The 

Beacon 

Bits

A weekly publication of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

NW Color Logo w Name  
    

April 29, 2015   

 

 

Greetings!   

  



We hope that you can join us on Sunday, May 3

for

Drinking Poison
It's been said that holding onto resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. We know how important it is for us to forgive, and yet we often find it so hard to do. Why do we keep drinking the poison, and what is the antidote?


By Guest Minister
Reverend Randolph L. Partain, DMA
Campus Minister
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston 
Copperfield Campus


with video music arranged by 
Susan Powers

Service times:  9:30am and 11:30am

 

Religious Education this Sunday:

 

9:30 service:

Children in kindergarten through 6th grade will attend Children's Chapel in Room 10 .  

Childcare will be provided in the nursery for younger children.

Credo Project (7th-12th grade) Teen Room

 

Between Services

Adult Forum:We Are Here To Heal, Not To Hate, led by Toby Picker

in the Garden Room between services, 10:35 -11:25.  

 

11:30 service:

Children in kindergarten through 6th grade will attend Children's Chapel in Room 10 .

Childcare will be provided in the nursery for younger children.

YRUU (senior high youth group, 9th-12th grade) Teen 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.

 

Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table
Top Story: From the Treasurer
Pledges, Pledge Reports, and AC

Our financial situation for 2015/16 is not looking good. Currently pledges are around $180,000. This puts total income for 15/16 at $225,000. Our fixed expenses will be $271,000 which gives us a $46,000 deficit and no optional expenses that fund many of our committees. The Board is meeting on 9 May in the morning to plan the budget. It is our regular May meeting switched to Saturday to avoid Mother's Day and allow time to prepare the budget. It is an open meeting so anyone in the Congregation may attend. 

Pledge reports were sent out the other day. I have mine so assume most of you have yours. It came to my attention that these reports are incomplete for some congregants, and have been for years. It is just the reports not the record of pledge payments in our accounting system. 

As you know, we have a fiscal year (FY) that runs from July through June. A couple months ago I looked at all our pledge history and found that we receive pledges for a FY starting in March and going through September (and even once December!) of the next year. For example, for the 2013/14 FY we might have payments from 3/13 until 9/14. 

The reports you received were generated using a start date of 1 July 2014 through 30 June 2015. This means that payments received before 1 July are not included in the report. We will adjust our processing of reports to be sure that early, and late, payments are included in future reports. This situation may also have generated letters to congregants asking you to complete your pledges when you already did so before the FY started. 

I apologize for this. It is a quirk of our accounting system and FY that was not apparent until brought to my attention. Fortunately only a few congregants are affected, namely those who make payments outside of the FY. 

If you ever have questions about your pledges you can contact Jamie, the Church Administrator, or myself. We'll investigate and get back to you. 

Finally, our large AC units that cool the sanctuary have reached their end of life. Through the efforts of Kate Rhoad, Sean Connelly, Mark Smith, and especially Ralph Stevenson we've identified a company to replace the units using a bidding process. The Board approved an expenditure of up to $15,000 at the last meeting. The actual cost is around $13,000 to install two 5 ton AC units and renovate the interior equipment. The money is coming from our Capital Reserve account. The work should be completed in the next few weeks. 


 

Notes From the DFD
Dear friends,

First, some great news! My dad has his 3-month checkup MRI last week, and there were no changes to his brain--no growth, no tumors, no shadows... There are so many euphemisms for brain cancer. But this week, our spirits are high here in Little Rock, and Dad is looking forward to getting back to exercise, and a few other things that make him feel more like himself. It's been wonderful for his spirit, and for ours. Thank you for your continued prayers and good wishes for my family. Thank you also for the condolences we've received since Cindy's mom's death earlier this month. It's been a very . . . mortal time for us lately.

This Sunday, children K-6th grade will have Children's Chapel in Room 10. This month, we'll learn about Rachel Carson's story, and the many ways we are all connected to the world around us. Chapel is held during both services, and will begin after the worship story.

