Newsletters

WDA Newsletter – October 2022

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Happy Fall! Hope you are enjoying the beautiful autumn days, and the many outdoor festivals around the area this month. We are thankful that the recent hurricane spared us, but our thoughts and prayers are going out to the many people suffering from the destruction. We do believe in climate change!

WDA had a successful meeting last month, with a record attendance to hear the presentation on post-Roe decision, followed by a tasty luncheon in the community with our members and guests.

Please join us on Tuesday, October 4th to connect with our Racial Equity Task Force leaders to hear about their important work, and how we can help.

In faith, Wendy whwhaley52@gmail.com 214.406.3483

Join us for our WDA meeting, October 4, 2022 at 10:15am in person or

Join Zoom Meeting at 10:30

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85374585481?pwd=UitOQ2EwTVBEQjhFV05vRWJIMWVsQT09

Meeting ID: 853 7458 5481

Passcode: 353553

Calendar

General Meeting – Oct 4, 10:30 or 10:15am for coffee

Coffee & Conversation – Oct 13 at 10:30am

Friendship Group – Oct 18 at 11:00am

Make the Best of It – Oct 24 at 3:00pm

Book Discussion – Oct 30 at 1:00pm

Crafty Bake Sale – November 20

Clothes Encounters – February 10, 11, 12

WDA Outreach

WDA continues to support the Fair Park Health Center – we are collecting socks (male or female) for residents at the October meeting. Residents have enjoyed the cards and the BINGO games on the last Saturday of the month. We even have volunteers working in the little garden which is looking great! Martha Quigley martha.quigley@gmail.com

WOMEN’S DAY ALLIANCE MEETING MINUTES – SEPT. 6TH, 2022

10:35 Meeting called to order by our president, Wendy Whaley who, also, lit the chalice.

Kathleen Campbell introduced the panel of speakers who would present a comprehensive view of Reproductive Rights in this State and Country:

Kelly Hart – Senior Director of Public Affairs of Planned Parenthood

Aydrelle Collins – Counsellor and sex therapist

Sherri Cook – Executive Director of W.I.S.E. (Wholly Informed Sex Ed.)

Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter – Senior Minister of First Unitarian Church of Dallas

11:45 Business and Announcements

Wendy Whaley introduced and thanked the new team leaders for this group.

The minutes of the General meeting held May 3^rd were approved as written.

The treasurer’s report and the budget for the upcoming year were approved.

Gwen Lummus announced the Crafty Bake Sale will take place this year on Sunday, 11/20

Brenda Tindel thanked Kathleen Campbell for organizing the presentation for today and announced the topic for the next meeting will be an update by speakers from the Racial Equity Task Force.

We were joined by 2 members of Community UU Church of Plano – Anita Edgemon and Vicky Varinger who is, also, a board member of SWUUW .

Other guests were: Beth Ganslen, Louanne Munden and Elly Lindsay – First UU member who plans to join

New members are: Peg Cronin, Ella St. Clair and Victoria Hilton

11:55 Wendy Whaley read the closing words and extinguished the chalice.

Respectfully submitted,

Felicity Sentance, Secretary

WDA LIAISON REPORT

Keeping WDA linked to our church and our community

Please let me know 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. Thanks for reading! Katherine Sheehan ‎katherinea.sheehan@gmail.com

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas

Texas has the third highest rate of teen pregnancies and the highest rate of repeat teen births in the United States. Planned Parenthood education and outreach programs employ a three-part approach that engages parenting adult, educators, and peers to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in the communities we serve; parenting adult, educators, and peers.

Empowerment Kits

We now have a dedicated time for First Unitarian women to work at Planned Parenthood assembling Empowerment Kits on the second Tuesday of each month, 12:00-1:30 PM. Each kit contains emergency contraception, an early pregnancy test, condoms, information on Planned Parenthood services and a voter registration card. Sign-up for the May session is now open at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA4A623A5F9C52-first

If the Tuesday time is not convenient, volunteers can also sign up for regular work time on Mondays, 6:00-7:30 or Wednesdays, 12:00-1:30 at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ba4a623a5f9c52-monday

United Way Metropolitan Dallas

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas connects you with volunteer opportunities, events and campaigns that matter to you so you can make a fulfilling impact right here at home. Take a look at the calendar of upcoming projects. We’d love for you to join us in creating opportunities for all North Texans to thrive. See Volunteer Opportunities.

UUSJ

Action Alerts: Email Your Legislators

Tell Congress to Pass theEnvironmental Justice for All Act
Tell Congress to Pass theAfghan Adjustment Act
Tell Senators to fix theElectoral Count Act (see Key Information on Senate proposal)
Tell Senators it’s time to reform the immigration judicial system

UUSJ works to make our government fairer and more inclusive by the following actions (email info@uusj.org for more information):

Selecting issues strategically that are moving in Congressand making it easy for UUs to express their views to Congress on those issues.
Arranging meetings with Congressional staff so UUs can talk to Congress. These meetings are virtual, so everyone across the nation can meet with Congress!
Publicizing Action Alerts, where individual UUs may sign a letter to their Congressional representatives advocating for a solution to a particular injustice.
Maintaining Issue Action Teams on the priority issues–currently the Immigration Action Team, the Environmental Action Team (including Climate Change), and the Democracy Action Team.
Conducting workshops and webinarsto educate members on emerging issues and how to advocate more effectively.
Organizing witnessing activities,including participating in the Women’s March, Immigration Justice, and the Poor Peoples’ Campaign.

Women’s March

The Women’s March is happening in Washington, D.C. on October 8th at Folger Park

You can get involved and take action in your own hometown — click here to find a march or rally near you!

The League of Women Voters of Dallas

Our award-winning voting and election resource, VOTE411.org, provides reliable, nonpartisan information in both English and Spanish, including candidates guides, voter registration and verification, details about your unique ballot, and how to vote in your state. In 2020, more than 6 million people came to VOTE411 for election information on over 22,000 races nationwide.

Secretary of State John Scott encourages eligible Texans to register to vote by October 11

SOS 101(1): Voter Registration in Texas

Secretary Scott describes the security of voting systems used in Texas
SOS 101(2): Voting Systems in Texas

The Genesis Women’s Shelter

We are officially back in-person! Join us this fall as we gather IN-PERSON for three fabulous fundraising events!

GYL Night Out at the Disco – October 15th
An Evening with Gentle Men at The Crow Library – Nov 3rd

Event Details

Interested in joining an event host committee to support our fundraising efforts? Contact events@genesisshelter.org. Click below for event details.

Equest

Equest is a therapeutic horsemanship center located in the Texas Horse Park in south Dallas. They serve children and adults with diverse needs by partnering with horses in equine assisted activities and therapies such as riding lessons, physical and occupational therapy, equine-assisted counseling, a veteran’s program, Hooves for Heroes, and mini horse ambassador outreach. Volunteers are needed for barn help, assistance with horses and clients during sessions, and office help. If you’re interested, click here to learn more and sign up to help.

North Texas Food Bank

Join the North Texas Food Bank’s Peanut Butter Drive throughout September! This year we are hoping you’ll help us collect 500,000 pounds of peanut butter and nut butter to be distributed through child programs. You or your organization can host your own drive, participate virtually, or collect jars and drop them off at NTFB’s Perot Family Campus.

Learn more at ntfb.org/peanutbutterdrive.

WDA Newsletter – Sept 2022

President’s Message

On behalf of WDA Board, I want to welcome all of you to a wonderful new year, filled with exciting programs, luncheons, social events, community projects, and more!

The year promises to highlight our commitment to serve the social and spiritual needs of its members by offering opportunities for sisterhood, education, and service to our church and community.

We hope that you will participate in all or some of the planned activities-either in person or via Zoom, and make personal connections through the many small group meetings.

Get ready for our first program on 9/6, followed by a business meeting and lunch. Please see the following evite for details.

Wendy Whaley, President

Join us for the first WDA Meeting of the year, September 6, 2022 at 10:30am in person or

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85374585481?pwd=UitOQ2EwTVBEQjhFV05vRWJIMWVsQT09

Meeting ID: 853 7458 5481

Passcode: 353553

Calendar

General Meeting – Sept 6, 10:30 or 10:15am for coffee

Coffee & Conversation – Sept 8 at 10:30am

Make the Best of It – Sept 26 at 3:00pm

Book Discussion – Sept 30 at 1:00pm

Crafty Bake Sale – November 20

Clothes Encounters – February 10, 11, 12

WOMEN’S DAY ALLIANCE MEETING MINUTES – MAY 3RD, 2022

10:40 Katherine Sheehan gave the opening words and Kathleen Campbell lit the chalice to start the meeting.

Business:

The minutes of the General meeting held April 5th were approved as written.

The treasurer’s report was approved.

The outgoing Leadership team was recognized and Kathleen Campbell (outgoing president) gave a short presentation reviewing all that has been achieved over the past year despite the pandemic and construction at the church.

Reverend Daniel Kanter remarked on the ongoing work of the church and WDA.

The incoming leadership team was introduced and installed by Rev. Kanter.

As the incoming president, Wendy Whaley, gave a short speech about what has been achieved and plans for the upcoming year together with thanking the outgoing Program team.

Announcements:

Paula Rose announced the WEA meeting next Tuesday.

Membership dues are due for the 2022 – 2023 year. $25 for membership in one Women’s Alliance, $40 for membership in both.

Carol Nash announced the need for volunteers to maintain the garden in Fair Park.

Cindi Thomson is collecting greeting cards for The Fair Park Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Margaret Gillet is seeking volunteer greeters for Sunday, May 29^th.

