|
Weekly Newsletter for May 1, 2025
|
| |
|
Sunday Service
In Person and on Zoom
Sunday, May 04, at 11:45 am
What a time to be alive: Milestone Sunday
Speaker: Simone Monique Barnes
Wildflower Church’s Director Membership and Spiritual Life
On this day we gather together to celebrate the many milestones of our community, such as graduations, career milestones, life moments, and more. Milestones offer us a chance to reflect on where we've been, where we are now, and how we intend to move forward with love at the center of all that we do.
After the worship service, please join us in the Community Room for coffee, tea, and cookies.
Are you celebrating a Milestone? Please let us know by May 2 (via this form), so that we can celebrate you on Sunday!
Children and youth in kindergarten through 12th grade will be meeting in person in their classes after being present in the sanctuary for the first part of the service. The nursery is available for babies and children from 6 weeks to 5 years old during the entire service period. You may choose either option for your child if they are 5 years old. |
| |
| |
| |
Newsletter Content Submission Guidelines
The link to submit newsletter content has been updated.
Please submit content for weekly newsletter using this form.
Content should be submitted no more than (approximately) 2 weeks in advance of event.
Weekly Newsletter content deadline is Wednesday by 12 pm
Submissions received after the deadline will go in the following week’s edition.
NOTE: Please refrain from using ALL CAPS or “quotation marks” when submitting content.
|
|
|
| |
|
Interesting in Membership at Wildflower?
|
|
Our next Orientation to Membership session is Wednesday, May 7, 7pm-8:30 pm on Zoom. Sign up here. (You can also let us know if you need an alternative date if you can’t find one that works with your schedule).
And save the date for our next New Member Book Signing Service on Sunday, May 25, 11:45 am when we welcome our congregations newest members (and have a community potluck after the service).
|
|
|
| |
|
Join the new Fundraising Team!
After the church's visioning workshops on March 1 and 30, it is clear that we are ready for a Fundraising Team! Four Wildflowers have already expressed interest in this work, and they would love for you to join them! Are you passionate about helping Wildflower raise money? If so, please email board@wildflowerchurch.org and we'll connect you! |
| |
|
News from the Disability Team
|
|
Beginning this May, Wildflowers and Friends will find "Reserved Seat" laminated placards placed on several aisle seats. Why?? Reserving a few aisle seats allows anyone who needs an easier way to access their seat - and leave it too - without having to climb over anyone. Who is this for? Anyone who needs this!
|
|
Beginning in May, Wildflowers and Friends will see a ZOOM QR code on the Welcome table, so anyone can access ZOOM during in-person services. Why access ZOOM during in-person services?? By using your own hearing aids or earbuds - wired or old school - you can amplify both the auditory and the closed captioning features during services to your preference.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Mother's Day Besties & Bingo at Wildflower
|
|
|
|
Calling all Wildflowers who love bingo and besties! Grab some friends and join us for a Mother’s Day Besties & Bingo (mothers not required).
The new church Fundraising Team is excited to host our first fun-filled event as we find avenues to bring in extra income to support our community work. YOU can help this endeavor by inviting your friends to come and share a monetary donation. It will be free to play, but we are encouraging participants to donate at the door if they are able.
Here are the event details:
Sunday, May 11
2-4PM
Wildflower Community Room (1314 E Oltorf Street)
with food and prizes!
Link to RSVP (so we have a headcount for food and bevies): https://wildflowerchurch.breezechms.com/form/1ffe15
Please reach out to fundraising@wildflowerchurch.org if you have any questions or would like to join the Fundraising Team.
|
|
|
| |
|
Save the Date: June 1 Congregational Meeting
|
|
Our next congregational meeting will be June 1 at 1:45 p.m., in person in the Community Room and also on Zoom. We will be voting on new Board members, and we need a quorum of our membership to attend in order to conduct important votes, so please plan to be there! Voting members will receive more information by email.
Contact board@wildflowerchurch.org if you have any questions.
|
|
|
| |
Partnership with the Community -
March Use of Wildflower’s Community Room
In the month of March our Community Room hosted the events of 5 organizations. All of the organizations are supporting the social and environmental justice areas that we feel are key as a church and are at increased risk today.
We make our space available to those organizations and groups who align with our mission and values and sponsor and welcome them while they are in our space! Gratitude to the growing number of Wildflowers who are willing to be sponsors!!
|
|
 |
|
| |
Are you looking for a more meaningful way to serve Wildflower and connect on a deeper level with our congregation?
|
|
Deadline to apply is MAY 1st!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary Moore Searight Park
photo by Susie
|
|
|
|
Then consider joining the Wildflower Board! This Summer, the
Congregation will be voting for new trustees to join the Wildflower
Board. Help shape the future of our community, develop your leadership
skills, and make lasting connections with other church members.
