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 Meal Train
SMUUF now has an official Meal Train! If you're interested in volunteering or if a few extra meals would help ease your life please contact our Caring Committee through Jeanne Garthwaite at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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.
Adult Religious Exploration
https://uuma.zoom.us/my/smuuf
Upcoming RE Meetings - If you'd like to schedule an RE, contact Rev. Krista Weber Huang and Admin Marissa Fehler (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
First Sunday Morning: SMUUF Book Group @ 9:30 a.m. - Postponed until Fall
Sunday, Sept. 4, Time TBA: SMUUF Book Group is taking the Summer off and will start up again in September 4th.
Book: “There’s Nothing for You Here” by Fiona Hill
If you have any questions, contact book group leader Jeanne Garthwaite (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
If you'd like to schedule an RE, contact Rev. Krista Weber Huang and Admin Marissa Fehler (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
First Sunday Afternoon: Spiritual Exploration Adult RE Group @ 2:30 p.m. Postponed
Sunday, June 5, postponed: The next meeting of the Spiritual Exploration Adult RE Group has not been scheduled yet.
Contact group leader Mike Russett (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information.
WUUFS Meeting Sunday, June 12, 9:30 a.m. on Zoom
SMUUF Donate-the-Plate for June: Child Protective Board
June said, "The Hays County Child Protective Board (HCCPB) is grateful to SMUUF for supporting our work through their Donate-the-Plate grants over the last several years. The HCCPB was created in the early 1970s to enhance services to children who are in the care of Child Protective Services CPS) because of abuse and/or neglect. We fill many of the gaps between funds provided by the State of Texas and the needs of these children and families. We provide, for instance, food, clothing, hygiene products, baby care supplies, car seats, even toys and books for children when they come into CPS care. Often these children have nothing but the clothes they are wearing, and yet state funding for foster and family care doesn’t begin until a month later."
June continued, "Grants such as SMUUF’s also make it possible for the Board to provide necessities that can enable struggling families to stay together: beds and bedding for safe sleeping, hygiene and cleaning products, safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and baby monitors. Further, during the pandemic, we have been able to help caregivers who have lost their jobs, or had their work hours reduced, or become ill themselves, by tiding them over for a rent cycle, or providing a grocery store gift card. This ability to help financially strapped families stay together is perhaps one of the most gratifying things donations like SMUUF's make possible."
June ended her comments by saying, "Our grant funds also enable us to build awareness about the needs of children in the county. For example, each year we present the Anna Ve Farr Heroes in Education award to someone in the county’s public schools who is extraordinary in reaching out to at-risk students, particularly those in foster care. Our goal in presenting this award (see photo) is to emphasize the enormous difference schools can make in a child’s life."
Please give generously to this worthy organization doing such good work in our community! For more information, please contact Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (512) 353-2872.
Instructions for donating:
Go to smuuf.org
Click green button on right "Donate to SMUUF"
Fill out complete form. Click on down arrow on "Give to:"
Select "Donate the Plate"
Be sure to click on bottom "Give $…" bar
Or mail a check made out to SMUUF with Donate-the-Plate in the Memo Line.
Mail to:
SMUUF
P.O. Box 1053
San Marcos, TX 78666
SMUUF Donate-the-Plate Recipients for 2022
The SMUUF Social Justice Executive Team is composed of Rev. Krista Weber Huang (Ex Officio), Jeannie Lewis (Chair), Becky Allen, Jordan Buckley, Rev. Karl Brown, Kate Clayton, and Mike Russett. D-T-P applications were sent out to non-profit nominees in the fall of 2021. Completed applications were received and reviewed by the Executive Team. Unanimous decisions were reached to accept all the following recipients.
