5/25/14 The Week @ Horizon UU

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the_week@horizonuu a publication of horizon unitarian universalist church

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horizon unitarian universalist church • 1641 w. hebron pkwy. • carrollton, tx • 75010 6334 t: 972 492 4940 • f: 972 394 05 • email: [email protected]



FUTURE SUNDAYS Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church encourages you to

attend weekly worship here within your community Sundays 10:30AM - 1641 W. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton TX 75010

May 25, 2014 – “Be Here Now”

Elizabeth Gustwick * Michael McKee

We've had our party. We've said goodbye. Now it is time to take a deep breath, to rest in this incredible inflection point between what was and what is yet to be at Horizon. This Sunday, Dale Moon, Elizabeth Gustwick, Marianna Seaton, and Michael McKee will lead us in a service of reflection and appreciation of our beloved community just as it is, right here, right now, in this very precious moment.

Summer Services

June 1, 2014 - Lyssa Jenkens

June 8, 2014 - Flower Communion - Pam Schuman

June 15, 2014 - Sharing Father’s Day - Eileen Terrell

June 22, 2014 - Rev. Vickie Johnson

June 29, 2014 - Rev. Rob Moore

July 6, 2014 - Rev. Gordon Roe

July 13, 2014 - Montana Steele

July 20, 2014 - Rev. David Martin



July 27, 2014 - Intergenerational Service - Lauren Daniel

August 3, 2014 - Wellspring service - Marianna Seaton

August 10, 2014 - Aly Tharp

August 17, 2014 - Rev. Kent Taylor

August 24, 2014 - Rev. Susan Smith

August 31, 2014 - Horizon Leadership

- See more at: http://www.horizonuu.org/ ______________________________________________________________________

Photo: Jerry Burns



Contemplations * Rev. Dennis Hamilton * [email protected]

The Sangha requested this reprint from my sermon “Unknown Blessings” from last year.

The mockingbirds have claimed my fig tree.

They have nothing better to do

than wait for the green pouches to ripen,

then to rip them open with their talented beaks

to bare the blood red fruit inside.

They leave them half-eaten, wounded,

and move on to the next

with no thought for economy, for property.

I could be bitter.

I could curse them for their thievery and waste.

But they do look so happy in the branches,

and after all, it isn’t really my fig tree.

Whose is it?

Whose are they?

And who am I to begrudge them this bounty that I

didn’t make?

Let me ask you,

did you wake up this morning to a world of

sorrow and strife?

Or did you awaken to a beautiful world with sorrow

and strife in it,

and with joy and forgiveness, generosity and kindness healing it?

Is the world a history of grief,

or a slow ascent out of ignorance and into knowledge and wisdom?

Is God a demanding narcissist, threatening eternal rejection

Rev. Dennis Hamilton. Photo: Jerry Burns



or is God an unending source of potential, an invitation to a feast,

to unconditional acceptance and understanding?

These are not rhetorical questions.

They are at the core of our theology and our world-view.

How do we heal the world?

How do we see it as it is, and not as we think it ought to be?

How do we incarnate the generosity of the fig tree?

How do we welcome the mockingbirds into our life,

thieves and wastrels that they are,

with their songs, which by the way,

they do not charge a dime to hear.

There is a sense of gratefulness that cannot be expressed. It is a kind of cosmic gratefulness

that becomes a permanent undercurrent in one’s life. For me, it runs through my blood and

swells in my heart. I felt it this weekend when you staged an a-wake in Mary Kay’s and my

honor and related personal stories about my ministry with you. And they were so

complimentary. I was deeply touched and gratified that you all saw my ministry that way. I

Dennis and Mary Kay Hamilton Photo: Jerry Burns



felt it when the Choir performed the anthem Nelta wrote for my going away. I felt it when

you all presented an incredibly generous gift to us for our retirement. And by the way, it will

really help us to live in a very nice house in the Monterey Peninsula. We will feel your

presence and think about you every day in that house.