11:45 Kathleen Campbell read the closing words and extinguished the chalice.

Members gathered for the closing circle and song.

Respectfully submitted,

Felicity Sentance, Secretary

WDA Liaison Report

Keeping WDA linked to our church and our community

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas:

Empowerment Kits

The Genesis Women’s Shelter:

We are officially back in-person! Join us this fall as we gather IN-PERSON for three fabulous fundraising events!

First Ladies’ Bruncheon – September 24th
GYL Night Out at the Disco – October 15th
An Evening with Gentle Men at The Crow Library – Nov 3rd

Event Details

Interested in joining an event host committee to support our fundraising efforts? Contact events@genesisshelter.org. Click below for event details.

ACLU:

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) aims to protect Native children from forced removal from their families, tribes and culture and is currently at risk of being struck down by the Supreme Court in Brackeen v. Haaland. The ACLU and a collection of affiliates have filed an amicus brief urging SCOTUS to uphold ICWA. The justices will hear arguments in November, and you can help by reading the explainer and preparing to fight for this case here.

UU the Vote:

Power to the People Volunteer Activation Huddle: August 28th, 4pm ET

Join us for our national volunteer huddle to join our work and build active teams across all of our issues. In this 2-hour volunteer activation, you will learn how we are organizing UUs across the country, have an opportunity to meet our volunteer team leaders, and sign up for volunteer shifts and trainings. Sign up here!

Equest:

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/

Resource Team

Fundraisers are back! The Crafty Bake Sale will take place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 20th.and Clothes Encounters fundraiser is scheduled for February 10,11 and 12. Be thinking about what you can contribute to Crafty Bake Sale in the way of baked goods crafts, and/or time on Saturday for setup and Sunday for the sale. Also we need at least two more cashiers on Sunday the 20th. So if you or someone you know would be a good candidate let Gwen Lummus or Paula Rose know. Also, I have attached the budget the board approved.

WDA Newsletter – May 2022

President’s Message

Our final general meeting for this program year will be Tuesday, May 3, beginning at 10:30 in the Pat Davidson Parlor (note the new location) and on Zoom. We will be recognizing our outgoing board members and Rev. Kanter will be with us to install our incoming board. We will also be collecting bed pillows for the residents at the Fair Park Health Center (see details below).

Once again, we invite you to come early for light refreshments on the patio beginning at 10:00 AM. Zoom attendees can log in at 10:15 for conversation before the meeting begins. Those attending at the church also have the option of bringing a bag lunch and eating with friends at the picnic tables after the meeting.

Link for WDA General Meeting
Time: May 3, 2022 10:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86048503966?pwd=SHFuSkJITmpYMTRLRG4rU0pvWDBmQT09

Meeting ID: 860 4850 3966
Passcode: WDA
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,86048503966#,,,,*876091# US (Houston)

May is the time to collect dues for the coming year. Members’ dues are the source of funding for our operating expenses, so it is important for the Board to have a good idea of funds available in order to build an appropriate budget for the next fiscal year. So please come prepared to pay your dues–$25 for WDA or $40 for joint WDA/WEA membership. Checks can be made out to WDA (we’ll make sure WEA gets their share). If you are unable to attend the meeting, please send your dues to Gwen Lummus at 4833 W. Lawther Dr., Apt. 400, Dallas, TX 75214.

As we close out the program year and transition to a new Board and a new leadership structure, we will also take some time to reflect on the past year, a time during which we moved gradually toward restoring in-person meetings, though with some necessary changes due to new circumstances. As we go forward, I’m sure we’ll continue to explore what our “new normal” might look like, discovering new ways to respond to members’ interests and preserving valuable traditions from our past, while being alert to changing circumstances around us. As the Board spends its summer developing plans for next year, our small groups will continue to meet, so you’ll have many opportunities to stay in touch with your WDA friends until we gather again in September.

May WDA Calendar

May 3 10:15 AM WDA General Meeting

May 5 10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation (new time)

the meeting day has changed to the FIRST THURSDAY of each month…still at 10:30 am…still on Zoom. No meeting in August.

May 10 9:30 AM New Board Retreat

6:30 PM WEA Meeting

May 13 1:00 PM WDA Love Beyond Belief

May 17 11:00 AM Friendship Group

1:30 PM Book Discussion Group

May 18 10:00 AM Hike with Amy Martin

May 23 3:00 PM Make the Best of It

May 24 9:30 AM WDA Board Meeting

TBA Movie Group

Social Committee

· Help send Encouraging words (or pics) to Fair Park Health Residents. Please bring cards and/or notes to our next meeting (May3) (and the following meetings) for the residents of Fair Park Health Center. If you’ve got a drawer full of blank cards you’ve been saving, bring them! If you’ve got one or two, write a short note and bring them! Pictures of sunshine, flowers, landscapes, nature or animals that can be used to decorate walls will all bring joy to someone. Need some help on what to write? Since we don’t have names for everyone, use a greeting like Greetings, Dear Friend, or just Hello or Hi. Include positive words of encouragement such as have a great day, thinking of you, or you are loved. And if you draw, sketch, or paint, doesn’t have to be professional, that’s good, too. Residents may have few or no visitors so a pretty card or thoughtful note can be meaningful and provide a bright spot in their room. Make your card at home or choose one brought by someone else. Cindi Thomson will be our messenger to collect and deliver (or arrange delivery for) our cards after our meetings.

The Women’s Day Alliance is collecting bed pillows for the residents of the Fair Park Health Center. Please bring a new pillow or pillows (Not decorative pillows) to the Alliance Meeting on May 3rd, 2022. Felicity, Cecilia, and Wendy will be managing the pillow collection and delivery for us this month. Thanks in advance for all your generosity and care for our shut-in neighbors.

May 2022 — WDA Liaison Report

Keeping WDA linked to our church and our community

Some new organizations representing needs in the Dallas area have been added 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.

Local & State Organizations

League of Women Voters of Dallas

Upcoming elections!

May 7 – Local and Constitutional Amendment Election (Early voting begins April 26)

May 24 – Primary Runoff Election (early voting begins May 16)

Candidate and issue information is posted on Vote411.org. More information can also be found on the BLOG at lwvdallas.org

Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support:

Conference on Crimes Against Women

The 17^th CCAW will be held in person on May 23-26 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, offering over 195 of the most cutting-edge, technical workshops, case studies, computer labs and interactive sessions available. If you are interested in becoming a partner of CCAW 2022 as an exhibitor or sponsor, visit online. Register Here to attend.

Lecture Series 2022

Pt. 3 Wednesday, September 7
Pt. 4 Wednesday, October 26

Each year, Genesis hosts a series of lectures to not only raise awareness, but to improve our community’s response to domestic abuse. Join us for another powerful Lecture season as we gather in-person at SMU Meadows Museum. Buy tickets to one lecture, all four lectures or join our group of sponsors who help make this event happen each and every year! Tickets & Sponsorships

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas:

UU Organizations:

Texas UU Justice Ministry (TUUJM):

WE CRY JUSTICE BOOK GROUP, every Thursday, 6:30 – 7 pm, CT

We Cry Justice is a book used by the Poor People’s Campaign, and the group will be facilitated by one of TXUUJM’s justice-seeking friends, Jim Crosby. After 27 years as a Lay Chaplain and educator, Jim founded Nonviolent Austin in 2018 and is now actively volunteering as an organizer for the Texas Poor People’s Campaign. A member of St. James Episcopal Church in Austin, like many UUs, Jim loves the writing of Kentucky farmer Wendell Berry. He and his wife live in a log cabin in Webberville, TX.

Order a copy of We Cry Justice here, and save the Zoom link https://bit.ly/wecryjustice for Thursdays at 6:30pm CT / 5:30pm MT, leading into the TXUUJM Action Hours led by Rev. Erin and Advisory Council members Sarah Berel-Harrop and Dana Ashrawi.

UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ):

UUSJ is an avid partner and supporter of the Poor People’s Campaign (PPC)

If you would like to help plan UU involvement for the June 18, 2022 Assembly and Moral March on Washington, in Washington, DC with The Poor People’s Campaign, and the UUA’s PPC Council, sign up on this FORM

North Texas Food Bank:

WDA Newsletter for April 2022

Presidents Message

As we near the end of our program year, we are preparing for the transition to new leadership. Retiring and incoming board members will be exchanging information, records will be transferred to our archives, and plans are being made for our final meeting of this program in May, at which our new leaders will be installed. Part of that transition is our annual survey, which provides the leaders valuable insight for the new board into how we can improve our activities. Our thanks to everyone who participated.

I hope many of you will join us for our April meeting as we move one step closer to resuming some of our past formats. We have been so happy to return to in-person meetings this year, and hope that, as COVID protocols loosen, more of our members will feel comfortable joining us at the church.

Our April meeting is going to be a busy one. We invite you to come early for coffee and pastries, which will be served in the patio before the meeting. Refreshments will be served beginning at 10:00 AM; at 10:30 we will move inside for our meeting, which will begin with a presentation on Bonton Farms. We have two important business items to consider: an amended budget and election of the 2022-23 WDA leadership (see slate below).

Our social committee encourages you to wear a “Easter bonnet” (see details below) and we’ll have our own parade to show them off. We’ll also be collecting toiletries for the residents of Fair Park Health Center.

Zoom attendants can log-in at 10:15 for casual conversation before the meeting begins. (See link below) We are aware of the continuing problems experienced by our Zoom attendees and are working with church staff to resolve them.

