Donna, It was very moving to hear about how rituals have helped ease you through some difficult life transitions. For me, it’s relatively recent that I want to participate in the rituals that most people do automatically–like, this year, we strung Christmas lights in our house.  And, you may have noticed the King’s Cake (with the babies) that was there last Sunday?  I’ll go ahead and attribute that new comfort with rituals, being able to have them in my own life on my own terms, and being able to enjoy that.

Steve, the song you performed from the musical you had written was also very interesting and thought provokin.’  As always, beautifully performed.

Glad you two are back around, you were missed!  Cool that your daughter came too.

Dear Friends,

I know that the news last night of Tyna’s passing was shocking and seemed so very sudden to some of us.  But please know that Tyna was prepared for this outcome.   It doesn’t stop the pain and sense of loss, of course. Watching her amazing strength in the face of such physical misfortune lulled many of us into thinking that she could overcome even this.   It was not to be.  After the surgery, her doctors tried valiantly to stabilize her blood pressure which they did, but within a couple of hours her heart just gave out.   She died in her mother Julie’s arms, with many friends around her in her room. Please continue to pray for her and her family.

Many have inquired about services and arrangements.  Tyna specifically requested cremation with a big shindig next spring at Scarborough Faire, the Renaissance Festival she so dearly loved.  So Julie and I are in the process of arranging the first request this morning.  And for the present, Julie is determined to honor the second half of Tyna’s wishes. If Julie and the family decide in the days or weeks ahead that they need a Ritual or Memorial Service to help bring closure to their loss, one will be arranged and the details sent to all.

We have altered tonight’s Vespers Service, however, so that those of us who need to, may gather to grieve the loss of our dear friend. It will be a chance to gather at church with those we love and those who love us; to light our candles, say and sing our prayers; and reflect on our memories of Tyna.  We will begin to gather over coffee, etc., starting at 7PM with Vespers beginning at 8.  Join us if you can.

Blessings to all for your kind thoughts. -Mark

Rev. Mark Walz
Minister Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff
3839 W. Kiest Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75233

http://www.youtube.com/homeproject#p/a/f/0/jqxENMKaeCU

Please do. And help spread the word by sharing this link.

As is our format for the First Tuesday Film Festival, the screening was followed by a discussion about what we saw, how we felt about it, and a sharing of ideas and resources to help deal with the issues brought up by the film.

A few of the resources mentioned during the discussion are included here:  (Thank you Anita!)

1. http:xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/4069058/1880251750/name/The%20Case%20for%20Young%20Peo.ple%20and%20Nature-A%20Path%20to%20a%20Healt An article supporting the information given in the movie.

2. Paul Hawken, “Blessed Unrest.” http://www.paulhawken.com/blessedunrest.com/

3. UK columnist George Monbiot : “Heat: How to Stop the Planet Burning.” – opined that to stop global warming “rich” nations would need to reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2030: http://www.monbiot.com/2006/10/31/heres-the-plan/ A US blogger lays out how a family CAN reduce by 90%: http://simplereduce.wordpress.com/riot-for-austerity-90-reduction-project-intro/ http://1greengeneration.elemen​tsintime.com/?p=404

“Church can be that rich resource, the place where we can begin to declare our passions, to focus our energies. A place to find the kindred spirits who can help us. This is freedom of religion. It isn’t dogma. And it isn’t creed.  It is the freedom to seek a partnership in the clarification of our passion.”

Rev. Mark Walz talked about how the challenge of our nation mirrors the challenge of a ‘Free Church;’ the challenge to be who and what we declare ourselves to be.  Our Annual Independence Celebration featured wonderful music as we began our new Church year. (RT: 24:02)

Rev. Mark Walz talks about those we call “Father”  RunTime 18:09

“Like them, we spread this truly Biblical, truly traditional, nuturing image of radical fatherhood, parenthood, to a world that often still wants to box up and define, or worse, legalize a specific role of God and through that, a specific role of fathers, mothers, and families.  And ultimitely define and legalize the very idea of God itself. We know better in this church.  And because we know better, we try to do better.”

Calling your congregation back into covenant takes much courage. Doing it with love, grace, forgiveness and hope takes an extraordinary human. Thank you, Rev. Marcia Shannon, for your gift to us today. You can visit our Mentions (www.oakcliffuu.org/mentions.shtml)  page for a transcript. (21:14)