Rev. Krista Office Hours
Rev. Krista will be holding virtual office hours Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at https://uuma.zoom.us/my/smuuf or via phone. If you would like to meet at another time please contact her via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text or call her cell phone at 515-450-2437.
Are you able to provide assistance during these uncertain times?
Our Caring team is extending their service to our community by coordinating help to those who need assistance, in particular those of advanced age or who are immunocompromised. Care Coordinators will help match up those in need. To make arrangements email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or post on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/smuuf/
SMUUF Relief Fund Established
The SMUUF Relief Fund has been established to give temporary support for those who are living out the mission and vision of our Unitarian Universalist faith. This fund was established using 10% of a generous anonymous donation given to our congregation in May of 2020 “to help ensure the continuance of liberal religion in our community” through the challenges of COVID-19. People who find themselves in need of temporary financial assistance are encouraged to reach out to the SMUUF Relief Fund Committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The needs of those who have traditionally marginalized identities will be prioritized. Confidentiality will be respected.
The SMUUF Relief Fund Committee
Adult Religious Exploration
This Sunday: WUUFS Meeting @ 9:30 a.m. – "What About the Death of Jesus on the Cross?" Discussion Leader: SMUUF Member Nancy Russell, DrPH.
The Women's UU Friendship Society (WUUFS) will be discussing the book Proverbs of Ashes by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker their September Zoom meeting so you could have time to read the book if you want. (Available through Amazon, Kindle, and Barnes and Noble Nook.) Nancy will also have her personal book available for lending.
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Questions for discussion based on the book:
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Was the death of Jesus on the cross a spiritual illumination or a public execution by an oppressive empire?
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What if the consequence of sacrifice is simply pain?
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Is love alone sufficient to save us?
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Should love bear all things?
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When should “doing the will of God” be at the cost of one’s own safety?
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Who says, “This is your cross to bear”?
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Is the perpetration of violence assisted by silence?
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Questions for our UU Fellowship:
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What do you think of this statement from the Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide (bottom of pg. 64): “We do not seek... release from sin and guilt through brutal means such as the atoning death of a Christ on the cross.”
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Do you think the death of Jesus should be included in UU Easter services?
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Do you think the following statements should be included in UU Easter services? “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Article 8 of the US Constitution
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This followed the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations. The United Nations declared, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
Anyone who self-identifies as a woman is welcome to attend. Contact WUUFS Leader Jeannie Lewis (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (512) 353-2872)
Ongoing RE Meetings
First Sunday: SMUUF Book Group @ 9:30 a.m.
The book group will meet on the first Sunday of the month at 9:30 for chatting and start discussion of book at 9:45. The book for October is The Evolution of God by Robert Wright.
If you have any questions, contact book group leader Jeanne Garthwaite at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Fourth Sunday: Environmental Justice RE
Monthly topics related to environmental justice, climate, and ethical eating.
Contact Environmental Justice Leader BJ Allen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information.
September Donate-the-Plate: Southside Community Center
A representative from Southside will join our SMUUF Zoom service on September 20 to tell us more about what is going on at Southside now, but members of our congregation are invited to give online or by mail anytime during the month of September. Go to smuuf.org/giving and read the directions for how to contribute to Donate-the-Plate. Do it early so you don't forget!
Southside's Shelter Cook, Jose Molina, and Shelter Supervisor, John Farthing
Southside will use our donation to benefit their homeless shelter, which has experienced great need during the pandemic. They will use the funds for minor shelter repairs, for daily meals for the homeless and food insecure, for utilities for both laundry and showers, and for laundry detergent that is provided to the homeless.
Please give generously!
Contact Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
FUUDies (Fantastic UU Diners)
Sundays after service
Postponed until further notice.
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!
Join the Hospitality team!
Thanks to the Hospitality Teams, these folks do a great job making coffee, providing refreshments, greeting, and generally making the church ready for worship and fellowship! Our teams are still working to help out with our virtual services.
A great way to get involved at SMUUF is by joining a Hospitality Team. For one month approximately every 8 months, each team provides the refreshments for the SMUUF service, sets up the building, and cleans everything up afterward. It's a wonderful way to meet other SMUUF members and get right into service with us.
