Category: uncategorized

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

In September two years ago, we were celebrating the 120^th anniversary of the Women’s Alliances at First Unitarian Church of Dallas.  The previous spring, we had quickly adjusted to meeting on Zoom, but by the fall we were wondering how soon we might be able to have in-person meetings again.  I doubt that any of us imagined that, two years later, we would still be wondering the same thing.  During the summer, as the pandemic began to show signs of abating, the Board explored possibilities for an in-person meeting in September.  Unfortunately, with the spread of delta variant, that is no longer possible.  We’re keeping our fingers crossed for October and beyond.

But WDA has always been, and will continue to be, a resilient organization.  Our mission remains the same: “to serve the social and spiritual needs of its members by offering opportunities for sisterhood, education, and service to our church and the community.”  But our experiences during the pandemic have reminded us of the importance of being flexible in how we fulfill that mission.  So this year, instead of planning an entire year in advance, the Board is moving a little more slowly, working from month to month and season to season, so that we can respond to our ever changing conditions.  Some things we feel confident about. WDA will have nine general meetings with a variety of interesting programs this year.  We will pursue ways to serve our church and community.  We will continue to offer opportunities for personal connection and sisterhood.  We hope to resume our large fund-raising projects (see news about Crafty Bake Sale elsewhere in this newsletter).

But our new normal will not look exactly our old normal.   The Board is exploring various options for organizing our monthly meetings and new ways to offer service to the community.  We want to incorporate more time for interaction among members during our meetings, and perhaps participate in service activities in addition to our charitable donations.  We are even exploring the possibility of re-structuring our leadership to make us even more flexible in the future.

To learn more about what the coming year will bring and how you can be involved, join us on September 7 for the first general meeting of the year.  You’ll meet the Board members, learn more about our ideas for the year, and get an update from Rev. Kanter on church plans.  We will take care of some necessary business items, and there will be times to meet and socialize with other members.  We hope to see you there!

WDA General Meeting

Sept. 7, 2019, 10:30 AM

Log on at 10:15 for casual conversation before the meeting begins.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84975283735?pwd=NklrT0hHVGhOWC9Jc2VSWmVWSUQxQT09

Meeting ID: 849 7528 3735

Passcode: WDA

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,84975283735#,,,,*728700# US (Houston)

WDA Survey

Thanks to those who have spent a few minutes completing our survey.  Your answers are very helpful as we continue to develop ideas for the year.  To make sure we hear from as many members as possible, we will keep the survey open a few more days.  You can find it at

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9VSJS7Z

COMING UP IN WDA

Board Meeting                                       Sept. 28 at 9:30AM

Book Discussion                                     Sept. 21 at 1:00PM                   contact: Marcia Niemann

• Our books coming up for discussion include:

Sept 21, 2021 Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Oct 19, 2021 House of Spirits by Isabel Allende

Nov 16, 2021 The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

• We meet from 1 to 2:30 on the third Tuesday of each month (after Friendship Group) by zoom.   If you are not on the emailing list, please contact marcianiemann@sbcglobal.net to be added to the list, or removed from the list.

Coffee & Conversation                          Sept. 8 at 10:30AM                   contact: Sharon Clark

Crafty Bake Sale  – not currently scheduled

Friendship Group                                   Sept. 21 at 11:00AM                contact: Kathleen Campbell

*Contact Kathleen to receive emails with each month’s discussion topic

General Meeting                                    Sept 7 at 10:30AM

Love Beyond Belief                                Sept. 9 at 1:00PM                     contact: Yvonne Norfleet

*This group is currently at capacity

Movie Matinee                                       usually 4^th Tuesday                   contact: Sara Miskimins

*Contact Sara Miskimins to join the email list    

Summer Book Discussion                     Sept. 15 at 10:30AM                contact: Susan Grundy

*Discussing Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

Women’s Evening Alliance                 Sept. 14 at 6:00 PM                  contact: Kathy Lake

MEMBERSHIP

The dog days of August are gone, and we are looking forward to September. I want to thank all the WDA members who have submitted their dues. We are glad to welcome you back. If for some reason you have not sent in your dues, you can still do it. It is $25 for WDA and $40 for a combined membership with the evening alliance. They should be sent to Ellen Tye, 4455 Myerwood Ln., Dallas, TX 75244.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on ZOOM in September and hoping for an in-person meeting in October if possible.

