Min. Krista's Office Hours: by appointment (you can also email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to set up another time to talk)

Do you need assistance with transportation or are you available to help out those who do?

We're implementing a new program to help coordinate rides and other transportation issues! Each week we'll have a designated Care Coordinator who will help match up those in need of a ride with trustworthy volunteers. To make arrangements prior to church email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before 6pm Saturday or speak with the Care Coordinator listed in the Order of Service on Sunday morning.

Adult Religious Exploration - Two choices this week!

Vegan Recipe Exchange

We invite anyone interested sharing vegan recipes to meet with Becky Allen this Sunday. Becky has started a vegan SMUUF group on Facebook. Please join SMUUV and learn more about veganism and how it reflects our UU values: SMUUV FB Group

SMUUF Membership Class 

We invite anyone interested in learning more about SMUUF and membership to attend a Membership class. We're planning a New Member service on Sunday, March 8 and folks should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on the class and/or to be part of the service.

Childcare available, and coffee as we get closer to service 

Board of Trustees Meeting

The Board of Trustees will meet after service, all are welcome to attend. Click here to view the agenda.

FUUDies (Fantastic UU Diners) 

THIS WEEK: Grin's Restuarant, 802 N. LBJ Drive, San Marcos

The Fantastic UU Diners eat together after church at a different local restaurant almost every Sunday. The FUUDies always welcome new people. Please tell Jeannie before or after the Sunday service if you plan to attend so we can save a seat for you!

Conregational Concern Meeting w/SMUUF Board and Rev. Krista

The Board of Trustees and Rev. Krista Weber Huang would like to invite any concerned members and friends to join us for a conversation about the resignation of our Director of Religious Education, Laura Haygood, and her spouse, our accompanist, Mark Haygood. We will meet after worship in the sanctuary. The Board of Trustees and Rev. Krista will give their perspectives on the matter, within the bounds of confidentiality, and talk about what new policies and procedures are being implemented as a result of what we've learned through this process. There will also be opportunities for discussion and questions. We hope this forum allows all of us to continue healing, have our voices heard, and envision how we can do better as we move forward together.

Save the Date - SMUUF Retreat at Texas State University Camp - May 1-3

Also, we need volunteers to co-chair the event planning (activities, meals, music, etc.) Save the date for the SMUUF Retreat at the Texas State Campsite for May 1-3.

POSTPONED FOR NOW... Sunday RE Book Club - beginning TBD

We plan to add a 9:30 monthly Sunday RE Book Club, start date TBD. Jeanne Garthwaite (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) will facilitate. Please let her know ideas for the first book to read TBA soon. Books can be fiction, nonfiction and/or poetry.

Hospitality Lead Update

Members of Hospitality Team 4 are serving in February. Thanks to these folks for making coffee, providing refreshments, greeting, and generally making the church ready for worship and fellowship!

Dear SMUUF Families with Children,

We continue our Soul Matters unit on "Attending" in our RE classes. Children meet during the service after Time for All Ages. This week we will continue our lessons on "Awe".

Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) Lifespan Sexual Education has begun. Young people in grades 7-9 will meet through March 1. Grades 4-6 will meet January 5, through March 9. We are excited to offer this program to our community.

Thank you for being a part of the San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and for bringing your children to church! Our congregation is greatly blessed by their presence among us.

SOUL MATTERS THEMES FOR 2019-20 CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

October: Belonging

November: Attention

December: Awe

January: Integrity

February: Resilience

March: Wisdom

April: Liberation

May: Thresholds

June: Play 

RE Class Time

Children meet downstairs right after "Time for All Ages". Parents are asked to help children pick up their name tag at the top of the stairs and go into service. Children are welcomed into service in order to help them link with our larger community. They will be sung out after the story and met by teachers to go downstairs.

Room and Teacher Assignments:

Here are some upcoming events to mark in your calendar:

(A calendar is posted downstairs with dates and themes)

SEE YOU SUNDAY!!