You may click here to download a copy of the Hospitality Team duties.
For information about how to join, contact Colleen Lane-Rafferty and Daniel Rafferty () or Kayla and Tynan McGuire (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Dear SMUUF Families with Children,
We have completed our first Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) Lifespan Sexual Education classes! Thanks to teachers, families and young people in grades 7-9 and grades 4-6 that participated. We are excited to offer this program to our community again in the future.
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 2020-21 CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Sept: Renewal
Oct: Deep Listening
Nov: Healing
Dec: Stillness
Jan: Imagination
Feb: Beloved Community
Mar: Commitment
April: Becoming
May: Story
June: Play
RE Class Time – On hold through the summer
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:
| Infant-3 years | Beatrix Potter Room with Deana Piñales |
| 4 years-Grade 2 | Seuss Room with Robyn Kendrick & Jillian Whitehead |
| Grades 3-5 | Susan B. Anthony Room with Monica Rasco & Marissa Fehler |
| Grades 6-12 | YUUTH |
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, September 11 - Thursday, September 17
Check the SMUUF Calendar for current listings of activities
Ways to Access Gatherings and Groups using Zoom:
Link: https://uuma.zoom.us/my/smuuf
Or by calling in to any of the phone numbers below and enter the meeting ID
Meeting ID: 849 653 9395
+1 346 248 7799
+1 669 900 6833
+1 646 876 9923
+1 253 215 8782
+1 301 715 8592
+1 312 626 6799
Support Group Meetings
This upcoming week we’re going to test out support groups! All of our Support Groups are open to members, friends, and visitors and will be held in the same SMUUF Zoom we use for Sunday morning worship. Support Groups will start with a reading of our Covenant and Chalice Lighting, followed by Check-in and Reflection Questions. These conversations will not be live streamed or recorded to maintain privacy. Groups with at least 5 participants will continue meeting weekly. If you would like to attend but have a time conflict please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as we may make adjustments based on interest and availability. See instructions above on how to access Zoom.
Sewing Guild
Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
Anyone is welcome. We're always happy to have new Sewing Guild recruits.
Vulnerable Populations
Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.
TGIF Happy Hour
Other Events
Todos Somos Familia – Benefit Concert for Immigrant Families in Hays County
Mano Amiga are hosting a benefit concert to help immigrant families in Hays County who have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 due to the lack of resources they have access to. They did not get the federal stimulus package nor get unemployment putting their families at risk. For this reason we are giving them cash assistance to assist them in these times.
This will be an all day event at Aquabrew from 12pm-10pm! Guests will have option to purchase two types of meal tickets. Option one includes a burger, fries, and a soft drink for $15. Option 2 includes a burger plus 2 drink tickets for $25- guest must show ID to redeem order the day of event. You must preorder the ticket on eventbrite before the event to get this offer. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to the families. Any other orders will give 20% to the fundraiser.
Cover for the benefit show + VIP balcony viewing is $10 starting at 6PM
We will also have a silent art auction & raffle happening from 6-10PM
Live music will commence at 7PM
7PM: Kadarius Bernard - https://www.instagram.com/kadariusbernard/?hl=en
8PM: Lady Radio - https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofradio
9PM: Wezmer - https://www.facebook.com/wezmer
We hope you will join us and share this event broadly so as many people can join us. The event will also be broadcasted on FB live!
If you'd like to make a direct donation here is our link!
If you're an artist who would like to submit some art for our auction here is the application:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ayTm4oT9ujZDeQKZu6S7JKH0s4wEiaW7WP-nmCBFm-o/edit
The International Convocation of UU Women Meetings
The International Convocation of UU Women, also called the International Women's Convocation (IWC) will conduct a Zoom meeting at 9:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are expected to continue through the fall. Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair, has been meeting every week with this group on Zoom for the past three months of the coronavirus pandemic.
It has been so comforting and inspiring to meet with these 25 or so women from all over the U.S. and other countries to discuss what we and our congregations are doing to deal with this crisis. I hope some more SMUUF women will join in.