You let me know this weekend so many times that my ministry to you has been a good

one; even that it changed some people’s lives. Well the thanks go both ways. You really did

make me a better person than I ever wanted to be, or ever thought I would be. And Horizon

has become a better church than anyone ever guessed it would be. It is a great church with a

fine reputation, admired and emulated in the Unitarian Universalist Association. I believe it

has a great future as well. It will change many lives in the future and it will bring forth the

best in many future ministers.

So my final words to you are “Thank you. I love you all.”

So it is, Dennis



Seeds Sewn in Warfare (or How to Love a Minister Departed)

By Montana Steele

When the conservative people of Georgetown ask me what my home minister is like after having been informed of my own path to ministry, I simply smile and say "well, he's an atheist transcendental Buddhist, and I've never known a greater man" I steadily hold my ground as their quizzical looks give way to reactive responses of condescending questions like, "how do you worship under a man like that?" "how can you call him your minister when he doesn't believe in God?" "how can he have inspired you when he can't even acknowledge his own creator?" My stature does not waver under these heavy weight judgments disguised with a question mark, and all I can think to say to these people is that I choose to worship with a man like that because worship for me used to be all about the strategic placement of war ships around old pew benches lined with prayer mats that could never cushion my knees properly so that when the sea of holy water would come forth to drown out my curiosity about the universe I could stay afloat, armed for a battle of should-believes with the artillery of compassion and wisdom lining the deck, but after surviving my hardest battle, verging on forsaking all I thought a grounding in belief could offer me, this atheist transcendental Buddhist found my ship lost amongst the beating waves of adolescent acceptance and held out his hand bearing two fruits, seeds inside, and we stood next to each other and shared the gifts he brought, Once we were done nourishing ourselves, I took the seed into my heart, and he planted the other beneath me, because when you worship with this man, when you allow his gift to nourish your Self, you do not worship under him, you worship with him,



and then he helps you grow beyond him; when I call him my minister, I do not look to him for his belief or lack thereof, rather I look to him for his innate drive to come to the aid of those who have turned the beauty of worship into a battle of war ships, and lead them back to their own roots grounded in their own soil, for he does not need a God in order to water a garden, and to me, that makes him a far better minister than those who have no idea what to do with water unless it has been blessed; this man inspires me because he was the first person who could ever arouse in me the feeling of my true divine Self, removed from God, removed from terminology and syntax, removed from holy books and metaphors and interpretations, he was able to open my eyes to my own light, through his wisdom and compassion, he strengthened mine, but no longer are they stored as artillery for war, rather through his guidance, my wisdom and compassion transformed into tools for building my own pews and steeple over an old seedling planted years ago, it's growth providing the fruits from which I can continue to receive nourishment, and begin to give away nourishment as well; I call him my minister, because it is his footsteps I follow on my own path, though our gifts may taste different, or provide different nutrients, or grow under different circumstances, our innate drive remains intertwined forever, Dennis Hamilton, when the conservative people of Georgetown ask me about who you are, your ministry is relived through my thoughts, your lessons are relearned through my words, and the peace you instilled within me takes the form of a love that I pass along to them as I simply smile warmly, and reiterate, "I have never known a greater man" So it is.



Adult Religious Explorations Contact: [email protected]

Sunday mornings 9:00 – 10:10 am Horizon Library

May 25, 2014

John Wycliffe, a man anxious for change. Ruth Trudeau will facilitate our class. John Wycliffe asked, “Why may we not write in English the gospel and other things, dedicating the gospel to the edification of man’s soul. We ask: 1. Why were this scholar philosopher’s bones exhumed and burned at the stake…? 2. What did he do to so anger the church? 3. Who were his friends and why did they protect him during hid lifetime? Come to the class to find out more about Wycliffe, discuss answers to our questions and find out what was Wycliffe was so anxious to reform.