General Meeting Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84368290742?pwd=M0NiVDMweXVnQ2hrQ25zMEgxY0Rmdz09

Meeting ID: 843 6829 0742

Passcode: WDA

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,84368290742#,,,,*478826# US (Houston)

Church Greeters

WDA and WEA will continue to serve as greeters for Sunday morning services on April 24 and May 22. Let Margaret Gillette know if you are able to serve at gmgillett@sbcglobal.net

WDA at Planned Parenthood

Last month many WDA members assisted at Planned Parenthood assembling Empowerment Kits for Planned Parenthood clients. We now have a session designated for First UU members on the second Tuesday each month from noon to 1:30 PM. Sign-up for May 10 is now open: you can sign up at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA4A623A5F9C52-first

If you can’t make it then, you can also sign-up for one of their regular sessions on Mondays 6:00-7:30 PM and Wednesdays 12:00-1:30 PM at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ba4a623a5f9c52-monday.

WDA 2022-23 Leadership Nominees

Board Positions	Term	Nominee
President	2022-24	Wendy Whaley
Programming Team Leader	2022-24	Mary Jane Ligon
Members Team Leader	2022-23	Margaret Moore
Records Team Leader	2022-23	Nancy Thursby
Resources Team Leader	2022-24	Gwen Lummus
Connections Team Leader & Leader Elect	2022-24	Holly Nichols 2022-23 Katherine Sheehan 2023-24
Outreach Team Leader	2022-23	Martha Quigley

Non-Board Positions
Nominating Committee Chair	2022-23	Margaret Gillett
Nominating Committee Chair Elect	2022-24	Carol Nash 2022-23 member, 2023-24 Chair
Finance Committee Elected Member	2022-23	Kay Maxwell

April Calendar

April 5 10:15 WDA General Meeting

April 12 6:30 WEA General Meeting

April 13 10:30 Coffee and Conversation

Discussion topic: Where would you like to travel next, and where are you actually going next?

April 15 1:00 WDA Love Beyond Belief

April19 11:00 Friendship Group

1:30 Book Discussion Group

April 25 3:00 Make the Best of It

April 26 9:30 WDA Board Meeting

TBA Movie Group

STANDING COMMITTEES

Planning Committee Kathleen Campbell

The Planning Committee has completed the annual survey questions and released the survey to the membership, with a deadline of April 1 for completion. Results will be reported to both old and new board when they are available. The committee will now begin work on an annual report.

Membership Committee Gay Roberts

The membership committee met to draft the proposal about Emerita status. We had one new member join, Jennie Pugh.

Program Committee Wendy Whaley

Remaining WDA program for 2021-2022:

April- Bonton Farms w/Daron Babcock, Executive Director

May- Installation of New Board w/Daniel Kanter

Nominating Committee Margaret Gillette

At the WDA General meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 Margaret Gillett presented the Spring 2022 Slate of Nominees. See attached.

The Committee has not met in March, but Margaret has been in conversation with both Kathleen Campbell and Kris Gillett regarding the transmission of relevant documents from the Nominating Committee for 2021-2022. She will put on flash drive and get to Felicity/Kris soon.

Margaret also has talked with Carol Nash (on the presumption that Margaret herself will be elected as Nominating Chair for 2022-2023 and Carol as Nominating Committee Elected Member and Chair Elect for 2022-2023 and Chair for 2023-2024). Carol and Margaret will meet in person after the WDA General Meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Carol and Margaret look forward to adding to their Committee the Board appointed Member. Margaret will send some possible suggestions to Wendy Whaley in April but both Carol and Margaret know this appointment will be the decision of the Board. Even though neither Carol nor Margaret will be on the Board Margaret will relay to Wendy fact they would like to attend Board meetings via zoom whenever their schedules permit so as to be in the best position to propose the Spring 2023 Slate of Nominees.

Marcia Niemann supplied Margaret with information about arranging for zoom meetings during 2022-2023 if they are needed by the Nominating Committee. Marcia also will update the WDA Leadership excel history sheet after the WDA election on April 5, 2022, and will transmit to Felicity Sentance/Kris Gillett for the Archives and to the other current Nominating Committee members and to Carol Nash.

Service Committee Martha Quigley

Members are requested to bring toiletry items for the nursing home residents to our next general meeting.

Social Committee Sharon Clark

Everyone is invited to wear an Easter Bonnet to the April Meeting. Whether it’s a hat you

actually wear, or your great-aunt’s vintage favorite, or your own hilarious creation…April 5^th is its moment! (Optional, of course.)

At the March meeting, members enjoyed a Recipe Exchange: favorite recipes were placed on the exchange table. and after the meeting, everyone could take pictures of others’ recipes that they wanted to keep. During the meeting, which focused on Women’s History Month, participants gathered in small groups and discussed women they admire.

These WDA social groups met in March: Friendship, Book Club, Love Beyond Belief, Make the Best of It, and Coffee & Conversation.

The committee met and made recommendations for social activities through May.

WDA Liaison Report Katherine Sheehan

Keeping WDA linked to our church and our community

Local & State Organizations

Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support:

The 29^th Genesis Annual Luncheon will be held Thursday, April 14 at the Hilton Anatole. The keynote speaker this year with be Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Songwriter and Humanitarian, Michael Bolton! Bolton has a passion for ending domestic violence and encouraging all men to be part of the solution through the Michael Bolton Charites. Please join us in supporting this event and acting as a pillar of hope in our community for so many who need help. Click here: For Info & Sponsorships

Lecture Series 2022

Pt. 1 Wednesday, February 23
Pt. 2 Wednesday, April 20
Pt. 3 Wednesday, September 7
Pt. 4 Wednesday, October 26

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas:

UU Organizations:

UU Women:

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation (UUWF) is a faith-based organization that builds covenantal relationships among Unitarian Universalist (UU) women that equip us all to be better allies and co-conspirators in the movement for collective liberation.

UUWF is hiring a full-time grassroots organizer to organize and help manage and implement existing and new justice advocacy programs. We’re seeking women, femme-identifying, or gender expansive people (UU or not) who have experiences, expertise, and/or passion about building power for women and girls.

For more information, click here.

UUSJ, UUs for Social Justice:

The UUs for Social Justice is beginning its Board search this month for up to five candidates to join the Board as of July 1, 2022. This reflects the ongoing transition in board structure that began in 2021. The Nominating Committee and current Board are interested in persons reflecting the diversity of the UU justice-making experience. Applicants should be comfortable joining a 501c3 board in transition from a working board to an oversight board, with the process ongoing.

Members of the UUSJ Board of Trustees may serve up to two terms of three years each, before leaving the Board for two years. The terms of the eleven-member Board are staggered with 3-4 Trustees elected in each of three “classes” to allow for eventual continuity.

Anyone with interest in serving on the new Board should contact Chloe Emily Ockey, Nominating Committee Chair (info@uusj.org) as soon as possible to register interest.

The UUSJ is also in search of a volunteer certified public accountant to assist with financial and tax leadership. If interested, please contact Pablo DeJesus, UUSJ Executive Director (pdejesus@uusj.org)

North Texas Food Bank:

WDA Newsletter for March 2022

President’s Message

Our next General Meeting will be Tuesday, March 1 beginning at 10:30 at the church. Participants may also join us via Zoom (link below). Arrive or log in by 10:15 for casual conversation before the meeting begins.

March is Women’s History Month. We’ll celebrate it with a presentation by Jeanine Powell, who will share with us her research on the life of Edith Warner. The title of her presentation is “The Eyes of Edith Warner: Woman Suffrage to the Atomic Bomb.” Following her talk, we’ll have an opportunity to share thoughts with other members about women we admire. At this meeting we will also announce the slate of nominees for next year’s WDA Board.

Zoom link for March 1:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89983593215?pwd=WitWbUZwMTBZWlMvY3g4UTJWR1hldz09

We hope you’ll also plan to attend our final two meetings of the year. In April we will learn about the work of Bonton Farms. We will also have important business to conduct: voting on our new board and approving an amended budget for the year. We also begin collecting dues for 2022-23 in April. At the May meeting, we will close out the program year with the installation of our new Board.

WDA/WEA Fundraisers

Sadly, as you probably know, we have had to postpone holding our traditional fundraisers, Crafty Bake Sale and Clothes Encounters, this year. However, we are actively making plans and reserving dates to resume both events in 2022-23. Watch for announcements about details as plans are finalized and dates draw closer.

New Policy on Emerita Status

At the last board the meeting, the Board established a formal policy for granting emerita status to our older members:

Any woman who has reached 90 years of age, has been a WDA member for 5 years, and is a member of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas can be considered for Emerita status. She will have her dues waived. Her name will be highlighted in the directory. There can be exceptions made to these proposals pending a vote from the WDA board.

We will be looking through our membership records to identify our members who are currently eligible for consideration for this recognition.

Be a Greeter

The church is currently experiencing a shortage of greeters, so WDA and WEA have volunteered to assist on the fourth Sunday of each month through the spring. In addition to providing a service for the church, we will have an opportunity to inform members about our organizations. We have a team set up for February 27 but watch for opportunities to sign up for other Sundays. If you would like to assist in recruiting and organizing volunteers, please contact Kathleen Campbell at campbellk0817@gmail.com.

Calendar

March 1 10:30 AM WDA General Meeting

March 8 7:00 PM WEA General Meeting

March 9 10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation

Discussion topic: Where would you like to travel next, and where are you actually going next?