Week of Friday, February 21  - Thursday, February 27

Check the SMUUF Calendar for current listings of activities

New Events

Corridor Interfaith Alliance for Families Meeting

The Corridor Interfaith Alliance for Families (CIAF) will have a Cluster Meeting for all member churches, schools, institutions, etc. in Hays County. This will be a great opportunity to hear about CIAF plans for 2020. All members of SMUUF are invited. During the last part of the meeting there will be a Round Table discussion about the CIAF agenda for this year with candidates for Texas House 45. So far Republicans – Carrie Isaac and Austin Talley and Democrat Erin Zwiener (Liliana Posada has dropped out of the race) have accepted the invitation to appear.

Craddock Island Cleanup

Meet at the corner of Craddock and Furman (our church property) for the first Spring cleanup. We will have help from City volunteers this season, so come for an hour or stay for the entire time. All hands are appreciated. Tools and safety vests will be provided, but bring your own reusable water bottle. Let’s work together to keep our islands green, so the city management does not decide to pave them with concrete. Questions? Contact Lisa Arceneaux 512-644-1927 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Jon Cradit at 512-557-7965 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Dan Gibson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. If you can’t make it due to the Mardi Gras parade, there will be more opportunities each months so don’t sweat it.

The Great San Marcos River Cleanup

SMUUF members can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c48aba72fa5fc1-great1 in the Sink Creek Watershed if you want to meetup with other SMUUF members. This watershed is where our property on Craddock is located so it is one that we typically sign up for. Lisa Arceneaux will not be leading a group this year, but will be in a group of SMUUF folks hopefully cleaning up Ringtail Ridge. Meet at the corner of LBJ and Craddock at the Sink Creek Watershed headquarters to get your bags, gloves and meet up with friends. Questions? Contact Lisa Arceneaux 512-644-1927 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Current Events

Book Group - How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

Carolyn Autry Jennings will be leading a book group on the book How To Be An AntiRacist at San Marcos and in Lockhart in February.

In San Marcos there are 12 seats reserved to discuss How To Be An AntiRacist for Feb. 18, 2020 from 7-8 pm.
In Lockhart, there is a much larger room available and the discussion on the book How To Be An AntiRacist will be Feb. 11 at 6:00 pm.

Weekly Events

SMUUF Choir

Sewing Guild

Meets Wednesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Allen Family home in Martindale

The Sewing Guild has made and delivered over 700 quilts to children in need.

Friday "Talk, Then Walk"

Meet at 10:00 a.m. @ Redbud Roasters for coffee, then a walk around the river or on a nearby hiking trail.

Enjoy good company, conversation, refreshments and a healthy walk. We usually walk about 45 minutes around the San Marcos River, Lower Purgatory, Ring Tail, Spring Preserve and other nature trails. Hope to see you there!

For more information, contact Garrie Borden at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Stand on Every Corner San Marcos - Fridays on the Square

We gather every Friday to protest the present administration, especially it’s mistreatment of emigrants crossing our southern Border.

Our hours are any time from 4:30 till 6:30 at the corner of LBJ and Hopkins, at the statue of Jack Hays. We have water and some extra signs.

Contact Ann Whitus: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Art Show at Wake the Dead - featuring SMUUF artist and subjects

SMUUF member Michael Hannon invites all of the SMUUF family and friends to his art show, which will be featured through the month of March at Wake the Dead. All of the subjects portrait subjects are affiliated with SMUUF. Michael will also be offering a class on scratch board drawing at my home/studio, on March eleventh, 10am to noon. COntact Michael at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

League of Women Voters Non-Partisan Voters Guide Available

The Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 3. Early Voting has begun and ends Friday, February 28, at the Hays County Government Center, 712 South Stagecoach Road and at other Voting Centers during regular business hours. Free Non-Partisan Voters Guides are available in the UCM Fellowship Hall. You need two — the Hays County one and the Texas State one. They contain lots of information about the Democratic and Republican candidates, as well as voting locations and times. See Jeannie Lewis, League of Women Voters Member, for more information.