WDA DIRECTORY – Updates Requested

It’s time to prepare the 2021-22 WDA directory.  Hoping everyone will please check your listing in the 2020-2021 directory, and email sharonclark219@gmail.com by September 7^th if updates are needed in your address, phone number, or email address.  If you would like a different photo this year, please attach it with your email.  Thank you!

             As we move forward with focusing attention on needs near us in the Dallas area, I’ll be adding some new organizations to the Liaison Report list. Please feel free to give me feedback on whether you find the information on this report useful, there are any organizations you’d like to see included that aren’t, or any you think we can retire. 

LIAISON

Local & State Organizations

CitySquare:

Bricks in the Pathway out of Poverty honor the road our neighbors follow and provide an opportunity for those in our community to leave a legacy and benefit CitySquare. All bricks will be engraved with a personalized message and will be installed in the center of the courtyard:

Please join us by reserving your brick on the Pathway out of Poverty!

Buy A Brick!

CitySquare is thrilled to invite you to CitySquare Block Party on Saturday, November 6th, at the Empire Room in the Dallas Design District. The event will include an array of food stations and cocktails, fun interactive neighborhood experiences, a silent auction, all culminating in partying and dancing to the fabulous Manhattan Band. You can join by securing your sponsorship today! 

League of Women Voters of Texas:

LWV is urging us to take action on SB1, and this has appeared on Realm as well from the Social Action Committee: https://e.onrealm.org/posts/02b00b54-e2e6-4b6c-97ee-bca120928edf

This is time-sensitive, but I wanted everyone to have the information:

Send Messages Today – Monday House Select Committee on Constitutional Rights & Remedies Use the Committee Online Portal (August 20 – End of Public Hearing on August 23)

Committee Portal – Click  Here!

Please include these comments in all of your messages: Request the committee focus on solutions for all voters and help restore the level of trust in Texas elections.Acknowledge the magnitude of existing Election Code safeguards and transparency.   Don’t forget to include any personal stories you may have! Andbe sure to make your comments as an individual, not as a representative of the League.

The hearing starts at 8 AM Monday!Messages can be up to 3,000 characters.Can be sent now, but must be sent before the end of the Monday hearing, (8/23).

Planned Parenthood of Texas:

Planned Parenthood of Texas is also suing to stop Texas S.B. 8, one of the most extreme abortion bans this country has ever seen. To donate to help the effort to stop this legislation, please donate at: Please give to Planned Parenthood Federation of America now. Your gift will help fund our work to protect and expand reproductive health care, no matter what »

UU Organizations:

The Enneagram Journey

Every week on Thursday from Oct 14 – Dec 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 3^rd Floor Hallman Building
The Enneagram is a powerful tool for spiritual, personal and collective transformation.  It offers 9 distinct strategies for relating to one’s self, to others and to the world, the “passion” that drives them, their wing(s), how they operate when they’re in stress and when feeling secure, and what motivates them.

Contact Debra Cook for more information and to register Debra Cook

Racial Equity Task Force of our Church:

The RETF recommends:

• Dallas Residents: Tell the City Council you support shifting money from police overtime to other services.
• Texas Residents: Tell the Governor to STOP threatening cities for expanding social services and taking steps to reduce police violence Urge the Governor to support the elements of police reform in the upcoming George Floyd Act.
• North Texas Residents: Become a volunteer for Mothers Against Police Brutality (MAPB)

UUSJ, UUs for Social Justice:

Several issues are up for action in UUSJ in partnership with other organizations such as Faith in Public Life.

A Week of Action begins on Sunday, August 22, 2021, and continues through Saturday, August 28, 2021, the 58^th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s historic March on Washington. Here is the Week of Action schedule:

Week of Action
For Full List of Events and More Details
Click Here

• Sunday 8/22: United in Faith for Voting Rights 
• Monday 8/23: United in Faith for Citizenship
• Tuesday 8/24: United in Faith for Tax Justice
• Wednesday 8/25: United in Faith for Economic Justice
• Thursday 8/26: Pray and Act for Care workers  
• Friday 8/27: United in Faith for Climate Justice
• Saturday 8/28: March on for Voting Rights

UUSJ is also working in Congress in support of HR 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act. HR40 is needed to study American Slavery in an official government capacity, to render official facts, and make official recognition of harms, to start a process of healing. The Commission would examine the impact of chattel slavery, Black Codes, convict leasing, Jim Crow, redlining, access to fair housing, education, employment opportunities, disproportionate taxation, and more, as a start on the road to end institutional racism.