March 11 1:00 PM WDA Love Beyond Belief

March 15 11:00 AM Friendship Group

1:30 PM Book Discussion Group

March 22 9:30 PM WDA Board Meeting

TBA. Movie Group

March 28 3:00 PM Make the Best of It

Some of these groups are now meeting in-person (with the option to join by zoom) and others are virtual only. Watch for announcements from each group with details and zoom links.

Standing Committees

Planning Committee Kathleen Campbell

The Planning Committee is working on the spring survey, with aim of submitting it to the membership in late March or early April.

Membership Committee Gay Roberts

The membership committee met on February 4^th to discuss questions about making a voted-on proposal of Emerita status for members. We noted that in the past this was something that had been done, but it had fallen off in recent years and we didn’t think that it had ever been a formal proposal.

Any member who reaches the age of 90 years old should be considered for the status. We discussed how we would know when this happens and decided that perhaps the caring committee would be aware of it, or the member would have to let us know herself. There was some discussion on privacy matters as perhaps some members would not want to reveal their age. We talked about inviting the member and having it be her decision about the designation.

This is the proposal we came up with:

Any woman who has reached 90 years of age, has been a WDA member for 5 years, and is a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Dallas can be considered for Emerita status. She will have her dues waived. Her name will be highlighted in the directory, and she will be eligible for a printed copy of the directory if she is unable to print it herself. There can be exceptions made to these proposals pending a vote from the WDA board.

Nominating Committee Margaret Gillette

On January 27, 2022, after the January Board Report had been submitted, Marcia Niemann and Margaret Gillett met by telephone. On Friday, February 11, 2022, Diane McCrady, Marcia Niemann, and Margaret Gillett met at 3 pm via zoom.

On January 23, 2022, Marcia Niemann began sending to all nominees confirmation letters along with the current Bylaws as revised/approved on November 15, 2021 and Guidelines for Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Committee Chairpersons approved in August 2021.

On February 14, 2022, the Nominating Committee sent its 2022 Slate of Nominees to Kathleen Campbell. Margaret Gillett will present the Slate to the WDA Board on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 9:30 am via zoom.

As a result of all the efforts of Marcia Niemann, Holly Nichols now has the PowerPoint Recruitment Tool on the WDA website (www.wdauu.org). The PowerPoint is words only, no interview clips. Members can view it during the next recruitment period in 2022-2023 by going to WDA Leadership in the upper right-hand corner of the website home page, then clicking on the start arrow in the black box. If Marcia can find someone to show her how to insert the videos into the PowerPoint, she might be able to do this during summer 2022. In the meantime, she has provided the videos link to the Archives Committee.

Communications Committee Holly Nichols

Our website has received some updating. Please visit and let Holly know if you have suggestions. www.wdauu.org

Service Committee Martha Quigley

This month we organized a group of 15 WEA and WDA members to volunteer for Planned Parenthood’s Empowerment Kit making on an on-going monthly basis.

We continue to work with the Senior Source to establish a connection with a nursing home that needs resources from the community. We discovered that the representative of the nursing home is not available most of the time. We are trying for a phone call late in the day.

One member of the committee has had to resign and another is out of town for an unspecified amount of time, so we would like to solicit several new members of this committee for the rest of the year.

Social Committee Sharon Clark

February 2022 began with the church closed again due to Covid. Because WDA met online, there was not an “exchange” at the February Zoom meeting. The opening get-acquainted activity (a check-in) took place in Zoom small groups. Church re-opened later in the month and Friendship Group met in person with a hybrid Zoom option. The other WDA small groups (Coffee & Conversation, Love Beyond Belief, Book Club, and Make the Best of It) held their February meetings on Zoom.

The winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) birthday luncheon is going to be Saturday, Feb 27. Susan has sent email invitations to those in WDA and WEA born in those months

Special Committees

Crafty Bake Sale

It’s been decided that the above won’t be held on March 19 – 20, 2022 and has been postponed until the weekend before Thanksgiving 2022. The primary reason for the delay is that Church attendance is low at present which could translate into a poor turnout for sales.

We can only hope this won’t be the case in November!

In Memoriam

Martha Durst

*from Dallas Morning News, WDA Caring Chair Verda Shine

It is with great sadness that I must report the loss of our dear WDA member Martha Durst. She died in her home in Richardson on February 9, 2022 at the age of 90. Martha was the daughter of Henry and Lottie Wilton, born in Upper Merion Township. Martha attended Abington Nursing School and then obtained a B.S. from Ohio State. She met her husband, Leo, at the First Unitarian Church of NYC. They eloped in Cape Cod and moved to Houston where her two children, Laura and Tom, were born. A fiercely independent woman and lifelong learner, Martha was a fantastic mother of two children, an attentive grandmother of six and a loving great-grandmother of three.

Martha loved all of her nursing jobs and the many friendships that she made as a nurse. She gained her worldly perspective from traveling the world with comrades from Friendship Force. She was involved with League of Women Voters, AAUW, Meals on Wheels, Parkland Auxiliary and First Unitarian Church Women’s Day Alliance. Martha was an avid reader with a sharp memory and passed along many great values.

A memorial is planned for April 9, 2pm First Unitarian Church of Dallas. Donations can be made to Richardson Public Library in Martha’s name.

March 2022 — WDA Liaison Report – Keeping WDA linked to our church and our community

Local & State Organizations

Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support:

Lecture Series 2022

Pt. 1 Wednesday, February 23
Pt. 2 Wednesday, April 20
Pt. 3 Wednesday, September 7
Pt. 4 Wednesday, October 26

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas:

Urge Senators to Vote YES on the Women’s Health Protection Act

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has been one of our strongest defenders of reproductive freedom and has just announced his retirement this year. It is critical that his replacement take the baton to defend and expand reproductive health and rights.

Click here: To Send a clear message to President Biden now: Nominate a Supreme Court justice who will protect and defend our civil and reproductive rights — including our right to safe, legal abortion.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Planned Parenthood this year, you can fill out the contact form here.

Human Rights Initiative:

It’s time to keep up the pressure. Build Back Better is still pending before the Senate, and we need a bill with a pathway to permanent status. Do you live in a state with a Democratic senator? We’re still making calls. Not sure what to do? Use this script.

HRI Connect Cooking Classes are coming this Spring!

Food connects us in powerful ways. Join HRI clients and their loved ones as they share favorite recipes and stories about what the dishes mean to them. Proceeds support Connect’s Medical Reimbursement Fund. Sign up for alerts here.

Catholic Charities Dallas is holding a volunteer training to assist Afghan recent arrivals seeking safety. They are looking for volunteers to complete the required asylum applications with these clients. Please share this signup form with anyone in your network! They are also looking for Pashto or Dari speakers to assist with interpretation.

UU Organizations:

SWUUW:

Registration is OPEN for the SWUU Women’s conference March 4-6, 2022! Please make your reservation no later than Feb 11 Click here for more information. To secure your room at the Embassy Suites DFW North at the group rate, click on this link.

The theme will be ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ representing women’s lives in action and harmony with our UU 7^th principle – Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The programming tracks will be: Activism & Spirituality, Art, and Activity.

UUSJ, UUs for Social Justice:

Anyone with interest in serving on the new Board should contact Chloe Emily Ockey, Nominating Committee Chair (info@uusj.org) as soon as possible to register interest.

North Texas Food Bank:

CitySquare:

CitySquare fights the causes & effects of poverty through service, advocacy & friendship.

· Interested in helping? Here’s how:

· Volunteer: We need your help to distribute groceries next week and through the end of the month. We invite you to sign up for one or more of our food pantry volunteer shifts!

· Wish List: The MDHA Point in Time Homeless Count is this month and we invite you to show our neighbors some love by visiting our Amazon wish list. Don’t forget to add CitySquare as your charity of choice on Amazon smile!

· Donate: Give to the Hope Fund, which supports emergency relief efforts for our neighbors who lack shelter, items, and have other emergent needs.

Give to the Hope Fund

WDA Newsletter for February 2022

President’s Message

The pandemic continues to take us on a roller coaster ride—days when things look brighter and we feel ready to get out a little more, followed by the need to exercise greater caution again. It’s hard to stay optimistic when things remain so unstable. I, for one, am cheered by knowing that I can always reach out to WDA friends for encouragement. Even when we cannot be with each other in-person, we can still meet and share our stories, knowing that we will loved and supported.

With the church closed until February 6, our February general meeting will be on Zoom only. You can join as early as 10:15 for casual conversation before the meeting begins at 10:30. We’ll hear from our presenters about issues concerning transgender Texans, and we’ll also arrange for some social time during the meeting.

Our small groups will continue in February, mostly on Zoom, although watch for announcements during the month about possible hybrid meetings if circumstances allow. Please take advantage of these opportunities for connection and conversation.

A number of WDA members answered the call for assistance from Planned Parenthood in January and some of us have signed up for February slots also. Follow the link to sign up VOLUNTEER SIGN UP.

Link for General Meeting:

Time: Feb 1, 2022 10:15 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83481335606?pwd=cTkwWEFZZFJBdHM2aHZySFk3QzFSUT09

Meeting ID: 834 8133 5606

Passcode: WDA

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,83481335606#,,,,*095237# US (Houston)

Calendar

February 1 10:15 WDA General Meeting

February 8 7:00 WEA General Meeting

February 9 10:30 Coffee and Conversation

February 11 1:00 WDA Love Beyond Belief

February 15 11:00 Friendship Group

1:30 Book Discussion Group

February 21 3:00 Make the Best of It

February 22 9:30 WDA Board Meeting

February 22 TBA Movie Group

Social Committee – Sharon Clark

In January, these WDA groups are meeting on Zoom while the church is closed: Book Group, Friendship Group, Love Beyond Belief for Women, Coffee & Conversation, and Make the Best of It.

