San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Description:"Radical" hospitality and "radical" inclusion are often-heard buzzwords in liberal religious circles and even the annual utopian experiment that is Burning Man. Where did this concept come from? What are the socio-religious origins of hospitality and inclusion? What makes practicing either more radical than the run-of-the-mill, old-fashioned hospitality and inclusion? What are the theological implications for UUs of such terms and practices? Rev. Marisol Caballero is a Tejana from Austin, lifelong Unitarian Universalist, and a graduate of Union Theological Seminary. She currently serves the Unitarian Universalist Association's Faith Development Office as Faith Innovation Specialist.

Sometimes life comes in fits and spurts. We’ve worked and pushed and focused nearly to the point of exhaustion and then suddenly we’re left waiting, feeling like nothing is happening. But is waiting really that passive? Let’s explore together this Sunday how we can make the most of this often frustrating rhythm of life as our new minister, Krista Weber Huang, introduces herself before going on maternity leave.  Krista Weber Huang is our new minister! She'll be with us for the month of August then out on maternity leave, returning December 1st. She is a UU Candidate for Ministry and Meadville Lombard graduate who recently spent a year working as a Resident Hospital Chaplain in San Antonio, TX. She considers herself a life long learner who is excited by exploring how different disciplines intersect and how we can live out our UU values on a daily basis. In her free time she plays cooperative board games, engages in various forms of art and movement, and is a science fiction/fantasy fan. She and her spouse are excited to be expecting their first child in early September.

In 2007 I gave a sermon for SMUUF, “Caring About Truth,” that countered the notion that people in power had the right to decide what the facts are, such as the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq We are now dealing with a President, Political Party, and fanbase that seem to care little about whether a statement is true or false and more about whether it is effective. Spinoza believed that most people cannot help but love truth. What does it mean, concretely and as a practical matter, to care about truth itself as distinct from merely the acquisition and exploitation of specific truths? How shall we deal with the sheer frequency of lying that is breaking news everyday? Rev. Karl Brown is a retired ordained United Methodist Minister. Most of his career was spent in ecumenical campus ministry, especially at Texas State University. Among the highlights of his career are: teaching university courses in religion; developing programs for faculty and students; working in missions to Mexico, Russia, and Vietnam; serving three terms on San Marcos City Council; speaking or teaching in a variety of settings such as at UT Austin, Protestant and Unitarian Churches, St. Mark's School of Wisdom, student retreats, clergy seminars, and Social Work classes. Formal education: B.S. in Chemistry (UT Austin); M.Th. (Perkins School of Theology - SMU); post-graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. His family includes his wife, Dr. Karen Brown, four children, three in-laws, and four granddaughters.

What kind of love would it take to give up everything you hold dear, leaving home and the comfort of the familiar to walk with both terror and temerity into the great unknown?

If you are in a war, retreat means you are losing and need to back up. If you are at peace, retreat means going to a place of rest and rejuvenation. Such a difference! When we are overwhelmed by all that goes on around us, how do we find that place of peace that allows us to regroup for a better day. Rev. Betty Skwarek is a Community Minister affiliated with Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park, Texas. Her work includes building an online ministry for underserved liberal individuals and congregations particularly those in rural areas, serving on the Board serving on the Board of Trustees and working as a Chaplain at U Bar U, and leading worship for area congregations. 

San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship July 15, 2018 A favorite comedy podcast of mine, Unhappy Hour, has a segment called, “Which is Worst.” (Poor grammar intended.) It’s a silly version of the game, “Would You Rather?,” yet from today’s headlines of national and global evils, I increasingly find myself wondering if we aren’t presented each day with a menu of: bad, worse, worst. Is it possible to have a faith-filled response without ruining our health, hardening our hearts, and abandoning hope?

