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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, April 13, 2014
Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table
Sunday Service Times: 9:30 and 11:30am
Religious Education Programming
First service:
2- and 3-year-olds: Childcare available in Childcare Room
pre-K and Kindergartners: Spirit Play in Room 7
1st through 3rd grade: Explorers I in Room 3
4th through 6th grade: Explorers II in Room 10
Between services:
Adult Forum: How are We Doing?" RE Ministry and Forum Evaluation
led by members of the RE Ministry leadership, in The Garden Room
Second service: Children through kindergarten age in Room 1 1st through 3rd grade: Explorers I in Room 3 4th through 6th grade: Explorers II in Room 10 Junior High: Coming of Age class in the Garden Room YRUU will not be meeting this week due to youth attending the North Texas Rally. 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.
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(All)-ternative Prom
Saturday, April 26, 2014
7:00pm - 11:00pm
The (All)-ternative Prom planning is well under way and the big day is fast approaching. The (All)-ternative prom was started to provide a safe place for students who may not feel comfortable attending their school prom with their same sex partner a safe place to celebrate and have a fabulous and welcoming prom experience. The night is also open to supporters and friends of LGBT teens. Tickets are $20 per single and $30 per couple (but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.)
For more information, or to volunteer email Jen at
magodaimom@gmail.com.
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Thoughts from Matt
In every UU congregation I have been a member of or have served as a minister, there has been an open bias against using Christian teachings from the pulpit. I know that many UUs have come to a UU congregation having been hurt or disillusioned by a Christian church. The same happened to me in my teen years as a Southern Baptist. I was told not to bring my black friends to church. I left the church and Christianity over that incident.
I didn't return to any church until I became a UU as a young adult when my oldest son was about to be born. At that time, I still remained anti-Christian, and the congregations I was a member of seemed to support my rejection.
I have learned, however, that UUism is not at all anti-Christian. In fact, both Unitarianism and Universalism were liberal Christian denominations from their inception and never declared themselves otherwise. What we did was to expand the sources from which we draw, still including both Jewish and Christian teachings.
Even today we may think it is cool to be Buddhist or Pagan or Humanist or Atheist or Agnostic, but it is still difficult being a Christian or following Christian teachings in a UU congregation.
When we have been hurt, we strive to heal, we don't leave our wounds open. If you have come to UUism having been hurt by a Christian church, you are not alone, but neither is UUism a place to escape Christianity. Rather, the Christian teachings you hear in a UU church (at least when I am in the pulpit) are very different than those you have rejected. I believe Jesus was himself a Humanist, even a Pagan, and a liberal Jew. He knew eastern teachings and taught in Parables just as Buddha had.
In a UU congregation we can heal our wounds by embracing the universal message of love that all religions have taught.
I should have brought my black friends to church anyway, if they wanted to come. By doing that, I would have been following my values, breaking the status quo, and loving my neighbor as myself, just as the prophets of all religions have done since the beginning of time.
Blessings,
Rev. Matt
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Foundations: Church Governance
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 Three Easy Ways To Give To Northwoods Amazon Smile Program If you are an online shopper, you can sign up for the Amazon Smile Program. Amazon will donate .5% of the price of eligible purchases to Northwoods. To sign up, visit smile.amazon.com and search for "Northwoods Unitarian Society of Greater Houston Texas." Select Northwoods as your charitable organization. It's that easy! Kroger Community Rewards Kroger will pay a dollar amount to Northwoods based on the number of points acquired. To participate: - If you don't already have one, Register for Kroger Plus card. If you use your phone number at the register, call 1800-576-4377 to get your card number.
- Link your card to Northwoods at www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Northwoods' number is 81550.
- Swipe your card, or use your phone number at the register to support Northwoods.
Randall's Good Neighbor Program For every $50 in groceries you buy, Northwoods will receive a gift of $1 in the form of a Randall's gift card. - To participate, sign up for a Randall's card if you don't already have one.
- Complete a Good Neighbor form (found here) and turn it in to the customer service desk at Randall's. The forms can be found at the store, or by visiting the website. The Charity Code Number for Northwoods is 2247.
- Use your card every time you shop at Randall's.
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Many Thanks to All Who Helped at the Rummage Sale
There was lots of bargaining, wheeling and dealing to be had at the Rummage Sale. A special thanks to everyone who participated. If you donated, delivered, stored, bought, sold, bartered, counted, cleaned, organized, fed, packed, unpacked, planned, or participated in any other way, THANK YOU!