The Social Committee conducted “exchanges” as a social activity during the December and January meetings: Christmas items in December, and White Elephant items in January. In both months, several members brought items and took home new treasures, and seemed to enjoy this activity. Monthly exchanges are planned from when WDA resumes meeting in person through May.

A lunch for members with winter birthdays will be scheduled after the current covid advisories are over.

Membership Committee – Gay Roberts

We had two new members join at our December meeting, Valerie Hendrickse and Carol Nash. I sent them welcome emails letting them know how to get involved and of course welcoming them.
I reviewed an old directory to see what information we might ask new members to let us know about. I’ll be making up a dummy form for them soon to pass on to the new board if they choose to use it.

WDA Liaison Report –

Keeping WDA linked to our church and our community

Local & State Organizations

League of Women Voters:

There are several upcoming events and dates from the LVW:

January 31: Last Day to register to vote for the March 1 Primary Election

February 14: First day to vote early in person

February 18: Last day to apply for vote-by-mail ballot: Click here

February 25: Last day to vote early in person

March 1: Election Day and vote-by-mail receipt deadline

Did you receive a rejection letter from Dallas County Elections Department (DCED) for your application for a mail in ballot? If you did, please don’t throw it away! There are instructions in the letter for how to fix the problem. The deadline to fix it is February 18.

Redistricting and You:

Precinct numbers have changed. Even though you have not received your new voter registration card (to be mailed in February), you can find your new precinct number by going to www.dallascountyvotes.org. Go to the Voter Information section and scroll down to Voter Lookup. Once you enter your information and click enter you will find your new precinct number on the last line of the first section entitled Voter Eligibility Detail. Right below that information is the section Voter Links where you can find your voting districts and elected officials.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas:

Urge Senators to Vote YES on the Women’s Health Protection Act

The time has come for senators to listen to their constituents and defend abortion access.

The Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) would protect the right to abortion throughout the United States and would grant people equitable access to abortion and other essential healthcare.

Click here to urge your senator here to pass this critical legislation immediately.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Planned Parenthood this year, you can fill out the contact form here.

UU Organizations:

SWUUW:

Registration is OPEN for the SWUU Women’s conference! Please make your reservation no later than Feb 11. Click here for more information. To secure your room at the Embassy Suites at the group rate, click on this link.

The Southwest UU Women are hosting an in-person SWUU Women’s conference on March 4-6, 2022 in Grapevine Texas. The theme will be ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ representing women’s lives in action and harmony with our UU 7^th principle – Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The programming tracks will be: Activism & Spirituality, Art, and Activity.

UUWF, Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation

As UUWF builds our work to be more inclusive, more robust, and more dynamic, we’re also thinking about how we share power, make decisions, and act as stewards of our financial resources. We’re seeing this as a learning opportunity. We want to imagine a way of doing business that values consensus and action; establishes mutual accountability; is flexible enough to be durable; and disrupts patriarchal norms.

If you’re interested in learning with us, here are a few places to start:

The Story of Jane: This book chronicles the development of an underground abortion service in Chicago. Author Laura Kaplan takes a fascinating look at an amazing network of women helping women and the challenges they encountered in terms of governance and power.

Nonprofit AF: The blog of Vu Le on all things nonprofit. Funny, provocative, and wide-reaching, you can narrow your reading by using the Topics tab or conducting a simple search.

Seeds for Change: Check out the Consensus category under their Resources tab.

We the People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy: Authors John Buck and Sharon Villines take a deep dive into sociocracy principles and practices.

We’ll keep you posted as we learn, and we hope you will too!

Want to learn more about breaking the rules, cultivating new ways of thinking, or embracing new ways of working and leading? Here are some resources:

UUSJ, UUs for Social Justice:

The UUs for Social Justice are committed to action in 2022 and invite you to join them in organizing and preparing to address upcoming issues. These include opportunities to serve as:

An advocate for social justice – Click here to engage
A witness for root causes and harms – Click here to engage
An agitator for change and compassions
An educator towards widening the circle of concern
Click here for a Letter-Writing Campaign Toolkit

North Texas Food Bank:

CitySquare:

CitySquare fights the causes & effects of poverty through service, advocacy & friendship. To check out current volunteer opportunities and register to be contacted, click here.

WDA Newsletter for January 2022

President’s Message

As we begin a new year together, I look forward to seeing you more of you in-person at our general meetings, and at the various small group meetings we may be attending. At the same time, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the most recent variant doesn’t drive us back to exclusively virtual meetings. In the meantime, we are learning more each month about how to make hybrid meetings more successful, especially for our members attending virtually.

This month our general meeting on January 4 will include a presentation by a. representative of the Laughter League. We will be meeting at the church again, beginning at 10:30; the link for those attending via zoom is below. Drop by or log in at 10:15 for conversation before the beginning of the meeting. See below also for a note from the Social Committee Chair Sharon Clark, about the “white elephant” exchange.

Our small groups will all be meeting in January. Some meet only virtually, and others have hybrid options; contact the group leaders for information. See the calendar below for details

Calendar

January 4 10:15 AM WDA General Meeting

January 11 7:00 PM WEA General Meeting

January 12 10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation Sharon Clark

January 14 1:00 PM WDA Love Beyond Belief Yvonne Norfleet

January 18 11:00 AM Friendship Group Kathleen Campbell

1:00 PM Book Discussion Group Marcia Nieman

January 24 3:00 PM Make the Best of It Mary Jane Ligon

January 25 9:30 AM WDA Board

January 25 TBA Movie Group Sara Miskimmins

Membership

We want to cordially welcome Carol Nash and Valerie Hendrickse to our Alliance.

Social Committee

Everyone is invited to Zoom with WDA friends for an hour of conversation and companionship.

WDA White Elephant Exchange

The Social Committee invites you to bring a “white elephant” to the January 4^th WDA meeting. Something from home…maybe that well-intentioned holiday gift that just wasn’t for you? You said a warm thank-you but secretly thought, “Oh no, what in the world am I going to do with THIS?” Bring it to WDA! Someone else may actually love it.

Here’s how this exchange will work: Bring your “treasure,” un-wrapped, and place it on the exchange table when you arrive. Then at the end of the meeting we’ll gather around the table and those who brought something can draw numbers and enjoy two rounds of choosing, stealing, and fun.

WDA Newsletter of November 2021

President’s Message – Kathleen Campbell

We’re back! I hope you can join us November 2 for our first in-person meeting in the new Channing Hall. The meeting starts at 10:30, but come a little early to visit with friends and drop off a book at the exchange table organized by the Social Committee (see details below). Our Minister in Residence, Rev. Ruth MacKenzie will present a program centered on gratitude. There will be time for discussion of the proposed bylaws change that we will be voting on this month, and to learn about service opportunities this month. We won’t be serving refreshments, but those who would like to bring a sack lunch or snacks can eat together following the meeting on the picnic tables in the patio.

Masks are required in the building, and we will arrange appropriately distanced seating. Those not ready or able to join us in-person can attend the meeting via Zoom, using this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89527471022

As we finalize plans, it would be very helpful to know how many will be attending in-person and virtually. If you haven’t already responded to the e-vite sent earlier, you can reply now to campbellk0817@gmail.com and let us know which way you plan to join us. If you can’t let us know before the meeting, don’t hesitate to come—we always have room for our friends.

This month in WDA

Nov. 2 10:30 AM WDA General Meeting with Rev. McKenzie

Nov. 9 6:00 PM WEA

Nov. 10 10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation

Nov. 12 1:00 PM LBB Group

Nov. 13 Fall Birthday Lunch

Nov. 16 11:00 AM Friendship Group

1:00 PM Book Discussion Group

Nov. 22 3:00 PM Make the Best of It

Nov. 30 9:30 AM Board Meeting

During the November meeting we will be collecting cash or checks to benefit the Wilkinson Center’s Thanksgiving Basket Drive. If you are zooming to the November Meeting, you may donate by sending a check to WDA treasurer, Ellen Tye, 4455 Myerwood Lane, Dallas 75244. Please note Thanksgiving Basket on the memo line. If you are making a Thanksgiving Basket, please see the church website for details.

Membership Committee – Gay Roberts

We now have 71 members. The Directory is finished and you should have received it by email.

Social Committee – Sharon Clark

Bring a book or two to the next meeting for a book exchange. Put a sticky note inside with your name and a little note.

The Fall Birthday lunch will take place November 13 for members with birthdays in September, October and November – invitations will follow.

Liaison Report – Kathleen Sheehan

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.

Local & State Organizations

League of Women Voters:

The Texas Legislature Special Session on Redistricting started September 20^th. The LWV has an online tool to get messages to your representatives that you can find here. If you have any redistricting questions, please contact Joan Ridley in care of info@lwvdallas.org, or call the office at 214 688-4125. Joan is the force coordinating our redistricting efforts.

Mark your calendars for the LWV Dallas General Program on September 30^thtitled: Critical Race Theory, What is it? The event will provide clarity on CRT and how it differs from current best practices in schools, such as culturally inclusive curriculum. Please see the flyer here.

Help to register voters through the end of September! Click here to find out more LWV of Dallas

Planned Parenthood of Texas:

In Dallas, Planned Parenthood has an opportunity to help stuff Empowerment Kits. These kits will include condoms, emergency contraception, pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted infection testing and other information.

