Melissa Lewis will be outside in front of the church collecting food for Noel United Methodist Church Food Pantry on Sunday afternoon (3 January 2021) from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Requested foods this month:

• Cheese/peanut butter crackers
• Tuna in pop top cans
• Vienna sausages in pop top cans
• 8 oz. juice boxes
• Fruit cups and/or applesauce cups
• Assortments of small cereal boxes
• Breakfast bars
• Pop Tarts

As always, the process will be contactless and you can place your bags of food into the hatch of her car.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 27 December 2020 worship video here.

Please join us on Sunday (27 December 2020) at 11:00 AM for “A Little Wisdom Along the Way” by Rev. Barbara Jarrell with Eric First, Kathy Osuch, Bennett Upton, Diana Teeters, and Susan Caldwell.

As we enter the New Year, we will hear bits of wisdom that have sustained some of our members as well as some wisdom from one of the best sources around — children’s literature.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Our family religious education Zoom class is taking a holiday break as well, but watch this space and other communication on Facebook and Slack from All Souls for news on the winter holiday edition of the kids play day on Zoom.

The tentative date for our next kids play date is Saturday (2 January 2021) time TBA.

Regular family religious education sessions will resume after the first of the year on Sundays at 1:00 PM unless we find a time that works better for more people.

Again, watch this space and all other online places for religious education updates for any upcoming changes.

Please email Susan Caldwell (All Souls Director of Religious Education) if you want to know when the next play date is happening.

Please join us on Sunday (27 December 2020) at 9:30 AM for our adult religious education class (please note the time change).

We will be meeting via Zoom.

We are taking a bit of a break from structed class and curriculum for the next two weeks but not a break from our time with each other.

In order not to go two whole weeks without visiting each other and seeing each other’s faces, we will get together during the holiday weekend Sundays at 9:30 AM (a slightly later time for check-in only and of whatever free-form discussion might evolve in the time we have).

Even if you’re not one of the regular class participants, you are more than welcome to join us and become a part of this kind, funny, supportive and positively brilliant group.

Think of it as a virtual coffee hour before church or a youth group for adults — join us at the link provided above.

Please join us next Wednesday (30 December 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 24 December 2020 worship video here.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 20 December 2020 worship video here.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 13 December 2020 worship video here.

Please join us on Sunday (13 December 2020) at 11:00 AM for “The Birth of Light, Evolution, and the Birth of Love” by Rev. Barbara Jarrell.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Due to our congregational business meeting, there will not be a Zoom coffee hour after today’s worship service.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

The online religious education class for families with children will be taking a break this Sunday (13 December 2020) only due to our congregational meeting after the worship service.

Watch your emails for another kids play time online scheduled during the school holiday break in December.

And please send Susan Caldwell (All Souls Director of Religious Education) your chalice lighting videos if you haven’t done so already.

Please join us on Sunday (6 December 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class.  We will be meeting via Zoom.

Join us as we explore the history of our seven Unitarian Universalist principles and the process by which we will eventually add the eighth principle.

At our 13 December 2020 congregational meeting, we will vote on ratification of the eighth principle as a congregation.

For this Sunday, we welcome anyone who would like to attend and ask questions about the eight principle [although we do encourage you to read this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document first because you may find that your questions have already been answered by the FAQ].

We also recommend that you watch the 18 October 2020 worship service presented by the youth on the eighth principle.

On Sunday (13 December 2020) at 12:30 PM, All Souls will hold a congregational meeting online via Zoom.

All are welcome although only active members may vote.

On the agenda:

1. A vote on the 2021 budget.
2. Changes to the bylaws (These are non-controversial updates and can be found here.  The purpose of these revisions is to streamline the language.  Proposed changes are highlighted in green and language to be struck is highlighted in dark red)
3. Selection of the Nominating Committee members by congregation
4. Ratification of the Eighth Principle by our congregation

In addition to the eighth principle link provided in item #4 of our agenda, you may also want to check out this frequently asked question document written and complied the the adult and high school religious education classes.

You may want to watch the 18 October 2020 worship service presented by the youth on the eighth principle.

Please join us next Wednesday (16 December 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 6 December 2020 worship video here.

Please join us on Saturday (12 December 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

Please join us on Sunday (6 December 2020) at 11:00 AM for “Peace and Missing Pieces” by Rev. Barbara Jarrell.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Rev. Barbara is back in the pulpit this morning with a message for this season of light.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

This event is happening next Saturday (12 December 2020) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last shoppers are admitted at 3:30 PM).

