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Greetings!
We hope that you can join us on Sunday, June 21
for
Life, the Universe, and the Interdependent Web
This sermon is about Earth-Centered UU beliefs and how the
interdependent web fits into my personal beliefs.
by guest speaker
Carol Hensel
with music by
Folk Choir
Religious Education this Sunday:
9:30 Service:
Children K-6: Turning Points RE Class in the Garden Room
Between Services
Adult Forum is on hiatus for the summer and will return in the fall. 11:30 service: Children K-6: Fellowship Hour in Room 10
Youth programming is on hiatus during the summer and will return in the fall.
Service times: 9:30am and 11:30am
Childcare will be provided in the nursery for younger children.
Hearing assistance equipment available at the Membership table
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Dear friends,
After spending a week in Middle Earth with the nearly 60 children, youth and adults who participated in Hobbit Camp last week, ordinary life seems a little more . . . ordinary! What a wonderful time I had with all of you.
The pictures and video posted on the Northwoods UU Facebook group are a wonderful reminder of the joy we experience as children, and the privilege of being a part of the faith journey of others. It is a great gift you have given me, and I'd like to share a little something with you in return.
Do you believe in synchronicity? I do, and this song has come up in multiple conversations this week and last. I think it sums up much of the joy in life that we experienced here together, and sometimes we need those reminders:
Stars, by Namoli Brennet
This week, I am busy finalizing summer RE plans for children K-6. If you are interested in helping lead or assist in out Turning Points RE class, please send me an email at dfd@northwoodsuu.org and let me know. I have a lesson template available if you'd like some help in planning a lesson to share about a turning point in your life. (For more info on this class, check out the RE section of the Beacon Bits, below.) I again invite both current and former youth and parents of youth, as well as youth advisors and RE teachers, to fill out our youth ministry feedback form, the first of several opportunities this summer for us to brainstorm new ideas and energy for youth ministry. I hope parents and youth will check out the link in the RE section of the Beacon Bits below and also here. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Yours in the journey,
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 RE programming.
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Foundations: Church Governance
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COM Meeting
The Committee on Ministry minutes from the May meeting are available for review here.
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Endowment Committee Vacancy
Bill Levine must retire from the Endowment Committee on June 30th following six years of service. Candidates to replace him will be presented to the Board of Trustees for selection. If you are interested in the position or want to learn more, please contact a committee member (Keith Armstrong, Dave Sherwood or Bill Levine).
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What Do I Believe
Summer Sermon Series
This Sunday the What Do I Believe summer series will resume with a sermon by Northwoods member, Carol Hensel.
The schedule for the remainder of the series is:
June 21: Carol Hensel, UU Earth-centered-The Interdependent Web
June 28: Susan Hammond, Progressive Christianity
July 5: Hallie Moore, Personal Spirituality
July 12: Rusty Rhoad, An Atheist's God
Our 3rd Principal is: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. Making this sermon series a part of your summer plans would be a good expression of that principal.
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The Woodlands 4th of July Parade
Theme: America's Heroes
Rain or shine, The Woodlands 4th of July Parade promises to be lots of fun. This year's theme is America's Heroes and we're SURE that we have many Unitarian Universalist American heroes to portray!
Teresa Allen is looking for someone to help plan the fun. Awards (which we could easily win) include: Most Beautiful Entry, Most Patriotic Entry, Entry with Best Use of Theme, Best Musical Entry, President's Choice Award, Best Military Award, Community Entry Award, Youth Entry Award, Most Enthusiastic Award, and Best Professionally Built Commercial Float
If you have ideas or would like to plan, walk, carry a banner or pass out fliers, please call 281-350-3052.
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2015 General Assembly
Teresa Allen has raised $165 toward sending someone to GA, and GA offers an opportunity for people to attend virtually through live streaming. If you would like to be a virtual delegate or help with the technical aspects of streaming the GA live at Northwoods, contact Teresa Allen (281-350-3052.) She is also still taking contributions for GA expenses.
Thanks to those who donated!
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Lunch Bunch Goes Greek
Lunch Bunch is going to Lama Mediterranean Caf� on Sunday, June 21st. To join us at this family-owned Greek & Mediterranean spot with counter service and outdoor tables, go to 1500 Research Forest Drive, Shenandoah, Texas 77381, at 1pm. They assure us that they will be open!
Questions? Ask Beth or Phil Marshall.
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 Religious Education |
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Changes to Youth Ministry Coming this Fall!
