Congregational
Support & Development
2008
2008 Congregational Care Committee (CCC) | Chair: Heidi (heidi_flannery@sbcglobal.net), Members: Josie (josierich@gmail.com), Pete (dskelley@satx.rr.com) & Cylia (semmering@aol.com). | If you have or know of any member or friend who has a joy or concern or a special need, please contact Rita (sopucc@sbcglobal.net) or one of the CCC members to let Spirit of Peace know.
Spirit of Peace welcomes Morgan's baby sister, Marley Rose.
So Sweet!
Congratulations to Jillian, Clay and Morgan.
August 2008


SOP Visitor Orientation Class | Wednesdays, April 9 & 16 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM | Rev. Rita's Home | This class is open to anyone who wants to learn more about Spirit of Peace and the United Church of Christ. For more information, feel free to contact Rita (210.748.4449 or sopucc@sbcglobal.net).
2007
The Annual SOP Planning Retreat THIS PAST Saturday went really well.
Twelve of us gathered at Eleanor's & Pete's every friendly home. Of course, we were greeted by Rachel's newest wienie dog, Oscar. What a sweetie! Don't you think?

After a brief council meeting, we all filled out a survey from the Pew Foundation on church direction, our beliefs, our likes and dislikes. Afterwards, we reviewed our answers. In some cases many of us though alike; in others, the diversity of opinion (something we at SOP embrace wholeheartedly) could not have been wider. After "inhaling" a delicious lunch of Elenor's homemade soup and sandwiches followed by Liz's mouthwatering, dark chocalate vegan cake, we brainstormed new ideas for our church. We ended the day by filling out our annual calendar. As we head into next year, be sure to check out our calendar on this website (http://www.localendar.com/public/spiritofpeacechurch) to discover some of the new plans and renewed traditions we chose to pursue.
For more pictures from the planning retreat, check out the following link: http://www.mychurchphotos.com/PhotoAlbums.aspx?id=188

Wasn't Sunday's POTLUCK (August 26, 2007) great fun?
For more pictures go to Our Photos Link.
New Congregational Care Team | Tom (t.finlay@sbcglobal.net),
Pete (dskelley@satx.rr.com),
Laura (woodenpearl@hotmail.com),
Heidi (heidi_flannery@sbcglobal.net)
& Clay (claugier@avistaproducts.com)
| If you have any concerns or joys or know of a member or friend
who needs comfort or help, please let Rita (sopucc@sbcglobal.net)
or one of the members of our new care team know.
Check
the following video of our SOP Stars!
Submitted by Cylia
Please
click on the following link to view a video of the Rev. Jerry Leggit,
of Peacebubble fame, interviewing members and friends of Spirit
of Peace on Sunday, February 25: THE
VIDEO
To
learn more about Jerry and his Peacebubble tour, please check out
the following link: www.peacebubble.org.
Spirit
of Peace is happy to welcome our newest member, Bill R., standing
between Rita and Pete. The younger man in the photo is our wonderful
guest pianist and Gail's son, Chris:

Click
Here: Rita's
2006 Vacation to Eastern Europe
SOP
is truly one of a kind!
A note from our members in Missouri
Just
needed to say Hi and that we miss you all terribly!!! Thank you
for keeping us in the SOP loop -- And thank you for the wonderful
birthday card for Lillith. I have attached a recent photo of all
of us from our trip to Hawaii. Sometimes I wish we could find a
replacement for SOP here, but most of the time I delight in knowing
that you all cannot be replicated; SOP is truly one of a kind.
God Bless,
Tina, Scott, Bradley and Lillith

Talk
about being moved by the Spirit...
Submitted by Cylia
This
past Sunday, June 4th, Spirit of Peace really got into the Spirit
of Pentecost. Not only did we welcome Heidi, a wonderfully enthusiastic
new member, but we celebrated all of our gifts with silly certificates
of recognition of everyone's contributions to all the various missions
and programs of the church. Even the kids joined in the fun. We
were also so happy to welcome 8 returning guests and to meet our
3 first-time visitors. After the service we scarfed down super delicious
potluck dishes--everything from vegetarian pastas to King Ranch
Chicken--topped off by those fabulous apple and pecan-apple pies
from Janie's Pies (Thanks again to Steve & Rise).