What is needed:

• Donations of new gift items for children and adults costing $20 or less including toys, clothing for children and adults, household items, miscellaneous fun gifts, etc.
• Gifts can be dropped off at the Highland Center (520 Olive Street, Shreveport LA 71104 using the Topeka Street entrance in the rear) all this week during business hours.
• Or you may order from their Amazon Wish List here. These items are made available to shoppers who can purchase them for $5 or less.
• Donations of giftwrap supplies are also needed: paper, tape, ribbon, gift bags, etc.
• Volunteers willing to help with setup, cleanup, guiding shoppers, etc.

The hours are been expanded so that fewer shoppers will be admitted to the building at a time.

Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced to the greatest extent possible.

If you are not high risk for COVID-19 and you are available to help, please sign up here to volunteer.

Please join us this Sunday (6 December 2020) at 1:00 PM for our weekly family religious education online class via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be on the All Souls Religious Education Facebook group and on the church’s Slack General channel.

Email Susan Caldwell if you would like to be added to either online forum.

This week we will begin our celebration of the season of light with an exploration of the different holidays celebrated at this time of year in the Pagan, Jewish, and Christian traditions.

How are these holidays different?

What are the common threads that unites these different traditions and us today?

Please join us on Sunday (6 December 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class.  We will be meeting via Zoom.

Join us as we explore the history of our seven Unitarian Universalist principles and the process by which we will eventually add the eighth principle.

At our 13 December 2020 congregational meeting, we will vote on ratification of the eighth principle as a congregation.

In these Sunday morning sessions, we are exploring the ways that we are not only making a statement but also living into the eighth principle as a congregation.

On this Sunday, we will review the “frequently asked question” (FAQ) document that we’ve created together and explore the ways we will honor the eighth principle as a part of our congregation’s covenant.

This Sunday (6 December 2020), Melissa Lewis will be at All Souls from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM to collect monthly contributions for the Noel United Methodist Church Food Pantry.

Requested donations for this month:

• Jiffy Cornbread Mix
• Canned green beans
• Canned cranberry sauce.

Of course, any and all non-expired non-perishable food is accepted but these are the items they are specifically requesting this month.

There are lots of hungry people in our area right now and both Noel and Highland Center Ministries are two organizations that we support are working to feed them.

If you can’t get out to do this, please consider a donation to one of these food-centered non-profits.

Noel Food Pantry has been our “Give Away the Plate” recipient for November  2020 and their Amazon Wish List is here.

You may also give online to the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana which provides much of the food for Noel Food Pantry, the Highland Blessing Dinner, and other non-profits who to reduce food insecurity in our community.

On Sunday (13 December 2020) at 12:30 PM, All Souls will hold a congregational meeting online via Zoom.

All are welcome although only active members may vote.

On the agenda:

1. A vote on the 2021 budget.
2. Changes to the bylaws (These are non-controversial updates and can be found here.  The purpose of these revisions is to streamline the language.  Proposed changes are highlighted in green and language to be struck is highlighted in dark red)
3. Selection of the Nominating Committee members by congregation
4. Ratification of the Eight Principle by our congregation

Please join us next Wednesday (9 December 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 29 November 2020 worship video here.

Please join us on Saturday (5 December 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

Please join us this Sunday (29 November 2020) at 11:00 AM for  “Following the Thread” by Rev. Barbara Jarrell.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Rev. Barbara will be back in the pulpit this Sunday with help from a few members of the All Souls choir.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us on Sunday (29 November 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class.  We will be meeting via Zoom.

Join us as we explore the history of our seven Unitarian Universalist principles and the process by which we will eventually add the eighth principle.

At our 13 December 2020 congregational meeting, we will vote on ratification of the eighth principle as a congregation.

Many congregations throughout the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) have already ratified the eighth principle and the hope is to bring it before the General Assembly in an expedited process to adopt it throughout the UUA.

In our sessions, we are exploring the ways we will not only make the statement but also live into it as a congregation.

We’ll explore the questions that still remain and also discuss the ways we have put the eighth principle into practice and the ways we will continue to do so.

On Sunday (13 December 2020) at 12:30 PM, All Souls will hold a congregational meeting online via Zoom.

All are welcome although only active members may vote.

On the agenda:

1. A vote on the 2021 budget.
2. Changes to the bylaws (These are non-controversial updates and can be found here.  The purpose of these revisions is to streamline the language.  Proposed changes are highlighted in green and language to be struck is highlighted in dark red)
3. Selection of the Nominating Committee members by congregation
4. Ratification of the Eight Principle by our congregation

Our regular Zoom sessions will take a break for the Thanksgiving holiday including this Sunday (29 November 2020) and resume on Sunday, 6 December 2020, at 1:00 PM.

Please join us next Wednesday (2 December 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 22 November 2020 worship video here.