See the link below to join this meeting in August and September:
Zoom Meeting ID: 283 947 380
Password: 385478
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/283947380?pwd=Y2lndllPNFVPQktuUnl0b045TjVtQT09
Or via phone --- find your local number here: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdsBxNyMX8
I hope to see you there! For more information contact Jeannie Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
#UUtheVote Updates
As we gather in for the new congregational year - during the pandemic, during a time of uprising, reaction and authoritarianism, and as we head into an historic election where our democracy is on the line - let us gather our spirits and harvest our power.
The UUA Organizing Strategy Team, UU the Vote, Side with Love and our partners have opportunities and resources for us all for meeting this moment as a faith community.
We UUs have been engaged in an unprecedented collaboration and mobilization for the 2020 elections through our UU the Vote Campaign. Now, as we head into the Fall push, it is time to bring the full capacity of our faith. We have a full range of resources and activities for you and your congregation:
1) Join Our UU the Vote National Phonebanks with front line community organizing partners who are reaching out to people in Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin targeted by voter suppression to get them the information they need to vote. Training is provided as part of these two hour events. Please join and recruit volunteers!
Our next national phone bank will be on Thursday, September 17th, from 4-6 pm EST with UU Justice Ohio (UUJO) and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. Sign up here! Once your congregational team is trained, you can phone bank together any time.
2) UU the Vote Phonebank Squad Activation Huddle on Saturday, September 19th at 11am Pacific / 12pm Mountain / 1pm Central / 2pm Eastern. We need volunteers who are good with Zoom, can provide basic tech support, and/or who have phonebanked before. If you or someone you know can volunteer to support at least 2 of our upcoming phonebanks please join the Phonebank Squad. If you can’t attend on the 19th but want to join ‘the Phonebank Squad’ please fill out this Volunteer Form and share with others and we will be in touch.
3) It Starts with Faith Organizing School. It’s not too late to join -- there are still three more sessions (starting tonight) on Digital Organizing 101, Organizing for November 4th and Beyond, and closing with a final reflection.
4) Vote Love, Defeat Hate: Organizing for the Long Haul Worship Service. Join UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, the UU the Vote team, and a lineup of powerful, prophetic UU voices and musicians as we explore the intersections of faith, justice, and democracy in this collective virtual service. Register here to receive access to livestream and videos, available starting September 22nd for use at Sept. 27th worship services through November 1st.
5) Gather the Spirit, a UU the Vote virtual mass mobilization on Wednesday, September23rd at 7:30 ET / 4:30 PT will get us ready for ‘all hands on deck this fall’ where we’ll hear from UU leaders and musicians as we gather together to be nourished by the abundant, loving spirit of our beloved community.
Save the Dates! Harvest the Power Week of Action Oct. 21st-Oct. 27th. More info coming soon! To get the most up to date information and resources, sign up to receive the UU the Vote Newsletter.
6) Fill out our UU the Vote Congregational Survey. Let us know how your congregation has been engaged in electoral organizing and what you have planned. Help us track our collective actions by filling out this short survey.
7) Get Out the Vote $500 Grants from the UU Funding Program are still available to UU congregations through Oct. 28th.
In the past few months, we have powerfully answered the call of this political moment-- engaging thousands of UUs in non-partisan voter engagement and contributing to a movement for liberation that many of us couldn’t have even imagined when the year began.
Taking A Collective Breath: Deepening our alignment with the Movement for Black Lives is a joint Side With Love and UUSC webinar series to deepen our collective activism and participation in the Movement for Black Lives. The Next Session is Tuesday, Sept. 22nd. (Previous sessions are available for viewing).
We cannot achieve justice by ourselves. It takes a movement and we are so grateful to our partners.
#FreeThemAll Week of Action, Sept. 9-13. An American Friends Service Committee Coalition that includes the UUA and Side with Love. The dates mark the anniversary of the Attica uprising. For more information, see www.afsc.org/freethemall. UU minister Rev. Jason Lydon at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago will be speaking for our faith at the Sunday, Sept. 13th service at 7:30 pm. Register here.
The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is hosting a major event - Voting is Power Unleashed - on voter engagement and protection on Monday, September 14, 2020, 7:00pm – 9:00pm ET. Learn more and sign up here.
As part of effectively building with the Poor People’s Campaign, the UUA Poor People’s Campaign Leadership Council has put together a short survey to identify UUs already involved in or seeking to join this campaign. Please respond by Oct. 10th to help us more powerfully build this movement.