Some
great news all the way around!
Submitted by Rev. Rita
On
Palm Sunday we took in the largest number of new members
since our founding! And, since Easter, we have had ten visitors,
most of them coming in response to the UCC "Ejector" TV
ad, and one coming in response to our series of ads in the SA
Current. Of the visitors, one family of four has returned,
and another expressed great interest in our church.
The
COPS/Metro Alliance (of which Spirit of Peace is a member congregation)
is seeking to forge ties between local churches and schools. They
are having initial meetings with principals of schools just north
of our church meeting place. The plan is to organize parents and
people who live in the area of those schools, and our church can
be part of voter registration and organizing to advocate for schools.
COPS/Metro and sister organizations scored some major victories
on school finance at the state level, but it has become clear that
we need to organize parents themselves. This can be a great opportunity
for Spirit of Peace to become an advocate for public schools. I
will keep you abreast of further developments.
Finally,
I have been asked to serve as the South Texas Association representative
on the Church Development Committee and to lead a workshop at the
conference annual meeting on the new UCC Church Vitality program
(http://www.uccvitality.org/).
Click
on the link to the left to view the Bonhoeffer web site which is
maintained by our very own Pete S.!
Report
on the Mysticism, Empowerment and Resistance Seminar held May 18-20
at First Baptist Church in Austin
Submitted by Rob
The three outstanding speakers, Marcus Borg,
Joan Chittister and John Dominic Crossan were presented by the D.L.
Dykes Jr. Foundation (faithandreason.org) in cooperation with several
local churches and seminaries. Five members and friends of Spirit
of Peace attended the seminar. We have ordered several video and
audio recordings of the sessions, so there should be opportunities
for SOP members to access them.
The
primary theme of the seminar was that mysticism fuels empowerment
for resistance. Mysticism was defined as direct experiences of the
Divine. Borg gave several examples from Christian scripture and
faith tradition, and described important characteristics of mystical
experience. Empowerment was discussed as vision, courage and commitment
flowing from mysticism to enable resistance. Resistance was explained
not only as standing against the powers of injustice, what Crossan
calls “the normalcy of civilization,” but also standing
for the kingdom of God – the lived commitment to egalitarian
compassion and caring for humankind and all creation. Chittister
presented biographical sketches of two mystics who were empowered
to live remarkable lives, St. Catherine of Sienna and Franz Jaegerstaetter
of Austria, who was killed by the Nazis for refusing service in
Hitler’s war machine. The speakers brought unique, but complementary
perspectives to this basic model of Christian life. The richness
of their knowledge and experience provided a moving and challenging
learning opportunity.
An
Easter Meal Under the Bridge:
What a wonderful way to share the Easter Spirit!
Dear
Spirit of Peace brothers and sisters,
I wanted to report back to you on this morning's Easter Meal Under
The Bridge, which went very smoothly thanks to the wonderful help
we received.
First of all, thanks to the congregation for the generous $92.00 from
that "second collection" envelope I passed around after
the Palm Sunday service.
Next, thanks to Carl for bringing me to Sam's Club on his membership
card.
Carl provided lots of excellent advice while we shopped and is great
company! Next, thanks to our own Reverend Rita for her help, coordination,
and advice. Special thanks to Sarah G., Floyd, Pete and Eleanor, Mary
Anne, Kendra and Lena for their tireless work this morning. We served
140 people, and then a number of them came back for seconds. I cooked
up the 15 pounds of ground venison on Saturday night, and then we
made the pasta sauce, penne pasta, green beans, salad, pudding, and
tea this morning. The folks at Community Evangelical UCC, Rita's other
church (where we cooked and assembled everything), were wonderful
and welcoming, and often came in to offer their help. And most of
all we should be thankful to Ellen, who runs the Meals Under The Bridge
program, who spent an hour in her garage "training" me for
this, and who is one of the most giving persons I have ever met. The
folks who came to eat were warm and thoughtful and it was a pleasure
to meet them. Overall, the morning was a big success and a wonderful
way to share the Easter spirit. Thanks to everyone for your support...
Happy Easter to all.
Bill
Saturday Evening's Easter Vigil: A Lovely Service of Light, Water
and Communion
Those
of us who attended the annual Spirit of Peace Easter Vigil began
on the lovely patio outside the Fellowship Hall at First UU. After
lighting the Easter Candle and our individual candles we processed
into the Fellowship Hall to the strains of "Hallelujah."
Once inside we renewed our baptismal vows--something Rita obviously
thoroughly enjoyed considering the vigor with which she sprinkled
us! During the offering, we were treated to Stainer's anthem "And
God So Loved the World" sung by the a cappella Singers
from Laurel Heights Seventh Day Adventist and our churches. Our
wonderful musician, Gail, led us in this, our first-ever presentation.
At the end of Easter Vigil we partook of communion and left with
the traditional Spirit of Peace send-off: "The service is ended.
We leave to serve the world."
Palms,
stations, solos and new members! What do they all have in common?
Answer:
Our special Palm/Passion Sunday worship service.
It
was quite a day for Spirit of Peace. Not only was David (who worked
for most of the year on an understanding of the Gospel of Luke with
John K.) confirmed, but also he along with six other people joined
our congregation. Following the new member welcome, we remembered
Jesus's Holy Week story with readings, meditations and hymns (including
solos from our musical members) pertaining to Eight Stations of
the Cross. Before reading the biblical citation, the member would
place a symbol of the station on the altar. Josef even read Aramaic!
What a special Sunday it was!