Starting in October, shifts are available Monday evenings 6-7:30 pm and every other Wednesday at lunchtime 12 – 1:30 pm, through the end of November. As these slots fill more dates will be added so keep checking back if you don’t see a time that works for you. The work will be at PPGT at 7424 Greenville Ave #206, where ten people at a time will work on making the kits. Masks are required. You can sign up for one date for yourself, or multiple spots to bring a group. To hold spots just put “friend of …[your name]” as the extra name, then please go back and put in the correct names when they have confirmed. Also please update the document if your plans change.

Here is the link to sign up: SIGN UP HERE for Empowerment Kit Stuffing

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 oneself, 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

UUSJ, UUs for Social Justice:

Save the date for the Social Justice Awards on the afternoon of Sunday, November 7^th, 2021. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, President and CEO of the UU Service Committee. Details will be coming soon!

UU Women’s Federation:

The Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley Scholarship Application deadline is November 1^st. This award provides direct financial support to aspirants or candidates in the UUA’s religious education or music leadership programs, who identify as women of color, Latina, or Hispanic.

To apply, or for more information, visit our website.

North Texas Food Bank:

Martha Quigleymanages 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

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

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. Click here to 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!

Click here to go to the Sponsor page

WDA Newsletter for October 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

There is a lot of news this month, so I encourage you to read through the entire newsletter and come to the October meeting for more information.

The next WDA meeting will be Tuesday, October 5; as the construction work at the church finishes up, we will meet again on Zoom (link below). Among our activities will be a presentation from Dr. Barbara Baxter, founder and medical director of Agape Clinic, who will speak about the ways the clinic serves the old east Dallas neighborhood. You can also expect another opportunity from the social committee to learn more about each other, announcements about service opportunities, the introduction of a proposal for a change in the leadership structure of our organization. Please join us for a fun and informative meeting.

Last spring, the WDA Board approved the creation of a task force to study the leadership structure of the organization and recommend possible changes. The group has been meeting regularly, getting input from former and current leaders, studying the duties of the Board members as it is currently constructed, sharing personal experiences with WDA and other organizations, and considering alternative systems. At the September board meeting, the Board approved a proposal from the task force that will create a smaller and more flexible leadership structure. The plan will be introduced at the October General Meeting; then necessary bylaws changes to implement it will be sent to the membership for review before being voted on at the November meeting.

The WDA Board also dealt with several other important initiatives at our September meeting. The recent survey gave us a lot of valuable information that we can use in planning as we go forward.

It is clear that our website is not serving us well, so a small team is reviewing the site and will make recommendations to make it more useful and more easily accessible to our members.
A number of members demonstrated interest in participating in a study group, focusing on a current important issue. We want to follow up to see if there is enough interest to support one or more groups. If you have a specific topic you would like to delve into with a small group, let us know. We’ll announce the topics and help with organization. Send your ideas to campbellk0817@gmail.com
Members also showed interest in small caring groups. These would be groups of about 4 members who might not meet as a group, but simply agree to keep in touch with each other and offer support as needed. If you are interested in this kind of group, send your name to campbellk0817@gmail.com. If there is sufficient interest, we’ll help you get connected.

Finally, I want to alert our members to an opportunity for on-going service with Planned Parenthood. In response to SB 8, Planned Parenthood is stepping up its efforts to assist women with preventing unwanted pregnancies. A group of WDA members spent time at the PP office this month assembling small kits to be distributed to their clients to support this effort; we put together about 300 kits and enjoyed the time together. The Dallas office has now set up standard times in which volunteers can come to assist. The work is easy and can be fun for a small group. See this month’s liaison report for details on the project and how to sign-up for a time.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Hi, everyone! We’re looking forward to another lively get-acquainted conversation at the beginning of the WDA meeting this Tuesday morning, October 5th.

What will happen:  Everyone will be placed at random into a Zoom small group, where we’ll answer some fun, easy questions (they’ll be listed in the “Chat” screen).
How you can help:  Will someone in your group please write down the responses, and email them to sharonclark219@gmail.com this week, so we can send out a summary to all? Thank you!

At the September meeting, the discussion question was, what are some of the books, movies, TV shows, and other experiences you have enjoyed during this “stay home, stay safe” time? Several of the groups sent their responses, and here they are. Hoping you may find a recommendation on this list that you’ll enjoy. At the meeting Tuesday, we’ll also be talking about a lunch gathering for members with autumn birthdays, and a fun opportunity to bring a couple of favorite books and exchange them for books brought by others at the November WDA meeting (if we’re able to meet in person then).

See you soon!
Sharon Clark, for the Social Committee (with Susan Grundy and Rhonda Koetting)

COMING UP IN WDA

WDA Meeting Oct 5 at 10:15AM

Women’s Evening Alliance Oct 12 at 6:00 PM

Coffee & Conversation Oct 13 at 10:30AM

Friendship Group Oct 19 at 11:00AM

Book Discussion Oct 19 at 1:00PM

Make the Best of It Oct 25 at 3:00PM

Movie Matinee

MEMBERSHIP

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.

LIASON REPORT

Local & State Organizations

League of Women Voters:

Mark your calendars for the LWV Dallas General Program on September 30^th titled: Critical Race Theory, What is it? The event will provide clarity on CRT and how it differs from current best practices in schools, such as culturally inclusive curriculum. Please see the flyer here.

Help to register voters through the end of September! Click here to find out more LWV of Dallas

Planned Parenthood of Texas:

Here is the link to sign up: SIGN UP HERE for Empowerment Kit Stuffing

UU Organizations:

The Enneagram Journey

Contact Debra Cook for more information and to register Debra Cook

UUSJ, UUs for Social Justice:

UU Women’s Federation:

To apply, or for more information, visit our website.

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.

ACLU:

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

CitySquare:

Click here to go to the Sponsor page

SERVICE COMMITTEE

Please Donate to the CitySquare Stuffing Drive

The church’s partner Food Pantry, CitySquare, plans to distribute 1,000 turkeys for Thanksgiving this year and has asked First Unitarian Church members for help providing stuffing mix to complete the meals.

We will be collectingboxed stuffing mix in the CitySquare box in the breezeway on the St. Andrews side of the church campus at one of the homes listed below between now and November 10^th. You may donate paper shopping bags at the same time.

2603 Country Place, Carrollton 75006
901 Wisteria Way, Richardson 75080
6834 Chantilly Lane, Dallas 75214
9942 Galway, Dallas 75218
8114 Stonycreek, Dallas 75228
4526 Ridge Rd, Dallas 75229
12007 De Or, Dallas 75230
9511 Liptonshire, Dallas 75238
6036 Buffridge Tr, Dallas 75287

WDA Newsletter for September 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

In September two years ago, we were celebrating the 120th 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 4th 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 7th 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!

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! And be 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, 3rd 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 58th 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…

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.

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…

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

WDA Newsletter for August 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Two steps forward, one step back. That’s what it feels like sometimes. At our Board meeting last week, we were making plans for our first in-person meeting in September. Then the CDC announced new guidelines to respond to the dramatic rise in COVID cases due to the highly contagious delta variant. We are still making plans for that in-person meeting in September, but we are keeping a close eye on the news and watching for changes in local and church guidelines and are prepared to adjust our plans as appropriately. We are also aware that some of our members will need to continue to avoid large gatherings for their own safety. We will be sending out a survey later this month to help us in making the best choices possible to support our members, whatever their circumstances. Please respond when you see it in your inbox.

When we do come back together, our meetings may not look exactly like they did before the pandemic. Health protocols and construction issues necessitate some changes, but we are also using the disruptions to explore other approaches to our general meetings. We hope that we will be able to provide a warm welcome back in September, focused on renewing our friendships and looking forward to a year filled with education, service, and sisterhood.

Meanwhile, while we develop our specific plans for our fall meetings, our various small groups will continue to meet. The movie group has been able to get back into theaters, while the other groups are continuing on Zoom for now. I encourage you to continue to take advantage of these opportunities to connect with your WDA friends.

Conversation with the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker

Many of us enjoyed our conversation with Rev Rebecca Parker, which focused on feminist and womanist approaches to theology. Below is a list of some authors, some of their areas of interest, and a few specific books she mentioned for those who might want to follow up on some of the ideas discussed. We are hoping to make a recording of the conversation available to members who were unable to attend.

Jean Shinoda Bolen Feminist Architypes Goddesses in Older Women

Catherine Keller Social and ecological justice From a Broken Web

Monica Coleman African American theologies

Barbara Holmes Science and theology Race and the Cosmos

Christina Hutchins Poet and theologian

Zora Neale Hurston Playwright and author The Sanctified Church

John B. Cobb Process theology

COMING UP IN WDA

Board Meeting – August 24 at 9:30AM

Coffee & Conversation – zoom Aug 11 at 10:30AM contact: Sharon Clark

Friendship Group – zoom Aug 17 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 – zoom Aug 12 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 – zoom Aug 18 at 10:30AM contact: Susan Grundy

*Discussing Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

WDA Book Discussion – zoom Aug 17 at 1:00PM contact: Marcia Niemann

August 17: Bina by Anakana Schofield, 2019. 290 pages. (a novel narrated by a 74 year old woman who lives in the Irish countryside. Described as “onery recollections” and “a dark feminist comedy.”)
Sept 21: Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler, 2013. 352 pages. (a novel of a journey by an 89 yr old white woman and her Black hairdresser, a single mom in her 30s, driving from Arlington TX to Cincinnati OH for a funeral and recollecting past relationships.)
Oct 19: House of Spirits by Isabel Allende, 1982. 496 pages. (Her first best seller, a novel with magical realism, telling the story of 3 generations of a family in Chile)
Nov 16: Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich, 2021. 464 pages. (Winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. A novel, based on her grandfather’s life, set in the 1950s as Native American tribes struggled to maintain recognition while the US Congress tried to terminate treaties. The characters live in North Dakota and Minneapolis MN.)