Weekly Events - Meet via Zoom
SMUUF Choir
The SMUUF choir will continue to meet for a social hour at 7:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month until we are able to rehearse again in person.
Please contact Gayle Gaston (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you would like to receive email notifications about choir activities.
Contact: Gayle Gaston (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Sewing Guild
Meets Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom
The SMUUF sewing group has traditionally made small quilts which have been distributed to various individuals, including to those crossing the Texas/Mexico border in search of a better life. We recently identified another outlet for those quilts and wanted the congregation to know. It is a group called Alzheimer's Texas; they are located in Austin and partner with various care facilities to provide comfort quilts to their residents.
Here is a link to the Alzheimer's Texas most recent newsletter that includes an announcement of our partnership.
Contact: Ann Allen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Friday "Talk, Then Walk"
POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
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.
Hays LWV Candidate Forums Go Virtual This Fall
The League of Women Voters of Hays County is holding Virtual Candidate Forums in September and October to introduce Hays County voters to those who are running for local, county and state offices.
Pre-register to see the events as they happen, or tune in to lwvhaysco.com to view recordings which will be posted within 48 hours after each event.
See more details and links at https://bit.ly/HaysForums2020 to register. Space is limited so register early.
The League invites the public to submit questions for candidates to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. up to one week before the event. Deadlines for each race are listed here.
9/22 - Wimberley ISD & Woodcreek
http://bit.ly/Woodcreek-WISD
9/24 - District Judge, County Court at Law #3, & Tax Assessor Forum
http://bit.ly/Judges-TaxAssessor
9/29 - Hays County Commissioner #3 and County Constables Forum
http://bit.ly/Commissioner3-Constables
10/1 - Dripping Springs ISD
http://bit.ly/DrippingSpgsISD
10/6 - House District 45 & Hays County Sheriff Candidates Forum
http://bit.ly/HD45-Sheriff
10/8 - San Marcos City Council and SMCISD Candidates
http://bit.ly/SanMarcosCity-SMCISD
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, 501(c)(4) organization.
UU congregations have non-profit tax exempt status under IRS 501©3 Rules. Advocacy, voter engagement, and political activism are all permissible but endorsement of candidates is not. Congregations can work with other 501(c)3 groups and 501(c)4 groups on joint advocacy efforts and non-partisan voter engagement.
UBarU Camp & Retreat Center Update
We hope you are safe and well! UBarU Camp & Retreat Center is offering e-events to help you connect with camp and with each other. All the details are at http://ubaru.org/home/e-events The upcoming events are offered free of charge and donations are gratefully accepted at https://ubaru.org/home/Support.
Tuesday, September 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m.: Contemplative Spiritual Practices with Sandy and Rev. Rob. Join us to practice a spiritual activity in community (virtually)
Thursday, September 17, 7:00 p.m.: Ren Pasco, a UU chaplain and camp alumnus, will facilitate a new e-offering from UBarU for Young Adults (ages 18-35). Join in!
Register here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMldO6rrDIqGdLOgPYIIHk0NffHml9xErp7
Additionally, our cottages are available for personal and family get-aways. Just send me an email and we can confirm plans. Details about rates and accommodations are at https://ubaru.org/home/Accommodations/Facilities
Thank you for your support- past, present and future!
If you have any questions, please email Robyn Stout, Executive Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 830-460-6002. UBarU is a Unitarian Universalist Camp and Retreat Center in the rugged ranch land of the Hill Country near Kerrville, Texas. Our mission is to provide a welcoming, peaceful place to gather for spiritual, educational, and recreational purposes in harmony with our Unitarian Universalist principles and the land.
SWUUW SouthWest UU Women Virtual Conference 2021, Feb. 26-28, 2021
When we departed our most recent SWUUW conference in Lafayette LA on March 1, we said good-bye with the expectation that we would meet next year in Fort Worth Texas for our 2021 conference. Since that time almost five months ago and the dramatic turn of events for all of us due to the Covid19 pandemic, and the uprisings in the nation in the wake of George Floyd's death, the board has met regularly with our primary focus on moving forward with conference planning.
