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
Third Sunday: Vegan Food, Discussion and Q&A @ 9:30 a.m.
We will talk about meal substitutions and anything you would like to talk about regarding plant-based foods.
Contact Environmental Justice Leader BJ Allen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information.
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: SMUUF Book Group @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, December 5: 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 selection for December is The Gift of Imperfection by Brené Brown.
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.)
Second Sunday: WUUFS Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, December 12: To be announced
WUUFS welcomes anyone who self-identifies as a woman. Contact WUUFS Leader Jeannie Lewis (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (512) 353-2872).
Third Sunday: Vegan Food, Discussion and Q&A @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, November 21: We will talk about meal substitutions and anything you would like to talk about regarding plant-based foods.
Contact Environmental Justice Leader BJ Allen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information.
Fourth Sunday: Social Justice/Environmental Justice Forum @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, November 28: To be announced
Contact Environmental Justice Leader BJ Allen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information.
Spiritual Exploration Adult RE Group @ 12:30 p.m.
The next meeting of the Spiritual Exploration Adult RE Group will be after service on Sunday, November 28. The topic will be "Popular Religions' Perspectives on the Devine."
Contact Mike Russett (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information.
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.)
SMUUF Donate-the-Plate for November: SMUUF Social Justice Contingency Fund
Generous donations to this Contingency Fund will give the SMUUF Social Justice Team the ability to respond immediately to community urgent needs and to those in the wider community. For example, if we have another freeze like we did last winter, we can assist the HOME Center in reaching those without shelter to find temporary places to stay, and provide hot meals until it is safe to be outside again.
There may be other unexpected needs that we can't predict but we can be prepared to respond quickly. Your donations will enable us to fulfill our UU values in our community! Please give what you can. For more information contact SMUUF Social Justice Chair, Jeannie Lewis, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (512) 353-2872.
Please give generously to the SMUUF Social Justice Contingency Fund in the month of November. Go to smuuf.org/giving and click on Donate to SMUUF, then click on Donations and select Donate the Plate.
Dear SMUUF Families with Children,
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. While there is no formal children's program at the moment, please join us on Zoom before Sunday service around 10:30 a.m. for a Time for Children with our amazing teachers. There will also be small group breakouts during our time for sharing Joys and Concerns every Sunday, and we offer our families their own space to share.
SOUL MATTERS THEMES FOR 2021-22 CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
June: Play
September: Embracing Possibility
October: Cultivating Relationship
November: Holding History
December: Opening to Joy
January: Living with Intention
February: Widening the Circle
March: Renewing Faith
April: Awakening
May: Nurturing Beauty
June: Celebrating Blessings
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.
RE Class Time – On hold for now...
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:
SEE YOU SUNDAY!!
Week of Friday, November 19 - Thursday, November 25
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
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.
Vulnerable Populations
TGIF Happy Hour
Other Events
Upcoming Central Texas Interfaith Events
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 November:
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..
Weekly Events
SMUUF Choir
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.)
Sewing Guild - No meetings scheduled
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" - 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..
2022 UUA General Assembly Calls for GA Music Coordinator and GA Worship Coordinator
The UUA Office of General Assembly and Conference Services welcomes applications for the following positions for our first ever multi-platform General Assembly (online or in-person in Portland, Oregon) from June 22– 26, 2022.
GA MUSIC COORDINATOR – One of the highlights and most beloved aspects of General Assembly are the musical performances. The GA Music Coordinator provides music leadership, general oversight, coordination, communication, and support for all aspects of music production during General Assembly. Please review the job description (PDF).
GA WORSHIP COORDINATOR – General Assembly, like Unitarian Universalism, offers a wealth of theological diversity. A variety of worship choices are offered throughout GA. The GA Worship Coordinator is an administrative role supporting GA worship leaders with preparation for worship at GA. This includes communicating and managing completion of all production, accessibility and inclusion, and music-related guidelines. Please review the job description (PDF).
If you are interested in applying for either position please submit a cover letter and resume to LaTonya Richardson, Director, General Assembly & Conference Services 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, December 2 @ 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
- Congratulations to our SMUUF leader Jeff Rasco who won election as Woodcreek's mayor in Wimberley this week! We're around of you, Jeff, for dedicating your time, energy, and intellect to public service in your community!
- Congratulations to our friend and SMUUF member Alex Mylius for being honored as a Hays County Women in Leadership Nominee! Alex's photo was featured in the recent Women in Leadership publication of the San Marcos Daily Record. Way to go, Alex!
SMUUF September Donate-the-Plate to Redwood Community Center, Inc.
We helped support Redwood Community Center, Inc. dba Centro Esperanza with our donations online and by mail. Ellie Stewart, Treasurer of Centro Esperanza, said, "I want to say to your members who gave so generously how grateful we are. It makes us feel so good that other people care about the folks at Redwood/Rancho Vista. Your donation will go to a good cause. Thank you so much!"
And our SMUUF Social Justice Team is grateful for the generous donations our congregation continues to give to support nonprofit organizations that are doing good work that alias with our UU values. Keep up the good work!
Garrie Borden, stepdaughter Stephanie and husband Ronnie Borden (photographer) joined thousands of protesters Against SB 8 in Austin at the October 2 Women's Rally.
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..
UN UNO Meeting - Tuesday, October 19
SMUUF Members BJ Allen and Jeannie Lewis serves as envoys to the Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations (UU@UN). BJ shares minutes from the last meeting here.
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!
Donate-the-Plate Recipients for 2021
The SMUUF Social Justice Executive Team met on Saturday, December 12, 2020, to select Donate-the-Plate recipients for 2021. The members of the SMUUF Social Justice Executive Team include: Jeannie Lewis, Chair; Rev. Krista Weber Huang, Ex Officio; Becky Allen, Diana Garcia, Gil Fulmer, Jordan Buckley, Rev. Karl Brown, Kate Clayton, and Mike Russett. All were present for the Zoom meeting.
We had received 14 applications and could only select 10. We always like to leave two months open for contingencies, and we always fill them. The choices were difficult because all the non-profits are worthy. But we agreed on the final 10. The Donate-the-Plate representative is regularly scheduled to visit our SMUUF Worship Service on the 2nd Sunday of each month.
The Calaboose African American History Museum – Jan. 10
H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach, Mitigation, and Emergency) Center of Central Texas – Feb. 14
Immune Boosters of Central Texas – Mar. 14
Donate the Plate Contingency Fund – April
Indigenous Cultures Institute – May 9
Hays County Child Protective Board – June 13
San Marcos River Foundation – July 11
PFLAG San Marcos – Aug. 1
Redwood Community Center, Inc., dba Centro Esperanza – Sept. 5
UU Office at the United Nations – Oct. 24 (UN Sunday)
Nov. – Open
Dec. – Open
Texas UU Justice Ministry – Postponed
San Marcos Area Black Owned Businesses – Updated July 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
UBarU Events Update
There are lots of opportunities at UBarU this fall! We have cottages for your personal use, Women-aligned retreat Oct 15-17 with a few spaces left, Winter Family Camp to ring in the New Year - Dec 31-Jan 2. All the details are at https://www.ubaru.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. See you at camp!
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?
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.)
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..