Let’s Build A Fact-Based Understanding Of Slavery  Pass H.R. 40 Tell Congress Pass H.R. 40 Now!

UU Women’s Federation:

The group held their annual UU Women’s Breakfast at General Assembly in June, with the recording available here: A recording of the gathering is on the UUWF website and now includes captions. Take a listen when you have time, and Let’s keep talking! Join the conversation. This online space allows you to answer each other’s questions, pose new discussion topics, and initiate new projects together. It’s fairly simple. Just click the link, request to join if you haven’t already, and then bookmark the webpage so you can get back to it easily. We’ll see you there!

North Texas Food Bank:

Martha Quigley manages the First UU volunteer group, with monthly shifts available. Email Martha for more information. The Food Bank has other volunteer opportunities, which you can find and sign up for at this link: https://ntfb.org/get-involved/volunteer/ .  Some of the opportunities include Disaster Relief Mobile Pantry, Distribution Center, Jan’s Garden, Partner Gardens, Nutrition Services, Social Media Ambassadors, Special Events, and Administrative Projects.

NTFB is holding Harvest, a seated dinner and celebration at the Omni Dallas Hotel on Saturday, September 11, 2021 to celebrate the rich history and impact of the Food Bank serving the community and neighbors for 40 years.  Individual and table tickets are now available, 

ACLU:

As always, the ACLU is monitoring and taking up the most pressing issues on a number of civil liberties areas.  One way you can help is by participating in People Power, their platform for grassroots action. Go here if you’d like to join a volunteer team: https://go.peoplepower.org/signup/join-our-people-power-volunteer-teams/?type=text

You probably know that SB 8 passed the Texas legislature in May and is set to take effect on September 1, 2021. This law bans abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy, and notably puts enforcement in the hands of the public rather than any state agency. The ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit challenging SB 8:  https://www.aclu.org/cases/whole-womans-health-v-jackson

To donate and help the ACLU with its activities, go here: https://action.aclu.org/give/now?redirect=node/65102

SERVICE

WDA members can join the church’s Community Service Committee in collecting Paper or Cloth Grocery Bags (NO PLASTIC!)  and UNOPENED packages of Plastic Dinnerware.  These will go to two organizations the church supports:  CitiSquare Food Pantry and Family Gateway Shelter.  We have found that putting a box on your front porch (or your preferred spot) and posting a message (with just your street address) on Nextdoor or other community website can make lots of bags and dinnerware appear.  Then your neighbors know they can help families in need as well as the environment in a Covid safe way.  When you are ready, take the items to the St. Andrews breezeway of the church where collection boxes are located.  Other First UU volunteers will deliver.