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Northwoods Wish List
After the last church work party day we realized we are in dire need of some tools that have either disappeared or we never owned. Instead of just going out to buy them, we thought we would ask you to look through your tools at home to see if you have any duplicates that you would be willing to donate to Northwoods. Here's what we need:
* Vise-gripe - medium & large size. (there is a small already)
* 9" level
* Electronic stud finder
* Carpenter's square (which really are more of a triangle in shape)
* Staple gun
* Hot melt glue gun
* Allen wrenches/hex keys set
* A good set of pliers (there is one needle nose pliers, but other kinds of pliers would be helpful too.)
* LED Flashlight
* SAFETY GLASSES (no one will use them, but when an accident happens we can always say we offered them.)
* Electrical tape
* 1/2 inch steel chisel (not with plastic or wood handle)
* Utility knife
* Very basic electrical tester
* Screwdrivers - both kinds in various sizes
Other items to consider:
* There is a huge electric drill on a shelf, but it is almost too big.
* Drill bits
* crowbar
We also need stepping stones to add to the median in the parking lot.
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Doors Unlocked
In an effort to make cleaning supplies and storage more accessible after hours, Building and Grounds has installed sliding bolt locks on the outside of our two storage closets. If you enter the closets please be sure that the exterior sliding bolt is locked when you leave, and do not lock the door from the inside. This will give everyone access to the closets at all times.
Thank you!
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 Recycling at Northwoods
Members have asked what Northwoods recycles in those two left bins in the kitchen. It's easy: Just check out the list below. And yes, it all gets mixed up together! No more separating. The secret is that recyclables MUST BE CLEAN.
The following items DO get recycled:
- Rinsed and clean aluminum cans
- Clean steel/tin cans
- Aseptic packaging (milk, juice and soup cartons)
- Clean, rigid plastics (#1 thru #5)
- Clean glass (brown, green and clear)
- All paper, but it MUST NOT HAVE FOOD ON IT
- Food boxes (flattened), paper, cardboard, magazines, phone books, junk mail...
Northwoods DOES NOT recycle the following items (but you can take all of these to the Pct. 3 Recycle Cente.)
- NO foil or pie pans
- NO Styrofoam
- NO plastic bags of any kids
- NO blue glass
- NO ceramics, pyrex, windows or mirrors
- NO food on paper plates
- NO plastic sleeves from newspaper
- NO PIZZA BOXES
Someone is leaving large black bags of Styrofoam under the outside stairs on a regular basis. Please don't do that. Please take it directly to the Pct. 3 Recycle Facility: http://www.precinct3.org/recycling/
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Bourse Table Sign-Up
The Bourse Table sign-up sheet is again posted on the bulletin board outside of the kitchen. Please sign up for one of the 3 available spots on any given Sunday before actually setting up a table. This procedure was put into place a few years back in order keep the sidewalks leading up to the building from looking like a flea market. The thought is that it is rather intimidating to visitors and new people to navigate. Thanks for your cooperation
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 Painting the Stars: Science, Religion and an Evolving FaithCelebrating the communion of science and faith, Painting the Stars explores the promise of evolutionary Christian spirituality. Featuring over a dozen leading theologians and progressive thinkers, the programs challenge and inspire seekers of all stripes.
The sessions are related around the overall theme, but each discussion/video stands alone.
- April 9 - Session 6: Imagining a Future
- April 16 - Session 7: Evolving Spirituality: Mysticism
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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.
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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
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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Chair: Kate Rhoad
Membership Coordinator:
Helen Sherwood
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Ministries Meetings and Groups
Spiritual Life
Drum Circle:
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 herefor 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 Maxine Devries.
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.
If you would like to nominate an organization to be the recipient of Share the Plate Sunday, click here for more information on how to do so.
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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THIS WEEKEND: UU Spring Music Festival 
The annual Unitarian Universalist Spring Music Festival is Saturday, April 12, 3 to 9 P.M. at the Unitarian Fellowship (1504 Wirt Rd, 77055.)
Eight Houston-area UU churches join together to bring you music, belly dancers, food, UU vendors, arts and crafts, tie dye stuff, hand drumming, hula hooping, and lots of fun! Bring a picnic, cooler, lawn chairs, blankets, drums, hula hoops, and, and a smile! This is a kid friendly event. For more information visit www.uuhouston.org. To volunteer or perform email uumusicfest@gmail.com.
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Lunch Bunch: So Many Choices, Only One Lunch
We offer a choice this Sunday, April 13, at 1:00 pm. Lunch Bunch has been invited to stay at Northwoods UU to view the film "Two Who Dared: the Sharps' War," a documentary about Waitstill and Martha Sharp. The Sharps have been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem-the highest recognition accorded by the state of Israel to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during World War II. To see trailers for the film, click here, or here.
Cyndie Mahaney and Teresa Allen will serve lunch at 1pm-probably salad, quiche, soup, and drinks. They recommend a donation to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) or a membership in UUSC.
