with a recovering economy. Beginning on Sunday, November 16, we’ll take a collection of shelf-stable food stuffs to donate to a local food bank each Sunday. Come prepared to share with those who go hungry each night. Here’s the list of the items most often needed: Canned goods such as chicken, tuna, corned beef, fruit, dried or canned beans, Fruit juice, Jelly, Macaroni and cheese, Pasta, Peanut butter, Rice, Whole grain cereal
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FROM THE MINISTER
mUUsings Greetings from your interim minister. It would be easy to become overly focused on any one or two of the dynamic programs and activities at the heart of Horizon - easy enough to lose sight of the complexity and larger vision that shapes the congregation’s identity and get caught up in the busy-ness of congregational life. In the midst of that challenge, the Board and other leadership have been working on the next steps for better managing how you do what you do. Going forward the Board will focus on visionary leadership addressing questions like: What does the membership care about? What’s at stake now and in the future? How are our core values expressed in the mission and policies? What direction could we go? What priority and resources should we give to each goal? As the Board focuses on visionary leadership, five Circle Coordinators will work with staff to focus on managing the day-to-day operation of the church. Together the Circle Coordinators will address what programs/ initiatives will enable us to make our vision real? What do we need to change? Who will be responsible for initiating and managing what programs? How will we manage, update and enhance our resources to achieve our goals? All of Horizon’s programs, activities and events are being divided between Community, Growth and Learning, Social Responsibility, Stewardship and Worship and Horizon is fortunate to have strong leadership to coordinate and support the work of each circle.
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FROM THE MINISTER
mUUsings This year’s team of Circle Coordinators:
Community Circle – Marianna Seaton
Growth and Learning Circle – Lauren Daniell
Social Responsibility Circle – Nancy Foreman
Stewardship Circle – Peter Hendee
Worship Circle – Peggy Gill
In the next few weeks, we’ll include special sections in the newsletter, on the web site and on the bulletin boards to highlight the work of each area and provide more detailed descriptions. If you have questions about what’s up this year, contact me or one of the circle coordinators. Stay tuned – this is a work in progress. Faithfully, Helen 972-492-4940 Note: My regular office hours are 10 – 1, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Other times are available by appointment. My day off is Monday.
PASTORAL CARE NEWS
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Marianna Seton Director of Lay Ministry
We hold Marc Amberson and his family in our hearts as he works to recover from a stroke. Marc is the primary caregiver for his wife Rosa, who has a dementia related disease and is a member of Horizon’s Candle Lighter’s and Trail Blazers groups. The members of this community, including the leaders Peggy and John Gill, Lindy Tinnin, Ann Petit, Robin Anstead, Patti Pierce, and John Myers, the Lewisville Neighborhood Group and others have drawn this community together to offer their individual gifts to this challenging situation. A care calendar has been set up to help with meals and small acts of kindness. This can be accessed at www.carecalendar.org. Care calendar id: 196030 and the security code: 2664. We also hold in our hearts, Roy Fee and Don Aplin who are receiving hospice care, and Glen Lichtenwalter, Carol Fee, and Penny Powell, who are challenged with serious health issues.
Please also join me in welcoming our newest member of Horizon, Howard Michael Bedford Jones who was born on October 27 to Kimberly and Charlie Jones. We care deeply for our friends and their families, and hold these families and all families in our thoughts and prayers, meditations, and moments of stillness. Our Horizon community is supported by the cooperative work of the Pastoral Caregivers, Neighborhood Group Leaders, and the Senior Minister. If you or your loved ones are in need of a sympathetic ear, Pastoral Caregivers Mary Bittle, Carol Franzen, David Martin, Rev. Rob Moore, and I are available on Sunday mornings and by appointment. You may contact the church office, or Marianna Seaton, Director of Lay Ministry at dlm@horizonuu.org, or interim minister, Rev. Helen Carroll at interimminister@horizonuu.org.
