the_week@horizonuu a publication of horizon unitarian universalist church * December 7, 2014.
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VOLUME 14, ISSUE V.12.7.14.
The_Week@HorizonUU Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church Carrollton, TX 75010 FOR SUBMISSIONS EMAIL: The_week @horizonuu.org
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Every Wednesday
TO SUBSCRIBE OR TO SEND QUESTIONS, CONTACT:
Weekly Service: Sundays 10:30 AM
Sunday Service: Dec. 7, 2014
Home for the Holidays Rev. Helen Carroll
EMAIL Administrator @horizonuu.org
PHONE: (972) 492-4940
WEB SITE: www.horizonuu.org
PHOTOS: Horizon Staff STOCK PHOTOS: www.pixabay.com
Remember the closing scenes from The Wizard of Oz? Dorothy is clicking her ruby slippers eyes, eyes closed, saying fervently, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” Even so, home and holidays are often challenging experiences.
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Horizon News Metrocrest – Holiday Gift & Coat Drive - November 30th through December 14th Look for collection boxes in the lobby of the church Donate unwrapped new toys for children of all ages. They are in particular need for tween and teen gifts for both boys and girls! Donate new or gently used coats and jackets
Adult Religious Exploration Peggy Gill will facilitate the class on Virgin Birth as answered by Bishop Spong. December 7th, 9:00am to 10:10am in the Horizon Library.
Please Help - A volunteer is needed to do coffee cleanup after church service on the first Sunday of each month. Training is provided. Call Jane Roehl 469-401-7725 or email at janeroehl@outlook.com After Church Lunch Bunch – Join us Sunday, December for a Potluck and Tree trimming party. It will be held at noon in Fellowship Hall and everyone is welcome! Holiday Schedule for The_Week – Because of the holidays and the short weeks, the newsletter will not be published for the week of December 28th and January 4th.
The usual deadline for submissions to the newsletter is noon Wednesday. Along with your articles, I would also welcome any pictures you have that could be used along with the articles or as cover photos. Contact Rebecca Stanczak 214-492-4940 or email at administrator@horizonuu.org.
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FROM THE MINISTER
mUUsings Greetings from your interim minister.
Could it get any busier? It seems like I have that thought more and more often these days. December is a complex and demanding month. There’s the regular holiday parade of social gatherings and obligations in addition to the normal routine of work and family life. And – on top of that – this is a community caught up in the work of the world and in search of a new minister. You continue to explore how to grow with the times as a Unitarian Universalist congregation involved in social justice work, committed to pastoral connections, educated in your values, dedicated to excellence in worship and challenged to be stewards of your resources. There are dozens of activities and events planned for these last few weeks of the year. More and more seems to be expected even as the days grow shorter and shorter. Could it get any busier? Such a paradox. December with its overly full calendar of activities is also nature’s time of longer nights, clear skies, bare trees, and cold days. All reminders that this is a season to come within - to rest, to be with those who mean the most, to look inward and remember the dreams that remind of futures not yet fulfilled. This season of darkness, when few creatures stir and seeds are nurtured beneath the soil, is a season for reflection and a time for seeking clarity. It is a complicated time, made more challenging by the need to balance doing with being.
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FROM THE MINISTER
mUUsings
May you find a place of quiet in the chaos and a time for receiving in the midst of giving. May your December bring joy, peace and happiness.
Happy Holiday,
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.
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WORSHIP CIRCLE
Christmas Eve Service – December 24, 7:00 p.m. As civil rights leader and theologian Howard Thurman reminds us, the Christmas season is a time of joy despite all sadness, a time of hope where despair keeps watch, a time of courage where fear is ever present, and a time of peace for tempesttossed days. On Christmas Eve we gather to remember the spirit of the season. In this service of readings, reflections and seasonal music we'll celebrate the themes of Christmas within our lives, our community and our world.
Looking into next year… I’m recruiting Worship Associates for Sundays in 2015. Tempted, but unsure what’s required? Curious, but afraid of public speaking? Convinced and ready to sign-up. Please send an email (interimminister@horizonuu.org), drop a note in my box or give me a call (805-459-9696). Thank you for sharing in the worship life of the congregation. Rev. Helen
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A Little Huumor…
Little Jason was practicing his violin to play a solo in church, and the torturous noise was making the dog howl. Upstairs, the boy’s father was trying to work. After trying to put up with the combined racket of the violin and the dog for twenty minutes, the father finally called down, “Jason, Can’t you play something the dog doesn’t know?”