The other choice for dining is Kim Son, Vietnamese restaurant at the corner of Six Pines and Lake Robbins. Along with their regular menu, on weekends they offer dim sum.
For questions or comments about the Lunch Bunch, ask Phil or Beth Marshall.
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Blood Drive at Northwoods
Save the date for our next church Blood Drives:
July 12, 2:30 - 7:00 (In the Garden Room before Millbend)
November 1, 10 - 2:30 (Coach in parking lot)
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What's in Your Backpack? Facilitated by Sarah Prickett April 20, 1-3 pm In the Garden Room In this workshop, participants will explore their own identity and its many different facets as part of our Welcoming Congregation Renewal program. The work of anti-oppressive, multicultural community begins within each of us: Who am I? How do I move through the world? In what ways do you experience privilege, and in what ways do you experience prejudice and o ppression? The better we understand ourselves in our many parts, the more we know about what cultural assumptions and behaviors we bring to the table, the more capable we are in being present to others and becoming a more welcoming community to a diversity of souls.
This workshop will use materials from Sarah's own multicultural and anti-oppression training as well as material from the UU Tapestry of Faith Curriculum "Building the World We Dream About," which focuses on anti-oppression and justice work.
Childcare available upon request. RSVP to dfd@northwoodsuu.org or via this form.. |
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Northwoods Annual Egg Hunt: Too many eggs, too little time!
On April 20 between services join in the fun at Northwoods' annual egg hunt! Whether you are a kid participating or an adult cheering them on, this is a treat you won't want to miss! Hunt kicks off five minutes after first service ends .
HELP NEEDED!
If you would like to help hide eggs during first service, or could take home a bag of plastic eggs to fill before the event (goodies provided), please contact Sarah. |
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WE NEED YOU!
Religious Education Ministry Evaluation April 26
You are invited to join the Committee on Ministry and leadership of the Religious Education Ministry on April 26 from 9-12:30, to participate in an evaluative process for the Religious Education Ministry. All of us have a vested interest in the religious education and faith development programming at Northwoods, so it is especially important to us that as many people as possible are part of this process.
How will this evaluation work?
Our base process will be Appreciative Inquiry. (To learn more about this type of evaluative process, click here .) The Committee on Ministry used the process for Ellen's evaluation, and we are looking forward to using it again. It will be a slightly different process, though, since this is an evaluation of a ministry rather than a staff person. For part of the evaluative process, we will divide the RE program into five "tracks:" Children's Education, Youth Ministry, Adult Programming, Teachers and Volunteers, and Multigenerational Life. Each track will employ the Appreciative Inquiry process.
But don't feel like you must choose one track and stay tied to it! For this session we will use the "Open Space" concept, allowing participants to change groups as they wish. CoM members and other church leaders will serve as facilitators for each group.
If you would like to be part of the evaluative process but are unable to attend this meeting in person, please let Sarah know at dfd@northwoodsuu.org. Lunch will be provided for all who attend, and childcare will be available during this evaluation. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Jamie in the church office at office@northwoodsuu.org. When you RSVP, please let her know if you will be bringing children for childcare, and how many. Thank you for your participation in this important part of our shared ministry. In faith,
David Shontz, Committee on Ministry member
Linda Nadler, Religious Education chair Sarah Prickett, Director of Lifespan Faith Development |
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A New Northwoods Tradition: May Day Picnic!
May 4, 12:45-3:00
Tamarac Park (behind the church)
This May 4 is a very special day at Northwoods: After enjoying our annual youth-led service, we will be having an all-church picnic at Tamarac Park! 
Bring your ice chest and picnic blankets and folding chairs!Bring your potato salad and sandwiches and lunch for you and yours!
Bring your favorite outdoor games!
Join the members of our CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans) chapter to learn about Beltaine, a spring holiday that celebrates birth and new life, and dance a May Pole dance. (Yes, we'll have our very own May Pole at the picnic!) Good times guaranteed for all. If you'd like to help with setup for this event, or have other questions,
please contact Sarah at dfd@northwoodsuu.org.
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Can you guess this year's camp theme?
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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. |
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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, or read below.
A thought for the week...
"The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self."
- Marianne Williamson
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Spiritual Practice Smorgasboard
Facilitated by Sarah Prickett
May 3 6:30-9:00 in the Garden Room
Join your Northwoods community for food and conversation this spring with Lifespan Faith Development Director Sarah Prickett. We'll share a potluck meal and conversation with our community about our own diverse spiritual practices.
What are your spiritual practices? How did you come to your practice, and how does it help you live your life as a Unitarian Universalist? Come and enjoy food and fellowship, and share your spiritual practices with us!
