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Pathways Weekly
March 12, 2008
So many exciting
opportunities and events are always happening at Pathways Church!
Please take a moment to look through this edition and see what's in store for you at Pathways. For more
information about us and to see our full calendar, visit www.pathwaysUU.org.
This Week's Sermon
Tracee Fisher, Lay Preacher
May the Force
Be with Us!
Light sabers, phasers, teleporters... and spirituality? Science Fiction may
seem like little more than mindless entertainment. Yet among the
extraordinary tales of aliens and spacecraft, we can find inspiration for
our lives, and maybe even a little spiritual guidance. (And not just the
wisdom of a little green puppet!)
Tracee Fisher is a Pathways Board Member and a
computer geek by trade. Her spiritual journey has been an interesting
one, and she enjoys sharing her experiences with those who might find
some value in her struggles and achievements. Tracee lives with her
partner Eric, their two daughters, five cats, and two bearded dragons and
enjoys a variety of crafts and activities when she's
not in front of a computer screen.
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News and Announcements
Rev. Schmitz Out of Town
Rev. Kathy Schmitz is away from the office until March 21
for the impending birth of her first grandchild. The time is a
combination of vacation and study leave. She will be checking e-mail
regularly, so please be in touch as necessary.
You may also call her cell phone at (940) 765-8590.
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The Changing Landscape of Pathways
Leadership
Over the next several months, many leadership positions will
be filled by talented and dedicated people who have chosen to take on a
larger service role within our community. As that happens, some positions
will morph into different forms -- if only to help facilitate the
congregation through this time of transition. We will communicate more
about those changes as the weeks go by. Right now, we want to share news
about the position of President of the Board of Trustees.
Our Bylaws state Board of Trustee officers are elected by
the Board of Trustees. Policy directs the existing Board to elect the
President of the next year's Board of Trustees several months before the
next Board is seated. This policy is intentional to insure continuity and
a smooth transition of leadership. The remaining elected positions are
voted upon when the new Board is seated.
When Pete DeKalb, President, and Rev. Kathy Schmitz
considered the lives, workloads, and qualifications of the existing board
members who would not be rotating off this year, it became clear that
identifying the next President would be a challenge. While several have
qualifications, all are challenged by commitments to family and work
outside the church that make it difficult, if not impossible, to make an
unqualified commitment to carry out the duties of the Board President.
Some of the issues ahead include:
- If we get a
new settled minister this year, he or she will need a lot of
mentoring and support from within and outside the congregation.
- If we go through another
interim year, we will have similar issues unless we are able to
retain Rev. Kathy, if she does not accept a settled position and
continues her search for a new settled ministry.
- We have significant
decisions and actions to take regarding leadership and coordination
of the music program as a key element of the worship experience.
- We are maxing out our
current space for our religious education programs.
- We are in a deficit
budget with pledge amounts lagging our visitor and growth rates.
- We have space decisions
and negotiations ahead when our lease runs out next year.
Clearly, it was again time to test our
creativity and problem-solving skills. After much discussion and personal
reflection, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Colleen
Barnard and Rob Leeper were elected Co-Presidents of the Board for the
next fiscal year. How is that going to work, you ask?
Colleen and Rob met together and individually with Pete
DeKalb, Kristin Robertson, and Rev. Kathy to identify the tasks ahead
plus the routine responsibilities and allocate key responsibilities and
consider the processes involved.
- They will
share responsibility for Board leadership and communication.
- Colleen will be
primarily responsible for oversight of finance, stewardship, and
personnel.
- Rob will be primary for
governance, policy and procedure, and leadership development.
Is this an ideal solution? Time will
tell. However, it is a solution that will work.
Many have seen co-leaders at work in a variety of settings. Some have
worked well while others have been less effective. We are fortunate
because we have seen Colleen and Rob working together for the last year
on the Program Council and know they have the skills and relationship to
work seamlessly and maintain positional transparency. Another strength
that comes from this leadership solution is minimizing the potential to overwhelm
or burn either out.
We have no intention to set this as a precedent or permanent
model for the leadership of Pathways
Church. We intend
to seek a singular presidency for the following Board of Trustees term.
In the meantime, we will answer any questions you may have and welcome
your support. Thank you to Colleen and Rob for taking on this leadership
position!
Pete DeKalb
President, Board of Trustees
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NTAUUS Representative Needed
With the announced changes in Pathways leadership, we will
need a new Pathways representative to sit on the Board of the North Texas
Association of Unitarian Universalist Societies (NTAUUS).
NTAUUS is a cluster of Unitarian Universalist communities
here in North Texas that supports each other
with shared events, advertising and through its endowment, makes grant
moneys and loans available to member communities for facility and program
development.
NTAUUS is in the midst of crafting a new mission and vision
statement that will update it's presentation to
the membership and other interested parties. While the bulk of that work
will be finished by the time we need to seat
someone, that person will have the opportunity to be a part of NTAUUS'
more focused efforts to get the word out about UU and play a larger, more
coordinated role in area social justice activities.
