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The
Beacon
Bits
A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church |
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Greetings!
We hope that you can join us this Sunday morning, September 8, 2013 for
For All Who Come
from
The Reverend Ellen Cooper
with music by
Northwoods Traditional Choir
Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table Child Care and Family Room Provided Sunday Service Times: 9:30 and 11:30am
Religious Education Programming
Fall Classes begin this Sunday! The Sunday Religious Education classes for fall are as follows:
First service:
2- and 3-year-olds: Celebrate! in Room 1
pre-K and Kindergartners: Spirit Play in Room 7
1st and 2nd Grade: Explorers I in Room 3
3rd through 6th grade: Explorers II in Room 10
Between services:
High School: A Place of Wholeness (UU identity class) in Teen Room
Adult Forum: "Beyond Welcoming: Northwoods' Next Steps as a Welcoming Congregation," led by Bob Long and Sharon Lockridge , in the Garden Room
Second service:
Children through kindergarten age in Room 1
1st and 2nd Grade: Explorers I in Room 3
3rd through 6th grade: Explorers II in Room 10
Junior High: Coming of Age class in the Garden Room
High School: YRUU in the Teen Room
Childcare will also be available for younger children during and between services.
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A Letter from the President
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Dear Congregation, The Board of Trustees (BOT) met this past weekend for their annual board retreat. This is a time where the Board takes a temporary step back from our current activities and develops our overall goals for the year. We started this conversation by first reflecting on what went well this past year and our list was long! Our Committee on Ministry (COM) continued to organize and develop the path by which it leads its ministries. All of Northwoods' ministries continued to grow and feel empowered to do the work they are most passionate about. Sarah Prickett moved easily into the new role of Director of Lifespan Faith Development and with the dedicated focus of her committee, did amazing work for Religious Education. Our Social, Economic and Environmental Justice (SEEJ) ministry championed causes that made Northwoods visible as a place of love and inclusiveness that is often missing in our community. Our Worship Arts ministry continued to delight us with amazing music while working through changes with the traditional choir and we have seen a positive focus on multi-generational worship services. This is all a testament to the success of our program church structure and has also given Reverend Ellen the time she needs to do the work both within and outside of our congregation that our faith calls for. Our Long Range Plan and Making Room for Everyone Report was quickly taken up by our ministries and almost all goals from both were successfully achieved. All of these things were accomplished by leaders of all ages and backgrounds dedicated to see Northwoods reach our fullest potential. The Board celebrates this amazing work and is excited to get started on another wonderful year. We recognize Northwoods has some significant events coming up (capital campaign assessment, sabbatical) and the Board's goals are centered around this. First, the BOT will continue to strengthen the communication between us and the COM. Many of our activities involve ministries on both sides of our church structure and communications between us is vital. Second, the BOT will focus on being more visible and available to the congregation. We will engage both formally and informally with you and discuss within our BOT meetings how we can best support Northwoods during the year. Third, we will manage and support the physical growth of our church. Using both the Long Range Plan and the Making Room for Everyone Report we will evaluate and prioritize the changes needed for us to continue to be the spiritual home to all of you. And finally, the BOT will institutionalize the Foundational Ministry's work by reviewing the policies and procedures. It is always said we are a healthy, well functioning congregation. I am frequently moved by the love and dedication within our church. There is definitely a lot of work to be done and I know we will have yet another amazing year here at Northwoods! With love, Stephanie Coleman |
Minister's Message and Staff Notes
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From Reverend Ellen
Dear Northwoods,
The year has kicked off in earnest, and a busy one it promises to be! But busy in the best sense - our ministries are humming with life and love, and there is great energy and light here to share with the community. I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of it all.
There has been some confusion about when I am going on sabbatical. My last Sunday before I return again for Water Communion next year will be March 2nd. In the meantime, I am preparing pastoral care teams, lay leadership, worship arts, and others. This will continue to be the strong, loving, vital church you know while I am away. I hope you will continue to bless it with your presence, even if there are other voices in the pulpit. The church is not me. It is you!
When I do go on sabbatical, I will go with some particular goals in mind. Right now, my overarching goal is Reclaim Joy. I will also challenge the congregation to develop a few sabbatical goals for while I am away. When we return to one another, I will be excited to hear your stories from those months.
