The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
   

July 30, 2014 

 

 

Greetings!   

  

We hope that you can join us this Sunday morning, August 3, 2014    


for

Gifts Differing

by Special Guest Speaker
Darbi Lockridge

  


With Music By
Northwoods Ensemble   

 

Summer Religious Education Programming   

 

During the 9:30 service, all children (K through 6th grade)
will gather in Room 10 for Everyday Heroes class.

 

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:  Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action 10:40 in the Sanctuary

Simon Sinek leads a thought-provoking talk about how some of the greatest leaders have inspired those around them, including Martin Luther King, Jr., the Apple founders and the Wright brothers.

 
During the 11:30 service, there will be a fellowship Hour for younger children (through 6th grade) in Room 10. 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
 
Pathways to Membership Rescheduled

The last Pathways class was postponed.  The new schedule for the next Pathways to Membership series is:

Aug 3 - Process Theology
Aug 10 - UU
Aug 17 - Stewardship and NUUC Community

Anyone interested in becoming a member of Northwoods is encouraged to attend.  Current members wanting to brush up on UU theology are also invited.

 

 
A Message from the Minister
 

Greetings Northwoods!

 

It has been an honor and a joy to serve you while Rev. Ellen has been on sabbatical. Thank you so much for your hospitality and care. Unfortunately, I will not be with you on my last two scheduled Sundays (this Sunday and Aug 17). As some of you know, in my retirement from parish ministry, I have started two new jobs with Apple Corp. and with Capella University. My schedule with Apple has me working all day every Sunday going forward.

 

My time at Northwoods will be my final regular parish ministry. It has been a privilege to spend it with you. I know that you and Ellen will move forward stronger than ever, "giving them not hell, but hope and courage." Remember, "the arc of the moral universe is long," but we are the ones who bend it toward justice.

 

Blessings,

 

Matt


 

 
Notes from the DFD
 
Dear Friends,

Happy August (almost)! It is less than a month until Rev. Ellen's return from sabbatical, and, speaking for myself, I am looking forward to welcoming her back! Please mark your calendars for August 24. This is Rev. Ellen's first service back with us, as well as Water Communion.

If you have gathered water this summer, either from your home or your travels, please bring it to add to the community bowl. (If you have not participated in this UU ingathering ritual before, please bring some water from a special place or in recognition of a special time you had this summer, either at home or in journeys. I'll be bringing some water from SWUUSI, where I had a wonderful time last week!)

Also, please remember that the Icons and Altars art project will conclude on Aug. 17. We will be displaying this summer's art on the altar during Water Communion, so please plan to bring any art you've created to church on Aug. 24 so you can add it to the altar.

It is beginning to feel like fall is creeping up behind me, so I have to keep reminding myself that there is still plenty of time to enjoy the sun and warmth and relaxation that August offers amidst the harriedness of preparing for the coming season and school year! May you all find time for those deep peaceful breaths and the sensation of summer sun on your face in the coming weeks.

In faith,
Sarah

PS-If you have yet to register your children or youth for the fall program, please click here.
 
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.
 
 
Congregational Life
 
 
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church Membership Resource Directory

A Northwoods Membership Resource Directory is in the works!

We have an amazingly resourceful congregation with a wealth of know-how! This directory will make our collective resources accessible to each other. It's one more way to "learn, support, and serve one another" - as our Mission Statement urges us to do.
You can pick up a submission form at a bourse table between services on Sundays in August.  You may complete the submission form and return it to the bourse table. Or, you can request the submission form from Vicki Bradley electronically:  [email protected].
We are eager to hear from you!
 
Art and Craft Exchange Party - $15

 

Here's a great reason to clean out all that arts and crafts stuff you aren't using! You know you have too much, you don't have room to store what you have, you don't do that kind of art/craft  anymore, you don't use it all, and you know you want it to go to a good place! Bring your stuff, have a glass of wine and some appetizers and visit while you swap and exchange supplies and ideas with other like-minded creative friends.

Saturday, August 16th, 12 - 3pm. 

Please RSVP by Aug 1 so that we may contact you with further details.  RSVP to Doni Langlois ([email protected].)

 

Arts in Action: August 23, 2014

Have you marked your calendars for August 23rd -- The Arts in Action: Standing on the Side of Love? This event is Northwoods' second fundraiser totally in support of our SEE Justice Ministry. See Justice has chosen four local charities to benefit from the night's festivities.  Entertainment will include music, poets, storytellers, and stand-up comedy. 
 
Featured for this event will be an Art Dash. 50 tickets will be sold between services between now and the event.  When a ticket holder's name is called, they can select from any piece of art unclaimed at that point.  All ticketholders are guaranteed to take home a piece of original art, most by NW artists.  Last year's event was a wild success.  Join in and enjoy a night of fun for a great cause.
 
If you have art to donate for the Dash, please give a shout out to Kate Rhoad: [email protected].


 

Donate Art for Arts in Action

 

We're putting out the call for art donations for the Arts in Action Art Dash. Artists, please consider donating one or more original pieces of art (worth $35 or more) for this very worthy cause. Any medium is welcomed.

