The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
    

December 10, 2014 

 

 

Greetings!   

  

We hope that you can join us this Sunday morning, December 14, 2014       


for

The Light of Life Holiday Pageant

starring the children of Northwoods

Service times:  9:30am and 11:30am

 

Fall Religious Education Programming    

 

9:30 Service:
Children and youth will remain in service with their families for the pageant.

Between Services

Adult Forum is on winter break and will return in January.   

 

11:30 Service:   

Children and youth will remain in service with their families for the pageant.

 

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.

 

Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table
Foundations: Church Governance
Vision 2020: What Do We Aspire To As a Church?

A mission statement encapsulates an organization's aspirations-what we want to be as a whole.  Spiritual depth, making a difference in the world, a place of welcome-all those ideas and many more can go into a mission statement.  Here is ours:

 

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church is a welcoming, religiously liberal community that recognizes the need for free inquiry and many approaches to personal truth.

 

Together, we celebrate, learn, support and serve one another and the wider community and encourage one another towards lives of deeper spiritual growth and meaning.

 

We practice responsible stewardship through our presence and our gifts and seek to engage one another in practicing lives of integrity through our participation in our church's shared ministries for all generations.

 

We've had five years to live with this statement, working together to understand how we can put our mission and vision into practice.  It's time for us to look at it again with those five years' experience in mind, and see where we would like to go next.

As part of that process we're gathering input on our ministries.  We are providing the opportunity to evaluate three of those  ministries--Congregational Life, Spiritual Life, and Social Justice--

through this survey

 

The survey will take 20-30 minutes to fully complete.  We hope you will enjoy the opportunity to reflect upon what these ministries mean to our church, and will be generous with your constructive advice.  This survey will remain open until December 10th.  We will be putting it in the next two issues of the Beacon Bits. 
 
Thank you for taking the time to improve your church.  If you have any questions about the survey, please contact David Shontz ([email protected]) or Beth Marshall ([email protected].) 

 


SAVE THE DATE:
Church Work Party/Taking Down the Greens

January 10th
9:00am - 2:00pm
Pizza and salad at noon

 

Church Holiday Hours

The church will be closed the week of Christmas (December 22 - 26.)  
 

Shop Online and Support Northwoods!

 

The Holiday shopping season is fast approaching.  If you use Amazon to save yourself from the holiday shopping frenzy, don't forget to sign up for AmazonSmile.  A portion of the AmazonSmile sales will directly benefit Northwoods!

 

Bookmark this link, and designate Northwoods as your AmazonSmile recipient:

 



 

Spiritual Life
An Invitation from Emerson to  
Celebrate Winter Solstice

 Emerson Unitarian Universalist church invites Northwoods members and friends to a family-friendly evening of music, readings, and candlelight as we honor the darkness of winter and celebrate the return and warmth of the life-giving sun.The circle of lighted candles in the Sanctuary is amazing. We invite you to bring a seasonal treat to share at the Reception following the service.

The celebration will be on Sunday, December 21st at 7:30pm at Emerson Church (1900 Bering Drive, Houston, Texas, 77057.)

 

 
Congregational Life
Care and Concern

Two of our fellow congregants recently lost parents.  Jerry Hensel's father recently passed away, and Sean Kenneth Connelly's mother passed last week.  We offer our condolences and sympathies to both families.  
 
You're Invited!
Let's Celebrate Sarah and Cindy

 

This Sunday, between services, join us in celebrating the recent nuptials between Sarah, our Director of Faith Development, and her new wife, Cindy.  Sarah and Cindy recently traveled to Rhode Island to get married in the presence of their closest family and friends.  Her family and friends and Northwoods want to celebrate. 

No gifts, please, but if you would like to make a small donation to their honeymoon fund there will be collection vase on their reception table.  Cake and snacks will be served.

Winter Boutique - THIS SUNDAY - one day only!  

10:30-12:30 in the Avant Garden Room  

 

Shop local for those special people on your list. Coffee, tea and chocolates, knitted items, Vicki's handknit pot holders, Doni's handcrafted ceramics, Barbara's handmade totes - and more! 

 

There is still time to pre-order fair trade gift bags, too!  Send [email protected] an e-mail to let her know what you want in your gift bag.  Your chocolates, coffees and/or teas will be placed in festive holiday gift bags, with tissue paper, all ready to deliver to that special friend, family member, or co-worker.   You just drop off your check or cash on Sunday and pick up you order.  Easy, low-stress shopping.  Need stocking stuffers?  Why not try raspberry, coconut, orange, or lemon-ginger chocolate bars for $4 each, or bags of 12 mini chocolates for $3.00?  Purchase fair trade products for giving, and I'll throw in the gift bag and tissue for FREE!

 

All proceeds from the fair trade products, plus donations from the other boutique participants, fund the Kiva Micro-Lending Program for women. 


 


Lunch Bunch

The Lunch Bunch goes greek at the Lama Mediteranian Grill, this Sunday at 1pm (1500 Research Forest Drive, where Six Pines Dead ends into Research Forest)

 

Questions? Ask Phil or Beth Marshall

 

 

 
REMinistryReligious Education
RE Text Alerts

Stay informed with up to date information about upcoming Sunday programming for children, youth and adults by signing up for RE Text Updates. Click here for more information. 

Houston Youth Rally at Northwoods
Community Help needed!

