The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
   

February 26, 2014  

 

Greetings!   

  

We hope that you can join us this Sunday morning, March 2, 2014 


for

At� logo: There Are No Words

by Revered Ellen Cooper 

 

 

 

Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table   

Sunday Service Times: 9:30 and 11:30am

 

 Religious Education Programming


  
This Sunday, children and youth will remain in the services with their families for an intergenerational worship experience. Worship activity bags will be available for all ages. Join your Northwoods community as we send Rev. Ellen off into the sabbatical sunset! (Rev. Ellen will return from sabbatical Aug. 24, Water Communion Sunday.)

 

Between services:

Adult Forum: How Can I Help? Social Justice Opportunities In Your Own Back Yard,
led by Bob Long in The Garden Room
   
   

Childcare is available for younger children during and between services, and the family room will be open to parents and guardians who would like to continue to listen to the service while tending to their children's needs.  

Top Story
 
 
 
Small Group Ministry Pilot Program: You're invited!

This March, Northwoods will be launching a small group ministry pilot program, convening two or three small groups for a three-month trial project. These groups will meet twice a month through May, and the feedback we receive will help the Small Group  Ministry Team (Ann McAlpin, Lisa Cronce and Sarah Prickett) to craft a small group ministry available to the entire congregation in the fall. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Sarah at [email protected]. There will be an orientation workshop March 9 from 1-3 for all pilot participants. Food and childcare will be provided. For more information on the Small Group Ministry Pilot Project, download the info sheet here.

 
 
Minister's Message
 
From Rev. Ellen

So it's that time.

That time you lovingly granted, when I began. That time that acknowledges the unique challenges of work like ministry, and grants a respite.

Sabbatical. I know. Some of you are sick of hearing the word. Others are still getting used to the idea. All I can say is...I'm still getting used to the idea, and it's a great, and sometimes uncertain, gift.

You all have everything you need. Look around you. You have put time, resources and energy into training and recruiting amazing leaders. We have a capable, strong, and committed Lay Ministry team that is there when life gets bumpy, and has referral resources if it stays that way too long. You have wonderful staff, in Jamie, and Sarah, who are committed to the larger vision of this church.

All will be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. (Julian of Norwich.)

I will miss you. I will be thinking of you. And I know that you are in the good, loving, capable hands of many others (did you know we have around 60 or so leaders of various sorts?) who are there.

And when we come back together? You will share your stories of your journey, and I will listen eagerly. And I suspect you'll do the same for me.

I hope to see you on March 2nd.

Hasta la vista, at� logoa tout a l'heure. It's not goodbye. See you later, beloveds.

 

Ellen



 
Foundations: Church Governance
 

COM Meeting and Minister's Evaluation

The COM met on February 23.  A copy of the minutes can be reviewed here

Also, the COM has prepared a summary report of the Minister's Evaluation which took place on January 11.  A copy of the report can be found here.

 
BOT Minutes

The Minutes from the BOT meeting on February 16 can be found here.
 
 
Save the Date

Northwoods' annual Congregational Meeting will be on May 17th after the second service.  Please plan on attending. 
 
 
Volunteer for the Rummage Sale

The Rummage Sale needs volunteers! We have a wide range of volunteer jobs to do during the set-up for the sale on Friday, April 4th from 9 am - 3 pm, during the sale Saturday, April 5th from 7 am- 12 pm, and clean-up Saturday 12 pm-3 pm. Please contact Amy Leyenbeck ([email protected]) if you are willing and able to help!   ***We also need trucks and drivers to help with large item collection on Friday, April 4th. ***
 
 
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
 
Reminders for the Northwoods Christian Fellowship

Third Friday fellowship will NOT meet February - May, nor will we have vespers in March and April.  Instead we will have a Wednesday night study, Mar 5 - Apr 16.  We will convene again on third Friday in August, the 15th, for pizza and planning.

 

In the mean time, we will host a discussion group called Painting the Stars:  Science, Religion, and an Evolving Faith on Wednesdays, March 5 - April 16 from 7-8:30pm in the Garden Room. Join in this seven-week video and discussion series from Living the Questions celebrating the communion of science and faith and featuring over a dozen theologians and progressive thinkers.

Hope to see you on Wednesdays!

Susan
281-465-4683


 

 
Congregational Life
 
 
Oodles of Noodles with the
Lunch Bunch


Join the Lunch Bunch on Sunday, March 2, at 1:00 pm for a Noodle Tasting at Noodles & Company on the Mall Ring Road (near Pinecroft Drive). Greg, Associate Manager, has invited us to Taste their many dishes, no charge to us, and "eat 'til you pop." Whether or not you want to eat 'til you pop or be judicious in your noodle choices, this is a great deal for a Sunday Lunch! Y'all come! For more information, look here: http://www.noodles.com/ and call or contact Beth or Phil Marshall if you're still unsure!

To get to Noodles & Company, go North on Six Pines to Lake Woodlands. Turn right onto Lake Woodlands. Turn right at Pinecroft Drive, and right again onto the Mall Ring Road. Noodles & Company is immediately on your right.
 