2021 Dallas Hunger Summit A Virtual Event  “TOP 10 HUNGER SOLUTIONS” A Holistic Approach     The 10th Annual Dallas Hunger Summit is going virtual again this year! Due to continuing concerns about COVID-19, our annual food insecurity awareness and action conference will occur over three consecutive weekly online learning and strategy events.  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and the Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions invite you to be our guest for the 2021 Dallas Hunger Summit. The focus is on our “Top 10 Hunger Solutions” for creating equitable, thriving communities. Speakers from across multiple community sectors will discuss a holistic view of how to solve hunger and impact community health in an all-inclusive way. Applying an equity lens, they will discuss how to create a more food secure and just food environment for everyone. We will explore the innovative, collaborative steps underway in communities, and the policies that can assure access to healthy, nutritious food and optimal health for all.   September 17th 10:00AM -12:00PM “Ending Hunger in America: A Holistic Approach” A panel discussion including insights and lessons learned since the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers include Trisha Cunningham, North Texas Food Bank; Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County Health & Human Services; Kate Zielke, North Central Texas Council of Governments and more to come…   Register Here   September 24th 10:00-11:30 AM “Ending Poverty to End Hunger in America: A Roadmap” Courtney Collins, KERA News, in conversation with Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox, authors of Broke in America: Seeing, Understanding and Ending U.S. Poverty.   Register Here   October 1st 10:00 AM -12:00 PM “Addressing Food Insecurity and Healthy Food Access: Dallas Area Initiatives and Best Practices” A panel discussion with local practitioners and innovators including Edward T. Rincón, Ph.D., author of The Culture of Research and Innovator of the Urban Site Location Dashboard. More to come…   Register Here     Contact Wyonella Henderson-Greene for more information about the 10th Dallas Hunger Summit. Visit our website to learn more about the Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions.     See what’s happening on our social sites ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It’s complicated!  We are all looking forward to resuming in-person meetings in the fall, and it would be lovely if that is all it took to make it happen.  But there is a lot to think about.  As the Board works to facilitate our re-gathering, we are keeping an eye on national and local guidelines for meetings as well as our church’s guides, all of which are evolving as conditions change.  We have to aware of what is happening with the building project and what, if any, limitations it may impose on our meetings.  And we want to remain responsive to our members’ desires and concerns.  The Board is also taking advantage of the interruption in our routines to take a hard look at what we do and how we do it.  Are there things we could do better, new initiatives we can launch, changes that can make us stronger or more efficient?  As we plan, we are paying attention to what you, our members, told us through the survey we took last spring and looking for opportunities to adjust our practices to reflect your ideas.  Among other things, we are exploring ways we can foster connections within our organization, and also with WEA, and other church groups, and church-wide projects.  We hope when we return in the fall you will find an experience that is both comfortably familiar and refreshingly different.  Watch for more updates as our plans take shape.

In the meantime, I hope you will zoom in on July 27 for a special event with Dr. Rebecca Parker, who has generously agreed to spend an evening with us.  I’m sure meaning of you have been inspired by her sermons and Wednesday night classes and will want to hear her speak on the summer theme from a feminine perspective.  See details for this special evening below.

Special Evening with Dr. Rebecca Parker – Tuesday, July 27, 7:30 PM

“Feminist and Womanist Spirituality: Reimagining the Divine” 

“A talk celebrating the creative, liberating, and revolutionary work of feminist and womanist theology.  We will explore how lives have been changed by new visions of the divine discovered within us and among us, as we seek wholeness and work for just and sustainable life for us all.”

Dr. Parker is preaching at First Unitarian during the summer as well as teaching a Wednesday night class. This is an exciting opportunity to hear from a nationally recognized theologian; put the date in your calendar so you can join us for this special occasion.

Watch for reminders and a Zoom link later this month.

COMING UP IN WDA – New this year Quarterly Birthday Lunches!

Book Discussion-zoom                          July 20 at 1:00PM                     contact: Marcia Niemann

*Still Life by Louise Penny

Coffee & Conversation-zoom              July 14 at 10:30AM                   contact: Sharon Clark

Quarterly Birthday Lunch                     July 17 at 1:23PM                     contact: Susan Grundy *Everyone with a June, July, or August birthday is invited to gather for lunch and celebrate together.  The lunch will be held at Café Brazil (6240 N. Central Expressway) please RSVP by July 14 to susangaygrundy@gmail.com

Women’s Evening Alliance                 July 13 at 6:00 PM                    contact: Kathy Lake

*Potluck and swim party at Sharon Clark’s home

Love Beyond Belief-zoom                     July 8 at 1:00PM                       contact: Yvonne Norfleet

             *This group is currently at capacity

Friendship Group-zoom                        July 20 at 11:00AM                   contact: Kathleen Campbell

             *Contact Kathleen to receive emails with each month’s discussion topic

Make the Best of It-zoom                     July 26 at 3:00PM                     contact: Mary Jane Ligon

Movie Matinee                                       usually 4^th Tuesday                   contact: Sara Miskimins

             *Contact Sara Miskimins to join the email list    

Summer Book Discussion-zoom             July 21 at 10:30AM                   contact: Susan Grundy

             *Discussing Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, chapters 10-15

Dr. Rebecca Parker-zoom                     July 27 at 7:30PM                     contact: Kathleen Campbell

*”Feminist and Womanist Spirituality: Reimagining the Divine” 

*WDA offers these small groups to provide opportunities for companionship and to explore shared interests.  Everyone is welcome to attend all groups (except LBB which has reached its maximum capacity).  Feel free to check with any groups contact person for more information.