Read more about the Unitarian Universalist Association's "UU the Vote" campaign at https://www.uua.org/justice/vote2020

Southwest Women's Unitarian Universalist Conference

One thing we're looking forward to in 2020 is the SWUUW Conference! We hope you can join us for some soulful sisterhood, engaging discussions, and some rockin' Cajun music!

All our conference information - including hotel information and booking link, keynote and musical guest bios, t-shirt info and more - can be found on our website.

SMCISD Health Fair

SMCISD is hosting a Health Fair on Saturday, March 7, from 8:00 am-11:00 am at the San Marcos High School. If you or your organization are interested in participating, go to bit.ly/SMCISDHF20 to register.

Contact Marissa Fehler if you are interested in attending! - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. Please join us Wednesday, June 24 through Sunday, June 28, 2020 in Providence, Rhode Island for this 5-day immersive experience where we participate in inspirational worship services and informative workshops, reconvene with friends and colleagues, and explore our bustling exhibit hall. GA is an unforgettable experience for the thousands of UUs who attend. Meet us in Providence and you’ll leave with renewed energy and innovative ideas to share with your congregation and community-at-large!

Registration is now open at uua.org/ga. Full-time registration is $400 for adults, $240 for high school youth, and $150 for off-site registrants. Register by March 15 for the lowest rate. Rates will increase on March 16 and again on May 1.

The UUA is committed to the goal of making GA accessible to as many attendees as possible. Go to uua.org/ga to learn about scholarships to support participation - particularly of those from marginalized groups - and volunteer opportunities (work in exchange for registration). 

In addition to a variety of nearby hotels, attendees will also be able to book dormitory-style accommodations at two local universities. Also, UUs from local congregations will serve as host families for Home Hospitality, which is B&B style accommodations. For more information, visit uua.org/ga. Make your hotel reservation beginning March 2 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern at uua.org/ga.

Attending the annual General Assembly as a high school aged youth is an incredible experience. Not only do youth get to worship, witness, learn and connect in a multigenerational continental community, youth can get to know hundreds of other youth and participate in making an impact on the Association through the democratic process.

The theme for General Assembly in June 2020 is Rooted, Inspired, & Ready! We are in touch with our theological roots, we are engaged in transforming our faith, and we are fired up to take action in the wider world.

UBarU Camp & Retreat Center Upcoming Events

There are some fun events coming up at UBarU Camp & Retreat Center! For more details and to register please go to www.ubaru.org. If you want to rent a cottage for a quiet weekend not during a retreat, email Robyn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Click each date to view the flyer (if available).

• Dec 27-30 - Winter Family Camp featuring Rev. Betty Skwarek as the chaplain

• Feb 14-17, 2020 - Fiber Arts weekend - Bring your projects - new, unfinished, stalled and share, learn and work on those projects in a community of fellow artists of all levels of experience.

• April 3-5, 2020 - Contemplative Spiritual Practices retreat - Join Rev. Moore and Sandy in a weekend of contemplation, spiritual growth and renewal.

• March 27-19 - Men-Aligned Retreat

• April 17-19 - Women-Aligned Retreat

• May 1-3 - Writer’s Weekend

• May 22-25 - Family Camp

• June & July - Summer Youth camps (based on age)

• July 12-18 - Human Sexuality Camp (base on the values of OWL) for rising 8-9th graders

A week of camp at UBarU is a time to make new friends and reconnect with old friends. We will swim in the beautiful limestone swimming tank, ponder the Milky Way on clear evenings, do some community service, walk the labyrinth, and take field trips to enjoy the gorgeous Texas Hill Country. And of course, we spend some time having fun while we deepen our UU faith.