In the meantime, there is an exciting and challenging Fall ahead of us. We will re-examine our identity as a "Welcoming Congregation" and dive even deeper into that, considering how we are welcoming to a variety of identities, including LGBTQ and beyond. We will again read one book together (this time, YA fiction!). We will explore the themes of the months, learn together, and hear from outside speakers. We will, as always, gather together for worship, to learn and to serve, to laugh and to love, and to continue to help the moral arc of the universe bend toward justice (slowly, slowly).
One of our projects will be to recommit ourselves to being welcoming in the most simple of ways. We will reprint ALL nametags, organize them, and expect you to wear them! Look for more information about that coming soon.
In the meantime, let us know how you are. Remember to reach out to Joan O'Connell or myself in times of challenge, and to offer celebrations or concerns to share with the community in our newsletter. And don't forget to welcome Jamie, our new (and fantastic) Congregational Administrator!
Year Six!
With great love,
Rev. Ellen
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Staff Schedules
Church Office Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Rev. Ellen and Sarah Prickett will be out of the office Sept. 12- Sept. 19 attending the Life on Fire conference in Oak Ridge, TN.
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Foundations: Church Governance
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Coming September 15
2013 Service Auction - Kickoff Event
Viva Las Northwoods!
Cake Decorating Contest and Silent Auction
Kids! Kids! Kids!
Bake and decorate a cake.
Bring it September 15.
Lots of Categories! Lots of Prizes!
See it auctioned off for the benefit of your church. More information and rules can be found here.
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Save The Date for the Service Auction
The Service Auction is approaching! Save the Date: November 2, 2013 Viva Las Northwoods!!!
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Inspiration Board Service Auction Event Sunday, September 8th at 1pm
Don't forget to sign up for the Inspiration Board Service Auction Event on Sunday, September 8th, 1pm, at Northwoods, in the library. Magazines, glue sticks, scissors, and poster boards will be provided. Children are welcome. Contact Mira Dessy or Vicki Bradley if you are interested.
What's an Inspiration Board?
It's a way to:
- affirm the good you want in your life
- help you achieve goal(s)
- reflect a particular theme, quote, or idea
You can create it:
- as a memento of a person, place or event
- as a springboard for a creativity project
- as a decorative item
- to find clarity and sort out a thought process or event
Join us for fun, creative process, and great company!
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Endowment Committee News Endowment Sunday
Northwoods members and friends have given gifts to the church this year which total $3,550. Please plan on attending our celebration of this generosity. Endowment Sunday will be on September 8th during both services. We hope to see you there for this important event.
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COM Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes from the August 25 Committee on Ministry meeting can be found here .
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BOT Meeting Agenda
The Board of Trustees is meeting on Sunday, September 8. The agenda is available for review here.
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Next Steps Visit from the UUA
We have requested a Next Steps visit from the UUA Congregational Stewardship Network and are pleased to announce that UUA Congregational Stewardship Services Consultant Bill Clontz will be with us during the period September 20-22.
The purpose of the visit is to provide our congregation and our leaders with an objective eye in gathering information and identifying strengths, opportunities, and areas needing improvement.
For more information, click here.
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Traditional Choir now Rehearsing Mondays in the Sanctuary
The Northwoods Traditional Choir is now practicing on Mondays from 7-8:30 in the sanctuary. Please come and join us. For further information, contact director John Branch at [email protected] or Terry Meyer (281) 376-3590
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Calling all Writers
Terry Leyenberger is the Northwoods "Unofficial" historian and he is looking for stories. Terry would like to produce an updated history to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Northwoods in 2013. He is looking for authors who will write a story about a particular part of the life of the church. The focus of each story should be on the time from between 2008 and 2013 and be no more than 800 words. The idea is to capture the story of the church through its programs. Each story accepted for the official history will carry the authors name in the byline. Deadline for story submissions is December 2nd, 2013. Please send submissions to Terry via email at [email protected].
Ideas include such items as 1) the history of the folk choir, 2) the importance of the new bylaws in helping the church move to a "program" church, 3) how has whole life RE impacted the kids in our church, 4) who created the Art display in the Garden room and why, 5) What do kitchen angels do, 6) how has the DBLE impacted our church, 7) How much money has Share the Plate donated to charity and which charities. You get the idea.
