12/8/13 the week @ horizon

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the_week@horizonuu a publication of horizon unitarian universalist church V

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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 encourages you to attend weekly worship here within your community,

on Sundays at 10:30AM

========================================================================= December 8, CHURCH SERVICE CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER Rev. Dennis Hamilton has reached a decision to cancel tomorrow's Church Services (Sunday, December 8th.) due to bad weather. Stay safe! =========================================================================

December 15, Choir Christmas Concert: John Rutter’s Gloria It is always a pleasure to hear our choir perform a great work at this holiday season. This year our Music Director, Stanley Moody has chosen John Rutter’s Gloria. This celebratory work will surprise you and give you a taste of the traditional. The accompaniment is trumpets, piano and percussion, so be prepared for a little bombast. John Rutter is a modern composer whose works are widely acclaimed and appreciated. December 22 “What Child Is This?” - Rev. Dennis Hamilton I remember singing “O Holy Night” at church as a boy soprano. Things were so simple then, and holy. Baby Jesus was a magic baby and the story, although odd, was compelling. I think that is when I became a leftist though, favoring the poor and being outraged at the Romans and the Pharisees for selling out and abusing the little people. The irony is that the Church was so much more like the Romans than the Holy Family. Who was this child? What did it all mean for our world? Where was the holy here?



THE WEEK TEMPLATE DENNIS Contemplations * Rev. Dennis Hamilton * [email protected]

Dear Congregants,

Each year at this time I ask you to replenish the Minister’s Discretionary Fund or MDF. This fund is used mainly

to help those members who are in need. Usually this is for rent, utilities and a medical emergency or other

short-term aid that will make an enormous difference in a family’s life. It may prevent eviction or the loss of

transportation.

Sometimes the MDF can help a youth or adult who cannot afford to go to a UU retreat or workshop. Most of us at

Horizon are in reasonable financial health. But misfortune can strike at any time, and for some of our members

who are just surviving month to month, it can mean disruption in the whole family. Over the years we have

helped a number of families to avoid homelessness. Your contribution to this fund, no matter how much it is, will

make a difference in many lives.

It also covers the various handouts we give to people who stop by the church for gas or food money. This is not a

significant amount, but it is what a generous church does. Poverty, for whatever reason, is debilitating and often

humiliating. Even asking for help is humbling. So we treat all of those who are recipients of aid with respect and

love. Besides, having a generous heart is healing in itself. It is spiritually nourishing and is the most genuine form

of prayer.

This year we did not take up a collection for our Partner Church in Romania. We have found so many worthy

causes to support. And yet we are committed to continuing our modest support of our partner church in

Petrosane (petro shine), Romania. So I will send the first thousand dollars from this collection to them. Believe

me, they use it well and extend every dollar we give them. They work hard and suffer through terrible winters

with limited funds often being forced to choose between food, medicine or heat. Our partnership also keeps us in

touch with a larger Unitarian Universalist presence in the world.

So please give generously this year. We will accept donations any time in the year, but especially in this season of

giving. The Christmas collection will go to this fund. I thank you from my heart for your continuing generosity.

What we are doing here at Horizon is far more important than just supporting a church. It is supporting a world

view. It is an investment in humanity.

Whatever you are thinking of for gifts this holiday season, remember what a difference your gift to the Ministers

Discretionary Fund and the Partner Church will make.

Faithfully, Rev. Dennis Hamilton



LAY MINISTRY NEWS * Marianna Seaton * [email protected]