Women’s Evening Alliance – Aug 10 at 6:30 PM contact: Kathy Lake

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.

WDA Newsletter for July 2021

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

SERVICE

• 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.

WDA Newsletter for June 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

t’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

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.

WDA Newsletter for May 2021

It’s been quite a year! When things began to shut down last March, we didn’t know how we would manage to continue to serve our members. We missed one meeting, but then, resilient creatures that we are, we got to work. We learned how to Zoom, planned a series of program for this year that could be delivered virtually, added two small conversation groups to our offerings to give members additional opportunities to connect, and celebrated our 120th anniversary. Our members stuck with us, our attendance at virtual meetings grew close to our attendance at in-person meetings, and we even added some new members who have not yet met any of us face-to face. All of this was possible because of a hard-working Board and loyal members who did not give up on WDA. Thanks to all of you!

Now, of course, we are all wondering about next year. We want to see each other outside a Zoom frame, enjoy lunch together, participate in projects once again. The hard truth is—at this point we don’t know exactly how things will work out. Circumstances are changing rapidly now, and it is hard to predict how things will stand in September. During the summer, the Board will be looking carefully at national and local guidelines for meetings, connecting with church leaders for advice and guidance, and making sure we have a sense of what our members will consider safe for in-person events, recognizing that comfort levels may vary. We will also be watching the building progress, as availability of space will affect what we can do. Small groups may begin meeting before we can have large general meetings, and some things may remain virtual. There may be ups and downs, if new variants appear that increase risk or booster vaccines are necessary for safe gatherings. As Rev. Kanter has said about the church’s plans, we will proceed with an abundance of caution. Living with uncertainty is hard, but if we continue with the patience and resilience that we showed this year, we will find our way to whatever the “new normal” turns out to be.

In the meantime, I hope you will join us on May 4 for the last general meeting of the year (link below). Rev. Beth Dana will join us with a message about “Sacred Spaces” (see her request below) and install our new Board. As always, you can log-on early for casual conversation before the meeting begins at 10:30 AM.

REQUEST FROM REV. BETH DANA

For our May 4th WDA program on “Sacred Spaces,” I invite you to send me pictures of spaces you consider sacred. These spaces could include houses of worship, nature, your home, or other special places. Please send pictures to bdana@dallasuu.org by May 2nd. I look forward to being with you!

WDA GENERAL MEETING

Time: May 4, 2021 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467474819?pwd=YkZ2azN2ZlhRRFp3SVJ3dW9NNndsUT09

Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819

Passcode: WDA

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,87467474819#,,,,*426114# US (Houston)

Dial by your location

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819

Passcode: 426114

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbuY…

WDA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Greetings Women’s Alliance Sisters.

We have navigated an entire year on zoom. WDA has grown to 80+ members in the midst of a pandemic. Thanks to those who have already renewed their membership. For those who not done so yet, please renew today. April was membership renewal month but we’ll still take you in May. And here’s the quick and easy process:

Send your check ($40 WDA/WEA dual membership or $25 WDA only) to our treasurer,

Ellen Tye

4455 Myerwood Ln

Dallas, TX 75244

Thanks in advance for putting your check in the mail right away.

Now let’s give ourselves a big hug!

CARING

Mary Lou Hoffman has left the hospital after surgery for a broken hip. She was transferred to Healthcare Resort of Plano, 3325 W Plano Parkway room 144, Plano TX 75075. She’s not up to visitors at the time. Cards would be appreciated. She’s scheduled for 21 days, then will be evaluated to see if she needs to be extended or can go home with home health.

MAY CALENDAR

May 4, 10:15 AM WDA General Meeting

May 11, 6:00 PM WEA Meeting

May 12, 10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation

You are invited to Zoom in for an hour of conversation with other WDA members! We’ll share some favorite experiences in national parks and other outdoor spaces.

May 18, 11:00 AM Friendship Group

1:00 PM Book Discussion

May 24, 3:00 PM Make the Best of It

May 25, 10:00 AM Board Meeting

———————————————————————————————————————

WDA Newsletter for April 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It’s spring and, despite the damage caused by the winter freeze, plants are coming back to life all around the area. Many of us are breathing a sigh of relief as plants in our yards put on foliage or early spring blooms, even while we mourn the ones that didn’t make it through the winter. With spring in mind, we’ll be celebrating Earth Day at our April meeting on Tuesday, April 6, with a presentation by Amy Martin, also known as Moonlady.
Before Amy’s program, at our business meeting, we’ll be electing our 2021-22 Board members—be sure to be there so that your vote can be counted. A list of the slate presented by the nominating committee is below.
Remember you can log on at 10:15 for informal conversation before the business meeting starts at 10:30, with the program following at 11:00 PM. The Zoom link for the meeting is below.
As usual, we have a full month of opportunities to get together, with a variety of small groups meeting during the month. See the calendar below for details. You’ll receive reminders and links for each closer to the time of the meeting.

WDA GENERAL MEETING
Time: Apr 6, 2021 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the First Tue, until May 4, 2021, 2 occurrence(s)
Apr 6, 2021 10:00 AM
May 4, 2021 10:00 AM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMpce6sqT8iG93EEG8XvxsRqoGZRuyiu42M/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqj0tHtORuBiORpwEBo_oKOjwtilHjfoOuTrCWxhFehDEJ-1lCIBqCdHF

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467474819?pwd=YkZ2azN2ZlhRRFp3SVJ3dW9NNndsUT09

Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819
Passcode: WDA
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,87467474819#,,,,*426114# US (Houston)
Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819
Passcode: 426114
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbuY94ZJeX

2021 -2022 SLATE OF NOMINEES FOR WDA BOARD:

President Kathleen Campbell
1st Vice President Gay Roberts
2nd Vice President Wendy Whaley
Treasurer Ellen Tye
Recording Secretary Felicity Sentance
Caring Committee Verda Shine
Service Committee Martha Quigley
Liaison Committee Katherine Sheehan
Social Committee Sharon Clark
Luncheon Cecilia Galbraith and Barb Moody
Communications Holly Nichols
Nominating Chair Margaret Gillett

Elected Committee Members – not on board:
Finance Committee Kay Maxwell
Nominating Committee Marcia Niemann

WDA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE NEWS
Greetings Women’s Alliance Sisters.
Spring is finally here. Have you planted a seed?
We have navigated an entire year on zoom. Are you good on the grid?
WDA has grown to 80+ members in the midst of a pandemic. How ’bout you renew today?

That’s right, April is membership renewal month and here’s the quick and easy process:
Send your check ($40 WDA/WEA dual membership or $25 WDA only) to our treasurer,
Ellen Tye
4455 Myerwood Ln
Dallas, TX 75244
Thanks in advance for putting your check in the mail right away.
Now let’s give ourselves a big hug!

SERVICE
We are collecting donations for the North Texas Food Bank through Wednesday, March 31st. Please make checks payable to NTFB, 3677 Mapleshade Lane, Plano, TX 75075
and put 1st Unitarian Women’s Day Alliance on the memo line. Thank you for all your help!

APRIL CALENDAR
April 6, 10:15 AM WDA April Meeting
April 13, 6:00 PM Women’s Evening Alliance
April14. 10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation
–Everyone is welcome to drop in for an hour of conversation with other members. This month’s topic: “some of our favorite museums, near and far.” Kathleen Campbell will tell us about her recent visit to Crystal Bridges in Arkansas, then others can share some favorites–from fine arts to quirky local attractions. (Coffee & Conversation meets the second Wednesday morning of each month. Sharon Clark, facilitator.)

April 20, 11:00 AM Friendship Group
April 20, 1:00 PM Book Discussion Group
–Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. If you want to receive meeting notices and zoom links, please email WDABookClub@dallasuu.org and ask to be put on the contact list for the WDA book discussion group.

April 26, 3:00 PM Make the Best of It
April 27, 10:00 April Board Meeting

WDA Newsletter for March, 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
After a week of isolation and outages, it is beginning to feel like spring outside. Of course, long-time Texas residents who can remember more than one Easter cold front know that we are not necessarily out of the woods yet. But whatever the weather, WDA has a month full of activities planned, beginning with our March General Meeting next week. As usual, you can join us at 10:15 AM for conversation before the business meeting begins at 10:30. At this meeting we will hear presentations from applicants for funding from the Greenwood Fund and vote on which to accept. We will also get our first look at the slate of officers assembled by the Nominating Committee for the 2021-22 Board. Voting on the Board will take place at the April meeting. The program, starting at 11:00 AM will be presented by our own Sally King. See the description and link below, including an opportunity for us to participate.

During the month we will continue with various small group meetings, giving us opportunities for personal conversation with friends. (See the calendar below and watch for Zoom links a few days before each meeting.) Finally, at the end of the month we are looking at the possibility of an in-person field trip (outdoors, masked, and socially-distanced, of course). Watch for more information when we work out the details.

