November 11, 2021
This Week
Worship
11/7/2021
Public Education is Under Attack
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford
 
Across the United States, people are showing up at school board meetings to protest various recent controversies. But there is an underlying battle that has been waged since 1848 when Unitarian Horace Mann said ““Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery.”



Join us for Worship at 9:30am in person or online: the link will be on the Live Oak homepage: www.liveoakuu.org

Join us for Fellowship Time immediately following the service (approx. 10:15/10:30): https://link.liveoakuu.org/FellowshipHour

Share the Plate
Giving Thanks Through Sharing Our Plate
Here’s your chance to share a meal though Share the Plate.
Our November 2021 Share the Plate community partner is the Round Rock Area Serving Center. The Serving Center offers many programs and services: The Community Gardens, clothing and furniture vouchers, Computers for Kids, Keep Round Rock Warm, alternative loan repayment program, and financial assistance (utilities, rent, prescriptions, transportation & temporary lodging). It also runs a food pantry initiative that distributes fresh fruits and vegetables to the Round Rock area community.

RRASC was chosen as our partner specifically for November, as Americans give thanks for their abundance. www.rrasc.org

Go to the Donate link on the Live Oak website’s home page. Use the drop down menu to designate your donation for “Share the Plate”. In addition to those designated donations, half of all undesignated gifts in November will go to the fund.
A Few Words from the Minister
Mutual Aid, Social-Cooperation, Civic Activity, Hospitality, and Caring for Others
Live Oak is a laboratory and training institute for just such a future...read more
A Few Words from the DLFD
(Director of Lifespan Faith Development)
Children & Social Action
This Sunday you can help homeless young adults...read more

Special Notices
Elevator Contractor Selected!
The Capital Fund Committee is very excited to announce that we have selected Jimmy Jacobs Construction as the winning bid to construct our elevator! We received revised bids from two companies, and JJC was both the most thorough and least expensive. They previously did the door accessibility remodel, so we have a good working history already. Scheduling should happen sometime after the contract is executed this week. Thank you for your continued support of our Capital Campaign!
- CT Goss
Faith Development 11.8 to 11.14.21
LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES
Live Oak UU Church - November 14, 2021
 
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood 
and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather 
teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
 
 
November 14 - Is it Possible to be an Activist Using My Treasure and Ideas?
Theme: With the collective use of member’s treasure, we can find ways to support agencies that share our values.  
Presenters: Cindy La Greca
                  Leader of the Share the Plate Team

Women's Labyrinth Group on Zoom
Sunday, November 14, 6:30-9 p.m.
Join us for a sharing circle followed by a finger labyrinth walk. We are exploring the three-fold path of the labyrinth: Releasing, Receiving, and Returning. This month we’ll focus on Receiving: listening to the wisdom of Spirit within us and within all that is outside of us. Feel free to bring a song, a poem, or a short reading. The group is open to women high school age and older. The Zoom link with be sent via email for those who are on the email list for the Women’s Labyrinth Group. If you need a copy of the Live Oak Labyrinth and/or the Zoom link, contact: Linda Webster (lilithfree2@gmail.com)

CHANGE IN MEETING TIME
The Environmental Awareness Group will meet on Thursday November 18th at 6:30pm. In preparation for the meeting, please look at the webpage where you will find some interesting readings that will be discussed at the meeting. Please plan on joining the meeting as our church tackles environmental concerns. For more information contact Chris Mihealsick

Come join the Zoom party
Have fun playing Pictionary and other games at one of our ESL ZOOM parties.
Students and their friends/and family celebrate with us. This would be a fun way for you to meet some of our wonderful students. All ages welcome.

Wednesday 11/17
ESL ZOOM Party – join us for Pictionary and other games. Artistic talents NOT required. Some of our students’ children also join us
• 10:00-11:30 am – morning party Zoom link
• 7:00-8:30 pm – evening party Zoom link
Thursday 11/18
ESL ZOOM Party – join us for Pictionary and other games. Artistic talents NOT required. Some of our students’ children also join us.
• 10:00-11:30 am – morning party Zoom link
• 7:00-8:30 pm – evening party Zoom link

"Feast of Breads" Returns to Live Oak Nov. 21
Oh, Live Oak, I can't wait to break bread with you once again! Sunday, Nov. 21, we will have our annual "bread communion." This service celebrates the heritage of each individual and honors how the life experiences of each member "feed" the rest of the community.

If you are willing to be a helper for this service -- pouring cider, slicing bread, setting up -- please let me know at minister@liveoakuu.org.

Until then, be thinking about the bread you want to make/buy and bring to share. It may be a bread from your cultural heritage, one you grew up eating, or one that has become meaningful to you as an adult.

Spring 2022 Campout!
It's been awhile, let's do this!
The 2022 spring campout will be the weekend of April 8-10 at Cedar Breaks Park on Lake Georgetown. Make your reservation here. It’s a COE (Corps of Engineers) park so if you have a national parks pass, you can use it here. I’ve made my reservation in one of the 20s facing the lake, if you want to try to be in the same area.