Please join us this Sunday (15 November 2020) at 11:00 AM for a different online Thanksgiving worship service.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no way we can have our customary Thanksgiving service and gigantic potluck this year.

With the virus numbers climbing, there is simply no safe way to do it.

However, we do have several people joining us on the Zoom to talk about what they’re grateful for.

We are also planning to have our bread and water communion as part of the online worship service and we have a no-contact way that we can do this ritual online this year.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Our regular Zoom sessions will take a break for the Thanksgiving holiday starting this Sunday (22 November 2020) and resume on Sunday, 6 December 2020, at 1:00 PM.

Please join us next Wednesday (18 November 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Please join us on Sunday (22 November 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class.  We will be meeting via Zoom.

Join us as we explore the history of our seven Unitarian Universalist principles and the process by which we will eventually add the eighth principle.

On this Sunday, we continue our exploration of Unitarian Universalist history around the issue of race — where we’ve shone, where we’ve faltered, and how we can move forward.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 15 November 2020 worship video here.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 8 November 2020 worship video here.

Please join us on Saturday (21 November 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

Please join us this Sunday (15 November 2020) at 11:00 AM for “What Do You Say When People Ask . . . ?  Your Elevator Speech About Unitarian Universalism” presented by a few members of the Sunday adult religious education class.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

You may have already encountered questions like “What is Unitarian Universalism” or “What do you folks believe?”

Although no faith tradition can be completely explained in a few words, many Unitarian Universalists find it particularly difficult to crystallize our faith into a short explanation.

The adult religious education class has been working on their “elevator speeches” — and though we don’t recommend that anyone spend a whole lot of time in close proximity with other humans in elevators these days — having a short explanation of our faith can be very useful in conversation with others who ask.

We invite you to join us and hear these expressions of our faith from a few of our members.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us this Sunday (15 November 2020) at 1:00 PM for our weekly family religious education online class via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be on the All Souls Religious Education Facebook group and on the church’s Slack General channel.

Email Susan Caldwell if you would like to be added to either online forum.

Gratitude trees are being mailed out this week and next to families with children in grades Preschool through Grade 5.

This has been such a hard fall for so many that it can seem very difficult to try and think of things for which we are grateful.

That may be the time when we need to look most earnestly to find them.

The packet will include a poster of a tree as well as a small collection of pre-cut paper leaves on which to write down those things for which you are grateful and glue or tape them to the tree.

If you want, you can post pictures of your tree on the Religious Education Facebook page or on the General Slack channel.

This is not intended to be a stresser or “just one more thing to do.”

Take the time if and when you have the time.

What makes you thankful?

We’d love to know.

Please join us on Sunday (15 November 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class.  We will be meeting via Zoom.

Join us as we explore the history of our seven Unitarian Universalist principles and the process by which we will eventually add the eighth principle.

Our purpose between now and our 13 December 2020 Congregational Meeting is to ratify the eight principle as a congregation.

In these Sunday morning sessions, we’ll explore the ways we will not only make the statement, but also live into it as a congregation.

Today we continue our exploration of Unitarian Universalist history around the issue of race: where we’ve shone, where we’ve faltered, and how we move forward.

Please join us next Wednesday (18 November 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Please join us this Saturday (14 November 2020) from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for our monthly building and grounds work day.

We have been pretty good at working safely, wearing our masks, and taking care of our physical church home until we can meet together in person again.

Wear a mask, of course.  Also, bring your own snacks and coffee because — sadly — we cannot safely share any communal food.

We can still get some tasks done — inside and out — wave at each other or elbow-bump hello, and safely engage in a tiny slice of normalcy in this weird time.

You might even get some help from Karmen and Henry.

Please join us on Saturday (14 November 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

Please join us on Sunday (1 November 2020) at 11:00 AM for “What Choice Do We Have?” by Rev. Barbara Jarrell.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Join us as we continue our season of focus on our Unitarian Universalist Identity.

Larry Androes will lead us in meditation and we will have a new video performance from the All Souls Choir.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us on Sunday (1 November 2020) at 1:00 PM for our weekly family religious education online class via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be on the All Souls Religious Education Facebook group and on Slack.

If you aren’t currently a member of either online group and you are interested in having your children participate, email Susan to get an invitation to either or both online groups.

This Sunday — “The Story of Halloween” — We will look at the Pagan celebration of Samhain and the Christian observances of All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day.

We will also play some Halloween-themed games.

Please join us on Sunday (25 October 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class — UU Elevator Speech — Session 3 — “Sharing Your UU Elevator Speech.”

We will continue the “UU Elevator Speech” series of the Faith Forward program.