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Horizon News BECOMING MORE EFFECTIVE For the last few years, with the support and encouragement of our past minister Dennis Hamilton, Horizon's Board has discussed and evaluated policy-based governance. We took advantage of and learned from the expertise of our Intern Minister, Lyssa Jenkins, and selected an Interim Minister, Helen Carroll, whose skills include unique experience transitioning to this form of governance. In August the Board voted unanimously to immediately begin the transition from an operational Board, invested in the daily functions of our programs, to a Board focused on guidance through policy and assessment of performance. Horizon, like each of us as individuals, has moved through various stages of development as we have matured. Each of those stages has required that we learn and apply new and different skills in order to successfully navigate previously uncharted waters. We are entering still another stage and the experience of those who have preceded us, as well as that of our current leadership, give us confidence policy-based governance will best support our continued success. Policy-based governance clearly distinguishes staff and Board responsibilities. Boards maintain responsibility for establishing goals based on the core principles of our faith, while staff (paid and volunteer) establish and implement the methods to achieve those goals. Policy Boards monitor the success of activities and programs to achieve our goals, while staff are charged to adapt their methods to fit our unique community. Policy Boards are collaborative partners with the leadership of our ministries while simultaneously assuring them the freedom and resources necessary to perform their charge. Horizon can be compared to a ship: the Board is analogous to the ship's captain, watching the horizon and assuring we are on a proper course, and staff serve as the crew who do the necessary work to keep the ship afloat and moving toward its goal. Just as unexpected storms sometimes push a ship off course briefly, our transition may not always be smooth, but working together and meeting our respective responsibilities while trusting the other parts of the team to meet theirs will give us even more success than we have already had. John D. Gill President
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Horizon News
Dear UUs, Last Friday, October 17, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) sent out an email asking their supporters for funds to fight the "smear campaign" waged against them by the Unitarian Universalist Church. ALEC claims that we UUs wish to "silence competing ideas and speech" because we have shone a light on their secretive activities to undercut voter registration, pass anti-immigrant legislation, harm the environment, and block movements for fair wages. We couldn't be prouder. Funded primarily by corporate members, ALEC produces "model" legislative bills that provide special privileges and advantages for the corporations that write them. These bills are then taken by participating legislators, mostly conservative politicians, to statehouses across the country where they are introduced and voted into law, without any indication that they were crafted by ALEC corporate members. One such bill was signed into law in Florida last year, preemptively banning local governments from enacting paid sick leave legislation. Our UUA has long urged companies, particularly those with whom we invest, to cut ties with ALEC. A number of organizations, including Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Yahoo have very publicly withdrawn their support, often citing ALEC's denial of climate science as a contributing factor. Instead of addressing the concerns of the public and the corporations who have left their membership, ALEC is grasping at straws and spreading lies. Today, I urge you to take a stand against ALEC by making a gift to our UUA. Show them that instead of their harmful, secretive practices, you support our Association's 5th Principle and the UUA's efforts to promote a transparent democracy. We have spoken out forcefully against the pernicious influence of ALEC, and with your help, we will continue to do so. Thank you for your support. In faith, The Rev. Peter Morales President, Unitarian Universalist Association
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LIFESPAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS by Lauren Daniell dlre@horizonuu.org blog: www.horizonuu.org/dre/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/horizonuu/
Happy Halloween!
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Scenes from the Horizon Halloween Party last Saturday, October 25th Thanks to all who helped make the 2014 Halloween party a success!
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Have a loved one who lives far from home?
Come to a Packing Party & Potluck Friday, November 7th 7-9pm Fellowship Hall Whether your loved one is in the military, away at college or abroad, come to Horizon to join others to prepare care package. Bring: -a plain box or box from USPS -package tape / cushioning materials -goodies for your loved ones -a dish and beverage to pass for the potluck.
Questions? Email dlre@horizonuu.org
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Food drive to benefit Metrocrest November 16th
Beginning November 16th and continuing throughout the year, Horizon members are asked to bring shelf stable items to church for Metrocrest Social Services of Lewisville. Please bring items to the sanctuary because the children will bring the food items up front at the beginning of the service.
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Attention kids in Grades 6-8! Get ready for
A special event just for UU middle school students Saturday, November 22nd 11am-5pm $10.00 Held at Group Dynamix – 1215 Trend Drive – Carrollton TX 75006
The Group Dynamix teambuilding program for youth takes a fun approach for getting a diverse group of youth to become an effective team. Using a variety of tools like group games, initiatives and low and high elements of their ropes course, the middle schoolers will develop leadership skills, cooperative groups and meet UUs from across North Texas. Email dlre@horizonuu.org to register/payment info.