To that end we recently announced on our Website and Facebook pages that the next SWUUW conference will be held online as a Virtual Conference Feb. 26-28, 2021 and will be convened by the SWUUW Board. While we are still early in our planning and discovery of how to deliver a virtual conference, we are excited about the possibilities! We want to incorporate as many of the elements that have made our past conferences so meaningful and memorable - powerful women speakers, spiritual celebration, space and time to deepen friendships and make new ones, fun and entertainment. Our mission of supporting women will continue to carry us forward and we wholeheartedly invite you to attend and be a part of it!
Also, we have scheduled our annual SWUUW board retreat for the last weekend in August. Traditionally, this has been our time to gather together for business and planning, to renew and develop relationships, to support the local conference committee, and have fun. This retreat, like our next conference, will also be online using Zoom to bring us together. A good amount of our time will be devoted to virtual conference planning. In order to assist in the planning, we ask for your participation in a survey which is included here. We are grateful for your input into this survey. We will take it into consideration as we establish the major activities for the conference.
We're also reaching out for volunteers to assist the virtual conference conveners. If you have experience with video conferencing and think that your expertise can help us, we would love to hear from you. Or, if you lack the technical know how but have a desire to help us "make it work" we would love to hear from you too. The aforementioned survey contains a way for you to indicate your interest in volunteering.
We thank you for taking the time to complete the survey, and look forward to seeing you virtually in 2021!
The SWUUW Board
SWUUW Admin Job Opening
This year SWUUW is planning to hire a new SWUUW Administrator. For the qualifications, see the position overview below and check swuuw.org or the SWUUW Facebook Page for the complete job description. For the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Administrator’s role will include responsibilities related to the planning and technical management of the 2021 virtual conference. These responsibilities will be split with another Technical Co-Manager.
We ask SWUUW members and conference attendees to disseminate the job posting via your congregational communications. The deadline for receipt of applications is Aug. 31.
Part-time: 5-30 hours per month
Salary range: $16+/ hour | $2500 maximum budget for the year (TBD for 2020-2021)
Position Type: Contract
An Overview of the Admin position:
The SWUUW Administrator manages the SWUUW website, Facebook page, and mass email communications; produces imagery and artwork for these various channels; carries out administrative duties to support the Board of Directors, the Conference Committee and the membership; may provide Registrar support to the Conference Registrar; and assists with on-site AV needs during the conference.
Technical Co-Management of the Virtual Conference, Responsibilities:
Researching, recommending, and learning available video conferencing and virtual conference platforms
Assisting the board with planning the conference in a virtual environment, based upon the chosen platform
Creating guidelines and organizing rehearsal/training sessions for workshop, keynote, vendor, and other session presenters
Planning logistics and training for volunteer moderators
Providing remote technical help for presenters or attendees during the conference, as needed
Assisting with creating presentations and/or graphics, videos as needed
The Administrator plays a key role in the total management process of the organization, is expected to participate in decision-making activities affecting the operations, is a member of the administrative team and has regular interaction with all levels of the organization including the members of the Board, the Conference Committee, and the membership.
The Administrator’s responsibilities will be reviewed annually, and shifted according to skills available among Board members.
If interested, please forward your resume and three references to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have any questions or need for clarification of elements of the job prior to applying - please send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The deadline for receipt of applications is Aug. 31, 2020.
A non-profit organization that supports women through worship, learning, leadership, community and social justice, SWUUW addresses women's issues, explores feminist theology, promotes friendships and celebrates the diversities that make us unique women on our individual spiritual paths. SWUUW is an organization open to all UU women, particularly those women in the Southwest District of the Southern Region of the UUA.
SWUUW aligns itself with the spirit of Welcoming Congregations as depicted by the UUA. All who see themselves as women are welcome.
Joys and Concerns
- Final Donate-the-Plate Total to Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos for August
SMUUF is pleased to announce that we have donated $500 to Centro for the month of August.
Dr. Ricardo Espinoza, Executive Director of Centro, said, "On behalf of our stakeholders, employees, Board of Directors, and everyone else, we appreciate SMUUF's generosity in supporting all that we do at Centro. It is with the great support of organizations like yours that allow Centro to continue the great work that we do in being 'All-Encompassing' and 'All-Inclusive'."