The Calaboose African American History Museum – January
H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach, Mitigation, and Emergency) Center of Central Texas – February
International Women’s Convocation – March
Bobcat Pride Scholarship Fund – April
Indigenous Cultures Institute – May
Hays County Child Protective Board – June
San Marcos River Foundation – July
PFLAG San Marcos – August
Redwood Community Center, Inc., dba Centro Esperanza – September
UU Office at the United Nations – October
Open - November
Texas UU Justice Ministry – December
The SMUUF Social Justice Executive Team has notified all the Donate-the-Plate recipients who were selected for the 2022 year — and we have heard back from them. Their expressions of gratitude are so heart-warming and uplifting, I want to share them with you. See some of their wonderful quotes below.
From: Zsofia Sztranyiczki, Executive Director of International Women's Convocation
"Wonderful news! Thank you, Jeannie, for all your efforts to make this happen!"
From: Dr. Skyller Walkes, President of the Board of Directors of Calaboose African American History Museum
"Thank you so very much for sharing this news! This is such a wonderful and welcome surprise! Please accept our sincerest thanks to you and our beautiful SMUUF community. Your support of the Calaboose African American History Museum has been and continues to be a genuine blessing to us. We cannot thank you enough for this gift … Thank you and the generous SMUUF members for your kindness and thoughtful support. The Donate the Plate gift will make a tremendous difference in the work we espouse, and it is greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting our efforts to further inclusive, social justice work. We remain genuinely humbled by the blessing. Best wishes for a wonderful rest of your day and the happiest of holidays!"
From: Ellie Stewart, Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Redwood Community Center
"Thank you so much for giving us the good news that SMUUF has picked Redwood Community Center to be a recipient of Donate the Plate for 2022. Your sponsorship means so much to us! ... I think your Donate the Plate program is wonderful and am so happy that we will be one of the recipients."
From: Dr. Aaron Pyle, Financial Officer for The Indigenous Cultures Institute
"Many thanks to you and the other members of the SMUUF team for this invitation! We are honored to participate … Thank you again for the generosity of your congregation and for your commitment to investing in the San Marcos community."
From: Virginia Condie, Executive Director of San Marcos River Foundation
"Thank you Jeannie! We are ecstatic!"
From: Rev. Erin Walter, Acting Executive Director of Texas UU Justice Ministry
"Thank you so much. TXUUJM and I greatly appreciate SMUUF's support and we will be working hard for justice in Texas alongside your congregation. With deepest gratitude."
From: June Hankins, Hays County Child Protection Board
"We are honored to be chosen again by SMUUF to be a recipient of Donate-the-Plate. This donation will make a difference to children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Thank you so very much! … Many, many thanks to the Social Justice Executive Committee and to the SMUUF congregation for supporting our work."
From: Allison Hess, International Engagement Associate at the UU Office at the United Nations
"This is great news! So glad to hear! Thanks so much to you for ushering this process along and to the SMUUF team for supporting our inclusion as a Donate the Plate recipient!"
From: Jim Pendergast, Treasurer of PFLC San Marcos
"Again, we are so very grateful for SMUUF’s continued support. Many thanks to the entire Fellowship."
Dear SMUUF Families with Children,
We will soon be making adjustments within our new space at First Christian Church! We welcome all children, no matter how playful, to attend our services but are currently asking children to stay with their parents during service. We have a playground outside and an observation room where parents can hear the service without concern of their child's spirited communication. This room exists as a choice for those parents if THEY feel more comfortable. It is not to make the service quieter for others. We love the sounds of children in our worship services!
We completed our first Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) Lifespan Sexual Education classes in Spring 2020! 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. We hope to offer this program again in the coming year.
RE Class Time – On hold for now...
Week of Friday, June 25 - Thursday, June 30
Ways to Access Gatherings and Groups using Zoom: https://uuma.zoom.us/my/smuuf
Or by calling in to 346-248-7799 below and enter the meeting ID 849 653 9395
Small Group Meetings
TGIF Happy Hour
Other Events
UPDATE!!!!
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.