On Jan. 16-18, 2015, Northwoods will be hosting a district youth rally at our church, led by the Houston area UU youth programs. Our own Zach Soules is one of the co-deans! Rallies usually attract around 100 youth, advisors and chaperones, and much of the work is done by these folks, but there are a couple of ways that the host congregation is asked for help:

1. Rovers: Rovers work in pairs throughout the night, staying awake and alert as part of the safety and accountability necessary in working with youth, and so the rally volunteers and advisors can get good rest for the day to come.  Rovers are needed for both nights, Jan. 16 and 17. The first shift is midnight-3 am, and the second is 3 am-6 am.

2. Community-sponsored Feast: Saturday night, it is customary for the host congregation to supply dinner via food donations from congregants. We are asking the rally participants to bring some of the nonperishable and transportable parts of the meal, but we need your help with hot dishes and entrees.

If you are willing to volunteer as a rover for a shift, or bring food to the youth's Saturday night feast, please contact Sarah at [email protected]
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:  

 

Larry Loomis Price President

 

Ann McAlpin

President-Elect

 

Stephanie Coleman

Past President 

  

AJ Livecchi  

Treasurer   

 

Bob Long 

Parliamentarian

 

Kathryn Donohue

Secretary 


John DeCaire

At Large

 

Michelle 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:

 

David Shontz 

Chair

 

Mary Chimarusti
Mary Branson

Susan Blackmore
Linda Nadler 

Beth Marshall 

Congregational Life

Chair:  Kate Rhoad

Membership Coordinator: 
Helen Sherwood
 
Ministries Meetings and Groups

Spiritual Life

 

Asimov Humanists: Meets 2nd Saturday each month, 10am-12 in The Garden Room. Contact Karyl Paige 281-435-2644

 

Drum Circle:

Contact the church office 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 several times in the fall, winter, and spring for discussion, study, and fellowship, and sponsors vespers services for Advent and Good Friday. For  more information and dates, contact Bob Long.  

 

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.  

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 2014 book list, or  here for the 2015 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.

 

 
Are you Connected? Introducing The Wider Circle newsletter!

There is so much happening at Northwoods in religious education, especially in the area of children's, youth and family ministry, that, to better communicate directly with families about programs geared toward children and youth, and in order to keep the Beacon Bits from being a mile long, Sarah has put together a weekly newsletter called the Wider Circle. (The title comes from a favorite Children's Chapel song, "Draw the Circle Wide.")

This is designed to be a resource for families to deepen the monthly theme, learn about what's happening in weekly classes, and also stay on top of upcoming events and Sunday plans. If you are not currently receiving this communication tool and would like to, please contact Sarah directly to be added.
 
Spiral Scouts

If your children are interested in participating in Spiral Scouts, please contact Cyndie Mahaney ([email protected]) for a meeting schedule.  Spriral Scouts is a co-ed, Pagan based scouting program for all ages.

 

 
Get involved with Religious Education!
There are many ways to help, large and small.

For me, one of the joys of serving Northwoods is working with  individuals to share their unique passions and talents with others, especially the younger souls in our midst. There is one truth that lies at the heart of our decision to gather as a faith community: We need each other. We are better, stronger, braver together. Our knowledge and experiences are incomplete, and by coming together, we create something greater even than the sum of its parts. We experience this in worship, when we come together to make a more just and loving community, in fellowship, and when we learn together.

Teaching and attending religious education classes and other faith development opportunities is part of how we weave the connections between us more tightly, and in the coming year, there are many ways to participate in this part of our life together. Watching the love and joy blossom within people as they grow and explore is part of the faith development that Northwoods offers both teachers and learners. (Because we are all teachers and learners, always.)

As I prepare for the coming church year, I am actively recruiting volunteers for the religious education program. Not just classroom teachers, but occasional childcare volunteers, Children's Chapel assistants, Acting DFDs (for the Sundays I am not here), a field trip coordinator for the Neighboring Faiths youth RE class, and more, including some behind the scenes help. If working with children or youth has ever interested you, I hope you will consider taking an active role in this year's religious education. To learn more about our programs, or for help discerning the volunteer role that will make your heart sing, please contact me at dfd@northwoodsuu.org.
 
 
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! 
 
 
SEE Justice
 
Millbend Coffee House Presents
Paper Moon Shiners
December 13 ~ 7:30pm

Paper Moon Shiners are an Austin, Texas duo who specialize in vintage songs and originals inspired by American music from the early twentieth century. Their old timey sensibility and vaudeville undertones command an infectiously entertaining evening with cracker blues, vintage jazz, swing, ragtime, Americana roots and folk


Plan now to attend our Nov. 8th coffeehouse with Adler & Hearne.  Many Meet-Up groups will be invited with an incentive to purchase tickets early, so we could sell out.  Plan ahead.  Call 281-350-3052.

 

 
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

Saturday December 13, 2014
10:00 AM        The Humanist Group
7:30 PM        Millbend Coffeehouse

Sunday December 14, 2014
9:00 AM        Winter Boutique
1:00 PM        Board of Trustees

Monday December 15, 2014
7:00 PM        Northwoods Writers' Group

Tuesday December 16, 2014
5:00 PM        Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM        Folk Choir Rehearsal

Thursday December 18, 2014
12:00 PM        Toastmasters
7:00 PM        Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry

Friday December 19, 2014
10:00 AM        Northwoods Play Group

Saturday December 20, 2014
10:00 AM        Women's Book Group
6:00 PM        Drum Circle

 
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 Beacon Bits.  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 businesses.
 

Contact Information

 

Congregational Administrator: Jamie Thompson, [email protected]   

Phone 281-298-2780   

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

 

Minister: Reverend Ellen Cooper, [email protected]  

 

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

 

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