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Calendar of Events for Children and Youth
November 7th (Friday) 7pm: Care Package Packing Party November 16th (Sunday): Thanksgiving Intergenerational service for all ages. November 22nd (Saturday 11am-5pm): Middle School event at Group Dynamix, grades 6-8. December 7th (Sunday 12:00-2:00pm) Tree Trimming Party and fundraiser for Heifer International
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Adult Religious Explorations contact: are@horizonuu.org
Sunday Mornings, 9:00 – 10:10 am Horizon Library November 2, 2014
Kent Darwin: “Why Christianity must Change or Die” series by Bishop Spong. We will view the questions from the audience and Bishop Spong’s remarkable and insightful answers.
November 9, 2014
Mary Bittle: “Healthy Couple Relationship” (couples are recognized as any two people who are committed partners.) Mary, who holds a PhD in Family Therapy, will facilitate exploration of characteristics recognized by various theorists of systemic Family Therapy as crucial for healthy couple relationships. She will further explain the program Prepare/Enrich, an assessment and skills set for couples wishing to improve their relationship. Advocacy of healthy relationships conforms with the UU Seven Principles.
November 16, 2014
John Myers: “Hope”. Using the Chalice Circle model for interactive learning, John will the discussion on: What is Hope, how do you find it within yourself and how do you provide it for others? Most of us have struggled with hop at various times in our lives, so it should be an insightful discussion.
November 23, 2014
Ruth Trudeau: “William Tyndale and the English Bible”. Ruth will facilitate our discussion. William Tyndale (c. 1495 - 1536) was the first to translate scripture from Greek, the first to publish an English Bible on the printing press. Of course, due to the time and tenacity of English heretic hunters, he was not the first to burn at the stake for his words. The authorized Version, known as the King James’ Bible, was completed in 1611, is based on Tyndale’s translation, his style, poetry, and word choice.
November 30, 2014
Ed Sircy: “The Promise, The People, The Politics”. Ed will share his research and insights of 1. The Promise...who made it and Why? 2. The People...those of the Diaspora and those who remained. 3. The Politics...Zionism to modern Israel. This is a story, (saga) about how a tribe of the ancient Semitic people of Lavent, changed the history and culture of the world and created 3,000 years of ongoing conflict with their region. That religious conflict continues to have profound political impact on the entire Middle East and directly affects America current foreigh policies. Com hear and learn more about The Promise, The People, and The Politics.
*Childcare is available upon request by Friday before the Sunday class. Please email: childcare@horizonuu.org
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AFTER CHURCH LUNCH LOCATIONS
Visitors and members welcome! Directions are available at the Welcome Center. When we go to a restaurant, we meet there approximately 20 minutes after the service ends. First ones there please get a table for 10+ under the name “Horizon”. One way to get to know people from Horizon better is to join us after church at Grill 19. Everyone is welcome (even friends and family joining you after church). The restaurant is at the Coyote Ridge Golf Club just across Hebron from Horizon. Look out the Fellowship Hall window and you can spot the Grill 19 sign! 1640 W Hebron Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75010 (972) 395-0786 ext. 105 http://www.coyoteridgegolfclub.com/-grill-19 We will meet there every Sunday in November except for the second one, November 9, which will be a potluck at Horizon. Ask for the “Horizon” table. It may take a few minutes following the service for lunch attendees to arrive but we’re coming! With a pleasant atmosphere, this restaurant is not crowded and is quiet enough for conversation. The “creative casual cuisine” is flavorful and the wait staff accommodating and friendly. The menu includes sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and regular entrees. Meals start at $8.95 for adults and are large portions. They have an additional menu of Asian food and a Kids Menu where meals are $4.95 and include a drink.
November 9th: All Church Potluck: Everyone welcome! Horizon’s potlucks provide an opportunity to get to know others and be with our church community. We appreciate your bringing a bit more than needed for our families, allowing us to offer this hospitality to all members, visitors, and friends. Thank you to the Women’s Friendship and Growth Chalice Circle (WFIG) for coordinating this month!