See the link below to join this meeting:
Zoom Meeting ID: 283 947 380
Password: 385478
For more information contact Jeannie Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Weekly Events
SMUUF Choir
Choir will take the Summer off and return to rehearsals in August. More details to come. For information about choir meetings and social gatherings, please contact choir director, Gayle Gaston. All who enjoy singing are welcome!
Contact: Gayle Gaston (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to be added to the SMUUF Choir email list.
SMUUF Sewing Guild Meets Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Friday "Talk, Then Walk" - Meet in person with social distancing, masks
Meets Friday mornings, text Garrie Borden at 401-793-6435 for meeting info
Join us for a weekly outdoor, socially-distanced meeting and walk in San Marcos' natural areas. Bring a chair, beverage and mask. We meet every friday at 10 am to chat for about a half hour, then go on an approx. 45-minute walk around the river or on our numerous nearby trails.
Garrie sends out a text every Thursday to let you know where to meet. To join the group, text her, and she'll add you to the list.
Contact: Garrie Borden at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Homeless Coalition of Hays County (formerly Local Homeless Coalition [LHC])
Next meeting: Friday, July 1 @ 10:00 a.m.Coalition bylaws can be found here.
Want to speak or present at a coalition meeting? Please fill out this quick form to be considered for placement on the agenda.
Contact the organizers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are willing to volunteer or want more information.
Send your community and local announcements to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
Joys and Concerns
- SMUUF Member Elaine Cardenas Volunteers to be "Postcard Captain" in TXUUJM's GOTV Campaign
Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) is applying for a grant to support Texas UU congregations in our Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts. SMUUF will be eligible for $500 for postcards and postage. TXUUJM will organize and order the supplies. Our own Elaine Cardenas has stepped up to be the point person, to organize a Postcard Writing Party on a Sunday afternoon after church in the summer.
For more information or to get involved, contact Texas UU Justice Ministry, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SMUUF Sewing Guild Comfort Quilts for Uvalde families tied in bundles of 10 each with a note to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde.
SMUUF Past Meeting Reports
SMUUF Members stay active, representing our congregation at many UU, national, and local meetings and events. Check out the most recent updates below. If you attend any events that you would like to share with our members and friends, send an email to SMUUF Admin Marissa Fehler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) Announces Texas Legislative Issues for 2021-2022
After a 10 week process of nominations and voting 25 Texas UU congregations (including SMUUF) we have chosen these top issues for us to work on collectively from 2020-2022!
1. Racial Justice
2. Environmental Justice
3. Healthcare Access
4. Economic Justice
5. Voting Rights
After the results of the November elections and we see more clearly the makeup of the legislature we will begin to plot strategies on our top issues.
We WILL Bend Texas and America Toward Justice Together!
UBarU Events Update
There are lots of opportunities at UBarU this summer! GenderfUUl retreat July 8-10 and Star Party Aug 25-28. Registration and details at https://www.ubaru.org
Our cottages are available for personal and family retreats. Enjoy the UBarU campus, dark sky and morning sun at your leisure. Email Robyn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange your stay.
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.
Need a SMUUF Name Badge?
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:
Join the SMUUF Social Justice Action Alert Team
Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair, maintains a Social Justice Action Alert Email Distribution List to communicate with SMUUF members and friends who have volunteered to receive notices of social justice opportunities in our community. This is an invitation for you to sign up to receive those notices. An email may be sent out once a week or even less often, so there is not a flood of emails sent out.
Most opportunities are in our community or can be done from home. Examples are monitoring (at home) phone calls about homelessness; phone calls, emails, or post cards to the Legislature and other entities to advocate for social justice issues; attending social justice Zoom meetings on local homelessness, Interfaith coalitions performing area social justice work, and other Zoom meetings; and several other area opportunities.
By signing up to be on the email distribution list, you are not obligated to volunteer for any activity, but it will help to keep you informed of some of the needs in our community. To be added to the SMUUF Social Action Alert Team Email Distribution List, send your name, your email address, and your phone number to Jeannie Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..