We will role-play some conversations that might come up around the question “What is Unitarian Universalism?” and we’ll talk more about the difference between an elevator speech and a credo.

We also have a new Slack channel for the group (#sundayadultRE) on the All Souls Slack workspace (AllSoulsUU).

If you haven’t yet been invited to the AllSoulsUU Slack workspace, email Susan and you will get an invitation right away.

The “New UU” class will continue this Sunday (25 October 2020) with facilitator Bennett Upton at 1:00 PM via Zoom.

This Week is “Session 5 — How Are Decisions Made? Governance and Polity.”

Bennett has started a new session of this course that offers insight into Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and practice as well as a deeper dive into our own congregation.

This is a great way to learn more about our faith and our church and to spend some time with other members in a small group setting.

It’s not just for newcomers and not just for those who’ve never taken it before — a refresher is always good.

“Scare Out the Vote!” will be happening across Louisiana on Saturday (31 October 2020) from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Get together on Zoom at 2:00 PM, get a list of voters in your neighborhood who haven’t voted yet, and either phone bank or safely hit the streets to be sure they turn out to vote.

Block captains should have received an envelope this week full of push cards and Together Louisiana “Precinct Organizing Project” swag for this.

Register here for Saturday’s call.

And if you haven’t voted yet, remember to vote no on Amendment 5 and tell your friends to do the same.

Need more resources? Visit Fight5la.com for social media posts to share, and more.

While you are there, you will have an opportunity to make a short video about why you are voting no on Amendment 5.

Need a quick one page flyer for talking to friends? Find it here.

We need to find a new time for our weekly gatherings.  As soon as we discover what day and time works for all us, we will let you know.

Meanwhile, the middle and high school youth group is also invited to join the Sunday morning 9:00 AM adult religious education class where we will have one more session on “Your UU Elevator Speech” followed by our continuing exploration of the 8th Principle beginning on 8 November 2020.

Please join us next Wednesday (4 November 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Please join us on Saturday (31 October 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

If you wish to join the group, please email Larry Androes for Zoom meeting link, meeting ID, and password.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 25 October 2020 worship video here.

Please join us on Sunday (25 October 2020) at 11:00 APM for “What Difference Does It Make?  Unitarian Universalism in 2020” with Rev. Barbara Jarrell and Friends.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Join us as we continue our season of focus on our Unitarian Universalist Identity.  Larry Androes is back for our meditation this week.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us on Sunday (25 October 2020) at 1:00 PM for our weekly family religious education online class via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be on the All Souls Religious Education Facebook group and on Slack.

If you aren’t currently a member of either online group and you are interested in having your children participate, email Susan to get an invitation to either or both online groups.

This Sunday — “Speaking Out” — We’ll learn about Maria Cook (a woman who was jailed for preaching Universalism in the late 1700s) and talk about when it’s important to speak out and stay true to our values.

Please join us on Sunday (25 October 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class — UU Elevator Speech — Session 2 — “Writing Your UU Elevator Speech.”

This week we continue the “UU Elevator Speech” series of the Faith Forward program with some ideas for writing your own.

We also have a new Slack channel for the group (#sundayadultRE) on the All Souls Slack workspace (AllSoulsUU).

If you haven’t yet been invited to the AllSoulsUU Slack workspace, email Susan and you will get an invitation right away.

We need to find a new time for our weekly gatherings.  As soon as we discover what day and time works for all us, we will let you know.

Meanwhile, the middle and high school youth group is also invited to join the Sunday morning 9:00 AM adult religious education class where we will have two more sessions on “Your UU Elevator Speech” followed by our continuing exploration of the 8th Principle, beginning on 8 November 2020.

The “New UU” class will continue this Sunday (25 October 2020) with facilitator Bennett Upton at 1:00 PM via Zoom.

This week is Session 4 — “Social Justice Philosophy and Practice.”

Bennett has started a new session of this course that offers insight into Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and practice as well as a deeper dive into our own congregation.

This is a great way to learn more about our faith and our church and to spend some time with other members in a small group setting.

It’s not just for newcomers and not just for those who’ve never taken it before — a refresher is always good.

Highland Center Ministries is sponsoring a giant food giveaway in their parking lot on Thursday (29 October 2020) from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Volunteers are needed to give out the food and we will also need lots of Halloween candy to give away to the children.

Email Susan Caldwell if you can work all or part of the afternoon.

If you have candy to donate, please bring it to All Souls Tuesday (27 October 2020) between 12 Noon and 5:00 PM.

Every Thursday in October 2020 at 5:00 PM, we’re continuing to offer a citizen education campaign launched on 5 October 2020.

