The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
   

June 25, 2014 

 

Greetings!   

  

We hope that you can join us this Sunday morning, June 29, 2014   


for

The Indefinite Article
How grammar changes everything you thought you knew about the Bible

by

Reverend Matt Tittle

  


With Music By

The Flute Choir   

 Summer Religious Education Programming   

 

During the 9:30 service, children 13 and younger will join DFD Sarah Prickett
for Children's Chapel in Room 10 (upstairs).

Between services
10:30-12:30 Icons and Altars creative project in the Garden Room (youth and adults; younger children welcome with adult company)

TED Talks: Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation

Bidding adieu to his last "real job" as Al Gore's speechwriter, Dan Pink went freelance to spark a right-brain revolution in the career marketplace. In this talk, Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories - and maybe, a way forward. 

 

During the 11:30 service, children 13 and younger will join DFD Sarah Prickett
for Children's Chapel in Room 10 (upstairs).
Icons and Altars will continue in The Garden Room. 
 
 
Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table   

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

  

 

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 Stories
 
 

Enjoy a Concert and Help End Homelessness  

 

Recently, a couple was living in a motel and working odd jobs to keep their room there. Both had lost their jobs and were barely covering basic expenses.

 

The Homeless Service Center was able to help the wife get a temporary job, and they helped the husband find a good paying job as an electrician.   Fill the Gap provided the deposit money for rental of a 3 bedroom home. The Service Center provided the first month's rent and some furnishings.  

 

The couple is now doing very well.  

 

Fill the Gap to End Homelessness, a program of the Peace and Justice Network of Montgomery County, Inc. works with The Homeless Service Center and other agencies to fill the gap caused by the need for deposit money. Few groups are able to pay deposits even though some can pay the first month's rent and other expenses.

 

You can support Fill the Gap by attending the July 12 fund raising concert at Millbend Coffee House where 2-Bit Palomino will perform. Admission is $20.

 

2-Bit Palomino is a trio of Houston Singer/song-writers Andi Renfree, Ren Renfree, and Bill Ward. Sherry Jane Cooke of the Houston Country Music Examiner says that they are "... the best Texas Country Music from Houston and three of the most talented vocalists, songwriters I've heard in a long time!" To sample their music, visit their website, http://www.2bitpalomino.com/

 

To purchase tickets in advance, please talk to Paul Nelson or Bob Long at church on Sundays, or go online to www.millbend.org. Please contact Teresa Allen with any questions about Millbend.

 

Piney Woods Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will supplement with $1 for each $3 raised up to a maximum supplement of $1600 for the year.


 

 
Notes From the DFD
 
Dear friends,
After the joyous and raucous week that was Northwoods' summer camp, I took some much-needed time off this week to visit Austin and enjoy a good friend's baby shower. It was a fantastic break, and I am looking forward to the rest of this summer with you. (Although I will be stepping back to 3/4 time July 1, summer programming will go on as scheduled, thanks to the help of many volunteers who have already stepped forward--and to those that will!) One of the things that I love about summer is that our organic programming structure gives me a little more time to ruminate, and this is when I occasionally hatch thoughts that become action in the coming year.

While at my friend's baby shower, I reflected on how wonderful it is to be a part of a community that celebrates all its members, young and old. And so I have two questions to pose to you today:

1. Have you added a child to your family this year, through birth or adoption? If so, please email me at [email protected] to participate in a (currently) top-secret project!
 
2. When we think of being welcoming to all ages, and rites of passage, we often think of children and youth. But the elders of our community are just as beloved, and welcome and ritual recognition are vital parts of the human experience at all ages. How can we better welcome and recognize rites of passage with our oldest friends and congregants as well as our youngest? Email me if you have any thoughts or if you would like to participate or help design an elder rite of passage.
 
Foundations: Church Governance
 

Three Easy Ways To Give To Northwoods

 

If you are interested in earning money for Northwoods while you do your regular shopping, click here.  Randall's, Kroger and Amazon.com are all participating contributors.
 
COM Meeting Minutes
 
The Committee on Ministry met on June 22nd.  The meeting minutes are available for review here
 

What's in Your Closet?: Rummage Sale 2015

 

It's never too early to start culling and collecting for next year's sale. A suggestion: Designate a big box or plastic bin for your wonderful castoffs. (Remember no clothes.)

 

Since we are losing our primary storage area at the Wiley house, please be encouraged to create your own space in a closet or garage. Then deliver it when we set up the sale.

 

Also, if someone in the congregation can volunteer a garage for larger items, we would be elated. In the meantime, there is some space in Hallie Moore's garage at 49 Cascade Springs Pl.,The Woodlands. 281-813-6328.


