SWUUWCon 2022

Amy Martin (Moonlady.com), a life-long Texan, has forged a varied career in journalism, laced with activism and leadership, and infused with a deep spirituality. A journalist and writer for over 35 years, she is author of the upcoming Wild Dallas-Fort Worth: Explore the Amazing Nature of North Texas for Timber Press and Itchy Business: How to Treat the Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Rash. She is North Texas Wild columnist for GreenSource DFW and covers magic and cirque for TheaterJones.

 

She has been contributing editor for the national magazine Garbage (recycling and features), and has written for Dallas Morning News (recycling), Dallas Observer (music), and D Magazine and Dallas Times Herald (performing arts). For a dozen years, Martin operated an alternative news service, Moonlady News from her nickname. A leader in Earth-centered and unaffiliated spirituality, Martin was director of Earth Rhythms and creator of acclaimed Winter SolstiCelebrations for 20 years.

I was born into a musical family. My father was my first piano teacher and my mother taught me to sing all the Girl Scout rounds.  I began classical piano training at the age of six while living in Central America.  At the age of twelve, I realized I wanted to “expand my horizons” and learned to play the guitar.

My first music-teaching job was at the age of sixteen for a summer music camp.  I continue to teach piano,  guitar and ukulele to people of all ages in my private music studio.

From 1995 to 2001, I served as Music Director at Westside UU Church in Fort Worth and later at Pathways UU Church.   From 2006-2018,  I was a member of the 11:11 Band at First Methodist.  I have performed for many years both as a solo artist and with various bands.

For me, music and spirituality go hand in hand.  It’s the way I worship.  It’s the way I pray.  And I love sharing music with people in community.

Reverend Julie Cecil is an affiliated community minister with Westside UU in Fort Worth and is a hospital chaplain with Texas Health Resources.

 

COVID-19 shaped and expanded her ministry of meeting the needs of staff & finding creative ways to connect patients with loved ones. With these acts of presence, she was awarded the Living the Mission Award from the Hospital’s CEO. In her quest to incorporate her UU values into her chaplaincy, she has also spoken out on justice issues. Recently, she was one of only twenty invited to attend the hospital system’s new pilot program called RISE, which aims to elevate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the hospital context.

 

She is lovingly supported by her wife Tracy. In their time together, they enjoy traveling, eating good food, and hiking.

Our Saturday night entertainment will feature the Mariachi Rosas Divinas. An appropriate name for this divine all female group, Rosas Divinas have broken the mold when it comes to the beloved style of mariachi music being the first and only all female mariachi in the DFW Metroplex and one of few in the Country.

 

Hotel

Your stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton DFW North hotel in Grapevine includes these amenities:

• complimentary made-to-order hot breakfast
• complimentary evening reception
• Hallford’s restaurant and bar
• Hallford’s mercantile, including Starbucks, grab-and-go sundries and snacks
• fitness center and indoor pool
• complimentary DFW Airport shuttle service

Refer to this link to read about Hilton’s ongoing Clean Stay with Lysol Protect program, ensuring enhanced safety standards and cleaning protocols in the hotel:  https://www.hilton.com/en/corporate/cleanstay/

And, the hotel adheres to all local regulations and CDC guidelines to keep guests safe including wearing facial masks, physical distancing, contactless greetings, and amplified hygiene & sanitation stations.

Embassy Suites by Hilton DFW Airport North, 2401 Bass Pro Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051

To book your stay for SWUUWCon 2022, visit here.