The last “Fight 5 at 5” event will be happening this Thursday (29 October 2020) at 5:00 PM

You will also learn how to talk to your family and friends about this very damaging amendment.

You can register here if you want to attend.

What Amendment 5 Would Do

• Amendment 5 would allow industrial corporations to negotiate what they pay in property taxes, while the rest of us pay what the law requires.
• It would defund public education, pull money away from roads, bridges, healthcare and hurricane recovery and shift the tax burden to working families and small businesses.
• The ballot language was “engineered to intentionally confuse the average American voter,” as one reporter put it.
  That’s why the community education campaign we’re starting is so important.

Attendees for this event will receive:

• Clear, concise information about where Constitutional Amendment 5 came from and the impact it would have
• A packet of educational material and social media posts to share with your congregation, organizational members, clients, customers, neighbors and local media
• Information about how to get involved in the campaign to defeat Amendment 5

Need a quick 1-pager for talking to friends? Find it here.

Please join us next Wednesday (28 October 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Please join us on Saturday (24 October 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

If you wish to join the group, please email Larry Androes for Zoom meeting link, meeting ID, and password.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 18 October 2020 worship video here.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 11 October 2020 worship video here.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 4 October 2020 worship video here.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 27 September 2020 worship video here.

Please join us on Sunday (18 October 2020) at 11:00 AM for “A Commitment to Healing:  The 8th Principle” presented by our high school youth — Eleanora Lawrence, Daniel Kennen, Gretchen Upton, Andrew Lawrence, and Ian Saucier.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Join us to hear from our High School youth leaders who will introduce us to the proposed Eighth Principle of Unitarian Universalism, its origins, its history, and the process for us to ratify it as a congregation and as an Association.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us on Sunday (18 October 2020) at 1:00 PM for our weekly family religious education online class via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be on the All Souls Religious Education Facebook group and on Slack.

If you aren’t currently a member of either online group and you are interested in having your children participate, email Susan to get an invitation to either or both online groups.

This Sunday — “Finding Balance” — we’ll continue our discussion about the ways that we find balance (literally, in our bodies, as well as in our lives, between activity and rest, work and play, giving and receiving, and more).

Please join us on Sunday (18 October 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class — UU Elevator Speech, Session 1 — “It’s Not a Credo.”

We begin the “UU Elevator Speech” series of the Faith Forward program.

We’ll devote three sessions to figuring out brief, clear ways to explain Unitarian Universalism to our friends and neighbors (which is something very different from a credo or personal belief statement).

We can take some time to work on personal credos in future sessions.

We also have a new Slack channel for the group (#sundayadultRE) on the All Souls Slack workspace (AllSoulsUU).

If you haven’t yet been invited to the AllSoulsUU Slack workspace, email Susan and you will get an invitation right away.

The All Souls middle and high school youth will be meeting via Zoom for religious education this Friday (16 October 2020) at 4:30 PM (email Susan Caldwell — Director of Religious Education — for Zoom link information).

We will check in, celebrate this past week’s worship service, and we will decide where we go from here.

Every Thursday in October 2020 at 5:00 PM, we’re continuing to offer a citizen education campaign launched on 5 October 2020.

If you missed the 5 October 2020 online event, you can still see an encore presentation every Thursday in October 2020 at 5:00 PM.

You will also learn how to talk to your family and friends about this very damaging amendment.

You can register here and choose the date(s) you want to attend.

What Amendment 5 Would Do

• Amendment 5 would allow industrial corporations to negotiate what they pay in property taxes, while the rest of us pay what the law requires.
• It would defund public education, pull money away from roads, bridges, healthcare and hurricane recovery and shift the tax burden to working families and small businesses.
• The ballot language was “engineered to intentionally confuse the average American voter,” as one reporter put it.
  That’s why the community education campaign we’re starting is so important.

Attendees for this event will receive:

• Clear, concise information about where Constitutional Amendment 5 came from and the impact it would have
• A packet of educational material and social media posts to share with your congregation, organizational members, clients, customers, neighbors and local media
• Information about how to get involved in the campaign to defeat Amendment 5

Need a quick 1-pager for talking to friends? Find it here.

The “New UU” class will continue this Sunday (18 October 2020) with facilitator Bennett Upton at 1:00 PM via Zoom.

Bennett has started a new session of this course that offers insight into Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and practice as well as a deeper dive into our own congregation.

This is a great way to learn more about our faith and our church and to spend some time with other members in a small group setting.

It’s not just for newcomers and not just for those who’ve never taken it before — a refresher is always good.

Please join us on Saturday (17 October 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

If you wish to join the group, please email Larry Androes for Zoom meeting link, meeting ID, and password.

