Rev. Krista Office Hours

Rev. Krista will be holding virtual office hours Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00 - 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.

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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/

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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..

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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

This Sunday: Social Justice Forum @ 9:30 a.m.

"A Public Defender Office + Cite & Divert in Hays County", a presentation by Mano Amiga policy director Eric Martinez

Our criminal legal system locally has been fraught with inefficiency & injustice –– bearing both a moral & financial cost, needlessly subjecting residents to the devastating experience of criminalization & lockup –– with prominent system actors simply unwilling to enact obvious best-practice remedies.
Among these common-sense reforms, heftily backed by overwhelming evidence of success elsewhere in Texas & across the nation, are:

1. a Public Defender's Office, to provide quality legal representation to low-income residents, for which the State might pick up half the costs in the initial 4 years of start-up;
2. a Cite & Divert system, ending arrests of people accused of petty offenses & keeping the alleged violations off their criminal record.

Policy Director for Eric Martinez will cover the current pursuit of both policies, identifying the history of community efforts of both fronts, as well as next steps in the ongoing campaign to ensure equitable legal representation for indigent residents via a PDO & to demand that D.A. Wes Mau finally honor his word on implementing Cite & Divert.

Contact Jordan Buckley (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, March 7: 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 March is How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.

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.

Third Sunday: Vegan Food Exchange @ 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 21: Come join a few friends to talk about vegan food and share recipes. All are welcome, whether you are a practicing vegan or not!

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 Forum @ 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 28: To be announced

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SMUUF Board of Trustees Meeting

This Sunday at 12:30 p.m. via SMUUF Zoom

The Board of Trustees will meet this Sunday via Zoom after a short break following Sunday service. All are welcome to attend. Click here to view the agenda (subject to change).

Contact Board President Joel Johnson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

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SMUUF Donate-the-Plate for February: H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach Mitigation & Emergency) Center

The H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach Mitigation & Emergency) Center plays a vital role in the new Homeless Coalition of Hays County. So SMUUF is happy to include the H.O.M.E. Center as the Donate-the-Plate recipient for the month of February. You can donate to the H.O.M.E. Center anytime during the month:

• Go to smuuf.org/giving
• Select "Donate to SMUUF"
• Then, in the "Give to" box, use the drop down menu to select "Donate the Plate."

Hannah Durrance, President, and Tegan Debrock, Vice President of the H.O.M.E. Center, will be at our SMUUF Worship Service on February 14 to tell us more about the H.O.M.E. Center and how our donation will be used.

Durrance described how the H.O.M.E. Center came about. "When H.O.M.E. Center began making plans nearly two years ago to address the issue of homelessness, it was not meant to be a food distribution, clothing distribution, or community resource location. Instead, the goal was to form a local homeless coalition that would address the issue of homelessness. We would provide a phone service where we could refer people to local resources that could provide services that individuals in our community desperately needed. When the state was shut down in March due to COVID, we realized that many of the supports that the homeless community relied on were also gone. We began to organize to receive donations of bottled water, Gatorade, and healthy foods that could be easily stored and prepared. We deliver food to individuals in apartments, motels and to those who are unsheltered. We currently are assisting over 50 people weekly with food and other support services."

 

From left to right: Alli Records (Secretary), Catherine Wicker, Tegan Debrock (Vice President), Hannah Durrance (President), Kristen Sierra (Treasurer).

 

Durrance continued, "Soon after, we learned that Southside Community Shelter could not shelter individuals due to COVID, so we began to organize to house individuals in motels if they were families, were disabled, immune-compromised, or elderly to reduce their risk of being exposed to COVID. Since the pandemic, we have provided motel stays for temporary emergency stays and for our transitional housing program, which has served over 100 individuals needing motel stays."

Currently, funds donated to H.O.M.E. Center are primarily used to provide shelter, gas cards to individuals who need to get to the doctor, mental health appointments or work, and to provide storage space for clothing, food and housing items for individuals. All of the work for the H.O.M.E. Center is currently done through volunteers.