If you are interested in taking on this opportunity
beginning in July, or if you have any questions, visit www.ntauus.org or please speak to Rob
Leeper or Eric Terrell. They will submit the names of interested
candidates to the Board for final selection.
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Board Positions Open
Do you feel passionate about the mission and vision of Pathways Church? If so, please consider
whether Board Membership might be a way for you to contribute to its
success.
Three positions will rotate off the board this summer and we
are currently seeking candidates to fill these positions for a three-year
term. Interested persons are invited to submit a resume or summary of
their professional and volunteer leadership experiences no later than
March 22nd. The Pathways Nominating Committee will select a limited
number of applicants to interview and will present their recommended
slate at the May 18th congregational meeting. Additional information on
the positions may be found on the Pathways Web site at www.pathwaysUU.org/nominations.htm. For questions,
or to submit a resume, please contact committee chair John Kent at johndkent@mac.com or (817) 685-5914.
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Pathways Happenings
Secret Friends
A team of middle school students, led by Stacy Efthymiou, is
organizing a special community-building activity for Pathways on Easter
Sunday. Here's their plan:
Want to get to know more people at Pathways Church?
On Easter Sunday, there's the perfect
opportunity to connect with a kid, if you're an adult, or vise versa.
There is no tedious sign-up sheet; if you just show up on the day, you're in. Participants will get an egg that matches
someone else's egg, and will have to locate their match. They will
complete fun easter-ish activities together. We
encourage anyone who is old enough to read and write to join in! Anyone
older than a senior in high school is considered an adult.
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Lifespan Enrichment
Wednesday Evening Salon
Wednesdays,
beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Wednesday Evening Salon happens each week, with a
rotating list of events. Something exciting happens every week! Childcare
reservations must be made before noon on Tuesday.
2nd Wednesday Schedule (this week):
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6:00 p.m.
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Sit 'N Knit
Join us in our love of making things with sticks and string. Come as
you are, everyone is welcome. If you already knit, bring your project.
If you want to learn, we have extra needles, practice yarn, and easy
patterns to get you started. Share patterns, stitches, techniques,
stories, and celebrate the finished objects.
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6:30 p.m.
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Brown Bag Supper
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7:00 p.m.
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Meditation for Children
Meditation is a wonderful tool for physical, mental, and emotional
relaxation. It improves concentration and memory, enhances
self-understanding and spiritual development, and helps our ability to
handle stress. Parents may attend with their child(ren) so that the family can practice these simple
meditation techniques together.
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7:00 p.m.
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Buddhist Reflections
Sessions begin and end with meditation and include background material
as well an opportunity for discussion of practical applications of
Buddhist teachings. Sessions will evolve and be balanced to meet the
needs to the group. Beginners to both meditation and Buddhism are
welcome. Drop-ins are welcome. Open to adults and high school students.
(Lay led during Rev. Schmitz’s absence)
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7:00 p.m.
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Mah Jongg
If you like to play cards, this is a lot more fun, and a bit more
challenging - about as challenging as Sudoku
(not as challenging as bridge). There is no betting or score keeping.
There will, however, be fun and good people! Beginners are welcome, as
are adults and teens.
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3rd Wednesday Schedule (next week):
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6:30 p.m.
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Brown Bag Supper
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7:00 p.m.
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Meditation for Children
Meditation is a wonderful tool for physical, mental, and emotional
relaxation. It improves concentration and memory, enhances
self-understanding and spiritual development, and helps our ability to
handle stress. Parents may attend with their child(ren) so that the family can practice these simple
meditation techniques together.
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7:00 p.m.
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Buddhist Reflections
Sessions begin and end with meditation and include background material
as well an opportunity for discussion of practical applications of
Buddhist teachings. Sessions will evolve and be balanced to meet the
needs to the group. Beginners to both meditation and Buddhism are
welcome. Drop-ins are welcome. Open to adults and high school students.
(Lay led during Rev. Schmitz’s absence)
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7:00 p.m.
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Women's Book Group
The book selection for March is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. A novelist, folklorist, product of the
rural black South, and daughter of the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston spent her life struggling to keep her
people's cultural heritage alive. This book is considered a literary
classic.
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Contact Julie Lambert at lifespanre@pathwaysUU.org.
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Religious Education Boutique and
Bookstore Needs Volunteers!
In August, we will plan, build, and stock a boutique and
bookstore in the lobby to be run by our youth, with the proceeds going to
Religious Education. We need business-type adults to help set up the
bookkeeping and help decide on inventory. We need artistic adults to help
us plan and make items for the store (we will also sell items by our
local artisans on consignment). We need Internet wizards to set up a
storefront so we can sell online and take credit cards through Paypal. Can you help either in August or later in the
year? Contact Julie Lambert at lifespanre@pathwaysUU.org.
