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Live Oak
Unitarian Universalist Church
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Opening the Question Box
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford
What questions do you have about Unitarian Universalism, Live Oak, or life in general? Rev. Joanna will be answering questions on the fly during this fun and informative service.
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Share the Plate
Going forward with Lilith Fund
Lilith Fund, the oldest abortion fund in Texas, is our Share the Plate recipient for September. It has been forced to pause direct funding of abortions while it evaluates the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's summer decision in the Dobbs case and Texas laws that have made almost all abortions illegal in the state.
As of August, Lilith Fund is offering direct financial assistance for non-abortion reproductive healthcare, including ultrasounds, screenings, contraceptives, counseling and more. The Fund also is assisting Texans who are traveling out of state for care. The group continues to operate its hotline to provide information to callers and continues to build reproductive justice programming in compliance with the law. You can learn more at lilithfund.org.
You can 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/
The Social Justice Ministry Team in August selected Share the Plate recipients for the last four months of 2022. The other nonprofits selected are Hospice Austin (October), Hope Alliance (November) and Lone Star Circle of Care (December).
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A Few Words from the Minister
Baby/Child Dedication Oct 2
I think it's one of the most meaningful and beautiful things we do -- our ritual of child dedication, and what it does - and doesn't - mean. Read more
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This Sunday is a Question Box Sunday!
So let's get to know each other. Parents ask the kids what they might like to know about the new DLFD. Shoot me their questions and they might be part of our Time of Wonder during this week's service.
See You Sunday!
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Important Rituals
There are rituals that begin with the new church year. Rituals that warm our souls as we gather in community sharing water and bread. And a ritual where we recommit to our beloved community. Our annual Stewardship Drive will be conducted during the month of September. Each person is asked to reevaluate their financial commitment to Live Oak. As we enter this period, we ask that you be generous.
Thank you, the Stewardship Committee
Joel Bercu, Leader
Sue Buckley, Tim Buckley, Barbara Coldrion, Linda McCullough,
Becky McPherson, Liz Schwab & Diane Stepakof-Fay
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Intern at Live Oak
Carrie Holley-Hurt
Carrie Holley-Hurt (she/her/hers) is a third-year seminary student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a Candidate for Fellowship through the UUA. Carrie recently completed her chaplaincy internship through the Ascension Seton program and was reaffirmed in her passion for pastoral care. Read more
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Women's Labyrinth Group
Sunday, September 11, 6:30-9 p.m.
We return to the Live Oak labyrinth for an in-person labyrinth walk in the time of the upcoming Fall Equinox (September 22). We take stock of our harvest with gratitude, and we ponder needs for balance in our lives. Join us as we walk the path that “calls us from the center of who we are and who we long to be.” Please bring items for our altar, such as a symbol of your harvest, an image of balance, or something that you are grateful for. The group is open to women high school age and older. NOTE: In case of rain, we will meet on Zoom for a finger labyrinth walk. I will send the Zoom link on Sunday afternoon. You may also contact me for questions: Linda Webster
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Social Justice News
HELLO FRIENDS! Does your vote make any difference?
Here’s three answers: YES. YES. And YES. Just a snippet of when just 1 VOTE made a difference. (Thanks to Debbie MaKay of Sonoma County, CA for the list.)
When one vote changed history:
1800: 1 VOTE made Thomas Jefferson president instead of Aaron Burr
1850: 1 VOTE admitted California and Oregon into the United States
1868: 1 VOTE save President Andrew Johnson from an impeachment conviction
1876: 1 VOTE made Rutherford B. Hayes a U.S. President and 1 VOTE elected the Indiana Electoral College member who voted for Hayes
1910: 1 VOTE decided the Congressional election in New York
1920: 1 VOTE in the Tennessee legislature ratified the 19th amendment and gave
women the right to vote
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VoteForward September 11
Join us after the service Sept. 11 to prepare MORE VoteForward mail
Our numbers of letters ready to mail and numbers of LOUU members helping are both increasing. Join us after the service Sunday, September 11 to get more letters ready for the national mail-out Oct. 29. Bring your own printed letters, or come to help get other letters ready for mailing. We provide blue pens, stamps, envelopes, and info. Anyone can help with this effort. https://votefwd.org/
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Environmental Awareness Team September Meeting
September 15, 2022
6:30pm on Zoom
The focus of this month’s meeting will be to understand sustainability, and how it relates to different value systems that people hold and can be integrated in a more holistic way to daily life based on what people already value.
Chris Mihealsick
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Are We a 100% Voting Congregation?
Sign our LOUU voting pledge and get counted
If you are registered to vote and are committed to voting November 8, please sign a Live Oak voting pledge card. You can find the cards in the narthex next to the bright green return box. If you have already signed the card, how about reminding other members to make the pledge too. So far this election cycle, it looks like less than 20% of us plan to vote!
