The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
   

January 22, 2014  

 

Greetings!   

  

We hope that you can join us this Sunday morning, January 22, 2014 for  


Strands in the Web

by

Reverend Ellen Cooper

  

with music by

 

Paul Klein and Klay Vage

 

 

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

  

 

First service:

Sarah is away being present with her family during a difficult time. 

This Sunday we invite the community to worship together in a special multi-generational service.

  

Childcare for young will be provided as usual.  Activity bags will be available and the nursery will be open for parents to listen in on the service as they watch their babies.  

 

Top Story
 

Pathways to Membership Class

 

The next Pathways to Membership class is Saturday, January 25 from 10am - 1pm.  Join Reverend Ellen as she explores what it means to follow the Unitarian Universalist faith at Northwoods.

 

Considering membership?  Already a member but want to catch up on your UU history and theology?  Join us for the Pathways to Membership class.  This class will cover Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be a part of our church and is recommended as a prerequisite for signing our Membership Book.   

 

For more information, or to register, please contact the church office 281-298-2780.  Childcare available upon request. 

 

 

 
Minister's Message
 
From the Minister

Time is flying! It is already the end of January, and the beginning of my sabbatical is just over a month away. In the next weeks, you will see more details about what I plan to do with that time, hear a little bit about who will be here and what their role will and will not be, and how Lay Ministry will continue to enable the congregation to care for one another and be cared for.

Sabbaticals are a common part of UU ministry, usually taken between the fifth and seventh year of service in a congregation. Some use that time for additional study, or to write or pursue other time-intensive projects. Some use it to travel and broaden connections. Some use it for personal, inner work, rest and renewal. Ultimately, a sabbatical is time apart from one another so that both the congregation and the minister have an opportunity to set and meet goals, and so that the minister has time to refocus and recharge.

Ministry is a multi-faceted, time, and energy-intensive vocation. Each day, I pull from a variety of skill sets and am working on multiple projects. Given the profound gift of being part of the human lives of a community, ministers experience the full gamut of human need, emotion and behavior. I am grateful for the time allotted to me to step back from this rewarding, challenging, and demanding career. Sometimes, the well that helps to nourish others must in its turn be refilled.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask me. My Launching Sunday will be March 2nd, and my Re-entry Sunday will be our Water Communion Sunday in late August. You are held in the loving and very capable hands of your leaders, Lay Ministry, and a very part-time UU minister who will come to help hold the space and keep your visions moving while I am away. (I have lovingly come to think of him as my Stunt Double.)

May you, too, experience the grace of moments of slowing down, remembering presence, and being renewed as you move through your days.

With Love,

Ellen


 
Foundations: Church Governance
 
COM Meeting

The COM will meet on Sunday, January 26.  A copy of the agenda can be found here

 
 
We Need Your Eyes

The Building & Grounds Committee tries to stay on top of maintenance issues at Northwoods, but we don't always know when there's a problem. Please help us out and let us know if you see something that needs to be done inside or outside of the building. The B&G Committee consists of Ralph Stephenson, Sean Kenneth, Sue Ridgway, Susan Hammond, Doni Langolis and Kate Rhoad. Let any of us know and we will get the matter taken care of.  
 
 
Spiritual Life
 
Hymnal Shortage!

The Northwoods stock of hymnals is getting smaller and smaller.  If you have a Northwoods hymnal at home please return it next week.
 
 
Gorilla Sunday February 9, 2014
 
Enjoy the fun and fellowship on Gorilla Sunday. The Men's Gorilla Chorus will sing at both services. The theme is leadership. Chorus rehearsals are Monday, January 27 and Monday, February 3 from 7 - 9 PM in the sanctuary. After the second service, there will be a potluck and music by the band Grey Vinyl. The celebration is BYOBR: Bring Your Own Beverages and Be Responsible for them. Please do NOT leave alcohol unattended.  For Chorus info or potluck sign ups, stop by the Gorilla Table after both services.  E-mail Jerry Hensel at [email protected] about the Chorus or Carol Hensel at [email protected] about the potluck. 
 
Congregational Life
 
Care and Concern

We send love and healing to Barbara Guinn, who is recovering at home from foot surgery. She would appreciate calls and visits as she regains full mobility. If you would like to be of further help to Barbara, please contact Joan O'Connell at 

Our Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Sarah Prickett, is home with her family where they are awaiting the outcome of emergency surgery to remove a just-discovered brain tumor in her father. We hold Sarah and her family in our thoughts and prayers in this time of uncertainty.

Congratulations to all of the Northwoods youth that are serving in leadership roles at the  2014 Rally at Emerson UU Church in Houston.  We are honored to have you represent our church and community.