Childcare will be provided upon request, but children are also welcome to attend this event. Rsvp to Sarah at dfd@northwoodsuu.org, and don't forget to let her know what you are bringing to the potluck!
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Spirituality at Home: Creating Space for the Sacred
Facilitated by Sarah Prickett
May 31 10:00-1:00 in the Sanctuary
It is often said that the home is the first congregation for any child, and something similar can be said for all of us: Our homes and our personal lives are the place where we most often are called to practice our faith. How then, do we find ways to create meaning and ritual in our daily lives? Join DFD Sarah Prickett for an experience in cre ating sacred space and time in your home.
This collaborative learning opportunity will explore concepts of prayer and sabbath as well as the importance of ritual, and together we will craft rituals and spiritual practices that can be incorporated into your home and family life.
Whether you have a large family with many children or you are a family of one, creating intentional ways of honoring your spirit in daily life is part of how we nurture and sustain ourselves for our work in the world.
Childcare will be available on request, but older children and youth are also invited to participate. Lunch provided. $5 donation requested but not required. To rsvp contact Sarah at dfd@northwoodsuu.org.
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Stay Informed via Text
To find out how to get text reminders and information about RE classes, including Adult Forum, click here.
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Share the Plate Nominating Procedures
If you know of an organization that would benefit from Northwoods' monthly Share the Plate donation you can nominate that organization to be the recipient of the Share the Plate collections. To review the procedures and nominating criteria, click here. The link will also be available in future issues of the Beacon Bits in the right column under "SEE Justice."
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SEE Justice Meeting
The next SEE Justice meeting will be on Sunday, April 6 in the Garden Room after the second service. If you are interested in social, economic or environmental issues and would like to participate please plan on attending!
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Food Collections
The hungry aren't only hungry at Christmas and Thanksgiving. They are hungry all year long and you can do something to help. Food donations have been very low lately. Please bring a non-perishable food item to church on Sunday and drop it in the basket in the hallway next to the office.
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Highway 78 Special Engagement...A Smashing Success!
Our Special Engagement with Highway 75 performing on March 29th was a HUGE success. Many thanks to Alyssa & Colin Stebbing who donated this free concert and who charmed over 100 people (we had about 70 guests from Trinity Episcopal Church and Lord of Life Lutheran Church). Fill the Gap sold many more tickets, and with donations to the cause, kitchen and matching funds (Thrivent Fund through the Lutheran Church) , they raised over $5000-- every dime of which goes to utility and apartment deposits. Now that's a real bargain for a great cause! Look for Fill the Gap's next fundraiser with Two-Bit Palomino on July 12th.
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Clarence Bucaro
April 12th @ 7:30 pm
With 6 CDs under his belt this prolific young singer-songwriter blends smooth, sweet vocals with poignant and moving lyrics. Clarence has built his career on a robust 300-shows-per-year schedule sharing stages with such diverse and established artists as Aaron Neville, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, North Mississippi Allstars, and Fountains of Wayne. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Clarence left his hometown for New Orleans to follow his mentor, the Crescent City music icon Anders Osborne. From New Orleans he moved to LA before settling in Brooklyn. The stories in these journeys are documented in his critically acclaimed albums. His musical journey has sought to capture the human condition in the folk-storytelling heritage, with a panoramic view of humanity and love. Extremely talented Houston songwriter Jorge Palomarez will bring his own brand of original music to open this concert.
For more information on Millbend performances, or to purchase tickets, visit the Millbend
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Calendar, Beacon Bits Submission Policy, and Contact Information
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This Week At Northwoods
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Saturday April 12, 2014
10:00 AM The Humanist Group
7:30 PM Millbend Coffeehouse
Sunday April 13, 2014
1:00PM Lunch Bunch, at a local restaurant, 1 p.m.
Two Who Dared Movie Showing
Pathways to Membership
Monday April 14, 2014
7:00 PM Courageously Coed Book Group
Tuesday April 15, 2014
5:00 PM Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM Folk Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday April 16, 2014
7:00 PM Painting the Stars, Sponsored by UUCF
Thursday April 17, 2014
6:30 PM Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry
US Green
Friday April 18, 2014
10:00 AM Circle of Friends
Northwoods Play Group
Saturday April 19, 2014
9:30 AM Rapid Response Network Event Training
2:00 PM Lakeside Lawn Party Service Auction Event
4:00 PM Passover Seder
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Submission PolicySend submissions for the next issue of The Beacon Bits to office@northwoodsuu.org 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
Congregational Administrator: Jamie Thompson, office@northwoodsuu.org
Minister: Reverend Ellen Cooper, Reverent Ellen is currently on Sabbatical leave.
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-4pm
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