Congratulations to Lyssa Jenkens on receiving the

Master of Divinity degree

from Meadville-Lombard Theological Seminary

during Commencement exercises in Chicago

on Sunday, May 18, 2014

June 1 is Lyssa’s last Sunday with us. Come and be inspired and challenged by her final sermon, then personally speak with her at the farewell reception in Fellowship Hall immediately following the worship service. A celebration cake will be cut with great ceremony! (And Horizon members and friends, it isn’t too late to make a contribution to the fund to be presented to Lyssa for the purpose of purchasing her ministerial stole. Please indicate “Intern Gift” on any contribution placed in the offertory basket or mailed to the Horizon office, 1641 W. Hebron Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75010.)



A Note from the DLRE * By Lauren Daniell * [email protected] Blog: www.horizonuu.org/dre/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/horizonuu/

Summer Read-A-Thon Starting Soon

Sign up begins Sunday Pick up packets June 1

Are you an adult who likes to read? Do you have a child in school and who needs to do summer reading? Read and help others! Horizon Religious Education is partnering with the Social Justice committee to support Room to Read. By having others sponsor you for the time you read over the summer, you will help raise money for this worthy cause. Registration: Look for a sign up sheet in your Order of Service beginnng this Sunday. Packets: Be on the lookout for packets with an FAQ, reading logs and take home information to help you keep track of your reading and your sponsors. More information about Room to Read can be found at www.roomtoread.org

http://www.horizonuu.org/dre/

http://www.pinterest.com/horizonuu/

http://www.roomtoread.org/



Announcements:

Children’s and Youth Religious Education

Biblical Times Feast Next Sunday grades K-5

Next Sunday, June 1st, is the last class of the regular church school year and grades Kindergarten-5th are going to celebrate by having a Feast from Bible Times. Parents/guardians are asked to bring some of the following foods/drinks. Contact Lauren if you can supply some of these items (address next to picture): -grape juice -pita bread -pomagranate juice -hummus -figs -honey treats -grapes -almonds (not peanuts) -olives -fruit kabobs -raisins -dates

Summer Classes begin June 15th

This summer, children and youth ages 3-18 in religious education classes will explore Unitarian Universalism through a variety of classes. Please go to Lauren’s blog to see a complete listing (blog address next to picture at beginning of section.)



Items needed for children’s summer RE

Children’s religious education is looking to borrow the following items during the summer. Please contact Lauren if you can lend Religious Education any of these items (email address next to picture at beginning of section): -a pet turtle to visit class -balances -mobiles -statues of gods and goddesses from major world religions -a framed, colorful mandala or a poster of a mandala -a small totem pole

Calendar of Events for Children and Youth

May 25th: Classes run as scheduled. Congregational Meeting: Coming of Age provides lunch. Don’t forget to reserve childcare during the meeting: [email protected] June 1st: TrUUth Ceremony recognizing new readers/ Last day of regular year classes June 8th: Flower Communion Sunday. No classes preschool-12th grade. Nursery open to children 5 and under. Soul Work bags and flower activities available to children in the sanctuary during the service. June 15th: Summer RE begins /Begin Read-A-Thon for Room to Read August 24th: Fall RE Open House

mailto:[email protected]



Announcements:

Adult Religious Education

A Long Strange Trip: The Complete Video Guide

to Unitarian Universalist History with Lauren Daniell and Peter Hendee

Part IV & V The life and work of Universalist Hosea Ballou – Julia Ward Howe -

Charles Darwin – Olympia Brown

This film follows both Unitarianism and Universalism through the late 19th and early 20th centuries and involvment in abolition, women’s

suffrage, and the Social Gospel.

