Weekly Newsletter for November 16, 2023 | |
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Sunday Service
In Person and on Zoom
Sunday, November 19 at 11:45 am
Service Leader: Simone Monique Barnes
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Are you giving the world the best of you or what's left of you?
We often enthusiastically sing the words of the hymn, ”This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” But how can you let your light shine with no oil left in your lamp? Simone Monique Barnes reflects on giving from a place of abundance.
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Bio of Guest Worship Leader: An interdisciplinary artist, writer, educator, and lay minister, Simone Monique Barnes works in community ministry, and is a regular guest worship leader and lay speaker at Wildflower UU in Austin TX. She loves grounded, centering, and joy filled practices that provide the fuel she needs to stay in “good trouble” doing the work to build and nurture the beloved community.
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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.
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Congregational Information | |
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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. | |
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Monthly Potluck this Sunday, Nov. 19!
Don't miss the potluck this Sunday! Sign up here to set up, clean up, or bring food!
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Collective Reflections from Wildflower’s Service on November 5th
What a wonderful service we had on November 5th! Simone Monique Barnes led us in exploring the concept of the “ministry of presence” – those healing moments big and small where others showed up for us when needed or when collectively, Wildflowers act with this “ministry of presence.”
Here are the ways Wildflowers shared that they experience the “ministry of presence” and how Wildflower shows up with “presence”. Thank you, Simone, for inviting this rich collection of examples of presence!!
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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!
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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.
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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:
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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!
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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
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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.
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Weekly Choir Practice
Saturdays at 1-2 pm
Wildflower Community Room
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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.
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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
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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.
|  | TEXAS UU JUSTICE MINISTRY NEWS (11/14/23): Click here for the latest news from our UU state action network, including the final Action Hour of the year, BIPOC Connection Circles, and the TXUUJM 2023 Year-End Celebration (virtual) on Nov. 29th! Registration has just opened. Sign up here. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! Please also click here to sign up for TXUUJM e-news and to become a Chalice Lighter. | Read here for Erin's "Love and Witness from the Border" letter. | |
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.
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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
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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:
https://wildflowerchurch.org/email-lists/
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!!
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