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat, so the old song goes; the embodiment of the season is upon us. We ready our families and ourselves for banquets and feasts, for sharing our bounty, and for honoring one another with gifts of appreciation. The anticipation of what is to come reminds me a lot of what it is like to be waiting for a baby to be born. Hearts filled to the brim with possibilities, and prayers for a new life that is beginning and the gifts that this new life will bring us. We hope, perhaps, that the honoring of this new life will bring us some salvation, a salve or balm for what is aching, or inspire an act of kindness that is transformative. We awaken again to the preciousness of life and what it will reveal to us, and we remember to bow to its mystery. Unitarian Universalist minister and religious educator, Sophia Lyon Fahs reminds us in her poem “each night a child is born is a holy night, a time for singing, a time for wondering, a time for worshiping.” May this season be a reminder that the mystery and the divine spark resides in each of us, that we can awaken again and again to its love, and praise its dwelling in our hearts. In the spirit of love and compassion that binds us, please join together in expressions of wellness for Pat Malone who is recovering at home after some complications with hip replacement surgery, Wendy Sue and Charles Wat who are receiving cancer treatment, Susan Powell, the members of Candle Lighters, and others with life challenges, and those who tend to them. We give our wishes for safe journeys to all who are travelling over the holidays, and our hearts and helping hands to those in need. Our Pastoral Caregivers work with the Minister, the Director of Lay Ministry and the Neighborhood Groups in a spirit of cooperation to cherish and care for the members of our congregation. If you or your loved ones are in need of a sympathetic ear, the Pastoral Caregivers are available. Call Rev. Dennis Hamilton at 972-519-8187, or Marianna Seaton, Director of Lay Ministry at 972-743-1599 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]




SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE INVITES YOU TO HELP LOCAL FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Don’t forget your donated items. We’re collecting for Metrocrest’s Holiday Store through December 15th.

DONATE TOYS, COATS, FOOD OR PRE-MADE FOOD BOXES

The following items can be dropped off in the METROCREST boxes in the lobby of the Church

from Dec 1st through Dec 15th.

PUT TOGETHER A PRE-MADE HOLIDAY BOX

Put all the following items into the food box:

2 cans green beans

1 or 2 lb. sugar

1 can corn

1 box of Jell-O/pudding

1 can fruit

1 can pumpkin

1 can meat/chili/canned pasta with meat

1can tuna/salmon/seafood

1can tomato product

2 ramen/cup of soup/instant soup packets

2 cans of protein beans (pinto, kidney, black, etc)

1 box stuffing

2 cans soups (1 broth/tomato/chicken noodle + 1 primo**)

1 box/bag plain pasta

1 jar peanut butter

1 box/bag of flavored rice/instant potatoes/Hamburger Helper

2 boxes macaroni and cheese

1 bag of plain rice



A Note from the DLRE * By Lauren Daniell [email protected]

Celebrating Advent – A Time for Spiritual Deepening

Advent is a time of waiting, preparation, and anticipation. Some churches light Advent candles and adorn their sanctuaries in special colors, while many homes mark the days until Christmas with an Advent calendar. Traditionally, Advent marks a period of spiritual preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus; however, UUs who may not observe the holiday season in this fashion can still use this period for spiritual deepening and growth.

Designed TH Designs. CoShared by Rebecca S. Scholl

There are several online Advent calendars created just for UUs. Some calendars are for families with young children while others are intended for a more general audience. Follow the links below to various sites, take a deep breath, relax, and take a break each day from the hustle and make your holiday activities this season more meaningful Calendars for all ages https://googledrive.com/host/0B1v56FGH08eQR3dzS0Q2NFBrYTg/advent.html

https://word.office.live.com/wv/WordView.aspx?FBsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdownload%2Ffile_preview.php%3Fid%3D1374235979491496%26time%3D1386254165%26metadata&access_token=1080587924%3AAVJhj3DR3V_fDR1qPGnH6xyofWswC5kXPMnmKoCM20LjSA&title=Celebrate+December.docx

For Families with young children: http://saiaandchago.blogspot.com/p/random-acts-of-kindness-for-kids.html