Durrance expressed her gratitude to SMUUF. "H.O.M.E. Center is very grateful to the San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for its ongoing support. Your contributions of time and money have been essential to H.O.M.E. Center services and projects. We would like to recognize the hard work of several of your members who have assisted us greatly with their time, including Jeannie Lewis, Rev. Krista Weber Huang, Deborah Carter, Kate McCarty, Marissa Fehler, Lisa and Jon Cradit, and Mark Rockeymoore. Many members of your fellowship have also contributed financially and we are so thankful!"

SMUUF is a member in good standing of the new Homeless Coalition of Hays County.

 

Did you Donate to the HOME Center?

If you have donated to our Donate-the-Plate recipient — the HOME Center of Central Texas — and did not donate through the smuuf.org/giving website, please tell Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair. We would like to inform the HOME Center the total amount our congregation has donated by whatever method. Contact Jeannie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (512) 353-2872.

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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!

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.

Please click here to view our Winter Parents and Caregivers newsletter.

 

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

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.

 

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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:

(A calendar is posted downstairs with dates and themes)

SEE YOU SUNDAY!!

 

Week of Friday, February 19 - Thursday, February 24

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 346-248-7799 below and enter the meeting ID 849 653 9395

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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

TGIF Happy Hour

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SMUUF Programs

I hope you will join us in these opportunities to "journey together toward spiritual wholeness in working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community!" Contact SMUUF Minister Rev. Krista Weber Huang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Trans Inclusion in Congregations - *New Saturday morning session!* 

Contact Rev. Krista at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in joining or getting more information.

We’re launching a 6-Session Adult Religious Education course (open to SMUUF members, select friends and teens who have completed an OWL course) called “Trans Inclusion in Congregations” which we have purchased for our use as a congregation from the Transforming Hearts Collective. In this course we will “deeply explore the intersection of trans identity, spirituality, and faith community, and gain the grounding, context, and skills to transform yourself and your congregation.” It includes 6 recorded sessions, additional reflection material, and conversation guides. There will be multiple ways to engage this material over the coming year and beyond, and we are particularly excited that one of the course’s creators will be leading worship with us this coming February.

We’ll run a reflection group, starting with a live stream of the session lecture, followed by a ~30min break, and then group reflection for an hour. While we are able to make the content available to members and friends for individual engagement or for viewing ahead of time, we strongly encourage you to join one of the groups and we ask that you do not share the exclusive materials created by the Transforming Hearts Collective outside of the SMUUF community.

For more information visit https://transforming-hearts-collective.teachable.com

To register for the course or if you would like to engage with the material but are unable to attend the scheduled groups please email Rev. Krista at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Beloved Conversations Course Registration through Feb. 26

Beloved Conversations Spring Course Sign-up open through February 26 - Join Rev. Krista in registering, scholarships are available both through Beloved Conversations and SMUUF's conference fund.

Click here to view more about the course.

 

Soul Matters Small Groups

Meetings TBA

This is a monthly small group program to reflect more deeply and listen to one another’s stories around our Soul Matters theme of the month. For November, we reflected on the question “What does it mean to be a people of Healing?” These sessions will be a time for us to put our deep listening skills into practice as well as experience the power of being listened to. These small groups are open to anyone so please share with folks who you feel might benefit from joining us. The dates and topics will change each month so keep an eye out in the News Flash.

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Other Events

 

Celebrating Black History Month in Hays County

Hays County Commissioners Court members proclaimed February 2021 as Black History Month. Vanessa Westbrook shared information with the Court about a variety of happenings and events taking place next month.

Black History Month Calendar of Events

Subject to change, please verify with the organization hosting the event

City of Kyle Progress and Peace Panel
Friday, February 5 @ 7:00 p.m.
Hybrid event (virtual and in person with limited seating)

City of Kyle Progress and Peace Panel hosted by City Councilman Dex Ellison, Kyle City Hall. Event theme is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity”. Note event will be a hybrid with limited seating at the Kyle City Hall Chambers and virtual attendance with an interactive format for audience participation.