Thank you SMUUF congregation for your continued generosity.
- New carpeting available: Colleen and Daniel Rafferty have replaced the wall-to-wall carpeting with tile in two rooms in their home, and wanted
to offer the brand new (dark brown) carpeting and nicely thick under padding to anyone within the SMUUF Community who would like it. The carpet was replaced after they closed on the house, and before they moved in.
176sq ft.364sq ft. Here is the square footage that is available:
At the end of Nov./beginning of Dec. there will be another 233sq ft. available when they have another room tiled.
They are hoping someone would like the carpet very soon. Otherwise, it will be hauled away.
San Marcos Area Black-Owned Businesses - Updated as of 7/10/2020
Some local parents have compiled a list of local Black-owned businesses, with additions by many others in the community. Lamar Hankins and Ramika Adams have added some more names of Black-owned businesses to the list. We encourage you to patronize these businesses and to spread the word. For more information, contact Marissa Fehler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Food
Soulful Creations - Wonder World Park, 1000 Prospect St.
Binge Kitchen - 121 N. Fredericksburg (210) 442-8126
Hurry Back Catering - (512) 766-5515 and Facebook page
Krab Kingz food truck - 128 Guadalupe St.
J & W Honeybuns ( & donuts) on Fb, (830) 888-0574
Wright’s Emporium - 225 S. Main St, Kyle
Wayne’s Wings @wayneswings Instagram
Bar Jarz - Facebook page
Clothing/accessories
Zeal by Zakiya online boutique
Wallaby Clothing Co. - Facebook page
Visionary’s Peace @visionaryspeace Instagram
MOGUL women’s clothing, 5007 Parkcrest Dr., San Antonio, Tx
MacioTees - San Antonio @maciotees Instagram
Bath/body products
Adina Johnson’s Treasures - Facebook page
Services
Tay's Lawn Care - Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TaysLawn/
Mountain Movers - moving company
STR8 Training - gym
Hai Tarot - Tarot, readings, farmer's market
Mo Betta Cutz on LBJ in SMTX - barber
Raven Zachary - hairdresser
Simply Texas Vinyl - Facebook page
MJWoodCo etsy shop - woodowrking and home decor
Arrondi Creative Productions & Hoodwitch book - Facebook page
Ramika Adams Realtor - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Merry Mascots & Party Rentals
District 35 Security & Investigations, LLC
San Marcos Electric Services - Joseph Matthews (512) 644-6362
Xclusive Hair Salon on RR12
Bottom Line Tax Services on Hwy 123
Mae Watts Parish, Realtor, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Spot Barbershop on Hopkins Street
Healthcare
Aminatu Akande, MD Live Oak Health Partners
Booka Baby Doula - Facebook page
Education
Calaboose African American History Museum
Fathers in Hays County - Facebook page
Zoom Meeting of International Convocation of UU Women – August 11, 2020
Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair participated in this meeting along with 36 other UU women from around the world. Our topic this day was described below by Rev. Carol Huston.
"What's in your name? A few years ago, I became fascinated with the Catholic practice of choosing a new name for yourself at the time of Confirmation or Coming of Age. I've had some interesting conversations with women who took this teenage opportunity for redefinition very seriously. But I was freshly reminded of this practice last week when I was reading about a thoughtful teenager named Chloe who decided to take the confirmation name Anthony -- I'm not sure why. She grew up to be one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century, Toni Morrison. Would Chloe's books have meant as much?
Do you feel like your birth name fits you well? Or have you taken another name at some point in your life, or flirted with the idea of doing so? If you are one of the many women who came to UUism after a Catholic upbringing, you might want to tell your small group about taking a confirmation name, but for the rest of us, let's imagine how we might respond to the invitation to rename ourselves." – Rev. Carol Huston
We broke into small groups of about five to discuss this interesting topic. As Shakespeare said, "What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." We learned a lot about each other!
Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 25, at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to join us, contact Jeannie Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Braver Angels Central Texas Meeting – August 13, 2020
This online Zoom Town Hall on "Opening Our Schools" was attended by Social Justice Chair, Jeannie Lewis. The purpose of the Braver Angels meetings are to depolarize and exchange viewpoints in a respectful manner. You register as "Blue," "Red," or as "Other," and each group takes turns speaking on the topic — "How should schools re-open in a pandemic?" After each person speaks (3 minutes max), questions are allowed.There were 18 people participating, mostly from Central Texas and many retired and current teachers. For the most part, people did not think enough preparations had been made, cases are still active and rising, and we are not ready to open schools yet.
CIAF Corridor Cluster Civic Academy: Covid-19 – August 16, 2020
This meeting was called a Civic Academy on the Pandemic. Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair, attended this meeting. There was a panel of experts who took turns discussing what was in their particular field of expertise. Symptoms were discussed. Then the four types of testing: Swab, Rapid, Saliva, and Anti-body. Experiences and personal stories were shared.
Next steps should include: extension of previous rental assistance, political action, contacting people in our congregation to lead a group and spread the word.
If interested in these CIAF meetings, see announcements in the SMUUF Flash newsletter or contact Jeannie Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Texas State Legislative Issues for Texas UU Justice Ministry
Rev. Chuck Freeman, Executive Director of Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM), asked his Advisory Council to send to him the top state legislative issues from our congregation that we want TXUUJM to focus on this next Texas Legislative Session. These issues are usually selected by each congregation's Social Justice Executive Team. TXUUJM prefers to focus on three or four issues each legislative session so they can concentrate their resources and have more of an impact.
SMUUF's Social Justice Executive Team currently consists of nine members: Jeannie Lewis, Social Justice Chair; Rev. Krista Weber Huang, SMUUF Minister; and members Becky Allen, Diana Garcia, Gil Fulmer, Jordan Buckley, Karl Brown, Kate Clayton, and Mike Russett. The top issues we sent to Rev. Chuck were: Economic Justice (including Minimum Wage), Public Education Reform, Environmental Justice, and Health Care (including Medicaid Expansion and Reproductive Justice).
Other issues mentioned were Immigration, Food Insecurity (with Plant-Based Solutions), LGBTQ+ Justice, and Anti-Racism.
For more information contact Jeannie Lewis, TXUUJM Advisory Council Member, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Texas UU Justice Advisory Council Monthly Call – July 28, 2020
Each month the Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) Advisory Council meets in a Zoom gathering on the 4th Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. SMUUF is a member of TXUUJM and Jeannie Lewis, as SMUUF Social Justice Chair, represents SMUUF on the Advisory Council. Many UU congregations throughout the state have representatives on the Advisory Council. TXUUJM's main purpose is to lobby the Texas Legislature on issues that align with UU values.
This month we discussed the following:
1. Selecting TXUUJM Legislative Issues for 2021. SMUUF Social Justice Team members are being polled for their votes for state legislative issues for TXUUJM to focus on for this upcoming legislative year. We will send in out top three issues since TXUUJM wants to limit their focus so they can have more impact. Th TXUUJM issues will be announced on October 12. The Texas Legislature meets January 12.
2. UU The Vote Texas - Working with Industrial Areas Foundations Chapters. Scroll down to find Texas - https://www.swiaf.org/affiliates. Their goal is to get 200,000 people to the polls.
Houston/Texas Voting Justice Organizer — Ron Cookston reports that UU the Vote offers $500 grants but if UU organizations join and work together, they can receive as much as $3500. UU the Vote is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates but does ask candidates to commit to support some issues — like police reform, health, racial injustice. Is SMUUF willing to partner with Houston UU? We can work virtually phone banking, post carding, etc. Contact Jeannie Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested.
3. Conversations — People of the Land: Healing From the White Supremacy & Colonization Pandemic - Click here to view the poster.
4. Chuck booking preaching gigs September - December
5. Congregational sharing
UU-UNO Monthly Call Summary and Minutes – June 16, 2020
Jeannie Lewis and Becky Allen are SMUUF Envoys to our UU Office at the United Nations (UU@UN) in New York City, and are invited to attend a monthly ZOOM meeting with other UU Envoys from across the United States. Both Jeannie and Becky attended the June meeting. Also present were UU Envoys from Long Beach, CA; Watertown, NY; Lacombe, LA; Alton, IL and New York City. Some places had two or three Envoys. Allison Hess, our UU International Engagement Associate at the UN, served as our moderator.