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WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
A Winter Solstice Singing Celebration will be offered on December 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This is a celebration of the Darkness and the Light with songs, stories, music, singing, silent meditation, candlelighting and dancing in the aisles . .. and more! We are currently planning the first offering of this celebration in the DFW area. The celebration is appropriate for all ages and children are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, visit: https://sites.google.com/site/wintersolsticecelebration/About Following the ritual, guests are invited to bring finger food for sharing (nothing that needs forks or spoons, please!) and socialize. We plan to light up the labyrinth for any who choose to walk that path on the darkest night. To participate as a reader, decorate the central altar or volunteer in other ways (labyrinth lighting, set-up, etc.), please contact Aimee Eller, email at rowanesq@gmail.com or text/call to 317-362-8616. All ages are encouraged to participate.
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Rev. Helen Carroll had the opportunity to meet with over 150 members and friends of Horizon in September and October in Cottage Conversations and individual meetings. These gatherings provided a way for Rev. Helen to get to know Horizon folks, and to hear about what attendees thought were strengths and challenges facing our church. She will draw from this information moving forward as she plans future sermons and workshops, coordinates with Horizon leaders, reviews our operations and encourages us to clarify our goals.
Your Transition Team is co-chaired by JuLane and Patsy Roe. Other members are Acie Nobles, Madira McKee, MC Meador and Beth Bargar. Please get in touch with one of us if you have thoughts to share about the interim process.
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FROM THE STEWARDSHIP CIRCLE Getting In Touch It is November and the distractions of the holidays are upon us. However, I’d like you to briefly think about what happens at Horizon in February: our Commitment Campaign kicks off – where a small group of dedicated volunteers and staff (specifically Cindy Treece working with Menaca Pandakandla) asks you to turn in your pledge card for Horizon’s next fiscal year. Not a big deal, right? In reality, it is a big deal when you look at the effort and time it takes for a very small set of volunteers and staff to accomplish. This team has been talking about the need to change the system for quite a while, so the Stewardship Circle has decided to tackle this issue head on as we go into 2015. We are now putting plans together to go to a monthly system. This new approach will give members of Horizon a chance to celebrate together and enjoy our blessings and each other’s company. Instead of an all church campaign beginning each February and continuing into March and April, a different group of Horizon members and friends will gather each month to celebrate what Horizon means to them. This group will be asked to renew their commitment to support Horizon financially. There will be multiple advantages to this monthly commitment process instead of a single annual all church campaign. The primary advantage is increased community involvement and connection. The members renewing each month will celebrate together, increasing their social connections
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FROM THE STEWARDSHIP CIRCLE with each other. And it gives us another opportunity to gather together and celebrate. It will also break the commitment campaign into smaller, more manageable, pieces with less than two dozen families involved each month. These monthly groups will relieve Cindy Treece from having to run our annual commitment campaign for the rest of her life. She is ready to step back and let more members of Horizon’s community participate in this important aspect of running our congregation. On a financial side, the monthly pledge information will provide the board and other church leaders with information about church finances earlier than our current system. This will enable us to project and budget revenues earlier and more accurately.
This effort is being coordinated by members who have been active in Horizon’s fund raising: Cindy Treece, Jan McDowell, Peter Hendee, Sandy Steele and Peter Campagna. More information will be presented at the January Congregational Meeting. Peter Hendee Stewardship Circle Coordinator
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Horizon News
Last year Metrocrest helped more than 13,000 individuals. Currently 100 individuals receive food at its pantry and more than 140 rides are provided to seniors each week. Every donation truly makes a difference in the life of a person coping with food insecurity, the threat of homelessness. For example, $25 = 175 pounds of food $50 = a bus pass to get an individual to a job interview $75 = a doctor visit for a senior adult $95 = an eye exam for a child $100 = electric bill assistance to keep a family’s lights on $200 = rent assistant to prevent a family from being homeless Metrocrest serves Horizon’s neighbors in Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell and the city of Dallas in Denton County.
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Horizon News
Holiday Gift & Coat Drive Bring unwrapped new toys or gently used coats to church November 30th through Sunday December 14th. See boxes in church lobby outside fellowship hall. Holiday Store Set-up – help Metrocrest set out toys and prep the retail store space Date & Time: December 6th 9am to 11am Location: Holiday Retail Store – address TBD To volunteer contact Victoria Simmons via email at victorias@bvk.com or by phone at 425802-0753 Santa’s Helpers – Assist customers with holiday gift shopping Date & Time: Saturday December 20th noon to 3pm Location: Holiday Retail Store – address TBD MUST BE 18 or older to participate To volunteer contact Victoria Simmons via email at victorias@bvk.com or by phone at 425802-0753
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Horizon News This year give a gift that truly keeps on giving
Like a chicken… …or perhaps a pig for a struggling central American Family, or a cow that will reverse malnutrition, or a llama that will lift a family from poverty, or a water pump for communities whose girls walk miles every day to the nearest well. At the Alternative Gift Market, you can honor friends and family with donations to Heifer International, instead of buying more “stuff” to clutter up their closets. Then present them with lovely cards describing their gifts. Complete your holiday shopping in minutes while making our world a better place. Alternative Gift Market is open starting November 16, after Sunday services.