A virtual demo that explores the history of unhealthy staples in "soul food" and the healthier alternatives. A presentation by Joya Wesley, the "Easy Breezy Whole Foodie", including meal demos, reflections on a personal journey to freedom from addiction to "slave food", and information about the Immune Boosters of Central Texas. More at https://easybreezywholefoodie.com/events

Celebrating Black History Month Event: I Love You TWO!
Saturday, February 13 @ 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wonder World Park, 100 Prospect Street, San Marcos

Sponsored by Soulful Creations Tx and Wonder World Park. Donations for the Hays County Food Bank will be requested and collected at this event. Two food items will be rewarded with discounts at the Soulful Creations Tx and Wonder World Caves & Amusement Park.

Myth of the Strong Black Woman: A Discussion Series on the Mental Health of Black Women
Friday, February 19 @ 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Zoom program

Presented by Hays/Caldwell County Women’s Center and The Dunbar Heritage Association with host Jonnie Wilson, Outreach Counselor at Hays-Caldwell Women Center, and an amazing panel of women.

Buda Black History Celebration 2.0: Lift Ev’ry Voice
Saturday, February 20 @ 2:00-4 p.m.
Virtual program; details coming soon

Hosted by Sandra Bryant with Keeping Communities Connected (KCC) in Partnership with the City of Buda Master of Ceremony: Ray Bryant, Buda City Councilman & Derrick Bryant, Lockhart City Councilman.

Voices at The Table
Sunday, February 21 @ 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Zoom event

A community forum on race and social injustice. February being Black History Month, we will discuss black and blended families in Wimberley and Hays County. Co-moderated by Sandra Organ Solis and Marissa Fehler; Zoom. Go to https://table.yosoyx.net to register for the event.

Celebrating Black History Month Event: Karaoke at the CAVE!
Saturday, February 27
Wonder World Park, 100 Prospect Street, San Marcos

Sponsored by Soulful Creations Tx and Wonder World Caves and Amusement Park. The Karaoke at the CAVE challenge will be filled with fun, and LIVE on Facebook; Please bring donations for the Hays/Caldwell County Women’s Center as items collected at this event. Items needed are household cleaning supplies, new towels (bath towels, hand towels, face towels), and writing journals with pens.

Celebrating Our “Hairitage!” Pt. 2 sponsored by The Dunbar Heritage Association
Sunday, February 28
Virtual and possibly hybrid (both virtual and in person)

The Dunbar Heritage Association will host a night of discussion that examines the politics, complexities, and beauty of black hair both within the larger American culture and within the black community. The virtual portion will be aired on the DHA Facebook Page.

Month-long events Celebrating Black History

Buda Public Library will have a Celebrating Black History Month virtual event; weekly book reading on Face Book; take and make kits are available free of charge for ages 5 – 10; digital book displays on website throughout the month of February

City of Buda will be highlighting African American contributions each day on social media pages through graphics and video every day in February.

City of Kyle highlights African American Contributions to our everyday life. Various forms of media/social media will highlight an African American each day of February starting February 1 through February 28.

Kyle Public Library will have books on exhibits that were written by African Americans, books with African American characters, and events that highlight African Americans. Children’s book reading virtual event will highlight African Americans, and be read by local citizens throughout the month of February.

In Lockhart – The Calaboose African American History Museum presents: Momentous Milestones and Tenacious Trailblazers, currently featured in the Masur Gallery Window in Lockhart, TX. Artworks from Voting Rights & Civil Rights: A Struggle from the Present. Photos captured by iconic, award-winning photographer Matt Herron, that include powerful candids of the REv. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, John Lewis and more.

City Proclamations

Feb. 1 – Niederwald City Council
Feb. 2
     Buda City Council
     Kyle City Council
     San Marcos City Council
Feb. 3 – Uhland City Council
Feb. 4 – Wimberley City Council
Feb. 9 – Dripping Springs City Council

 

Upcoming Central Texas Interfaith Events

The severe weather has left many in our communities without electricity, heat or water. Given this situation, we have decided to postpone the CTI Leaders meeting (originally scheduled for Thursday February 18th) to give each other time to reset. We will reconvene this Thursday February 25th from 7 - 8:30 pm.

If you would like to join us we will have a brief 30-40 minutes conference call this Thursday, February 18th at 7pm to check in with one another about how your community has been affected.