MEMBERSHIP

Hello WDA members. It is summer in Texas! Just a reminder to renew your membership if you haven’t already. We have some exciting new events for our new year. Membership dues are $25 for just WDA and $40 for both WDA and WEA. They should be submitted to our treasurer Ellen Tye, 4455 Myerwood Ln, Dallas, Tx 75244. Have a great summer and hopefully some of you are able to travel.

SERVICE

The Service Committee Reports that Toiletries are needed for Human Rights Initiative’s Clients. HRI Development Director and WDA member Jenny Weil requests WDA members work to help HRI clients weather the storm of current challenges by providing household items such as cleaning and personal hygiene products. Jenny states, “We appreciate help in any form, and there are many ways to do it. Here are a few:

•           HRI has a special donation page: https://secure.everyaction.com/_AwSrNC4HkKCuFDRdWZ2mw2

•           Amazon Wish List https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/22EU9W3KS9BC7?ref_=wl_share

If you shop using this list, Amazon will ship to HRI. The most needed items are: Shampoo & conditioner, Deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste and Diapers, especially sizes 4 & 5.

•           Checks can be sent to HRI, 2801 Swiss Ave, Dallas TX 75204. Attn: Jenny Weil. If you put “toiletries” in the memo line, funds will go to purchase them.

•           We suggest posting the need on your neighborhood information apps, like Next Door.

             •           In case you are not familiar with HRI, here’s a brief summary of their endeavor: Human Rights Initiative of North Texas provides free legal and social services to immigrant survivors of human rights abuses. Our clients are asylum seekers fleeing persecution; children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected; and survivors of domestic abuse or violent crime eligible under humanitarian provisions of American law. HRI currently serves more than 600 households. HRI only serves those who could not otherwise afford representation. Our clients all live below 150% of federal poverty guidelines. As immigrants applying for legal status, they are generally ineligible for aid programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and unemployment insurance. They have also been especially hard hit by Covid-19 and the subsequent recession.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It’s time for our summer break, and if it ever dries out, perhaps we’ll be able to enjoy some travel or time outside.  At least, with Covid restrictions easing, we should be able to visit with some friends, have a meal in a restaurant, go to a movie or the theater, while we look forward to the re-opening of the church in August and Ingathering in September.  And your WDA Board will be meeting regularly to plan next year’s activities.

And there will be a lot going on in WDA during the summer.  Although we don’t have our monthly general meetings, our small groups will continue meeting.  Watch for reminders and Zoom links for these activities during the month.  Our new Service Chair, Martha Quigley, is inviting us to participate in a service project (details below).  And we are excited to announce a special event scheduled in July—see announcement in this newsletter and watch for additional details in July.  If you haven’t renewed your membership yet, you’ll want to do so, don’t miss out on any of these summer activities.  Our new Membership Chair, Gay Roberts has provided all the information you need in her message below.

SAVE THE DATE! July 27

The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker will be zooming in for a special meeting with WDA on Tuesday, July 27, at 7:30.  Dr. Parker will be preaching at First Unitarian during the summer as well as teaching a Wednesday night class. This is an exciting opportunity to hear from a nationally recognized theologian; put the date in your calendar so you can join us for the special occasion. For those of you unfamiliar with Dr. Parker, please see the brief biography below. Watch for more information about this special event in the July newsletter.

DR. REBECCA PARKER

The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker, theologian, educator, social activist, minister, and musician, founding trustee of The Braxton Institute for Sustainability, Resiliency and Joy. Dr. Parker is Professor of Theology Emerita and President Emerita of Starr King School for the Ministry where she served for 25 years educating future Unitarian Universalist ministers and spiritual activists to counter oppressions, create just and sustainable communities, and cultivate multi-religious life and learning. An ordained United Methodist minister who holds dual ministerial fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association, she has served United Methodist and UU Congregations, including All Souls Unitarian in Washington DC, and Wallingford United Methodist Church in Seattle, which was a pioneer in the Reconciling Congregation movement, affirming the sacred worth of all LGBTQ people. Parker’s theological work, sermons and poetry have been published in academic journals, essay collections and anthologies. Her books include A House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion for the 21st Century, co-authored with John Buehrens (Beacon, 2010); Blessing the World: What Can Save Us Now, edited by Robert Hardies (Skinner, 2006); Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire; and Proverbs of Ashes: Redemptive Violence and the Search for What Saves Us, co-authored with Rita Nakashima Brock (Beacon, 2008 and 2001). A more extensive biography can be found on the church web site HERE.