San Marcos Contra Dance - 4th Sundays after SMUUF Service

San Marcos "4th Sunday" Contra Dance
All Dances are Prompted by a Caller... and Danced to Live Music!
Beginners Welcome! No Partner Necessary! This is a Family Friendly Event

We dance in the acoustically beautiful UCM Wesley Building. Free parking is available in the facility lot or the first level of the parking garage across the street.

$10 regular admission, with discounts for TAADA members and students.

For more information about Contra Dance: What is "Contra Dance"?

All dances held at:

United Campus Ministry, 510 N Guadalupe, San Marcos, TX
1:30-4:30pm

If you haven’t joined or renewed membership in TAADA, please bring the $20 and become a member. In addition to discounts on dances and access to dance reminders, your membership pays for our dance insurance and helps to keep dance prices lower.

Please come fragrance free for our dancers with allergies.

After the dance, some of us go to dinner at Italian Garden 2 blocks away to continue visiting. This is an open invitation and anyone can join us.

For more information and upcoming events, see our website https://sites.google.com/site/smcdtx

Joys and Concerns

• SMUUF Board of Trustees Secretary Anna Martinez and Michael Lien would like to announce Sofia Valentina Lien-Martinez was born Feb. 14th at 8:10 am weighing at 6 lbs 8 oz. Baby and Mama are doing well. Thank you for all the love and support, SMUUF. We will see you soon.

SMUUF Donates-the-Plate to Wimberley Pride

Our congregation gave generously to Wimberley Pride on Sunday, February 16 — $800. Marissa Fehler, one of the Wimberley Pride organizers, spoke on behalf of Wimberley Pride, and several members of the congregation who reside in Wimberley stood with her as she addressed the congregation.

The idea of a Pride March in Wimberley began May 3, 2018, with a simple post in a Facebook group. That post generated much excitement — on all sides of the debate. A founding committee began work in 2018, and they were delighted with the mostly positive reception to the plans for the first Wimberley Pride March. They have also been given the opportunity to hear some comments from those who have been less positive about the plans. But those people have so far been in the minority. However, they believe all in Wimberley can learn from this endeavor, so they listen with respect, as they expect others to do so to the LGBTQ community in Wimberley. Pride movements help bring the community together and to find bonds that unite us. Community binds across all. Family is also an important aspect of the LGBTQ world — our families are as valid as any others. LGBTQ Pride is “family friendly” by definition.

SMUUF D-T-P funds will be used to support the 2020 Wimberley Pride Weekend — September 18 - 20. Thank you SMUUF congregation for giving so generously to Wimberley Pride!

From left to right: Holding the "Big Check" for Wimberley Pride is Jeannie Lewis (SMUUF Social Justice Chair), Teresa Smetzer (Wimberley), Jordan Buckley (SMUUF Board President), Chris Rambo (Wimberley), Joel Johnson (SMUUF Board President Elect), Jeff and Monica Rasco (Wimberley), Rev. Krista Weber Huang (SMUUF Minister)

Texas UU Justice Ministry Monthly Call – January 28, 2020

Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair, is on the Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) Advisory Council. She participates in a TXUUJM Conference Call on the 4th Tuesday of each month with other UU Advisory Council members across Texas. The call is moderated by TXUUJM Executive Director, Rev. Chuck Freeman.

Some topics of discussion on this call:

• UUs across Texas established a networked coalition of congregations for climate and environmental justice, in collaboration with the TX UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM), UU Service Committee (UUSC), and UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE).
• "UU the Vote" project sponsored by the UUA
• Immigration issues
• Congregational sharing

A few Advisory Council representatives shared their experience showing the film "Suppressed" about voter suppression. Evidently, it was very moving. Jeannie hopes it will be shown at SMUUF. This spurred a discussion about voter activities that several of us congregations are undertaking in the field of voting.

Jeannie shared SMUUF's involvement in MLK Day events and the Peace Pie Social we're sponsored for several years.