 

Rescheduled CTI Leaders Meeting
Thursday, February 25th @ 7:00-8:30 p.m.
For Zoom information register here
Habrá traducción en español

This meeting is for all CTI clergy and leaders from across our 10-county region, and individuals interested in getting involved in CTI. We will be discussing our 2021 organizing strategies, issue-strategies, the legislative session, and trainings.

 

SMUUF Members and Friends Invited to Meet New CIAF Organizer via Zoom - Email or call Catherine Wicker to schedule

SMUUF is a dues paying member in good standing of the Corridor Interfaith Alliance for Families (CIAF). CIAF is a branch of Central Texas Interfaith (CTI) that covers Hays and Comal Counties — the I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin. CIAF is a coalition of faith communities, schools, neighborhood groups, and other local organizations. Together, we can develop effective solutions and work with public officials to create change for the better. CIAF is a non-profit and non-partisan organization.

CIAF has a new Organizer, Catherine Wicker, whom some of you may already know. She would like to meet individually with any of our members and friends interested in social justice in our own local communities. The Zoom meeting will be a short 30 minutes. See her invitation below and please contact her.

"My name is Catherine Wicker and I am the new organizer with CIAF. I have lived in Hays county for the past 5 years and I am looking forward to my new role! This organization believes in building power to create systematic changes in our community. In my role, it is important for me to schedule relational meetings with community members to learn more about the issues that are important to you all (think of it as a coffee meeting but on Zoom because of COVID-19)! Please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call me at 512-771-9691. I look forward to meeting with all of you in the coming weeks!"

 

Hays County Local Homeless Coalition (LHC)

The agenda will be sent out at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Minutes from the meeting will be sent via email to those on the mailing list.

We now have enough member organization representatives (7) to formally establish our voting membership and bylaws! We got to know our members and officers at our January meeting. We heard from the West TX Homeless Coalition about how their LHC functions and how it has benefited their community. We also took a look at a draft coalition website (thank you Dominique Gayle!)

We are still welcoming nominations for representatives from organizations committed to ending homelessness in Hays County. Organizations may send a letter or meeting minutes designating one representative to the LHC board. The nomination, and therefore the organization's membership, will be confirmed by a majority vote of the established LHC voting membership.

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.

 

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 February:

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..

 

 

Unitarian Universalist Association Virtual General Assembly
June 23-27, 2021

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. That remains true even when we cannot gather physically. Last year, GA had more than 4,900 registered attendees participate from remote locations around the world. Although we give up the face-to-face interaction and hugs that are prevalent when we meet in-person, we retain our dedication to community and make our experience more accessible and more environmentally sustainable.

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Weekly Events

SMUUF Choir - Zoom meetings resume

Regular choir Zoom meetings will resume this Thursday. All singers are invited to become a part of the choir.

Please contact Gayle Gaston 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.)

 

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Sewing Guild - Meet via Zoom

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.)

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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..

 

 

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

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 

 

 

SMUUF Volunteers for the Homeless Coalition of Hays County

Several of our SMUUF members and friends have recently volunteered their time and energy to help in the work of the new Homeless Coalition of Hays County. SMUUF is member in good standing of the Homeless Coalition with Jeannie Lewis, SMUUF Social Justice Chair, officially representing SMUUF on the Board of the Coalition. Deborah Carter serves in a leadership position on the Coalition Board. And SMUUF minister Rev. Krista Weber Huang attends the Zoom meetings and serves as a resource.

Other SMUUF members donating their time and energy to the Coalition are Marissa Fehler, who attends meetings and helps publicize the activities of the Coalition, and Kate McCarty, who volunteered to monitor the homeless help phone line and assist with grant-writing.

SMUUF members Lisa and Jon Cradit participated in the Point in Time (PIT) Count of the homeless population in Hays County last week. Each of them donated 5 hours for a total of 10 hours. The PIT Count is performed each year on a certain day using volunteers to try to gat an accurate count of all the homeless in Hays County and, at the same time, handing out kits of essential items. Because of COVID this year, the PIT Count was conducted at a safe distance and the kits were not always able to be exchanged. This official count allows social service agencies and the cities in Hays County to apply for funding.