Two showings:

Sunday, June 8th, 12:30-2:00 pm OR Wednesday, June 11th, 7:30-9:00pm Horizon Library Fellowship Hall



SUNDAY May 25

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Sunday Morning Journey Group - P2 - Couch 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Adult Religious Explorations - E3 - Library 10:15 AM - 12:30 PM Library Ministry - Open for Browsing - E3 - Library 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Main Worship - SH - Sanc. 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Congregational Meeting - FH - Fellowship Hall, SH - Sanc. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch to Benefit Coming of Age Class! - Other - Offsite 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Wellspring 2013/14 - P2 - Couch 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM GALA Youth - S6 - Class

MONDAY May 26 Memorial Day

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM SMART Recovery - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Membership Committee - E3 - Library

TUESDAY May 27

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Horizon Book Club - E3 - Library 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Spirit in Practice - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Buddhist Sangha - P1 - Lg, P2 - Couch 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday Wisdom Circle - E3 - Library

WEDNESDAY May 28

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Library Ministry - E3 - Library 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Wellspring 2013/14 - Wednesday Group - P2 - Couch 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM WFIG (Women's Friendship in Growth) Chalice Circle - E3 - Library

THURSDAY May 29

6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Worship Arts Committee Meeting - MO - Minister's Office 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Choir Practice - FH - Fellowship Hall

FRIDAY May 30

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Candlelighters - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM FREE MOVIE NIGHT!!! - FH - Fellowship Hall

SATURDAY May

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Men's Support Group - E3 - Library



After Church Lunch Locations May 2014 Visitors and members welcome! Directions available at the Welcome Center. When we go to a restaurant, we meet there approximately 20 minutes after the service ends. First ones there please get a table for 10+ under the name “Horizon”.

May 25th - Congregational Meeting & Lunch * A delicious lunch will be provided by the Coming of Age 9th grade students and their parents. They will take donations to raise funds for their pilgrimage to Boston!

This Sunday’s lunch provided by

the Coming of Age Class

Help our ninth graders earn money for their heritage trip to Boston next month. Stay for lunch Sunday and enjoy a Mexican

fiesta before the congregational meeting!

All donations appreciated!



CELEBRATING OUR FATHERS – A SHARING

SERVICE – SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

On Father's Day we look to our members to share their memories and stories about their own fathers. Those stories and other sharing takes the place of the sermon, and enrich our communal memory. A large part of what helps us to persevere, and even to thrive, during challenging time is the influence our parents had on us as we were growing up – and still have on us today. We have spent much of this past year meandering down Horizon's own Collective Memory Lane. Now, let us veer away from that lane and instead each explores our individual Memory Trail for something to share with each other on Sunday, June 15, about how our fathers helped to shape each of us. Maybe the discovery will be a story, a song, an item for the altar, a poem. Perhaps it will be about a foster father, a mentor, a teacher, an adoptive father, a birth father, an uncle, a cousin, a brother, or a friend. Perhaps it will be an old insight or a new memory. Whatever it is that each of us finds in our individual explorations, our varied contributions will combine to create a wonderful worship service when we gather together on Father's Day. And yes, Father’s Day, June 15, is just around the corner – not even one full month out from now! So, please, when you know what it is that you want to share on Father's Day, e-mail [email protected]. Of course, as always, spur-of-the-moment sharing will be welcome also on that Sunday. It does however help the Worship Arts Committee to prepare for the service if there is some advance notice as well.



Special Groups

If you are considering attending one of these groups for the first time, it is a good idea to contact them via email for more information and to get an orientation of what to expect in your first visit!

CURIOUS ABOUT SCHEDULE? You can check the calendar at http://calendar.horizonuu.org/

Horizon Book Group: 4th Tuesdays 12p. ([email protected] ) The Horizon Book Group meets at 12 Noon on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the church Library. Every June and November the group decides on the books for the following six months. Bring a brown bag lunch and

join in this fun group that is open to women and men. You’ll be able to share in an invigorating conversation on the session’s book. Current selections are found in the Library information niche in the lobby/narthex. For more info, you may contact [email protected]

Buddhist Sangha: Tuesdays 7 PM - 9:00 PM. ([email protected] ) Buddhist Sangha ("Sangha" is equivalent to a covenant group) is a weekly gathering that studies the Dharma (the teachings of Buddhism.) This is an ongoing exploration of the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, the essential teachings of Buddhism. It is participatory and although consistency is encouraged, sessions can be attended on a drop in basis. We welcome anyone interested in a meditation practice. If you wish to come for an orientation, please arrive by 6:30. If you wish to view materials, e-mail Dennis Hamilton at [email protected] or call 972-529-8187. [email protected]