 
Blood Drive at Northwoods - Please save the dates:

Save the dates for upcoming blood drives:
March 22, 10:00 - 2:30 (Coach in the parking lot)
July 12, 2:30 - 7:00 (In the Garden Room before Millbend)
November 1, 10 - 2:30 (Coach in parking lot)

 
 
Health and Wellness Group Start Walking

Our Health & Wellness group has started a walking group that meets on Sunday mornings at 10am, weather permitting. You can take a short route and be back before Adult RE or a longer route and be back before 2nd service.  Teresa Allen will be this week's organizer. There is a possibility that an 8am Walking group will be forming so please let us know if that works better for you. If you have another activity that you are interested in, tell us. All ages are welcome. Come join us!

Reminder: our Health & Wellness group meets for a potluck on the 4th Sunday of the month in the sanctuary after second service. This is an open meeting and anyone can come. Childcare can be arranged, if needed.

Contact: Peggy Walton [email protected] or 936-718-7777.

 
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.

Health and Wellness Group:  Meets on the 4th Sunday of the month after Sunday services.  For more information, contact Peggy Walton.


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  Paul Nelson  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.

 

 
Dear Northwood's Artists!
Art Change Out Day and Artist's Reception

The next Gallery change out is coming soon!  Bring your artwork in after the second service on March 2 from 12:30 to 2pm.  The theme for this show is "Spiritual Practices."  You can pick up any art that is currently on display during the change out on March 2, or let Doni know if you are leaving it up for another round.

The forms you will need to bring with your artwork can be found here. Please make sure that paintings are ready to hang: wired or have alligator hook on the back (only if small/ lightweight).

The Artists' Reception this month is on March 8th from 5:30-6:30pm.  This is a great time to bring in lots of new art:  photography, jewelry, painting, ceramic, textiles, multi-media.... Bring it!!!   All sales at the reception may be transacted and taken the same night rather than the usual having to wait until the next change out.

Thank you for doing your work! YOUR vision is important and I KNOW that creativity is important to your very Being! I'm so grateful that we have this space to share it.

Love,
Doni Langlois
 
Religious Education
 
Can you guess this year's camp theme?
The Force is Strong with This One!  
SUMMER CAMP SAVE THE DATE

This year, Northwoods' Summer Camp will be held June 9-13 for children ages 5 and up. (Junior and senior high youth can also participate as camp counselors, teachers, and other important roles.) Look for more information in the coming months, but put it on your calendars now! Questions? Ask them here.
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: March 23 and April 6.

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 ? Check out our spring offerings this week in our Adult Faith Development brochure. 

 

 

A thought for the week...

 

Paying attention requires no equipment, no special clothes, no greens fees or personal trainers. . . . All you need is a body on this earth, willing to notice where it is, trusting that something as small as a hazelnut can become an altar in this world.
                                                              -Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World

 

 
Stay Informed via Text

 

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

 

 
SEE Justice
SEE Justice Welcome New Coordinator
 
Paul Nelson is the new SEE Justice coordinator.  If you have ideas about how to live our mission around the areas of S.E.E. Justice, contact Paul.
 
 
Millbend Coffeehouse
Ellen Bukstel
7:30 pm, March 8th

Ellen Bukstel has been a National and International Award Winning songwriter for over a decade.  She has received accolades for her song- writing from artists like Tom Paxton, Paul Stookey, Janice Ian, Christine Lavin and Michael Bolton. Her performances drift from heartbreaking ballads - to funny ditties - to social commentary so poignant and compelling it makes you squirm in your seat.  Add in her beautiful voice and sparkling stage presence and you have an evening of entertainment that you will remember for a long time.  Jim Kam and his amazing Chapman Stick will provide the opener for this concert.
  
For more information on Millbend performances, or to purchase tickets, visit the Millbend
website.   

  
 
Calendar, Beacon Bits Submission Policy, and Contact Information

 This Week At Northwoods

Sunday March 2, 2014
1:00PM         Lunch Bunch, at a local restaurant, 1 p.m.
10:00 AM     10am Sunday Walk (Weather permitting)
1:00 PM        Lay Ministry/Pastoral Care Team Meeting
6:00 PM        Zen Mind Buddhists

Monday March 3, 2014
7:00 PM        Northwoods Writers' Group

Tuesday March 4, 2014
5:00 PM         Blue Mountain Meditation
6:00 PM         Alternative Prom Meeting
7:00 PM         Folk Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday March 5, 2014
7:00 PM        Communications Committee
7:00PM         Painting the Stars, Sponsored by UUCF
7:00PM         Northwoods Ensemble Rehearsal
7:00PM         Packet Party, Stewardship

Thursday March 6, 2014
6:00 PM        Youga Yoga
7:00 PM        Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry
7:00PM         Northwoods Men's Group

Friday March 7, 2014
10:00 AM     Circle of Friends
10:00AM      Northwoods Play Group

Saturday March 8, 2014
10:00 AM      The Humanist Group
7:30 PM        Millbend Coffeehouse

 

     

  

 
 
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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