Yours in Faith,

Lauren


http://www.tannerhuynh.com/

https://googledrive.com/host/0B1v56FGH08eQR3dzS0Q2NFBrYTg/advent.html




http://saiaandchago.blogspot.com/p/random-acts-of-kindness-for-kids.html



UU Parenting Corner

An Alternative to the Elf on the Shelf – The Kindness Elf My family was on the vanguard of the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon in the early 2000’s. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this tradition, the Elf on the Shelf is a stuffed elf doll that you purchase with an accompanying book. He keeps an eye on children for Santa and often “moves” around the house while the child is sleeping. Our Elf hung from the chandelier, climbed the Christmas tree, and once “did” the dishes. The Elf is sometimes mischievous and pulls little pranks around the house, like unraveling the roll of toilet paper in the child’s bathroom overnight. My husband and I enjoyed the tradition until we saw that our daughter was actually getting fearful of the Elf. This is why I am so happy to share the tradition of the Kindness Elf with UU families. This year a new and better non-commercial elf has appeared – the Kindness Elf. The original idea is attributed to Imagination.com and the website explores the idea of the Kindness Elf in depth. In this tradition, the Elf is not a spy for Santa or a prankster, but instead appears with something nice to do for someone else. It is a tradition that better reflects the spirit of the season and what lessons we want our children to learn during the holidays. For instance, when the child wakes up in the morning the Elf is found on the kitchen counter with mom’s cellphone with a note that reads, “Let’s call Grandma today.” He also could be positioned on top of the entire child’s outerwear with a note saying, “Take me on a long walk with you and your dad.” The authors at imagination.com also suggest the Elf could model kind behavior, like “repairing” a broken toy for the child or “leaving” a note thanking the child for something good the child did the previous day, such as sharing a toy or doing a chore without being asked. If your family follows the Elf on the Shelf tradition, I highly recommend incorporating some aspects of the Kindness Elf to add depth and meaning to your family’s holiday season.



Announcements: Children’s and Youth RE

No RE classes December 22nd and 29th

There will be no formal RE classes these Sundays to give our students, families and hard-working teachers time to travel and spend with loved ones over the holidays.

Tree Trimming Party and Heifer International Fundraiser December 8th

CANCELLED - This event has been cancelled due to bad weather.

Attention Youth: Gulf Coast Rally

January 17-19, 2014

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church in Houston

Sign up information available at http://houstonrally.selfip.com/

Playground Work Day Saturday, January 25th

9am-12 noon

Come help give our kids’ playground a facelift by donating an hour or two on Saturday morning in January. We’ll spread some mulch under the swings and slides to make sure our children can play safely, add sand to our fantastic sandbox, and give the deck a little TLC. Many hands make light work! Coffee and snacks provide.

http://houstonrally.selfip.com/



Heifer International Fundraiser in RE in December

photo: courtesy of Heifer.org

For the few weeks, the children in each religious education class will discuss how Heifer gives a hand up instead of a handout to needy families. Recipient families learn sustainable farming practices and how to earn income from their gift. Heifer chooses animal with “seven M’s” value—they provide milk, meat, material, manure, muscle, money, and motivation. Heifer’s policy of passing on the gift means the animal’s offspring will be given to another family in the village in a cycle of empowerment that has been going on for over 65 years!

What can your child do? Let them raise money for Heifer by doing “chores for change” around the house. They can also check out www.heifer.org to learn more about Heifer!

How can you help? Have a conversation with your child about our UU values, including the inherent worth of each person and the importance of making the world a better place. You are your child’s most important teacher!

Buy shares of animals to honor family, friends, and teachers, and lead by example—tell your family to buy you a share of a goat or honeybees as an alternative to just “more stuff” this holiday!

Contact Katie at 214-351-9816 or [email protected]. Thank you!

http://www.heifer.org/




Upcoming dates for Children’s and Youth

Religious Education

December 8th: (Sunday) CANCELLED December 22nd: NO RE classes, Preschool – 12th grade December 24th: Christmas Eve service December 29th: No RE classes, Preschool-12th grade December 29th: Children’s Chapel grades K-8, 10:30-11:00 “It’s a New Year!” January 5th: RE classes resume, Preschool-12th grade

January 17-19th: Youth Rally at Emerson UU-Houston January 24-26th: Jr./Sr. High OWL training, The Woodlands January 25th: Playground work day (Saturday) 9am-12pm February 1st: RE teacher appreciation dinner, Temple Beth Shalom (Dallas)



Adult Religious Education Horizon offers its adults many ways to deepen their faith, from our on-going Adult Religious Explorations Forum on Sunday mornings to classes during the week, such as Articulating Your UU Faith and Building Your Own Theology. Here are the courses currently running.

First Wednesdays with Rev. Dennis Hamilton, Lyssa Jenkens and Lauren Daniell

7-9 pm (6:30 brown bag supper)

January 8 – “Preparing” The first Wednesday evening of the month will be a time for us to gather together to explore our monthly themes in depth. After a short vespers service, we’ll break into groups to discuss how these themes wend their ways through our lives and our Unitarian Universalist faith.