Please join us next Wednesday (14 October 2020) at 12 noon for our weekly Zoom lunch.

Bring your lunch and meet up with your All Souls friends, have lunch, and just catch up.

This a chance to connect and catch up midweek.

At some point we may decide to bring in speakers but for now we’re just hanging out and enjoying each other’s virtual company.

Hope to see you there!

Please join us on Sunday (11 October 2020) at 11:00 AM for “It’s Good to Remember Who We Are” by Rev. Barbara Jarrell.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Rev. Barbara is back in the pulpit this week as we continue our focus on our Unitarian Universalist identity and heritage.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us on Sunday (11 October 2020) at 1:00 PM for our weekly family religious education online class via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be on the All Souls Religious Education Facebook group and on Slack.

If you aren’t currently a member of either online group and you are interested in having your children participate, email Susan to get an invitation to either or both online groups.

This Sunday — “Finding Balance” — we’ll talk about ways that we find balance (literally, in our bodies, as well as in our lives, between activity and rest, work and play, giving and receiving, and more).

Please join us at 9:00 AM on Sunday (11 October 2020) adult religious education class.  You can join us via Zoom.

We will view and discuss the Together Louisiana presentation “Costs and Consequences of Amendment 5.”

We also have a new Slack channel for the group in the All Souls UU Slack  Workspace — #sundayadultRE.

If you haven’t yet been invited to the AllSoulsUU workspace, email Susan and you’ll get an invitation right away.

Every Thursday in October 2020 at 5:00 PM, we’re continuing to offer a citizen education campaign launched on 5 October 2020.

If you missed the 5 October 2020 online event, you can still see an encore presentation Thursday in October 2020 at 5:00 PM.

You will also learn how to talk to your family and friends about this very damaging amendment.

You can register here and choose the date(s) you want to attend.

What Amendment 5 Would Do

• Amendment 5 would allow industrial corporations to negotiate what they pay in property taxes, while the rest of us pay what the law requires.
• It would defund public education, pull money away from roads, bridges, healthcare and hurricane recovery and shift the tax burden to working families and small businesses.
• The ballot language was “engineered to intentionally confuse the average American voter,” as one reporter put it.
  That’s why the community education campaign we’re starting is so important.

Attendees for this event will receive:

• Clear, concise information about where Constitutional Amendment 5 came from and the impact it would have
• A packet of educational material and social media posts to share with your congregation, organizational members, clients, customers, neighbors and local media
• Information about how to get involved in the campaign to defeat Amendment 5

Need a quick 1-pager for talking to friends? Find it here.

The “New UU” class will continue this Sunday (11 October 2020) with facilitator Bennett Upton at 1:00 PM via Zoom.

Bennett has started a new session of this course that offers insight into Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and practice as well as a deeper dive into our own congregation.

This is a great way to learn more about our faith and our church and to spend some time with other members in a small group setting.

It’s not just for newcomers and not just for those who’ve never taken it before — a refresher is always good.

Please join us on Saturday (10 October 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

If you wish to join the group, please email Larry Androes for Zoom meeting link, meeting ID, and password.

The All Souls middle and high school youth will be meeting via Zoom for religious education this Friday (16 October 2020) at 4:30 PM (email Susan Caldwell — Director of Religious Education — for Zoom link information).

“Ratifying the Eighth Principle” — After a check-in and some planning for the year to come, we will our exploration of the proposed eighth principle of Unitarian Universalism in preparation for its ratification by our congregation along with continuing to plan for our Eight Principle worship service on 18 October 2020.

Please join us on Sunday (4 October 2020) at 11:00 AM for our annual “Blessing of the Animals” worship service.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us for our online religious education for children and youth this Sunday (4 October 2020) — we will start this online Zoom classroom at 1:00 PM after the virtual coffee hour is over.

The Zoom link will be on the All Souls Religious Education Facebook Group.

If you are not in this group and you are interested in having your children participate, email Susan for help joining this Facebook Group.

This Sunday — “The Animals That Share Our Home in the Web”

On Blessing of the Animals Sunday, we’ll talk a little more about how the animals in our lives remind us to live out our seventh principle (respect for the interdependent web of all life).

If you have any questions, send Susan Caldwell an email or text her at 318-465-3427 for help joining this online religious education class.

Please join us on Sunday (4 October 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class via Zoom.

We will continue the next series of Faith Forward — UU Theology.

UU Theology is a planned as a six-session series exploring various theological concepts through a Unitarian Universalist lens.

Each session addresses the question “What does our Unitarian Universalist tradition teach about this concept, and how does that help me clarify and act on my own beliefs?”

This week in UU Theology, we will explore Session 6 — “What Saves Us?”