And this Sunday May 3, I hope many of you will make the short walk around the tennis courts to Tamarac Park for our second-annual May Day Picnic, complete with crafts and games and our own May Pole dance! Bring lunch and an outdoor game to share. While you are there, be on the lookout for the amazing gourmet snow cones from SnowConeAngels that we had last year as well!

Thought it's still a couple of weeks off, I am already looking forward to seeing you all the weekend of May 16-17, when I will be facilitating a leadership retreat and helping to lead Northwoods' Coming of Age service, with the help of the Credo Project teachers, Hallie Moore and Sue Powell, and Northwoods' youth.

And finally, save the date for Hobbit Camp! The camp dates are June 8-12. This year's children's camp will celebrate both Unitarian Universalism and the world of Middle Earth. We're going on an adventure! Adults and older youth, if you'd like to join our merry company as teachers, volunteers and counselors, please email me at [email protected] this week! Dwarves, hobbits, men and elves-all are welcome!

Yours in faith,

 

Sarah

PS- As always, please contact me via email or telephone if there is anything I can do for you individually, or to answer any questions you might have about this transitional time for religious education. Click here for more information about how you can help out in the religious education program.
Foundations: Church Governance
May Board of Trustees Meeting Change

The budget meeting in May has been rescheduled to allow members to spend Mother's Day with their families. 

The May Budget Meeting will be on Saturday, May 9, in the Sanctuary from 9am - 12pm.
 
Building and Grounds Chair Sought

After 5 years as Chair, Kate Rhoad will be stepping down to make room for someone new. One does not need to know how to fix a toilet (although that's always a plus), but does need to have good organizational and people skills. The job requires less than an hour a week plus organizing 3 workdays per year. Contact Brian Lockridge at
 [email protected]if you would like more information.

Much gratitude goes to Kate, who has gone above and beyond in organizing, cleaning, coordinating, and generally being amazing at keeping our beautiful building in tip-top shape. Thank you, Kate! 

 

 
Special Thanks
from Kate Rhoad
 
A big thank you goes out to:

  • Joan O'Connell and Sam Turner for all the beautiful color around the church.
  • Hallie Moore for keeping up the nametags and for sprucing up the kitchen on Tuesday nights.
  • David Shontz and Mary Branson for taking the trash and recycle to the curb each Tuesday and
  • John Hammond for bringing in the rolling bins every Wednesday.
  • Sean Kenneth for brilliantly and quietly taking care of the building.
  • Ralph Stephenson for overseeing the purchase of new HVAC system.

 

Committee on Ministries Meeting 

The COM will met on Sunday, April 25.  A copy of the meeting minutes is available for review here.
 
 
Congregational Life
 
Covenant and Conflict: Living the First Principle
Conflict Resolution Training For All
Sunday, June 7, 1 -4 pm at Northwoods
Facilitated by Susan Blackmore and Mary Branson

Interpersonal conflict is an inevitable part of living in any human community, including ours. We are a  covenantal community with diverse world views, belief systems, and passions. One of the most valuable set of skills we can learn is how to thrive in this challenging environment; honoring the inherent worth and dignity of each person while navigating the rocky road of conflict. Come join us in exploring a set of 12  skills that we can learn and practice that will go a long way to make our community healthier. This first 2 hours of the training is for anyone who is interested in learning more about resolving conflict, not just those who have been identified as being on the newly reconstituted Conflict Resolution Committee (CRC) The last hour will be practice sessions for those who will be serving on the CRC.

For those interested in getting a head start, you can look up the materials we are using on the website for the Conflict Resolution Network: www.crnhq.org.


 

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch for May 3 will join the church Picnic at Tamarac Park. Be sure to bring a lunch basket! Questions? Ask Phil or Beth Marshall.
 
REMinistryReligious Education

Parents Night Out- Please RSVP!

 

Parents' Night Out returns this Friday,  May 1, from 6pm to 9pm.  Bring the kiddos to the church for an evening of play and fun.  There is a suggested donation of $10, but no child will be turned away for lack of funds. Hearty snacks will be served (nuggets, pizza pockets or the like.)  Please RSVP to Sarah Prickett at [email protected] if your children will be attending this month.  