For many, July 4 is a day for brass bands and bombs symbolically bursting in air. For others, grown up in the shadows from Vietnam to Iraq, it’s hard to embrace a rah-rah patriotism. What’s a patriotism for religious liberals, which holds America to her dreams without looking away from her nightmares? When religious and political fundamentalisms try to hijack America’s symbols, from Old Glory to the Constitution, how do we recapture the flag? Steve Brooks, professional singer/songwriter and charter member of Austin’s Wildflower Unitarian Universalist Church, who has been described as a “poet, protester, songwriter, activist, political satirist, and humorist”, brings his special blend of music and storytelling to SMUUF. A favorite in Austin folk clubs, at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and in UU pulpits, Steve preaches that we can change the world when we look at it from a different perspective, or as he poetically puts it - “A single new star rearranges a whole constellation.”

Church, and religion I will argue, could be about a search for meaning, compassion, love and ultimately for a harmony of all humankind with one another and the idea of the Holy, however we define, think, or talk about it. Eastern religion, especially, speaks of it as crucial to a balance of life and certainly we seek it in music! I will explain why a 12 string guitar as more harmony than a 6 string. Rev. Art Severance, formerly minister of First UU Church in San Antonio, has also served UU congregations in Kirkland, OH, Boulder, CO; Stockton, CA; and Amherst, NY. After his recent retirement, he and his wife moved back to San Antonio to be near their three daughters and grandchildren who live there and in Austin. Art is also a gifted singer/songwriter and will provide the music, as well as preaching, for this service.

Join Krista Weber Huang as we both celebrate Father's Day and remember the tragedy of the mass shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC three years ago. We'll explore together the emotional and complex intersectionality of gender, race, culture, and genes in the nurture vs nature debate and how our UU faith call us to respond with open minds and open hearts. Krista Weber Huang is UU Candidate for Ministry who graduated from Meadville Lombard in 2016 and completed a year long Chaplain Residency at Baptist Health System in San Antonio, TX in late 2017. She is a life long learner who is excited by exploring how different disciplines intersect and how we can live out UU values on a daily basis. In her free time she plays cooperative board games, engages in various forms of art and movement, and is a science fiction/fantasy fan. She and her spouse are excited to be expecting their first child in September.

If we are dedicated to positive social change, and if we are also dedicated to freedoms of speech and thought, this directive is a provoking and difficult challenge: Whom you would change, you must first love. How do we love those who seem only to hate? And even if we do love them, how does that allow us to change their minds or their behavior? Let’s follow the prophetic voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the pastoral example of Dr. Viktor Frankl, and look together at the role of radical love in creating radical justice. The Rev. Dr. Christine Tata has been exploring progressive religion and spirituality for as long as she can remember. Starting from early childhood memories of First Unitarian Universalist Church in Dallas, she was ordained in the forward-looking United Church of Christ, serving UCC and UU congregations as minister and consultant for the past two decades. She now writes on platforms such as Medium (https://medium.com/@mct2051) and other forums, and she enjoys serving UU congregations as preacher and worship coach. In all her endeavors, she hopes to engage hearts, minds, and souls—and get people to laugh in church more.

What do the flowers say?  Ninety-five years have passed since the Reverend Norbert Capek introduced the Flower Communion to his Unitarian congregation in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Much has changed since then, but the Flower Communion continues. What started as a simple exchange of flowers has become a favorite celebration for Unitarian Universalists everywhere.  Why has this ceremony thrived?  What does it offer us today? Rev. Betty is the affiliated Community Minister at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park, Texas. She leads worship for UU congregations, officiates weddings and other rites of passage, serves on the U Bar U Board of Trustees, and volunteers as a discussion leader with iAct. Her newest project is developing an online liberal religious resource for people who can't participate in a UU congregation.