Youth Ministry Feedback Form available now!
Hi all, I want to let you know about some changes that will be happening in youth programming next year. Next year during the 11:30 service, we're going to try something other than the YRUU structure we've had in the past. Continued low attendance and struggle to make this model work over the last couple of years have led me to the conclusion that there is probably something very much better that we can be doing in this time, and I think we are called to provide it.
Not having YRUU on Sunday mornings does not mean that we won't have youth ministry! Youth ministry is much bigger than one class, and involves all parts of life at church- religious education, fellowship and outings, service to the church and community, rallies and more. Those things can still happen, but there will be something new happening at 11:30 on Sundays to better tie all of that together and create a space that, right now, is full of possibility.
What will this look like? We will be working with parents and youth to brainstorm this question over the summer. There will definitely be a chance for all of you to weigh in on what you would like to see happen in this time slot, so I hope that you will all give us some good feedback. There is a lot of possibility here! We will be scheduling face to face brainstorming sessions at Northwoods with RE volunteer leadership as well as at least one video session with me later in the summer, once the youth have returned from their UU summer camps, but the first way we'd like to hear from you is available now.
I've created a Youth Ministry Feedback Form, and I invite all youth and parents to give us some feedback. You can find the form here.
I know that changing things is hard, and not knowing what will happen is not a comfortable feeling, but I hope it can also be exciting. There are many great things about YRUU, but I believe we can do better. I believe we can take the best of what was and also look for what we might be able to make together. In that vein, let's take a moment and remember that, before a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, it first turns into a big gooey mess inside that chrysalis. Right now, it probably feels like a big gooey mess, but something truly great can come out of it.
If anyone would like to talk about this change, I am always happy to talk!
In faith,
Sarah
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Turning Points: Children's Summer RE Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. -Helen Keller Our summer children's program will begin the first Sunday in June, and this year's summer RE theme is one that everyone can participate in. This summer, we'll be exploring Turning Points, those decisions and experiences and moments that shape u s into the people we are today. One way for adults to participate is by sharing their stories and experiences with the children in summer RE, with the help of RE teachers and myself. I'll help you create a lesson around a story that you want to share, and you'll have an assistant to help out with the class, but it's your stories that will make this program a great success! So think back: What moments, stories or decisions have you made that changed your life and made you the person you are today? What values and principles guided your thinking? What did you learn? You could tell a story about choosing a spiritual path or practice, deciding to have children, standing up to a bully, going on an adventure, starting a business, learning a craft...there are literally thousands of stories to be shared, I know! The greatest wisdom in this congregation is the cumulative life experiences of all of you, and this program is a chance to share that wisdom with our youngest congregants and pass along the lessons you've learned. If you'd like to share your story with Northwoods' children during summer RE, or if you have any questions, please contact me at dfd@northwoodsuu.org. |
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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:
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
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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:
David Shontz
Chair
Mary Chimarusti Mary Branson
Susan Blackmore
Linda Nadler
Beth Marshall
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Chair: Kate Rhoad
Membership Coordinator:
Helen Sherwood
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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:
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 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 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.
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Get Involved in Religious Education this Fall
Help is needed, large and small!
The RE program is in need of volunteers who would like to help out with faith development for children, youth and adults in a variety of ways, especially as we lose our Director of Lifespan Faith Development position this fall. If you or interested in filling these needs, 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:
Adult Education Team: We are in need of folks to help the RE Ministry Team and SEE Justice Ministry Team with next year's Welcoming Congregation classes in a variety of topics, and to help plan for Adult Forum offerings on Sundays. If you would like t  o help with Adult RE, please contact Linda Nadler! Planning for Fall will begin soon!
Fall RE Teachers: We are in need of 3-4 additional teachers for our fall RE program for ages 6 and up. For more information or to recommend someone as a teacher, please contact Sarah.
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.
Want to help but not sure how? Let Sarah know, and she'll be happy to discuss where the best fit for you might be.
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 dfd@northwoodsuu.org or by phone at (713)398-4782 for more information or to help!
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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.
Thanks for supporting our YRUU program, standing on the side of love and promoting our church!
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 Spiral Scouts
If your children are interested in participating in Spiral Scouts, please contact Cyndie Mahaney (cyndie@techie.com) for a meeting schedule. Spriral Scouts is a co-ed, Pagan based scouting program for all ages.