COMING UP IN WDA

June 8 at 6:00 PM   WEA

June 9 at 10:30 AM     Coffee and Conversation – So many of us found Rev. Beth Dana’s May WDA presentation on sacred space meaningful.  We’ve decided to explore it further together during the June WDA Coffee & Conversation discussion group.  Everyone welcome. Would you like to show us YOUR sacred space?  Home altar?  If so, please email photos by June 7^th to Kathleen Campbell, campbellk0817@gmail.com. 

June 15 at 11:00AM    Friendship Group

1:00 PM Book Discussion

June 21 at 3:00PM       Make the Best of It

July 27 at 7:30PM        Dr. Rebecca Parker

MEMBERSHIP

Hello, members of Women’s Day Alliance! Just a reminder to submit your dues for 2021-2022. We are a little behind. Also, remember that if we don’t get them, you won’t be included in our annual directory. If you would like to change or update the information that will go into the directory, please notify Sharon Clark at sharonclark219@gmail.com. For new members we will pull your contact information from Realm, so if your Realm account is not up to date, please let us know. We hope that you enjoy your summer and look forward to meeting together in person in September.

SERVICE

The Service Committee Reports that Toiletries are needed for Human Rights Initiative’s Clients.  HRI Development Director and WDA member Jenny Weil requests WDA members work to help HRI clients weather the storm of current challenges by providing household items such as cleaning and personal hygiene products. Jenny states, “We appreciate help in any form, and there are many ways to do it. Here are a few:

• HRI has a special donation page HERE. (Or if you prefer the whole address: https://secure.everyaction.com/_AwSrNC4HkKCuFDRdWZ2mw2)
• Amazon Wish List (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/22EU9W3KS9BC7?ref_=wl_share): if you shop using this list, Amazon will ship to HRI.)   The most needed items are:  Shampoo & conditioner, Deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste and Diapers, especially sizes 4 & 5.
• Checks can be sent to HRI, 2801 Swiss Ave, Dallas TX 75204. Attn:  Jenny Weil.  If you put “toiletries” in the memo line, funds will go to purchase them. 
• We suggest posting the need on your neighborhood information apps, like Next Door.
• In case you are not familiar with HRI, here’s a brief summary of their endeavor: Human Rights Initiative of North Texas provides free legal and social services to immigrant survivors of human rights abuses. Our clients are asylum seekers fleeing persecution; children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected; and survivors of domestic abuse or violent crime eligible under humanitarian provisions of American law. HRI currently serves more than 600 households. HRI only serves those who could not otherwise afford representation. Our clients all live below 150% of federal poverty guidelines. As immigrants applying for legal status, they are generally ineligible for aid programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and unemployment insurance. They have also been especially hard hit by Covid-19 and the subsequent recession.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It’s time for our summer break, and if it ever dries out, perhaps we’ll be able to enjoy some travel or time outside.  At least, with Covid restrictions easing, we should be able to visit with some friends, have a meal in a restaurant, go to a movie or the theater, while we look forward to the re-opening of the church in August and Ingathering in September.  And your WDA Board will be meeting regularly to plan next year’s activities.

And there will be a lot going on in WDA during the summer.  Although we don’t have our monthly general meetings, our small groups will continue meeting.  Watch for reminders and Zoom links for these activities during the month.  Our new Service Chair, Martha Quigley, is inviting us to participate in a service project (details below).  And we are excited to announce a special event scheduled in July—see announcement in this newsletter and watch for additional details in July.  If you haven’t renewed your membership yet, you’ll want to do so, don’t miss out on any of these summer activities.  Our new Membership Chair, Gay Roberts has provided all the information you need in her message below.

