UUVC Newsletter February 2020 Theme: Reconciliation Page 1 of 6

February 2020 THEME: Reconciliation

Jerry Offerman ‘16

Unitarian Universalist Village Church

403 Barcelona Road Hot Springs Village, AR 71909

501-922-1255 President: Janet Holt (mjholt@hotmail.com)

Minister: Rev. Mark Walz (minister@uuvc.org ) Editor: Cindy Perez (pcindyp55@gmail.com)

Dignity The object of our liberal religion is to

accept that, although humans rarely think alike, we must find the way to Love alike.

We must surrender our need for conformi-ty, and instead, love the goodness that aris-es from intentional kindness and generosi-

ty, in ourselves and each unique other. Anyone who watches the news knows

that a darkness has descended upon us. Some believe nothing we do will change

things. This is the year we must fortify our resolve to stay engaged, and even hopeful. Remember, we don’t vote expecting to

change what is wrong with the world, we vote so that what is wrong with the world

won’t change us. Our dignity requires it. To that end we bring two import

events to our church this month. We are hosting Roy Zimmerman, a remarkable singer /songwriter with a program he calls

RiZeup. His songs are both poignant and satirical, important and funny. Don’t miss

this. Then we will screen the documentary

film American Heritics. It features clergy from our sister church in Tulsa, and much more. We hope to fill the Sanctuary!

See you In Church

Spiritually Fearless Rev. Mark Walz

Heresy If you grew up in the Bible Belt or in

a belief system that discouraged questions and free thinking, chances are the word,

“heresy” had some negative baggage attached. In earlier centuries, being identified as a heretic was punishable by

brutal torture and often execution. The prospect of being burned at the stake for

expressing a different viewpoint provided quite an incentive to stick to the party line!

But when you consider the root of the word comes from a Greek verb meaning “to choose” it takes on a whole new meaning.

You can find a number of definitions of heresy but one commonly understood

meaning is “holding a belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine.” A

heretic then, is one who asks questions—lots of them—and who follows his or her own convictions. Unitarian Universalism is

a heretical religion in the eyes of mainstream Christianity.

UUVC will host a screening of a documentary film about an extraordinary

group of modern-day heretics in Oklahoma. The men and women who appear in the film are challenging deeply rooted

fundamentalist doctrine in their deep red state by refusing to accept interpretations

of the Bible that justify policies of

From the President Janet Holt

“continued on Page 2”

Look for the “flame” symbol throughout the newsletters. These denote hyperlinks that have

been added which will send you to the web page for additional information.

UUVC Newsletter February 2020 Theme: Reconciliation Page 2 of 6

~From the President, Continued from Page 1”

nationalism, racism, sexism and discrimination. In this film you will see the

familiar faces of Marlin Lavanhar and Bishop Carlton Pearson from All Souls

Unitarian Church in Tulsa. You will hear the perspective of constitutional scholars who shed light on how the conservative

Christian agenda has emerged to become such a powerful and divisive force in our

politics. The title of the film is American Heretics: The Politics of the Gospel. Come

and share this experience. And invite your friends, family and neighbors. We encourage everyone bring at least one

person with them to the screening. We would love for our sanctuary to be filled to

overflowing and look forward to a lively discussion afterwards.

This documentary only shows once. Please don’t miss your chance to see it.

Education Are you registered to vote in Arkan-

sas? To find out got to www.voterview.org If you need help with your voter registration

please contact me: wssearls@sbcglobal.net or talk to me at UUVC on Sunday. We need all the UUVC Members and Friends to de-

fend Democracy by exercising the right and obligation to vote.

On February 4th you’ll have the op-portunity to enjoy the satirical song styling

of Roy Zimmerman. Roy is a professional singer-song writer, guitarist and satirist. We are fortunate to have him at UUVC. See

you at the concert. On Saturday February 15th UUVC

will present a FREE screening of the award-winning film “American Heretics: The Poli-tics of the Gospel.” This is an important film that features several of our friends from All Souls UU Church in Tulsa Oklaho-

ma. There is much to learn from this film. There will be a Question and Answer period

following the film. Bring a friend or two. The film will start at 3 PM in the Sanctuary.

Plan to arrive early. The doors open at 2:30. There will be no seating once the film starts. The Community Hall will be closed

before, during and after the screening. For a preview of the film go to https://

www.americanhereticsthefilm.com

Adult Education Warren Searls

Social Justice Sue Loberg

Thanks to all of you for your generos-ity each month when we sponsor a local

charity. The leftover funds from our Novem-ber Share the Plate – Christmas Baskets-

were sent to the Village Outreach Shoe Fund. They put a voucher in each basket so the kids have new shoes for Christmas.

Thanks to all for the wonderful dona-tions in December for the Project Hope

Food Bank. We sent them $2983.00 which was the largest monthly collection ever!