Sunday's
Shrove "Tuesday" pancake breakfast was
"scrump-deli-icious"!
Submitted by Cylia
It
was the perfect repeat--enthusiastic cooks, happy conversation,
plates and plates of hot buttermilk, blueberry, apple and banana
pancakes and long lines of hungry folk. Once again Irene of Bethany
Congregational and our own Pete led our churches through a very
successful and very delicious fundraiser. A devastated reminder
of Hurricane Katrina, Back Bay Mission will soon be the recipient
of the more than $440 raised by the meal. We all hope these funds
help, at least in some small way, with the huge rebuilding job that
lies before the tireless Gulf Coast missionaries.
To
track the progress of Natalie's & Ed's adoption proceedings, please
go to the following blog: Natalie's
Blog. PS: Natalie & Ed were members of Spirit of Peace.
Good
News! The cats have found new homes...
Thanks
to two animal lovers, the cats, belonging to former members Natalie,
Ed and Charlie (who developed a cat allergy), have found brand new
homes. Two of the lucky felines landed at Jeff's condo. He says
the first night he got just a bit of sleep because both cats insisted
on sleeping right on his neck. But, he really likes their company
and hopes they will calm down soon and enjoy their new home to the
utmost.
Cats
still need
new homes!
Hi
All,
I
hope this note finds you well. Our little Charlie’s allergy
test came back positive for cats, so Oliver, Maxine and Harry need
homes. Oliver is an orange tabby cat who is very friendly. Maxine
is a very independent tortoise shell and Harry is lovable, cuddly,
patient, sweet big black fluff ball of love. If you or anyone you
know can take any of our guys please let us know. They are all well
rained, eat dry cat food and have had their front paws de clawed.
They need to be indoors. Please feel free to forward this along
to anyone else you think could provide a good feline home!
Natalie,
a former member of Spirit of Peace
npendleton7@satx.rr.com
We
need to do this again sometime..."
What
a great service we had this past Sunday! We sang some of our favorite
"ol' timey" hymns and exchanged stories about why they were
our favorites. As one member commented, "I knew them all and
could join in singing each one." "We need to do this again
sometime," most of the rest of us agreed. "Singing
hymns allows me to bypass my super analytical brain and feel the emotional
uplift of Christianity and scripture," commented one of our most
non-traditional members. After the service, we hurried across the
hall to the library to gobble up some All-American apple pie and ice
cream provided by Rise, Steve and Sarah G. Yummy yum!
Talk
about "FUN!" We sure got to know each other a lot better
at the Winter Fellowship Meals!
submitted
by Cylia
The
First Round of Winter Fellowship Meals on January 13th and 14th was
a great success. On Friday night, nine of us crowded into John's &
Cylia's apartment and shared a potluck supper of spaghetti, salad,
fresh bread from Whole Foods and Rita's famous "Tres Leches"
cake. Before the meal, we savored Tom's vegetable dips and sipped
sparkling Kir Royales and citrus flavored mineral water. I haven't
laughed as hard in a long time! Did you know that Spirit of Peace
harbors some of the best joke tellers there are? After dinner, we
watched (and, of course, commented profusely
upon) the TV show, "Dancing with the Stars." The next morning
six of us gathered at Pete's & Eleanor's for Pete's famous pancakes.
I don't know how many pounds were gained, but the conversation and
fellowship were worth every minute of it.
Watch
church bulletins and this web site for the dates of the Second Round
of Winter Fellowship Meals. If you missed the First Round, be sure
to sign up for the next. If you participated in the first, consider
volunteering your home for the next. But, even if you are unable to
offer your home, be sure to join the fellowship again. You can never
know each too well!
What
a wonderful weekend it was...
Submitted by Cylia
Continuing
a really enjoyable tradition several members of Spirit of Peace met
on Saturday, December 17th at Community UCC (where Rita is supply
pastor), climbed into two vehicles and headed out to sing carols to
home-bound members of Community. We were all so well received; it
really was a blast. Rita provided sheets of favorite carols and we
sang to our hearts' content. Following the caroling, we headed to
Pete's & Eleanor's where we munched on delicious tamales, baked
brie, fruit and cheese cake. Thinking about it still makes my mouth
water.
The
Advent spirit continued on Sunday, January 18th, during the worship
service and Sunday School. First, Gail and Kris, her son, presented
a beautiful prelude on the recorder and piano. And, during the offering,
Kendra, accompanied by Kris, performed a lovely rendition of "Oh
Holy Night." It's wonderful to count such talented people among
our friends and members. Sunday School was great, too. After attending
the beginning of the worship service, where Kendra led the congregation
in the "Magnificat," we retired to the library for cookies
and milk followed by a super-comedic memory game about the "Birth
of the Messiah." Ask the kids, they will tell you, why it was
soooo fun and funny! To top Sunday off, Bill and his family provided
a supper of red beans and rice, cornbread and cream puffs. What a
smashing way to celebrate the impending arrival of Christmas!
We,
at Spirit of Peace, count Gail and the Laurel Heights Seventh Day
Adventist Church Choir among our greatest blessings...
Under the direction of Spirit of Peace musician
and premier soprano soloist, Gail Wettstein, six of our members joined
her choir from Laurel Heights Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church on
Sunday, December 11th, for a program of carols by John Rutter. The
choir began rehearsals way back in October and performed the program
for both churches. This was the third year that Gail has so magnificently
rehearsed and prepared us for a Christmas Concert, and this was, by
far, the most difficult music for our choir to master. But, like all
things difficult, the rewards for those in choir are too numerous
to count. Thanks Gail and Laurel Heights, and have a great Christmas
season.