Everyone, friends and members alike, are welcome to camp with us! And if you just want to come out for the day it’s not far from Austin. Join the Live Oak UU Camping Group on Facebook here There you can ask questions and communicate with others about the campout.

Watch this space for more detailed info in future newsletters. - Jen Swan
HELP DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO OUR NEIGHBORS

Live Oak Church will be distributing food to our neighbors at Fresh Food Friday and need volunteers to help.

* Thursday, November 18 @ 1:00 p.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. food needs to be separated into smaller quantities for distribution. Meet at Hill Country Community Ministries, 1005 Lacy Dr, Leander, TX 78641

* Friday, November 19 @ 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Live Oak parking lot. This is when we distribute the food to our neighbors. Volunteers are needed to set up, direct people to the drive through area, collect client information, and place food in the client’s trunk. You do not need to remain the entire 2 & 1/2 hours.

HCCM has asked for 7 people for each activity. We are asking you to please let us know if you will be able to participate in either activity, so we know if we have enough or too many people.

To RSVP or for any questions please contact Donna Durbin.
Used Laptops and Tablets Needed for Literacy Programs
Laptops and Tablets support Literacy students (ESL & ABE)
There are several programs we install to support English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education students. Used computers/tablets are set back to factory settings and all previous data removed. We especially need Windows machines for one of the programs. If you can help, contact Mary Hengstebeck (mary.hengstebeck@gmail.com 512-983-7009)

Christmas Pageant
I can't believe it is time again but here it is. This year is a strange one for sure, but we are forging ahead with our live worship that will also be livestreamed. We need singers, mimes, storytellers, and readers. People of all ages are welcome.
This year's theme is A Very Unitarian Christmas.
Pageant date: December 12, 9:30 AM. There will be one blocking rehearsal on Saturday, December 11, 9:30 AM. There may be additional rehearsals for the singers. Rebecca will provide recordings for practicing the songs at home.
If you would like to help with this fun, active worship service, please fill out the form below.
??? - contact Carrie Krause, dlfd@liveoakuu.org.

The Condor and the Eagle Film Screening and Discussion
Gather to watch the award-winning environmental documentary followed by a discussion. Read more

Help with the Holidays
Our Fresh Food Fridays partner – Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM) is gathering a few special items for their holiday meal kit. Grab your green bag (or any bag) and pick up a few of the suggested items - canned corn, canned sweet potatoes, Jello, pudding, pie filling, canned peaches, cranberry sauce. The HCCM monthly needs list can be found here. Want a Live Oak Green Bag for HCCM Donations? You can pick one up on Sundays or at the church during office hours.
Live Oak Seniors' Coffee Hour
Join Rev. Joanna for Coffee hour on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 10:30am. November's discussion topics:
  • November 4 - Mystical Experiences
  • November 18 - Food & Nostalgia
The Zoom link will be on the What's Happening page.
Call for Share the Plate Nominations
The share-the-plate team is now accepting nominations for next year’s partners.
This year, we will be accepting nominations quarterly—we will plan partners 3 months at a time so that we can choose new partners as the year’s news and events unfold. This means we will need your help on an on-going basis. Nominees can be local, state, or federal 501(c)3 organizations that share our UU values and mission. Submit your suggestions here:

Nominations are accepted from LOUU members, friends, and youth.

The Mitten Tree is Back
Is it really time for the holidays again? The mitten tree says ‘yes.’
As you remember, LOUU partners every year with Hill Country Christmas Bureau. After some experimenting last year with how to navigate the mitten tree in a pandemic, the elves at the Christmas Bureau have asked us to just focus on a few different types of items that will cover a lot of the requests they get each year. Because we like alliteration, we decided to go with blankets and board games. Purchase any size or style of blanket, and/or board games for any ages, and drop them off at church unwrapped on December 12th.
That’s the day of the LOUU pageant, so bring the blankets and board games to service for collection. We will likely have an after-service drive-through option as well (details will be confirmed as we know them). If you have an item to donate but can’t get there on the 12th, please let Cindy La Greca know and we will figure out another day.

LOUU typical overachieves on the mitten tree and I hope this year is no exception.

LiveOakUU.org Pages to Visit:
Worship Service & Fellowship Hour: http://www.liveoakuu.org/
Community Outreach & Social Justice: http://www.liveoakuu.org/justice/
In the Community
Online Meditation Group
Meditation is a skill strengthened with practice. Join us on Tuesdays at 6:30 Central to share 30 minutes with other meditators.  On the third Tuesday of each month, we add an extra half hour to explore different forms of meditation. The group is led by two Unitarian Universalist ministers, Rev. Betty Skwarek, and Rev. Rob Moore. We meet on Zoom To register follow this link.
For more information, contact Rev. Betty Skwarek at hskwarek@uuma.org or  512-994-8748.
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