 

This I Believe Youth Credo Project

 

I am very excited about this year's credo-writing all-youth project! Hallie Moore and Sue Powell, both members of Northwoods and writers themselves, will co-lead the credo-writing classes for the youth program this year, and both of them bring much wisdom and joy to the experience. There will be five credo-writing sessions:

 

Workshop Dates: April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10

Coming of Age Worships: May 17, 9:30 and 11:30 services

 

Times: All ages will meet together

9:30-10:30 in the Teen Room

(upstairs, by the sound room)

 

What is the Credo Project?

 

For the youth of Northwoods, writing their own credos, or statements of belief, and then sharing them with the congregation is an important rite of passage. They are also a great statement to look back on after time and see what has evolved, and what has endured. These statement are not definitive, nor are they unchanging, so even youth who have done this kind of thing in the past will have something new to learn about themselves.

 

This year, we will again be using a curriculum from This I Believe.org, a nonprofit spinoff from the popular NPR feature. The class will listen to This I Believe statements from various people as part of their learning, and talk about different aspects of their own beliefs, as well as how to articulate them. Visit thisibelieve.org to learn more about this program and read statements of belief from around the world.

 

Here's what Hallie and Sue have to say about the credo project:

 

One of the things that makes our Credo Project special for is is that each teen and pre-teen will have time to share the best of themselves through their own stories and if they desire, through their art, music, dance, video or other creative project.

 

This is an opportunity for the youth to share the living nature of the spiritual beliefs that they can draw on when faced with new challenges and new opportunities. .... and as a congregation, we get to know our young people as more than faces in the hall.

 

This is a short-term commitment, and a special opportunity to participate in a process that involves the entire congregation. (There will also be an adult group, as well as a sermon series from adult members of the congregation on this topic as well.) All youth are encouraged and invited, including those who don't attend YRUU regularly. I hope you will join us!

 

For more information, contact Sarah Prickett at [email protected] or (713)398-4782.

 

 
A New Northwoods Tradition Continutes: May Day Picnic!
May 3, 12:45-3:00

Tamarac Park (behind the church)

 

It's time to dust off your picnic baskets for the upcoming SECOND ANNUAL May Day church picnic.

Bring lunch and a blanket and come enjoy an all-church picnic at Tamarac Park's pavilion.

We'll be welcoming spring with a traditional Maypole dance and will also have some fun crafts for kids of all ages.

 

Bring your favorite outdoor game to share!

If you'd like to help out with this event, contact Tesa Silva at [email protected].

 

Sarah's Expanded Office Hours

To better meet the needs of the congregation, Sarah will be extending her office hours from three days a week to four. While she will be available via phone or email at other times, she will be keeping office hours 10-2 Monday through Thursday and by appointment, as well as being available remotely on Sunday mornings and for Sunday afternoon meetings. Sarah's email address, [email protected], has not changed, and she can also be reached via phone at (713)398-4782.
 
 
Meet Laura!

As many of you know, we have been in search of a new childcare worker for the last month or so. I am excited to announce that we have made a great hire! Her name is Laura Arrizola, and she comes to us with over 30 years of experience in childcare, including running her own care service. She also worked with our current childcare worker Judy Lucy at the Woodlands' Interfaith Child Development Center. Some of you might have met her last week on Sunday or at Parents Night Out, but I hope you'll stop by and say hello and welcome her to our Northwoods community!

Sarah
Get Involved in Religious Education
Help is needed, large and small!

As Northwoods and Sarah transition to her working remotely, the RE program is currently in need of volunteers who would like to help out with faith development for children, youth and adults in a variety of ways. If this is you, please contact Sarah directly. Here are some of the roles we are currently in need of filling, so please take a look at this list and let Sarah know if you are interested in helping do this work:

Teachers:Northwoods is in need of a couple more teachers to help out once or twice a month with our elementary age classes.  The younger elementary class is more experiential, with more crafts and activities, and the older elementary class is structured around conversation and looking at life's "Big Questions." These are dynamic and fun age groups, grappling with the same ki nd of questions that we ask as adults and learning what it means to live life as a Unitarian Universalist.