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What’s in Bloom? Two showy fall plants are blooming in the front entry garden. They are Mexican Bush Sage and Pink Muhly Grass. Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) is a busy evergreen shrub that produces purple flowers clasped by soft purple calyces from late summer to frost. It will grow 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide, needs well drained soil and likes full sun (like our garden) or partial shade (not near as showy then). You will notice bees and butterflies all over the blooms. They are easy to transplant, as these were. Plants can be divided in the fall or sown from seeds.
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What’s in Bloom? Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaries) This hardy native grass grows like Topsy and is exquisitely beautiful! As summer is winding down and with it your beautiful blooming annuals and perennials, Pink Muhly Grass is springing up -- giant puffballs of cotton-candy pink, so airy you expect a breeze to carry them away! An absolutely showstopping source of late-season color, this native grass is also effortless to grow and tolerant of just about anything Mother Nature throws its way! The grass forms a nice little hedge, edging, or middle-of-the-border ribbon of color from spring through summer, but when the rosy-pink plumes arise on 4foot stems, it grabs the garden spotlight! These plumes are so finely-cut they look airbrushed in. Perfect for indoor arrangements, they keep their color and texture beautifully outdoors as well, lasting through fall as the birds come to feast. Stunning! Pink Muhly Grass reaches 4 feet high and 3 feet wide, with a nicely cascading, fountainous habit of foliage and fanned-out, unbelievably profuse blooms. Give it plenty of sunshine and good soil drainage, and it will do the rest, beautifully withstanding heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil! Data from Fine Gardening and Wayside Gardens Websites
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HORIZON UU CALENDAR OF EVENTS Saturday, November 1 8:00 am - 10:00 am Men's Support Group - E3 - Library 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm UDV - Church Rental - E3 - Library - FH - Fellowship Hall Sunday, November 2
8:30 am - 2:00 pm Taste of Horizon - PASTA - TOH - Table 1 9:00 am - 10:00 pm UU Christian Fellowship/Study - E3 - Library 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CAYRE - Child Care - S1 - Nursery 10:15 am - 12:30 pm Library Ministry - Open for Browsing - E3 - Library 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Main Worship - SH - Sanc. 11:45 am - 12:00 pm Horizon Players Planning - AD - Admin Office 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm OWL grades 4-6 - P1 - Lg 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm After Church Lunch Bunch @ Grill 19, Coyote Ridge Golf Club, 1640 W. Hebron Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75010 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm GALA Youth - S6 - Class Monday, November 3 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Yoga - P1 - Lg 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SMART Recovery - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:15 pm - 9:00 pm Wisdom Circle - E3 - Library 7:30 am - 9:30 pm Pastoral Caregivers Meeting - AD - Admin Office Tuesday, November 4 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Love and Logic Parenting Class - Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Buddhist Sangha - P1 - Lg, P2 - Couch 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Love and Logic Parenting Class - E3 - Library
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HORIZON UU CALENDAR OF EVENTS Wednesday, November 5 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Library Ministry - E3 - Library 5:45 pm - 7:00 pm Restorative Yoga - P1 - Lg 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Chalice Circle Council - E3 - Library Thursday, November 6 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Excel - Other - Playground, FH-KI-P1-Lg-RL- Lobby/ Narthex-S1-Nursery-S2-S3-S4-S5-S6-S7 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Worship Arts Committee Meeting - MO - Minister's Office Friday, November 7 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Candlelighters - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Care Package Party- FH - Fellowship Hall Saturday, November 8 7:30 am - 1:00 am ISHA - Church Rental - FH - Fellowship Hall 8:00 am - 10:00 am Men's Support Group - E3 - Library 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Volunteer at MetroCrest Social Services Food Pantry Offsite 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm COA Lock in #1 - K1 - Kitch - P1 - Lg, P2 - Couch
Visit: calendar.horizonuu.org for updates and events information.