Thanks to all of you who have volunteered. If we've missed anyone or you want to volunteer, please 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.

 

SMUUF D-T-P Donations in December and January

Our SMUUF members and friends should be very gratified to know that we share in the support of several local non-profits who are doing work in our communities that align with our social justice mission. We thank all of you who donate and hope you will continue to give generously. It not only provides support for those non-profit organizations, but it influences SMUUF's standing in the community.

Our December Donate-the-Plate to San Marcos PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) was $660. Mary Pendergast, PFLAG President, said, "We are deeply grateful to SMUUF, not only for your financial support, but also for your community support. Thank you for being an ally of San Marcos PFLAG. Your kind and generous donation will enable us to extend our support to the community of San Marcos."

Our January Donate-the-Plate to the Calaboose African American History Museum was $576. Dr. Skyller Walkes, Calaboose President, said, “On behalf of the Calaboose African American History Museum Board, please accept our most sincere thanks for this donation and especially for your ongoing and continued support of our efforts. Generous donations like yours aid us greatly in our tasks, and we are humbled to have that support. We are thankful to SMUUF."

 

SMUUF Sewing Guild Donates Quilts to Central Texas Early Childhood Home Visiting Program

The SMUUF Sewing Guild delivered 30 small handmade lap quilts to SMUUF Member Alex Mylius to use with Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. Alex is the Early Childhood Program Deputy Director in charge of the Home Visiting and Community Partnerships Program with Community Action, Inc.

Alex explained, "We serve low-income families with children from birth to age five. The quilts will be given to families enrolled in our program; often families are living in housing with inadequate heat, and these quilts will provide some warmth for the children. Our staff can determine which of the families we serve who have the most acute need. Our staff and families are grateful to the SMUUF Sewing Guild for this generous donation of quilts. Sharing the literal and figurative warmth of our Fellowship feels especially important now when we can’t physically be together."

Alex Mylius loading the the 30 small lap quilts in her car for delivery to the children in the Home Visiting Program. Her son Leon is demonstrating one of the quilts wrapped around him.

 

The SMUUF Sewing Guild has been gathering weekly for several years at Ann Allen's home in Martindale to sew handmade small lap quilts and other items to donate to mothers and children at the border, for people in nursing homes suffering from Alzheimer's, and now to young children in San Marcos served by the Home Visiting Program. Since the pandemic, the Sewing Guild has not been able to meet as a group and sew together, but have continued to meet via SMUUF Zoom each week to keep in touch. Some members have sewn at their own home and a few have met outside on Ann Allen's back porch to sew. The SMUUF Sewing Guild is composed of Ann Allen (leader), Barbara Jacobson, Becky Allen, Betty Dewsnap, Betty Watkins, Carolyn Robinson, Janet Wallgren, Jeanne Garthwaite, Jeannie Lewis, Judy Telford, Kate Clayton, and Rhoda Sterling.

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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..

 

UU United Nations Office Envoy Meeting – Tue. December 15, 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Next Meeting: TBA

SMUUF envoys Rebecca Allen and Jeannie Lewis attended the December Meeting. Please click here to view the minutes from the meeting.

 

Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) Meeting – Tue. October 27, 7:00 p.m.

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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!

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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

Texas UU Justice Ministry – Apr. 11

Indigenous Cultures Institute – May 9

Hays County Child Protective Board – June 13

San Marcos River Foundation – July 11

Redwood Community Center, Inc., dba Centro Esperanza – Aug. 8

PFLAG San Marcos – Sept. 12

UU Office at the United Nations – Oct. 24 (UN Sunday)

Nov. – Open

Dec. – Open

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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

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UBarU Events Update

UBarU Camp & Retreat Center continues to offer e-events via Zoom to help you stay connected with camp and each other. Go to http://ubaru.org/home/e-events for all the details. The events are offered free of charge and donations are gratefully accepted at https://ubaru.org/home/Support.

We are planning to host Fiber Arts weekend Feb 12-15 with COVID precautions in place. Details and registration at https://ubaru.org/home/FiberArts

 

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?

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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

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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..

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Legacy Society

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Board Meeting Minutes available