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 Millbend Coffeehouse Presents
Still on The Hill
July 11th ~ 7:30pm
Still on the Hill (Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Stjerna) is at the very heart of the American "folkgrass" phenomenon. A Still on the Hill performance incorporates kaleidoscopic color and constant movement. Bright clothing and hats, long flowing hair, dancing feet (some with shoes, some without), bobbing fiddle and weaving guitar engage the audience, drawing them into the excitement.
Kelly was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and his passion for stringed instruments began at the age of 9 with a gift of a ukulele. Within two years he had added the guitar and banjo to his credits. The '70's and '80's found Kelly in countless bands playing rock & roll, bluegrass, jazz, progressive rock, and folk music while studying contemporary classical music.
Donna grew up in New York and California and began playing the fiddle at the age of 12 after being taken to see the "lady fiddler" in the Eddie Arnold show. She is a highly prolific songwriter with over 400 songs to her credit and has been the band's principal songwriter since they became a duo in 2001. In addition to playing the fiddle, Donna contributes lead vocals, mandolin, cello, and a variety of traditional roots-based instruments to the unique sound that is Still on the Hill.
Bluegrass, folk, jazz, classical, jug band and blues - take your pick, or take them all, because that's what you'll get when you see this great duo at Millbend Coffeehouse. Talented Houston songwriter and performing artist Leslie Krafka will open the concert with some of her lively and beautiful songs.
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SEE Justice/UUCSJ Migrant Support Project
Ken Anderson of our committee has volunteered for an eight week program, based in San Antonio, to provide legal support for the women and children refugees in the ICE detention camps along the Mexican border. In preparation for this mission he recently attended a seminar in Tucson that included meetings with various relief agencies on both sides of the border, the Border Patrol, an immigration judge, and a desert trek to put out water and food for the migrants. The San Antonio mission is a program of the Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice (UUCSJ). The UUCSJ encourages anyone who embarks on a mission for them to enlist a group of partners (Learning Circle) in their local congregation to join them in reading some of the books that describe the problems that they are addressing and to follow them through emails and meetings. Ken will be coordinating these activities here at Northwoods for those who choose to participate. If you are interested in participating in this Learning Circle, please contact Ken at belle_lorraine@hotmail.com or 281-851-8859.
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Help with Coffee Sales and Kiva
Northwoods SEE Justice Committee is looking for volunteers to work with the Fair Trade coffee and chocolate sales. The proceeds go to KIVA-- so helping with this project is perfect for anyone who is interested in making a difference for social justice (through promoting micro-lending and fair trade) and environmentalism. Please contact Teresa Allen at 281-350-3052. For more information on Kiva, click here. What can you do to help? Two main responsibilities can be given to one or two (or more!) people:
- Coffee Sales: Coffee sales need to be managed, which includes ordering coffee and chocolates and keeping a stock of fair trade goods at the church. Coffee sales need to be managed at the church on Sundays, and at church events, which includes setting up a sales display and selling coffee and chocolate.
- Managing the Kiva Loans: SEE Justice needs someone to manage the Kiva loans through the Kiva website. This person would look through loan applicant profiles and chose who we lend to.
Both aspects of the project will be fun for the right people, and rewarding too! 
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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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Calendar, Beacon Bits Submission Policy, and Contact Information
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Coming Up At Northwoods
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Wednesday June 17, 2015
6:00 PM Gallery Meeting
Thursday June 18, 2015
12:00 PM Toastmasters
6:30 PM Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
7:00 PM Ewe Ewe Knitting Ministry
US Green
Friday June 19, 2015
10:00 AM Northwoods Play Group
Saturday June 20, 2015
10:00 AM Women's Book Group
Monday June 22, 2015
6:00 PM Unlocking Limiting Beliefs - Starts at 7pm. Ends at 9pm
Tuesday June 23, 2015
5:00 PM Blue Mountain Meditation
7:00 PM Folk Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday June 24, 2015
7:00 PM Worship Arts Team Meeting
Thursday June 25, 2015
12:00 PM Toastmasters
6:30 PM Paul Klein & Klay Vage Rehearsal
Friday June 26, 2015
10:00 AM Northwoods Play Group
Saturday June 27, 2015
7:00 PM CUUPS
Sunday June 28, 2015
1:00 PM Committee on Ministry
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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 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.
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Contact Information
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Congregational Administrator: Jamie Thompson, office@northwoodsuu.org
Phone 281-298-2780
Church Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10 am- 3pm
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-4pm
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