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SPECIAL GROUPS If you are considering attending one of these groups for the first time, it is a good idea to contact them via email for more information and to get an orientation of what to expect in your first visit! CURIOUS ABOUT SCHEDULE? You can check the calendar at http://calendar.horizonuu.org/ Horizon Book Group: 4th Tuesdays 12p. (bookclub@horizonuu.org) The Horizon Book Group meets at 12 Noon on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the church Library. Every June and November the group decides on the books for the following six months. Bring a brown bag lunch and join in this fun group that is open to women and men. You’ll be able to share in an invigorating conversation on the session’s book. Current selections are found in the Library information niche in the lobby/narthex. For more info, you may contact bookclub@horizonuu.org. Buddhist Sangha: Tuesdays 7 PM 9:00 PM. (buddhists@horizonuu.org ) Buddhist Sangha ("Sangha" is equivalent to a covenant group) is a weekly gathering that studies the Dharma (the teachings of Buddhism.) This is an ongoing exploration of the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, the essential teachings of Buddhism. It is participatory and although consistency is encouraged, sessions can be attended on a drop in basis. We welcome anyone interested in a meditation practice. If you wish to come for an orientation, please arrive by 6:30. If you wish to view materials, email the group at buddhists@horizonuu.org.
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SPECIAL GROUPS The UU Christian Chalice Circle (uuchristians@horizonuu.org ) The UU Christian Chalice Circle provides a forum for enriching our spiritual lives through personal discovery of the heart, meaning, and tradition of Christianity. We gather monthly on the 1st Sunday at 9AM in the library for discussion, fellowship, and exploration. All those seeking to connect (or re-connect) to the beauty and wisdom of Christianity are welcome to attend. uuchristians@horizonuu.org. The CineMat Group (cinemat@horizonuu.org ) The CineMat group will be meeting on the 4th Saturday every month. And it’s now a Chalice Circle!. This Chalice Circle gets together to see a movie and then goes to a coffee shop or restaurant to discuss and comment on it in a friendly circle over a cup of coffee or drink. People should call Meg Reed or Marga Gordon for more info, or email cinemat@horizonuu.org.
GAMERS: 3rd FRIDAY FUN AT HORIZON! (3rdfridaygames@horizonuu.org ) Come join us for adult level games on the 3rd Friday of every month. We meet in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m. Bring a snack or drink to share! Free childcare will provided upon request from 7:00 to 10:00pm (with 48 hour notice and 24 hour notice of cancellation). Please send reservations and cancellations to childcare@horizonuu.org. If you wish to get an email reminder of Games Night, please contact Beth Sproat at eblakehedges@earthlink.net
Healthy Women Chalice Circle (healthywomen@horizonuu.org ) A woman’s support group to help achieve their goals of health and fitness. Sharing of ideas and experiences in nutrition, weight loss, exercise and stress management.
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SPECIAL GROUPS Men’s Saturday Support Group (mensgroup@horizonuu.org ) A men’s support group that includes a check-in and informal discussion of men’s issues regarding family, health, workplace, and relationships. Starts at 8AM The 2nd Tuesday Potluck Chalice Circle (secondtuesday@horizonuu.org ) This group meets for food, fellowship, and deepening friendships. They meet in the library 2nd Tuesday of most months at 12 noon. Occasionally we take a field trip instead of having a potluck lunch. Tuesday Wisdom Circle (tuesdaywisdom@horizonuu.org ) A chalice circle that offers a check-in and discussion of a weekly life issue topic selected by a group member. Parents – WE’LL give you Wings! (every other Mon, 9a) (mondaywings@horizonuu.org ) WINGS Chalice Circle is a fun and friendly group whose purpose is to support the person within each parent by creating friendships and nurturing our intellect and creativity. The Women’s Friendship in Growth (WFIG) Chalice Circle (wfig@horizonuu.org) 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9 pm We welcome women of all ages to join us for fun, connection, and growth. We share stories from our lives and discuss topics that help us get to know one another better. On 2nd Wednesdays we discuss “This I Believe” topics. On 4th Wednesdays we view and talk about a TED talk. On 5th Wednesdays we might do anything, but it’s always fun! We’d love to have you in our group! Young Adults Chalice Circle Contact: YoungAdults@horizonuu.org for more details.
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