 
Book Club Lists

The new book club lists are available.  For a copy of the Men's Book Club list, click here.  A copy of the Coed Book Club list can be found here.
 
 
Lunch Bunch goes French

As they say in France, "Allons-y!" Let's go to La Madeleine
 
Join the Lunch Bunch on Sunday at 1:00 pm at La Madeleine Country French Caf�, at the corner of Six Pines and Market Street. There is parking behind the restaurant. Questions? Ask Phil and Beth Marshall.
 
Northwoods Needs Your Historical Thoughts

Terry Leyenberger is looking for volunteers to update the Church history.  If there is something that happened over the last five years that you were intimately involved in please consider writing a short narrative describing the event or activity.  Please contact Terry at [email protected] for ideas and information.  Terry has copies of all the Beacon Bits for the last five years, and Vicky Bradley has copies of the order of service for your review.  Deadline for submission is December, which is approaching quickly.

 
Religious Education
 

Time to Return Your Guest at Your Table gifts!

 

This Sunday , you can continue to return your Guest at your Table Boxes to Northwoods. You may leave them in the office in Sarah's mailbox (There will be a sign.)

Before bringing back your Guest at Your Table donation, if you'd like, you can convert your cash and coins to a check made out to "UUSC Guest at Your Table." If you miss bringing back your Guest at Your Table box this Sunday, please return it to the box the main office in the next couple of weeks. We'll announce the results of our Guest at Your Table program as soon as possible.
Quick Links
Membership

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 in October. This class is recommended as a prerequisite for signing our Membership Book. Please register by contacting the church office. Childcare available upon request

 

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 

  

Keith Armstrong  

Treasurer   

 

Bob Long 

Parliamentarian


Dorothy Kennedy  and   

Michele Buselli  

At-Large   

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

Congregational Life

Chair:  Kate Rhoad

Membership Coordinator: 
Helen Sherwood
 
Ministries Meetings and Groups

Spiritual Life

Drum Circle:

Contact Peggy Walton

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

at 281-465-4683.   

 

Zen Mind Buddhist:  

A meditation and discussion group that meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 6pm.  For information, contact Carolyn Cash. 

 

Blue Mountain Meditation: Meets Tuesdays at 5:00 pm at Northwoods.

Contact Hallie Moore .


Folk Choir Rehearsal:

Meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Contact Rusty Rhoad at 281-419-1984.  

Dharma Group:

Meets the second and fourth Friday at 7:00pm in the Garden Room. Contact Dave Smith at 281-686-7315.

 

Congregational Life 

Avant Garden Gallery:

Artists are invited to display their works in the gallery.  For scheduling, click  here. 

 

Coffee Hour:  

Between church services (10:30-11:30 a.m.) every Sunday.


Courageously Coed Book Group: 

Meets on the second Monday at 7pm in the Garden room.  Click here
for the 2014 book list.  Contact John Hammond
for more information.


Men's Group:  

Meets the first Thursday of the month.  Contact Mark Smith.

  

Men's Book Club:
Meets the first Saturday of the month at 10:00am in the Garden room. Click here for the book list.  Contact Wally Gardner.

 

Women's Book Club:

Meets the first Saturday of the month at 10:00am.  For more information contact Shirley Locke.

wUU hUU:   

Contact Darbi Hamilton or Kristin Ongeri for more information about the Young Adult Group.

 

Northwoods Writers' Group:   

Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays. Bring something you've written to read. For information contact Rusty Rhoad at 281-419-1984.

 

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 Amanda Hanson. 



SEE Justice:

SEE Justice:

Monthly meeting the 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.

 

 
Interested in Children's Chapel? Come join us!

If you would be interested in helping in Children's Chapel on a regular or semiregular basis, please email me and let me know! I'm looking for a team of 2-4 volunteers to help with monthly children's worship at any and all levels, from assisting me in chapel to helping plan and lead the service.

Children's Chapel is one of my favorite parts of what I do at Northwoods, and like everything else, it's better when we work together.

Children's Chapel dates for Spring are: Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 23, April 6 and May 4.

In faith,
Sarah Prickett
Director of Lifespan Faith Development 
 
 

Adult Faith Development Semester Theme: Spiritual Practices 

 

For Adult Faith Development programming this coming spring, we'll  

be exploring spiritual practices: What are our spiritual practices as

individuals? As a  community? How might we approach prayer and practice?  What is the value of personal spiritual pursuits, and how can we integrate our need for depth into our hectic modern lives ? 

 

In January, pick up an AFD brochure in the foyer outlining the many opportunities to engage this theme, from classes to guest speakers to discussion groups and more!  