If you are interested in growing through this sacred work, please
reach out to Adrian, Susie, and Sarah at
nominating@wildflowerchurch.org
or complete the following form:
Wildflower Board Interest Form
Deadline to apply is 5/1/2025.
|
|
|
| |
|
In Their Own Words:
In Their Own Words - Melita Noël, a former Board member, shares their experience
I have been a member of Wildflower since 2009. Over the years, I have volunteered with a number of committees and the OWL program for youth. Joining the Board in 2018 allowed me to see the bigger picture while better understanding the challenges – and growth opportunities – of being a leader. I am most grateful for how much I have strengthened and grown my relationships with other Wildflowers. My family and I feel more a part of this wonderful community than ever before. |
| |
|
Wildflower Book Group: The Message (Chapter 3)
Wednesday, May 7th at 7-8 pm via Zoom
Wildflower Book Group's current read for our April 2nd online meeting is "The Message", by acclaimed Black liberation author Ta-Nehisi Coats. Acknowledging these difficult times, our little group has decided to adopt more ease by dividing our book selections into sections, instead of reading the entire book. Therefore for our May 7th meeting we are reading Chapter 3 to discuss at our next meeting. Come join us! Questions? Contact Susie: ARE@Wildflowerchurch.org |
| |
|
Coffee and Conversations
Wednesdays at 10 am
https://zoom.us/j/93681478930
Meeting ID: 936 8147 8930
Hi, Wildflowers! Come check in about life, the universe and everything with other Wildflowers, Chaplain Bis, and the Pastoral Care Team. Chaplain Bis is also available 1:1 Zoom sessions, which you can sign up for at calendly.com/wildflowerpastoralcare
Ideas Worth Contemplating
1st and 3rd Sundays at 9:30 am
https://zoom.us/j/97826544113?pwd=SVVPM2NaNm5vaXJtZmN3ZjgrU3l3UT09
Ideas Worth Contemplating is an ongoing group led by Wildflower Mike Ignatowski that uses inspiring and thought-provoking TED Talks to generate discussion about important topics.
Climate Education Zoom class
2nd Sunday, May 11, 9:30 am to 10:15 am
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2635700913?pwd=bjNxMEczWHU2bUp3dXpEcVRXWjhRUT09
Meeting ID: 263 570 0913 Passcode: 002030
Our Climate Education classes usually feature a 20-30 minute video, and ample time left over for lively discussion. Join us! Next class is a week from Sunday, topic To Be Determined, but probably related to this Spring's 15-year anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf. Our WildEarth Climate Action Team offers this class on most 2nd Sundays of the month.
Wildflower Book Club
1st Wednesdays at 7-8 pm via Zoom
Contact : ARE@wildflowerchurch.org if interested.
Tarot Circle: 3rd Wednesdays @ 7:00pm
Come and explore your spiritual life with support from the tarot!
On May 14th, the KNIGHTS of the tarot will guide us in the practice of aligned self-expression.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81959828225
Contact MelissaOMeeks@gmail.com to register. |
| |
|
Regional and National Information |
| | |
|
|
 TXUUJM April News: You showed up! Let's keep it up!
The Texas UU Justice Ministry is over the moon about how many Texas UUs showed up for TXUUJM Legislative Action Day and Faith Days at the Capitol in March (see photos) -- and how you keep showing up (more photos). Thank you! We exceeded even our stretch goal for attendance (210 registered, up from 120 in 2023!) and that means we shared our UU values on key issues with even more legislators than ever. Things are moving fast in April and May at the Legislature, and your voice is needed NOW at the Capitol and by calling and emailing your legislators on trans and immigrant rights, gun safety, public education funding, free speech, and more. Click here for calls to action and click here for our April newsletter. Also: Register here for weekly Action Hours and more. Thank you for Bending Texas Toward Justice with us!
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
Save the Date:
May 4, 1:30-4:00pm
|
|
|
|
Be BRAVE - A Fireside Chat with Rep. Gene Wu, Followed by a High-Energy K-Pop Dance Experience!
Join us on Sunday, May 4th for our upcoming BRAVE Communities Connections, an intergenerational and multicultural event celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. Connect with the community, hear from Texas State Representative Gene Wu, and enjoy a KPOP demo and lesson by LASA’s Choreopop dance crew!
This event is family-friendly and all racial, religious, cultural, and political backgrounds are welcomed. Space is limited, register NOW to secure your spot
|
|
|
| |
 |
First UU Reproductive Justice Film Festival
Dates: 3/9, 4/16 and 5/11 at 1pm in First UU Sanctuary
First UU Church of Austin is proud to present a 4-film festival with films about reproductive justice issues.
Contact reprojustice@austinuu.org for more information.
|
|
|
| |
 |
Austin Youth River Watch Volunteers Needed
Austin Youth River Watch is looking for volunteers to help with meal deliveries to their students and families. The commitment is about 4 hours on Fridays starting between 10am-2pm (depending on your availability). You'll pick up meals at Cook's Nook in East Austin and deliver them to student's homes. Please fill out our Volunteer Meal Delivery Driver Form and Emma Walsh will reach out to you afterwards to go over the details.
Why We Need Your Help
Food security remains a concern for many of the students we work with. Each year, we hear from students who do not have consistent access to nutritious food. That's where our meal delivery program comes in!
For the past four years, our staff has been handling the delivery routes, but as our program grows, we’re hoping some of our awesome supporters (like you!) can step in to help out. This would really ease the load on our team and keep this program running smoothly.
|
|
|
| |
|
Support our local CDF Freedom School in East Austin: Volunteers Needed
|
|
|
|
Volunteers at CDF Freedom Schools® Austin. The 12th summer of Freedom Schools Austin is right around the corner. Scholars, staff, caregivers and community come together June 16-July 25, 2025. The fun and inspiration lead to real impact; last year, scholars gained 13 months of reading level in just 6 weeks time. Volunteers play a critical role in the Freedom Schools community.
Backstage volunteers help behind the scenes, with tasks like move-in and move-out, transforming spaces to be most conducive to learning and inspiration,
preparing activities and supplies, and organizing the library and office.
On-site volunteers complete background check and specialized training to help greet scholars, keep meal times on task, read with scholars one-on-one or in small groups, help with afternoon activities and games, and chaperone field trips.
Questions? Email hello@welcometableaustin.org or text 512-879-9795.
|
|
|
| |
|