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GROWTH AND LEARNING CIRCLE by Lauren Daniell dlre@horizonuu.org blog: www.horizonuu.org/dre/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/horizonuu/
BUUddy Day Sunday, December 14th
On Sunday, December 14th Horizon children and teens will participate in multi-age fun during their religious education classes. “BUUddy Days� are special occasions to help our children and teens make friends outside their classrooms and build community among our young UUs.
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Special Religious Education schedule December 21st and 28th
There will be no classes for children and teens during the holiday break to give our families and teachers time for travel and celebration. There will be informal holiday activities during the service for children 6 and older* with Lauren Daniell and other volunteers: December 21st: Celebrate the Winter Solstice! After the children’s story, kids and teens can join adult volunteers to learn about the Solstice and do experiments with sunlight. We’ll make collages on photo-sensitive paper, play shadow tag and work with prisms. December 28th: Goodbye 2014, Welcome 2015! Children 6 years and older will be invited to Horizon’s second annual outdoor Burning Bowl ceremony where we’ll cast off bad habits / thoughts / actions from the old year and be ready to greet the new year. Afterwards, we’ll have hot chocolate and toast marshmallows. *Nursery open to children 5 years and younger.
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Random Acts of Kindness for Advent: Week 2
During the children’s portion of the service last Sunday, I introduced an Advent calendar that promoted Random Acts of Kindness (RACKs) during the holiday season. Following this calendar, a child is encouraged to do something nice for others as he or she counts down the days to Christmas. Many thanks to Megan Sheakoski of www.coffecupsandcrayons.com for permission to share these with you.
Here are the RACKs for Week 2 of Advent: Day 5: Take coffee to your teacher(s) Day 6: Send a hug made from paper to someone you love. Day 7: Tell silly jokes to someone to brighten their day. Day 8: Give someone a hug coupon. Day 9: Donate a book to your library or hospital. Day 10: Leave a happy note or a kindness stone for someone to find. Day 11: Do yard work for a neighbor. Day 12: Donate outgrown toys to your favorite charity
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Calendar of Events for Children and Youth
December 7th (Sunday 12:00-2:00pm) Tree Trimming Party and fundraiser for Heifer International
December 14th: BUUddy Day – Multi age fun during class December 21st & 28th: No religious education classes for children and teens. Nursery open to children 5 and under. January 4, 2015: Classes for children and teens resume
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Coming in January‌a class just for couples!
Prepare-EnrichÂŽ is an informative and educational program for COUPLES* planning to live in or currently living in committed relationships.
4 Wednesdays : January 21st- February 11th 7-9 PM Horizon Fellowship Hall Facilitated by Mary Bittle, PhD, RN, Licensed Marriage and Family Associate Preregistration is required. Class size is limited to six couples (12 people). Cost is $35/couple (free for Horizon Members) For more information, email dlre@horizonuu.org * Couple is defined as 2 persons, heterosexual or homosexual, of any adult age
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COMMON READ Did you know there’s a book that’s recommended for all Unitarian Universalists to read this year? Our Common Read is Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square by Paul Rasor (Skinner House Books, 2013). The book asserts that conservative Christianity is not the only valid religious voice in our national social policy. The 2014-15 Common Read invites Unitarian Universalists to explore and claim our contribution, as religious liberals, to the pressing moral and ethical debates of our contemporary world. This book is available for purchase at the Horizon Bookstore bookstore@horizonuu.org and in the Horizon Library. There is a discussion guide available (PDF, 20 pages) which offers plans for a single 90-minute session and a series of three 90-minute sessions
Why Participate? A Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read can build community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversations. Each year's Common Read is chosen by a committee including both headquarters and field staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Anyone may nominate a book.
Please consider reading Reclaiming Prophetic Witness and discussing it with your Horizon group, and be sure to let others know if this topic inspires you! Nancy Foreman
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AFTER CHURCH LUNCH BUNCH 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 We will meet there every Sunday in December (except December 7th, which is the Tree Trimming Party and potluck at Horizon). Ask for the “Horizon” tables. It may take a few minutes following the service for lunch attendees to arrive but we’re coming! This restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere, 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. One money-saving tip for eating there is to dine on one of their ample appetizers or soups! They have an additional menu of Asian food and a Kids Menu where meals are $4.95 and include a drink. Menus can be found at http://www.coyoteridgegolfclub.com/-grill-19.