UU-UNO Monthly Call Summary and Minutes – January 21, 2020

SMUUF has two UU-United Nations Office Envoys — Jeannie Lewis and Becky Allen. Jeannie attended this meeting online. There were seven Envoys on the call moderated by Allison Hess, the UU-UNO International Engagement Associate in New York City (who spoke at SMUUF in October of 2019). The other attendees on the call were from Greenville, NC; Seattle, WA; North Hatley, Quebec; Manhattan, NY; Newbury Park, CA; Manhasset, NY; and me from San Marcos, TX.

The topic of the Conference Call this month was the setbacks that put the LGBTQ community at risk from actions at the United Nations. In recent months, the LGBTQ program staff at the UN have left, including a close friend of the UU-UNO in the Human Rights office, Fabrice Houdart. It’s becoming clear that it is high time for a much stronger presence at the UN on the part of civil society pushing for Sexual Orientation - Gender Identity (SOGI) rights to be upheld, now that the UN as an institution is no longer providing the same kind of support.

The UU United Nations Office will be working on re-establishing coalitions of faith-based organizations at the UN as well as the SOGI subcommittee of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Committee on Human Rights in order to strategize how we might together make an impact and ensure that SOGI human rights are protected. More to come as far as how congregations can be involved. In the meantime, lift this up in your congregation as one of the many issues at stake within the U.S. elections this year!

At the end of the call we had time to tell about other activities that were going on within our own congregation. Since it was the day after MLK Day, Jeannie shared how SMUUF had been the local originator of the Peace Pie Social on MLK Day in her hometown of San Marcos. SMUUF recruited Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church, a historically African American church, and Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, a local Hispanic Center, to join with SMUUF to donate pieces of pie to serve free of charge to MLK Day participants after the MLK Day March each year. It has been very popular with the community! This year SMUUF was not invited, but we hope the tradition will come back. Jeannie urged the other UU churches to initiate this activity on MLK Day in there own communities. She pointed out that the Pie Social is a tradition on MLK Day in many communities across the United States. "Everybody deserves a piece of the pie!"

SMUUF Social Justice Executive Team Selects D-T-P Recipients for 2020

The Social Justice Executive Team met Sunday, November 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the UCM Fellowship Hall to examine and discuss the many applications received from prospective Donate-the-Plate recipients for the year 2020. We usually only select 10 recipients and save two open months for unexpected contingencies that seem to always occur. But for 2020, we decided to accept 11 and only leave one month open. We usually conduct D-T-P on the 3rd Sunday of the month unless the recipient organization requests another date that is best for them.

This is the tentative D-T-P schedule for 2020, subject to change:

SMUUF Social Justice Activities - 2019

At their recent meeting, the SMUUF Social Justice Executive Team reviewed the social justice activities that SMUUF members were involved in during the calendar year 2019 — in addition to Donate-the-Plate collections. We believe that helping fund worthy non-profit organizations is very important, but we want to do more that just give money. We want to get involved! See the list below. If you know of other social justice activities in which SMUUF has been involved this year, please let Jeannie Lewis know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (512) 353-2872

SMUUF Social Justice Activities – 2019

in Addition to Donate-the-Plate Collections:

• Testify with CIAF Before Hays County Commissioners Court (Capital Idea)
• Affordable Housing Workshop & Testify Before City Council
• SMUUF Delegation to Central Texas Interfaith
• Food Bank Healthy Spring Harvest Challenge
• Financial Support for Food Bank Plots at Alamo Gardens
• Sewing Guild – 800 Quilts to the Border
• Social Justice Adult RE – 1st Sundays
• Environmental Justice Adult RE --- 4th Sundays
• Homeless Backpacks
• Parades – MLK Day, Juneteenth, Pride, Mermaid, Veterans Day
• Peace Pie Social --- Maybe 2020
• Immigrant & Criminal Justice Protests & Testimony
• Median Cleanups
• River Cleanups
• WUUHOOS
• Action Alerts
• Petitions, Letters/Cards/Phone Calls – Currently Gun Safety
• Concert at Jim Berry’s for Crockett Elementary
• Volunteering at the Border

Congrats to Rev. Krista Weber Huang!