The deadline to register for the fall election is Oct. 11. If you need to register or know someone who does, contact one of the Live Oak Volunteer Deputy Registrars. Their contact info is on the Voting Rights Team page on the Live Oak website.
Consider volunteering to be an election poll worker too. Did you know people as young as 16 can be election clerks?
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Upcoming: Ted Lasso & Bowen Discussion Group
Mark your calendar! Beginning in October, Rev. Joanna will be showing episodes of Ted Lasso then leading a discussion group around the Bowen Family Systems concepts shown in the show -- things like triangulation, differentiation, etc. The group will meet in the library on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. If you're interested, email minister@liveoakuu.org to reserve a spot.
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Time To Add To Your Shopping List
It’s time to grab your green bag or any bag and help feed our neighbors. Bring food and other items for Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM), our Fresh Food for All partner, to church and leave them in the narthex. Last month we donated 203 pounds! Some of the highlighted canned items are chicken, tomatoes, soup, corn, pineapple, apple sauce. The complete needs list can be found here.
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VoteForward September 11
Join us after the service Sept. 11 to prepare MORE VoteForward mail
Our numbers of letters ready to mail and numbers of LOUU members helping are both increasing. Join us after the service Sunday, September 11 to get more letters ready for the national mail-out Oct. 29. Bring your own printed letters, or come to help get other letters ready for mailing. We provide blue pens, stamps, envelopes, and info. Anyone can help with this effort. https://votefwd.org/
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1st Meeting - LOUU Pagan Discussion Group
Calling all Witches, Pagans, Druids, Oh my, Let's Meet!
At long last, the first meeting of the new LOUU Pagan Discussion Group is set for Sept. 13! If you have the Moon in your blood, the Earth in your soul, and stars in your eyes, be welcome.
This first meeting will be devoted to getting acquainted and figuring out our goals, format, and meeting schedule. This group is geared toward adults of all or no genders as well as any age, level of experience (or none!), or tradition that meshes up with the 7 Principles. Possible activities include book discussions, workshops, rituals, meditations, and a lot more.
There will even be treats. Witches and cookies, who can resist? We'll meet in the Live Oak UU Library at 7-8:30pm on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
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HELP DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Live Oak Church will be distributing food to our neighbors at Fresh Food for All and need volunteers to help.
This month, on Friday, September 15th, Fresh Food For All participants will be able to select their own produce (Farmer's Market style), instead of having the prepackaged produce placed in their car trunks. We will need to help fill bags, direct traffic, weigh the food, and help people carry food to their cars. If you can help anytime on September 15th between 8:30 and 11AM. RSVP to Donna Durbin at: HCCM@liveoakuu.org
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COORDINATOR NEEDED
Literacy Program - Adult Basic Education
Are you inclined toward organization, encouraging people on a team, and record keeping?
The coordinator for ABE is moving out of the area. One or two people are needed to take over the various tasks necessary to run this small to medium-sized program. If you are interested in learning more, contact Kim Ono (908-392-1888, biwabiwa@austin.rr.com) or Mary Hengstebeck (512-983-7009, mary.hengstebeck@gmail.com)
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LOUU Church 30th Anniversary Celebration!
Our church has been in existence for 30 years!
Come celebrate on Saturday, Oct 1 from 3-7 p.m. All members and friends, current and past, are welcome! We'll be sending out email invitations soon but feel free to reach out and invite anyone you think might like to come. Come listen to live music, meet special guests, create memories at our photo booth, bring instruments and jam in Common Ground, visit our booths, enjoy our Universal Meal dishes as well as popcorn and cotton candy, and connect with members and friends from past to present!
You can access an Event page for this from the Interests and Events Facebook page, and RSVP there if you wish.
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Literacy Program News
Give Immigrants a Voice!
Teach & Learn Together
You can positively impact the lives of refugees and immigrants. Literacy helps them get better jobs and feel more confident in their local community. Helping them enriches both the teacher’s and the student’s lives. LOUU supports two Literacy programs: ABE, and ESL There are multiple opportunities to help ranging from 30 min./week to a few hours/week. Read more
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We have a surprise, a totally unexpected vivid bloom of a wild pear tree in in our backyard. Strange things happen when it rains after a too hot summer. |
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Fall events at UBarU:
Bioblitz Oct 7-9
Women Aligned retreat Oct 14-16
Men Aligned retreat Oct 21-23
Winter Family Camp Dec 16-19
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LiveOakUU.org Pages to Visit:
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The deadline for the weekly e-newsletter and the Sunday announcements is midnight on Tuesday. The submission form can be found here
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Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church
(737) 240-3455 | 3315 El Salido Pkwy, Cedar Park, TX 78613
www.liveoakuu.org
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