Affirming the Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person

Timberland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

TUUF Happenings

New Year's is a time for renewal and planning.  We will kick off our new congregational year with an inspirational message, amusing games, and delightful fellowship.

New Year’s Celebration

June 3, 2007

June 2007

Timberland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1510 North Timberland Drive (bus. 59), Lufkin, TX  75901. Mailing address: P.O. Box 155212, Lufkin, TX 75915-5212.  Fellowship phone number: 936-634-9633.

Questions, comments or stories for the TUUF Happenings?  Like more information about TUUF?  Email us at information@tuuf.org or call 936-634-9474.

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The Rev. Rick Koyle will present “The Heart of Religion”.  As deeply as we can imagine it, what exactly is religion about?  Alfred North Whitehead, the father of process theology, had a curious answer to this question.  Come and find out what he said, and where it might lead us.  Be sure to bring a covered dish for potluck and fellowship to follow.

“The Heart of Religion”

June 10, 2007

Our mission is to provide a special, safe place where people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs can come together to renew spiritual energy, find intellectual stimulation, and create loving friendships.

 

“Looking Inward”

June 17, 2007

Introspection: cause for concern or stepping stone to personal growth.  Ann Jones will present an original service that encourages self-reflection.  We will consider how mindsets develop, how they can be recognized and clarified to reform or delete those that limit our personal growth.

The next Journaling meeting will be June 12th at 12:30 in the fellowship office.  This follows the schedule of the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.  Everyone is invited!

“Starlight and Apple Cores”

June 24, 2007

“Starlight and Apple Cores” by the Rev. Sydney Wilde will be presented by Karen Peake.  This sermon addresses these questions: what is spirituality anyway?  Have you ever had a spiritual, religious experience?  How could you tell?  Can Unitarian Universalists be spiritual?   What do you think?  Come prepared with any spiritual experiences you would like to share. 

Everyone is Welcome!

Everyone is invited for Sunday’s fellowship and service.  Coffee and fellowship begin at 10:30 am along with children’s religious education.  Services begin at 11 am with child care provided.  Please come and bring a friend to Fellowship.

June has many reasons to celebrate.  Pick one and make it your own!  Choose from Republic Day (Italy), June Holiday (Ireland), Corpus Christi Day (Christian), Race Unity Day (Baha’i), Flag Day (US), Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (Sikh), Ganga Dussehra (Hindu), Father’s Day (US), Summer Solstice / Midsummer (Pagan/Wiccan & Heathen).

Rev. Rick Koyle, Guest Speaker

The Rev. Rick Koyle has just finished a sabbatical ministry at First Unitarian Church in Dallas.  He has served churches in California, Washington, Iowa, and Texas.  Ministry is a later-life career for him.  He has worked as a sailing instructor, New York City taxicab driver, journalist, law professor (specializing in contracts), and occasional judge.  He has written “Building a Worship Associates Program,” now in its 27^th printing.  His honorary godmother, whose maiden name was Mildred Anderson, called Aunt Millie, hailed from Nacogdoches.

 

A Father’s Day Prayer by Kirk D. Loadman-Copeland

Prez Sez  -  a note from President, Bob Peake

We are beginning a new year-round year (keeping the doors open all summer). I want to congratulate everyone for a very successful annual meeting with only one fistfight I can recall. We elected new officers and, with Julie’s leadership, we approved an over $13,000 budget for next year??

We also voted to begin the process to become a Welcoming Congregation of UU’s,  which means we welcome anyone to worship and join regardless of religious beliefs, race, gender or specifically sexual preference. This process takes about a year of study and thought and not all congregations make it. WE Will! And the process will make us stronger.

We elected to contribute bottled water and healthy snacks for the Angelina Alliance for Children as a beginning for a Social Program.

A committee was appointed to begin study of enlarging our space by building either a children’s building or a new worship space on the back of our lot with increased parking. While either seems ambitious for our size congregation, we can only do it by beginning to plan.

We also agreed to replace our wheel chair ramp, which may seem more reasonable for our size.

A committee was appointed to review the By-laws.

It sounds like we have a new broom – tune in later.     Bob Peake

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.

Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father.

Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support.

Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives.

Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their stepchildren's love and respect.

Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

Found on the UUA Worship Web