 

Spiritual Life
Help wanted.
 
We need your help setting up the sanctuary for the Sunday Services on the second and fourth Sundays of the month from July through September.  The position includes distributing the hymnals used in the service, making sure the chairs look to be in alignment, making sure the chalice has fuel, and doing whatever else is needed to help the service get underway.
 
Takes about 15 - 20 minutes, starting before the first service.
 
The magical part is that you get to hear our fabulous musicians get ready for the day's service.
 
Your help would be greatly appreciated. If interested please contact Drew Daubenspeck at:  [email protected] or 832-797-7300.

 

Pathways to Membership

Considering membership?  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. 

The next series has been scheduled:
July 13 - Theology - led by Susan Hammond and Sarah Prickett
July 20 - UU - led by Karyl Paige 
July 27 - Stewardship and NUUC Community - led by Beth Marshall and Jenn Simpson-Gross

For more information, or to register, please contact the church office 281-298-2780.  Childcare available upon request.  
 
Does Music "Strike A Chord" With You?

Northwoods is a place that supports each of us on our separate and collective journeys: spiritual, chronological, transformative.   We all have certain songs that take us back to that special moment  or make us nod our head with understanding when we hear the words, feel the beat, soar on the melody.  What songs from your journey resonate with you?  To share our journeys and great music with others we will  have a special format service on Sunday, August 10th entitled, "Strike a Chord: Life's Journey."  The song can be spiritual on the surface or maybe it's just spiritual for you in your context.  
 
We invite members to share a special song and what it means to you.  Maybe it's where you were when you heard the song; maybe it's the words that ring true to you; maybe it's something else.  Instead of one long sermon, we will hear many songs and "sermonettes" on how a piece of music touches someone.  We will work with you on the performance.  You can perform it; a choir can; it can be instrumental; it can possibly even be played pre-recorded; some will even be sung as hymns by everyone!  You'll have 2 - 3 minutes to tell us what "strikes a chord" with you about that song.

We're looking for five people and their songs to share.  Contact Susan Powers at (713) 205-1807 or [email protected]
 if you're interested.  This will be an inspirational service you won't want to miss!
 
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 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.

 

 
Congregational Life
Tamina Photograhpy Exhibit by
Marti Corn

Did you miss the first Tamina Photography Exhibit? 

Marti is sending out an open invitation to experience the Tamina community through photographs by Marti, oral histories from Tamina residents, and a singing group that includes Johnny Jones. 

More information can be found on this flyer.
 
 
Volunteer for Lay Ministry

Lay Ministry is currently looking for your assistance. If you are able to provide a meal,  transportation, or visit with someone who needs company, please contact Joan O'Connell at 832-302-4517.
 
 
 
June Lay Ministry Contact

If you would like to get in touch with Lay Ministry for the month of June, please contact Tesa Silva at 832-498-9564.
 
July 4 Parade

Come join all your friends at Northwoods to participate in the 4th of July parade! Please contact Teresa Allen at 281-350-3052 or [email protected]
to sign up.

If you are interested in helping with the parade decorations, or if  
you have ideas for the parade, contact Teresa.
 
 
  Post-Parade Party

Please join us after the 4th of July Parade for the 3rd Annual Open House Pool Party hosted by the Turner/O'Connell family (23 Lantern Hollow Place, The Woodlands.) Bring a dish to share if you wish. Everyone is invited. Swimming is not required; you may stay inside to enjoy the company of all your friends if you like! For more information, please contact Teresa Allen at 281-350-3052 or Joan O'Connell at 832-302-4517. Party starts at noon. Transportation is available.

 
 
Oooh La La with the Lunch Bunch

Join the Lunch Bunch on Sunday, June 29, at 1:00pm at La Madelaine (9595 Six Pines Dr.)

Beth and Phil will be away for a few weeks but the bunch will still be lunching as usual, minus the ringleaders.


 
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church
Blood Drive

Saturday, July 12
2:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Garden Room


To schedule an appointment,
contact Kate Rhoad
(281) 298-2780
sponsor code: M901

*Every donor will receive a FREE t-shirt!* 


Save the date for our next church Blood Drive:  

November 1, 10 - 2:30 (Coach in parking lot)

 
REMinistryReligious Education
 
YRUU T Shirts On Sale Now!

Back by popular demand! YRUU will extend their Standing on the Side of Love t-shirt sale for one week only
 
Sale ends 7/15/14.
 
If you haven't seen one, they are the traditional bright goldenrod color, with our QR code on the sleeve that directs people to our website. The back reads, "Love is the spirit of this church", Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church, The Woodlands, TX. 
 
It is perfect for the 4th of July parade!
 
