December 1, 2022
This Week
Worship
December 4, 10:00am - In Person or online (visit www.liveoakuu.org for the link)
A Holy Darkness
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford

It is the time of the days getting shorter, more dark than light. Darkness provides its own spiritual gifts and as we draw nearer to the Solstice, we have the chance to go inward.

A Few Words from the Minister
All the Things at Live Oak - Bring a Friend!

One of the most surprising things to me since I began creating TikTok videos introducing people to Unitarian Universalism was how many people are completely intimidated at the idea of walking into a church.

Share the Plate
Meeting medical needs in our community

Lone Star Circle of Care will receive December donations to Share the Plate. This local nonprofit
provides medical care to Central Texans regardless of
how much they can pay.

Services include primary care for all ages, obstetric and gynecological care, eyeglasses, dentistry, behavioral therapy and more. They operate 26 locations, including in Cedar Park and Round Rock. More than 100,000 individuals receive care through LSCC annually. You can learn more about its programs at www.lonestarcares.org.

Contribute to Share the Plate during Sunday services or donate on our website. All checks and envelopes marked “Share the Plate” and half of all undesignated cash during the services will be donated to recipients. Or go to https://www.liveoakuu.org/community/donate/
Special Notices

Click on the picture below - it's linked to the Roots & Wings newsletter!
Read about the Voice of a Movement Class here

Share the Plate
Handing off the Plate

Share the Plate is a Sunday tradition at Live Oak. This tradition is one of our ways of raising awareness, and supporting and partnering with worthy organizations in our community who uphold our UU values and sense of justice. Each Sunday, through Share the Plate, we have an opportunity to make real our commitment to justice. 50% of the cash collected goes to a selected non-profit, while 50% goes to the church's operating fund.

Share the Plate is housed in our Social Justice Ministry Team and is coordinated by a team member. Every four months, the SJM Team receives nominations and makes selections of recipients.

Our StP Coordinator position is currently vacant and we need a member to step in and help with this work. The StP Coordinator:

  • Collects nominations for the four month period
  • Vets each nomination for 501c status
  • Presents a description of the nominations from websites
  • Presides over a vote for recipients
  • Notifies LOUU Administrator of the recipients
  • Writes a newsletter article each month describing the month’s recipient

The StP operation is open to modification.

Please contact me at gregory.waynea@gmail.com with questions or interest in leading this effort.

Congregational Meeting
Important votes on Dec. 11

Our semiannual Congregational Meeting will be Sunday, Dec. 11, following the morning service. The agenda includes votes on a proposed budget for 2023 and on the 8th Principle, plus a review of church milestones in 2022 and the board's goals for 2023.

The meeting will be in the sanctuary but also live streamed. Those members not able to attend in person will be able to vote online. A quorum is required to conduct business at the meeting.

In adopting the 8th Principle, the church would commit to take action to "accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions." Watch the newsletter for more information about this new principle.

If you have any questions about the upcoming meeting, email Becky Gregory at becky.b.gregory@gmail.com.
Adopting the 8th Principle
WE is a spiritual practice

The 8th principle states: "We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions." 

We hear about Beloved Community pretty much every Sunday. What does it mean? Read More

Some Resources Regarding the 8th Principle:
Learn more before this important vote!
Upcoming Events in December
Almost time to hang the Greens!
It's beginning to feel a lot like the Holidays

Happy Solstice everyone! It's almost time to decorate the church for the Holidays. This year, we'll be hanging the Greens on Sunday, December 4th at noon, after the Religious Education classes. Live Oak will supply lunch in the form of pizza, salad, and soft drinks. (And, if we're lucky, we'll have an elevator to help with getting the decorations downstairs!)
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like (the) Christmas (Mitten Tree)
Here is your annual chance to play Santa’s helper
Bizarre or Bazaar? You choose!
Calling All Crafters (Elves or Not!)
Santa's elves are busy at the North Pole, and you could be busy helping Live Oak's very own Santa raise funds for Live Oak with your own handmade items. Do you do woodwork? Fiber Arts? Candles? Soap Making? Sculpting? Something even more fun that I haven't thought of? In conjunction with Selfies with Santa, Live Oak is hosting its own craft bazaar. It is a great way for us to use our creative talents and donate to LOUU. Please let Alison McPherson know if you would like to make a donation or help on the day of the event.

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In the Community
 TXUUJM Celebrates YOU in 2022!  Click here for the latest newsletter from the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry. Our state action network sends its gratitude to member congregations, volunteers, and donors after a powerful year of justice action! TXUUJM has also posted a job opening for a community organizer, is seeking new board members, and has opened registration for the 10th Anniversary event on Jan. 21, 2023. Stay update to date: click here to sign up to receive TXUUJM news directly.
Upcoming Events at UBarU

Winter Family Camp Dec 16-19

LiveOakUU.org Pages to Visit:
Worship Service & Fellowship Hour: http://www.liveoakuu.org/
Community Outreach & Social Justice: http://www.liveoakuu.org/justice/
The deadline for the weekly e-newsletter and the Sunday announcements is midnight on Tuesday. The submission form can be found here
If you have any questions or comments about this Newsletter please email: editor@liveoakuu.org