We look again, more closely, at the roof of our theological house or soteriology (the study of salvation).

If that’s a loaded word for you (or even if it isn’t), take a calming breath and join us to explore this concept in a Unitarian Universalist context.

We’ll talk about how community offers us the opportunity for healing and wholeness along with how each of us is part of that process.

The “New UU” class will start this Sunday (4 October 2020) with facilitator Bennett Upton at 1:00 PM via Zoom.

Bennett has started a new session of this course that offers insight into Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and practice as well as a deeper dive into our own congregation.

This is a great way to learn more about our faith and our church and to spend some time with other members in a small group setting.

It’s not just for newcomers and not just for those who’ve never taken it before — a refresher is always good.

Citizen Education Launch on Amendment 5 will happen on Monday (5 October 2020) at 6:30 PM via Zoom.

A Message from retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré:

I’m writing to invite you to the launch of an education campaign to oppose Constitutional Amendment 5 which is on the ballot this November.

I think it’s one of the worst things to hit Louisiana since Katrina.

We’re launching a citizen education campaign to fight Amendment 5 this Monday, October 5th, at 6:30 PM on Zoom.

I’d like to invite you to attend.

We can have up to 1,000 people on the Zoom call.

You can register for the call here.

What Amendment 5 Would Do

Amendment 5 would allow industrial corporations to negotiate what they pay in property taxes, while the rest of us pay what the law requires.

It would defund public education, pull money away from roads, bridges, healthcare and hurricane recovery and shift the tax burden to working families and small businesses.

The ballot language was “engineered to intentionally confuse the average American voter,” as one reporter put it.
That’s why the community education campaign we’re starting is so important.

Attendees to the event on Monday will receive:

• Clear, concise information about where Constitutional Amendment 5 came from and the impact it would have
• A packet of educational material and social media posts to share with your congregation, organizational members, clients, customers, neighbors and local media
• Information about how to get involved in the campaign to defeat Amendment 5

So please join us on Monday (5 October 2020) at 6:30 PM.

Tell your friends.  Organize your neighbors.

Use this link to register.

Together Louisiana is building a statewide network of block captains to increase voter turnout.

Thanks to All the Souls who have already signed up to help with this.

Together Louisiana now have over 1,100 block captains signed up across our state.

The 2020 election goals are:

• 1,000 block captains statewide by September
• 3,000 block captains statewide by October

Being a Block Captain means:

1. You care a lot about voter participation
2. You’ll attend a 1-hour training (by Zoom or phone)
3. You’re willing to help organize 10 households in your immediate neighborhood to make sure they vote.

Together Louisiana will provide you with a list of voters and the materials and training you need to be effective.

This is a purely grassroots effort and is not supporting any candidate or party.

If you are interested or just want to learn more, sign up here.

This Sunday (4 October 2020), JoDel Adkins will be at All Souls from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM to collect monthly contributions for the Noel United Methodist Church Food Pantry.

Requested donations for this month:

• Canned pumpkin (15 oz.)
• Spaghetti noodles
• Jiffy Cornbread Mix.

Of course, any and all non-expired non-perishable food is accepted but these are the items they are specifically requesting this month.

Look for JoDel’s green Kia Soul and put your food contributions in the rear cargo area.

There are lots of hungry people in our area right now and both Noel and Highland Center Ministries are two organizations that we support are working to feed them.

Please join us on Sunday (27 September 2020) at 11:00 AM for “Gather the Spirit” by Rev. Barbara Jarrell.

We will be considering some Unitarian trinities (wait – what!?).  We will also be featuring music from an All Souls choral ensemble.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

Join us on next Sunday (4 October 2020) for our annual  Blessing of the Animals worship service.  We will have a virtual blessing this year.  We would love to have you and your pets join us on Zoom for the service.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

Please join us for our online religious education for children and youth this Sunday (27 September 2020) — we will start this online Zoom classroom at 1:00 PM after the virtual coffee hour is over.

This week we will explore “Asking Questions.”

Our fourth principle is the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.

One way that we embark on our free and responsible search is to keep asking questions.

We’ll hear a story of someone whose questioning led him to discover a planet

We will also play some games involving questions.

We can still use your art work illustrating our principles and sources.

You can post it on the All Souls Religious Education Group on Facebook or send it to Susan at dre@allsoulsshreveport.org.

We can use more illustrations of the third and fourth principles and — of course — the eighth principle too:

• How people act when they support each other and learn together
• How people act when they are free to search for truth in their own lives?
• How people act when they are working to dismantle racism and create beloved community?

Join us using the religious education Zoom link about 5 minutes after the worship service.