 

 
Stay Informed via Text

 

To find out how to get text reminders and information about RE classes, including Adult Forum, click here.

 

 

Save the Date: OWL training comes to Northwoods!

January 24-26, 2014

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a revolutionary, comprehensive sexuality education program for all ages, kindergarten to adults, developed by the UUA and United Church of Christ and taught in our congregations around the country. We have taught OWL for many different ages here at Northwoods (most recently for adults) and are proud to continue that tradition this spring by once again offering OWL, this time joining forces with Plymouth UCC to offer this experience to our community.

But wait, there's more...

The RE Committee and I are excited to announce that we will be hosting an OWL training here at Northwoods Jan. 24-26 for those interested in teaching junior and senior high OWL. This is a training that will attract religious educators, teachers and advisers from all over the region to Northwoods to work with certified OWL trainers over a full weekend of learning. It's a wonderful opportunity to offer training to as many at Northwoods and in the Houston area as possible, and for Northwoods to welcome other UUs to our home.

If you are interested in helping make this program successful, would like to attend the training, or want more information about Our Whole Lives, contact Sarah at [email protected]. To read more about the OWL curriculum, you can also visit the UUA website: http://www.uua.org/re/owl/.

 

 

One Church, One Book

 

This fall, we invited the members of Northwoods to read Unwind, by Neal Shusterman. We will be scheduling another community discussion of this book soon.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Sarah at [email protected].

 
SEE Justice
 
Participate in the Point in Time Count
 

Join Rev. Ellen and Tony Lorenzen in the Montgomery County Homeless Coalitions' Point in Time Count (Homeless Census) on Thursday, Jan. 23. 2014. The information we learn from this count determines how much funding the county receives from HUD and the state of Texas. Volunteers participating in the Point in Time Count will visit agencies providing services to people experiencing homelessness and conduct brief 10-15 interviews with clients to obtain information needed for the count (census).  The Texas Homelessness Network has an introduction, orientation and training to the Point in Time Count here. If you are interested in participating, please contact Tony Lorenzen immediately at 508-344-3668 or  [email protected].  

 

Volunteers are also needed to assemble and donate materials for hygiene kits, and make sandwiches.  Hygiene/emergency kits include toothbrushes and sample sizes of toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, mouthwash, soap, combs, and flashlights.  You can drop off materials for kits or sandwiches to The Montgomery County Homeless Service Center at 731 W. Davis st. in Conroe.

 

An orientation and training for volunteers will be held at the Homeless Service Center at 3pm on Wednesday, January 22.

 

For a picture of homelessness in Montgomery County from the 2013 point in time count, click here.

 
Millbend Coffeehouse
Chris Collins

John Denver Tribute

3:00pm, January 26th
 

During the 1970s, John Denver was the most popular entertainer in the world. There was something in John's music that transcended great melodies and poetic lyrics into an underlying sense of the human condition, and the longing we all feel for love and home. Chris Collins exhibits many of the same dynamic qualities that made John Denver so popular. Chris is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist.  But besides having a vocal tone and natural delivery close to John's, Chris is a natural entertainer who has an uncanny ability to deliver John's music with authenticity and musical integrity. Musicians from John Denver's band have joined Chris in his concerts in Aspen and to sold-out arenas across the country. Chris has twice been a Regional Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and he is also the recipient of the Golden Eagle award for community service in Aspen, Colorado. This special tribute performance will  have Chris appearing solo in our intimate venue, sharing both his amazing talent and his love for the music of John Denver


For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Millbend website.   

  
 
Calendar, Beacon Bits Submission Policy, and Contact Information

 This Week At Northwoods

Sunday, January 26

OWL Training 

1:00pm            COM Meeting 

1:00pm            Facebook Workshop

3:00pm            KPRT Fundraiser Concert 

Monday, January 27

6:00pm           Gorilla Sunday Rehearsal 

Tuesday, January 28    

5:00pm           Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00pm           Folk Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday, January 29    

7:00pm           Northwoods Ensemble Rehearsal  

7:00pm           Worship Arts Team Meeting 

Thursday, January 30  

6:30pm           Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal

Friday, January 31

10:00am        Northwoods Play Group (off site)

Saturday, February 1 

9:00am          DBLE Retreat

10:00am        Men's Book Club

10:00am        Women's Book Club 

   

 

                                

 

 
 
Submission Policy

Send 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.
 

Contact Information

 

 

Phone 281-298-2780  Fax: 281-419-189  northwoodsuu.org  

Church Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10 am- 3pm 

Congregational Administrator: Jamie Thompson, [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   

 

Sarah Prickett:
Director of Lifespan Faith Development,
[email protected] 
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-4pm
  

 

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