Member Announcements

10/01/2019 Follow-up to the 09/29/219 Service: Diane showed us a video about Compassionate Communications AKA Nonviolent Communications and how UU congregations use the techniques of CC/NVC  to improve communication and reduce conflict. Here is a link to the UUA page with the video: Compassionate Communication | LeaderLab | UUA.org Here's Diane's presentation outline: How do UU's Use NVC (Nonviolent Communication) --- In this service, Diane Kirksey will explain the need for -- and benefits of -- using Compassionate Communications in our everyday lives with reference to Marshall Rosenberg's book 'Speak Peace in a World of Conflict'. Rosenberg suggests that we can create peace by connecting to life at three levels—and how each of us can learn to do that: First, within ourselves, how we can connect to the life within ourselves so we can learn from our limitations without blaming and punishing ourselves. Our training shows people how to create peace ...

The Acadian Chapter Sierra Club invites all to their 4th Thursday movie night this month It is a self-described "toxic comedy." According to the Blue Vinyl Wikipedia page : "With a lighthearted tone, the film follows one woman's quest for an environmentally sound cladding for her parents' house in Merrick, Long Island, New York. It also investigates the many negative health effects of polyvinyl chloride in its production, use and disposal, focusing on the communities of Lake Charles and Mossville, Louisiana, and Venice, Italy." This movie is light-hearted at times, but it makes me think about how very many times new materials and inventions become ubiquitous in our society before we consider their consequences. Filming of this 2002 documentary began in 1994, The DVD was released in 2008. That gives us an opportunity to see how much things have changed and how they are still the same. Meet for drinks, snacks, and conversation on Thursday night at 7:...

The service was led by Morris Hoagland. Reverend Michael Seider from Breaux Bridge was our guest minister. His sermon's topic was "Is to Question the Answer?" which expanded on the UU tradition of questioning. Scott had a sing-along with Randy Newman's "You've Got A Friend in Me". We are hopeful that Rev. Seider will return for more interesting sermons. Jackie Phelps announced that the new building remodeling is nearing completion and Scott was congratulated for M.C.ing Friday's Global Climate Strike - Rally. Bill Edwards led the congregation in the closing Unitarian Ascription.

Tuesday September 26, 2019 Follow up: This was our local event to support the Global Climate Strike Campaign which was intended to demand that world representatives deal with the climate crisis and other issues that plague our communities. This was youth-led with others as allies in anticipation of the Global Climate symposium at the United Nations on this past Monday, September 23rd. Mike Waldon estimated that we had about 100 attendees which is a great turnout for this type of event in mostly conservative Lafayette. Our M.Cs were Jackie Phelps and Scott Ferguson. Our speakers were Archie Hill (Chemical Engineering Associate Professor, retired), Martial Broussard (Sierra Club), Mike Waldon (Hydrologist, retired), Eric Moll of L'ea est La Vie Camp, Evelyn Anamaet of Citizens Climate Lobby, and special guest Harold Schoeffler.  Philip Frey played and sang some social justice sing-alongs with us.  We had students from Louisiana Tech and ULL comment and show their sup...

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 ...

Follow up:  If you missed this event, do not despair! Scott Ferguson recorded it with borrowed video equipment from Acadiana Open Channel (as part of UULALA's commitment to support MTM's efforts.) An excellent editing job was done by MTM's Jim Meeker. Thanks to MTM for hosting this event and Dr. Barry Ancelet for the presentation. No Gains Without Pains - Part 1   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 ...

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.