Our yearly UUSC’s Guest at Your Ta-ble-collected $580. It is unknown how much was sent directly thru the web site.

We are a generous bunch. Mark your calendar for Feb.15th when

we show the film American Heretics. Hope to see you all there, and re-

member to bring a friend. Maybe you can treat them to a movie and an early dinner.

Hildy Nyberg

April 28, 1930 – November 30, 2019

Ann Simpson

May 7, 1940 – January 14, 2020

UUVC Newsletter February 2020 Theme: Reconciliation Page 3 of 6

Singer/Songwriter

Roy Zimmerman

presenting

RiZeup

Tuesday, February 4th

7:00 PM

UUVC SANCTURY

$20.00 at the door

Coming soon to a theater near you ~

American Heretics

Saturday, February 15th

3:00 PM

UUVC SANCTUARY

FREE to all who attend

Please invite your friends

and neighbors

“Reconciliation is a decision that you take in your heart.”

Ingrid Betancourt

Green Team The UUVC Green Team Gardeners

are focusing on using natures compost to improve the gardens around our church.

Compost helps to lighten clay soil, improve nutrition and retain moisture to decrease watering needs. Jerry Offerman and Terry

Dacus have volunteered to construct a bin from donated wood pallets. The bin will also

be used as a training tool for home garden-ers.

Work has already begun on the Memorial Garden to add color and interest year round. Donations of seeds and plants

from members gardens would be welcome and planted where appropriate. Perennial

plants for shade and sun are needed. Thank you.

Green Team Vivian Walz

Membership Snippets Veronica Zuege

Jerriann and Dane Nielsen will have been members of UUVC for 15 years on

February 20th. Anne Hagen and Brenda & Tom Tirrell are 10 year members. What

members they are! We are so grateful for their presence. There will be a Friends’ Event on

March 25th. If you are interested in becom-ing a member, this will be a fine opportuni-

ty to socialize and learn more about our community. A sign-up sheet will be availa-

ble in a few weeks, but you can call me an-ytime. Thank you to Jim Tripcony! He has

joined out membership team and I am so happy to have him with us.

I hope there is something joyful in your every day.

“Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice; otherwise, it will not last.”

Corazon Aquino

UUVC Newsletter February 2020 Theme: Reconciliation Page 4 of 6

MUSIC NOTES

John Leisenring

The choir welcomes Black History Month on February 2 with a reprise of “I Wanna Be Ready,” followed on February 16 by a wonderful arrangement of a composition

by Blues legend Huddie Ledbetter (aka Leadbelly) – Bring Me Little Water, Silvy.

And watch for a performance of “My Funny Valentine” by Clyde and John. And if

you’ve been considering joining the choir,

or even if you haven’t , please come.

Jazz speaks for life The blues tell the story of life’s difficulties,

and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music,

only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

If you haven’t yet picked up your 2019 report of contributions to UUVC,

please be sure to get your report. There is a sign and box with member and friends

tax statement in the Community Hall. Please be sure to get yours.

In February, an email will be going

out to all members and friends who have pledged to the Operating and/or Building

Funds. The email will provide you with the amount of your pledge and the balance out-

standing. Be on the lookout for your email from Kim Townsan.

Our most recent financials through

December 31 continue to show income ex-ceeding budget, for a net income of

$19,113. Also new in December was the opening of a Money Market account at Re-

gions Bank, as we elected to no longer carry as much cash in our non-interest bearing checking account at Regions.

Treasurer’s Report Kim Townsan

Events Committee Dee Offerman and Stephanie Hubbard

The Events Committee has planned TRIVIA NIGHT on Saturday, February 22,

2020. The event will begin at 5:00pm, with a cost of $10.00 for pizza and snacks.

Please put this date on your calendar as we are looking forward to a fun filled evening. Look for the sign up sheet in the communi-

ty hall on Sundays. We will be playing five rounds with

seven questions in each round. There will be a variety of topics, however, we are not

saying a word! We want everyone to stay in suspense. You will be assigned to a team the

night of the event. We want to ensure a fair playing field. A prize will be awarded to

the winning team. Just put on your think-ing caps, and remember that one of our

rules is to HAVE FUN!!!!

Newsletter Submission Information Please submit as an attachment in

Word format (DOCX). No bullet points, tabs, or indented text, please.

Deadline: The 26th of month prior to publication. Submissions and In-quiries, contact: Cindy Perez at:

pcindyp55@gmail.com

The Dispute Mediation Committee stands ready to assist members and friends in re-

solving conflicts which affect their life in the church. For more information click

HERE. Contact Steve Rittenmeyer at 915-0575 or email SD-

Rittenmeyer@wiu.edu.

