SEPT 2016
From Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter
“Here and Now, boys, Here and NOW!” the birds called out. “Attention, attention,” they said, “here and now,
here and now.” I remember reading these words in Aldous Huxley’s novel Island where the birds sang
reminders to the humans to be present, to focus, and to attend to what was before them. “Here and Now”
isn’t a bad mantra. It can demand a lot, but it helps us shift from living in the past or dwelling on the future. It
helps us to experience the life that’s right in front of us. As a faith we have always tried to focus on the “here
and now,” not as a mantra for mindfulness but as a focal point for our purpose. We are not a faith that lives
for a future reward. We are also not a faith that lives in fear of a future punishment. In this way we have a
unique perspective and from time to time (pardon the pun) must explore how this perspective changes us.
This month we are doing two important things; kicking off our theme year, “Love First: Deep in the Heart of
Dallas,” a focus on how we put love first in this one and only life we have, and we have four more weeks of
focus groups for our strategic plan charting our future impact in our city.
This year in worship, we are asking what tools we need to put Love First as a value in our city, in our day to
day lives, and in our religion. If we only get this one life, what helps us build a more loving and just world?
What helps us put Love First? We’ll examine the here and now, our confrontation with “hell,” how to build
hope in a difficult world, savoring the Sabbath, and living into legacies of justice. We’ll explore how right
relationships are formed and consider our small and important parts in the cosmic dance of the universe.
The focus groups are running every Sunday through October 2nd. We hope every member of the church
gets to hear the presentation and respond to it through a survey and conversation. The future of the church
depends on what we do now, just as the present depends on the decisions of the church 117 years ago and
every year since. We have a chance to renew our mission together, but we need to hear from you.
Join us in this opportunity to put Love First in our church community and move ahead boldly together.
Every Sunday morning
11:30 am in the Parlor
BEYOND INQUIRERS
Sept 2016 – May 2017
Sundays, Sept 11–Oct 9
10 am in Room 301
coming up this month . . .
TUESDAY, SEPT 6
Women’s Day Alliance Meeting & Lunch, 10:30 AM, Raible Chapel and Channing Hall
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 7
Volunteer at North Texas Food Bank (also Sept 10), 12:45–3:30 PM (contact: susan.thrower@gmail.com)
THURSDAY, SEPT 8
UU Play Date, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, Nursery (meets weekly)
Men’s Fellowship Discussion Group, 12 PM, Room 303
FRIDAY, SEPT 9
Journey Toward Wholeness: Film & Discussion, 7 PM, Room 301
SUNDAY, SEPT 11
Ingathering Worship, 10:00 & 11:30 AM, Sanctuary
Beyond Inquirers Class, 10 AM, Room 301
Social Action Forum: “What Is Compassion?”, 10 AM, Room 304
Strategic Plan Focus Groups, 11:15 AM & 12:45 PM, Raible Chapel (every Sunday through Oct 2)
MONDAY, SEPT 12
Mindfulness Meditation, 6:30–7:30 PM, Raible Chapel (meets weekly)
TUESDAY, SEPT 13
Women’s Day Alliance Bridge, 10 AM, Off Site (more at wdauu.org)
Volunteer at CitySquare Food Pantry, 1–4 PM, 1610 S Malcolm X Blvd (RSVP: citysquare@dallasuu.org)
Women’s Evening Alliance, 6 PM, Channing Hall (wea@dallasuu.org)
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 14
Strategic Plan Focus Group, 7 PM, Raible Chapel (also meets 9/22 & 9/27)
SATURDAY, SEPT 17
EAT Dinner Group, 5 PM, Channing Hall
SUNDAY, SEPT 18
PRIDE Parade Blessing, 11 AM, Preston Patio
Dallas PRIDE Parade, 2 PM (shuttles from church begin at noon)
TUESDAY, SEPT 20
Book Club, 6:30–8 PM, La Madeleine at Preston/Forest Lane
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 21
Roots Class, 7 PM, Room 304
SATURDAY, SEPT 24
Volunteer at CitySquare Thrift Store, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 1213 N. Washington (citysquare@dallasuu.org)
— For more information about church programs and events, visit dallasuu.org or call 214-528-3990. —
Sunday Morning Adult Classes
Worship at 10:00 and 11:30 AM
Sept 4: Rev. Dana “Living in Covenant”
Music: Alan Dyer, piano
Sept 11: Dr. Kanter “Here & Now”
Music: Sanctuary Choir
Sept 18: Rev. White “Genuinely Inclusive”
Music: Jazz Combo
Sept 25: Dr. Kanter “Who Cares?”
Music: Sanctuary Choir
9:00 AM
After the New Testament, Room 301
Sunday Morning Meditation, Room 302
10:00 AM
Beyond Inquirers, Room 301
UU Learning Community Book Study, Room 305
11:30 AM
Inquirers’ Series, Church Parlor
Adult Discussion Group, Room 304
Just Mercy Book Study, Room 301