SAVE THE DATE! July 27

The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker will be zooming in for a special meeting with WDA on Tuesday, July 27, at 7:30.  Dr. Parker will be preaching at First Unitarian during the summer as well as teaching a Wednesday night class. This is an exciting opportunity to hear from a nationally recognized theologian; put the date in your calendar so you can join us for the special occasion. For those of you unfamiliar with Dr. Parker, please see the brief biography below. Watch for more information about this special event in the July newsletter.

DR. REBECCA PARKER

The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker, theologian, educator, social activist, minister, and musician, founding trustee of The Braxton Institute for Sustainability, Resiliency and Joy. Dr. Parker is Professor of Theology Emerita and President Emerita of Starr King School for the Ministry where she served for 25 years educating future Unitarian Universalist ministers and spiritual activists to counter oppressions, create just and sustainable communities, and cultivate multi-religious life and learning. An ordained United Methodist minister who holds dual ministerial fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association, she has served United Methodist and UU Congregations, including All Souls Unitarian in Washington DC, and Wallingford United Methodist Church in Seattle, which was a pioneer in the Reconciling Congregation movement, affirming the sacred worth of all LGBTQ people. Parker’s theological work, sermons and poetry have been published in academic journals, essay collections and anthologies. Her books include A House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion for the 21st Century, co-authored with John Buehrens (Beacon, 2010); Blessing the World: What Can Save Us Now, edited by Robert Hardies (Skinner, 2006); Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire; and Proverbs of Ashes: Redemptive Violence and the Search for What Saves Us, co-authored with Rita Nakashima Brock (Beacon, 2008 and 2001). A more extensive biography can be found on the church web site HERE.

COMING UP IN WDA

June 8 at 6:00 PM   WEA

June 9 at 10:30 AM     Coffee and Conversation – So many of us found Rev. Beth Dana’s May WDA presentation on sacred space meaningful.  We’ve decided to explore it further together during the June WDA Coffee & Conversation discussion group.  Everyone welcome. Would you like to show us YOUR sacred space?  Home altar?  If so, please email photos by June 7^th to Kathleen Campbell, campbellk0817@gmail.com. 

June 15 at 11:00AM    Friendship Group

1:00 PM Book Discussion

June 21 at 3:00PM       Make the Best of It

July 27 at 7:30PM        Dr. Rebecca Parker

MEMBERSHIP

Hello, members of Women’s Day Alliance! Just a reminder to submit your dues for 2021-2022. We are a little behind. Also, remember that if we don’t get them, you won’t be included in our annual directory. If you would like to change or update the information that will go into the directory, please notify Sharon Clark at sharonclark219@gmail.com. For new members we will pull your contact information from Realm, so if your Realm account is not up to date, please let us know. We hope that you enjoy your summer and look forward to meeting together in person in September.

SERVICE

The Service Committee Reports that Toiletries are needed for Human Rights Initiative’s Clients.  HRI Development Director and WDA member Jenny Weil requests WDA members work to help HRI clients weather the storm of current challenges by providing household items such as cleaning and personal hygiene products. Jenny states, “We appreciate help in any form, and there are many ways to do it. Here are a few:

• HRI has a special donation page HERE. (Or if you prefer the whole address: https://secure.everyaction.com/_AwSrNC4HkKCuFDRdWZ2mw2)
• Amazon Wish List (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/22EU9W3KS9BC7?ref_=wl_share): if you shop using this list, Amazon will ship to HRI.)   The most needed items are:  Shampoo & conditioner, Deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste and Diapers, especially sizes 4 & 5.
• Checks can be sent to HRI, 2801 Swiss Ave, Dallas TX 75204. Attn:  Jenny Weil.  If you put “toiletries” in the memo line, funds will go to purchase them. 
• We suggest posting the need on your neighborhood information apps, like Next Door.
• In case you are not familiar with HRI, here’s a brief summary of their endeavor: Human Rights Initiative of North Texas provides free legal and social services to immigrant survivors of human rights abuses. Our clients are asylum seekers fleeing persecution; children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected; and survivors of domestic abuse or violent crime eligible under humanitarian provisions of American law. HRI currently serves more than 600 households. HRI only serves those who could not otherwise afford representation. Our clients all live below 150% of federal poverty guidelines. As immigrants applying for legal status, they are generally ineligible for aid programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and unemployment insurance. They have also been especially hard hit by Covid-19 and the subsequent recession.

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