UN News
- The global protests and actions in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have been extensive across the world. This is also showing up prominently at the United Nations where diplomats and civil society organizations are drawing attention to discrimination faced by People of African Descent all over, not just in the U.S.
- The UN Human Rights Council convened in person on Monday for the first time since COVID-19 began. A proposal put forth from the African Group calls for an urgent meeting to discuss systemic racism, police brutality, and violence against peaceful protesters. The recording can also be watched afterwards: http://webtv.un.org/ (make sure the language tab under the video is set to English if you don’t understand French).
- Secretary-General Guterres called several weeks ago for a global ceasefire during the pandemic. The UN security Council has tried to endorse the S-G’s statement and hasn’t been able to do so because of conflict between China and the U.S.
- UN is committed to operating virtually through September.
- Upcoming in early July is the High-Level Political Forum to assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
News from the UU@UN:
- Two stellar interns started this week for their virtual UU@UN summer internships.
- UN Sunday resources will be all online this year, focusing on the theme of climate justice but also including content honoring the UN’s 75th anniversary. Look for resources later this month at www.uua.org/unsunday!
- From the International Office, will be hosting a webinar series in the fall about Unitarian/Universalist colonial legacy and asking the question: Are we an imperial faith? Co-led alongside ICUU and UUPCC.
There followed an in-depth session of questions and discussion from the Envoys regarding UN and global topics. We ended the meeting sharing what was currently going on in our local communities and congregations.
SMUUF Awarded 2019-2020 Blue Ribbon Congregation by the UU Office at the United Nations (UU@UN)
The Blue Ribbon Award is an annual recognition that the Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations grants to congregations who demonstrate their commitment to building a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. These congregations are awarded based on their financial support of and active engagement with the work of the UU@UN. Having a prominent place within the civil society community at the United Nations gives Unitarian Universalists the chance to let our values be heard and respected on a global stage. Unitarian Universalists have had an outsized impact by working with the United Nations and its Member States and agencies to promote Unitarian Universalist understandings of justice and inclusion in their work for human rights, peace, and climate action. UU@UN Envoy Teams allow UU congregations to have an impact locally through uplifting United Nations initiatives and the values of interdependence and multilateralism in their communities. The UU@UN’s work is only possible because of the generosity of congregations and individuals who support it. Congratulations and appreciation for all 2019-20 Blue Ribbon Congregations! - Allison Hess, the International Engagement Associate at the UU@UN (Allison came to speak to SMUUF on UN Sunday back in October of 2019.)
SMUUF deserves to be proud of this honor. We will be receiving a plaque that we can display when we begin in-person services again.
Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justin Chair, and Becky Allen, SMUUF Environmental Justice Chair, received the announcement from Allison Hess. Both Jeannie and Becky are UU@Un Envoys representing SMUUF congregation. There are monthly UU@UN Envoy Zoom meetings that we can participate in.
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:
Wimberley Pride (New) - February 16
Postponed - March 15
Mano Amiga - April 19
Indigenous Cultures Institute - May 17
Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos- August 16
Southside Community Center - September 20
Pet Prevent a Litter (PALS) of Central Texas (New) - October 18
Redwood Community Center (New) - November 15
PFLAG San Marcos - December 13
UBarU Events Update
We hope you are safe and well! UBarU Camp & Retreat Center is offering e-events to help you connect with camp and with each other. All the details are at http://ubaru.org/home/e-events
The upcoming events are offered free of charge and donations are gratefully accepted at https://ubaru.org/home/Support.
Additionally, we are planning to host an in-person Star Party at camp Aug 13-16. We have a few more private rooms available and camping is encouraged. Details about precautions we will take, registration and more are at https://ubaru.org/home/starParty
Thank you for your support- past, present and future!
If you have any questions, I am happy to be in touch. Please email Robyn Stout, Executive Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call me at 830-460-6002.
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.
For pastoral care concerns please contact our Caring Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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.
- 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.
- You can authorize a regular withdrawal (known as ACH) directly from your bank to ours.
- 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!
To make a pledge or general donation at any time:
Legacy Society
Board Meeting Minutes available