Weekly Newsletter for November 09, 2023

Zoom Links



Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acaQZ0PtyT


Ideas Worth Contemplating

1st and 3rd Sundays at 9:30 am

Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/97826544113?pwd=SVVPM2NaNm5vaXJtZmN3ZjgrU3l3UT09

Phone connection: 346-248-7799; Meeting ID: 978 2654 4113; Passcode: 932628


Worship Service on Zoom

Sundays at 11:45 am (2nd Sundays are Zoom only)

Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/95255929970?pwd=RjI2VCtOWExwT01ib1dDUHFXbjVsdz09

Phone Connections:346 248 7799; Meeting ID: 952 5592 9970; Passcode:  605730


Morning Coffee* with The Pastoral Care Team

Wednesdays at 10 am

https://zoom.us/j/95285490522

Hi, Wildflowers! Come check in about life, the universe and everything. 

Our Pastoral Care Team will continue to offer deep listening and support to members of our congregation. Jan Austin, formerly a Licensed Professional Counselor, will be available for 1:1 Zoom sessions with her if you wish at calendly.com/jhigaus


Board Meetings

1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/99578028139


Dance for Body and Spirit

Fridays at 9:30 am

Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/3330426480?pwd=a1BXQW9FVFlzWGRBTlVJSTdwdVBuZz09

Meeting ID: 333 042 6480; Passcode: letsdance

Sunday Service

Zoom Only

Sunday, November 12 at 11:45 am

Service Leader: Matt Meyer

Call and Response

Some creation myths describe speech, the word, as the first creative act. But it seems more likely that music came first. Humanity may have created itself with singing and in turn, learning to listen. Join us for a celebration of community and connection through song and rhythm.


Bio of Guest Worship Leader:  Matt is a musician and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston.

If you’re interested in viewing a recent service, contact the Worship Team at worship.team@wildflowerchurch.org.


Service Feedback for the worship team


Religious Education For Children and Youth

No meeting on 2nd Sundays- Zoom Only Service

Children (age 5 and older) and Youth will be meeting in person in their classes after being present in the sanctuary for the first part of the service. Children 6 weeks to 4 years of age are welcome in our Nursery.



Congregational Information


2024 Stewardship/Pledge Drive!

It's that time of year again -- time to make our pledges to fund our church next year! This year, our goal is to be Grounded in Giving and raise $150,000 in pledges! You should have received an email about our campaign already -- if you didn't get that, please let us know at stewardship@wildflowerchurch.org and we'll send it to you. And please make your pledge as soon as you are able using this form. Paper forms will also be available at church this Sunday. For more information, see https://wildflowerchurch.org/2024-pledge-drive/ or contact us at stewardship@wildflowerchurch.org.

AISD is holding two meetings, one virtual and one in-person, to share updates about the design of the new Travis high school and collect community input:

 

Join us on November 8 or 9 for an update on the design of the modernization of Travis Early College High School!


VIRTUAL

Date: Wednesday, November 8

Time: 5-6:00 p.m.

Link: bit.ly/travis-community-meeting-1


IN-PERSON

Date: Thursday, November 9

Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Location: Travis Early College High School, 1211 E. Oltorf St., Austin, TX 78704

Interpretation into Spanish will be available at both meeting options.

Faith Fall Work Day

 THIS Saturday November 11 from 9am- 12pm

Join our campus partners this Saturday, Nov 11, from 9am-12pm (or whenever you can fit it in!) This is our church too and the upkeeping of the grounds is our responsibility as well as Faith's. This would also be a great day to work in the Wildflower Community Room.


  • Sanctuary - dusting, cleaning pews 
  • Sanctuary & courtyard - outside garden beds 
  • Sanctuary entry groundcover restoration
  • Fellowship Hall - clean up restrooms, kitchen, paint shed
  • Beat-up worn chairs in the Parlor - going away 
  • MPB office area - clean up the workroom area
  • Clean out the gutters 
  • Courtyard weeding & trash cleanup
  • Community Garden - clean out beds that aren’t being used, to make them more attractive for adoption 
  • Remove various discarded CDC furniture & toys from the playground areas. 


Richard will bring his trailer to haul off whatever bulky items need to be hauled off. 

If Saturday morning doesn’t work for you, pick another time that does. Thanks to Linda, Jean and anyone else from Faith that got started earlier this week!! 

For questions and to RSVP, please contact David Arctur, dka@darctur.com

Are we ready for Hospitality after in-person churches?

