Bye, Bye Vandy

   

I am amazed to see that it has been four months since I last posted.  Well, not really.  I’m just not going to devote much time to blogging.  AWAC will stay up as a resource for those deploying, and to those interested in Unitarian Universalism, but I have too much going on, and too few will be reading, for this to be a major project for me anymore.  But on occasion I will still put something new up. Hey, I’m still paying the bills, might as well keep it fresh.

  

 
The whole family at the wedding 

   

A great deal has happened since my last post.  Most importantly, my son Taylor got married, and I was honored to perform the ceremony.  Also of significance is the fact that my experiment at Vanderbilt Divinity School is over.  I will be transferring to Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, a Unitarian Universalist seminary, which is really where I need to be.  Vanderbilt was too Christian for me.  Even though I was always made to feel welcome, I was like a stranger in a strange land there. 

   

 I am looking forward to studying with other UUs who are also preparing for the ministry, as opposed to being one of only two UUs in a school where less than half the students were planning to go into the ministry.  I won’t be moving to Chicago, but will be taking intensive courses there in January, while doing most of the work at home prior to and after classes.  It will be interesting to see how this all works out.

 

 For those who have been wondering what I sound like when I am giving a sermon, you are in luck; you can now hear my sermons at this link:

 

http://www.uutullahoma.org/sermons.html

 

 

The most recent sermons are audio files.  Click on those to hear what I have to say.

  

Fritz

  

 As far as the pups go, two of them are now living with Taylor and his new wife Yvette.  The third, Fritz is staying with us for the time being, as is Yum-Yum.  So the Traversa pack is up to seven dogs.

 

And finally, a rare bit of publicity.  I get quite a few requests for me to plug this cause or that on AWAC, but I rarely do, mainly because I don’t plug things I am not familiar with.  However, you may remember the book “The Sandbox” that I and my hut mates were published in a few years ago.  All proceeds went to The Fisher House Foundation (which you can read about below).  Garry Trudeau, of Doonesbury fame, was involved in the book, and has donated art to this new project.  Read on:

  

 

MY COUNTRY: SMASH HITS to Benefit Military

Portion of Proceeds Donated to

The Fisher House Foundation

  Nashville, TN (June 25, 2010) Stadium Entertainment Holding Corp. is proud to announce the release of MY COUNTRY: SMASH HITS on Tuesday August 24, 2010.  The CD is a compilation of hits from a superstar line-up which includes Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Jypsi, Randy Houser, Big & Rich and Montgomery Gentry. The project is a multiple CD series with each annual volume benefiting the Fisher House Foundation

 

The Fisher House Foundation provides housing for the military, both active and retired as well as the families of military personnel who are receiving treatment at a military medical center.  Fisher House Foundation has a network of 50 comfort homes in the United States.  Each facility is 5,000 to 16,000 square feet, with as many as 21 suites, donated to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs by the Fisher House Foundation. There is NO FEE to stay at these homes.

 

“We appreciate the support of each artist and I am grateful that they chose to participate in this remarkable project by sharing their music.  Fisher House is humbled to be the beneficiary of "My Country" and to have Stadium Entertainment and EMI partner with us in supporting military families has been phenomenal.  Fisher House serves as a tangible symbol of our support for our military, and when someone walks through the doors of a Fisher House, we want them to know that there are others who care about them in their time of need - and when you purchase this CD, you're showing them that you not only have great taste in music, but that you care.  That's my country!” comments Ken Fisher, Chairman- The Fisher House Foundation.

 

A special message from President George W. Bush is included in the all-star compilation. President Bush graciously agreed to participate in this project.  “I applaud the work of Fisher House Foundation, and I encourage my fellow Americans to support this fine organization,” President George W. Bush, 2010.   

 

Legendary Doonesbury creator, cartoonist, Garry Trudeau has graciously donated a special cartoon and designed the cover of MY COUNTRY: SMASH HITS.

 

 

 

Comments

[Bill Lower]

I hope when its time for your ministerial internship, you apply at the UU Church of Davis, CA. I think you would do very well there, and you would benefit us too.

[Rosemary]

Hi Doug. Sounds like you have everything in order, but then again, why would I expect anything less. ;)

It's good to hear your family and you are doing well. All that studying in one month? Yikes!

OT: We had to adopt another kitty, because our neighbors left him in the apt. they vacated. Poor little thing didn't eat or drink for 2 weeks. He's come around fantastically. God is good. Best to ya!

[Misty]

Thanks for the plug!