This fundraiser helps to support our YRUU program, plus it is good advertising for our church and a great message for our community!  The cost is only $15 each and should be paid in advance. 
 
Thanks for supporting our youth program.

Please bring a completed order form and payment to church on Sunday. 
 
 
Help Needed with Summer Religious Education Programming

This year's summer programming offers several fun and exciting ways for children, youth and adults to participate this summer, but I will need your help! Building and improving on some of the great fun we had last summer will require a number of volunteer teachers. I am here to support the teachers and put together lessons and materials, but I need your partnership in the classroom! There is something for everyone on Sundays at Northwoods this summer:
  • Children's RE classes about everyday heroes and figures in Unitarian Universalist history (9:30 service, Room 10)  
  • An ongoing art project for youth and adults creating personal altars and icons (10:30-12:30, Garden Room) 
  • Stimulating conversation on a variety of topics, introduced by leading thinkers through a series of TED Talks between services (between services, in the sanctuary)
  • Fellowship for children, including games, crafts and more (11:30 service, Room 10) 
  • And back by popular demand, intergenerational pen pals!

You can download more information on the summer offerings by clicking here. All of this is exciting, and I love putting together ideas for summer programs. Unlike the "regularly scheduled programming" September-May, where lessons build on each other somewhat, these classes are designed to stand alone, in recognition of the fluctuating schedules so many of us hold during the summer, especially those of us with kids at home.  

 

This standalone format also recognizes the special gifts you all bring to share. Because these classes are each unique, this is a great time to dip your toe into volunteering for the RE program! Just volunteering for 2-3 Sundays, or even one, is a great help, and gives a much-deserved break to the teachers who serve as volunteers during the rest of the year. 

 

Just because you are not used to working with children, or don't have time to create a lesson plan, doesn't mean you can't help out this summer! We need help with setting up the TED Talks between services, assisting lead teachers during the Everyday Heroes class, setting up the art project room and supervising kids during the 11:30 fellowship hour, all of which require no prep work at all. We also need lead teachers who would like to share part of their story with the younger children, and I'd be happy to help shape and lesson ideas you have!   

 

Please email me at [email protected] if you'd like to help out this summer. 

 

Thank you for your generous spirit.
In faith,
Sarah
 
SEE Justice
 
Millbend Coffeehouse Presents
2-Bit Palomino
July 12, 2014


Exciting, fresh, original - this trio from Houston is one of the hot new acts on the Acoustic Folk/Americana scene. 2-Bit Palomino plays music about life and people and relationships, sung in three-part harmony with strong voices and a clear conviction.

 
 
Represent Northwoods at the
Houston Pride Festival!

If you have ever wished you could share with the greater community why Northwoods is important to you, your opportunity has arrived!  Our church has joined forces with Plymouth UCC to tell the Houston area that liberal religious opportunities and truly welcoming congregations do exist north of Houston!  And what better venue to tell our story than the annual Houston Pride Festival!  Northwoods and Plymouth are co-sponsoring a booth at this year's Pride Fest on Saturday, June 28. The booth will be located in the Montrose neighborhood south of Westheimer along the streets of Commonwealth and Yoakum. We will spread the word that Northwoods UU is a place in Montgomery County where all are welcome.  Brochures will be available that encapsulate who we are and what we uniquely bring to our community.

On Saturday afternoon, June 28, we are asking for at least eight volunteers to represent Northwoods, two people at each of four shifts.

The booth shifts are:
SHIFT 1: 12:45-2:30
SHIFT 2:   2:15-4:00
SHIFT 3:   3:45-5:30
SHIFT 4:   5:15-7:00

If you would like to be a part of this great opportunity, please contact our booth facilitator, Candida Garcia, at [email protected].  Please help to spread the word about Northwoods, and then stay for the parade!


 
 
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. 
 
Calendar, Beacon Bits Submission Policy, and Contact Information

 This Week At Northwoods


Tuesday July 1, 2014
5:00 PM    Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM    Folk Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday July 2, 2014
7:00 PM    Northwoods Ensemble Rehearsal

Thursday July 3, 2014
7:00 PM    Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry
                 Northwoods Men's Group

Friday July 4, 2014
Independence Day:  Office Closed
10:00 AM      Northwoods Play Group

Saturday July 5, 2014
10:00 AM      Men's Book Group
                     Women's Book Group

Sunday July 6, 2014
1:00 PM     Lay Ministry/Pastoral Care Team Meeting
6:00 PM     Zen Mind Buddhists

 
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, Reverent Ellen is currently on Sabbatical leave. 

 

Minister:  Reverend Matt Tittle, [email protected]

 

 

 

 

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

 

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