Adult Education Team:We are in need of folks to help the RE Ministry Team and SEE Justice Ministry Team with this year's Welcoming Congregation classes in a variety of topics, or help plan for Adult Forum offerings on Sundays.

Small Group Ministry Team:The RE Team is committed to helping establish a small group ministry at Northwoods based on the pilot program we launched last spring, but we will need the help of volunteers who can help coordinate locally as well as train and recruit leaders and participants. This is such an important ministry, especially at this moment in our lives together, and close to the hearts of many.

Acting DFD:This would be a once a month job, acting as ambassador to families and making sure that children find the correct class and teachers have what they need.

Hobbit Camp Planning Team:Adults and youth interested in volunteering for this summer's Middle Earth-themed children's camp in June are invited to become part of the planning process. Come Join the Fellowship!

Bulletin Boards:Sarah can still supply much of the content for the bulletin boards, but I am in need of volunteers to actually physically put up the Faith Development bulletin boards.

Children's Chapel:Last but far from least, Children's Chapel is one of the most special things we offer the children of Northwoods. In the past Sarah led it, but unfortunately can't be here for chapel every month now, and so we am looking for some good folks to lead chapel. Sarah will still supply the lesson and the chapel plan and lots of good support, but to keep Children's Chapel going, we literally can't do it without you.


We hope that you will consider sharing some of your time and passion and creativity, because the most important part of the faith development of our children, youth and adults is the growth and learning that happens as part of being in community together. Please contact Sarah at [email protected] or by phone at (713)398-4782 for more information or to help! 

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

 

Shari Wood-Merriam 

Past President 

  

Rud Merriam

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 2015 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

 

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.

 

 
From YRUU...

We have one large "Standing on the Side of Love" T-shirt remaining for sale. Cost is $15.
 
If you are interested in ordering one or more of the SSL t-shirts, please contact Peggy Walton, so that we can see about preparing another order. Let her know the quantity and sizes. We will try and get larger shirts this time too.
 
Contact Peggy at [email protected] or 936-718-7777.
 
Thanks for supporting our YRUU program, standing on the side of love and promoting our church!


 

 
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. The Wider Circle is on temporary hiatus and will return soon.
 
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.

 

 
SEE Justice
SEE Justice Meeting

SEE Justice group will meet this Sunday after the second service in the Garden Room.  Anyone interested is invited to attend.
 
Millbend Coffee House News:
Cindy Scott
May 9th ~ 7:30pm 

Cindy has walked a different path from the average jazz singer. Born and raised in a house full of music and musicians, she went to LSU on a music scholarship. Uncertain about life as a professional musician, Cindy got an MBA, and eventually found herself in Houston climbing the corporate ladder by day and playing jazz clubs by night. In 2005, she traded a successful business career for a life devoted to music and moved to New Orleans to finally pursue a musical career. There, Cindy has found a happy marriage between her straight-ahead jazz roots and the musical gumbo that pervades New Orleans, and she is now firmly rooted in the rich and diverse music scene of the Crescent City. Northwood's own Mollie McMills will provide the opener for this concert.

 

 
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 May 3, 2015
12:00 PM    May Day Picnic - Tamarac Park
12:30 PM    SEE Justice
1:00 PM      Lay Ministry/Pastoral Care Team Meeting
                     Rehearsal for Molli Millbend

Monday May 4, 2015
7:00 PM    Northwoods Writers' Group

Tuesday May 5, 2015
5:00 PM    Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM    Folk Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday May 6, 2015
May 10 Musicians Rehearsal

Thursday May 7, 2015
6:30 PM    Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM    Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry
                   Northwoods Men's Group

Friday May 8, 2015
10:00 AM    Northwoods Play Group

Saturday May 9, 2015
9:00 AM    Board Budget Meeting
10:00 AM    The Humanist Group
6:00 PM    Millbend set-up
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 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 

   

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

 

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