Member Announcements

UULALA will be hosting the 'Clobal Climate Strike - Rally' in support of the student-led national campaign to deal with the climate crisis and other issues.
Our own Mike Waldon will be speaking on the future of severe storms and flooding. A representative of the local Sierra Club and others will speak as well.

WANT TO HELP? All you have to do is sign the UUA-endorsed 'sign on' letter! You can click the link below, read the letter, then sign if you agree. We think you  will!

I want to Sign On (give my endorsement to) this campaign!
-- Thanks to Jackie and the Social Concerns Committee for organizing this! Please attend to show your support! Thanks! --- Scott Ferguson

Bill Edwards led the Ingathering and Water Ceremony on Sunday.
Members of the congregation who brought samples of water they had collected, told why the water was special to them, then poured their water into a shared bowl.
We also drank a sip of 'Lafayette' water in gratitude for clean water from the Chicot aquifer covering the southwest 'heel' of Louisiana's 'foot' (among the best tasting drinking water in the country.)
Philip Frey sang and played a 'Cool Water' sing-along accompanied by Chaz Frey on a thumb drum made by our own Bill Edwards.
That was followed by Creedence' 'Have You Ever Seen the Rain' led by Philip and accompanied by Chaz with Scott Ferguson on Bass guitar. --- Scott Ferguson

For our 2nd Thursday Movie Night this month we'll be watching Green Book, a 2018 American biographical comedy-drama film set in 1962. The film is named after The Negro Motorist Green Book, a mid-20th century guidebook for African-American travelers. It tells the story of a black classical pianist traveling through the segregated southern US accompanied by his white driver and bodyguard. The film was inspired by an actual southern concert tour by pianist Don Shirley and his driver, Italian American bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga. The story was based on interviews with both men, and on letters that were written by Vallelonga. 

Green Book won a number of awards, but also was a source of controversy. The film was called a "racial reconciliation fantasy" in the New York Times, and Salon said the film combines "the white savior trope with the story of a bigot's redemption." This certainly gives us lots to discuss after viewing. 



Meet for snacks and f…

NO GAINS WITHOUT PAINS: Part 1
An Oral History Project of the Center for Louisiana Studies Created and Presented by Professor Barry Jean Ancelet (with series editing by Chris Segura of CLS) 
Tuesday September 17, 6pm Downtown Branch - Lafayette Public Library (2nd floor) Presented by Move the Mindset
Listen to the voices of Louisiana civil rights leaders and learn how K-12 school desegregation and voting rights battles were won. Join us for community dialogue on lessons learned and the current state of voter suppression and public education in Louisiana.

An introduction to the series:
Topic moderators, presenters, and special guests will be well-versed in southern Louisiana history, public education, social justice or civil rights issues. By MTM design, they will be expert in their topics. The format of these events will be multi-media, with short discussion periods interspersed and will finish with long-form group discussions and Q&A. The programs will last about one hour, depending on t…

Sunday, September 8th:

Our featured guest speaker will be Bruce Leininger, co-author with his wife Andrea of "Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot." Bruce will discuss the true story of his son James recurring nightmares and James' recollections of wartime events that he had never personally experienced. The book suggests that James' story is 'evidence for reincarnation and demonstrates how the knowledge that life might be infinite and can help to heal the fear and pain of human mortality.' (Source: https://bookpage.com/reviews/6012-andrea-bruce-leininger-soul-survivor-religion-spirituality)

Our Fellowship has made a commit to support VITA, and the best way we can do that is to become a VITA Volunteer. VITA offers a Tutor Training Workshop four times a year -- the next one is September 12th &19th. So now would be a good time to join up. I guarantee that being a VITA Tutor will be one of the most satisfying experiences of your life. RSVP 234-4600
https://www.vitalaf.org/

The Fellowship's Executive Committee will meet on September 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the home of our president, Jackie Phelps.  All congregation members are invited. If you plan to attend, please contact Jackie at 739-1322 so she can arrange the seating and provide directions.

As everyone should know by now, we have leased a new building for our Fellowship. The address is: Building 12, 1119 Johnston St. At this time are making progress on
getting needed permits. Last week we obtained a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (CO), and that allowed us to get the electricity and water utilities turned on. After 2 more city inspections we should be able to get our permanent CO, and then we are free to begin meeting in the new location. 
There's still lots of work and planning left to do. More will be posted soon about a Cleanup Day currently planned for Saturday, September 7. 

Please join us on September 1 for our Sunday Service. The title of our presentation is "Agriculture Policy" presented by Marguerite Green. She is the executive director of  SPROUT NOLA, a nonprofit that supports a healthy local food system in New Orleans and develops beginning farmers statewide. She is also a founding organizer of the Greater New Orleans Growers Alliance, an extensive network of growers who advocate for farmer’s needs on the state and national levels. Green also co-founded the New Orleans Flower Collective, a mutual aid and professional organization for area flower farmers. She lives with her fiance Elliot and their two dogs, Mae and Palma.

Marguerite Green is currently a candidate in the October 12 voting for Louisiana Ag Commissioner. Please be aware that our Fellowship does not support or oppose any candidates for public office.

You are also invited to share our monthly First Sunday potluck lunch at noon following the service. If you remember, please brin…

Come for a night of games and fellowship FRIDAY NIGHT AUGUST 23 from 6-10  - for details and directions email jackie@uulala.org

AUGUST 25
UULALA
Monthly Theme:  PRAYER AND MEDITATION
IMPROVE YOUR LIFE WITH MEDITATIONPlease join us this Sunday morning, August 25, as Member Linda Hoagland shares her insights on the benefit and value of meditation as a life tool.

No one can dispute the benefits that a daily meditation ritual will have on your body both emotionally and physically. However, getting into a daily routine is often a daunting task. You may try to sit and quiet your mind, and find yourself recalling your shopping list or find yourself going over your last meeting with the boss. Don't despair and give up!

There is no one best way to meditate. However, there is probably a best way for YOU to meditate that will be unique for you.  By checking out different styles of meditation and relaxation techniques, you can be on the way to an ideal routine for you. Let's explore a few different types of meditation and some tips that might help you to create your routine. I have put together a few thoughts courtesy …