If you have any questions, send Susan Caldwell an email or text her at 318-465-3427 for help joining this online religious education class.

Please join us on Sunday (27 September 2020) at 9:00 AM for our adult religious education class via Zoom.

We will continue the next series of Faith Forward — UU Theology.

UU Theology is a planned as a six-session series exploring various theological concepts through a Unitarian Universalist lens.

Each session addresses the question “What does our Unitarian Universalist tradition teach about this concept, and how does that help me clarify and act on my own beliefs?”

This week — Session 5 — “What Are Our Sources?” — We will continue to look at the diverse sources from which UUs draw wisdom and inspiration and consider which ones inform and enrich our individual paths and that of our congregation.

We’ll take some more time this week to look at the different UU perspectives of Jesus.

The All Souls middle and high school youth will be meeting via Zoom for religious education this Friday (2 October 2020) at 4:30 PM.

“Ratifying the Eighth Principle” — After a check-in and some planning for the year to come, we will our exploration of the proposed eighth principle of Unitarian Universalism in preparation for its ratification by our congregation along with planning for our Eight Principle worship service on 18 October 2020.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 20 September 2020 worship video here.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have begun to broadcast a livestream video of our Sunday morning worship services.

This worship video will be available live and in recorded formats.

For our livestream video of our worship services, we are using Facebook Live.  One does not have to log into Facebook or have a Facebook account to view this video.

You can find the 13 September 2020 worship video here.

The Great Decisions Group is meeting online on Saturday night  (26 September 2020) at 6:00 PM.

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association.

If you are interested in being a part of the group, email Melodie here and she will send you the link for the meeting.

Please join us on Saturday (26 September 2020) at 10:30 AM for our weekly meditation group with Larry Androes.

This is a sitting Buddhist meditation including a brief introduction to mindfulness meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, and followed by a weekly teaching.

The group is free and open to all.

For more information, contact Larry via email or phone using (318) 272-0014.

If you wish to join the group, please email Larry Androes for Zoom meeting link, meeting ID, and password.

Please join us on Sunday (20 September 2020) at 11:00 AM for our annual Water Communion worship service.

Our service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live here.

This Sunday is our annual Water Communion service.

Like all of our services during this time of COVID-19, this annual tradition will look a little different this year due to the pandemic.

Traditionally, this service has been a time of coming back together, bringing water from our various summer experiences, whether close to home or far away, to pour into a common container as we share our stories.

The water is then boiled, filtered, and frozen for use in future ceremonies such as baby dedications as well as future water communions.   This water is never used for drinking or other internal consumption.

We cannot come back together in person this year.

However, we have several ways for you to participate in a virtual Water Communion:

1. Bring a small container of water to the church, and leave at the office door with a short written statement of where the water comes from, or what it symbolizes.  Although the breezeway by the office is sheltered, it’s a good idea to put the container and note into a plastic shopping bag or another container to provide some protection from the elements.
2. Leave your water at the office door with your name on it, and let us know if you would like to join us on the Zoom to tell the story of your water.
3. If it’s inconvenient for you to drop off water at the church, Barbara can pour from a pitcher of “symbolic water” she will have on hand, just as she has done for our in-person services. If you prefer this option, you can share your story in one of two ways.  You can email your story to Barbara.  Or you can email Barbara or text her to let her know you’d like to join us on the Zoom to tell the story of your water in the worship service.

On Saturday evening (19 September 2020), you will receive a link and instructions for participating on Sunday morning via Zoom if that is your wish.

Every year, we remind you that although Water Communion may include water from travels far away, it’s not a travelogue — it’s about our experiences.

The water you share may just as likely be from a puddle in your backyard where you watched tadpoles with your child, from the faucet in your house, a water bottle from one of the protests, or any source that represents the much smaller and often inward journeys we’ve all had to make during this time.

We will have a  virtual coffee hour after the service on Zoom.

While we are remaining physically distant, we want to know how you are doing, what you need, and what you are interested in.  You can let us know using these online surveys.

And you can contribute to All Souls using this online resource.

We will not have our family religious education time via Zoom today (20 September 2020).

Instead, we will have a drive-up opportunity to honor this Rosh Hashanah in a safe and COVID-friendly way.

Click here for more details.

Yes, there is still sweetness to be found in life — even now.

We honor this Rosh Hashanah by offering a small safely-packaged gift in a safe and brief moment of greeting at All Souls in the circle driveway near the building on Sunday (20 September 2020) from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (or until we run out — whichever comes first).

We look forward to seeing you briefly through your car window as we share this gift of sweetness.

We will not have family religious education via Zoom today so consider driving by for a gift and an in-person “hello.”