Ricardo
& César Coloma mesmerize the congregation with the sounds
of Puerto Rica guitars...
On
the First Sunday of Advent, November 27th, Celsa's son, Ricardo, and
husband, César, presented very special music during the Offertory.
Ricardo
is the first young adult with Down's Syndrome to learn how to play
the Puerto Rican guitar "el cuatro." He is normally accompanied
by his father, César, who is originally from Perú. Ricardo
began his musical training at 11 years old and has recently released
his first CD with songs from Puerto Rico, Peru and the United States.
Ricardo also represented Puerto Rico in the Special Olympics competition
held in Ireland in 2003 and won a gold medal for long jump and one
silver for running. César served as Chairperson of the UCC
Board for Homeland Ministries and as member on the Editorial Board
for the New Century Hymnal. Ricardo's mother is Rev. Celsa Ayala-Coloma,
CPE Supervisor at the VA Hospital in San Antonio.
The
two men performed "El Condor Pasa," an original song from
Peru about the largest and most powerful black bird in the world that
flies over the Andes and which is a symbol within the indigenous spirituality.
We're
so happy to welcome 5 new members!
What
a Sunday November 13th was! Not only did Spirit of Peace hold its
Annual Meeting and Elections (see article below), but we also welcomed
5 new members: Angi, Dianne, Dee, Holly and Rich. What an honor it
is to receive these wonderful people into our congregation. If you,
too, have been planning to join or are just interested in learning
more about Spirit of Peace, please give Rev. Rita Wilbur a call at
403-9084 or contact her at sopucc@sbcglobal.net.
She would love to talk to you about our church and what membership
means.
Report
from the Annual Meeting
The
annual meeting of Spirit of Peace Church was held Sunday, November
13th, after the worship service. A big congratulations is extended
to following members who were elected to two-year terms of office
beginning in January: John K., Moderator; Rachel, Council Member-at-Large;
Floyd, Nominating Committee member; Pete, Tom F. and Sarah G. members
of the newly formed Pastoral Relations Committee. Also at the meeting,
we passed a budget for 2006 and heard reports from the Reverend Rita
Wilbur, outgoing Moderator Pete, and several committee members.
Spirit
of Peace Church is SO Happy to welcome SIX new members!
On
October 2nd, during our worship time, Spirit of Peace welcomed six
more lively individuals into its congregation: Diane, Laura,
Tom F., Sarah G., Bill & Kendra. If you haven't had a
chance to talk to them at length, please do. After the worship service
on Sunday, while munching on refreshment, is a wonderful time to get
to know them better.
|