What is beyond the status quo or business-as-usual? What awesome possibilities can we imagine for ourselves, our community, and the world? Rev. Pamela Wat has served as the minister at Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship since 2010. She has a B.F.A. in Related Arts with a concentration in Dance from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, an M.A. in Creative Arts/Interdisciplinary Arts from San Francisco State University and a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Denton, she served as a hospice and hospital Chaplain. She volunteers with OUTreach Denton, a program creating resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied people in Denton, and she offers her leadership to local interfaith efforts. Pam lives in Denton with her spouse Erik and their cats Happy and Ravioli and dog Clyde. Pam enjoys running, reading, and playing ukulele…but not all at once.

Everyone says, "but I'm only one person." Now, more than ever, this myth needs to be debunked. Together, we will explore how we can build a more peaceful and united world. It all begins with one. Amy DuBose has been a member of SMUUF since November of 2012. She has guest ministered at SMUUF before, as well as Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park. In January of 2017, Amy moved to Bryan when she secured a new job there.  Professionally, Amy works for the Bryan-College Station Regional Association of REALTORS, a not-for-profit trade organization for REALTORS.  She and her husband Cody have been together for 15 years and have a 7 year old son named Cullen.  She is very excited to be back at SMUUF with all of her friends!

Carpe Diem sounds fine for the Type A personality, the minister or corporate giant as CEO, and him or her of the clean desk. But for us, deep down here in the heart of Texas, should we choose mañana and the desk of the creative mind as we look toward 2018? Rev. Art Severance, formerly minister of First UU Church in San Antonio, has also served UU congregations in Kirkland, OH, Boulder, CO; Stockton, CA; and Amherst, NY. After his recent retirement, he and his wife moved back to San Antonio to be near their three daughters and grandchildren who live there and in Austin. Art is also a gifted singer/songwriter and will provide the music, as well as preaching, for this service.

Might there be a way for everyone to embrace the spirit of love? The Rev. Phil C. Mason is a native of Austin, Texas and a graduate of The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in the class of 1996. He was ordained in the Diocese of Colorado and served there as priest and rector for 13 years. On retirement in 2009 he and his wife Susan moved back to Texas and built a home near San Marcos and Wimberley. Since returning “home” Rev. Mason has served as Interim Rector at Grace Episcopal Church, Llano, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brady. Obviously Phil have flunked retirement and continues to serve as “supply clergy” throughout the diocese.

The children of SMUUF design and deliver their own complete service, complete with a dedication of three children (with a little help from DRE Laura Haygood and friends).

"Let Her Live," based on Exodus 1 in the Hebrew Bible, where the midwives acted as revolutionaries to save the babies. The Rev. Valda Jean Combs is an ordained Baptist minister and pastor of Salem United Methodist Church in Tomball, Texas. Her activism in the wake of the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of police; on behalf of reproductive justice for women and responsible sex education, and as an ally for LGBTQ people is proof of a wide-ranging appreciation for the dignity of every member of the beloved community.

Based upon an obscure passage from the Book of Jeremiah in the Hebrew Bible, our sermon is essentially inspired by the proposed "border wall," and is about all of the border walls in our lives. Rev. Michael Nelson Miller presently teaches Mexican Cultural History in the Honors College at Texas State and serves as the pastor at La Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana San Marcos, generally called Memorial Presbyterian. Mike was the campus pastor at Texas State for eight years and before that was a professor at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and before that Synod Executive for higher education working with our Presbyterian Colleges, Trinity in SA, Austin College, University of Tulsa and three others. Mike has a PhD in Mexican Cultural History. Rev. Miller is married to Ellen and they have two children: Nelson, a Federal Agent in El Paso and Sarah, a vice president at Arcadia, a Dutch company in Denver. He has been in the SMUUF pulpit many times, and we warmly welcome him back.

What can the Religious Society of Friends teach us about a beloved community of blessed silence and mysticism at its most unassuming? What can we learn about ourselves when we listen for the spark of the Divine within each of us? We will explore the Quaker faith and experience an abbreviated Quaker listening service. Come and reconnect with the still, small voice within. Lee Legault practiced law for fifteen years in the areas of civil litigation and appeals before realizing she was called to be a different kind of counselor. She is now a Unitarian Universalist ministerial aspirant, working on a double masters in divinity and social work through Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the University of Texas.