Terry as editor reserves the right to accept or reject stories, or ask the authors to combine stories if they are similar or cover the same subject material.
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Stay Informed via Text
Text Message Reminders are here for Sunday morning RE programming! Messages are being sent through a service called Remind 101. This is a text message service designed for teachers to use with both students and parents, and is set up so that all phone numbers are kept private. In addition to emails, Beacon Bits, and inserts in the order of service, this is one way that we plan to communicate information, particularly about upcoming events, the occasional last-minute change or addition, or special info or instructions for a particular Sunday's programming.
Here's how to sign up:
Send a text to this phone number:(469)518-2732
In the body of the text, indicate which group you wish to sign up for:
@nuucforum (get the Forum topic sent to your phone via text)
@youthprog (9th-12th grade; youth and parents welcome)
@nuuccoa (7th-8th graders' parents)
@nuuckids (pre-K-6th graders' parents)
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Fall Programming
What a great kickoff we've had this past two weeks, with intergenerational (and interspecies!) worship for Water Communion and the first day of fall classes last Sunday! I am thrilled at all the planned programs and activities for this fall for children as well as for adults, so please take a moment to read about a few of them here. -Sarah
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Children and Youth Programming: Registration Still Open!
If your youth or child has not registered, you may still register them by clicking here. For more information on our class offerings, download the class prospectus or pick up a brochure in the entryway on Sunday.
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Adult Faith Development Semester Theme: Allegiances
For Adult Faith Development programming this fall, we'll be exploring the idea of "Allegiances": To what do we pledge allegiance? What does it mean to hold allegiance with Unitarian Universalism? Our nation? Our planet? Our families? Our own identities?
Be on the lookout for an AFD brochure in the next couple of weeks outlining the many opportunities to engage this topic, from classes to guest speakers to discussion groups and more!
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One Church, One Book This fall, we invite the members of Northwoods to read Unwind, by Neal Shusterman. We will be scheduling discussion groups to explore this book as a community in January. Unwind is a 2007 science fiction novel by young adult literature author Neal Shusterman. It takes place in the United States, somewhere in the near future. After a civil war-known as the Second Civil War or the Heartland War-is fought over abortion, a compromise was reached, allowing parents to sign an order for their children between the ages of 13 and 18 years old to be unwound-taken to "harvest camps" and having their body parts harvested for later use. The reasoning was that, since 100% (actually 99.44% taking into account the appendix and "useless" organs) was required to be used, unwinds did not technically "die", because their individual body parts lived on. In addition to unwinding, parents who are unable to raise their children to age thirteen for retroactive abortion have the option to "stork" their child by leaving it on another family's porch. If they don't get caught, the "storked" baby then becomes the other family's responsibility. Click here to purchase a copy of the book through Northwoods. |
Parenting Class
This fall, as part of our Allegiance programming, Susan Blackmore will again offer her class, Intentional Parenting (with a UU Perspective) to the Northwoods community. The class will meet from 2-5 p.m. for six Sundays beginning September 29 and ending November 3. Here's what Susan has to say:
Parenting is the hardest job there is. Part of each three-hour session will be structured. A portion of each session will be used for discussing specific questions, needs, or issues the group brings forward. Participants will role play, see demonstrations, and learn practical ways to create an effective family. Learn how to grow children who are strong, confident, and able to live their UU values. This is a very lively, hands-on experience. It is not a quick-fix approach to parenting, but a way to look deep and to parent for the long term relationships you want to have with your children. All ages, grandparents, babysitters, teachers, and anyone who wishes to maximize their communications will benefit. There will be homework and some reading, but nothing you can't handle. Topics will include: self-care, encouragement, self-esteem, birth order, siblings, parenting styles, misbehavior (and what to do with it), consequences, family team building, handling feelings, spirituality, and more.
A fee of $25 will cover the cost of materials. Childcare will be available. Contact Sarah if you would like more information.