Dispute Mediation Steve Rittenmeyer

UUVC Newsletter February 2020 Theme: Reconciliation Page 5 of 6

Service Auction Chair The Service Auction will be Fri-

day, April 24. UUVC needs a Chair for the service auction committee! This is primarily a job of planning oversight and assigning tasks to be done by our many volunteers. Much of the work has already been completed with infor-mation from past auctions. There are past chairs that are willing to assist you with advice and information if needed. If you are good at organization we real-ly could use your help. Please contact: Kim Harrison

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and

him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Matthew 18:15

ALL PURPOSE CLEANING SPRAY This formula is great for cleaning counter-

tops and kitchen spills. Vinegar helps re-move any oily film, and the essential oils

are natural antimicrobials. ½ cup distilled white vinegar

¼ tsp. natural liquid dishwashing soap ½ cup water

¼ tsp. lavender essential oil ¼ tsp lemon essential oil

Combine all ingredients together in a spay bottle. Shake well before using.

Green Team “Recipes”

VINEGAR GLASS CLEANER

A combination of white vinegar and water makes an inexpensive yet effective window

and glass cleaner. Adding lemon essential oil gives it a nice fragrance.

2/3 cup water 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

2-4 drops lemon essential oil

Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto surfaces and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.

UUVC Members/Friends Pictures From Afar

(Please send us a photo when you are traveling!)

Birthdays 2/8 Ed Miller 2/13 Kim Traw 2/19 Tom Drake 2/19 Tom Tirrell 2/20 Leslie Johnson 2/21 Jerriann Nielsen 2/24 Ron Nance

Anniversaries

2/14 Liz & Ed Miller

2/15 Penny & Doug

Beed

2/23 Ronnie & Lee

Zuege

Grayton Beach, Fl by Cindy Perez

UUVC Newsletter February 2020 Theme: Reconciliation Page 6 of 6

UUVC Principles • The inherent worth and dignity of every person; • Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual

growth; • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process; • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for

all; • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we

About UUVC

UUVC Website: http://www.uuvc.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

Video Sermons: https://www.uuvc.org/video-sermons.html

Interest Groups (IGs) Marlene Kloack , Coordinator mkkloackm@aol.com, 501-915-9494

For more information on an interest group click here.

Attendance for December Worship Service 233 Insight 194 Total 427 Christmas Eve Service 109 Music on Barcelona 129

Sunday Service Information

Social Hours and Dining Out for 6 Our next Surprise Social Hour will be on February 10, with 42 participants signed up. Sign-ups for the Spring 2020 Dining Out for 6 will begin Febru-ary 2. This series will run from late February through May. Contact Janine Bethscheider at: jbethscheider1@gmail.com

Fiber Arts - Hooks & Needles Meet in the conference room on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from 1-3 PM . We welcome any and all forms of “fiber” work. Contact either Marjorie McClesky at: 915-0237 or Suzette Watson at: 922-3382

UUVC Pickleball Meet at the Desoto Pickleball Courts on Thursday evenings from 3-5 PM. Paddles and balls are provided . Contact Dane at: dane.nielsen@sbcglobal.net

Fourth Friday Film Fest Meet in the Community Hall at 7:00 PM. Popcorn provided! Look for E-blast with current movie. Contact Cloe Bayer at: cloebayer29@sbcglobal.net

Mah Jongg Mondays at 1:00 in the community Hall. Leave TerryLynn Marx a message at: 226-5136

Game Night

Mat Making Group Meets in the community hall the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. Contact Marilyn Matzek at: 922-4909

Party Bridge Night There is some interest in setting up a Party Bridge Night on a regular basis at UUVC. We'll have a clip board on the sign up table on Sunday mornings. If you might be interested in playing, sign up. We'll figure out days and times as we move forward. Calvin Doody at guysbirds@yahoo.com Jerriann at jerriann.nielsen@sbcglobal.net Dane at dane.nielsen@sbcglobal.net

Meditation Look for more information for this upcoming group on the community hall tables. Scheduled to begin next spring.

The December Share was $2983 for the Arkansas Food Bank.

“Reconciliation is a decision that you take in your heart.”

Ingrid Betancourt

Feb 2 Worship/Rev. Walz - When Joy Comes Back “If you place two living heart cells from different people in a Petrie dish, they will in time, find and maintain a third and common beat.” …Molly Voss This force is what makes compassion possible, even probable. For if two cells can find the common pulse beneath every-thing, how much more can our hearts feel when they are full, and all excuses fall away? Perhaps this is the secret – that every time we dare to voice what beats within, we invite some other cell of the heart to find what lives between us and sing.

Feb 9 Insight/ Cheryl Batts - P.H.O.E.B.E. & Black History HS Feb 16 Worship/Rev. Walz - Grief Walker Stephen Jenkinson, in his book Die Wise, reminds us there are no Seven Steps for coping with death. Dying well is a right and a responsibility of everyone. It is not a lifestyle option. It is a moral, political, and spiritual obligation each of us owes to both our ancestors and our heirs.

2/23 Domonique Norman - Bullying