Winston Churchill is fabled to have said, "If you're going through Hell, keep going." Where do we find what keeps us going through difficult times? How do we know when to "keep going" and when to pause? Rev. Marisol Caballero is a Tejana from Austin, lifelong Unitarian Universalist, and a graduate of Union Theological Seminary. She currently serves the Unitarian Universalist Association's Faith Development Office as Faith Innovation Specialist. Within UU circles, Marisol serves on the Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) Executive Committee, most recently co-creating and organizing the Global Majorities Collective, a project that intends to create a distinct UU People of Color religio-cultural expression. She has also co-founded the Central Texas UUs of Color group that meets monthly and co-facilitates a small group People of Color ministry in connection with The Church of the Larger Fellowship. Within her local community, Marisol is also a co-founder of W.M.E.N. (Women Ministers' Empowerment Network), an organization of progressive clergywomen of color in Central Texas, serves on the board of Just Texas, an interfaith reproductive justice advocacy group, and is an active member of the Austin Justice Coalition.

Our identities, complex and multi-faceted, affect the way we see the world, how we are treated, and what matters most to us. The first step to forming deep, meaningful, diverse religious community is owning our own personal identities and acknowledging what that means for us, then beginning to understand others' identities. Rev. Schmidt is a native Texan who was born and raised in Austin, lived in Houston and College Station, and attended Austin Presbyterian Seminary before moving east to attend Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts. He and his wife, the Rev. Kristin Grassel Schmidt, served churches in Massachusetts and New Jersey for six years before being called as Senior Co-Ministers of the UU Church of Berkeley, CA, 2 years ago. They now live in the San Francisco Bay area with their two young sons, CJ and John.

”Singing for Our Lives” - Drawing upon both UU hymns and the powerful music of the Zomba Prison Project, minister and musician Erin J. Walter will explore the ways music can deepen our understanding of our first principle of Unitarian Universalism, the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Erin J. Walter is the Affiliated Community Minister of Wildflower (UU) Church in South Austin, to be co-ordained there by First UU Austin and Wildflower on Oct. 27, 2017. Erin's calling is rooted in the powerful connection between the arts, justice movements, and multicultural community. She is working to plant the next artist-activist Collective of The Sanctuaries in Central Texas. Erin is a Zumba teacher, bassist in the queer rock band Butch County, and mother of two.

If we agree there is music that is appropriate for playing in church, just what kind of music is that? This particular church service will include music by the Beatles, Jackie DeShannon, the Romantics, and others. “The Tim and Bob Show”, made up of Kathy & Steve Feinstein and Mary Lou & Don Hymel, is an award-winning Classic Rock cover band from San Antonio who have been making music together for many years, including at Unitarian Universalist churches. SMUUF folks who attended the WUUHOOs house concert at Marc & Laura Haygood’s home in Wimberley last May will recognize Kathy and Steve as the duo,“Fein Tuned”.

Parker Palmer in his book "Let Your Life Speak" writes about living the undivided life. His spiritual discipline is Quaker, but his writings and teachings speak volumes far beyond his chosen faith. He tells about his search for a vocation, for his life’s purpose and the joy that brings. Buddhist teachings offer a similar message and a practice that offers personal peace and deep happiness in our daily lives. But in this world filled with distractions and demands, how is it possible to live the undivided life? The Reverend Betty Skwarek serves as an affiliated Community Minster with Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park, Texas. Her ministry includes coordinating Live Oak’s Adult Reading and Writing tutoring program, serving on the Board of Directors for U Bar U, officiating at weddings and other rites of passage, and speaking at congregations like San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

“We, the Member Congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association…” Karen Muñoz, Jordan Buckley, Billy Stokes, and Rev. Scottie McIntyre Johnson share their experiences.  Unitarian Universalism is congregationally-based; we have been (at least on our Unitarian side) since our Puritan ancestors declared it to be so in 1648. Each individual church governs itself, ordains and calls its own ministers, and completely supports itself. And, yet, also since 1648, our individual, autonomous congregations have voluntarily joined together for mutual assistance and support. Today, that mutuality is formalized through the Unitarian Universalist Association, the UUA. Our minister and members who recently attended the UUA General Assembly in New Orleans will talk about what it means to be part of such an association.