The UU Christian Chalice Circle ([email protected] ) The UU Christian Chalice Circle provides a forum for enriching our spiritual lives through personal discovery of the heart, meaning, and tradition of Christianity. We gather monthly on the 1st Sunday at 9AM in the library for discussion, fellowship, and exploration. All those seeking to connect (or re-connect) to the beauty and wisdom of Christianity are welcome to attend. [email protected]

The CineMat Group ([email protected] ) The CineMat group will be meeting on the 4th Saturday every month. And it’s

now a Chalice Circle!. This Chalice Circle gets together to see a movie and then goes to a coffee shop or restaurant to discuss and comment on it in a friendly circle over a

cup of coffee or drink. People should call Meg Reed or Marga Gordon for more info, or email [email protected].



GAMERS: 3rd FRIDAY FUN AT HORIZON! ([email protected] ) Come join us for adult level games on the 3rd Friday of every month. We meet in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m. Bring a snack or drink to share!

Healthy Women Chalice Circle ([email protected] )

A woman’s support group to help achieve their goals of health and fitness. Sharing of ideas and experiences in nutrition, weight loss, exercise and stress management.

Men’s Saturday Support Group ([email protected] ) A men’s support group that includes a check-in and informal discussion of men’s issues regarding family, health, workplace, and relationships. Starts at 8AM

The 2nd Tuesday Potluck Chalice Circle ([email protected] ) This group meets for food, fellowship, and deepening friendships. They meet in the library 2nd Tuesday of most months at 12 noon. Occasionally we take a field trip instead of having a potluck lunch.

Tuesday Wisdom Circle ([email protected] ) A chalice circle that offers a check-in and discussion of a weekly life issue topic selected by a group member.

Parents – Forget Red Bull, WE’LL give you Wings! (every other Mon, 9a) ([email protected] ) WINGS Chalice Circle is a fun and friendly group whose purpose is to support the person within each parent by creating friendships and nurturing our intellect and creativity.

The Women’s Friendship in Growth (WFIG) Chalice Circle ([email protected]) Meets on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays of each month from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. We welcome women of all ages to join us for fun, connection, and growth. We share stories from our lives and discuss topics that help us get to know one another better. Recent programs have included How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day, a night of Board Games, and TED talks on the Power of Vulnerability, Connected but Alone, and Body Language. We’d love to have you in our group! To find out more, contact Nancy Foreman or Sarah Roye at [email protected].

Young Adults Chalice Circle Contact: [email protected] for more details.



NEWS FROM THE BOOKSTORE

SUMMER HOURS WILL BE 10 – 10:30 am

and from end of the service – 12:30 pm

TOM THUMB $100.00 GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE AT THE

BOOKSTORE - Horizon gets 5% from your use of them.

KROGER COURTESY CARD PROGRAM

SHOP TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH!

THE NEW KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

Kroger has discontinued the Reloadable Kroger Fundraiser Cards, and on August

1, 2013 the new and simpler Kroger Community Rewards program will begin!

To support Horizon with this program, just enroll your “Kroger Plus Card”.

You will need a Kroger Plus card that has been registered online.

If you do not have a Kroger Plus card, they are available at the customer

service desk at any Kroger.

You can register your card through the link below. Click “Create an Account”

in the upper right-hand corner of the page. If you need assistance call

Kroger support at 1-866-221-4141.

To Enroll

1. Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com.

2. Click “Enroll Now” under the Texas heading near the bottom of the page.

3. Sign in with your email address and password.

4. Click on “Community Rewards” link.

5. Follow online instructions. Horizon’s NPO number is 82988.

http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com/

Documents

5/25/14 The Week @ Horizon UU