 

On August 3rd, we will be pre-hanging all art received by that date. This will allow the pieces themselves to advertise the event and let people become attached to the art. Art will be accepted from July 27th - August 3rd in the front office.  Art received after August 3rd may not be able to be pre-displayed in the sanctuary prior to the event, so PLEASE have your donated art to us by the 3rd if at all possible. Also, note that we will only be pre-displaying wall art.

 

We'd like most of the 50 pieces to be originals, but if you have good pieces of art that you're ready to let go of, by all means, we'll take those too.

 

Questions? Contact Kate Rhoad: [email protected] 

 

 

Coming Soon:  Avante Garden Gallery Change Out 

 

Calling all artists!  The next Avante Garden Gallery change out is August 3rd.  Pick up and drop off will happen on Sunday, August 3rd between 1pm and 1:30pm.  The art will be hung on the following Monday.  Artists  donate 20-100% of their sales to NUUC and artwork that is a 100% donation will be designated with a special label.   

 

Artists, get ready for the following two shows.  The September theme is photography and it's time to display all of those photographs you've been cropping and 'shopping.  November is dedicated to small pieces of art.   

 

Art must be ready to hang.  For more information, click here

 

For more information, contact any of the Art Committee members: Doni Langlois, Kate Rhoad, Susan Hammond, Sue Ridgeway, Jerry Hensel, Karen Levine or Mary Chimarusti.    

 

 

BrUU Crew Needs You!

Dear friends. The BRUU CREW (or "Kitchen Angels" as we were once called) is seeking new members. In particular, the Crew needs an organizer/leader. Both co-leaders from the past year are moving on, and without leadership, the organization is not going to be serving coffee! If that idea disturbs you, please consider whether YOU could help organize volunteers to make sure that our Sundays remain caffeinated.

In addition, the Crew needs members and organizations to volunteer to make and serve coffee. Can you or your group spend 90 minutes one Sunday a month making other congregants VERY HAPPY? Join the Crew!

Contact Larry Loomis-Price ( [email protected]) to discuss how you can help us keep the coffee Bruuing!



 

 
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.
 
 
Lunch Bunch Details

Lunch Bunch is going to Bombay Sizzler this week, just off Sawdust Rd. on Borough Park behind the HEB.

Questions, ask Phil or Beth Marshall

 
REMinistryReligious Education
Fall Programming is on the horizon!

If you have not yet registered your children (ages 0-18) for Northwoods' Religious Education Programming, now is the time! The registration list is what helps me know how many teachers each class will need, and it will serve as the basis for e-communication about various programs in the church as well as our NEW faith development newsletter! Registration has gone paperless at Northwoods, and can be reached here.

Orientation Schedule:
Please plan to attend the appropriate orientation(s) for your children and youth:
Youth Orientation (Junior AND Senior High) August 10 1 pm
Children's Orientation (entering sixth grade and younger): August 17 1 pm
Youth are welcome to attend orientation as well as parents, and there will be childcare available during the children's orientation.

I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of the exciting plans for the coming year!

Thank you for your generous spirit.
In faith,
Sarah
 
 
YRUU T Shirts: Get Yours Now!

If you've ordered a Standing on the Side of Love T-Shirt from YRUU, please plan to pick it up one Sunday this month! And If you haven't ordered one, never fear, they ordered a few extras that are available for purchase! 
 
If you haven't seen the shirts, 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. 
  
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.
 
Thanks for supporting our youth program! 
 
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 third Saturday of the month at 10:00am in the Garden Room.  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.

 

 
SEE Justice
 
Millbend Coffeehouse Presents
Doug MacLeod
August 9th ~ 7:30pm

When it comes to 'blues men', Doug MacLeod is the real deal. In fact, he won BMA 's (Blues Music Award's) for Best Artist and Best Album of 2013. Doug has all the guitar licks, and the soulful voice, and the myriad and entertaining 'stories' that define a true blues artist. No matter whether he is singing with his voice or with his National Steel Resonator guitar you can feel the 'soul' of his music right down into your own soul. And along with a healthy repertoire of the blues standards that define his craft, MacLeod is also a highly talented songwriter in his own right. Rich Del Grosso, a talented Houston blues musician, and good friend of Doug's, will open the concert with his unique blues stylings on mandolin.

"... he writes about what he lives ... the total package: songs, voice and guitar playing." - Blues Revue


 

 

 
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

Coming Up At Northwoods

Sunday, August 3, 2014
12:30 PM    Avant Garden Gallery Change Out
                   SEE Justice Meeting
1:00 PM      Lay Ministry/Pastoral Care Team Meeting
                   Pathways to Membership
6:00 PM      Zen Mind Buddhists

Monday August 4, 2014
7:00 PM     Northwoods Writers' Group

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

Wednesday August 6, 2014
7:00 PM     Northwoods Ensemble Rehearsal

Thursday August 7, 2014
6:30 PM    Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM    Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry
                 Northwoods Men's Group

Friday August 8, 2014
10:00 AM  Northwoods Play Group
7:00 PM    Dharma Group

Saturday August 9, 2014
10:00 AM   The Humanist Group
6:00 PM     Millbend set-up
7:30 PM     Millbend Coffeehouse

Sunday August 10, 2014
1:00 PM    Board of Trustees
                 Pathways to Membership
 
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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