It’s easy to be dazzled by beauty of nature and when we wander into religious naturalism we are apt to spend more time admiring its prettier parts. Our 7th principle asks us to hold “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” But that web has some dark strands and complex connections that elude our understanding. In this sermon we’ll take a walk through the burned out forests of Bastrop and the scoured banks of the Blanco River to consider the implications of a deep green religion. Rev. Nell Newton is delighted to return to SMUUF, the congregation that watched her grow as a minister and ordained her in 2015. A lifelong UU, she has been called to serve as the settled minister at the Amarillo UU Fellowship. Nell and her husband Monty will be moving up there after she sees us!

The Rev. Phil C. Mason is a native of Austin, Texas and a graduate of The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in the class of 1996. He was ordained in the Diocese of Colorado and served there as priest and rector for 13 years. On retirement in 2009 he and his wife Susan moved back to Texas and built a home near San Marcos and Wimberley. Since returning “home” Rev. Mason has served as Interim Rector at Grace Episcopal Church, Llano, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brady. Obviously Phil have flunked retirement and continues to serve as “supply clergy” throughout the diocese.

Our 19th century Unitarian ancestor, Ralph Waldo Emerson, opened a famous speech at  Harvard Divinity School on July 15, 1838 with those words. Emerson’s address harshly criticized and profoundly altered the nature and character of the Unitarianism of his day. Is the Unitarian Universalism of the 21st century in need of a similar change of course? In our own "refulgent summer", let us consider what we might learn from "Waldo", as Emerson's friends called him. (P.S. "Refulgent" is a wonderful word that means "shining brightly, resplendent".)

Recent research indicates that differences in our society on issues such as global warming, defense spending, immigration, and gay rights is, to some extent, deeply rooted in neurobiological differences, particularly in regard to the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. If the brains of liberals and conservatives tend to function differently, is there a path toward reconciliation? What are some of the ways pointing towarda more perfect union? Are there ancient mythologies of war and peace that illustrate our genetic variation and offer hope for humanity?

Liberals and progressives have always been justifiably wary of an uncritical “my country right or wrong” kind of patriotism. But, could it be that our reluctance to “wave the flag” has actually contributed to the rise of the radical right? During these unsettled and unsettling times, it is more important than ever for every citizen of our nation to engage in a true form of patriotism that works for a country “with liberty and justice for all”. Two days before Independence Day, come to church to think about this, sing some patriotic songs, and wave the flag! 

Most religious traditions have sacred texts or stories, ones held in reverence and transmitted through generations as normative for a tradition's life.  The Torah holds that place in Judaism, the New Testament for Christians, the Vedas for Hinduism and so on.  What makes a text sacred? Why are some sacred and others not?  What texts are sacred in your own life?  These are the questions we explore in this Sunday's sermon.

"To Realize We Are Free: A Commemoration of Juneteenth" Although Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862 and Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that word reached any of the more than estimated 250,000 slaves in Texas that they had been freed. Today, Juneteenth is a holiday, which celebrates the accomplishments, contributions, and unquenchable spirit of African Americans to our nation. What lessons might all of us learn from this significant event in our history?

San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship June 11, 2017 What is it like for a mystical agnostic Unitarian Universalist to attend a Presbyterian seminary?  Come hear how Austin/Nashville singer songwriter, Patty Griffin, inspires an uncertain reverence as Andy Gerhart, UU seminarian at Austin Presbyterian Theological Sschool, preaches about “unboxing God.”