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Coming this Friday: Parents' Night Out
The First Northwoods Parents Night Out will be this Friday from 6-9. Each month on the first Friday, parents may bring their children to church, where they can enjoy fellowship with other Northwoods kids under the supervision of our childcare staff. Parents can then take some time for themselves, or make plans to connect with other Northwoods families. We'll provide some snacks (bagel bites, chicken strips, pizza or the like) or if you prefer, you can bring your own children's dinner. Suggested donation of $5-$10 per child, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information please contact Sarah.
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Save the Date: Coming out for Love
October 5
Mark your calendars! SEE Justice, in partnership with members of Plymouth United Church of Christ in Spring, are gearing up to celebrate National Coming Out Day this year. Seen as a North Houston counterpoint to Pride celebrations, the Coming Out for Love celebration will be held at Northwoods on Sunday October 5th from 1 to 5 p.m. More details in the weeks to come. Save the date! If you'd like to help plan the event, contact Bob Long at [email protected].
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Food Pantry Donations
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Northwoods will not accept any food stuffs that have reached an age that extends beyond the "best by" date or expiration period. Interfaith and other pantries can NOT accept expired foods. Currently more than half of the canned goods and other materials donated here at Northwoods exceeded those dates. The food banks will also not accept candies that are not in their original, sealed bag or tin.
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Membership
Membership Class
New to Northwoods?
Considering membership? Want to catch up on your UU history and theology? Join us for Pathways to Membership class. The next class will be September 15 from 1-4 p.m. This class is recommended as a prerequisite for signing our Membership Book. Please register by contacting the church office. Childcare available upon request.
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Board of Trustees
The Northwoods UU Church Board of Trustees meets at 1 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. The Board is responsible for governing policies, finances, human resources, buildings and grounds, and congregational communication. The Current Members of the Board are:
Stephanie Coleman, President
Larry Loomis Price, President-Elect
Shari Wood, Past President Darbi Hamilton, Secretary Keith Armstrong. Treasurer Bob Long. Parliamentarian Dorothy Kennedy and Michele Buselli, At-Large
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Committee on Ministry
The Committee on Ministry meets on the fourth Sunday of each month and is responsible for the shared ministry of the congregation in the areas of Spiritual Life, Congregational Life, Religious Education, and Social Justice and Outreach (SEE Justice). Current Members of the Committee on Ministry are:
Mary Branson, Co-chair
John Hammond, Co-chair Mary Chimarusti
Susan Blackmore Olivia Carrender
David Shontz
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Weekly/Semi-Monthly Activities
Congregational Life:
Coffee Hour: Between church services (10:30-11:30 a.m.) every Sunday, a chance for some good coffee and great conversation. Suggested donation: $1.00.
Northwoods Writers' Group: Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays. Bring something you've written to read. For information contact Rusty Rhoad at 281-419-1984
Medical Needs and Cancer Support Group: Survivors and Caregivers: Thursdays at 7:00pm at Northwoods. Contact Mary Chimarusti at 936-856-3525 for both groups.
The Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry: Meets on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday of each month in the room 3. Contact Cyndie Mahaney
Circle of Friends: A women's group that meets the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 10:00am.
Contact Mary Temmen.
Northwoods Playgroup: Meets on alternating Fridays and Thursdays from 10:00am-1:00pm. For more information please contact Hollie Baraldi or Audrey Goodwin.
Spiritual Life:
Zen Mind Buddhist: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays (Meditation and Discussion Group): contact Carolyn Cash
Blue Mountain Meditation: Tuesdays at 5:00 pm at Northwoods.
Contact Hallie Moore .
Folk Choir Rehearsal: Northwoods. Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Contact Rusty Rhoad at 281-419-1984.
Dharma Group meet the Second and fourth Friday at 7:00 pm in the Garden Room. Contact Dave Smith at 281-686-7315.
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Monthly Activities
Foundationsal Ministry of Governance:
Board of Trusstess meets the 2nd Sunday of each month at 1 p.m.
Building and Grounds Committee meets on the second Thursday of every month. For more information contact Kate Rhoad. Congregational Life:
Courageously Coed Book Group Meets on second Mondays at 7 pm in the Garden Room. Click here for the 2013 book list. Contact John Hammond for more information. Men's Group: The First Thursday of the month, Contact Mark Smith at [email protected] Men's Book Club: 1st Saturday of the month at 10:00am in the Garden room. Click here for the book list. Contact Wally Gardner
Women's Book Club: Every first Saturday at 10:00am For more information contact Shirley Locke
wUU hUU: See Darbi Hamilton or Kristin Ongeri for more information about the Young Adult Group.