We are so glad to have helped to ordain our minister Reverend Krista Weber Huang into the Unitarian Universalist ministry! We are thankful for all of the guests that attended, especially Rev. Krista's family and our local UU ministers and regional staff.

As a congregationally based tradition, all power in Unitarian Universalist churches comes up through the congregation and is bestowed upon the leaders—including the ordained leaders—to carry out specific service for the good of the whole.

In our Unitarian Universalist faith, the stole is a symbol of ministry only worn once a minister has been ordained. It is a symbol of all of the hard work, reflection, and dedication that go into becoming a minister as well as the responsibilities that come with accepting the title of Reverend.

This stole, was lovingly created by the San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sewing Guild with particular effort from Ann Allen. The fabric was chosen as a representation of the sacred waters that flow through San Marcos as well as a reminder of the Unitarian Universalist tradition of Water Communion where we recognize the way our lives come together like the streams to rivers to the ocean.

This tradition of ordination ends with a "laying of the hands" in which all of Rev. Krista's family, UU ministers, SMUUF family and friends join together signifying the deeper connections to all.

Central Texas Interfaith Launches with 320 Institutionally Embedded Delegates

Building on a successful 32-year history of broad-based organizing, Austin Interfaith officially renamed and re-founded itself as Central Texas Interfaith (CTI) with over 320 leaders from Bastrop, Comal, Hays, Travis, McLennan (Waco) and Williamson counties.

Emerging leaders told impactful stories that informed a revised agenda of issues, and delegates from an expanded 10-county region committed to a broadened identity, fundraising goals, and Get Out the Vote strategy to promote the affirmed agenda.

SMUUF Delegates were Mike Russett, Gil Fulmer, Judy Telford, Lisa Cradit, Marissa Fehler, Ben Fehler, and Becky Allen.

2020 Agenda of Issues (Abbreviated - full document linked here)

• Support Workforce Development and Living Wages
• Support Affordable Housing and Develop a Comprehensive Strategy to End Homeloessness in Central Texas
• Improve Safety in our Community
• Promote Sustainability and Fight Climate Change
• Support Immigration Reform
• Improve Access to and Affordability of Healthcare
• Improve Education Quality
• Expanded membership will give a better voice at the State and Federal levels (currently most effective with city/county).
• Membership will also expand to Brazos County (Bryan/College Station - Whoop!)

2020 Fundraising Goals

• 25% increase in institutional contributions (presumably through expanded membership)
• $50,000 in private donations. See http://www.austininterfaith.org. (Recommended donation is one hour's pay per month.)

Call for Volunteers at Respite Center at the Texas border

For more information or questions regarding Membership please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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If you have joys or sorrows, church or community news you would like printed in the Flash, or Sunday announcements, email the SMUUF Admin email account at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Sermon Podcasts

Our most recent sermons are available on the website under the Past Sermons tab, and as podcasts from iTunes and Stitcher. Click the links to go to the SMUUF channels and subscribe. If you would like to listen to a past service not in the list of podcasts, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Automate Your Pledge

Tired of writing checks for your pledges? There are three ways you can avoid check writing, and never miss a monthly gift.

1. If your bank has bill pay, you can set up an automatic monthly check to SMUUF directly from your bank. It's simple, and it costs you and SMUUF nothing, it should be a free service if offered by your bank.
2. You can authorize a regular withdrawal (known as ACH) directly from your bank to ours.
3. You can authorize a regular charge on a credit card that SMUUF can process.

For the latter two options, use our donation app to set up recurring payments either by credit card or direct deposit. It's painless!

Give

To make a pledge or general donation at any time:

Donate to SMUUF

Legacy Society

Board Meeting Minutes available