San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship June 4, 2017. Unitarian Universalist "Flower Communion" is a beloved annual tradition in ours and most other UU congregations. This year it is extra-special, as we join with UU churches all over the world to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the first Flower Communion held in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on June 4, 1922. Everyone - whether you’re a child or an adult - is invited to bring a flower of your own choosing to church on June 4 to add to our common bouquet!

"May we not be oppressed by the eight worldly concerns," says the Buddhist blessing. What is it talking about?? The Eight Worldly Concerns are central to Buddhist philosophy, and pertain to our reactions to praise and blame, pleasure and pain, material gain and loss, and fame and disgrace--in other words, the business of living. We spend most of our time dealing with one or another of these emotional forces, and how we do it can build our spiritual strength or tear us apart. The teaching is surely idealistic, but is it naive? Let’s delve the ancient wisdom and see if it still applies in today’s world.

Before worship this Sunday, the wonderful Hospitality Teams who provide refreshments and clean-up for our Social Hours after Worship each week will meet. They deserve our heart-felt appreciation because food lovingly offered is a very important way to show hospitality. But it’s not all there is to it!  What would it look like to show truly radical hospitality to guests who enter our doors – and to each other?

Mother's Day Service - People’s emotions on Mother’s Day are all over the map - from the sticky sweet sentimental to extreme sadness to anger. No matter what our relationships were or are with our own mothers or our own children, it’s important to acknowledge that we all owe something to those who mothered us, and we can all - no matter our gender - mother someone else. 

On this day when we celebrate the official end of our Stewardship Campaign (although financial stewardship is, of course, on-going), let us consider the many gifts needed to build the Beloved Community we call the San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. We’re all in this together, friends!

Unitarian Universalists  often have a hard time with Easter. What meaning can this season possibly have for someone who does not take the biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection literally? Let’s ponder this question together on Easter Sunday morning.

In our way of “doing church”, equal power and equal responsibility is vested in both the clergy and lay leadership. The minister can’t do it without you, and, although you can do it without the minister, I’d like to think you couldn’t do it quite as well. We’re all in this together, folks, and together, there’s no limit to what we can do!

At times, we naturally find ourselves at odds with another person. What can we do to offer and assume goodwill in all of our relationships and encounters? Can we truly love both our neighbors and enemies as ourselves? Rev. Dr. Matt Tittle is a retired UU minister. He has served congregations in Illinois, Indiana, Houston, New Jersey, and New Zealand. He is also a retired naval officer and a university professor. He currently lives in Austin and teaches for Capella University.

Now is not a time to be screaming and shrieking our faith and moral values. This is a time to be grounded in the richness of our souls. Wise teachings like the Tao anchor us in the deep wells of unmovable dignity for all beings. How do we become spiritual activists personally and collectively that flow resolutely like a mighty river? Rev. Chuck Freeman has been in the ministry since 1977 serving Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist congregations. He is the founding minister of the Free Souls Church in Round Rock,Texas. Chuck is a founding member of the Texas UnitarianUniversalist Justice Ministry and its Executive Director.  

A frequent and popular guest in the SMUUF pulpit, the Rev. Phil Mason is a native of Austin and a 1996 graduate of The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. He was ordained in the Diocese of Colorado and served there as priest and rector for 13 years. In 2002-2003, Father Phil studied with the Interim Ministry Network of the Albin Institute and was certified by the IMN.

Our nation is in the midst of a time of tremendous social and political unrest. All around us urgent voices are asking us to spend our time, energy and money to combat the roll back of progress in the areas of minority rights, religious freedom, environmental protections, and much more. With such organizations as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, TXUUJM, Texas Freedom Network, and others calling for our support right now, why on earth should we still give to the church? Is there something religious communities provide that these other worthy groups do not, which justifies our generous continuing support of our UU congregations?