Meeting link: WDA General Meeting, Time: Mar 2, 2021 10:15 AM Central

    Every month on the First Tue, until May 4, 2021, 3 occurrences: Mar 2, 2021 10:00 AM, Apr 6, 2021 10:00 AM, 
May 4, 2021 10:00 AM

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMpce6sqT8iG93EEG8XvxsRqoGZRuyiu42M/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqj0tHtORuBiORpwEBo_oKOjwtilHjfoOuTrCWxhFehDEJ-1lCIBqCdHF

JOIN ZOOM MEETING ON MARCH 2:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467474819?pwd=YkZ2azN2ZlhRRFp3SVJ3dW9NNndsUT09

Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819 Passcode: WDA

One tap mobile +13462487799,,87467474819#,,,,*426114# US (Houston Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819 Passcode: 426114

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbuY94ZJeX

PROGRAM
March 2nd program on the story of public art and monuments commemorating notable women in US history-presented by Sally King
Please come prepared to mention your favorite public statue of an accomplished woman in U. S. History OR bring an idea for a statue of an accomplished woman you would like to see commemorated in a public space, especially in Dallas or in Texas.
We will have an interactive discussion following the presentation.

CALENDAR

March 2, 10:15 AM General meeting

March 9, 6:00 PM WEA

March 10, 10:30 AM. Coffee and Conversation

March 16, 11:00 AM Friendship Group

1:30 PM. Book Discussion

March 22, 3:00 PM. Make the Best of It

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
This month’s topic: “Tell us about one of your favorite books.”

SERVICE
A reminder that the February project to donate to North Texas Food Bank is ongoing through March. This is the North Texas Food Bank’s headline: “URGENT: Dallas County Alert.” The reports reads “nearly 485,820 people right here in Dallas County don’t know where their next meal will come from. Every $1 you give helps provide three meals for people whose cupboards are bare.”
A gift of $10 helps to provide 30 meals and a gift of $15 helps to provide 45 meals.

TO DONATE by credit card

Go to the following link for North Texas Food Bank: https://www.ntfb.org
Click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner.
Fill in the box reading “YOUR SUPPORT IS CRITICAL. GIVE NOW.” Enter your donation amount.
Fill in all of “ D O N O R I N F O R M A T I O N.”
Check “Make this donation from a company or an organization.”
Fill in Organization Name Only: 1st Unitarian Church Women’s Day Alliance (This information will be private. WDA just wants to get a count of how many members contributed. No Names or individual amounts will be shared by the Food Bank.
Fill in “BILLING INFORMATION.” Fill in Payment Information if you are using a credit card.

To DONATE by check, Mail checks AND your NOTE in the memo line naming our organization to:
NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK
3677 Mapleshade Lane
Plano, TX 75075

Please send Verda an email if you make your contribution during “FIRST SUNDAY” while attending the streaming church service.

WDA Newsletter for February 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

February 2 is Groundhog Day, when we traditionally get a prediction of how long winter will last. Unfortunately, during our current winter we are kept apart by more than bad weather. If, like Bill Murray in the movie, you feel like you’re reliving the same day over and over again, break up your routine February 2 by attending our monthly WDA meeting. Log on early for casual conversation, be there to hear updates on what’s going on in WDA and vote on by-laws revisions during the business meeting, and stay for musical entertainment presented by Rosanna Eckert. It should be a warm and hopeful morning, whatever we hear from Punxsutawney Phil. This would be a good time to bring a guest—just forward the link below to a friend and invite her to join us.

During the rest of the month, watch for reminders about our various small group meetings, all opportunities for sharing with our WDA sisters.

WDA GENERAL MEETING

Time: Feb 2, 2021 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the First Tue, until May 4, 2021, 4 occurrence(s): Feb 2, Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4

Download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMpce6sqT8iG93EEG8XvxsRqoGZRuyiu42M/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvqj0tHtORuBiORpwEBo_oKOjwtilHjfoOuTrCWxhFehDEJ-1lCIBqCdHF

To Join Zoom General Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467474819?pwd=YkZ2azN2ZlhRRFp3SVJ3dW9NNndsUT09

Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819 Passcode: WDA

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,87467474819#,,,,*426114# US (Houston)

Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 874 6747 4819 Passcode: 426114
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbuY94ZJeX

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Time: Feb 10, 2021 10:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Every month on the Second Wed, until May 12, 2021 at 10:30 am, 4 occurrence(s): Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMuce6sqTorH9aQfpawFg4jDcgH_pa8HAKS/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvrT0tHtOUsRyFRpwEA4_oKOjwtn5cgvpcrRn1Ajd1ZVf8EuFFGo1vEYD4

To Join Zoom Coffee and Conversation Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87367471152?pwd=WEZQVjNVWmNLeVVoNUFuNXoxNmZQUT09

Meeting ID: 873 6747 1152 Passcode: COFFEE

One tap mobile +13462487799,,87367471152#,,,,*446620# US (Houston)
Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 873 6747 1152 Passcode: 446620
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdHwY4UTXq

CARING
Our thoughts are with Susan Grunday this week as her son, Blake, and his wife, Anna, recover from surgery in Austin after a car accident on Monday. Susan is in Austin but not able to go into hospital due to Covid restrictions. Blake will likely be released on Thursday to continue his recovery at home. Since he will be on crutches and a walker, Susan will stay with him to help set up his care team. Anna is still in ICU until her recovery allows a transfer to the trauma unit and eventual rehab. Susan asks that, if you wish to send her a message, please do so by email so that she can reserve her phone for family communications or that you send your messages to Gwen Lummus who will compile them and send on to Susan.

SERVICE
This month we are asking members to donate to the Feed the Hidden Hungry Campaign. This is the North Texas Food Bank’s headline: “URGENT: Dallas County Alert.” The reports reads “nearly 485,820 people right here in Dallas County don’t know where their next meal will come from. Sadly, hunger exists in all zip codes and is found where you may least expect it. Right here in Dallas County children, seniors and families could go hungry if we don’t act today! Every $1 you give helps provide three meals for people whose cupboards are bare.”
A gift of $10 helps to provide 30 meals and a gift of $15 helps to provide 45 meals.

TO DONATE by credit card

Go to the following link for North Texas Food Bank: https://www.ntfb.org
Click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner.
Fill in the box reading “YOUR SUPPORT IS CRITICAL. GIVE NOW.” Enter your donation amount.
Fill in all of “ D O N O R I N F O R M A T I O N.”
Check “Make this donation from a company or an organization.”
Fill in Organization Name Only: 1st Unitarian Church Women’s Day Alliance (This information will be private. WDA just wants to get a count of how many members contributed. No Names or individual amounts will be shared by the Food Bank.
Fill in “BILLING INFORMATION.” Fill in Payment Information if you are using a credit card.

To DONATE by check, Mail checks AND your NOTE in the memo line naming our organization to:
NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK
3677 Mapleshade Lane
Plano, TX 75075

Please send Verda an email if you make your contribution during “FIRST SUNDAY” while attending the streaming church service.

BIRTHDAYS
Happy Birthday to WDA members Betty Mayeur (1), Alma Ayres (7), Marge Niemann (7), Sharon Clark (19), Nancy Thursby (23), Laura Trudeau (25), and Sara Miskimins (27).

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

2 – WDA general meeting, program – 10:15 am

Feel the love as we listen to the music by Rosanna Eckert.

9 – WEA meeting and program – 6

10 – Coffee and Conversation – 10:30 am

16 – Friendship Group – 11 am

16 – Book Discussion Group – 1 pm – Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
If you want to receive meeting notices and zoom links, please email WDABookClub@dallasuu.org and ask to be put on the contact list for the WDA book discussion group.

22 – Make the Best of It Monday – 3:00 PM

23 – WDA board meeting – 10 am

—————————————————————————————————————

Women’s Day Alliance Newsletter for January, 2021

We are only a few days away from ushering out 2020, a year most of us will be happy to say good-bye to, and welcoming what we hope will be a less stressful new year. Unfortunately, a time in which we can once more meet in person, share a meal, and hug our friends is not in our immediate future. In the meantime, we will continue to zoom in for meetings, large and small. Our next general meeting will be on January 5, featuring a program presented by African American storyteller Toni Simmons. The Friendship Group and Book Group will continue to meet, and our two casual conversation meetings will continue in the spring, and we may have a special pop-up session when an occasion presents itself. If you haven’t joined us on-line yet, we encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to connect with our community.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86939945153?pwd=V1RoT3ZZa09KSVAvU0Uxdm9CbjJaQT09

Meeting ID: 869 3994 5153 Passcode: WDA

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,86939945153#,,,,*564603# US (Houston)

Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 869 3994 5153 Passcode: 564603

Find your local number:https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcw4XmUYj7

PROGRAM

Here are our upcoming programs. Please take note and add them to your calendar. You won’t want to miss them.

January 5- Toni Simmons, storyteller, will present stories of African American women with an emphasis on Ida B Wells and Rosa Parks.

February 2-Feel the Love with Rosanna Eckert’s songs.

March 2- Celebrate Women’s History month with Sally King’s art talk.

SERVICE

Committee Chair Verda Shine will tell us about the project for February.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

These are the new books picked by the group for discussion:

January 19 Luster by Raven Leilani

Feb 16 Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

March 16 Tomorrow Will Be Better by Betty Smith

April 20 Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

If you want to receive meeting notices and zoom links, please email WDABookClub@dallasuu.org and ask to be put on the contact list for the WDA book discussion group.

ATTACHMENTS

There are three attachments to this post. Please look at these: Finance Report, By Law Changes, Minutes from December Meeting.

JANUARY CALENDAR

January 5, 10:15 AM General Meeting

January 13, 10:30 AM Coffee and Conversation

January 19, 11:00 AM Friendship Group

1:00 PM Book Group

January 25, 3:00 PM Make the Best of It

January 26, 10:00 AM Board Meeting