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Thank You To Our Activist
Volunteers
Thanks to all of you who volunteered to help in June and
July with our Social Justice unit for Religious Education. We'll be contacting you soon with information about
who, what, where, when, and how.
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Community News
Moonlady Fest: A
Celebration of the Human Spirit
Saturday March 22,
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Bath House
Cultural Center
- Spring
Equinox ceremony - outside: 6:00 to 7:00
p.m.
- Performance revue -
theater: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Drum jam - outside: 7:00
to 10:00 p.m.
- Dance meditation - art
gallery: 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Bath House Cultural
Center, northeast shore of White Rock
Lake, 521 E. Lawther Drive Dallas, TX, 75218-3311, off Buckner between
Northwest Hwy
and Garland,
turn on Northcliff, map:
www.bathhousecultural.com/contactus.h tml.
Free admission, donations encouraged.
Presented by Earth Rhythms | www.earthrhythms.org | 214-261-5599
The bohemian festival includes: An eclectic performance
revue in the auditorium with folksinger Jennifer Mansfield Peal; dancer TahjaStarr; harpist Geoffrey Ricketts and baritone
Matt Woodbury; cabaret satirist Laura Ainsworth; flutist Kim Bold; and
the African Refugee Choir. In the lobby, Karen Weiss creates henna
tattoos and face painting, Crosby Cafe serves vegetarian food, and a
Spring Bling bazaar raises funds for Earth
Rhythms. *NEW* In the art gallery, Keva Larthridge-Mack leads a dance meditation. On the Bath
House's spacious back porch overlooking the lake
is a fun mystics and holistics scene, including
demonstrations on aromatherapy and holistic pet health. *NEW* A Spring
Equinox ceremony will be held at the outdoor amphitheater beneath the
trees on the lakeshore. It is followed by an interactive drum jam with
Drums Not Guns.
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SWUUD Annual Meeting and Spring
Conference
April 25-27, 2008
Austin, TX
The news is out about the Southwestern UU District Annual
Meeting and Spring Conference, Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27, 2008,
at First UU Church of Austin. The theme this year is What the World
Needs from Religious Liberals and will cover a wide variety of
subjects in keynote addresses, workshops, worship, and UU conversations.
There are optional opportunities for recreation and for ecumenical
choices: a workshop with highlights from the Jesus Seminar, another with
exploration of Adult RE work on the Qu'ran, UU
history, and an invitation to visit Barsana Dham, Austin's Hindu Temple.
The busy schedule begins on Friday, April 25, with
registration starting at 4:00 p.m., continuing with an especially
meaningful full day on Saturday. Sunday worship services will include
special music from a widely-appreciated choir, led by Music Director
Brent Baldwin. Dr. Davidson Loehr, FUUCA's gifted and renowned preacher, will deliver
homilies and sermons for worship services.
Don't
forget the District Annual Meeting! Delegates will gather on Saturday
afternoon for that -- to consider By-Law changes and hold elections.
Delegates from all congregations are expected to attend.
Please check out more details in the FUUCA brochure online
at www. austinuu.org. Registration forms and
fees must be received in the FUUCA office in order to attend any or all
of the conference. Early registration is accepted through March 31, 2008;
late registration adds to the cost. If you have questions, e-mail conference@austinuu.org.
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This Week at Pathways
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TONIGHT
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March 12
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6:00 p.m.
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Sit 'N Knit
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TONIGHT
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March 12
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6:30 p.m.
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Brown Bag Supper
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TONIGHT
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March 12
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7:00 p.m.
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Buddhist Reflections
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TONIGHT
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March 12
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7:00 p.m.
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Meditation for Children
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TONIGHT
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March 12
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7:00 p.m.
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Mah Jongg
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Sunday
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March 16
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10:00 a.m.
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Common Ground Service
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Sunday
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March 16
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11:20 a.m.
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OWL Grades K-1 & 4-6
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Sunday
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March 16
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11:20 a.m.
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Classes for Children and Youth
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Sunday
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March 16
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11:20 a.m.
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The Harried Reasoners
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Sunday
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March 16
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11:20 a.m.
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Metaphysical Mystics
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Sunday
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March 16
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11:20 a.m.
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The Artist's Way
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Sunday
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March 16
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1:00 p.m.
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Middle School Faculty Meeting
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Sunday
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March 16
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1:00 p.m.
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Equipping Ministry Meeting
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Sunday
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March 16
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7:00 p.m.
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Life With God
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For additional details about these and other classes and
groups, please pick up a schedule on the vistor's
table in our lobby or see the full Pathways calendar at www.pathwaysuu.org/googlecal.htm.
The deadline for submissions to Pathways
Weekly is end of the day on Tuesdays.
A
Unitarian Universalist Community
525 S. Nolen Drive, Suite
300
Southlake, TX
76092
phone 817.251.5555 |
fax 817.251.5554
Office hours: M-TH
9:00-2:00
www.pathwaysUU.org
Building a spiritual community
that changes lives
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