December 7th: All Church Tree Trimming and 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 Tree Trimming Party volunteers for coordinating this month!
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HORIZON UU CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 6 8:00 am - 10:00 am Men's Support Group - E3 - Library 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Who's on First? - SH - Sanc. 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Rental - ISHA Institute - FH - Fellowship Hall, KI - Kitch, S1 - Nursery 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm UDV - Church Rental - E3 - Library, FH - Fellowship Hall, KI - Kitch, RL - Lobby / Narthex, S5 - Class, S6 – Class December 7 9:00 am - 10:00 am UU Christian Fellowship / Study - E3 - Library 9:00 am - 12:00 pm CAYRE - Child Care - S1 - Nursery 10:15 am - 12:00 pm Library Ministry - Open for Browsing - E3 - Library 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Main Worship - SH - Sanc. 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Tree-Trimming Party & Potluck - FH - Fellowship Hall, KI Kitch 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Wellspring 2014/15 - P2 - Couch 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm GALA Youth - S6 – Class December 8 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Yoga - P1 - Lg 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SMART Recovery - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Neighborhood Calling Circle - S2 - Class 7:15 pm - 9:00 pm Wisdom Circle - E3 - Library December 9 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Potluck (Seniors) Group - E3 - Library, KI - Kitch 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Buddhist Sangha - P1 - Lg, P2 - Couch
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HORIZON UU CALENDAR OF EVENTS December 10 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Library Ministry - E3 - Library 5:45 pm - 7:00 pm Restorative Yoga - P1 - Lg 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm WFIG (Women's Friendship in Growth) Chalice Circle - E3 Library
December 11 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Excel - Other - Playground, FH - Fellowship Hall, KI - Kitch, P1 - Lg, RL - Lobby / Narthex, S1 - Nursery, S2 - Class, S3 - Class, S4 - Class, S5 - Class, S6 - Class, S7 - Class 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Worship Arts Committee Meeting - MO - Minister's Office 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Choir Practice - FH - Fellowship Hall December 12 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Candlelighters - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Women's Bunco - FH - Fellowship Hall December 13 7:30 am - 12:30 pm Rental - Isha Institute - FH - Fellowship Hall, S1 - Nursery, S5 - Class 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 - Other - Offsite 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm UDV - E3 - Library, FH - Fellowship Hall
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! 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. CineMat CineMat meets on the 4th Saturday
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SPECIAL GROUPS of the month. Time depends on movie selected. Open to everyone. This fun group meets to see a movie chosen by the group and then goes to a coffee shop or restaurant to discuss the movie and socialize. 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 1st Thursdays, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm. Women age 21 and over. This group provides support and encouragement for women in helping them achieve their personal goals of improving their fitness level, eating more nutritionally, losing weight and learning to reduce daily stress. This group also participates in an annual service project, in local walk events and raises money healthywomen@horizonuu.org Men’s Support Group Saturdays, 8:00 am - 10:00 am. Men age 18 and over. The Men’s Support Group provides men a supportive, safe environment for sharing personal challenges and concerns in a confidential setting. Many men were socialized to share only things external to them. The Men’s Support Group offers a sanctuary to share more about matters of the heart. Try us out and see if we fit your needs. mensgroup@horizonuu.org Second Tuesday Potluck 2nd Tuesday (most months) 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm in the Library. Everyone is
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SPECIAL GROUPS welcome! This group meets for food, fellowship, deepening friendships and occasional field trips. Topics of interest are presented to the group after eating. There is also a subgroup that views a movie and has dinner together on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. secondtuesday@horizonuu.org Wisdom Circle Mondays 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm. Adults age 18 and over. Group meetings include a check-in and discussion of a weekly life issue topic selected by a group member. These have included appreciation, success and failure, fear, procrastination, staying optimistic in hard times, anger, healing, leaving a legacy, forgiveness, trust, and compassion. tuesdaywisdom@horizonuu.org Wings Parenting Mondays 9:30 am - 11:30 am (2 - 3 times a month). Parents of all ages. We welcome Moms and Dads to meet in the Horizon Church library. We have topics of interest not just about parenting UU children but personal and spiritual self-growth. Past topics have included: the philosophy of life according to Doctor Who, Karma, creating our "bucket list", our family trees, and what does it mean to be a UU parent. We also do a social outreach project once a year. Our schedule follows the school year and we break for school holidays and for the summer. During the school year, child care is provided. mondaywings@horizonuu.org
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SPECIAL GROUPS The Women’s Friendship in Growth (WFIG) 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9 pm, Horizon Library. Women age 18 and over. 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! wfig@horizonuu.org Young Adults Contact: YoungAdults@horizonuu.org for more details.