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Spiritual Life:
Drum Circle:
Contact Peggy Walton or
at 936-718-7777 for more information.
CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans). Meets every 2nd Sunday of the month in the Sanctuary at 1 pm. Contact: Tess Bennett.
Northwoods Progressive Christian Fellowship:
Meets the third Friday of each month for fellowship. The group sponsors Vespers Services four times during the year. For information contact
Susan Hammond or at 281-465-4683
SEE Justice:
SEE Justice
Monthly meeting first Sunday of the month 12:30-2 pm in the Garden Room. Contact Sarah Mattner for more information.
Millbend Coffee House:
Live music every second Saturday at 7:30 pm at the church. This event is sponsored by Northwoods and is open to the community. Contact Teresa Allen at 281-350-3052.
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Terri Hendrix performs at Millbend on September 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Terri Hendrix is an award-winning Texas songwriter who spins sorrow into joy and wrings wisdom from the blues with the poetic grace and uplifting melodic flair that has long been her trademark. A classically trained vocalist and deft multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin and harmonica), she dodges musical pigeonholes alongside legendary producer Lloyd Maines (guitar, dobro, pedal steel), by weaving folk, pop, country, blues and swinging jazz into an eclectic style all her own. Learn more about and listen to Terris at her website here.
Millbend Helps a Very Worthy Cause--Fill the Gap
Many thanks to those who made the August Millbend Coffeehouse a major success. First, we must thank Paul Cooper, Bob Lahmeyer and Steve Goodchild of Across the Water for superb entertainment. MC Peace and Justice Network Fill the Gap board members and volunteers promoted the event throughout the community; they also found a charity to match funds raised and recruited a team to work the event smoothly. Thanks to Karen Williams of Rainforest Flowers for the gift of three $75 floral arrangements for a raffle. Thanks to Erika Calderon, Cyndie Mahaney and Ted Mahaney for graciously helping as needed and to Gary Valmain, Barbara Madera and Brad Hindley for promoting the event. Thanks to Paul Klein, Sue Ridgeway and Victor Walzebuck for the sound and many dedicated people who set-up and cleaned-up without even being asked.
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Correction
The August 28 issue of Beacon Bits announced that the Service Auction would take place on November 3. Please note that the actual date for the Service Auction is November 2.
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Calendar, Beacon Bits Submission Policy, and Contact Information
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This Week At Northwoods
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Sunday, September 8
9:30am Religious Education Classes for 2013-2014
11:30am CUUPS
1:00pm Board of Trustees Meeting 1:00pm Committee Ministry Meeting Monday, September 9 7:00pm Courageously Coed Book Group
7:00pm Traditional Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday, September 10
5:00pm Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00pm Folk Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday, September 11
7:00pm Northwoods Ensemble Rehearsal
Thursday, September 12
6:30pm Paul Klein and KlayVage Rehearsal
7:00pm Medical Caregivers's Support Group
Medical Needs Support Group
Friday, September 13
10:00am Northwoods Play Group (off site)
7:00pm Dharma Group
Saturday, September 14
10:00am The Humanist Group
3:00pm Cake Auction - Service Auction Kick Off (Auction is on Sunday)
7:30pm Millbend Coffee House
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Submission PolicySend submissions for the next issue of The Beacon Bits to [email protected] no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Any member of the Northwoods family may submit material to the Beacons. Ideally, most submissions will come from a contact person or chairperson of a group or ministry team. The Beacon Bits will not publish any advertisement or notices promoting individuals or buisnesses.
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Contact Information
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Phone 281-298-2780 Fax: 281-419-189 northwoodsuu.org
Church Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10 am- 3pm
Church Administrator: [email protected]
Minister: Reverend Ellen Cooper-Davis, [email protected]
Office Hours: Tues, Thurs, Friday 10am-3pm and by appointment
Minister's Blog at Chron.com
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-4pm
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