The Board is trying to determine whether we have the people power needed to start having snacks and coffee after every in-person worship service. This would require 3 Hospitality Teams with 12 people on each team. Are we ready for this? Please fill out this form to let us know. Even if your answer is No, please fill out the form as it helps us to know! Thank you!

Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting: Dec. 3 at 1:30 pm in the Wildflower Community Room

(and via Zoom)

We will be voting on the 2024 budget and lease as well as nominees for the Nominating and Endowment Committees. Please watch your email for the agenda and other documents, and email board@wildflowerchurch.org if you have any questions.

Worship Team Corner:

November 2023 Sunday Services 

During November we will be focusing on the theme of Abundance. All services begin at 11:45 am and last approximately 60-75 minutes. Please join us in person or on Zoom for our blended services. Our Zoom only service is the second Sunday of the month.


Our worship leaders/creators for the month will be:


  • November 12 (Zoom only) - Matt Meyer - NO CYRE* classes
  • November 19 (blended) - Simone Monique Barnes - CYRE* classes
  • November 26 (blended) - Bis Thornton - NO CYRE* classes


*CYRE: Children and Youth Religious Education


The Worship team would love to have your feedback on our services.

Here is a form for that very purpose!

Ongoing Events


Morning Coffee* with The Pastoral Care Team

Wednesdays at 10 am

https://zoom.us/j/95285490522

Hi, Wildflowers! Come check in about life, the universe and everything. 


Our Pastoral Care Team will continue to offer deep listening and support to members of our congregation. Jan Austin, formerly a Licensed Professional Counselor, will be available for 1:1 Zoom sessions with her if you wish at calendly.com/jhigaus

Dance for Body and Spirit

Fridays at 9:30 am

Zoom link at top in shaded box

Dance as a spiritual practice, for all ages (adults and kids), genders, abilities, and fitness levels. Set an intention for joy, energy, movement, and community. Open to Wildflowers and wider community, led by Affiliated Community Minister Rev. Erin Walter. Questions or song requests, contact erinjwalter@gmail.com.


Weekly Choir Practice

Saturdays at 1-2 pm

Wildflower Community Room

Ideas Worth Contemplating

1st and 3rd Sundays at 9:30 am

Zoom link at top in shaded box

Ideas Worth Contemplating is an ongoing group led by Wildflower Mike Ignatowski that uses inspiring and thought-provoking TED Talks to generate discussion about important topics.


Lunch Bunch: 1st Sunday of every month, after the worship service at various nearby restaurants

Potluck: 3rd Sunday of every month, after the worship service in the Community Room



Regional Information

 Annual Austin Powwow   

Saturday, November 18 from 9am-9pm at the Travis County Expo Center

The Annual Austin Powwow is a social gathering where many different Native American communities come together for the largest one-day powwow in the country. For 30 years, this unique Austin event has featured literally hundreds of Native American dancers, singers, musicians, artists, and craftsmen. Family, friends, food, art, and culture are enjoyed throughout the day. The songs and dances you will experience are not only based on ancient traditions but are also living cultural expressions of creativity and innovation. 

Read here for Erin's "Love and Witness from the Border" letter.

TEXAS UU JUSTICE MINISTRY NEWS: (10/25/23): TXUUJM is working for public education, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and more, and is getting ready for a trip to the border in solidarity with migrants and border communities. You can travel or help fund a traveler! Click here for the latest news from our UU state action network, and click here to sign up for TXUUJM e-news and to become a Chalice Lighter

Austin Queer and Crafty Meetup

Saturdays at 4-6 pm

Quackenbush's

Meetup Group: https://meetu.ps/e/M1j1k/gHCX4/j 

and also on Discord server: https://discord.gg/vcnJ3UdfVJ

For Your Information


Content Submission Guidelines

NOTE: Please do not use ALL CAPS nor "quotation marks" when submitting content.

Please submit content for weekly newsletter using this form: bit.ly/wildflowerannounce

Content should be submitted no more than (approximately) 2 weeks in advance of event.

Weekly Newsletter:

Wednesday by 12 PM

Weekly Announcement Insert:

Fridays by 12 pm

Don't be left out!

Join "The Info List", Wildflower's informal email networking system.

It's free and it's easy!!

Many of our members are unaware of our informal electronic mailing list. This list can be very useful to share information about a variety of subjects, including upcoming non-church-related events, recommendations requests for various services [i.e. plumbers], sale or service offers, etc. Being listed in our database does not automatically subscribe one to the Info List. Subscription is required in order to participate. Instructions to subscribe can be accessed here:

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There are a few guidelines regarding the content of the emails that we ask everyone to follow but other than that, it is free and it is easy! Happy Networking!!