Building Your Own Theology with JuLane Mondays 7-9 pm until December 9 Enrollment capped at 12: [email protected] The Building Your Own Theology course invites each of us to develop our own religious understanding and a deeper sense of what each of us, individually, believes and values. The BYOT class will also help you develop a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism.

Adult Religious Explorations Sunday mornings, 9:00-10:15 am Horizon Library

This Sunday morning gathering is a forum for different ideas and beliefs to help our members explore their spirituality. It features a wide variety of speakers from both in and outside of Horizon, and topics vary from the spiritual to the ethical, to discussions about current events or books. Please refer to the special Adult Religious Explorations section in the newsletter to see this month’s topic.




First Wednesdays Wednesday, January 8th

7-9 pm

“Preparing”

Change comes whether we like it or not. What will

you do with your one and only life? What will

change? What will you leave fallow?

Join the Rev. Dennis Hamilton, Lyssa Jenkens and Lauren Daniell for

an exploration of the Horizon monthly theme

Brown bag dinner and conversation begin at 6:30 Reserve childcare at [email protected]




CALENDAR: What’s Going On At Horizon?

SUNDAY DECEMBER 8 – ALL CHURCH EVENTS CANCELLED

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Adult Religious Explorations - E3 – Library CANCELLED 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Tamale sales for COA - RL - Lobby / Narthex, TOH - Table 6 CANCELLED 10:15 AM - 12:30 PM Library Ministry - Open for Browsing - E3 – Library CANCELLED 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Main Worship - SH - Sanc. SERVICE CANCELLED 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 2nd Sunday Potluck CANCELLED 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Tree-Trimming Party - Other – EVENT CANCELLED 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Wellspring 2013/14 - P2 - CANCELLED

MONDAY DECEMBER 9

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Yoga - P1 - Lg 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM SMART Recovery - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Building Your Own Theology Class - P2 - Couch 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Neighborhood Calling Circle - S2 - Class 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Board of Trustees - E3 - Library, KI - Kitch

TUESDAY DECEMBER 10

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Potluck (Seniors) Group - E3 - Library, KI - Kitch 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Buddhist Sangha - P1 - Lg, P2 - Couch 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday Wisdom Circle - E3 - Library

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM DREs of North Texas meeting - FH - Fellowship Hall 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Library Ministry - E3 - Library 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM WFIG (Women's Friendship in Growth) Chalice Circle - E3 - Library

THURSDAY DECEMBER 12

5:45 PM - 7:00 PM Restorative Yoga - P1 - Lg 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 DECEMBER 13

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Candlelighters - FH - Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Women's Bunco - FH - Fellowship Hall

SATURDAY DECEMBER 14

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Men's Support Group - E3 - Library 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Rental - Isha Institute - FH - Fellowship Hall 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Volunteer at Metrocrest Social Services Food Pantry - Other - Offsite 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Lively Line Dancing -- Fundraising Event - FH - Fellowship Hall



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!

===================================================================================================

Horizon’s Sunday Morning Journey Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. A new series begins January 12th. In this group, women of all ages practice deep sharing and supportive listening. Sessions are based on the book, Heart to Heart by

Christine Robinson & Alicia Hawkins. Topics are listening, gratitude, balance, forgiveness, God, loss and grief, money, nature, success and failure, friendship, doubt, making peace with parents, sustainable living, rest and relaxation, and endings. Come join us! For more information or to sign up, contact [email protected]. ===================================================================================================

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. You may also contact [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 [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 Adult Chalice Circle Principled Commitment has been postponed until a later date. Contact [email protected] for more details.



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Lively Line Dancing! Forget your cares and join Nancy Foreman & Tina Ulakovic December 14th in a fun night of line dancing, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. in the Horizon Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome, male and female, any age, whether the dances are familiar or new to you. Fuel for dancing (snacks and drinks) will be provided. The cost for this event will be $5 per adult as it was first offered as an auction event benefiting Horizon. Kids dance free! Line dancing will continue in 2014 on the 2nd Saturday evening of the month. These events will be free and participants will bring snacks to share.

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12/8/13 the week @ horizon

Documents

horizon v05

horizonuu page

generous church

dennis hamilton

future sundays horizon

tomorrows church services

holy family

john rutters gloria